Pushing the Limits Book Review

                           Author: Katie McGarry

                               Hardcover, 392 Pages

                  Series: Pushing the Limits #1

                             Published July 31, 2012

                                Goodreads Link





Goodreads Synopsis: 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.

Cover: The cover of this novel is extremely cute! The characteristics of the models on the cover highly resemble that of the characters Noah and Echo. It is simple, yet extremely adorable! 

Plot: I haven't really read many contemporary novels. I usually read more dark and mysterious stories. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this plot due to the fact that not everything was pitch-perfect. The lives of the characters were real, and just as mysterious as many of the other books I tend to read. Echo and Noah, our main protagonists have their own problems in which they need to solve. They both go to counseling, and each of which are trying to figure out their lives. I loved the idea of having them both have a negative image of each other, but then discovering the opposite when they get to truly know each other. Both of these characters face their struggles together, and it was really sweet. I might admit that at some times I was annoyed by the fact that each of these characters were hard-headed, but hey, nobody is perfect. Overall, the plot has many twists and cute, yet dark, actions that occur. I also really loved the fact that the story was told in two points of view, Echo's and Noah's.

Characters:

Echo: Echo, our  main protagonists is a tough girl. She has gone through a lot of things throughout her short life, yet has still managed to stay strong and determined to figure out the mysteries that lurk behind her and her mother's past. She is sweet, doesn't cuss, and is just an innocent girl who has happened to go through a lot.

Noah: Now, Noah is a bit opposite of Echo. He is the bad boy type, who has also had a rough life up into his present stage when he meets Echo. He cusses, smokes, hangs around people who are not necessarily bad, but they are not innocent, either. However, he does change for the better, all because of Echo.

I loved how these two characters were FULLY developed and complimented each other really well! 

Writing: McGarry's writing is extremely powerful and very easy to fall into! Through each end of the chapter I found myself attempting to put the book down, but just couldn't because of how enveloped I was into the novel. Very smooth and clear writing, as well as very heart-wrenching and crestfallen. 

Rating: Overall, I give this amazing novel 5 out of 5 stars, AND DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THIS BOOK! I can't wait to pick up Dare You To, the companion novel to Pushing the Limits!