Pushing the Limits

Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits #1)

Katie McGarry

Pages: 392

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: July 31, 2012

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.

Oh my goodness, this book. It was AMAZING. I fell in love with Noah and Echo, and then they broke my heart, and mended it again. There were tears involved. And the romance, and the story and the characters were all so real, and I LOVED IT ALL. I don't even typically do contemporary. and I loved this.

So, Echo's got these crazy scars on her arms, and the book begins with her first day back in the cafeteria (after she got the scars like 1.5 years ago) at lunch. There are about a million rumors spreading around about her, but she went because her BFF, Lila, asked her to. Then there's Noah, resident girl-using stoner (yet shockingly hot). He lives with a foster family, but his accomadations are pretty awful. The book centers around Echo finding out what had happened to her the night she got the scars (she doesn't remember!) and Noah trying to get his brothers back (they are with another foster family), and the two of them kind of falling for each other. Through their school therapist (I freaking love Mrs. Collins!!!) they meet (she has Echo tutor Noah), and it's... amazing. (I'm currently writing this in school, and my friends are loud- don't blame me for incoherancy)

The book is written in altenating POVs, between Noah and Echo, so we get to know them both really well. I loved how Noah's thoughts towards Echo became way less vulgar as he got to know her. (his language never improved though.. but he did use his swearing in a less rude way) I also loved how much he cared about taking care of his brothers, and making sure they were safe. He was so selfless, and it was amazing. Plus, he was gorgeous, and that's important. Then there was defiant, sad little Echo (who was an amazing artist). She was so shy about her scars, but, when someone tried to talk about them, she would make them feel bad, and that rocked. (BTW I also love how easily Noah accepted Echo, and didn't care about her scars or her story) She was such a strong heroine, and, though she wasn't as selfless as Noah, she would make sacrifices for those she loved and deal with the consequences. That was cool. And she knew when she wasn't being treated right, and wouldn't let it happen. I really liked Echo. My very favorite minor character will ALWAYS be Mrs. Collins, the therapist. She couldn't drive, and she was like ADD, and she was still good at her job. Like, even Noah liked her, and Noah didn't like anybody (aside from his family and Echo). OH and Echo's daddy even liked Noah, he has to be awesome!

Definitely one of my new favorites. The romance and all the feels I experienced while reading... it was amazing. I CRIED, and that just doesn't typically happen. I just love Noah, a lot. A LOT. So, yeah. 5 'staches.