Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Book Review)

Book: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Pages: 392

Published: July 31, 2012

Obtained: Purchased from Amazon

Started: April 27, 2013

Finished: April 28, 2013



Summary (Courtesy of Goodreads):
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194514-pushing-the-limits

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.

Cover: First of all, I love this cover. I love the placement of the words that form the title. I love the couple kissing because they seem to just click. I wanted to know their story when I saw this cover.

Plot: I first saw this book reviewed on Sandraareads' BookTube channel. If I recall, it was actually the first video I ever saw of hers. (If you haven't heard of her, you should definitely look her up on YouTube.) She seemed to have such a passion about this book, and she spoke about it with such enthusiasm. She made me want to pick it up and read it. But it would be several months before I actually purchase it for my own.

The plot was so gripping and fantastic. They fall in love with each other slowly and gradually. At first they HATE each other. You watch their progression for enemies, to friends, to lovers. It's just beautiful what they do to help the other person out. There are no words to describe my love for this book. 

It is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.

Characters:

Echo - I love love love her. She's just so relatable. And I'm not going to lie. When I found out her name is Echo my first thought was, "Seriously? Why are all authors trying to out do each other with strange names that have no relevance?" BUT as I kept reading, I figured out her name does have a meaning, a truly interesting meaning. I'm so glad Katie McGarry took this approach with her. Echo is her own person. She's outspoken, smart, and down-to-earth. She's had a lot of trouble in her past. Her mother is nuts, and she lost her brother, but all things considered, Echo is handling all of this so well. She's such a strong person.

Noah - He's so attractive in a bad boy kind of way. But he's also attractive in that I'm-good-with-kids kind of way. He's loyal and protective, but he's deeply flawed. He lost his parents, and his brothers have been separated from him in the foster system for an unknown reason. I knew his bad attitude at the beginning is a facade. Once you go underneath that surface, there's a gentle, caring man who will do anything for the people he loves. He's so accepting of Echo and everything she's been through. I truly respect him.

Mrs. Collins - She is the therapist whom both Noah and Echo are forced to see at their school. Mrs. Collins is an amazing woman, and I love her dearly. At first I was nervous to know there was going to be a therapist in this book. I was afraid that she would get in the way and bring the book down a couple of levels. BOY, I was wrong. She's such a major character in this story. She really helps progress the story along, and I truly believe Noah and Echo wouldn't be where they are now without her help.

Series: This book is a part of a companion series.

The second companion book is Dare You To which was published on May 28, 2013.

The third companion book is Crash Into You which is expected to be published November 26, 2013.

There is also a short in-between story Crossing the Line (1.5) which was published April 1, 2013.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Next Review: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (book and movie review)

Happy Reading!

VF, xoxo