Sunday, January 27, 2013

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Format: ARC, 392 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Gifted from Anna at Literary Exploration!

Description from Goodreads:
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.


I've heard talk about Pushing the Limits for a super long time now. And I've wanted to read it since the moment I heard about it. So, obviously, I've wanted to read this for a super long time now. So when I got it, there was a lot of happy dancing. Seriously. A lot. And it was all for good cause. Because this book made me all kinds of happy!

This book honestly had me from page one, which does not happen all that often for me with contemporary books. Normally, I have to read a bit of the book to actually get into it and start having fun with it. But with this book, I started on page one and just DID NOT want to stop. Goodness, this book has my heart.

Character Rundown:
Echo: Ahhh, Echo. I love her name. And the story of her name. Her character wasn't too bad. Her POV was amusing and held my attention, though I did like Noah's better. She was selfless and kind. I guess the thing about her that got to me was that she was all self-sacrificing. But not in a way that I see as noble. More like in a way that's trying too hard. I don't even know. She was NOT a bad character. She just wasn't my favrite. Still, this didn't take anything away from the book or how much I love it.

Noah: Awwww, Noah. He was so amazing. I love how he was so determined to get his brothers back, and then help Echo. And then there was the fact that he was so loyal to his foster siblings all the time. I loved THAT relationship. Those three...ha. Can't wait to see more in Dare You To. Anyway, Noah's a sweetheart who sometimes looks like a bad boy. But really, he's not a bad boy, he's just done some bad things. Or...seemingly bad things. Either way, he's good at heart and I adore him to no end.

Aires: Okay, so I'm aware that he's not actually, you know, ALIVE in this book, but I heart him. And most of the tears that were shed for this book were shed for him. I mean, I didn't ball my eyes out or anything, but still. This boy made me smile. I'm so sad he's gone. And the thing that Echo did with his car...well, that is one of the things I DID like a lot about her. I admire that she did that. Goodness knows that if I were in her shoes, I would have done the same exact thing. So...ahhh, Aires.

Plot. This book had me. In between Echo working out her memories and Noah trying and trying and trying to get his brothers back, I was caught up in the story that was Noah & Echo. There was always something happening to keep me reading. This is one of those books that I couldn't help but read during class because I just could NOt bring myself to close the book and not find out what was happening.

Noah & Echo. They were such a great couple! I have no complaints about them, whatsoever. These two were just awesome. Noah's a sweetie and he cares so, so much. And then Echo, well...Echo's a good person. There's no doubt about that. Seeing them getting used to each other and actually grow together had me grinning like a fool. I love these two!

The ending. I can't see how this book could have ended any better. It was just right for the characters. I felt it in my heart a little, but I was happy. heck, this book IN GENERAL just gave me an overall happy feeling.

Overall, Katie McGarry has written a superb debut novel that sent me through so many emotions but ultimately left me smiling. I couldn't be more excited for the next book, Dare You To, if I tried! I just KNOW Katie's going to make Beth's story just as fantastic as Noah and Echo's story was. Ahhh, so much love here!!!

♥Jessica(:

33 comments:

  1. I literally just read this book today. It never interested me but once I saw all the reviews I knew I had to read it and I'm glad I did! I loved it so much. I agree about enjoying Noah's pov more than Echo. I too shed some tears for Aires! Can't wait for Dare You To :). Amazing review Jessica!

    Jasmine

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  2. another good sounding book i will have to add to my ever growing list!

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  3. This has been on my tbr list for a while now, maybe I'll finally get a chance to read it soon!

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  4. I've been wanting to read this book since forever. I'm glad you really liked it! :)

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  5. One of the most moving books I have ever read. I find it very realistic..no lovely but sudden happy endings.

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  6. This book is all over! Echo is indeed a unique name. I love it as well. I must get myself a copy soon. :)

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  7. I keep seeing this book on a lot of different blogs. I have not read it yet, but I am looking forward to doing so. I am curious to see if I feel the same about Echo as you do, should be interesting.

    cmucha319@yahoo.com

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  8. I am glad you enjoyed it.I love books with dual POV-s.

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  9. I always seeing review this book on another blog too, but until now i still have't read it. I have ebook this one, don't know when i read it.

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  10. I've heard a lot about this book too and it's intrigued me. BUT, like you mentioned too, I sometimes have problems with getting into contemporary books. Glad to here you liked it anyway.

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  11. I've really wanted to read this book! Thanks for the review, I'm so glad you enjoyed it

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  12. I have wanted to read this book for a while, but now I want to read it even more!!! I'm such a snob about endings, so to see that this one has a good one makes it even more appealing.

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  13. Thnaks for this great review ! This book looks very good :D

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  14. this is one of my favorite YA,I love bad boy, Noah and Echo too^^

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  15. So happy to hear that this is a great book since I've been meaning to read it for a few months now!

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  16. Loved this book, It's a keeper! I adored the storyline. I even liked the councilor, she was really cool.
    Great review!

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  17. Great review.I really want to read this book now.

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  18. Nice review. I have been dying to read this book! I will get to it eventually, but I'm gonna have to move it up on my TBR list.

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  19. Great review, It makes me so much more excited to read it now!

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  20. I want to read this book so bad!! :) Just entered your giveaway for it so thought I'd come check out your review as well. I really admire Noahs character, even just from what Ive read about him so far. Great review!

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  21. Thanks for the review! The plot itself is enough for me to want to read the book.

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  22. Great review. I loved this book! I enjoyed reading it so much but it was before it was even out.. and now I'm about to read Dare you to. So excited!

    I entered your giveaway of the book so I can have it on my bookshelf to read whenever I want..

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  23. Nice review. I haven't read this one yet but it's definitely on my wishlist already. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

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  24. Great review! I totally love the book description and the cover.

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  25. This book was just amazing! I can't wait for the next! (:

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  26. I'm DYING to read this. There are a lot of people who's recommending me, and I've also seen a lot of 5-star reviews.

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  27. I've read some reviews of this books and all said that is very good. I expect the same.

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  28. Great review! I've seen a lot about this book lately and it is definitely making me want to read it. Thanks for the information about the characters.

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  29. Awesome review!

    This book has been on my TBR and wish list pile for months and luckily I won my copy from giveaway. Yay! I can't wait for it to arrive so I could start reading :D

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  30. I love this book !!! One of my most great surprise of 2012 ! I can't wait to read the next one, Dare You To, I've already pre-order it ;)

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  31. I'm dying to read this book and your review just confirmed this need!
    mestith@gmail.com

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  32. Reading your review has just made me even more excited about the second book - I can't wait till it's released.

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  33. Great review I also heard a lot of raving talk about this book I am going to give it a try and see if I like it! thanks for sharing!

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