Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

"I dare you..." 

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

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

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

Katie McGarry has the uncanny ability to blow me away. Pushing the Limits was my #1 book for 2012 (see the full list here), and it was killing me that we'd have to wait so freakin' long for Dare You To. Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to receive a copy a little earlier, satisfying my craving. 

This novel is all about the characters, their relationships, and their individual desires, demons, hopes, dreams. 

Beth Risk has a rough life taking care of her alcoholic mom, avoiding her mother's abusive boyfriend, and constantly getting high to avoid the pain her life has brought her. When a crappy set of circumstances causes Beth's uncle, Scott, to gain custody of her, Beth has to give up her old life in exchange for a "fresh start," as Scott puts it, but she's relentless in the belief that she doesn't belong in the perfect little town of Groveton. 

To make matters worse, Ryan, the "cliche" jock with money, popularity, and a shot at the MLB, has his sights set on her. It's all part of a game, but Beth isn't naive, so she makes damn sure that nothing is easy for him.

This girl is sexy, but she's also a handful. If I hadn't accepted the dare, I'd toss her into avoid-like-the-plague territory.

Beth is one of the more complicated characters I've ever read. She's tough, determined, and seemingly unafraid of anything, but really she's overcompensating, doing everything she can to hide what's really going on inside. Truthfully, Beth is vulnerable, untrusting, broken-hearted, and man-o-man does she need a lift in her self esteem. She's been roughed up, both emotionally and physically, so I can't say I blame her for constantly being on the run from anything or anyone that dares to get to close.

The problem with feeling too much is how the hurt consumes every part of me.

Ryan, on the other hand, comes from the other side of the world in Beth's eyes, but he's got his own demons to deal with. On the outside, everything is picturesque ~ perfect family, perfect girlfriend, perfect baseball career, and a perfect promise of the future. Inside, his family is falling apart, his ex-girlfriend is a total witch, and while he loves baseball, he's uncovered a love for writing that he had ignored for the most part. His father is controlling, his mother is annoyingly silent, and he feels as if his brother has abandoned him. All in all, I'd say the mouthy, yet honestly blunt Beth is just what the doctor ordered.

This book kind of reminds me of The Taming of the Shrew. Ryan pursues Beth on a dare, only getting close to her to win, but once he's there, he realizes he's discovered something unique and beautiful underneath all the tongue lashings and black hair. Beth may not allow people to get close to her, but when she does, she's fiercely loyal and gives all she has. Ryan becomes determined to win her heart, not because of a dare but because he needs her in his life.

Screw perfection. This girl is mine.

Their relationship is rocky as hell. They both make mistakes, say the wrong things, and they can butt heads to the point that you hear teeth rattling. But they also make each other see the truth of what they are and who they can be. Screw reputations and, like Ryan said, perfection. Screw the rumors and the images that have been created for them. Ryan realizes that none of it matters; all that matters is how he feels about Beth, and how he believes she feels about him. All that's left to do is convince her that it's true.

Such a beautiful, emotional, and frustrating novel. Not frustrating in a bad way... Just... Beth is always running away from everything and everyone... I'm glad Ryan is there to finally make her see that running doesn't change anything. And I'm glad that Beth is there to make Ryan see that he can make his own choices for his life, despite the path that's been laid out for him.

Katie McGarry is a rockstar. Her stories never fail to make you feel an entire rainbow of emotions. I laughed, cried, hoped, prayed, and hurt with these characters. These are the kind of stories that stay with you ~ the ones that you can relate to, the characters you can understand and feel for. McGarry has mastered the art of sucking in her readers, and I can't wait for more of the incredible way she weaves her stories.

5/5 Stars!!

*****

Favorite Quotes 

"Sometimes you agitate me to the brink of insanity, but you can throw it back at me like no one else. When you laugh, I want to laugh. When you smile, I want to smile. Hell, I want to be the one to make you smile."

No, I'm not kittens and bunnies, but I'm not that bad.

It must be a male thing to talk about playing with balls. 

This overwhelming, encompassing feeling is love. It's not perfect and it's messy as hell. 

I see the judgement in their eyes. The amusement. The pity. Damn hypocrites. 

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Tuesday Prelude

Tuesday Prelude is a meme inspired by Should Be Reading's Teaser Tuesday. Since I could never stick to just a couple of lines, I decided to amp up this post by introducing you to a more in-depth look into my current read or a novel I just recently finished.

This week, I'm diving into Dare You To by Katie McGarry:

Beth Risk likes to think she doesn't need anybody's help or sympathy. She trusts no one but herself, and maybe her best friend Isaiah, and she puts off a vibe that feels like she's constantly flipping you off. She doesn't care what people think as she doesn't like any of them much to begin with.

I see the judgment in their eyes. The amusement. The pity. Damn hypocrites.

Beth is always on the defense, always trying to pick a fight to keep people from getting to close to her.

Noah told me once that I have a gift that borders on supervillain status - the ability to push people past the edge of sanity.

Then she meets Ryan, a guy who accidentally gets a glimpse of the girl behind the dark mask. She takes every chance she gets in order to grate his nerves and make him hate her, but he just allows her temper to roll off him.

"When you kiss guys, do they drop dead from the venom that spews out of your mouth?"

She's a little scary and unlike any girl he's ever met.

Beth's lips twist into that evil smirk. What the hell did I walk myself into? 

Dude, you had to know with all those tongue lashings she gave you. Beth doesn't take crap from anyone, least of all Ryan, but it's a quality that seems to get his attention.

"Even the devil knows who God is."
"You're not the devil, Beth."
"Are you sure?"
That sweet smile graces his lips.
"No."

Review coming soon!!!


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

How do I even begin to describe how I felt about this book? I've been lucky lately in my reading choices, but this book...blew me away..

Noah and Echo have been through Hell and back, losing the people they love and fighting to survive the impossible obstacles life seems to be handing out in unfair proportions. They come from completely different "social circles" {which makes me remember why I hated high school}, but find themselves pushed in each other's paths at every turn. They've both been torn to pieces by life, so the understanding each has for the other makes it easy for them to become friends...and well..I'm sure you can guess the rest ;).

The writing style is witty, hilarious, heartbreaking, and almost philosophical at times with Echo's and Noah's thoughts always going to that deeper level that most teenagers are lucky enough to avoid. My favorite aspect was how the author did two different points of view, perfectly executed. Each chapter was either from Echo's or Noah's mind, and it was so completely awesome to get to know each of these characters on an intimate level. Their voices are so distinctly different and seeing the same situation from two different perspectives was refreshing. 

Noah, Noah, Noah. Oh, how I adored Noah. {so much so that I did a blurb about him here..} He is the perfect mix of sweetness and rebellion with a distinct voice that's difficult to ignore. He grabs your attention with his 'crude' {according to Echo} language, makes you laugh with his mischievous sarcasm, and gets you weeping with how deeply he feels. He makes a lot of mistakes and is blinded by his emotions, but he always {well mostly always (;} has the best of intentions. Noah is the guy that looks beyond surfaces to find the beauty that is truly there ~ how can you not just fall in love with him?

Echo, I think, has been through more pain than any person should have to endure. She's been betrayed by those she trusts most and has issues believing that anyone does or could love her. Her friends are jokes {excepting Lila, who grew on me} and her pops is this control freak who has a hesitancy in telling Echo he loves her because of his own guilt. At first, I was annoyed with Echo as she was constantly worried about what others thought, especially in the 'social world' of her high school. She even dates this completely obnoxious jock because her "friends" think it will get her social status back up to par. NO thanks. But Echo is insecure at that point, and as she grows on her own {and with a little of Noah's help}, she realizes what truly matters to her.

I love how the characters stand on their own ~ the story isn't entirely revolved around their relationship but how they grow as individuals as well. The attraction is obviously there, but the relationship is slow and sweet, and good-ness can they break your heart. The dozens of different emotions we experience from both sides, both in regards to their relationship and their dramatic lives, is almost overwhelming at times. There is so much pain that they keep bottled up, but there's also so much hope. I keep talking about drama and pain, but there's an abundance of love and understanding in this novel as well. You can't have one without the other. This story comes to life; it's so tangible that you can't help but become completely absorbed to the point that you feel as if you are a part of it.

This story of struggle, growth, forgiveness, compassion, and standing up for who you really are is seriously the best book I've read in 2012 thus far.

It's beautiful, scars and all.

Visit Katie McGarry via

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Website

Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Teaser Tuesday

So this is still Should Be Reading's Teaser Tuesday, but I'm gunna add some more tidbits and make it my own. You might meet characters, get enveloped in the fabulous world of an author's mind, or get a little taste of the history involved in a particular story ~ any which way, you'll get a deeper look at the innards of a wonderful book, and hopefully, if my plan works, you'll be thirstin' for more ;).

::my teaser(s) comes from::

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I want everyone to meet Echo Emerson, the heroine of Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits. She's been broken into a million pieces by someone she was supposed to be able to trust with her life, but she's resilient, a tough survivor who discovers, and forces, the freedom to make her own choices (with a little influence from the rebellious Noah Hutchins ~ you can meet him here). I admire her, even in her weak moments, because her strength always overcomes everything in the end. She finds what she wants and ultimately who she really is, and finally, finally, stands up for it. She's honorable and has a desperate need to fill the gaping hole in her heart, but aside from the seriousness, she's funny, sarcastic, and isn't afraid to dish it out when Noah gives her a hard time. I just love her :). 

Here are a few "teasers" from Echo's POV:

"Trust. Why not ask me to do something easier, like prove the existence of God? Even God had given up on me. 'I've already lost a piece of my mind. I can't trust you with what's left.'"

"Nothing increased your confidence level like being insulted by a stoner."

"He'd shared his hamburger with me and made me laugh. Not polite laugh. Not fake laugh. Like laugh so loud people stare at you. Spit-out-your-milk-through-your-nose laugh."

"Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls."

"'Are you ready to take the ACT on Saturday?' my father asked.
Did chickens enjoy being put on trucks labeled KFC? 'Sure.'"

"A cold wind swept across the patio, causing me to shiver. Noah shrugged off his black leather jacket and tossed it around my shoulders. "How are you going to tutor me if you get fucking pneumonia?" I cocked an eyebrow. What an odd combination of romantic gesture and horribly crude wording."

AND one of my favorites ~ 

"He flashed his wicked grin and lowered his voice. 'Mrs. Frost always runs late. I could kiss you now and give the crowd what they're looking for.' That would be an awesome way to start class. I licked my lips and whispered, 'You are going to get me in so much trouble.' 'Damn straight.' Noah caressed my cheek before heading to his seat in the back."

Also, I came across this song that completely and totally reminds me of Echo, from start to finish. Her need to find out the truth, to be more than the scars she bears, the anger she feels.. it touches on everything... It's called Only a Memory by Icon for Hire. Totally eerie when I first heard it while reading this book... Gave me chills.. Check it out..

Can't not read this book? 

Review coming soon!!!

Happy Reading Everyone :)
~ Keely ~

Oh, how I wish....

Noah Hutchins (from Katy McGarry's Pushing the Limits) truly existed in an adult male form... This guy can seriously get the blood flowin'.. what is it about damaged bad-boys that is so freakin' attractive? It's kinda twisted, but it's true.. Maybe it's because they feel so much more deeply, have reached a maturity level that surpasses all others, and have this uncanny ability to understand even the worst of situations. In theory, anyway... Oh, and he's got tattoos... Maybe that's it... ;) 

Yup, totally how I picture this crazy, determined guy with loads of pent up memories. He's got this confidence he carries as if it's an accessory, taking it off and carefully placing it back on, because beneath the hard-ass, sometimes crude, persona he puts off, the guy is stocked full of hope and doubt. 

I love the reactions Echo gets out of him. Totally unexpected, but she's just as damaged as he is, so I guess he sees a similar, tattered soul in her. Someone who understands and wouldn't ever judge. Completely heart-wrenching but sweet and hopeful at the same time. Sometimes words just aren't enough to describe the type of emotions brought out in this book so far. (Nope, not done yet ~ just lovin' it so much I had to gush a bit.)

Here's some excerpts from Noah's point-of-view: 

"Sometimes when you see the line, you think it's a good idea to cross it -- until you do."

"My fist closed and I kept my hand under the table to prevent myself from pounding the wall like I wanted. Keesha would love more leverage to prove my instability."

"She plagued me for several reasons....I took the last hit and held the smoke until my nostrils and lungs burned. And then there were the reasons that confused me."

"Shit, what if she did trust me? What would I do with it?"

"If I'd had the thinnest chance at normal again, I would have burned the damn jacket. I was sure she wanted her brother back as much as I wanted mine. To have a home again, and parents, and dammit. Normal."

"'Noah?' 'Yeah?' 'I'm kind of done hugging you.' Reluctantly, I let go. One shot. One fucking shot. What the hell do I do now? What the hell do I want? Echo."

"I don't know. The truth stuck in my throat. I wanted to tell her that she'd be more, but I couldn't. I didn't do attachments and here was this amazing creature, asking me for one."

"When I said nothing, the best thing that happened to me in three years left. Damn, I was an idiot."

Okay, maybe I went a little overboard, but I don't think you're complaining. :) 

How can you resist reading this book after all that? The trailer is a little "eh", but I love the way it's described, so here it is anyway for ya :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~