Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits #1
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: “My father is a control freak, I hate my stepmother, my brother is dead and my mother has…well…issues.”
My Review:
Most of you should have heard about Pushing the Limits by now. I mean, how could you not? It’s one of those books almost every book lover knows about and for a really good reason: Pushing the Limits is that good. It deserves the hype. Every time I re-read Pushing the Limits, I literally can’t put the book down.
Echo, Echo, Echo. Right from the very first chapter, I could really relate to her: both our parents think the best is not good enough. Echo’s struggle to gain her dad’s love and to get along with both her dad and Ashley reminds me of my struggle to get along with my parents and gain approval in their eyes. Throughout Pushing the Limits, I felt for Echo and her situation with everything: her dad, her mom, her art, her popularity, and her friends. I sympathized for her, cried for her, and wanted to teach people the hurt her a lesson for her.
I sighed as I pulled my sleeves over my fingers. What I wouldn’t give for normal. (31)
Noah is probably one of the best male love interests I’ve ever read about. He’s smart, he’s caring, and most of all, he doesn’t jump into conclusions. Noah was a total jerk to Echo in the beginning, but after getting to know him, both me and Echo slowly fell in love with him. I especially fell in love with his devotion to his little brothers. Noah’s obvious downfall is calling Echo his “nymph,” his “siren,” and using the dreaded word “baby” like the horrible Justin Bieber song. It gets really annoying, especially after he starts to do that constantly.
I especially like how Echo and Noah’s romance developed, from hating each other to loving each other. In the beginning, all Echo and Noah did was throw insults at each other. Then, they both agreed to use each other to get what they want. After spending time together, they finally accepted their feelings for each other and got together. I liked how their romance progressed – their romance was definitely not insta-love and it definitely wasn’t slowly developed.
“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. (96)
Even though I swore that I’ll avoid books with popularity as a focus from now on, Pushing the Limits is that one exception. Don’t get me wrong, Pushing the Limits doesn’t focus entirely on popularity, only a little. Echo’s struggle with her friends and her popularity really (surprisingly) tugged on my heartstrings and had me feeling conflicted, especially with her situation with her so-called “friend,” Grace.
Pushing the Limits is a book I’ve read multiple times already. All those times I’ve re-read Pushing the Limits, I’ve cried every single time. Every single time. And almost always at the same scenes. Katie McGarry just has this unique ability to make you cry and re-cry during the same scenes. She has no problems tugging on your heartstrings (believe me, I would know) and make you bawl in public without any restraint. Hey, that’s exactly what she did to me.
I would not cry in front of him. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d ripped me into a thousand pieces…I had no one now. No one. (271)
However, I felt that even though I enjoyed reading Pushing the Limits so much every time I’ve re-read it, something was missing. To this day, I still don’t know what’s missing from the book, but I just know something major is. I hate it when these things happen, especially when I can’t really explain it. That’s the main reason why I gave Pushing the Limits 3.5-star rating instead of a full 5-star rating.
Katie McGarry definitely wrote an excellent debut – a debut I could re-read again and again and feel like I’m reading it for the first time. If you haven’t read Pushing the Limits yet, you should start getting your hands on a copy now and start reading it asap. You will not regret doing so.
I loved this book as well, but I know what you mean about something missing. I gave it a 4-star because I always connect more to Noah than Echo. There’s something about Echo’s POV that just seems to be lacking, and I can’t put my finger on it. But Noah — oh gosh, I shed so many tears. Love the romance as well ;)
Becca @ Nawanda Files recently posted…Our Reaction to the New Divergent Teaser and Trailer!
That’s funny, I connected with Echo A LOT more than I did with Noah. It was Echo’s parts that made me cry A LOT.
I don’t know, I just felt like the overall book was lacking and missing something. I sadly still can’t put my finger to it. ):
Yay for Echo and Noah! <3
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
Hmmm I wasn’t really a fan of Pushing the Limits when I read it a year ago, for me the romance escalated too quickly with too much drama, they had such intense feelings for each other so quickly I didn’t really buy it and outside of the romance there wasn’t much plot. I really feel as if I need to reread it now though haha
Chantelle recently posted…Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Chantelle)
Looks like we have different feelings about the romance Chantelle. ;P
I wasn’t really concentrating on the plot, I was busy trying to cry in public while reading.
Ohh, reread it! I want to see your now thoughts. o:
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
Great review Kelly! I’m glad you liked it(: I adore this book :D
Happy reading
Jackie
Nice to know that you also adore this book Jackie! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
Kelly, your review has made me want to re-read this book all over again! I miss meeting Echo and her realistic relationship with her father; I was able to relate to the “seeking approval from parents” as well, too. And Noah. URGGH. <3 I so loved their push/pull relationship in the beginning as well, it was so well developed. I didn't cry at all when I read this book, but perhaps the second time around? I hate it when there's SOMETHING missing in a book, but you just don't know what!! Anyway, lovely review! I'm glad you really like this one as well. :)
Jen recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (#9)
Parents parents parents. ):
At least you save yourself from embarrassment when you didn’t cry! I was tearing up like crazy while I was reading it on the subway, knowing I’ll end up crying but reading it on the subway anyway.
I hate it too!
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
It is really nice when a book that gets so much love and attention actually turns out to be just that awesome!
I know! The hype fails me almost everyday these days. ):
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
You cried?! Thank goodness, I wasn’t the only one. Hahha. I have to admit even though I wasn’t particularly fond of Noah, he managed to make me cry. I’m still in the process of finishing Katie’s second novel and I’m sort of disappointed that isn’t Isaiah’s story. However, I am still loving it! I can’t wait for Crash Into You. Also can’t wait until you review it. Fantastic reivew, Kelly!
Holly Anne recently posted…Altered by Jennifer Rush
You definitely weren’t the only one who cried over this one Holly. :P
Honestly, I like Dare You To better than Pushing the Limits. Dare You To wasn’t missing that mysterious “something.”
As for Crash Into You, I can’t wait to start it! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
I can not wait to read this series! :) I’ve heard nothing but good things about it!
Brianna recently posted…Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
You should definitely read this one asap Brianna! You definitely won’t regret it and it’ll definitely be on your top favorites list. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
Loved this book.Pushing the Limits is probably my favourite YA contemporary ever.
Great review.
Mishma recently posted…Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters
Pushing the Limits is definitely one of my favorite contemporary book and I very rarely like/love contemporary books.
Thank you! (:
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
This book’s on my TBB list, Kelly! I’ve seen a lot of raving reviews about it. I hope I can find enough time to read it soon. I just skimmed through your review by the way as I’m afraid to read spoilers if there’s ever one. Hahaha.
Charlotte recently posted…Book Review: Hope’s Daughter
I don’t think my review has any spoilers. :P
Anyways, I hope you pick this one up soon Charlotte! Pushing the Limits is amazing. You’ll love it! (:
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [34]
Love the concept of this book.I think I might fall in love again :) Looking forward to reading it.Added it to my TBR list.Thanks for the review.
You’ll definitely fall in love with this one Say! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: How Do You Treat Books You Borrow From the Library?
I have heard SO much about this book but I just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I love having a likable guy in the book, so I’m glad to hear that Noah is awesome. I am totally with you on the popularity as a focus thing. I’m really really tired of it. It seems like every book for kids under 18 has it to some extent.
Dena recently posted…Friday Favorites #9: Illustrator Spotlight on Timothy Basil Ering
You should get to reading it Dena! Pushing the Limits is SOO good and I don’t say this lightly. :D
Yeah, most contemporary books have some sort of focus on popularity. D:
Luckily, the focus on popularity in Pushing the Limits didn’t bother me.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [48]
I heard great things about this book,must to read very soon :)
Sounds really good :)
It sounds really good because it is really good Bube! :D
You’ll definitely love this one.
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I loved this book! The author’s writing style is very similar to the Simone Elkeles ( and I love Simone Elkeles books! ).
I was very lucky to get an ARC for the third book in the series, and I’m loving it so far!
I’m so happy to know that there will be a fourth book!! Cannot wait!
thanks for the review!
Pushing the Limits is one of those books I’m just not sure whether I want to read or not. If I based it only on what I’ve read and heard I would be even more confused. There’s been a bunch of in-betweens and it’s hard to choose. But from what positive things I have read this book sounds like it would be great to read myself. I guess it all comes down to whether I would have the time to read this book. I definitely don’t have that time right now, but there’s a chance in the future that I will :)
Man, my TBR pile keeps growing because of your blog! How am I ever going to read them all? :-)
This book sounds really great, so I’ll have to add it to my list. I’d really like to know what the deal is with the scars.
I’m one of the few who had not heard of this book, so thanks for the review!
God, everyone loved it and I can’t believe I still haven’t read anything by Katie McGarry!
It’s such a shame that you didn’t like it more! :(
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