Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.
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.

Let's get one thing straight, I.DO.NOT.READ.ROMANCES. Period. So when I was in the Harlequin Teen booth at ALA I was a bit shy in grabbing Pushing The Limits. While waiting in line something changed. It might have been the enthralling summary that was on a giant poster right next to where I was standing, or the steamy cover that was right next to it. I don't know what it was, but I had a feeling this was one book I should give a try. Boy was I right. Once I started reading Pushing The Limits I could not put it down. I stayed awake with my friend, Surabhi, into the wee hours of the night reading it. After a tiring (but fun) day at ALA, both of us devoured Katie McGarry's debut novel and ended up staying up till 3 in the morning reading it.

What I saw in Katie McGarry's writing I don't find very often in many books, and that is perfection. The writing style in this book played so well with the plot and characters. It was that cherry on top of an amazing sundae.   McGarry mastered the changing point of view in her writing. Both her characters were strong, and she didn't have the common "one character's POV is stronger than the others" syndrome. She also had this witty comical style, which really lightens a book when there are so many serious topics involved. Plus sarcasm is always great, as long as it's not over done. Katie McGarry pushed the limits (see what I did there ;D) of writing by creating such unique, troubled, and brilliant characters.

This brings me to the best part of this book, the characters. Or as I like to call them, Echo and Noah. As we delved into their world, bit by bit their stories unraveled. Echo went from most popular, to a no namer. And Noah is the outcast bad boy. They both are completely different yet they are the same. McGarry does a phenomenal job connecting both characters. Their relationship was more than just romance, it was therapeutic healing. Noah and Echo are the story in Pushing The Limits but the minor characters such as Mrs. Collins, Beth, Isaiah, and even Luke complete the story. The background they give is the story. While reading there is no way you can not connect with each character at some level.

Overall there is no possible not love Pushing The Limits. It is an emotional roller coaster that is for sure, so expect an abundance of emotional responses! This book is for any gender, even though it's a romance. The topics discussed are for older teens and adults, but this is not a "girly book" per say. With a riveting plot, amazing writing, and unique yet interesting characters Katie McGarry gives us a strong debut novel that you don't want to miss. I would give this book 5/5, no doubt about it!

*Thank You Ms.McGarry for signing my copy at ALA and thank you Harlequin Teen for giving me the opportunity to read this book!*