From 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.
My Rating: 3.5 hearts (although it's a little tempting to add half a heart for the ending)
Thoughts on the Novel: Since the synopsis of Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits made the novel sound kind of cheesy to me, I had no interest in reading the book. After seeing a lot of praise for Pushing the Limits however, I figured I’d at least give it a try.
Although the story contained a bit too much drama for me, I liked the tremendous growth displayed by the main characters. At first, Echo initially lacks a backbone; but over time, she stops avoiding confrontations and learns to stand up for herself. As much as I enjoyed seeing Echo gain more confidence though, I liked Noah’s alternative POV – excluding his lame nicknames for Echo (e.g. siren, nymph, etc.) and the parts where he keeps talking about her incredible smell (à la Perry from Veronica Rossi’s Under the Never Sky) – better. If McGarry hadn’t written from Noah’s perspective, I don’t think I’d appreciate his complexity as a character as much or realize just how strongly he cares about his younger brothers' well-being.
Despite preferring Echo and Noah as individuals over them as a couple, I can’t deny that they had chemistry. However, for two individuals battling their own inner demons, they considered themselves to be in love a little too quickly for my liking; and the romance felt more like a case of serious lust early on.
Pushing the Limits was released by Harlequin Teen in July 2012.
Comments About the Cover: It’s sexy; and I like that the characters resemble McGarry’s description. But, there’s no way I’d be reading a book with a cover like that in a public place. Thankfully, this is what e-readers are for :)
In exchange for an honest review, this ARC was received from the publisher (Harlequin Teen) for free via NetGalley.
Yes this was VERY dramatic. I really loved it though but I can see your point. I loved both perspectives and the character building is what I loved the most. Awesome review, chickie!
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of drama in this, and normally I wouldn't be into that sort of thing, but the characters won me over in this book! I'm also glad we had Noah's point of view here. His love for his brothers was just heart-warming. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI just started reading it and it is very reminiscent of PERFECT CHEMISTRY. However, I am really enjoying this book so far. It is a shame that you didn't like it more. But then again, I love drama (in my books, not in real life lol). I keep reading about Noah's love for his brother - I cannot cannot wait to read about this. I have a feeling it will make me tear up lol
ReplyDeleteLike Sam, normally I shy away from the books with a lot of teen angst and drama, they tend to get old for me really quickly, but I loved this one. I'm with you on Noah's POV - I thought it added a lot of depth to the story to see his side of things, and it helped me understand their attraction better. I found the quickness of their feelings more believable because I read how things happened from both sides. Glad you enjoyed it for the most part Z!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't read contemporary books, being on a bit of a paranormal diet for the last while but there was just something about this one that reeled me in. And I loved it. I loved Noah and I really enjoyed having his POV too. I really liked Echo as a character too, and as you say, it was good to see her grow throughout the book. I loved how she stood up for herself in the end.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I agree completely about the cover- cliched and cheesy, but at least relevant to the plot and kind of hot, I must admit. ;)
ReplyDeleteExcellent review! :) I have very similar thoughts of this- I enjoyed it in spite of some flaws, and I really liked the deep, interesting characters. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
Books with lots of drama in them are perfect for me. I love those books! So, this one sounds great. I have heard great things about it too & I'm glad you liked it! Great review.
ReplyDeleteTrue. The summary sounds really cheesy. And very dramatic too. I think that's why I never had the desire to read this. I also think it's weird that Noah always talks about a person's smell. I understand why Perry does it since he's some sort of supernatural dude with doggy sense of smell but Noah doesn't have an excuse. And those nicknames! *Gag* I hate it when male characters give nicknames to female characters.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Agree with you on the cover though it was so great to see the characters look like how they were supposed to look! I loved Pushing the Limits. I hated the cheesy names too but loved it on the whole!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really interested in this book either but the gushing reviews convinced me to give this one a shot! I really like Echo's growth and wasn't a fan of Noah's nicknames too. Overall, it was an enjoyable book!
ReplyDeleteZ! Thanks for giving this book the same rating as me. I felt like such a douche for not loving it like everyone else did because, like you, I found it a bit cheesy, especially with that Siren stuff. It was weird and kind of reminded me of an erotic novel. LOL
ReplyDeleteI was feeling the same way about the blurb - blech. But I've been fairly impressed by the reviews - although a bit reticent of all the melodrama - that I've actually been maybe considering this one! It really isn't by normal read at all.
ReplyDelete"It felt more like a case of serious lust." I agree with that, which is one of the many reasons I rated this a 2, hah. I seem to be in the minority on this one, though. I'm glad you liked it overall, though!
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
I just finished this book yesterday! I loved it so much! It was amazing and I read it in one sitting! Thank you for the review!
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