Thursday 6 September 2012

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 SynopsisGoodreads
Source: Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Buy ItAmazon 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.

25 comments:

  1. I LOVE THIS TOO!! YAY!! So happy you liked it ;)

    ~Ariella @ <a href="http://sprinklesofbooks.blogspot.ca>A Sprinkle of Books</a>

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  2. This was my favorite of this year too!!! I LOVED it so much! A lot of ppl said the topic is played out, but I didn't care! The characters were so awesome, it didn't even matter what it was about! I loved how much Noah loved Echo, it was sweet!

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    1. Michelle I can't believe how much I loved it! :) The writing was so well done that I am with you, regardless of the topic it was awesome. Noah's POV was just amazing... love love love. x

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  3. Wow. I need to read this sooner and soon. All these positive reviews are frustrating me! It sounds like such an emotional, heart-wrenching book. A truly awesome review, Christine. :)

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    1. You SO need to read this sooner! I have already forced two of my friends at work to buy a copy and they will be reading it next. :)

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  4. Wonderful review! I loved it too, you expressed everything I felt too. I want to shove this book into everyone's hands that I can. :) I was crying my heart out at the end, my kid is used to seeing me bawling over books. lol

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    1. Thanks Barbara! I still get emotional just thinking about certain scenes. I am reliving it through my friends who are reading it but I do think this is one I will need to read again! :)

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  5. WOW! How am I supposed to temper my expectations after reading that? Great review! I have heard nothing but good and I'm salivating for this book. I don't know why I haven't read it yet, it seems to be incredible.

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    1. Don't temper your expectations! :P If it helps at all my friend who is finishing it tonight doesn't read a lot of YA and she can not stop texting me saying how much she loves it. She stayed up way too late last night reading because she didn't want to stop. :)

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  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I am following you back =)

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  7. Hello! Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm following you back now! I love your blog too.

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  8. Hello!

    I've nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! Go to http://thebookloversreport.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-lovely-blog-award.html for more details on it!

    P.S. I read Pushing the Limits, too, and absolutely LOVED it!

    -Cierra @ The Book Lover's Report

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  9. Wow, I am face-palming right now for putting off on reading this book! I love a good book that just tugs at your heartstrings and now I can't wait to read Pushing the Limits!
    Fabulous review Christine! :)

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    1. Joie, it was amazing! :) Really really enjoyed it. A friend at work started it yesterday (forced by me to start it) and is finishing it tonight and another friend is starting it tonight. Will have forced everybody I know to read it soon. Can't wait to see what you think about it.

      Christine x

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  10. I felt the same way after reading this book! I had to wait a day before writing my review so I could actually write one...with actual words.. Haha

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    1. I agree, it was SO difficult to get across how much I loved it in the review. I hope it did it justice so that others will want to read it. :)

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  11. Amazing review Christine!!
    Specially liked these lines - " 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."
    I totally agree with you!

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    1. Thanks SO much!! This book was so special to me. I had read all the great reviews but I had no idea how much I was going to completely love it until I read it. Honestly blew me away. :)

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  12. Hi Christine, this sounds a brilliant book. Thanks very much for visiting and following my blog.
    Lindsay
    http://thelittlereaderlibrary.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. I got this at Bea and have yet to finish it! My friend kayla loved it so much. I know I'll love it too. Its so hard to write reviews for the books you adore. I don't want to do the book an injustice.
    I read like 4 chapters and it is excellent so far.
    Great review made me put it back in the next pile :-)

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    1. Yay! Hope when you get back around to it that you love it as much as I did. :)

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