Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: July 31, 2011
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
“I won’t tell anyone, Echo. I promise.” Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. “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.
So wrong for each other…and yet so right.
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)
Pushing the Limits is a heart-wrenching story about family, love, and mental illness, told in alternating points of view between Echo and Noah. I could not put this book down! I stayed up until 3AM to finish and soaked my pillow. Yeah, I cried. A lot.
Echo is missing an entire day from her memory. She can’t remember what happened the day/night she got the scars on her arms. The scars she hides with long sleeved t-shirts and gloves in the middle of summer. She went from being a social butterfly – dance team, art competitions, dating the “right guy”, to a social recluse.
Then, through her therapist/social worker she meets Noah – a stoner whose reputation with the girls “walks down the hall before he does” – just as she’s trying to get her life to some resemblance of normal. Her ex-boyfriend is interested again, and he might just put her back on the acceptable social list… but Noah doesn’t cringe at the sight of her scars.
Noah’s family was torn apart by tragedy, and he was separated from his brothers in the foster care system. He’s been abused by the system, and in his anger and frustration he became the “bad boy”. But Noah’s determined to get his brothers back, and Echo might be able help him.
I really liked the dual narration, and appreciated getting to know both Echo and Noah from their perspectives. Katie McGarry did a great job with writing in a male POV; I was impressed how she was able to get inside a teenage guy’s head. I also loved how Noah’s family was his best friends Isaiah and Beth, and how they took care of each other.
Pushing the Limits is a fantastic debut by Katie McGarry! I can’t wait to read more from her, and I’m looking forward to her next book, Dare You To, which tells Beth’s story.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
My favorite contemporary romance of this year so far was Night Sky by Jolene Perry.
Ricki recently posted..Nightschool: The Weirn Books 3
Twitter: deadtossedwaves
says:
I absolutely love multiple POV!!!
My favorite contemporary this year Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
I’ve learned that I’m okay with 2 POVs but more than that starts to annoy me.
Valerie
StuckInBooks.com
Valerie recently posted..Teaser Tuesday ~ 7/10/12
Twitter: randinicole13
says:
My favorite contemporary romance so far this year has been Something Like Normal. 🙂 And I enjoy multiple POV *sometimes*, at other times (if there are too many POVs), I feel like I don’t get very close to the narrators. Great review!
Anna and the french kiss!
I love books that are written with multiple POV’s as long as its written well.
Annmarie recently posted..Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Twitter: EileenLi8
says:
I honestly think EVERYBODY is obsessed with Pushing the Limits at this point! I absolutely LOVED it and yes, it was so emotional! I didn’t cry like you did, but I was seriously feeling the fuzzies! 🙂 Thank you for the review!
Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***
Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain*** recently posted..Tuney Tuesday: Dynamite by Taio Cruz
I’m dying to get my hands on this book. It’s everywhere. I’m hooked. I need it.
Julie Anne Lindsey recently posted..Write –> Polish –> Paralysis.
oops! Forgot to answer the question *sigh* LOL I just re-read the Simone Elkeles books in June (most recent contemp reads) Perfect Chemistry, Chain Reaction, Laws of Attraction
Julie Anne Lindsey recently posted..Write –> Polish –> Paralysis.
I actually enjoy novels written from multiple POV’s because now you have other points on the story from many different POV’s like Want To Go Private, I loved that factor.-
Kandee recently posted..Teaser Tuesday: Going To Far by Jennifer Echols
I love male POV’s it gives us readers a chance to hear their side of the story
I love seeing both sides of the story
Twitter: Erindubrock
says:
The best contemporary ya romance I’ve read this year is probably From What I Remember. I loved loved loved that one!
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
I’m starting this one tonight and I’m so excited now!
fakesteph recently posted..Top Ten (Tuesday) Books I’m Constantly Recommending
I don’t mind novels written from various points of view so long as the transition is clear…ie, name the character at the beginning of the chapter.
Chrissy recently posted..Ryann in the Sky by Jammie Kern – with a Guest Post from the author
I don’t mind multiple POV’s so long as it’s done well!
As for favourite contemp romance? Definitely Anna and the French Kiss!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..Read-A-Long: The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman (WEEK ONE)
It depends on how the POV is used. I loved it in Code Name Verity and Under the Never Sky, not so much in other books.
Shelver506 recently posted..The Girl With The Feather In Her Hair – TIGER LILY ARC Giveaway
i love books with multiple povs!!
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog recently posted.."Skip Rock Shallows" Review
Hi! First and foremost, great review and thanks for the giveaway!(: I love novels written from dual perspectives such as Graffiti Moon but more than that and I tend to be turned off. I guess my favorite contemporary romance that I’ve read this year would have to be Wanderlove by Kristin Hubbard – it was slow, provocative, and original and I fell in love with the characters! =D
~Keertana
Ivy Book Bindings
Keertana A. recently posted..Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Multi POV’s make a story more interesting. At least I think so. I read Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel earlier this year and fell in love with that book. I so recommend it. Great romance..with zombies!
I enjoy some books with multiple points of view, but not a lot. I did just finish The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater, and enjoyed it a lot.
Some of my favorite books are mulitple POV. Love it when it’s done so well you can see the different voices clearly. Tammara Webber’s Good For You was one of my favorite contemp (and dual POV) books.
I’ve heard so much good about Pushing the Limits.
favorite contemp read this year would probably go to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars! It’s EPIC!
I want 2 POVs, in a book but more than that sometimes it just get confusing. My fave contemp was the On The Jellicoe Road and Reason To breathe so far,though I know they’re really my fave books forever :))
I don’t mind multiple POVs so long as the narration changes between them consistently throughout the novel. I think it’s bad style/structure if 2/3 of the book are all from the same first person POV and then it suddenly changes.
My favorite contemporary romance this year so far was Anna and the French Kiss (yes, I know I’m late in reading it).
Thans for the giveaway! I’ve been wanting to sink my teeth into this book for months ^^
I like multiple points of view in fact my current read is like that but it all comes down to how well the author has written it.
Jessica ( frellathon ) recently posted..Destiny of Shaitan by Laxmi Hariharan tour with author interview
My fav contemporary romance this year was “Easy”, by Tammara Webber! Love love loved every word!
Also, I find I’m actually loving a split narrative these days, I never used to, but it’s grown on me!
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Carmen recently posted..Sovereign Hope Blog Tour: Character Interview with Farley & Daniel + Giveaway!
A book from that switches POVs is…..good. It gives the reader a chance to look into the mind of another major character. Plus, just knowing one character’s thoughts get kinda boring sometimes.
My favorite contemporary read this year? Hmm…….Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler.
Thank you!
TayteH recently posted..Cover Reveal!!! CLOCKWORK PRINCESS!!!
Twitter: michellesedeno
says:
I’ve read Anna & The French Kiss last year, but it’s the best contemporary I’ve read so far.
I also loved Catching Jordan. 🙂
Multiple POV’s okay. But when you read both main character’s mind, there’s no thrill anymore, no mystery. I like mysterious guys, but I also like reading the guy’s mind. It’s so rare and exciting. I don’t know, I’m torn. 🙂
Twitter: marmaladelibby
says:
I love mult. POV’s in a book! Keeps you on your toes!
Ange/Libby Blog recently posted..Summer Lovin’ Giveaway Hop
I’m fine with multiple POVs, but more than too many MCs confuse me.
I find it very interesting to have multiple povs to get ideas from the characters heads.
Twitter: MidnightOrchid
says:
Novels from multiple perspectives are fine as long as they are clear, and there aren’t so many perspectives that you can’t keep the story straight.
Melissa T recently posted..Review: Citizen Scientists Be a Part of Science From Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns
I LOVE novels written in multiple first person perspectives IF they are well written and if there are only a few perspectives. If you have too many, it gets difficult to keep track of who thought what.
My favorite contemporary romance of this year so far was Knee Deep 🙂
its interesting to have novels with different points of view
especially for the book BREAKING DAWN
i totally loved the way the author wrote the book with bella and jacob’s point of view
well this gave me more insight into their characters 🙂
I absolutely loved Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson, it was amazing!
I adore dual narration as well as male POV, neither of which features enough in YA.
Samantha R. recently posted..Review: The Mine by John Heldt
I love dual POV when done well. I think there are often characters in a story that need to have their own voice:)
Amy aka Kissed by Ink recently posted..Traitor (Bridger #2) Cover Reveal
Twitter: Maria_Smith_76
says:
I prefer mulitple POV’s. I like to get into as many heads as possible. It is also very rare that we know what the male lead is thinking so I’ll take that anytime I can get it!
Thanks so much!
My favorite contemporary romance so far this year is between The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Loved this, and still wear it like a bruise on my heart.) and My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (Jace is super swoony and I thought Sam was the perfectly flawed MC, not to mention all the wonderful secondary characters.).
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
~Christina
Christina2227 recently posted..Foretell (Wanderlove, #2) by Belle Malory
Twitter: SarahReads2Much
says:
Ooh… I hadn’t heard of this before now. I love a good contemp! Thanks for pointing this out for me!
Sarah Reads Too Much recently posted..Book Review: “Something Like Normal” by Trish Doller
I love them! Multiple POVs give more info on characters/situations, and, I think, draw you into the story more than just a single POV.
Erin recently posted..Once Upon a Read-a-thon Wrap-Up
Twitter: bookswithcass
says:
I’m not just saying this, I reviewed this on my blog, and it IS my fave contemporary of 2012. Hands down.
I loved the multiple POV’s and I think its supremely awesome when an author pulls it off, especially as beautifully as Katie did!
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that she’s super awesome and sweet!
cass recently posted..100 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!!!
Twitter: JamiZehr
says:
I agree with Valerie,StuckInBooks.com. More than two POVs and the story gets away from me. I get distracted with my annoyance, which is probably more my fault than anything on the part of the author. 😀
Jami Zehr @http://absurdlynerdly.wordpress.com recently posted..Book Review: This Side of the Grave
Twitter: beckyhjohnson
says:
I really enjoy multiple points of view, as long as the the story has been well crafted so that I don’t get confused.
My favourite contemporary romance this year is Dawn at Birch Crossing by Stephanie Rowe.
Thanks for the giveaway
Becky Johnson recently posted..Week 1: Author of the Week: RM Gilmore Giveaway & Interview
I like books that tell the story from multiple points of view as long as it’s clear so that I don’t get too confused. I like how you can see how things affect the different characters and how each one feels.
Twitter: chicair
says:
I love novels with multiple POV’s! I get to know different sides of the story and I get to see a glimpse of other scenes that does not revolve alone with the lead character.
Haraiah recently posted..Exams and Giveaway
Twitter: beccaxx03
says:
The more reviews i read about this book, the more i want to pick it up now and read it but i have 1 more book to read before it. It just seems to be absolutely amazing! and it is given from more than 1 POV, i LOVE books like that, they add so much more to the story…..LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! i’M EXCITED lol sorry. Wow didn’t realise there was another book coming out from the author either 🙂 thanks for bringing that to my attention.
beckie @ becca’s book bug recently posted..Stacking the Shelves(12) My 7th shelf
Going to far had to be one of my favorites!! It was awesome and sweet!
My Life Next Door!
Twitter: BooksOverBoys
says:
Oh man, I’ve been on such a huge contemporary kick lately that all of them have been my favorites, lol!
Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
What A Boy Wants & What A Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn
Easy by Tammara Webber <333
Those are…adsfkj;asdf;kljasf–AMAZING!
Momo X. recently posted..Teaser Tuesday (24): The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas
As long as it is done correctly, I enjoy multiple POVs. Sometimes it doesn’t work though, which is too bad especially when the story is promising.
My recent favorite contemp: Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols. Loved it!!
I enjoy multiple POV’s from time to time. Although I sometimes need to remind myself whenever I forget and get confused.
But when its a book I’m really looking forward to, I don’t care.
I enjoy multiple POVs, as long as it is done correctly and I’m not confused. I like seeing the story from different point of views especially from a male.
My favorite contemp of the year so far has been The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour. Thanks!
Twitter: crazystepford
says:
I find that 2-3 POVs are the maximum to follow, I have seen authors lose track of who’s POV it is more than one and that leads to a confusing story
I like multiple POV books as long as it is not from a million different POVs because then it gets confusing. But 2-4 is normally fine. More than that can sometimes be too much.
Michelle@Book Briefs recently posted..{Book Review} Circus Summer by Kailin Gow
Twitter: PassingPages
says:
This is actually my favorite contemporary novel at the moment 😉 and changing POV’s can be really good. If its done well.
Haley @ Passing Pages recently posted..Blade Song by J. C. Daniels
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
Okay, I finished and I LOVED it. I can’t wait for Beth’s story. I hope we get more Isaac, Mrs. Collins, and see that Echo and Noah are doing good.
fakesteph recently posted..Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Me too!!!! 🙂
I enjoy books with multiple POV. It keeps you on your toes and you get to learn more about the characters.
If done properly, multiple PoVs can really help me connect with various characters as I get insight into the inner workings of their different motives. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, and I’m left feeling like a couple of the PoVs were unnecessary, and could have been left out.
Kelly (Radiant Shadows) recently posted..Cover Reveal: Options!
so far my favorite novel of this year would have to be My Life Next Door by Huntely Fitzpatrick
[…] by for a “How I Write” feature, and is generously giving away a signed copy of Pushing the Limits! Many thanks to Katie for […]
[…] absolutely LOVED Katie’s debut, Pushing the Limits (click for my review), so really, this is a duh pick. I’m DYING to read Beth’s […]
[…] to be taking part in Katie McGarry‘s blog tour for TAKE ME ON, another companion novel to PUSHING THE LIMITS (I love this series)! Check out the books and the quote below, then be sure to enter the giveaway […]
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