Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits, #1) in Buddy Read Zone

Aug 24, 2012 Saly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: virgin-heroines, read-in-2012, rom-contemporary, single-titles

Rating 4.5 stars
This book was emotional as hell, two characters who had a heck lot of emotional issues and were trying so hard to be normal for so many reasons. There was a time Noah had it all, parents, two younger siblings, he was popular and a good student but that all changed in a fire when his parents died and his life was destroyed, he went into the system, was separated from his siblings and when he stood up against a bad foster father, he was deemed as having emotional issues and barred Rating 4.5 stars
This book was emotional as hell, two characters who had a heck lot of emotional issues and were trying so hard to be normal for so many reasons. There was a time Noah had it all, parents, two younger siblings, he was popular and a good student but that all changed in a fire when his parents died and his life was destroyed, he went into the system, was separated from his siblings and when he stood up against a bad foster father, he was deemed as having emotional issues and barred from seeing his brothers, so he gave up trying to maintain a good GPA, dreams of college and an instead became a bad boy, smoking pot, being a pain and now he has another counsellor to see, one that dangles his brothers in front of him if he cooperates and that is the one thing he can't refuse, so he attends her sessions and even agrees to be tutored to bring up his grades. He is just waiting to turn eighteen and fight for the custody of his brothers.

Then there is Echo, deeply scarred and broken. Almost two years ago, she lost her best friend, her protector, her brother who died in the Marines and then her mother tried to kill her and she remembers nothing of that night, her father chucked her mother out of her life and her stepmother(her former babysitter) seems to think life revolves around her and her unborn baby. She is in mandatory therapy but she can't speak her mind because her father wants her to be perfect, get better scores(even though she does very well), go to business school instead of the art she loved and she does it while still hating it because she doesn't want to make waves. She has friends but only one seems to be there for her, while rest all don't like her fallen status. Echo doesn't tell anyone what she feels, how she misses her mother, even though her mother is bi-polar but was a brilliant artist, he misses her brother because her dad seems to care only about Ashley(her stepmother). She wears long sleeves to hide her scars and hasn't told many people what her mother did but she tells Noah, they both are in therapy with the same person. She agrees to tutor him because she needs the money to fix her brother's car and after blowing it off for a while they start studying because Noah knows that he needs to clean up to get his brothers, especially since he knows that couple who has them wants to make them theirs and that is something Noah won't abide by and is hell bent on proving that they are unfit. So they unite for a cause, both of them want to see their files, Echo to know what happened and Noah to get the address of his brothers.

Echo and Noah both are messed up and still an unlikely couple because Noah is known for hooking up with girls for a night only while Echo with pushing from her friends may be headed to the popular place again and it is a push since she doesn't care about that, she has enough problems in her life, her memories are coming back and she is afraid that she has the same gene which made her mom sick plus she hates her home environment always having to lie and pretend, with each other there is no pretending. Echo learns there is no going back and her effort to get back together with her old boyfriend is a fail since those feelings are just not there and she is still not ready for a physical relationship. They both fight the pull they have, Noah because he knows he can't offer Echo much and Echo because she just doesn't want to be another random girl in his life.

I loved Noah, his sense of honour, even his two messed up friends, his desperation when it came to his brothers and how afraid he was of saying I love you to Echo. This book gradually peels its emotional layers, like the truth about what happened when Noah's parents died, how Echo remembered how her father failed her(when her mother tried to kill her), how she never really knew her mother and more. Echo's father, he was a complicated man and there were moments I hated him but he had great moments of vulnerability as well as well as great guilt.

Noah and Echo were perfect together and their individual journeys as well. Echo embracing her art and acknowledging the truth about her mother and accepting the limitations of her father and Ashley and attempting to bride the divide. Noah finally facing what was better for his brothers and their future and in turn finally turning his life around. Even when these two break up for each others good, you know they would come back together and they did, wiser and more sorted.

Loved the book!! ...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews, ya, to-read-with-alyssa, ya-na

This book has been on my TBR list for a long time. But in the past, it didn’t really do anything for me…it didn’t call to me. Then, when I was looking for a book to read, I started browsing books on my kindle. And the title of this practically jumped off the page and screamed “READ ME!!!!!!” and since I can (normally) take a hint, I decided to read it.

I was surprised by this book. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I really enjoyed Echo’s little mystery of what happened in her past. I ...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Cindy rated it it was amazing

This is one of those books that just grabs you from the beginning and says, "hang on for the ride." What a great story of making the best under some of the worst situations, and coming out of it better than just okay.
I love the fact that this story is told in both Echo and Noah's point of views. I really, really like feeling emotionally connected to both of my favorite characters. Having both perspectives, I feel adds another layer of depth and understanding to them. Echo is a beautiful and smar This is one of those books that just grabs you from the beginning and says, "hang on for the ride." What a great story of making the best under some of the worst situations, and coming out of it better than just okay.
I love the fact that this story is told in both Echo and Noah's point of views. I really, really like feeling emotionally connected to both of my favorite characters. Having both perspectives, I feel adds another layer of depth and understanding to them. Echo is a beautiful and smart girl she would be considered an over achiever,(not necessarily all her choosing) and a very lonely person. She has few friends and no desire to put her self out there to change any of it. Her life before the "accident/event" she was the in girl, she was a cheerleader, and in with all the popular kids and had a boyfriend. There is not only the accident but also some other losses as well as a new stepmother to deal with. I will just say there are huge family dynamics that are going on and help make the story. Noah too has lost much, his parents died and he and his two younger brothers ended up in the lovely state ran foster care system. What a mess that system is. Noah being significantly older has a hard time finding placement. When he is placed it is not in a "loving family." They are abusive and neglectful homes. Noah is handsome, chivalrous, frustrate, flawed, loved and lost deeply, awesome in the brother department. He use to have it all as well, he was on the football team, smart had great grades and was popular. Now he is constantly in trouble and has a chip on his shoulder. Who could blame him though, he has lost so much and stands to lose even more. There is no one there to help him to succeed and help him out of the mess that is now his life. I think it is a very frustrating and over powering place to be when you feel that there is no hope, and that is were Noah is at. To have it all and then to have nothing, I felt for the poor guy. Just wanted to tell him to hang in there. Well hope comes in the way of Mrs. Collins, the schools clinical social worker and she rocks, loved her. Noah is such a good guy he wants to try and get his brother's back so they can be a family and he is trying to make sure they are safe. He scored big points with me in the big brother awesome department.
Now for Echo and Noah, to emotionally scarred people with lots of baggage and problems. They have lots of hurdles to overcome, and they work through them. The big thing they have going for each of them is that they really trust the other. They give each other time to work through their issues and are there for each other. There is a ton of romantic tension between the two, thought they might com bust at times. lol
I really loved Echo and Noah they are great characters. I enjoyed watching them fall into lust and love, and also to watch them over come their deepest darkest secrets, and losses. To watch them regain hope in life and have dreams come true. A great story with a lot of heart.

content
lots of sexual tension, sex no detail, drugs, alcohol, wandering hands, pg-13 red. ...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, arc-read

I was fortunate enough to be able to obtain a copy of Pushing the Limits from Netgalley. In this situation I think that the best way to describe both my luck at coming across this story in the first place as well as the way I received it, I feel like I won the lottery. There are certain books that you read that you really enjoy, to the point you can say that you loved it. But then 6 months later, you can't even remember the names of the characters. This is not one of those books. There is a smal ...more

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May 19, 2012 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, ya-romance, ugly-crying

I have been kind of nervous to write this review because I am worried I won’t do the book justice. Let me start by saying this book has been placed on my “ favorites” shelf; by the time I got through the first 20% of the book I knew it was a 5 star read. Right from the beginning of Pushing the Limits I was hooked; that feeling continued until the last page of the book. The author kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat as the story continued to unfold. I felt nervous and tied up in knots the I have been kind of nervous to write this review because I am worried I won’t do the book justice. Let me start by saying this book has been placed on my “ favorites” shelf; by the time I got through the first 20% of the book I knew it was a 5 star read. Right from the beginning of Pushing the Limits I was hooked; that feeling continued until the last page of the book. The author kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat as the story continued to unfold. I felt nervous and tied up in knots the closer I got to the finish. The plot was a perfect balance of an intense love story and a heartbreaking story of tragic loss & forgiveness.

This book had it all: strong, well developed and realistic characters, heartbreak, heart flutter/belly dip moments, a beautiful love story, mystery, suspense, a story of loss and lessons of forgiveness.

I felt so connected and invested in the characters; my heart broke for both Noah and Echo. The tragedies they both suffered, brought me to tears several times throughout the book. I loved them both equally and individually (I loved Echo and was IN LOVE with Noah). The author gave me no choice but to believe without a doubt that they belonged together. They both carried the other through difficult times even though they were both facing their own intense personal struggles.
This book brought on so many different emotions for me: young love giddiness, frustration, anger and intense sadness. I cried tears for their losses, the tough decisions they were forced to make and for their amazing ability to face their deepest fears and still manage to forgive.

Noah’s bravery was so incredible that it literally took my breath away. I cannot imagine facing the crippling choices he was forced to make throughout his young life. He was forced to be so tough, but still remained tender and compassionate. I felt so angry and frustrated at the cards he had been dealt over and over again. The unfairness and devastating losses he faced were so cruel I could feel the anger and inability to trust that he had come to accept as normal. Without giving too much away, his willingness to sacrifice his own happiness was incredibly moving and beautiful. He loved his friends and family so fiercely and his loyalty was moving.

Echo’s journey of forgiveness was just as intense and by the end of the story had me sobbing. As a reader, I couldn’t help but feel the heaviness of her loss and loneliness. My heart broke for the cruelness of her peers and the constant shame she felt. I had forgotten the ins and outs of high school and how much power friends and peers have over each other. I thought the author did a really good job of portraying the complicated friendships and insecurities of teenagers. She was so vulnerable at times and yet would be surprisingly brave just when you least expected it. She was so lost and then once she found Noah we got to see her find herself once again.

I could ramble on and on about how much I loved this book. I will end with this: I read tons of angst filled YA love stories and sometimes they start to blend together. For me, Pushing the Limits was an outstanding 5 star read. I look forward to Beth’s story and hopefully more glimpses of Echo & Noah.

...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Crazy for Books (Stephanie) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, series-sequels, romance, new-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 04, 2012 Jaclyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2012, net-galley-arcs, kindle

In the words of Echo Emerson: Oh. MY. God. Where do I even begin? "Pushing the Limits" by Katie McGarry was incredible. The writing was amazing, the plot kept you guessing and Noah Hutchinson is the most swoon-worthy bad boy i have come in 'contact' with for quite some time!! The romance and tension in this book is palpable, like my kindle might just go up in smoke!!! Through the two main charecters, Echo and Noah, the POV/story telling switces back and forth. We get to here the story continued ...more

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May 15, 2012 Erica Alyson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorite-books

Beautifully heartbreaking story!!!

Noah was a perfect main character along with Echo. I loved the book from start to finish. Excellent writing! Can't wait for Beth's story! ...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Harper rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, emotional-rollercoaster, my-favorite-bad-boys

Just re-read this book... my thoughts on it are not nearly as glowing as the first time around... I'm not sure how I missed how annoying Echo is. Previous review is still below

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I literally just finished the las page of "Pushing the Limits," and I am completely in LOVE with this book. It was so amazing! From the first page, I was completely sucked in. It had that addictive, can't put it down, forget about work and sleep feeling to it. From the moment I started it, I was basically MIA fro Just re-read this book... my thoughts on it are not nearly as glowing as the first time around... I'm not sure how I missed how annoying Echo is. Previous review is still below

..........

I literally just finished the las page of "Pushing the Limits," and I am completely in LOVE with this book. It was so amazing! From the first page, I was completely sucked in. It had that addictive, can't put it down, forget about work and sleep feeling to it. From the moment I started it, I was basically MIA from the rest of my life.

This book was told in alternating points of view, which I am a huge fan of. I think it's a testament to the writer when they can capture both a female and male voice so vividly, and make them both relatable. Echo Emerson, and Noah Hutchins are our two main characters, and Noah is incredibly yummy to read about. Echo, who's unusual name is actually explained, has suffered severe loss and trauma, which her mind has repressed and she is struggling to put back the missing pieces of her life. Noah is a victim of the foster system after losing his parents in a house fire. They are connected with each other when their mutual guidance counselor has Echo tutor Noah. The beginning of the story does feel a little like your typical "good girl/ bad boy" romance happening, and Echo did annoy me a little bit at the beginning, but about a quarter of the way through the Author surprises us by actually letting the two main characters get together, instead of making us wait till the end. Which I loved! I loved that the story, which was definitely a romance... Didn't only rely on that romance. They had actual lives they were dealing with, and some pretty hard things going on around them.

Almost all of the characters in this book was pretty well fleshed out, and well rounded. The only ones I felt we were missing a little of were Echo's friends Lila, Natalie, and Grace. They seemed to be a big part of her life before she met Noah, but once her and Noah were together we didn't really see them anymore, and it wasn't because her and Noah were together all the time... they just suddenly weren't really mentioned. Other than that I felt like we really get to know all the main characters. Even the people you're not sure you can like... Somehow McGarry still makes them likable enough for you to sympathize with them.

Noah and Echo travel a rough road, and they go through a hell of a lot more than the majority of kids their age, and they make mistakes... but they figure it out, and they do the right thing for themselves, and the ones they love most.

I truly hope that everyone will give this book a chance. It really was so special, and a stand out amongst so many mediocre YA novels. You can't help but fall completely in love with the characters, and you will definitely find yourself losing track of time once you pick up the book. It's worth it though!

...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Yona Racheva rated it liked it

Shelves: new-adult

3.5 stars
This book wasn't a very easy read. There are a lot of issues.
Both Echo and Noah have very messed up lifes. They have a lot of things to figure out.
The book didn't grab me but it shows a part of the real life. That things are not perfect, that there are real problems and the happily ever after is not always possible.
The end of the book was not a bad one. And it was perfect for the book, but I'm a romantic I want everything to be perfect all the time and in this case it is just not pos ...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Tami rated it really liked it

This one is so hard to rate! I keep going back and forth from 4 to 5 stars, so I'm going with 4.5 stars. I loved it, but it was not my usual type of book. It wasn't a cut and dry happily ever after, and they weren't the type of characters I normally like. However, I loved Echo and Noah! Their stories truly touched me and I cried more than once. I enjoyed their attraction to each other and the anticipation of each touch. Gotta love teen angst! As a mother, it's hard to imagine any of this ever h ...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Kay rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, 2014-reads

I'm late to the Katie McGarry bandwagon but I'm glad I finally got on. This book had similarities to the New Adult books out nowadays but I find this type of angst better in a Young Adult setting. The characters are finding their way and I find that very honest in YA compared to the whiney 20 somethings in NA. So, this book worked for me and the romance was nice with some darkness in the characters' background.

3.5 Stars ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-book, romance, ya, emotional-angst, new-adult, male-pov

Pushing the Limits was a heartbreaking story. Both characters are very likeable. Noah's situation is very realistic and brought tears to my eyes as I see it every day in real life. ...more

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