Review: Pushing the Limits

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Publication Date: July 31 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210493
Length: 397 Pages
Link to Synopsis: Goodreads
Source: Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Point of View: Alternating 1st person between both Echo and Noah

My Rating: 5 Stars

I am going to give you the honest truth.  I am sat here right now not knowing how I am going to write this review.  I know, I know... I read a lot of books, I write a lot of reviews.  But sometimes a book comes along and you fall so absolutely in love with it that once it is over you don't know how to put that love into coherent sentences.  Sure I could sit here and write a few random words that will mean something to me but to you, maybe not so much.  Words such as amazing, tears, laughter, heartbreak, joy, inspiring... I could go on and on of course.  However random these reads words are to you, to me they each bring to mind a moment that I will never forget that I had while reading this book.

Let's break this down. 

Amazing.  This needs no explanation of course.  I will just come out and say this, as of right now this has been my favorite read of 2012.  Without a shadow of a doubt I can say this out loud with no fear of repercussion.  This statement alone is saying something because I have read some great books this year. I have found wonderful books that I never knew about and books that have blown me away.  But nothing touched me like Pushing the Limits.  By 20% in I already felt so much love for Echo and Noah and not just them because the side characters are just as worthy of my love.

Tears, Laughter, Heartbreak, Joy.  I experienced them all.  Talk about an emotional roller coaster.  Echo's story touched me but let me just say that it was Noah's story that blew me away and really pulled at my heartstrings.  There was even a moment at work during my lunch where I had to stop reading because I was fighting back tears and I didn't want to be the weirdo crying over her Kindle.  I can't remember the last time that I cried as hard as I did while reading a book.  But then I also can't remember a book that made me feel so happy and filled me with so much hope.

Inspiring.  That hope brings us to inspiring.  That is exactly what this book is.  Here we have two teenagers.  Something terrible has happened in each of their lives.  Something that most of us have never experienced and we all hope that we never do.  Of course the road to recovering from any traumatic event is going to be messy and rocky, unfortunately not every road can be paved with gold and lined with lollipops.  I can only hope that if I were to ever be faced with a trauma even coming close to what Echo and Noah have faced that I would have at least half the courage that they do to pull myself upright and to keep moving forward.  You find inspiration in Echo when she walks into that cafeteria in short sleeves.  You find inspiration in Noah when he learns that letting go of something is not saying goodbye forever.  Again, I could go on and on...

This may have been written and targeted for young adults but I am proof that adults can also read it and love it.  This is not just a love story.  This is not just a coming of age story.  This book will give every single person that reads it either hope that they will find their normal, or if you have normal it will help you remember to cherish and hold on to it forever.

There is no doubt in my mind that Pushing the Limits deserves 5 Stars.  If I had more to give I could easily increase the number.  My suggestion to you is if you have this book and are waiting to read it, please do not wait any longer. Make it your next book.  If you do yet have a copy of this book trust me and the other glowing reviews that are out there and do not hesitate to get a copy and start it now.  I highly doubt you will be disappointed in that decision.

QUOTES FROM PUSHING THE LIMITS