Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits #1 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Harlequin Teen | July 31, 2012 Pages: 392 Add it: Goodreads Buy it: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  So wrong for each other …and yet so right. No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again. “A riveting and emotional ride!”—New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles “McGarry details the sexy highs, the devastating lows and the real work it takes to build true love.” —Jennifer Echols, author of Such a Rush “An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!”—Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of Alice in Zombieland "Pushing the Limits is an accomplished debut, a perfect choicefor readers who thrive on edgy, riveting storytelling." --Bookpage "Real aches and real love in Katie McGarry's sensitive, complex, always surprising, really excellent first novel." -- School Library Journal

The Scene: Girl with traumatic past. Boy with troubled family life. Lots of teenage angsty drama and a hot romance make up Katie McGarry's debut novel.

The Girl: Echo Emerson is a girl with a past. She can't remember an incident she had with her mom and her only reminder are the scars that run up and down her arms. Echo has her issues but I think that's what really makes her so relatable. Katie McGarry really knows how to write characters that are engaging and stay with you even after you've finished the book. 

The Boy(s): Noah Hutchins. Bad boy (tattoos, check. scars, check. hot bod, triple check). Fiercely protective. Smartass. And also a very sweet and loving guy to both his brothers and the girl he loves, Echo.

The WTF?!: Noah calling Echo his siren or nymph. Like really? Baby sounds waaay better.

The Buzz: Pushing the Limits has all the elements for a great young adult contemporary read. I love the realness of Katie's characters and the issues that are dealt with in the book. Echo and Noah are both characters that have lots of depth that is great to read about. I literally was sad to see this book end. Suffice it to say, Pushing the Limits definitely has the buzz factor going on.   

Rating

TTT - Top Ten Books I Want To Own

 

This week's topic is a freebie. So, I chose to share my top ten books I want to own. I don't own many books. (I know, surprising right?) That's just because books are so expensive and for that reason only, I borrow books from friends or just get them at the library. My list is mostly top ten book series I want to own (I don't know it just worked out that way). In no particular order..

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Series)

I can't believe I don't own this series. I need it in my life. I did buy Spirit Bound though about a month ago. I'm definitely adding the rest soon!

Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Series)

I read the first two books about a month ago and totally fell in love. I'm now reading the third book, Opal. This series is a must read which means that it's a must buy.

The Watchers by Veronica Wolff (Series)

This is not just another vampire series. This is a kickass, survival of the fittest vampire series. I need to get this pronto.

Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill (Series)

I love, love, love this one. It's not just about vampires but about a lot of other paranormals. I love how Chloe Neill fits politics into this series. I only own one book, Hard Bitten, but hope to get the rest.

Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost (Series)

Jeaniene Frost can write a kickass vampire novel. I love Cat and Bones!

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (Series)

I don't know why I don't own these books! They're at the top top of my favorites list.

The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare (Series)

The same goes for the prequel to the Mortal Instruments. Can I just say WILL HERONDALE.

Blood of Eden by Julie Kagawa (Series)

Another vampire series but seriously I need these in my life. I actually won the last book in the trilogy, The Forever Song, in a giveaway so I was veeeerrrrryyyy excited about that. Now I just need the first two.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Series)

I finished reading Crash Into You recently and it got me really wanting to get all of these books. They're amazing.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (Series)

I only read and own (my cousin gave it to me) The Lightning Thief but I liked it so much that I want the whole series.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Standalone)

I came close to buying this book. I totally should have.

The Buzz:

What are some books that you want to own?

WOW - Waiting On Take Me On by Katie McGarry

This week I'm waiting on

Title: Take Me On Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits #4 Reading Level: Young Adult Publisher: Harlequin Teen | May 27, 2014 Add it: Goodreads Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million  Synopsis:  Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help. West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future. Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

Another Katie McGarry book?

I haven't even read Crash Into You yet (I know, *gasp*) and I'm already yearning for some more McGarry angst and drama. Take Me On looks really good as with all of the Pushing the Limits books. I haven't read about West yet ('cause I didn't read Crash Into You) but I've heard that a lot of people like him. 

So, yay!

Now leave me alone so I can dive into Isaiah and Rachel's story before this baby comes out.