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Pushing the Limits #4
Take Me On
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fiction (2014)Bonus novella included: Crossing the Line.
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.
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.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2014
About the author
Katie McGarry
36 books12.8k followersKATIE MCGARRY is an award winning and critically acclaimed novelist of the Witches of the Island series (A Wicked and Beautiful Garden), the Pushing the Limits, Thunder Road, and Only a Breath Apart series and the standalone novel, Say You’ll Remember Me. Katie is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is currently living out her own love story with her husband, three children, her affectionate dog, Rachel, and her very needy cats.
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Want to read
September 10, 2016I was hoping for Ethan and Abby but I like West too. *Crossing my fingers that Abby & Ethan will be book 5!!!*
April 20, 2015
4.5 Worth Fighting For stars!
Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limit’s series is one of my favorite YA series. All her books are emotionally charged romances with leading characters who have so much to overcome. Take Me On is no exception. After meeting West Young in the last book, I was excited to hear he was getting his own book. West and Haley’s story wasn’t easy to read at times, both had serious and very real struggles.
Meet Haley and West...
Haley is a fighter. She’s from the same school as Isaiah and Abby- on the wrong side of town. After Haley’s father got laid off last year, her life has been in shambles. Unpredictable. She has no real home and her life is far from perfect. After coming out of a bad relationship, she’s given up the one thing she truly loves. Fighting. Haley comes from a family of fighters, and she is one of the best. Now it’s for their own good she doesn’t fight. She’s unwilling to talk about it, she just can’t. She’s lost her fight, but she’s doing it to protect those she loves.
West is one of the wilder Young brothers. Everyone knows the Youngs. The richest family in town. After pushing his father one to many times and getting expelled from his private school, West gets kicked out. He’s starting at Haley’s school, but before that he meets her in a different way. West and Haley form a fast bond, even if she doesn't want to. West needs training for a fight and Haley is just the girl to help him.
West is a player. He’s hooked up with his fair share of girls, but Haley is different. He actually feels something real for her. Haley feels the same, but she’s not sure if she’s ready to put herself out there again.
I loved Haley and West together! How Haley was able to see the real West Young- not the guy everyone else thinks they know.
Haley is a fighter. Will West Young be the boy who shows her she is still worth fighting for?
I love a kick ass heroine and a sexy swoony hero. Stories with growth and character development, stories about overcoming all the obstacles life throws at you. Take Me On had it all. So why not a full 5 stars? After the all the hero and heroine endured, I wanted an ending. I don’t need a long epilogue or anything like that, but I felt the story ended very abruptly. Still, this was a wonderful read! I really hope McGarry continues on with this series. There are still many characters I want to read about (Give me a Jax book please!!!) A fantastic YA series I highly recommend.
Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limit’s series is one of my favorite YA series. All her books are emotionally charged romances with leading characters who have so much to overcome. Take Me On is no exception. After meeting West Young in the last book, I was excited to hear he was getting his own book. West and Haley’s story wasn’t easy to read at times, both had serious and very real struggles.
Meet Haley and West...
Haley is a fighter. She’s from the same school as Isaiah and Abby- on the wrong side of town. After Haley’s father got laid off last year, her life has been in shambles. Unpredictable. She has no real home and her life is far from perfect. After coming out of a bad relationship, she’s given up the one thing she truly loves. Fighting. Haley comes from a family of fighters, and she is one of the best. Now it’s for their own good she doesn’t fight. She’s unwilling to talk about it, she just can’t. She’s lost her fight, but she’s doing it to protect those she loves.
West is one of the wilder Young brothers. Everyone knows the Youngs. The richest family in town. After pushing his father one to many times and getting expelled from his private school, West gets kicked out. He’s starting at Haley’s school, but before that he meets her in a different way. West and Haley form a fast bond, even if she doesn't want to. West needs training for a fight and Haley is just the girl to help him.
West is a player. He’s hooked up with his fair share of girls, but Haley is different. He actually feels something real for her. Haley feels the same, but she’s not sure if she’s ready to put herself out there again.
“Don’t think of it as falling. Think of it as jumping- with me.”
“How is jumping better?”
“Falling happens. Jumping you choose.”
I loved Haley and West together! How Haley was able to see the real West Young- not the guy everyone else thinks they know.
“When it comes to you, everyone else has it wrong.”Haley had so much strength. Even those times she lost her fight, sometimes it takes more strength to do nothing then something. I loved her bravery, loyalty and fierceness. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved West. He was different than I expected. Seeing his growth, the hell he goes through in this story and how he comes out in the end, you can’t help but to adore him. Haley saw the good in West, and West was the strength Haley needed.
Haley is a fighter. Will West Young be the boy who shows her she is still worth fighting for?
I love a kick ass heroine and a sexy swoony hero. Stories with growth and character development, stories about overcoming all the obstacles life throws at you. Take Me On had it all. So why not a full 5 stars? After the all the hero and heroine endured, I wanted an ending. I don’t need a long epilogue or anything like that, but I felt the story ended very abruptly. Still, this was a wonderful read! I really hope McGarry continues on with this series. There are still many characters I want to read about (Give me a Jax book please!!!) A fantastic YA series I highly recommend.
Want to read
December 4, 2013
OMG!! I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!!! MORE PUSHING THE LIMITS!!!
AND IT'S ABOUT WEST!!! WEEEST!!!!
I NEED THIS BOOK. NOW!!!
August 23, 2020
4,5 stars!
In this, fourth novel in Pushing the Limits series (that can be read as a stanalone) we follow Haley and West.
The story is written in first person, switching from Haley's to West's POV.
Haley's life is not an easy one. After her father lost his job and her family lost the roof over their heads, they moved to her uncle's house. Living with her uncle is not easy. He has strict rules they all have to obey and he verbally abuses them on regural basis.
Some time before, Haley was a kickbox champion but then, after something terrible happened to her, something that left her with the bitter taste in her mouth, she decided to leave fighting once and for all.
West is a troublemaker. After stealing money from his sister, the money she needed badly and ended up in a car accident because of that, he can't stop blaming himself for what happened to her.
I loved protagonists of this story. I can honestly say that Haley is now my favorite character Mcgarry created.
She is strong and smart, never gives up and even though people around her bring her down, she doesn't allow them to change her own opinion about herself. She knows she is worth.
West we already met in Crash Into You, book three of the same series.
There, he wasn't the guy you would root for. However, giving us the chance to look from his perspective, McGarry made us understand him and therefore I changed my opinion about him and ended up really liking him.
As for characters impressions, author didn't stop there. From the beginig of the story (and even in previous book) she made us dislike a certain character. I honestly think some readers even hated that same character. But, as the story progressed, and more reasons behind actions showed, as well as some secrets have revealed, McGarry got us to understand that character, and to look at him not as a bad, but as a good guy.
The writting style didn't disappoint. It was beautiful just like always, although it wasn't poetic as it was in Dare You To.
Maybe I should stress out here that I came to conclusion that the writing style in Dare You To has more to do with it's narrator Beth. In the end, she is the one who presented the story to us in that book.
The chemistry between main characters was captured very well, I could feel the intensity between them and I enjoyed reading how they fell for each other slowly and then how that love developed pretty fast.
Although this is a love story, it also has many famly issues and family situations.
I will even be brave enugh to call it a love story with elements of family prose.
That, family aspect of this story, I liked a lot and it made me appreciate this novel even more.
Overall, I think everyone who likes McGarry already will enjoy reading this book, but I would also recommend it to everyone who likes to read ya contemporary about love, but with the darker atmosphere in it.
In this, fourth novel in Pushing the Limits series (that can be read as a stanalone) we follow Haley and West.
The story is written in first person, switching from Haley's to West's POV.
Haley's life is not an easy one. After her father lost his job and her family lost the roof over their heads, they moved to her uncle's house. Living with her uncle is not easy. He has strict rules they all have to obey and he verbally abuses them on regural basis.
Some time before, Haley was a kickbox champion but then, after something terrible happened to her, something that left her with the bitter taste in her mouth, she decided to leave fighting once and for all.
West is a troublemaker. After stealing money from his sister, the money she needed badly and ended up in a car accident because of that, he can't stop blaming himself for what happened to her.
I loved protagonists of this story. I can honestly say that Haley is now my favorite character Mcgarry created.
She is strong and smart, never gives up and even though people around her bring her down, she doesn't allow them to change her own opinion about herself. She knows she is worth.
West we already met in Crash Into You, book three of the same series.
There, he wasn't the guy you would root for. However, giving us the chance to look from his perspective, McGarry made us understand him and therefore I changed my opinion about him and ended up really liking him.
As for characters impressions, author didn't stop there. From the beginig of the story (and even in previous book) she made us dislike a certain character. I honestly think some readers even hated that same character. But, as the story progressed, and more reasons behind actions showed, as well as some secrets have revealed, McGarry got us to understand that character, and to look at him not as a bad, but as a good guy.
The writting style didn't disappoint. It was beautiful just like always, although it wasn't poetic as it was in Dare You To.
Maybe I should stress out here that I came to conclusion that the writing style in Dare You To has more to do with it's narrator Beth. In the end, she is the one who presented the story to us in that book.
The chemistry between main characters was captured very well, I could feel the intensity between them and I enjoyed reading how they fell for each other slowly and then how that love developed pretty fast.
Although this is a love story, it also has many famly issues and family situations.
I will even be brave enugh to call it a love story with elements of family prose.
That, family aspect of this story, I liked a lot and it made me appreciate this novel even more.
Overall, I think everyone who likes McGarry already will enjoy reading this book, but I would also recommend it to everyone who likes to read ya contemporary about love, but with the darker atmosphere in it.
June 21, 2015
More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives
So I seriously don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner. I meant to pick it up when it first came out, but then life and other books got in the way. But, holy crap I just adored this book. I never thought I would say this because Pushing The Limits has always been my favorite, but Take Me On has just stolen that top spot. I loved this book. I loved West. I loved Haley. I loved everything about it.
Haley is awesome. I can’t even explain how much I loved her and I related to her in some ways. I know what it’s like to be good at a male dominated sport and to have others judge you for that, so I really got that and I knew how she felt. But aside from that, I just liked Haley. She thought things through and she didn’t fly off the handle for no reason. There were a few reveals that I thought was going to cause her to flip out, but then she didn’t and I just loved her all the more for that. My heart broke for her and for her situation, but I loved how she tried to stay strong through it all and I loved watching her power through and grow.
And then there is West. Honestly, I don’t know how I kept from starting this review with me just flailing all over him. I. Loved. Him. He is my new favorite Katie McGarry guy and honestly he is high up on my list of favorite book boyfriends. Noah had been holding strong as my favorite but West was just… I can’t even fully explain it, but I loved him. He loves his family so much and he tries so hard to help. He may be impulsive but he has a good heart. I loved watching him learn to stand on his own two feet and grow into a great man.
I have to take a second to rant about West’s parents because I struggled with them so much, especially West’s Dad. I could go on and on about all of the reasons they drive me crazy but they aren’t worth my anger. West learned to overcome their shortcomings (and there are many) and I was so proud of him for that. And then there is Haley’s Uncle and well I’m not gonna even go there because I’ll just end up in a rage spiral.
I also loved the MMA aspect with this one. I liked the sports aspect it added and I liked watching Haley be awesome at it. I also loved that Haley was a billion times better than West and it didn’t bother him in the least. He respected her for it and admired her for it.
And what else. I loved the romance and I thought West and Haley were perfect together. This book absolutely broke me on numerous occasions and I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest, but then there are some truly amazing moments that made me happy cry. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions and it was wonderful. Nobody puts my heart through the wringer quite like Katie McGarry.
Take Me On was a wonderful read and I could go on and on about this book for days. It is easily my favorite book of 2015 so far and it will honestly be very hard to top. I don’t know what it was, but I just absolutely fell in love with this book and I know I will be visiting it again and again.
So I seriously don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner. I meant to pick it up when it first came out, but then life and other books got in the way. But, holy crap I just adored this book. I never thought I would say this because Pushing The Limits has always been my favorite, but Take Me On has just stolen that top spot. I loved this book. I loved West. I loved Haley. I loved everything about it.
Haley is awesome. I can’t even explain how much I loved her and I related to her in some ways. I know what it’s like to be good at a male dominated sport and to have others judge you for that, so I really got that and I knew how she felt. But aside from that, I just liked Haley. She thought things through and she didn’t fly off the handle for no reason. There were a few reveals that I thought was going to cause her to flip out, but then she didn’t and I just loved her all the more for that. My heart broke for her and for her situation, but I loved how she tried to stay strong through it all and I loved watching her power through and grow.
And then there is West. Honestly, I don’t know how I kept from starting this review with me just flailing all over him. I. Loved. Him. He is my new favorite Katie McGarry guy and honestly he is high up on my list of favorite book boyfriends. Noah had been holding strong as my favorite but West was just… I can’t even fully explain it, but I loved him. He loves his family so much and he tries so hard to help. He may be impulsive but he has a good heart. I loved watching him learn to stand on his own two feet and grow into a great man.
I have to take a second to rant about West’s parents because I struggled with them so much, especially West’s Dad. I could go on and on about all of the reasons they drive me crazy but they aren’t worth my anger. West learned to overcome their shortcomings (and there are many) and I was so proud of him for that. And then there is Haley’s Uncle and well I’m not gonna even go there because I’ll just end up in a rage spiral.
I also loved the MMA aspect with this one. I liked the sports aspect it added and I liked watching Haley be awesome at it. I also loved that Haley was a billion times better than West and it didn’t bother him in the least. He respected her for it and admired her for it.
And what else. I loved the romance and I thought West and Haley were perfect together. This book absolutely broke me on numerous occasions and I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest, but then there are some truly amazing moments that made me happy cry. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions and it was wonderful. Nobody puts my heart through the wringer quite like Katie McGarry.
Take Me On was a wonderful read and I could go on and on about this book for days. It is easily my favorite book of 2015 so far and it will honestly be very hard to top. I don’t know what it was, but I just absolutely fell in love with this book and I know I will be visiting it again and again.
September 28, 2015
4 Fighting Stars
“Don’t think of it as falling. Think of it as jumping- with me.”
“How is jumping better?”
“Falling happens. Jumping you choose.”
Haley is a fighter. At least, she was. Lately she hasn't gone anywhere near the ring and hasn't been in a gym in over six months. Plus, everything with her family is going to hell. After picking up her father's meds, she gets jumped on the way home, and an unlikely person comes to her aid.
West Young has just been expelled from his private school for fighting. When driving home one night he almost hits a girl with his car when she stumbles into the middle of the road. Realizing she's being mugged, West does his best to help her, and gets his ass kicked in return.
Both Haley and West are thrown together due to uncontrollable circumstances, and it turns out that the bad boy rich kid and the former fighter on the wrong side of the tracks can understand each other better than anyone else.
“...this sort of feels like green."
"This is me being blue. Don't worry - you're still yellow."
I really enjoyed this addition to this series. When I had found out it was about Rachel's jerk brother, I had my doubts. But it was great to get West's side of the story about the Young family. Dear God they were even more messed up than I thought they were in book three.
Haley was a wonderful heroine, she dealt with difficult decisions every freaking day and it's kind of a miracle that she was able to keep herself together for as long as she did.
A great young adult contemporary novel, I highly recommend anyone reading this series. Ignore the awful damn cover and read this book!
“Don’t think of it as falling. Think of it as jumping- with me.”
“How is jumping better?”
“Falling happens. Jumping you choose.”
Haley is a fighter. At least, she was. Lately she hasn't gone anywhere near the ring and hasn't been in a gym in over six months. Plus, everything with her family is going to hell. After picking up her father's meds, she gets jumped on the way home, and an unlikely person comes to her aid.
West Young has just been expelled from his private school for fighting. When driving home one night he almost hits a girl with his car when she stumbles into the middle of the road. Realizing she's being mugged, West does his best to help her, and gets his ass kicked in return.
Both Haley and West are thrown together due to uncontrollable circumstances, and it turns out that the bad boy rich kid and the former fighter on the wrong side of the tracks can understand each other better than anyone else.
“...this sort of feels like green."
"This is me being blue. Don't worry - you're still yellow."
I really enjoyed this addition to this series. When I had found out it was about Rachel's jerk brother, I had my doubts. But it was great to get West's side of the story about the Young family. Dear God they were even more messed up than I thought they were in book three.
Haley was a wonderful heroine, she dealt with difficult decisions every freaking day and it's kind of a miracle that she was able to keep herself together for as long as she did.
A great young adult contemporary novel, I highly recommend anyone reading this series. Ignore the awful damn cover and read this book!
August 1, 2014
THAT COVER IS STUNNING!! BEST COVER SO FAR ^o^ ^o^ I was really hoping for another one of the Pushing the Limits books and here we are!! ^u^ But, if we continue at this rate, I want more, Kates. MORE! For example, I need:
1. Ethan's story
2. Abby's story
3. Logan's story
4. ^Significant relatives or friend's stories
5. Whenever you decide that the Pushing the Limits Series is done for good, I want a novella where all the characters come together with their lovers. It doesn't have to be anything huge, I just want everyone to be with everyone.
IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK :'(
Can't wait for Take Me On ^o^
Woot Woot ^o^
1. Ethan's story
2. Abby's story
3. Logan's story
4. ^Significant relatives or friend's stories
5. Whenever you decide that the Pushing the Limits Series is done for good, I want a novella where all the characters come together with their lovers. It doesn't have to be anything huge, I just want everyone to be with everyone.
IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK :'(
Can't wait for Take Me On ^o^
Woot Woot ^o^
October 16, 2019
Katie McGarry has done it again. Her writing is just flawless. I'm pretty picky with contemporary reads and even I'm not the biggest fan of them, I just love her writing. She writes easily and straight forward with dual point of views to give an overall story that will be consumed and digested in one or two sittings. This was exactly what I needed because I was on a huge fantasy kick. Granted she's an auto-buy author and I'm hoping she continues on with her writing in her next series which I'm way behind on.
RATING 5/5
QUOTES
Being poor, being homeless, being a girl doesn't make me less. (121)
A girl is no one's property. (149)
Every time you think you have everything under control you don't. (175)
How is it possible to have been surrounded by people and never feel complete? (191)
I'm falling for you, but I don't want to. (331)
Speaking out takes courage, but fear can make a compelling argument. (421)
RATING 5/5
QUOTES
Being poor, being homeless, being a girl doesn't make me less. (121)
A girl is no one's property. (149)
Every time you think you have everything under control you don't. (175)
How is it possible to have been surrounded by people and never feel complete? (191)
I'm falling for you, but I don't want to. (331)
Speaking out takes courage, but fear can make a compelling argument. (421)
Want to read
July 15, 2015SO IN LOVE WITH THE COVER. Like, woah.
July 27, 2014
Just because I'm a girly girl (today) let it be 5 stars review...
September 27, 2020
trying to read a new adult 550 page long romance from 2014 was a mistake
May 28, 2014
(Buddy review with Tanja)
Tanja: This is yet another book my girl Glass and I got to read together. But this time we had a support in Nick @Nick's Book Blog. She already posted her review and you can check it out here. Now Glass start!
Glass: Fourth book in Pushing The Limits series - and please, Harlequin, don't make it be the last - was so good. So good! I think we were in swooning frenzy whole time we had been reading. Want to know why? Okay, here we go.
Glass: As you probably noticed so far, we love when girls in our novels are strong, smart, when they don't measure their worth with how much boys like them, when they don't let anyone to push them around and when they fight for what they believe in. Haley is one of those.
Tanja: Totally agreed! She is not only strong and capable I like her sympathy and desire to help others. She is also selfless and boy does she knows how to fight!
Tanja: Even though we both cheered for Abby's story (we still do) Take Me On surprised me on many levels. Mostly it is West whom I didn't expect to be like this. He is one of the characters who in the previous book Crash Into You was not on my all time fave list but boy when you get to meet him. That's another story all together.
Glass: West wasn't my favorite character in previous book, Crash Into You, either. As the matter of fact, I thought he was selfish, I hated the way he sometimes treated his sister Rachel and I had my doubts about Katie writing more books in this series because I wasn't sure how long it could be new and not start to go into circles,but also about new characters - boy, was I wrong. West redeemed himself - he is perfect combination of bad and good boy - tough when he needs to be, a little bit reckless, but when it comes to the girl he likes - sweet and loyal.
Glass: From the first time I read about Abby, I wanted to know more. I need to read her story! This girl is bad-ass. Even big, bad boys are careful around her. She walks like she is a queen and everyone around her are her loyal peasants. If they are not, she'll make them regret it. Still, you can see snippets of her true nature from time to time and there is so much more underneath her whole steely exterior.
Tanja: Agreed and I truly loved her in this book. This all is just another reason that I'd love to see her get her story.
Tanja: Have you seen the movie Never Back Down? At moments this book reminded me of that movie and it's a great thing as it's a move I really like. Well the point of that question is that if you have then you'll notice that the movie is not exactly for kids but then again it carries a really strong message for everyone. The same is with Katie McGarry's books. It is about growing up and finding oneself in this cruel and tough world.
Glass: I'd say that Katie McGarry balances on that fine line between young and new adult. She combines best of both genre - you get amazing and heart-melting love story, but it never goes into the cliches of new adult. Take Me On reminds me a little bit of novels written by Jessica Sorensen.
1. You will walk all dreamy eyed and overwhelmed with feelings for days after you finish reading.
2. The best first kiss scenes you will ever read in your life.
3. You'll always FEEL everything.
4. Her characters are also well developed and real.
5. Katie McGarry's writing.
Glass & Tanja: That would be a million dollars question. Apparently, "publishing gods" are still thinking about fate of our favorite series. Only thing that is sure for now is another novel about Echo and Noah - Breaking the Rules could be described as conclusion to their story and it'll be published in December this year. Lets hope that there would be at least two more books, because we really want to read Abby's and Ethan's stories.
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
*Copy of this book was provided by publisher, Harlequin Teen, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Tanja: This is yet another book my girl Glass and I got to read together. But this time we had a support in Nick @Nick's Book Blog. She already posted her review and you can check it out here. Now Glass start!
Glass: Fourth book in Pushing The Limits series - and please, Harlequin, don't make it be the last - was so good. So good! I think we were in swooning frenzy whole time we had been reading. Want to know why? Okay, here we go.
All the reasons we think Haley is awesome.
Glass: As you probably noticed so far, we love when girls in our novels are strong, smart, when they don't measure their worth with how much boys like them, when they don't let anyone to push them around and when they fight for what they believe in. Haley is one of those.
Tanja: Totally agreed! She is not only strong and capable I like her sympathy and desire to help others. She is also selfless and boy does she knows how to fight!
Why did we locked West in our fictional harem?
Tanja: Even though we both cheered for Abby's story (we still do) Take Me On surprised me on many levels. Mostly it is West whom I didn't expect to be like this. He is one of the characters who in the previous book Crash Into You was not on my all time fave list but boy when you get to meet him. That's another story all together.
Glass: West wasn't my favorite character in previous book, Crash Into You, either. As the matter of fact, I thought he was selfish, I hated the way he sometimes treated his sister Rachel and I had my doubts about Katie writing more books in this series because I wasn't sure how long it could be new and not start to go into circles,but also about new characters - boy, was I wrong. West redeemed himself - he is perfect combination of bad and good boy - tough when he needs to be, a little bit reckless, but when it comes to the girl he likes - sweet and loyal.
But, absolutely the best female character of all time - Abby!
Glass: From the first time I read about Abby, I wanted to know more. I need to read her story! This girl is bad-ass. Even big, bad boys are careful around her. She walks like she is a queen and everyone around her are her loyal peasants. If they are not, she'll make them regret it. Still, you can see snippets of her true nature from time to time and there is so much more underneath her whole steely exterior.
Tanja: Agreed and I truly loved her in this book. This all is just another reason that I'd love to see her get her story.
Take Me On as a mix of young adult and new adult.
Tanja: Have you seen the movie Never Back Down? At moments this book reminded me of that movie and it's a great thing as it's a move I really like. Well the point of that question is that if you have then you'll notice that the movie is not exactly for kids but then again it carries a really strong message for everyone. The same is with Katie McGarry's books. It is about growing up and finding oneself in this cruel and tough world.
Glass: I'd say that Katie McGarry balances on that fine line between young and new adult. She combines best of both genre - you get amazing and heart-melting love story, but it never goes into the cliches of new adult. Take Me On reminds me a little bit of novels written by Jessica Sorensen.
Five reasons to read Katie McGarry novels:
1. You will walk all dreamy eyed and overwhelmed with feelings for days after you finish reading.
2. The best first kiss scenes you will ever read in your life.
3. You'll always FEEL everything.
4. Her characters are also well developed and real.
5. Katie McGarry's writing.
Will there be more sequels?
Glass & Tanja: That would be a million dollars question. Apparently, "publishing gods" are still thinking about fate of our favorite series. Only thing that is sure for now is another novel about Echo and Noah - Breaking the Rules could be described as conclusion to their story and it'll be published in December this year. Lets hope that there would be at least two more books, because we really want to read Abby's and Ethan's stories.
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
*Copy of this book was provided by publisher, Harlequin Teen, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
May 24, 2014
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
Tanja: This is yet another book my girl Glass and I got to read together. But this time we had a support in Nick @Nick's Book Blog. She already posted her review and you can check it out here. Now Glass start!
Glass: Fourth book in Pushing The Limits series - and please, Harlequin, don't make it be the last - was so good. So good! I think we were is swooning frenzy whole time we had been reading. Want to know why? Okay here we go.
Glass: As you probably noticed so far, we love when girls in our novels are strong, smart, when they don't measure their worth with how much boys like them, when they don't let anyone to push them around and when they fight for what they believe in. Haley is one of those.
Tanja: Totally agreed! She is not only strong and capable I like her sympathy and desire to help others. She is also selfless and boy does she knows how to fight!
Tanja: Even though we both cheered for Abby's story (we still do) Take Me On surprised me on many levels. Mostly it is West whom I didn't expect to be like this. He is one of the characters who in the previous book Crash Into You was not on my all time fave list but boy when you get to meet him. That's another story all together.
Glass: West wasn't my favorite character in previous book, Crash Into You, either. As the matter of fact, I thought he was selfish, I hated the way he sometimes treated his sister Rachel and I had my doubts about Katie writing more books in this series because I wasn't sure how long it could be new and not start to go into circles,but also about new characters - boy, was I wrong. West redeemed himself - he is perfect combination of bad and good boy - tough when he needs to be, a little bit reckless, but when it comes to the girl he likes - sweet and loyal.
Glass: From the first time I read about Abby, I wanted to know more. I need to read her story! This girl is bad-ass. Even big, bad boys are careful around her. She walks like she is a queen and everyone around her are her loyal peasants. If they are not, she'll make them regret it. Still, you can see snippets of her true nature from time to time and there is so much more underneath her whole steely exterior.
Tanja: Agreed and I truly loved her in this book. This all is just another reason that I'd love to see her get her story.
Tanja: Have you seen the movie Never Back Down? At moments this book reminded me of that movie and it's a great thing as it's a move I really like. Well the point of that question is that if you have then you'll notice that the movie is not exactly for kids but then again it carries a really strong message for everyone. The same is with Katie McGarry's books. It is about growing up and finding oneself in this cruel and tough world.
Glass: I'd say that Katie McGarry balances on that fine line between young and new adult. She combines best of both genre - you get amazing and heart-melting love story, but it never goes into the cliches of new adult. Take Me On reminds me a little bit of novels written by Jessica Sorensen.
You will walk all dreamy eyed and overwhelmed with feeling for days after you finish reading.
The best first kiss scenes you will ever read in your life.
You'll always FEEL everything.
Her characters are also well developed and real.
Katie McGarry's writing.
Glass & Tanja: That would be a million dollars question. Apparently, "publishing gods" are still thinking about fate of our favorite series. Only thing that is sure for now is another novel about Echo and Noah - Breaking the Rules could be described as conclusion to their story and it'll be published in December this year. Lets's hope that there would be at least two more books, because we really want to read Abby's and Ethan's stories.
Tanja: This is yet another book my girl Glass and I got to read together. But this time we had a support in Nick @Nick's Book Blog. She already posted her review and you can check it out here. Now Glass start!
Glass: Fourth book in Pushing The Limits series - and please, Harlequin, don't make it be the last - was so good. So good! I think we were is swooning frenzy whole time we had been reading. Want to know why? Okay here we go.
All the reasons we think Haley is awesome.
Glass: As you probably noticed so far, we love when girls in our novels are strong, smart, when they don't measure their worth with how much boys like them, when they don't let anyone to push them around and when they fight for what they believe in. Haley is one of those.
Tanja: Totally agreed! She is not only strong and capable I like her sympathy and desire to help others. She is also selfless and boy does she knows how to fight!
Why did we lock West in our fictional harem?
Tanja: Even though we both cheered for Abby's story (we still do) Take Me On surprised me on many levels. Mostly it is West whom I didn't expect to be like this. He is one of the characters who in the previous book Crash Into You was not on my all time fave list but boy when you get to meet him. That's another story all together.
Glass: West wasn't my favorite character in previous book, Crash Into You, either. As the matter of fact, I thought he was selfish, I hated the way he sometimes treated his sister Rachel and I had my doubts about Katie writing more books in this series because I wasn't sure how long it could be new and not start to go into circles,but also about new characters - boy, was I wrong. West redeemed himself - he is perfect combination of bad and good boy - tough when he needs to be, a little bit reckless, but when it comes to the girl he likes - sweet and loyal.
But, absolutely the best female character of all time - Abby!
Glass: From the first time I read about Abby, I wanted to know more. I need to read her story! This girl is bad-ass. Even big, bad boys are careful around her. She walks like she is a queen and everyone around her are her loyal peasants. If they are not, she'll make them regret it. Still, you can see snippets of her true nature from time to time and there is so much more underneath her whole steely exterior.
Tanja: Agreed and I truly loved her in this book. This all is just another reason that I'd love to see her get her story.
Take Me On as a mix of young adult and new adult.
Tanja: Have you seen the movie Never Back Down? At moments this book reminded me of that movie and it's a great thing as it's a move I really like. Well the point of that question is that if you have then you'll notice that the movie is not exactly for kids but then again it carries a really strong message for everyone. The same is with Katie McGarry's books. It is about growing up and finding oneself in this cruel and tough world.
Glass: I'd say that Katie McGarry balances on that fine line between young and new adult. She combines best of both genre - you get amazing and heart-melting love story, but it never goes into the cliches of new adult. Take Me On reminds me a little bit of novels written by Jessica Sorensen.
Five reasons to read Katie McGarry novels:
You will walk all dreamy eyed and overwhelmed with feeling for days after you finish reading.
The best first kiss scenes you will ever read in your life.
You'll always FEEL everything.
Her characters are also well developed and real.
Katie McGarry's writing.
Will there be more sequels?
Glass & Tanja: That would be a million dollars question. Apparently, "publishing gods" are still thinking about fate of our favorite series. Only thing that is sure for now is another novel about Echo and Noah - Breaking the Rules could be described as conclusion to their story and it'll be published in December this year. Lets's hope that there would be at least two more books, because we really want to read Abby's and Ethan's stories.
June 2, 2014
||UPDATE||
02-06-2014
Ow, just ow!!
This book took me by surprise and completely exceed my expectations (granted, they weren´t that high to start with but still!) It made the impossible: if anyone had said me a week ago- hell a day ago!- that I would end up liking, actually genuinely liking and admiring!, WESTON YOUNG I would have laughed it up and call them crazy. But after this book... ow! My opinion of him has drastically changed for the better... I may even have fallen a little in love with West.
All those pesky little questions that Rachel book left us with, all the anger and annoyance I felt towards him were answered and vanished.
The book begins with Wes following his mother to a rundown part of town where she goes every month, at the same day and time and he thinks she is having an affair. It´s a few days after Rachel accident and Wes hasn´t seen her yet and he gets in a huge fight with his father about it, all the anger and resentment that years of neglect and distance created boils up and his father kicks him out of the house, and so begins our twisted love tale....
You see before this book I hated Wes. Seriously, I couldn´t stand him or any of Rachel brothers by that matter!!
I hated their selfish, self-absorved actions and the way they treated Rachel. ...But here we see a complete diferent side of them!:
In this book Ms. Mcgarry managed the impossible. She gives us a glimpse into Wes soul and the twisted, screwed-up place that its is mind.
You see, West is filled with guilt and self-hatred. He thinks he is the sole responsible for his sister accident and more than anyone he is fully aware of how his actions affected her and contributed for her pain (after all IF he hadn´t taken her money, she wouldn´t had the need to drag-race and probably wouldn´t be in a hospital bed now with her legs and body wrecked).
He deeply loves his sister and the fact that he had a part in her hurt is slowing killing him.
Through the book we get a glimpse into the Young´s family dynamic and it is a mess! His mother is absent and somewhat distant. Ethan, Rachel and West feel like they are only replacements for their dead sister (corrine) and that´s an awful burden to carry. To know that you were only born to save the daughter that their parents really loved and wanted! Worse, (like wes says) that they failed even then.
His father is another mess. The anguer, rage, and hatred that resulted from years of neglect and disapointments is like a festering wound that contaminates everything else and they don´t seem to be able to see eye to eye!
Then West is homeless and he meets Haley.
She is a fighter and has her own share of problems... right down to a huge slice in the screwed-up family pie, a misterious, dark, razor-wrapped past and the cherry in the top of the cake that is her life... a mental block that her vicious, jerkish ex-boyfriend left her and enables her to do what she likes more than anything else in the world, to fight!
Those two fall for each other rather quickly and I have to say they are so CUTE TOGETHER! *.* The author made a good job with their story. They are one of those couples that actually complement each other and are better together than apart. They are stronger as one than as two, and it´s so sweet to see their surrender, especially after all they go through and have to overcome.
The book is filled with secrets and misteries, and prepare yourselves! (THERE IS A HUGE REVELATION IN THE END, A NUCLEAR EMOTIONAL BOMB!!!) (:
Why does West mother visit the dingy bar every month, who is the guy she meets and how is he related to west and his family. How did his mother and father really met and why is their past wrapped in darkness and secrets and not the clean- straight love tale they used to tell( and lie about).
We see a lot of Abby and I have to say... I love that chick! I can´t wait to know her story! We get crumbs and little pieces of her life but we never get to really know her and her secrets.
My opinion of Weston has taken a 180º turn. I actually respect him now and am so damn proud of the decisions he has taken and the path he choses in the end. He finally grows the hell up and starts to act like a real, independent man.
.....
\\BEFORE READING THE BOOK||
Am I the ONLY one that didn´t really care for West and Ethan (and the rest of Rachel brothers actually) attitude towards Rachel?
I mean West took her money and didn´t even ask, didn´t even cared, he just assumed that he had the right, that she would be okay with the situation! I know it was for a "good" cause (help her big
And its not just that! Its their attitude in geral, they knew she didn´t like to speak in public, that it could (and did) make her sick, but they selfishly pushed her anyway because they beneficted from it... And they kept "reminding" her of her "duty" !! That is just mean rubbish! I got soooooo angry whenever one of them snaped at her and basically said for her to "suck it up and just get it done", "that it was for everyones greater good" line of bullsh** ARGHHHH...SO FRUSTRATING!!! >.<
And the book ended without a REAL conversation between them. I know that it showed Ethan and Wes supporting her and trying to be there for her, but stil... I think they shoud have had a proper-come-to-jesus-clean-slate conversation!
...but maybe that´s just me -.- ...
July 7, 2020
That’s just the thing with Ms. Mc Garry’s gritty romance novels, despite their cheesy covers, they grow on you. It honestly feels the same all the time and this is the fourth book of her I’ve read. Why do I never learn from experience? Lol. The trend goes something like this: I start reading indifferently, the dnf option always hovering just around the corner but then it starts getting interesting and soon the characters have somehow grown on me and I couldn’t stop reading.
Just like the first three books, Take Me On is also quite melodramatic, exactly like Abby said, it’s almost straight from your afternoon soap but then again, that’s the charm of the author’s writing. She could make clichés appear like they’re not clichés at all. It’s also nice to see a continuation of the series, this time focused on West (Rachel from Crash Into You’s brother) and Haley. Again, the trope- the distance between the love interests is there. He’s extremely rich, she is practically homeless. She is a fighter and she can kick his pretty ass in seconds but instead she falls for him and he for her. Of course nothing is simple between their love story because where would be the fun in that? Lol.
But the highlight of the story for me is the element of sport. Better because the girl trains the guy to fight. I find that really cool. It’s also a bonus that I get to see a glimpse of Rachel and Isaiah’s story here and even better because the book contains a bonus novella on Abby and her love interest. I’ll read that soon.
Just like the first three books, Take Me On is also quite melodramatic, exactly like Abby said, it’s almost straight from your afternoon soap but then again, that’s the charm of the author’s writing. She could make clichés appear like they’re not clichés at all. It’s also nice to see a continuation of the series, this time focused on West (Rachel from Crash Into You’s brother) and Haley. Again, the trope- the distance between the love interests is there. He’s extremely rich, she is practically homeless. She is a fighter and she can kick his pretty ass in seconds but instead she falls for him and he for her. Of course nothing is simple between their love story because where would be the fun in that? Lol.
But the highlight of the story for me is the element of sport. Better because the girl trains the guy to fight. I find that really cool. It’s also a bonus that I get to see a glimpse of Rachel and Isaiah’s story here and even better because the book contains a bonus novella on Abby and her love interest. I’ll read that soon.
Shelved as 'dnf'
August 26, 2014Pages read: 116
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the death of my love for the Pushing the Limits series. Apparently Crash Into You was the last gasp of affection. Take Me On has no problems that the previous installments didn't, but I think I'm just over the formula now. I'm not sucked in and I'm definitely rolling my eyes instead of swooning despite myself as I did before.
I'm tired of the bad boys with hearts of gooey melted cheese. I'm tired of the heroine who hasn't laughed in years until she meets the hero. I'm tired of melodramatic crises. I'm tired of reading about teens who have never had a good thing happen in their lives ever.
Also, 544 pages is way too damn long for what is essentially a teen soap opera. I mean, I've read over a hundred pages and that is 20%. There are so many percents left and I can't.
I'm willing to try Katie McGarry again, but probably only if there's a new series that's a bit fluffier.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the death of my love for the Pushing the Limits series. Apparently Crash Into You was the last gasp of affection. Take Me On has no problems that the previous installments didn't, but I think I'm just over the formula now. I'm not sucked in and I'm definitely rolling my eyes instead of swooning despite myself as I did before.
I'm tired of the bad boys with hearts of gooey melted cheese. I'm tired of the heroine who hasn't laughed in years until she meets the hero. I'm tired of melodramatic crises. I'm tired of reading about teens who have never had a good thing happen in their lives ever.
Also, 544 pages is way too damn long for what is essentially a teen soap opera. I mean, I've read over a hundred pages and that is 20%. There are so many percents left and I can't.
I'm willing to try Katie McGarry again, but probably only if there's a new series that's a bit fluffier.
July 11, 2015
This is definitely the best in the series. Loved every bit of this book.
My first early signed copy. YAY! :D
Thank you Katie McGarry
My first early signed copy. YAY! :D
Thank you Katie McGarry
May 13, 2019
O poveste frumoasă care mi-a mers la suflet!
July 7, 2014
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
3.5 stars
I'm running out of praises to throw at Katie McGarry. This is yet again another brilliantly woven story and contained a swoon-worthy romance. Despite the quibbles I have with these novels, she's still one of my favourite authors.
I'm starting to feel like the characters are overlapping one and another. What I mean by this is that some of the characters feel like they've taken parts of someone else that we've already read about in previous instalments, and used bits of them in here. Sure, I might be a little too picky but I'm getting bored with the bad boy, good girl - but both have dark secrets premise. Diversity, in the main characters would be nice. Aside from that criticism, Katie McGarry still managed to pull me right into the story and feel. Both West and Haley's situations were tough and grim and I could relate whole-heartedly. You have West, who has always been prejudiced for being a Young, and is kicked out of his own home by his father. Haley doesn't even have a home. Her and her family have to live with her short-tempered uncle. I don't know how McGarry does it but she pulls all the right strings to make us feel ineffably connected.
The romance, I feel, went too quick. Don't run away yet! I wouldn't label it as instant-love, but I was expecting a much slower burn between West and Haley. I thought the "I Love You" came too early on in the story however the chemistry was certainly there. And damn, it was so very sweet and authentic. If I had to say just one thing McGarry does best, it's writing romances that are realistic and contain a lot of depth.
What I love about the Pushing the Limits series is that it's not just the romance. Take Me On also possesses a sufficient amount of family dynamics. I loved how we still got to have snapshots of Rachel and Isaiah--even Abby was a pretty frequent character here. Haley's family--I wanted to strangle. While her cousin and brother: Jax and Kaden were pretty cool (and I wouldn't mind reading about their stories in the future) her uncle needs an award for being the worst human being to walk on this Earth. He's absolutely infuriating; and the fact that McGarry could get that kind of emotion out of me deserves a gold star (or five).
If you are looking for some swoon worthy romance and a brilliantly constructed background plot, Katie McGarry is your lady. Take Me On is like chocolate. A fantastic ride and after I finished, I wanted more.
3.5 stars
I'm running out of praises to throw at Katie McGarry. This is yet again another brilliantly woven story and contained a swoon-worthy romance. Despite the quibbles I have with these novels, she's still one of my favourite authors.
I'm starting to feel like the characters are overlapping one and another. What I mean by this is that some of the characters feel like they've taken parts of someone else that we've already read about in previous instalments, and used bits of them in here. Sure, I might be a little too picky but I'm getting bored with the bad boy, good girl - but both have dark secrets premise. Diversity, in the main characters would be nice. Aside from that criticism, Katie McGarry still managed to pull me right into the story and feel. Both West and Haley's situations were tough and grim and I could relate whole-heartedly. You have West, who has always been prejudiced for being a Young, and is kicked out of his own home by his father. Haley doesn't even have a home. Her and her family have to live with her short-tempered uncle. I don't know how McGarry does it but she pulls all the right strings to make us feel ineffably connected.
The romance, I feel, went too quick. Don't run away yet! I wouldn't label it as instant-love, but I was expecting a much slower burn between West and Haley. I thought the "I Love You" came too early on in the story however the chemistry was certainly there. And damn, it was so very sweet and authentic. If I had to say just one thing McGarry does best, it's writing romances that are realistic and contain a lot of depth.
What I love about the Pushing the Limits series is that it's not just the romance. Take Me On also possesses a sufficient amount of family dynamics. I loved how we still got to have snapshots of Rachel and Isaiah--even Abby was a pretty frequent character here. Haley's family--I wanted to strangle. While her cousin and brother: Jax and Kaden were pretty cool (and I wouldn't mind reading about their stories in the future) her uncle needs an award for being the worst human being to walk on this Earth. He's absolutely infuriating; and the fact that McGarry could get that kind of emotion out of me deserves a gold star (or five).
If you are looking for some swoon worthy romance and a brilliantly constructed background plot, Katie McGarry is your lady. Take Me On is like chocolate. A fantastic ride and after I finished, I wanted more.
~Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me this copy!~
May 18, 2014
Take Me On Review on K-Books
"She and I are like two separate halves to a whole. Separate in that two of us could live life apart sf be successful, but when we are together - when we are whole - that's when the magic begins."
Having devoured all 3 of the Pushing the Limits books so far I couldn't wait to get my hands on Take Me On, the fourth installment in the series. I fell in love with West in Crash Into You in the small glimpses we got of him and so when I found out that this would be West's story I couldn't wait to read it. Take Me On did not disappoint. It may just be my favourite Katie McGarry book so far. It was phenomenal and I couldn't help but devour it in one sitting.
Haley has sworn that she will never step foot back in the ring. As a champion kickboxer it was her life but after a tragic evening she swears that she will give it up for life. Then West Young walks into her life. West has been kicked out of home and on that eventful evening he stumbles across Haley their lived becoming entertwined. Haley finds herself having to train West for his upcoming fight. Trying to stay professional is becoming harder and harder as the sparks fly between West and Haley and suddenly she is more concerned about keeping West alive than his winning the fight. Is their love worth fighting for?
I love, love, loved this book. I have to admit that I felt like the third book in the Pushing the Limits series, Crash Into You, wasn't as good as the previous two in the series to me and so I was a little bit worried about this one. I really needn't have. Once again Katie has shown that she is the Queen of YA Contemporary Romance. Her writing style is phenomenal and you really end up being so engrossed in this book that you end up devouring it in one sitting. It was just amazing and Katie is officially my favourite contemp author of all time. I just adore everything that she has ever wrote and I can't help but buy everything she writes, regardless of what it is about.
West is such an amazing character. He has grown so much and you really do see the difference in him from the boy we met in Crash Into You to the boy he is at the end of Take Me On. He goes through hell in this book but it makes him a better person and he is able to appreciate that which I loved. He has such a hatred for his sister's boyfriend, Isaiah, at the start and his attitude toward him in the end really shows how much he has grown. I loved that about West and you really won't be able to help but fall for him. I loved West so much and one thing that makes him so different from any of the other Katie McGarry guys so far is that he isn't the one pulling away in the relationship. He knows how he feels, accepts it for love and goes after Haley. He is so noble and self-sacrificing. I just wanted to hug him all the way through the book.
Haley is such a great heroine. She is kick-ass yet vulnerable at the same time which makes her a joy to read about and to follow throughout the story. She has really had such a horrible experience and really believes that her life isn't going to get better. I loved her in the beginning and I love the way she develops when she is with West and the difference not only he has on her life but she has on his life too.
I loved that this book has a professional fighting aspect of it. It's not street brawling. It's professional fighting as a sport and I loved that. As someone who used to do kickboxing when I was at school I could really identify with this part of the story and I loved the importance it had to each of the characters.
Take Me On is one of my favourite books of the year so far without a doubt. I loved every single second of it and as always with a Katie McGarry book I met many characters that I wish would have their own book. I am still holding out the hope for a Chase and Abby book and I would love to read more about Jax. Take Me On was a phenomenal installment of the Pushing the Limits series and I can't wait to see what Katie comes up with next.
"Because you're the girl I've been waiting for. If you want to break up, then you're going to have to do it because I won't. You're it for me and I'm not walking away."
"She and I are like two separate halves to a whole. Separate in that two of us could live life apart sf be successful, but when we are together - when we are whole - that's when the magic begins."
Having devoured all 3 of the Pushing the Limits books so far I couldn't wait to get my hands on Take Me On, the fourth installment in the series. I fell in love with West in Crash Into You in the small glimpses we got of him and so when I found out that this would be West's story I couldn't wait to read it. Take Me On did not disappoint. It may just be my favourite Katie McGarry book so far. It was phenomenal and I couldn't help but devour it in one sitting.
Haley has sworn that she will never step foot back in the ring. As a champion kickboxer it was her life but after a tragic evening she swears that she will give it up for life. Then West Young walks into her life. West has been kicked out of home and on that eventful evening he stumbles across Haley their lived becoming entertwined. Haley finds herself having to train West for his upcoming fight. Trying to stay professional is becoming harder and harder as the sparks fly between West and Haley and suddenly she is more concerned about keeping West alive than his winning the fight. Is their love worth fighting for?
I love, love, loved this book. I have to admit that I felt like the third book in the Pushing the Limits series, Crash Into You, wasn't as good as the previous two in the series to me and so I was a little bit worried about this one. I really needn't have. Once again Katie has shown that she is the Queen of YA Contemporary Romance. Her writing style is phenomenal and you really end up being so engrossed in this book that you end up devouring it in one sitting. It was just amazing and Katie is officially my favourite contemp author of all time. I just adore everything that she has ever wrote and I can't help but buy everything she writes, regardless of what it is about.
West is such an amazing character. He has grown so much and you really do see the difference in him from the boy we met in Crash Into You to the boy he is at the end of Take Me On. He goes through hell in this book but it makes him a better person and he is able to appreciate that which I loved. He has such a hatred for his sister's boyfriend, Isaiah, at the start and his attitude toward him in the end really shows how much he has grown. I loved that about West and you really won't be able to help but fall for him. I loved West so much and one thing that makes him so different from any of the other Katie McGarry guys so far is that he isn't the one pulling away in the relationship. He knows how he feels, accepts it for love and goes after Haley. He is so noble and self-sacrificing. I just wanted to hug him all the way through the book.
Haley is such a great heroine. She is kick-ass yet vulnerable at the same time which makes her a joy to read about and to follow throughout the story. She has really had such a horrible experience and really believes that her life isn't going to get better. I loved her in the beginning and I love the way she develops when she is with West and the difference not only he has on her life but she has on his life too.
I loved that this book has a professional fighting aspect of it. It's not street brawling. It's professional fighting as a sport and I loved that. As someone who used to do kickboxing when I was at school I could really identify with this part of the story and I loved the importance it had to each of the characters.
Take Me On is one of my favourite books of the year so far without a doubt. I loved every single second of it and as always with a Katie McGarry book I met many characters that I wish would have their own book. I am still holding out the hope for a Chase and Abby book and I would love to read more about Jax. Take Me On was a phenomenal installment of the Pushing the Limits series and I can't wait to see what Katie comes up with next.
"Because you're the girl I've been waiting for. If you want to break up, then you're going to have to do it because I won't. You're it for me and I'm not walking away."
May 9, 2015
Another Katie McGarry book done right. Does she ever disappoint??
July 30, 2014
Katie McGarry does it again.
I'm officially obsessed with Katie McGarry and her books. I love these characters so much!! West and Haley have a beautiful romance and relationship. I loved seeing them work through everything together. Their story really pulled at my heart strings and definitely made me tear up. I love how Katie McGarry can make her characters feel so real! I genuinely feel like I know both West and Haley, it's so crazy. I want another book about the rest of their lives haha!
I'm officially obsessed with Katie McGarry and her books. I love these characters so much!! West and Haley have a beautiful romance and relationship. I loved seeing them work through everything together. Their story really pulled at my heart strings and definitely made me tear up. I love how Katie McGarry can make her characters feel so real! I genuinely feel like I know both West and Haley, it's so crazy. I want another book about the rest of their lives haha!
Want to read
July 18, 2014
Want to read
February 28, 2014
HOLY SHIT. LOOK AT THAT ARM ON THAT DUDE.
February 22, 2019
3.5 steluțe. De câte ori trebuie să scriu o recenzie la o carte de genul ăsta, îmi vine să râd puțin de mine pentru că stau să caut formulări pompoase și să găsesc tot felul de legături profunde. Dar vorbim despre o carte care are pe copertă un tip semidezbrăcat și o femeie care stă cu picioarele pe sus. Nu te poți aștepta să găsești aforisme în ea. Oferă ceea ce promite: o poveste frumoasă și emoționantă, personaje cu care te poți identifica măcar pe alocuri și o cale plăcută de a evada din realitate. Pentru mine a fost suficient și acum nu mai lipsește decât să caut și celelalte volume. Recenzia aici: https://sandradeaconu.blogspot.com/20...
,,Lumile noastre nu doar că s-au ciocnit; au fuzionat precum cutiile de vopsea vărsate pe trotuar și se pare că niciunul dintre noi nu va mai reveni la culoarea inițială.''
,,Lumile noastre nu doar că s-au ciocnit; au fuzionat precum cutiile de vopsea vărsate pe trotuar și se pare că niciunul dintre noi nu va mai reveni la culoarea inițială.''
July 22, 2015
“You’re worth fighting for.”
4.5 stars.
This is book 4 in the Pushing the Limits series, and OMG, I love this series! Pushing the Limits is an all-time favourite of mine, and while I’ve enjoyed the subsequent books, this is the first book in the series that came close to recreating the epic feels that I felt with that first book. It’s the story of West (brother of Rachel from Crash into You) and newcomer, Haley.
West Young is the wild child of the incredibly wealthy Young family. Set in the time just after the end of the main part and before the epilogue of Crash into You , West is angry, drowning in guilt, and is lashing out at the world. He is suspended from his exclusive private school for fighting and, appalled at his behaviour, his father enrols him in the local high school and pushes him out on his own.
Meanwhile, Haley’s life has hit rock bottom. Her father lost his job, her family lost their home, and they are struggling and living in less than ideal circumstances with her uncle. Like the rest of her family, Haley was a fighter – she was actually a champion kickboxer - but she hasn’t fought since one fateful night changed everything for her.
West and Haley literally run into each other in the middle of a dangerous situation which ends up with West agreeing to an MMA cage fight in her honour. Having no fighting experience, Haley knows that in order for West to have any chance of surviving the fight without serious injury, he needs to be trained, so with few other options, she agrees to train him. They agree to keep things strictly friendly, but they are attracted to each other, and as they get to know each other, the bond between them deepens, and they can’t help things from going further.
I loved this romance! Absolutely freaking loved it! It’s slow moving and happens so naturally. West and Haley’s circumstances bring them together, and they cling to each other in the middle of their family dramas and the hopelessness that they are both lost in. They give each other strength and something good, and every moment between them is brimming with feels.
West is an amazing hero. He goes through so much in this book, but his growth as a character is incredible. He really grows up, and the way that he adores Haley, is there for her and truly wants what is best for her is something very special.
Haley and West go through a lot in this book – both individually and together - and I loved their journey. But they both have secrets, and that plus the pressure of their families has the potential to pull them apart. They need to fight to find their way and sort their lives out before they can start to fight for each other.
Once again, Katie McGarry has given us a truly wonderful story. It’s funny, sweet, and gorgeously romantic with the perfect amount of drama. McGarry’s stories are always incredibly emotive but also realistic, so you’re drawn into the story and feel everything the characters are feeling – tears and all. I got swept away with this one, and absolutely loved it.
Fans of the series – Rachel obviously appears in this book quite a bit, as does Abby, and there are brief glimpses of Isaiah but that’s about it in terms of continuation. There are some new characters introduced in this book that I’d love to see more of though (Jax).
As always, I will be eagerly awaiting McGarry’s next offering, no matter who it features.
I loved it – 4.5 stars.
4.5 stars.
This is book 4 in the Pushing the Limits series, and OMG, I love this series! Pushing the Limits is an all-time favourite of mine, and while I’ve enjoyed the subsequent books, this is the first book in the series that came close to recreating the epic feels that I felt with that first book. It’s the story of West (brother of Rachel from Crash into You) and newcomer, Haley.
West Young is the wild child of the incredibly wealthy Young family. Set in the time just after the end of the main part and before the epilogue of Crash into You , West is angry, drowning in guilt, and is lashing out at the world. He is suspended from his exclusive private school for fighting and, appalled at his behaviour, his father enrols him in the local high school and pushes him out on his own.
Meanwhile, Haley’s life has hit rock bottom. Her father lost his job, her family lost their home, and they are struggling and living in less than ideal circumstances with her uncle. Like the rest of her family, Haley was a fighter – she was actually a champion kickboxer - but she hasn’t fought since one fateful night changed everything for her.
West and Haley literally run into each other in the middle of a dangerous situation which ends up with West agreeing to an MMA cage fight in her honour. Having no fighting experience, Haley knows that in order for West to have any chance of surviving the fight without serious injury, he needs to be trained, so with few other options, she agrees to train him. They agree to keep things strictly friendly, but they are attracted to each other, and as they get to know each other, the bond between them deepens, and they can’t help things from going further.
“Me and you – we are friends”
“We crossed beyond friends the night we spent in your room and you know that. Fuck, Haley, there isn’t a moment that we haven’t been into each other and I’m not the only one in the room aware of it.”
I loved this romance! Absolutely freaking loved it! It’s slow moving and happens so naturally. West and Haley’s circumstances bring them together, and they cling to each other in the middle of their family dramas and the hopelessness that they are both lost in. They give each other strength and something good, and every moment between them is brimming with feels.
“West.” She says my name as a question, as an answer. Damn me, it was an invitation.
My name. That was my name on her lips.
Fuck everything else. Haley knows the real me and for once in my life I’m going to know what it’s like to kiss a girl who means something.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” Haley whispers…
“Yes, it does” … “Tell me, Haley. Please tell me it does because this means something to me.”
Her forehead wrinkles and her eyes are moist as if it’s physically painful for her to nod and breathe out the words. “It does… It means something.”
West is an amazing hero. He goes through so much in this book, but his growth as a character is incredible. He really grows up, and the way that he adores Haley, is there for her and truly wants what is best for her is something very special.
Someday, she’ll trust me enough to tell me the truth. For now, I’ll be that home she lost – I’ll be that soft, secure place where she can land.
Haley and West go through a lot in this book – both individually and together - and I loved their journey. But they both have secrets, and that plus the pressure of their families has the potential to pull them apart. They need to fight to find their way and sort their lives out before they can start to fight for each other.
“Don’t think of it as falling. Think of it as jumping - with me.”
“How is jumping better?”
“Falling happens. Jumping you choose.”
Once again, Katie McGarry has given us a truly wonderful story. It’s funny, sweet, and gorgeously romantic with the perfect amount of drama. McGarry’s stories are always incredibly emotive but also realistic, so you’re drawn into the story and feel everything the characters are feeling – tears and all. I got swept away with this one, and absolutely loved it.
Fans of the series – Rachel obviously appears in this book quite a bit, as does Abby, and there are brief glimpses of Isaiah but that’s about it in terms of continuation. There are some new characters introduced in this book that I’d love to see more of though (Jax).
As always, I will be eagerly awaiting McGarry’s next offering, no matter who it features.
I loved it – 4.5 stars.
Want to read
November 7, 2013I hope Ethan and Abby will have their own book also. They are cute together. ^_^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2018
I love Katie McGarry's books. They are always really cute and the romance is amazing, but it's not only that. I love the family dynamics. With her books there isn't only love story or family drama. There is a great mix between everything and also amazing characters.❤
February 10, 2015
I can't believe I never reviewed this book...
I am a huge Katie McGarry fan girl and she knows this. Her editor knows it too. In fact, I shamelessly asked for an early read of TAKE ME ON and her editor was kind enough to send it to me. I started it right away and of course, Katie didn't disappoint! This book is awesome!
My favorite thing about a Katie McGarry book? The way she tortures her characters. Seriously, I always think, "How can it get any worse? OMG how are they going to get past this?!" and they do. But wow, Katie puts the characters (and us readers) through the ringer.
If you haven't read Katie yet, what are you waiting for? :)
I am a huge Katie McGarry fan girl and she knows this. Her editor knows it too. In fact, I shamelessly asked for an early read of TAKE ME ON and her editor was kind enough to send it to me. I started it right away and of course, Katie didn't disappoint! This book is awesome!
My favorite thing about a Katie McGarry book? The way she tortures her characters. Seriously, I always think, "How can it get any worse? OMG how are they going to get past this?!" and they do. But wow, Katie puts the characters (and us readers) through the ringer.
If you haven't read Katie yet, what are you waiting for? :)
January 15, 2019
4.5 stars!
I liked this book... but I kind of needed more. There was a come and go kind of feeling regarding the action in this book.
I loved West! He was so cute and thoughtful all the time! ❤️ On the other hand, I wanted the fight to be more harsh... it seemed like all that training was for something short. I wanted more details. I wanted a clear win.
Anyway... I don’t want to complain, because the storyline was good. 👍
I liked this book... but I kind of needed more. There was a come and go kind of feeling regarding the action in this book.
I loved West! He was so cute and thoughtful all the time! ❤️ On the other hand, I wanted the fight to be more harsh... it seemed like all that training was for something short. I wanted more details. I wanted a clear win.
Anyway... I don’t want to complain, because the storyline was good. 👍
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