Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry Review

Thu, July 26, 2012

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry Review

Pushing the Limits
By Katie McGarry
Publication date: July 31, 2012
Harlequin Teen, 384 pages
Source: Publisher, via NetGalley

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.com description

I’ve seen Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry described, time and time again, as Simone Elkeles-esque, and…I have to say I can see the connection! If you like Simone’s style of issue-oriented love stories, this is likely the book for you.

Frankly, I love any book that takes two messed up kids and throws them together. They learn to love! To trust! YOU GUYS, how can you not love reading that!? I was very caught up in the storyline and not once in danger of putting the book down.

That being said…the terms of endearment were a little hard to swallow. Noah and Echo are two tough, troubled kids…so the saccarine nature of some of the things they were saying was a turnoff, especially considering how quickly their relationship moved.

Also, I have to say I might have reacted more positively to this book had I not read a galley on my Kindle. The story shifts between Noah’s and Echo’s points of view, but my formatting did not note when it changed. It was a bit rough to keep track of who was talking and what was going on. There was a lot of rereading involved. Though, this will likely be fixed in the final version, so fear not.

Overall, I still have to say that, if this is your favorite type of love story, I think it will likely be well worth your while to check out Pushing the Limits.

Start by watching the trailer below, then enter below for a chance to win your own copy of Pushing the Limits. Good luck!

Anna Reads young adult book blog

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Posted by: Anna • In: death, katie mcgarry, psychological, romance

34 Comments

Magan said:

I’ve heard a few people agree with you about the terms of endearment, but I guess I glazed right over them hoping for more steamy scenes. I mean – the book was HOT. I had to do a bit of re-reading on the kindle, too. Wish they would have fixed the formatting, but I’ll now be anxious to read a final copy. Must purchase one!
Magan recently posted..Estelle: Between You & Me by Marisa Calin

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Erin said:

I just read this (borrowed from a friend who got it at BEA) and loved it. Though, I do agree with you about the terms of endearment. I thought the way they loved was very realistic for two kids coming from broken/devastating backgrounds and I thought the way their relationship was handled was brilliant. Thanks for the giveaway.
Erin recently posted..Forbidden

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
JenP said:

That kind of stuff drives me crazy about NetGalley.

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Lori said:

I loved this one! I’d been looking for any books like Elkeles for years and this is the first one I’ve came across that even compared. I read the egalley too, and the Echo/Noah switches were very disconcerting. It took awhile to get used to. I still loved it though and I’m happy you liked it too.
Lori recently posted..Review: The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Niki Loftin

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Sarah said:

I just reviewed this one too (netgalley version) and I had a difficult time switching between characters too. It was almost worse that it was noted sometimes and not others. But I did enjoy it over all

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Ellen said:

Thanks for the giveaway. I have been wanting to read this book. Great review.
Ellen recently posted..Blog Tour: Racing To Love by Amy Gregory

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Kim said:

Thanks for the giveaway!
Kim recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday #2

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Tara said:

Hey review twin
Tara recently posted..Book review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook said:

I loved this book. I read it a bit ago (received from Netgalley), and I do remember getting a little annoyed with Noah calling Echo “baby,” but it was such a small annoyance. This is still my favorite book I’ve read this year.

Also, the version I had from Netgalley did signify which chapters were from Noah’s POV and which were from Echo’s POV. Generally I am not a huge fan of alternating POVs, but this book was amazing. I actually liked switching POVs.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Review: Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: The New Girl

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Ginger @ GReads! said:

My egalley cut off the beginning of each chapter, too! So I was a bit confused at first on who was narrating. I had issues with the dialogue as well (the terms of endearment). A definite comparison to Simone! Hot, hot passion!
Ginger @ GReads! recently posted..The Blogger Behind the Book {69}: Meet Lucy

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books said:

I must say – I do enjoy reading love stories where both the main characters have issues. It makes it seem even more intense and real to me!
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books recently posted..Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas (Review)

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Carmen said:

Yeah… I’m kind of obsessed with this kind of book..

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Kim M said:

I keep hearing great things about Pushing the Limits. I’m sure I’ll grab it when it is released.
Thanks for the review and giveaway!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Mariam Jones said:

Thanks so much for the giveaway ! I’ve heard great things about this book and can’t wait to read it !!!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Beth Shaum said:

I’m reading this one right now. I’m only on p. 25 though so I haven’t decided how I feel about it yet.
Beth Shaum recently posted..A trip to the ice cream mecca of… Columbus, Ohio? Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Heather said:

ive been looking forward to this book for a few weeks now! cant wait!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Bridget Howard said:

I am really excited to read this book I have read tons of great reviews and it sounds like I am going to love it!!!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Vivien said:

I’ve been so excited for this book for months. The reviews have been stellar!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Tara @ Hobbitsies said:

You know I agree with everything you said! I just had trouble swallowing the relationship, and then I kept wondering if it was even….healthy, you know?
Tara @ Hobbitsies recently posted..Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry + Giveaway

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Heather K. said:

I have heard so many wonderful things about this book. Everyone raves about it so I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the great post and giveaway.:)

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Sara said:

This book looks super good. I cannot wait to read it

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know said:

I’ve already read this one, but it was so AWESOME that I want a paper copy of it too. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know recently posted..Waiting on The Raven Boys

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Lisa S said:

I really want to read this!!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Rachael L said:

Thank you for the giveaway!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Layne said:

Got to love troubled love….great review!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Maida @ Literary Love Affair said:

I love this book!! Awesomesauce review! Thanks for the giveaway!
Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted..Review: Storm (Elemental 1)

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Elizabeth @ TatteredSpines said:

I’ve been looking forward to this book for awhile! I’m a big fan of the Perfect Chemistry series, and I absolutely LOVE two screwed up kids finding safety and love in each other! YEY!
Elizabeth @ TatteredSpines recently posted..Almost by Anne Eliot

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Angie said:

I love book trailers. I am glad they are so popular and I can watch and see that I want to read the book!!

Angie Angela’s Anxious Life
Angie recently posted..Follow Me Friday (#39)

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Jasmine Rose said:

I keep seeing reviews that make me push this up on my TBR and then others that make me push it down. I’m feeling pretty wishy washy about it, but I still think I’ll read it eventually. Thanks for the review, Anna :]
Jasmine Rose recently posted..Reading Road Trip: Washington giveaway

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Ashlee said:

I pinned this book on Pinterest awhile back so I could come across it later in search of the next book to read. Like you, I enjoy a story of two troubled teens coming together (really, only one teen can be troubled) ((okay, neither teen has to be troubled; I just like the romance)). And Simone Elkeles books make me happy.

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Maribelle said:

Hooray for giveaways! This sounds interesting…

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Kimberly Marie said:

Sounds like a great book! I can’t wait to read it.

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Katie said:

I have a hit or miss relationship with Simone Elkeles books, some I love and some I would rather have skipped. I try to always give these types of books a chance since I never know when I’ll find a good one!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012
Linda L said:

this book sounds soo amazing!

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Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2012