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

Aug 18, 2012 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, may-reads, paperback-books-owned, tbr-owned-paperbacks

This was an intense book that handle some heavy duty issues and how people attempt to cope with some hard choices they have to make in their life. Noah Hutchins and Echo Emerson are two teenagers who I believe are kindred spirits. They both have to deal with some hard core situations in their lives, that most teens never have to encounter in their lifetime.
Noah is dealing with his family as he knows it, ending in an extremely tragic way. Him and his brothers are without their blood parents, and This was an intense book that handle some heavy duty issues and how people attempt to cope with some hard choices they have to make in their life. Noah Hutchins and Echo Emerson are two teenagers who I believe are kindred spirits. They both have to deal with some hard core situations in their lives, that most teens never have to encounter in their lifetime.
Noah is dealing with his family as he knows it, ending in an extremely tragic way. Him and his brothers are without their blood parents, and thrown into the foster care system and separated due to circumstances that have occured. This is heart breaking for Noah as he has a deep love and bond with his younger brothers, and he just wants to be a family again. He is also terrified that they will suffer in this system that has already failed Noah in an awful way. He wants to fight to win custody of his brothers after graduation, and take them away from the people who have them now; Noah does not feel he can trust any adults at this point in his life.
Then we have Echo, who is covered in scars on her hands and arms. There was some kind of accident that involved her and her bipolar mother; the problem is that Echo has no recollection of what happened the day that changed her "normal" world forever. Echo lives her life alone in a crowd of people, and insecure as most of her school friends have talked behind her back and stated that she was crazy. She is ashamed of her scars, and wears gloves to hide them away from the world.
Both Noah and Echo are seeing a therapist (very reluctantly!) whose name is Mrs. Collins. She is an eager therapist; but Noah and Echo really don't feel like trusting her or talking to her. When they meet one day in the waiting room, they don't like each other on sight. As time continues they are thrown together in a tutoring situation where they decided that they can help one another out. They desperately need each of their files, so they develop a plan to sneak a peak at them. Echo needs to remember what went on the night with her mom, and Noah needs the address of where his brothers are so he can accumulate evidence against their foster parents.
Echo and Noah grow very close, develop an unbreakable bond, and fall in love. There story is one that is heart breaking, heart warming, and at times entertaining. I love these two as a couple. It is also nice to see both of them grow up through the story. Noah starts off with such a chip on his shoulder, tattoes, and just plain angry with the world. Echo softens him and teaches him so much about life and himself. Echo begins basically in hiding...from her scars to not being involved with her friends at school; Noah teaches her that she is beautiful inside and out and that her scars are something that she shouldn't be ashamed of. I love the personal growth that they both have, and I love how they have found each other.
This is a story that musn't be missed, there is so much depth to it and it gets you thinking. I personally love a good book that will have you sitting in your chair and thinking about how you can relate to the characters. I close with a quote from Noah when he was talking to Echo:

"Why is it when people are proud of me that my life sucks?"

"Because growing up means making tough choices,and doing the right thing doesn't necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good." ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio

Quick review:

Cover: Fitting
Rating: R
Steaminess: It’s getting hot in here
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: When things got going, I couldn’t peel myself away.
Characters: Excellent
Plot: Two damaged paths cross and begin to rebuild
Page Turner: Absolutely
Series Cont.? Absolutely
Recommend: Absolutely
Book Boyfriend: Noah

SUMMARY (50 words or less)

The beginning of the book lacked originality. However, the premise was well done in such a way that captivates. I couldn’t’ hardly put down. If not for an ending t ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2012 Riya Sharma rated it really liked it

Shelves: cont-ya-romance

i loved it....amazing story.

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Sep 08, 2012 Tamara Hook Me Up Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites

Absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with the characters. And I loved the themes and messages throughout the book. Very well written.

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