Take Me On: Review

Synopsis:

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

***

For some reason this book is more interesting than the first three. While the first three books are entertaining and good in their own way, there are still some things that I'm not satisfied. This is not the case with Take Me On. I like this book way more than any of the three previous books in the series. It has a place in my mind and my heart while the three doesn't. Yep.

I think this has to do with 1) Haley 2) Chemistry between Haley and West. Let's start with Haley. She's extremely strong, both physically and mentally. She literally puts the "girl" in girl-power. She doesn't need to be bossed around because she's very independent on her own. She has dealt with some extreme family issues (like a lot of characters from Pushing The Limits, Dare You To and Crash Into You) but that's different. I feel more connected with the issues Haley faces. She shows her strength through the mess, which I think is one of the reasons why I'm very interested in her character.

The whole not-so-fake fake relationship between West and Haley is freaking awesome as well as it's hilarious. There's such great chemistry between them, with all the bickering, teasing and laughter and pouting. It's awesome between the two of them because they have a deeper and darker connection than they've ever thought of in the first place, which makes the conflict so much more intense. This is not obvious in the precious three books. It's safe to say this is the main reason why I'm more attached to this book.

But despite my extreme liking towards this book, I kind of want this story to be about Abby because she's such a phenomenal character in Crash Into You and there's so much mystery revolving around her that she can't be the heartless witty bitch she shows the world. There's definitely more about Abby and I'm curious about her. I hope there will actually be a story about Abby in the future.

Rating: 7.5/10

Crash Into You: Review

Synopsis:

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

***

Crash Into You is more interesting than the first two, probably because it has a streak of craziness and fury in it. I also like the idea of Rachel and Isaiah getting into trouble that cannot easily walk out. It has the potential to create a perfect storm. Unfortunately this storm doesn't extend into its extreme. I can totally see that more can be developed from this background. It kills a little of my mood to read it, though it's nothing serious.

Rachel is the perfect girl. At least, that's what everyone sees in her. No one truly sees for what she really is. I must say, the real Rachel is much better than the image she shows the world, and even though she is a girl typical enough to be my friend, I would say I don't like her as much as I thought I should. She's too insecure, and I'm not even taking those panic attacks into consideration. She has the potential to be strong. I can see that. But there's not enough space for her to do so in this book.

Isaiah is far from perfect. He's the trouble that your mom will warn you. I kinda like this guy. Especially when he's truthful about his feelings and actually be honest to Rachel about what he feels for her. He's not hiding for her own good or stuff and that's good. I'm tired of people hiding their feelings. I also like that he's very protective to Rachel. Maybe it's not my level of swoon-worthy, but it's definitely very cute.

I think I like this book more that Dare You To. But I still believe that the dynamic level of the stories can be pushed higher.

Rating: 7/10

Dare You To: Review

Synopsis:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

***

The... how can I express it? spirit of Dare You To is very similar to Pushing The Limits. But the plot is better than that of Pushing The Limits. At least, nothing is too perfect here. And too perfect can be pretty annoying at times. Beth is a girl with huge issues. A mom being an addict and her mom's boyfriend being a sadist. Under the appearances, Ryan isn't a boy with  perfect life either. That's a slightly better background for the two characters. At least, better than Pushing The Limits.

This book can also swing my emotions better than the previous one. That's one of the best parts in this book. But the best part isn't perfect because I am annoyed by the Ryan in the first few chapters more than anything else. I guess I like Beth's character better because even though she's sometimes a bitch, she knows her place and I can't stand jock guys with an arrogant ass. (Not that Ryan is one, but come on, he acts like one in the first few chapters and first impressions are powerful stuff) 

There are still some problems on the writings and those problems are very similar to the ones in Pushing The Limits. I will totally admit that this book has improved. Quite a lot. But the root ones are still there. Like the fact that some of the scenes can be canceled and that wouldn't matter to the book. And the fact that this is quite a typical plot among YA contemporary books. So while it's still an enjoyable read (maybe more than Pushing The Limits), I still can't say I'm utterly impressed or captivated.

Rating: 7/10

Teaser Tuesday: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

This weekly bookish meme is host by MizB @ Should Be Reading

To participate you:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3.  Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5.  Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

Today I choose Dare You To (Pushing The Limits #2) by Katie McGarry

"You left in  rush last night." Images of our night together flash in my mind. Her hands tugging off my shirt, hot on my skin, messing through my hair. I remember my lips on her neck and the sweet taste of her skin. The curve of her body against my hands. Her fingernails teasing my back. "I wanted to make sure you're okay." 












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Short Story Review Sunday: Crossing The Line by Katie McGarry

Synopsis:

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

***

It's pretty much like Pushing The Limits except the story is much shorter and much simpler. Lila, furious with Lincoln and trying to deal with the fact that she's pretty much alone after graduation. Lincoln, struggling to tell Lila about his love for her and trying to fix things. It's not even as entertaining as Pushing The Limits because the story is way too short and there's hardly any room for further plot developments. But still, it's a good read for those who wants a little dose of reading. 

Rating: 6.5/10

Pushing The Limits: Review

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.

***

Previously I saw everyone reviewing about Pushing The Limits and Dare You To, and I decided to give it a try on my summer holidays. It's a book that I enjoy reading, but I don't flat-out love it. I guess I'm still not used to reading YA contemporary. But hey, it's quite a good read, so I suggest anyone who hasn't read this book but are big on reading YA contemporary try it (although I highly doubt that anyone who loves contemporary hasn't already it).

Echo Emerson has a hard time dealing with something that she doesn't even remember. She only knows that the something she can't remember is something horrible. She's going through the process to retrieve her lost memories. I love the suspense Katie McGarry created. You are curious to know about what really happened to Echo but you just can't get the answer until the last moment. I really like the way the author created the atmosphere. Unfortunately, when the answer came out, I found that my curiosity was wasted for almost nothing. 

The romance... well, it's quite enjoyable to read, with all the bickering and the sweet kisses swirling between Echo and Noah. But it's a typical relationship in books. There's hardly anything special about the couple. You know, the girl and the boy having problems of their own and they fall for each other helplessly despite their effort to push each other away. Nothing new, but hey, it's quite entertaining, so I'm down with that.

Overall this is a book to read when you're having a tired mind and just want a book to relax. But if you want steamy hot stuff or great plots, that's not a book you're diving for.

Rating: 7/10