Author: Katie McGarry
Published: November 26th 2013
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Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
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.
Katie McGarry is one of the best at writing swoony, adorable, yet heart-wrenching and emotional contemporary books. I have enjoyed all that in Pushing the Limits and Dare You To. Now we have my favorite character Isaiah on his way towards happiness and I couldn’t have been happier to crack his book open and devour every single word of it. Let’s just say that it wasn’t what I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed what we got.
“What people project to the world never shows what's lurking on the inside”
I wish that Rachel wasn't that innocent, but it makes a good read what with Isaiah teaching her everything. The cars aspect was totally lovable and I loved how passionate both of these main leads were about them. I’m so clueless about cars and technology myself, but Katie managed well with giving the reader the excitement and passion, but not being overbearing. I kind of ship Abby & Ethan AND Abby & Logan. WTH. I did not sign up for this confusion ;_________; And the weirdest part is that neither of these pairings are legit or will probably never get their own book *insert a sad face*
As for dislikes, um. There were very few things that somewhat bothered be. Ok, here goes. I dislike Beth. I just can't with that girl. Yeah, I did like her in Dare You To with Ryan and from Ryan's POV especially, but I just don't.. like her at all in this one. She makes a few appearances and they were some of my least favorite scenes for sure. I get that she wants to fix this somewhat broken friendship with Isaiah, but she’s just sooooo annoying from other POVs (other than Ryan’s and her own). And she always, always brings excessive drama with her. I wish we had gotten more Echo and Noah moments, but there were still some and now we know that we have their new novel to look forward to in the winter. *tries to contain her grabby hands*
All in all, this was a great read, and being the only book I read in May? Wouldn't change a thing! Katie knows exactly how to create tension, but not so that it becomes ridiculous or unbelievable, no. She’s a wonderful author who creates flawed characters that have heart-felt character growths. The dual POVs work well for her novels and I cannot wait to see how West (Rachel’s brother) will redeem himself in Take Me On. I know you guys all love him, but I’m a little scared at the moment. I’m sure that Katie will manage to make me swoon, laugh and bring me on the verge of tears like with every single one of her novels. Definitely explore this series if you haven’t yet!
Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★★
One day I'll really have to try this series, I keep hearing amazing things about it and I'm curious. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI hate Beth. She's my least favorite character in this entire series and a reason why I didn't enjoy book 2 as much as the rest of the series. I was constantly annoyed by her presence in this book as well. I hated how she kept coming back into Isiah's life despite knowing that he was once in love with her. Gah! Just thinking about her makes me angry.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Siiri. I didn't love this one as much as the first book, mostly because I don't like car talk and there was quite a bit of car talk in this one.
Katie knows how to write a fabulous romance though and I definitely enjoyed the romance in this book as well.
Wait until you read the next book! It's HOTT! :D
Haha! I ship Abby with anyone too! :) That girl needs her book but I asked Katie McGarry and she said she has no immediate plans for it yet. :(
Hopefully, she changes her mind!
Great review, Siiri! :D
Loved Isaiah in this one too, and was so great to see him so happy
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Katie really knows how to write them. You know my relationship towards NA (even though this one is something in between) but I still love everything she writes. Isaiah and Rachel are so sweet together that I couldn't but melt while reading. I cannot wait to get Abby's story. I really hope we'll get it one day. Lovely review as always, dear :)
ReplyDeletelol this Beth girl sounds bad and not as in the good bad. But I'm glad you enjoyed the story Siiri :) I don't know when I'm going to get to the series, but I want to check it out at some point. Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Okay - here's the thing. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Katie McGarry's work, yet I've never picked up a book of hers for some reason. But you've definitely got me intrigued! I'm not a huge NA reader, but I think I'd be able to make an exception for this series. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd the romance sounds absolutely wonderful! I love when romances are so enjoyable and swoony, and this definitely sounds like it fits the bill! :D Although I'm not sure what to think about Beth from your description of her!
Thanks for sharing Siiri, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <33
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
I like Beth's snark..LOL and keep waiting for her story I enjoyed this one too and your review is Brilly Siiri!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because Beth/Ryan's book is my favorite, but I can't stand Beth when she's not the MC either! She just does not come off as a person I'd ever want to know LOL. Except in Dare You To. But Crash Into You is my second favorite and I'm glad you loved it too! Isaiah is just a total sweetheart, and I loved him with Rachel.
ReplyDeleteI reeeeally was Abby's book - if I had to choose, I'd want her to be with Logan, but at this point I don't even care because I really like Ethan too. I just want her to get a romance. Just not love triangle. The other boy can have his story next. :P
This was my least favorite in the series. I did enjoy it, but I thought there were too many plot threads, too much going on. I did enjoy Rachel & Issiah's romance though. I totally agree with you about Beth. I didn't like her in this one, but I did like her in Dare to You just like you did. Wonderful review! :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, the love triangle in Archetype (book 1) is solved in that one. There is another love triangle that hit me pretty hard in Prototype, but there still was a clear winner, and the book was amazing! Hope you pick up the duology, Siiri!
I have to keep up with this series. I enjoyed Pushing the Limits and Dare You To is in my TBR as well as this one. I'm glad we finally have an Isaiah story! I also totally agree with Katie McGarry being a genius when it comes to tension-building. Swooning is inevitable in her stories. Haha! Lovely, lovely review, Siiri! :)
ReplyDeleteI looooooove this series! So much. I'm still waiting for Take Me On to be on audio. Happy to hear you liked this one.
ReplyDeleteYay!! I haven't finished this yet. I started it months ago, but had to put it to the side. I think I need to audiobook... Then I can get to it sooner. :) Yes, that's what I shall do. Off to Audible to buy myself some Isaiah. :D
ReplyDelete