Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits

By Katie McGarry

Also posted at:  Ms. Reality's Goodreads

5 Stars

GUT-TWISTING

Echo has suffered terribly, but cannot remember why or how.  All she has are the scars on her arms and a few memories of her mom to remind her of that lost time.  Going from Ms. Popular to the social outcast of her high school overnight has been emotionally trying for Echo.  Not to mention living with her father and his new wife, her ex-nanny and the haunting memories of her brother who died at war.

The one person, who seems to feel her pain, happens to be the high schools resident bad boy, Noah Hutchins.  Noah has his own demons he is battling and a forged responsibility that he wants to take on. 

Both Echo and Noah are thrown together by Mrs. Collins, the school counselor, who vows to help them both.  Noah and Echo share a common bond in that they don’t trust anyone, especially Mrs. Collins.  When they team up to help each other, they may find that they need each other more.

My Thoughts:

 Pushing the Limits is a gut twisting emotional rollercoaster ride that I’m so glad I hoped on!  This book was so much more than I bargained for.

First off…Echo…really???? After the explanation, I understood better, but at first I kept thinking what were her parents on??  I guess I found out!

The author did a phenomenal job at her descriptions of the characters and their emotions.  I felt Noah’s pain, Echo’s hurt, Noah’s anger, Echo’s confusion, Noah’s struggles, Echo’s smile, Noah’s smirk and all the other feelings these characters felt.  All of it encompassed me and pulled me in a thousand different feeling directions, which I loved every second of!

Some very serious issues were discussed and I liked how the author didn’t sugar coat them.  Such as Echo being the outcast at school after the ‘incident,’ her feelings expressed and all the crap from her ‘friends’ she had to deal with.  All of this was well laid out.  (Grace pissed me off.)

Echo was strong—she didn’t know it, but while reading I knew.  Her life was a blender of mixed emotions set on high and stirred up!  She had no one but herself and somehow managed to pull through.

Noah…Noah…Noah… I have a new book boyfriend (now that he’s 18 that is.)  His troubled past (and present) cut him so deep that I bled for him.  I just wanted to scoop him up and make everything better for him.  In my opinion, an author that can make me feel that from words on a page is worthy of a great review!  I loved the relationship between Noah, Isaiah and Beth!  Those strong bonds of friendship sucked me in and helped me to remembered closeness I felt during my high school years.

My favorite quote from Noah was, “You’re my world, so I’d say that evens things out.”  Swoon!!!!  If I didn’t like Noah at all, this quote alone would have me falling all over myself!

The only dislike I had of the book was the ending.  To me, it felt very abrupt.  There was so much build up and I expected a hard conclusion.  I have so many questions that I want answered!  I won’t add them here because I’ll give too much away, but I want answers damn it! 

I also know the second installment of this book is coming out called ‘Dare You To’ and its Beth’s story.  I am hoping my questions from book one will be answered in this book, but I have to wait till 2013 to read it!!! Yikes!  The one thing I hate about great books is having to wait for the next!

Overall, highly recommend reading this book. It is thought provoking and emotional. 

Cover Revealed for Wethering the Storm

Samantha Towle revealed the new cover of Wethering the Storm!  It's the second in her Mighty Storm series.  See my review of The Mighty Storm here.

 

Wethering the Storm is due out December 21st!!  I can't wait!  I so loved the first and can't wait to find out what happens with Jake and Tru!

Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret #3) by Olivia Cunning

Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret #3)

by Olivia Cunning

Also postd at: http://www.goodreads.com/msrealitybookworm

3.5 Stars

Amanda is Shades ex-sister-in-law and has the hots for Shade since before her sister and him hooked up. Amanda is tired of waiting at the sidelines and when fate puts them together, sparks fly for both of them.

My Thoughts:

This is the third installment in the Sole Regret series. I am still sticking with the 'why the hell is it so short' theme from the other books.

Out of the three so far, this one was my favorite. I think that's because the book did show Shade in a differnt light than the pervious books did. He had more character development. I was able to see the man behind the 'shades'....Jacob. That I really liked! In having those extra layers of depth, I was able to grow more attached to Jacob (the man behind shade). He was loving, caring and a really good guy.

Amanda was okay in my book. I didn't fall in love with her character or anything like that. i thought she needed more character development because of how long she has known Shade. I would have liked to find out more aobut their relationship before.

 

Overall, I liked three the best.

Tempt Me (One Night with Sole Regret #2) by Olivia Cunning

Tempt Me (One Night with Sole Regret #2)

by Olivia Cunning

 

Also posted at: http://www.goodreads.com/msrealitybookworm

3 Stars

Madison has been Adam's pit stop every time he is in Dallas for a night of fun. Madison has it bad for Adam, but tries desperately not to let it show. Madison is the only thing that Adam thinks of. The meaningless women he has on the road do not compare to Madison. What happens when one night together explodes? Hot and Heavy!

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Sole Regret series. I couldn't help but feel very jippted. It is so short that it barely has time to tell the story of how Madison and Adam came together initially. This is the meat that i wanted to read. Olivia's bedroom scenes were as always hot and steamy.

If you are looking for a very short, hot read..this is for you.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Slammed

By Colleen Hoover

Also posted at: Ms. Reality Goodreads

5+ Stars

After suddenly losing her father, eighteen year old Texan, Layken is uprooted from the only home she’s ever known and moved to Michigan.  Lake hates Michigan—the cold, snow, missing her childhood home, friends, missing her senior year of high school---everything.

Until the hottie across the street, Will Cooper introduces himself and there is an instant connection that she has never experienced before.

Will introduces his real self to Lake, by taking her to a club for Slamming.  Lake is in awe—not only for him, but for his writing. 

Upon Lake’s first day of high school, she suffers a huge blow.  Can Lake and Will survive it?

My Thoughts:

I have a new book boyfriend!

I never thought I was a YA kinda gal---but I am learning that I was wrong!

I freaking loved this book!!!

When I first read the Goodreads description, I was apprehensive. I have never been into poetry, but I got it in this book. I got it big time.  I loved the feelings and emotions the poems brought out in the characters and me!

Speaking of the characters—OMG!  Will and Layken had so much depth to them and I was dragged, willingly, into their depths of love, hate, frustration, hope, anger and loss.  It was so well written!

Will is such a great man.  He’s so responsible, caring and loving that I was immediately in love with him.  My heart ached for him.  The cards he was dealt in life sucked—but he made the best of his situation.  I felt extreme pride for him.

For being eighteen, Lake was so much more mature than any 18 year old I’ve met.  She’s been dealt a shit hand also—but takes it in strides.  The way she cares about her brother Kel and always thinks of him first was astonishing. 

I admit—I balled like a baby throughout this story.  Between the poetry, secrets, notes and letters, I couldn’t hold back!

I would give this book more than 5 stars if it was allowed.  It is a must read for everyone, even if YA is not your thing….because I didn’t think it was mine and I was wrong! 

I am super excited to read Point of Retreat next to find out what happens to Will and Lake!

The Proposition by Katie Ashley

The Proposition

By Katie Ashley

Also posted at: Ms. Reality's Goodreads

4 Stars

All Emma Harrison wants is a baby and love, but not necessarily together.  After her best friend, Connor refuses to help her with one of her wants; an unlikely source offers her a hand. 

Aiden Fitzgerald is known as a womanizer and has been around the block or office more times than anyone can count.  Since Emma turned down Aiden’s advances, Aiden has had his eyes set on her.  Adian comes up with a proposition for her, sleep with him the old fashioned way and he will provide the sperm for her child. 

Can they keep this arrangement all business?

My Thoughts:

First and foremost are the conversations between Aiden and Emma were so real and captivating.  I felt as if I was watching an honest conversation between two of my close friends.  They were very well written and drew me totally into the story. 

I admit, my first thought of Adian was---he’s a pig…wants sex and doesn’t give a shit about anything else.  Well, I guess the added ‘don’t judge a person by their cover’ was very true with him!  I was very wrong about him. I loved him.  He was so closed off and to see him open was beautiful.

I felt very bad for Emma.  Her life has thrown her some unbelievable hardships and I just wanted to be her BFF and make it better!  I totally understood why she wanted a baby so badly, when I was younger I felt the same way.  I could totally relate to her.  I loved seeing her at home with her family and friends.  It was ultimately heartwarming. 

I do admit I found myself smiling like a Cheshire Cat many times throughout the story.

 

You’re probably wondering why did I only give it 4 stars.  There were two reasons.  One, the beginning was a little lacking for me.  I like a little get up and go and I got that more towards the middle and end.  Two was the ending!  I was sooo pissed it ended just like *poof*!  But I supposed Katie wanted that so I would be on my hands and knees begging for The Proposal to come out! 

Overall, a great read.

A Touch of Winter by Evie Hunter

A Touch of Winter

By Evie Hunter

Also posted at: Ms. Reality's Goodreads

4 stars

Conclusion to The Pleasures of Winter (Review here). 

Abbie Marshall has been dating Hollywood heart-throb Jack Winter for a year now.  Upon arriving at his home to surprise him after being gone on a journalist mission, she finds him in a very compromising position with another woman.  A heart-broken Abbie runs, with Jack on her heels.  Jack has to try to convince Abbie that she is his one and only sub. 

My Thoughts:

This was extremely short, but very very hot scenes.  I would have liked it much better if it was the epilogue to The Pleasures of Winter, even though right now it is free on amazon.  Even though short, I was still pulled into the story, mainly because of my love for the first.  This book has references to the first and the other characters we were introduced to.    The connection between Abbie and Jack was undeniable.  The love and chemistry were powerful. 

Love this!  This is a definite read after The Pleasures of Winter!