Pushing the Limits

by Katie McGarry

Genre: YA Contemporary

Book Description

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.

MY THOUGHTS: 3.75 OUT OF 5 STARS

*THIS REVIEW IS SLIGHTLY SPOILERISH!

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Echo and Noah have at least one thing in common: both come from broken families. Noah lost his parents in a house fire and his two younger brothers are with different foster parents. Echo’s mother is mentally ill and her dad has moved on with his young wife who is pregnant. Though they seem to be opposites in every other respect, Echo and Noah are drawn to each other and share a passionate relationship.

But things are not always that easy, of course. Echo has her own psychological issues to work through before she can let someone really get to know her. Noah is fighting against authority to try to gain custody of his brothers, the most important things in his life. Can they get through against all the odds to truly love each other?

I had heard tons of positive reviews about this book before I started reading it. For the most part I enjoyed it, but I did have a few problems with both characters.

Echo has had intense things happen to her in the past, no doubt. But she became sullen and withdrawn instead of turning to her friends for help. I believe if she had at least tried to reach out, she would have found so many people willing to help her. I will probably catch flack for this opinion, but I think she made herself the victim too many times. I’m in no way downplaying what happened to her. But the way she treated her dad and stepmom made me want to slap her sometimes.

Noah is a little more likable, but I don’t think he makes the best decisions. If he knows he wants to get his brothers back, why would he engage in the behaviors he does? The introduction of Echo into his life changes him some, thankfully.

The book also had the trope I hate the most, “I love you so I’m breaking up with your for your own good.” GEEEZ I’m tired of seeing this in YA lit. It always has the opposite effect.
[“I love you so I’m breaking up with your for your own good.” GEEEZ I’m tired of seeing this in YA lit. It always has the opposite effect. (hide spoiler)]

So what did I like? Well, I’m glad this book addressed such serious topics as foster care, mental illness, and losing someone in the military. I think it could have been achieved with a lot less cussing and drug use, though.

I also liked the ending. Things were not exactly perfect but everyone was working their way towards improvement. And really, that’s all we can hope for in life.

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