Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits

Author: Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

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.

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Two words; simply amazing. That is how I would describe this book. I absolutely adored Noah and Echo. They both have been through so much tragedy and heartbreak. Noah is a total bad boy but when I delved into his story and discovered what happened to him, I totally understood him. He puts on a front for other people because he needs to be tough to survive. However, there is something about Echo that softens him and he is so sweet and understanding with her. He doesn't judge her or pity her, he just loves her. Echo's home life is different than Noah's but equally devastating. She suffered a tragedy, leaving her scarred and broken but she can't remember anything about that night. While she tries to fit in with her friends again, she is torn between becoming popular and Noah. She wants her life to go back to normal but she can't ignore these feelings for Noah. He makes her feel like she doesn't have to hide and she can be whole again.

I love the way that the author writes the background stories for her characters. One is always right up front and the other holds mystery to the very end. Throughout the book, we know all about Noah's past and what he has been going through. His story was truly heart-wrenching and I found myself on the verge of tears several times. Echo's story was the mystery that keeps on giving. As she remembers her past, little pieces of what happened start to come together but the author does such a great job of stringing the mystery to the very end. Even while I was enthralled with their love story, I always had the question of what happened to Echo in the back of my mind.

I truly loved this book and I have become a Katie McGarry fan for life. I had this book on my TBR for a while and after reading an ARC for Dare You To, I had to pick up this book. I am so glad that I did and only wish I hadn't waited so long.

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Sources

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads