Sunday, August 12, 2012

Pushing the Limits Review

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Release Date: July 31st 2012
Add It: 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.
Before reading this book I had only come across great reviews so that also meant great expectations. Now that I’ve read it, I can tell you that I was not left disappointed. Echo and Noah are desperately trying to find normal. Well, they’re going to have to re-define normal, because life is constantly flowing. Moving on. One cannot freeze time nor it be rewinded. One has to cope, get one’s act together and try to make the best out of the future that’s waiting ahead. When (and if) these two realise it, they’ll be okay but there’s a long, long way to go. One that may not have a finish line. The book itself is written in both perspectives Echo's and Noah's.

“It doesn't get better," I said. "The pain. The wounds scab over and you don't always feel like a knife is slashing through you. But when you least expect it, the pain flashes to remind you you'll never be the same.” 

Echo. Love her name, by the way. This girl has been to hell and back. I can’t even understand how the heck can she have any positive thoughts left in her head or how come she’s still such a sweet, friendly and sassy girl. She’s got so much life and light in her, even if it’s all buried up underneath that small frame. The saying  ’beauty is skin deep’ is the perfect phrase to describe her. She’s oh, so strong and it broke my heart to read about what happened to her. I wanted to console her, hug her. She doesn’t remember how she got those horrible scars and she’s desperately trying to find out the answer to that question.

Noah. He’s the kid from foster care. He’s an orphan who has lost his brothers due to the system and now lives in a foster home with a bunch of kinds. Noah is notorious for his one night stands and rough attitude. He’s the handsome bad boy who has a few secrets to hide. Those secrets eat him up and he doesn’t have a clue that Echo is the catalyst that’s about to turn his life for the better. Can he be the decent guy she deserves?

The plot. McGarry doesn’t let you get comfortable for long and just when you think it’s perfect, all  comes crashing down. Then you get your hopes up, but somehow everything ends up worse than it was to begin with. You’re left thinking ’How does it end? How can there be so much heartache? Is it even possible to heal from it all?’. I found the story very emotional. It’s a tough journey from start to finish, filled with understanding, healing, surpassing expectations and obstacles that seem completely insurmountable.

Noah an Echo needed each other like one needs air. They’re like puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. They found out so many new things about themselves thanks to one another, tested their limits, sanity, hearts, strength. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, tons of heartache, tears, dealing with insecurities, parental issues and surpassing one’s biggest fears, this is definitely the book for you. I advise everyone to give this book a chance. Oh, and I’m so, so happy that there’ll be another book of Beth. Loved her in this one.

Rating: 4.5/5

Excerpts:

Her eyes met mine again. “So what does this mean for us?”
I lowered my forehead to hers. “It means you’re mine.” 


"I may not always understand, but damn, baby, I’ll try."

“Because growing up means making tough choices, and doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good.” 

Reading order:
  1. “Pushing the Limits“
  2. “Dare You To“

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