Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Published: July 31st 2012 by Harlequin Teen

ARC taken from Netgalley

Book Description:

"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.   

"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter,  New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series  

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 Thoughts:

WOW! This book blew me away. I’ve read this book without knowing what I’ll be putting myself into. It was a whirlwind of emotions.  At last, a book that left a significant impact on me. Pushing the Limits will make you laugh and cry at the same time. One of the best books I’ve read so far.

The story is about two broken teenagers, who are looking for another chance to be whole again. Echo and Noah are from different worlds; they have nothing in common, except both kept secrets. Their world collided when Mrs. Collins became their new social worker in school. The two developed feelings for each other. Can two opposites be right for each other? “So wrong for each other and yet so right” You have to read this book to find out.

The world building is incredible! It was very realistic. I love the concept of two broken people, who are falling for each other. Both are opposites and have nothing in common yet they fell for each other. The pacing is good too. There were no dull moments. It was such a page turner; I finished it in one sitting. The book had absorbed me in. I wanted to know if their relationship will work out. I was deeply hooked from beginning to end.

As for the character building, I love each of them. They are well developed and believable. Noah is my favorite character here. His funny comments towards Echo and the way he talks to himself made me laugh several times. His testosterone filled comments gave spice to the story. I also like his maturity and protectiveness over his brothers. I felt his emotions towards his situation. I find myself sympathizing with him. As for Echo, I find it hard to connect with her at first. She is so confused and broken. But her drive to remember what really happened, awed me. She went to a very traumatic situation, yet she has the strength to find out the truth about her mother. I connected to her halfway of the book. I also love the side characters.  I will leave them to you to find out more about them.

The author’s writing style is phenomenal. The way she writes Noah’s perspective made me forget that she’s a female author. She was that good. It was testosterone filled and comical. The book was written in Noah’s and Echo’s perspectives. I love reading books, written in different POVs.  It made the story more transparent.

Lastly, the love angle is good. Their hormone rich relationship made my stomach flutter. I enjoy reading their steamy moments.  I also like how their feelings blossoms, it was not rushed so it is believable. Plus, their rollercoaster relationship also gave spice to the story.

Overall, I deeply enjoyed this book. I’ am a fan of supernatural stories; seldom did I like contemporary books. But “Pushing the Limits” had changed all that. I love the array of emotions in the story. I recommend this book to mature teens, due to the swearing. I can’t wait to read another book from this awesome author.

I give this book 5 swimming Whales