Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Release Date: July 31st, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Reason: Blog Tour | Review
Find the Author: Website | Twitter
Buy the Book: Amazon | Amazon CA

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.

The worst type of crying wasn't the kind everyone could see--the wailing on the street corners, the tearing at the clothes. No, the worst kind happened when your soul wept and no matter what you did, there was no way to comfort it. --Noah Hutchins

source: yourecards.com

Why did no one warn me that I would give up all aspects of my life to read this book? Seriously, I couldn't peel my eyes away! It got to the point where it felt like my eyes were going to pop out, but I. Just. Couldn't. Stop!

OK, OK, all raving aside, I guess I owe you an explanation on why I found Pushing the Limits so epic.

Story Building: McGarry kept me on my toes the ENTIRE time. It's not so much that each chapter ended on a cliffhanger, but each one ended with just enough to have you begging for more. "Just one more chapter" became a regular saying while I was reading this book. She also paced out the storyline at a perfect pace. When you meet a person in real life you don't learn everything about them right away, right? The author stayed very realistic when it came to the story/character introduction.

Character Deveopment: Pushing the Limits was definitely a character-based novel. There was a great storyline to back it up, but I found that the novel' strongest quality was it's characters. Echo's story broke my heart. I began to care for her more and more as her story unfolded. You were curious to know the truth as well, but you also felt an urge to protect Echo. It's been a while since I cared so deeply for a character. I had the same feelings for Noah as well. There is so much more to him underneath his tough exterior. He is vulnerable, compassionate and caring. The author did a wonderful job at creating the characters story, and splitting up the narrative. I loved that feature!

Katie McGarry's writing style was superb! It was simple and realistic. She did great at delivering the voices of Echo and Noah.

Katie McGarry's debut novel blew me away! Pushing the Limits packs a lot of punch. It is heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time. A beautifully written, lovely story of love, loss and self growth. I adored every minute of it!