15 Aug 2012

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
July 25th, 2012 · Harlequin Teen Australia
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 376
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. 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.
Review:

Noah and Echo have had more than their fair share of heartache and loss over the past few years. They’re both lost and confused, trying to scrape by, burdened with the feeling that at any moment they might explode from the pressure, sadness and everything in between. Both are drifting through life, trying to cling to any bit of normalcy; looking for something, anything, to pull them back over the edge…and then they find each other and it turns out that hope can not only be found in unexpected places, but people, too.

As soon as I began Pushing the Limits, I was swept up into Noah and Echo’s story. Whilst I didn’t necessarily relate with their situations and everything they were going through, I did connect with their personalities and themselves as a character. Noah and Echo have been through so much, and they’re only teenagers about to graduate from high school. I only wished them a happily ever after to their never-ending nightmare, and that they would find a new type of normal and hope.

“Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, Noah, you surprise me.”

Every time Noah surprised Echo, he surprised me, too. Noah is real; he has his faults (who doesn’t?) but he is also such a sweet guy once those barriers of his are lowered.

Echo is a lost soul. She’s had to face and go through so much, she truly is brave. When most might have given up, Echo continues to soldier on, pushing, searching and continuing down the hard road. She knows that before it gets better, it’s going to get a lot worse…

The romance is beautiful. It’s a slow burn yet it’s also HOT. Though don’t be fooled, Pushing the Limit’s is so much more than a delectable romance. It’s about Noah and Echo’s journey; having the strength to face your problems, willing to sacrifice your own happiness for the one you love, and most of all, moving forward.

Katie McGarry has written a heartbreaking, touching debut that is sure to get under your skin. I must commend Katie for writing POV’S through both Noah and Echo, as not only was it done well but it isn’t seen nearly enough in YA books.

I was so excited for Pushing the Limit’s, ever since I first heard about it. It was a bit different to what I had imagined, a lot deeper and darker, but I can happily say it lives up to the hype.

4/5

12 comments:

  1. EEEEEEE Becca! PUSHING THE LIMITS! I actually agree with you on the bit where you said it was different to what you imagined. When I first heard of Pushing the Limits, I never thought it was a lot deeper and darker too. I really loved Katie McGarry's writing too! Plus, Noah and Echo are definitely well-written characters.

    Awesome review, Becca! ♥ Glad you enjoyed Pushing the Limits, girl ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celine! PUSHING THE LIMITS! Agreed, Katie's writing was lovely, and her characters beatiful. The story might be over (for now) but they won't be gone from my heart anytime soon, especially after making me get all teary. Thanks, girl! Always appreciate your comments ;)

      Delete
  2. You know, I used to not like multiple POV's, especially in YA for some reason. I'm growing to like them a little more, but it all depends on the author and their voice(s). I'm excited to see what Katie does with this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love multiple POV's, so I'm glad to hear your enjoying them more lately :) I TOTALLY get that, sometimes multiple POV's don't work. Sometimes you can enjoy one more than the ohter however this wasn't the cast at all with PTL. Look out, Katie is taking the YA world by storm ;D

      Delete
  3. Becca, you do realise your reviews are AMAZINGLY WELL WRITTEN?! Seriously. I love it <3

    I had a few minor qualms with this, but overall I really enjoyed it. So compelling and like you said, you're wishing for them to have their happily-ever-after given all the crap going on in their lives. I'm excited to see what Katie has in store for Beth in book 2!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, that is so nice to hear. THANK YOU, BRODIE! I worked really hard on this one, it's a little different from my other reviews but I'm really pleased with it and am glad to hear you enjoyed it. <3

      Bring on book 2!

      Delete
  4. DAJKDFHALKDFHLJAG. BECCA. EVERYTHING YOU SAID A HUNDRED TIMES OVER.
    How you managed to capture everything real and right and wonderful about this book in your review? PERFECT. BECCA. I think this is my favorite your review YET ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that funny that our favourite review of each other's is for Pushing the Limits ;)

      Thanks, Sarah! Really appreciate the kind words. ♥♥♥♥

      Delete
  5. OH! I just received this in the mail and I AM GOING TO START IT ASAP! AHHHH! In fact, I have a week break from uni so WOOOOO!
    Wonderful, wonderful review! I wasn't sure what I was expecting just by the cover of Pushing the Limits but that definitely wasn't it! But it still sounds like a beautiful read and I can't wait to start it :)

    <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a fabulous idea, I hope you love it! Thanks, Penny! I don't really care for the AU cover, much prefer the US one, but cover issues aside, it's the same story inside. Oh, it IS beautiful. And stunning and heartbreaking. *passes tissues* <3

      Delete
  6. Oh my goodness, YES X 1000. Just, yes!
    I loved this book so much!
    I don't know what else to say about it without gushing.
    I can't wait for Beth's story, but at the same time I really want more of Noah and Echo!

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, it's SO GOOD to see everyone enjoying it! Looking forward to Beth's story, along with anything else Katie whips up; she's such a talented author!

      Thanks, Asheley!

      Delete