Title: Crash Into You Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits, book #3 Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication Date: November 26, 2013 Source: from publisher via Netgalley Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane.
The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.
Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.
But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.
I liked Pushing the Limits, and I enjoyed Dare to You even more, probably because I'm often drawn to the bad girl/good guy dynamic more so than the opposite. I've been looking forward to reading Isaiah's story ever since he had his heart stomped on, and I have to admit I was curious to see what type of girl would set him right. And if this story had only been told from Isaiah's point-of-view, I might have enjoyed it as much as the previous books.
I had a really hard time empathizing with Rachel. Lying to your family about an illness is never a good idea, but it's even less so when it makes you even sicker to do so. Also, I'm not discounting that severe anxiety and panic attacks are a big deal, but I was just kind of hoping this Mary Sue's problems would be BIGGER, more on par with what the girls in the previous books have had to deal with. I did appreciate that if felt like Isaiah gave Rachel the push to save herself, though, rather than him swooping in to save the day -- though there was kind of one of those moments, it was more about him admitting that she was strong enough on her own, and that's why he was there.
Getting inside Isaiah's head was a bit different than I expected. Initially, I thought he and Beth were so much alike, and hence, perfect for each other. But upon further reflection, and especially after reading from Isaiah's perspective, I can see how unevenly matched those two were for each other, though perhaps that's due to the fact that Isaiah in this book sounds nothing like the Isaiah that Beth knew. I'm not saying I'm 100% on board with his and Rachel's relationship -- honestly, I still think he could do better! -- but I did appreciate the way it developed realistically, and that they share a mutual love of cars and family drama. What greater way to bond than over shared passions and problems? :P
I didn't really understand Eric as the villain either; he just never really gave off that villainous vibe. You want a car-racing villain who's crazy malicious and does give off that dangerous vibe? Check out Kavinsky from Maggie Stiefvater's The Dream Thieves. I tried imagining Eric as that guy while I was reading so that I'd get why other people would do his bidding and why others feared him. It only worked so-so.
Also, there was mention of Echo returning to her former self, in which she covers up her scars and draws into herself once more, but I don't think much explanation was given for that, if any. If it wasn't going to be expanded upon in this book, I'd just rather it not have been mentioned because now I'm worried about her character all over again, and it's doubtful we'll see much of her in future books, especially knowing who the next book focuses on. I was hoping the next book would be Abby and Logan's story maybe, but it appears that it will be West's and some unknown Hayley character. =( I'd like to see a book about Rachel's twin Ethan, too.
I didn't not enjoy this book; I just didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books. And I'm starting to sense a pattern, both in the writing and in the storylines. It's fairly easy to predict how these stories are going to go as soon as the characters meet for the first time. I'm hoping that the fact that I don't know West's character very well from the little I saw of him in Crash Into You means I'll actually be surprised some by the next book.
About the author:
Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and she remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.
Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. Katie loves to visit schools and talk to teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach.
Title: Dare You To Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits, book #2 Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication Date: May 28, 2013 Source: received from publisher via Netgalley Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....
I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually think I enjoyed Dare You To even more than Pushing the Limits. It might just be that it's been over a year since I read the first book, but I think it probably has more to do with the fact that I'm always drawn to the tough girl/nice guy scenarios. I appreciated that in this story, it was the female who had a troubled past and that for once, the guy was the clichéd virgin. Role reversal always makes for a more interesting story, in my opinion.
I found that, even though I've never been in a situation like Beth's, she was likable and easy to relate to. We all have doubts and insecurities when it comes to reasoning out why someone would be interested in us or if they have other motivations. But Beth was especially on high-alert, after being burned early on by one jock, only to have another make her the subject of his bet. Still, sometimes attraction is undeniable, even when it doesn't make sense...even when your head and heart disagree.
Ryan's character seemed almost too good to be true at times. However suspicious his intentions may have seemed to Beth, reading from his point-of-view made them almost too saccharine for my own taste, which is saying a lot because I'm all about the sweet and adorable. But then I reminded myself of the virginal baseball player that I had a crush on in high school, and well, I'll admit, this guy does exist in real life. Even so, I can see why Beth would have wondered at his motives in the beginning, though I think she doubted his feelings were legit for far too long to be considered reasonable. Almost as if she didn't want to allow herself to be happy.
Despite the bet -- thankfully, the details of which were divulged fairly early on in the story so it couldn't be used as a She's All That moment later on -- these two characters are pretty honest with each other from the start. Beth often admits when she's scared to let herself feel more for Ryan, and Ryan remains pretty open about how he feels for Beth, even when he's not entirely sure she feels the same. It's refreshing to see the lines of communication are open in this relationship, when so often, that's the downfall of a romance.
But honesty is not the only thing these kids have to contend with. Beth is trying to save her junkie of a mother and risks her own life in the process. She also has to struggle with reconnecting to the uncle that was once her closest friend and confidante. Scott was maybe my favorite aspect of the story. Beth goes from being the parental figure to being cared for (and nagged by) the uncle who's been absent from her life for more than ten years. To say that they butt heads often would be an understatement. But as they begin to reconnect, it's clear how much Scott still cares and what he'd sacrifice to see Beth happy again. There's a distinct lack of parental figures and good role models in young adult novels, and despite the fact that the parents in this story are rather useless, it's encouraging to see these kids look to other family for the guidance they need.
The author is pretty forthright with her characterizations, though I do feel she makes everything a bit too black and white where there are many shades of gray. Like, Beth really doesn't like Echo. Still. Apparently because she brought about too many changes, such as Noah deciding to abstain from drugs. But she doesn't seem to mind abstaining herself when there's a chance that it might influence Ryan's opinion of her. Drugs are bad...we get it. But does drug use have to be employed to show that Beth's old crowd is bad and her new, non-using friends are good? Especially when her closest friends weren't bad to begin with? Kids with issues does not equate to bad kids. I feel that this series tries to get that point across, but only on a case-by-case basis, sadly.
Still, I'm glad that this book was about Beth and Ryan, rather than Beth and Isaiah. After Pushing the Limits, I'd have bet money that Beth and Isaiah would end up together, but it's better this way. Isaiah would have only been an enabler. He'd have done anything to keep Beth in his life, even if it might have put them both in danger. But Ryan was more of a saving grace for Beth, putting himself in harm's way so that she might finally escape the nightmare that was her life before she arrived in Groveton.
And besides, Isaiah's getting his chance at happiness in Crash into You. And from the sounds of it, he'll be getting a girl much better suited to him. :)
Rating:
About the author:
Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and she remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.
Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. Katie loves to visit schools and talk to teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach.
Short stories are awesome. They give us in-depth insight into characters, providing anecdotal proof of why some characters are they way they are. They entertain by creating a certain mood or focusing on a singular effect...some instance in a previous body of work (or one to follow) that might have been glossed over or ignored completely in a longer novel.
And so, every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I would like to highlight short stories and novellas set in worlds I've already come to love and learn a little more about some of the secondary characters in my favorite novels. I'll be underscoring some of my favorite aspects of these short works of fiction, in addition to offering up a mini review of each work.
This week I'm featuring a secondary character's story:
Title: Crossing the Line Author: Katie McGarry Series: Pushing the Limits, book #1.5 Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication Date: April 1, 2013 Source: purchased Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional” Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…
Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.
Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.
I read Pushing the Limits awhile back, and I'll be honest, I kind of forgot about Lila. I remember that she stood by Echo in the end when the rest of their friends turned their backs, but that's about it. But that's probably all you really need to remember for this short story.
Lila's strength of character displays itself in every facet of her life, including her decision to go away to college, even though everyone is trying to convince her to attend university at home. She has moments of self-doubt, though, just like anyone else might. But it's when she's *this* close to changing her plans that Lincoln shows up in the flesh and helps her to forge her own path.
Lincoln is full of pent-up emotion, but when it comes to Lila -- his pen pal, his best friend, someone he hopes to have more with -- he can't just sit idly by. He helps Lila face her fears, and faces down some of his own demons in the process, owning up to his own mistakes. And as strong as he can be for Lila, he can be just as tender.
I enjoyed seeing how these two came together, knowing that they'd been writing back and forth for two years and because of that, they had a more solid relationship than most couples at that age might hope to have. And when they finally meet again, there is open communication. Just as they did in their letters, they don't hold back their feelings or play games. Such a welcome relief from all of those angsty teenagers!
This novella was refreshing and reminded me of why I like Katie McGarry's writing. I'm even more excited now to get to my galley of Dare to You, especially after reading that excerpt at the end of this short story!
Hey, guys! Today, I have the pleasure of bringing you an interview with Katie McGarry, author of the highly anticipated YA contemporary Pushing the Limits -- due out on July 31st -- thanks to the folks at Harlequin Teen. And they've also provided me with the opportunity to give away a finished copy to one of my lucky readers, so be sure to enter the contest at the end of this post for your chance to win the book that everyone has been talking about!
About the author: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and she remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. Katie loves to visit schools and talk to teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach.
What was your inspiration for writing Pushing the Limits?
I had two main inspirations: One, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write a story in which my characters felt strong enough to leave their pasts behind and create new futures for themselves. The first scene I ever saw in my mind was Echo and Noah leaving town after graduation. Two, I wanted to write two characters who were facing over- whelming issues and who, through battling these issues, found hope at the end of their journey.
How did you come up with Echo’s name?
Echo went through several name changes as I wrote the man- uscript. For a while, she had a very normal name, but it alwaysfelt off. It wasn’t until I looked at Echo from her mother’s point of view that I found her name. Echo’s mother loved Greek my- thology so it made perfect sense that she would name her chil- dren after the myths. I read several Greek myths and the mo- ment I found Echo’s, I fell in love. Echo, to me, was the girl who lost her voice. Thankfully, she finds it by the end.
Which character is the most “like” you?
All of them. I gave each character a piece of me (though some have larger slices of me than others). Overall, I’d say I’m a strange combination of Echo, Lila and Beth. Echo has my need to please, Lila has my unfailing loyalty to my friends and Beth encompasses my insecurities.
Did you experience friendships with Grace types when you were in high school?
Yes. And the more people have read this story, the more this question comes up. Grace has struck a stronger nerve in people than I ever would have imagined. It seems most of us have un- fortunately experienced a relationship where a person wants to “like” you and wants “be your friend,” but only if it serves their needs. In case anyone is wondering, that isn’t friendship.
Are there any parts of the story you feel particularly close to?
Yes. The relationship between Noah, Isaiah and Beth. Beyond my parents and sister, my nearest family members were over fourteen hours away. My friends became my family. The peopleI grew up with were more than people I watched movies with or talked to occasionally on the phone. These were people with whom I shared life’s most devastating moments, but also my hardest laughs. These were people who I would have willing- ly died for and I know they would have done the same for me. They shared my triumphs with smiles on their faces and con- gratulatory hugs. They held me when I cried and offered to beat up whoever hurt my feelings. These were also the same people who were more than happy to get in my face if they thought I was making a wrong decision.
Did anything that happens to Echo happen to you?
Sort of. I was bitten by a dog when I was in second grade and repressed the memory. It felt very strange to have no memory of an incident that other people knew about. It was even strang- er to have injuries and not have an inkling where they came from. In college, I finally remembered the incident when a dog lunged at me. I relived the horrible event and sort of “woke up” a few minutes later to find myself surrounded by people I loved. Even though I “remember” the incident, I still don’t remember the whole thing. I only see still frames in my mind and there is no blood in any of the memories.
Book
This summer, Harlequin TEEN is thrilled to introduce first-time author Katie McGarry, a powerful new force on the contemporary YA scene. Her publishing debut entitled Pushing the Limits is the compulsively readable story of a girl with scars on her arms, a boy with scars inside and the secrets each of them keep. Early buzz surrounding this book has already begun, including an enthusiastic review from PW -- "its suspenseful plot, dramatic conflicts, and tragic characters will keep readers engrossed" -- and Kirkus goes on to call it "A probing, captivating story." Pushing the Limits is edgy, contemporary YA fiction at its very best.
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
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.
You can find my review of Pushing the Limitshere. And below, you'll find the trailer for this awesome book:
Giveaway
Rules:
US/Canadian residents only, sorry.
One entry per household.
Winner will be notified via email. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.
Prize will be shipped by promotional department directly to the winner. I am not responsible for lost packages.
Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Series: stand-alone Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication Date: July 31, 2012 Source: Netgalley Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
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.
I’m pretty picky when it comes to contemporaries and only read the ones I think I’ll actually like. And Pushing the Limits did not disappoint. It’s not just a good girl falls for the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks kind of story, though that is part of it. But while this book tackles some serious issues, it also manages to maintain an air of light-heartedness, which made it a quick, enjoyable read.
I’m tired of books that try to take themselves too seriously. You know the ones I’m talking about. Those that have a message to get out and there will be no having of the fun until that message is firmly delivered. Fear not. This book is not like that. It’s pretty fun and highly entertaining…right from the beginning.
Echo is kind of your typical heroine in that she’s naïve and sheltered and a little anti-social, but it’s of her own doing, which makes her a bit atypical. Echo suffered at the hands of a terrible tragedy, one she can’t remember, and she’s never been quite right since. It probably doesn’t help that she is not only emotionally scarred by it but also physically scarred. And so Echo hides her scars, just as she, herself, hides.
Noah is the hot bad boy who is paired with Echo for tutoring. But Noah isn’t really your typical bad boy, just as Echo isn’t really your average studious heroine type. If things in his life had gone differently, he could be Echo’s “equal” – in all aspects, from social standing to grade point average – but life threw him a few curveballs, and he’s now playing the part of the emotionally-disturbed youth everyone sees him as. In reality, Noah is a really sweet guy who just happens to know what he wants. The problem with that, though, is that he can’t see past what he wants until he almost loses everything.
Echo and Noah really worked well as a couple for me. Noah didn’t have to change for Echo, but he did become a better version of himself for her. Through alternating points-of-view, we get to see their relationship develop and the struggles each deals with to be with the other. And we learn even more about each character through their therapy sessions with Mrs. Collins, the school counselor/social worker extraordinaire.
Mrs. Collins was the central, unifying figure in this story. Without her intervention, Noah and Echo might never have been more than passing acquaintances. Instead, she seeks to help them while they’re helping each other cope with their losses and grief. But Mrs. Collins was most fun when she was butting in:
Noah settled against the wall, pulling me into his chest between his legs. He took the tissue from Mrs. Collins while keeping a protective arm on me. Too tired to care what Mrs. Collins thought, I rested my head against him.
“So, Noah, Echo’s the coat girl.” I had a nickname?
Noah chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Echo, is your father aware of this relationship?”
“Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t know about it?”
Her eyes laughed. “Yes.” She stared at us like we were rats in a maze. “I should have seen this coming, but I didn’t. So much for my intuitive powers. Anyhow, let’s get the two of you to the nurse’s office. She’s here tonight in case of sudden illness or accidents.” – p. 190 of galley
Pushing the Limits was a slightly predictable but ultimately fun read.If you enjoy stories where the love interests start out with a very antagonistic relationship, this one is definitely right up your alley.
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Title: Pushing the Limits Author: Katie McGarry Series: stand-alone Publisher: Harlequin Teen Publication Date: July 31, 2012 Source: Netgalley
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
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.
My teaser:
"I think I missed your answer to my previous question. If you're on a date, why are you out here sharing dinner with me while Luke's in there fondling himself?" -- p. 131 of galley
Bahaha. Love that Noah. But I do have a thing for the bad boys. Hypothetically, at least. ;0)
Leave the link to your teaser in the comments! Happy Tuesday! :D
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits, book #3
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: November 26, 2013
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I liked Pushing the Limits, and I enjoyed Dare to You even more, probably because I'm often drawn to the bad girl/good guy dynamic more so than the opposite. I've been looking forward to reading Isaiah's story ever since he had his heart stomped on, and I have to admit I was curious to see what type of girl would set him right. And if this story had only been told from Isaiah's point-of-view, I might have enjoyed it as much as the previous books.
I had a really hard time empathizing with Rachel. Lying to your family about an illness is never a good idea, but it's even less so when it makes you even sicker to do so. Also, I'm not discounting that severe anxiety and panic attacks are a big deal, but I was just kind of hoping this Mary Sue's problems would be BIGGER, more on par with what the girls in the previous books have had to deal with. I did appreciate that if felt like Isaiah gave Rachel the push to save herself, though, rather than him swooping in to save the day -- though there was kind of one of those moments, it was more about him admitting that she was strong enough on her own, and that's why he was there.
Getting inside Isaiah's head was a bit different than I expected. Initially, I thought he and Beth were so much alike, and hence, perfect for each other. But upon further reflection, and especially after reading from Isaiah's perspective, I can see how unevenly matched those two were for each other, though perhaps that's due to the fact that Isaiah in this book sounds nothing like the Isaiah that Beth knew. I'm not saying I'm 100% on board with his and Rachel's relationship -- honestly, I still think he could do better! -- but I did appreciate the way it developed realistically, and that they share a mutual love of cars and family drama. What greater way to bond than over shared passions and problems? :P
I didn't really understand Eric as the villain either; he just never really gave off that villainous vibe. You want a car-racing villain who's crazy malicious and does give off that dangerous vibe? Check out Kavinsky from Maggie Stiefvater's The Dream Thieves. I tried imagining Eric as that guy while I was reading so that I'd get why other people would do his bidding and why others feared him. It only worked so-so.
Also, there was mention of Echo returning to her former self, in which she covers up her scars and draws into herself once more, but I don't think much explanation was given for that, if any. If it wasn't going to be expanded upon in this book, I'd just rather it not have been mentioned because now I'm worried about her character all over again, and it's doubtful we'll see much of her in future books, especially knowing who the next book focuses on. I was hoping the next book would be Abby and Logan's story maybe, but it appears that it will be West's and some unknown Hayley character. =( I'd like to see a book about Rachel's twin Ethan, too.
I didn't not enjoy this book; I just didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books. And I'm starting to sense a pattern, both in the writing and in the storylines. It's fairly easy to predict how these stories are going to go as soon as the characters meet for the first time. I'm hoping that the fact that I don't know West's character very well from the little I saw of him in Crash Into You means I'll actually be surprised some by the next book.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits, book #2
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....
I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually think I enjoyed Dare You To even more than Pushing the Limits. It might just be that it's been over a year since I read the first book, but I think it probably has more to do with the fact that I'm always drawn to the tough girl/nice guy scenarios. I appreciated that in this story, it was the female who had a troubled past and that for once, the guy was the clichéd virgin. Role reversal always makes for a more interesting story, in my opinion.
I found that, even though I've never been in a situation like Beth's, she was likable and easy to relate to. We all have doubts and insecurities when it comes to reasoning out why someone would be interested in us or if they have other motivations. But Beth was especially on high-alert, after being burned early on by one jock, only to have another make her the subject of his bet. Still, sometimes attraction is undeniable, even when it doesn't make sense...even when your head and heart disagree.
Ryan's character seemed almost too good to be true at times. However suspicious his intentions may have seemed to Beth, reading from his point-of-view made them almost too saccharine for my own taste, which is saying a lot because I'm all about the sweet and adorable. But then I reminded myself of the virginal baseball player that I had a crush on in high school, and well, I'll admit, this guy does exist in real life. Even so, I can see why Beth would have wondered at his motives in the beginning, though I think she doubted his feelings were legit for far too long to be considered reasonable. Almost as if she didn't want to allow herself to be happy.
Despite the bet -- thankfully, the details of which were divulged fairly early on in the story so it couldn't be used as a She's All That moment later on -- these two characters are pretty honest with each other from the start. Beth often admits when she's scared to let herself feel more for Ryan, and Ryan remains pretty open about how he feels for Beth, even when he's not entirely sure she feels the same. It's refreshing to see the lines of communication are open in this relationship, when so often, that's the downfall of a romance.
But honesty is not the only thing these kids have to contend with. Beth is trying to save her junkie of a mother and risks her own life in the process. She also has to struggle with reconnecting to the uncle that was once her closest friend and confidante. Scott was maybe my favorite aspect of the story. Beth goes from being the parental figure to being cared for (and nagged by) the uncle who's been absent from her life for more than ten years. To say that they butt heads often would be an understatement. But as they begin to reconnect, it's clear how much Scott still cares and what he'd sacrifice to see Beth happy again. There's a distinct lack of parental figures and good role models in young adult novels, and despite the fact that the parents in this story are rather useless, it's encouraging to see these kids look to other family for the guidance they need.
The author is pretty forthright with her characterizations, though I do feel she makes everything a bit too black and white where there are many shades of gray. Like, Beth really doesn't like Echo. Still. Apparently because she brought about too many changes, such as Noah deciding to abstain from drugs. But she doesn't seem to mind abstaining herself when there's a chance that it might influence Ryan's opinion of her. Drugs are bad...we get it. But does drug use have to be employed to show that Beth's old crowd is bad and her new, non-using friends are good? Especially when her closest friends weren't bad to begin with? Kids with issues does not equate to bad kids. I feel that this series tries to get that point across, but only on a case-by-case basis, sadly.
Still, I'm glad that this book was about Beth and Ryan, rather than Beth and Isaiah. After Pushing the Limits, I'd have bet money that Beth and Isaiah would end up together, but it's better this way. Isaiah would have only been an enabler. He'd have done anything to keep Beth in his life, even if it might have put them both in danger. But Ryan was more of a saving grace for Beth, putting himself in harm's way so that she might finally escape the nightmare that was her life before she arrived in Groveton.
And besides, Isaiah's getting his chance at happiness in Crash into You. And from the sounds of it, he'll be getting a girl much better suited to him. :)
Rating:
Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and she remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.
Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. Katie loves to visit schools and talk to teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach.
Find Katie:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Sunday, April 14, 2013
{Short Story Sunday} Review: Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry
And so, every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I would like to highlight short stories and novellas set in worlds I've already come to love and learn a little more about some of the secondary characters in my favorite novels. I'll be underscoring some of my favorite aspects of these short works of fiction, in addition to offering up a mini review of each work.
This week I'm featuring a secondary character's story:
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits, book #1.5
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.
Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.
I read Pushing the Limits awhile back, and I'll be honest, I kind of forgot about Lila. I remember that she stood by Echo in the end when the rest of their friends turned their backs, but that's about it. But that's probably all you really need to remember for this short story.
Lila's strength of character displays itself in every facet of her life, including her decision to go away to college, even though everyone is trying to convince her to attend university at home. She has moments of self-doubt, though, just like anyone else might. But it's when she's *this* close to changing her plans that Lincoln shows up in the flesh and helps her to forge her own path.
Lincoln is full of pent-up emotion, but when it comes to Lila -- his pen pal, his best friend, someone he hopes to have more with -- he can't just sit idly by. He helps Lila face her fears, and faces down some of his own demons in the process, owning up to his own mistakes. And as strong as he can be for Lila, he can be just as tender.
I enjoyed seeing how these two came together, knowing that they'd been writing back and forth for two years and because of that, they had a more solid relationship than most couples at that age might hope to have. And when they finally meet again, there is open communication. Just as they did in their letters, they don't hold back their feelings or play games. Such a welcome relief from all of those angsty teenagers!
This novella was refreshing and reminded me of why I like Katie McGarry's writing. I'm even more excited now to get to my galley of Dare to You, especially after reading that excerpt at the end of this short story!
Rating:
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Q & A with Pushing the Limits author Katie McGarry + Giveaway
About the author: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and she remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.
Writing has given Katie an excuse to pursue her passions. Research for her books has provided her with the amazing opportunity to train with baseball players, ride along in a drag car at ninety-six miles per hour and experience boxing and mixed martial arts. Katie loves to visit schools and talk to teenagers about her research, writing and the truth that no dream is out of reach.
Find out more about Katie McGarry and her books:
website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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.
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Monday, July 9, 2012
Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Source: Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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.
I’m pretty picky when it comes to contemporaries and only read the ones I think I’ll actually like. And Pushing the Limits did not disappoint. It’s not just a good girl falls for the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks kind of story, though that is part of it. But while this book tackles some serious issues, it also manages to maintain an air of light-heartedness, which made it a quick, enjoyable read.
I’m tired of books that try to take themselves too seriously. You know the ones I’m talking about. Those that have a message to get out and there will be no having of the fun until that message is firmly delivered. Fear not. This book is not like that. It’s pretty fun and highly entertaining…right from the beginning.
Echo is kind of your typical heroine in that she’s naïve and sheltered and a little anti-social, but it’s of her own doing, which makes her a bit atypical. Echo suffered at the hands of a terrible tragedy, one she can’t remember, and she’s never been quite right since. It probably doesn’t help that she is not only emotionally scarred by it but also physically scarred. And so Echo hides her scars, just as she, herself, hides.
Noah is the hot bad boy who is paired with Echo for tutoring. But Noah isn’t really your typical bad boy, just as Echo isn’t really your average studious heroine type. If things in his life had gone differently, he could be Echo’s “equal” – in all aspects, from social standing to grade point average – but life threw him a few curveballs, and he’s now playing the part of the emotionally-disturbed youth everyone sees him as. In reality, Noah is a really sweet guy who just happens to know what he wants. The problem with that, though, is that he can’t see past what he wants until he almost loses everything.
Echo and Noah really worked well as a couple for me. Noah didn’t have to change for Echo, but he did become a better version of himself for her. Through alternating points-of-view, we get to see their relationship develop and the struggles each deals with to be with the other. And we learn even more about each character through their therapy sessions with Mrs. Collins, the school counselor/social worker extraordinaire.
Mrs. Collins was the central, unifying figure in this story. Without her intervention, Noah and Echo might never have been more than passing acquaintances. Instead, she seeks to help them while they’re helping each other cope with their losses and grief. But Mrs. Collins was most fun when she was butting in:
Pushing the Limits was a slightly predictable but ultimately fun read. If you enjoy stories where the love interests start out with a very antagonistic relationship, this one is definitely right up your alley.
Rating:
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #12: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Source: Netgalley
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.
My teaser:
Bahaha. Love that Noah. But I do have a thing for the bad boys. Hypothetically, at least. ;0)
Leave the link to your teaser in the comments! Happy Tuesday! :D
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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