Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry + Giveaway
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Pushing the Limits
Title & Author:
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Publisher:
HarlequinTeen
Publication Date:
July 31, 2012
Pages:
384
Source:
NetGalley via PublisherNo 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. – Amazon
I’m not usually one for stories that focus only on romance, so I was a little worried when I picked up Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry.
But luckily there’s a lot of stories on Pushing the Limits that really take precedence over the romance for the most part of the book. Both of the characters had very important, life-changing events going on in their lives and I loved the way they banded together to mutually help each other out.
Individually, I loved both Noah and Echo. Echo was weak-willed and lacked self-confidence at the beginning of Pushing the Limits, and I just wanted to yank off her sleeves and tell her to freaking embrace herself or life would suck forever. But she’s in high school, and she’s fictional, so I couldn’t really do that. But even though she was weak-willed and lacking in self confidence, I felt for her and was rooting for her to find out what really happened that night with her mother and I was rooting for her to grow balls and tell off the shittiest “friend” I’ve ever seen in a book. You’ll know who I mean when you read Pushing the Limits – so much hate for that character.
And Noah – the situation with his brothers was heartbreaking to me. I’m a big supporter of family in books, so I was really rooting for him all the way. I also loved the relationship between him and the other foster teens he lived with, Isaiah and Beth. It was clear that they really knew and trusted each other, and supported each other.
But the romance between Noah and Echo is where Pushing the Limits lost me. I just didn’t really get into that part of Pushing the Limits. I can see Echo and Noah working and they were cute together, but I kind of felt like it happened too quickly, their feelings for each other and their dependance on each other progressed too quickly (please note Pushing the Limits is almost a 400 page book). It also felt to me like Noah cleaned up his act too quickly. It didn’t feel natural – or maybe it just didn’t feel healthy, I guess? I mean, Echo is going through this pretty traumatic event in her life.
ANYWAY. So yeah. I loved the individual stories in Pushing the Limits, but the romance aspect just didn’t work for me. But if you’re a fan of contemporary romances, I do suggest checking out Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. Just because the romance didn’t work for me, it might work for you, and the individual stories are certainly very engrossing. It also appears I’m in the minority about the romance, so don’t let my opinion deter you – I’d love to know what you guys think!
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Giveaway of Pushing the Limits
MM Publicity is being super awesome and offered up a copy of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry to one lucky person! Follow the rules and use the Rafflecopter to enter!
Rules
US/Canada only
13 years or older
Winner has 48 hours to respond to my e-mail
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I read the ARC of this book, and I would love a finished copy for my high school library. Pushing the Limits is a fantastic book. . . . one of the best ones I’ve read all year! Thank you for the opportunity to win :)
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I guess I will go in with lowered expectations as for the romance. I am interested in the other storylines though and I think that sometimes an interesting plot can really make up for blah romances.
April Books & Wine recently posted..Endlessly Kiersten White Book Review
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Oh, I totally loved the romance. I liked that we got to spend half the book with them as a couple, but I can see how that could seem rushed. And yeah, Echo’s story was really intense.
fakesteph recently posted..St. Vladimir’s Summer School Week Four: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
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Shame the romance didn’t work for you :( That was the bit I was most looking forward to! Interesting to read your point of view though :)
-Laura
What’s Hot?
Laura Hartley recently posted..What’s Hot? Books.
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Honestly, I’m definitely looking forward to reading this. I, apparently, enjoy reading contemporaries where the main characters have issues – and this sounds like they’re chock-full of them! Plus, their individual stories sound really intriguing. And so does the romance.
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books recently posted..Descended by Blood – Angeline Kace (150 Words)
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Agreed on all of the above!
Anna recently posted..Waiting on Rootless by Chris Howard
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That is the good thing about there being so many books available what works for one may not work for another but there is always another one ready for you to try again with!
Thanks so much!
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Thanks for the giveaway!! I’ve been just dying to get my hands on this book. Everyone has been raving about it!
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Thanks for the honest review! I’ve been hearing a lot about this one, so I really would like to read it – so thanks for the giveaway as well!
Kimberly @ Love YA Books recently posted..Waiting On Wednesday | 09
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This book keeps being compared to some other books I loved so I really want it!
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I’m not a heavy contemporary reader and I loved this book. Aww sorry to hear you didn’t care too much for the romance I loved them as a couple, but i’m really curious about Beth I heard the next book is about her.
Aanchal @ Book Flame recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
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I love to read this book. It sounds very good
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I can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win!
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I have heard only good things about this book! I’d love to read it : ) thanks for the giveaway!!!
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Thank you! more good reviews = more i want. :D
TayteH recently posted..Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano
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This one sounds really good, and I’ve heard many great things about it!! Can’t wait to read it:D
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This book looks really good! I’m looking forward to reading it in the near future!! :) Thanks for offering this great giveaway! :)
Mandy @The Romance Bookie recently posted..Face Time with Kody Keplinger!
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The book sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Such a cool sounding book. I’ve pledged to enter all the giveaways I can find till I win a copy. Is this my lucky entry? Yes?! WhooHoo!!
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really looking forward to reading this book it sounds so good.
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I’ve read soo many amazing things about this one. Can’t wait.
Doodle recently posted..{Review} Destiny’s Revenge by Nancy Straight
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On my wishlist! It’s an amazingly meaningful story and teen romance:)
Thanks so much:)
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Ok. I read this during my contemporary month. What I liked about this one is that it was a mixture of romance-contemp + issue-contemp = well-balanced contemp. This is the kind of contemp that I like! (I can’t believe I am to the point that I can say that! BRAVO TO YOU FOR GETTING ME THERE.) (I also like romance contemps, btw.) So, yeah, I really liked this one. But I do totally get what you’re saying too. It’ll be interesting to see the next book, Beth’s POV.
Also: “But she’s in high school, and she’s fictional, so I couldn’t really do that.” I laughed so hard. YOU SILLY GAL.
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) recently posted..…on The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss {Audiobook}
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I can’t even say how much I am dying to read Pushing the Limits. So many amazing things being said about this book and seriously, it couldn’t come out fast enough. Grr waiting lol.
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Ah, I’m so curious about this book! Sounds pretty interesting.
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I just read an e-galley for this and I absolutely LOVE it. I thought the progression of Noah and Echo’s characters was perfectly timed, and the interactions between every character felt real. I’m not huge on contemporaries, but Pushing the Limits is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for the giveaway!
Allie Rose recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday (20): Cold Fury
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What a great giveaway. I loved this title and can’t wait to own my own copy!
Samantha R. recently posted..I’m a Negligent Blogger
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Not sure if my post went through. Sounds like an interesting read.
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I had heard SOOOO many great things about this book. Can’t wait! The book trailer was amazing too!
Ashley Chen recently posted..Review+Excerpt+Giveaway: Vestige by Deb Hanrahan
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This book looks amazing!
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