Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits
(Pushing the Limits #1)
by Katie McGarry

Publication Date: July 31st, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780373210497

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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. (Goodreads)

I decided to read Pushing the Limits after reading a review that said it was comparable to another book that I had read recently and loved. I must say, I absolutely adored Pushing the Limits, so much more than I expected to. It is one of those books that will stay with you, and you will think about it long after you have finished reading it.

I found the two main characters in the story, Echo and Noah, to be completely relatable, not only to myself, but to each other as well. They both have had major events in their lives that have left them completely scared, literally, and that have changed their lives forever.  You would not think that they would be a good pair when they first meet. Echo is the good girl that always wants to please everyone, and Noah is the bad boy that is a longer and only cares about himself.  But once they are together, things start changing for the both of them, and we get to see different sides of them. They were SO good for each other; they help each other to face what the past has changed for them. I adore this couple; they have made a spot on my list of my top favorite couples.

When you read the events that have happened in Echo and Noah’s lives, it will completely break your heart. I’m not much of a crier, but this book brought me to tears quite a few times. These poor kids, they went through so much more than any teen should be expected to go through. The author did an excellent job in making me feel the characters emotions. It was right there on the page, and it helped me connect with the characters even more. I flew through this book in record time, the story kept me so engrossed, I just couldn’t get enough.

The secondary characters were all interesting in the way that they had demons of their own to deal with. Echo’s father and stepmother, at first, came off as characters that I really wanted to hate. But once the story unfolds and we find out why they are the way they are, you have to feel something for them.  Noah’s friends, Isaiah and Beth, were both interesting in their own way, and I see that we may be reading about Beth in the next novel in this series. (I can’t wait!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, SO VERY MUCH.  It has definitely earned a spot on my bookshelf, and I plan to reread it over and over again. (That is saying something, because I only reread books that I LOVE!)  If you haven’t checked out Pushing the Limits yet, I definitely recommend that you do!

Happy Reading!