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blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
Since I busted through Pushing the Limits, Take Me On, Crash Into You, AND Walk the Edge in March, this was my last Katie McGarry audiobook left and I've been saving it for a rainy day or a treat for myself.
Since I'm now officially caught up on (almost) all her books, I can say with absolute certainty that these books are better in the order I read them in because, while some spoilers lay in reading them out of order, the foreshadowing for Crash Into You that was in Take Me On made me want to listen to Crash Into You while Crash Into You made me want to read Dare You To because I wanted to find out exactly what happened between Beth and Isaiah.
My dudes, I don't have much else to say at this point, other than that this is one of the best series of romances I've read in a long time (maybe even ever) and they're fun, have god-tier narration, and leave you begging for more McGarry. This was my birthday present to myself and I'm glad I saved it for such an occasion because it was a real treat and it served as an excellent reprieve after I suffered through the Sweet Evil series last week.
Since I'm now officially caught up on (almost) all her books, I can say with absolute certainty that these books are better in the order I read them in because, while some spoilers lay in reading them out of order, the foreshadowing for Crash Into You that was in Take Me On made me want to listen to Crash Into You while Crash Into You made me want to read Dare You To because I wanted to find out exactly what happened between Beth and Isaiah.
My dudes, I don't have much else to say at this point, other than that this is one of the best series of romances I've read in a long time (maybe even ever) and they're fun, have god-tier narration, and leave you begging for more McGarry. This was my birthday present to myself and I'm glad I saved it for such an occasion because it was a real treat and it served as an excellent reprieve after I suffered through the Sweet Evil series last week.
sarkamatty's review against another edition
4.0
Well, not as amazing as Pushing the limits, but from Ptl I knew Beth just as a brash little girl with a fucked up life behind her. I am relly glad, that I could find out about all the bad things, that happened to her. Still, I think, really entertaining book.
nathalyalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
Beth ha tenido que cuidar a su madre desde que no era más que una niña. Y por incidente es obligada a escoger entre la libertad de su madre o su propia libertad. Así es como termina viviendo con su tío Scott en un pueblo donde nadie la quiere, excepto Ryan, el chico perfecto que esta mas interesado en su tío que en ella. Mientras que Ryan es la estrella del equipo de béisbol, el chico perfecto que puede o no puede contarle a nadie. Ni siquiera a los amigos con los que comparte todo, hasta los retos que los llevan a cometer locuras. Pero cuando un reto lo lleva a conocer a Beth, una chica que no cae fácilmente en su juego y por la que probablemente no debería estar interesado.
Katie McGarry es la escritora de uno de los libros que más he recomendado a mis amigas, simplemente porque Pushing The Limits fue un gran libro para mí en aquel momento. Se preguntaran porque me gusta tanto la forma en que escribe. Por la simple y única razón de lo mucho que sentí mientras leía. Soy una adolescente y no hay muchas cosas emocionantes en mi vida, pero mientras lea un libro que me describa todas esas sensaciones me hace experimentarlas a través de las palabras. Y eso fue lo que hice. Cada vez que Beth o Ryan tenían emociones fuertes, yo las sentía con ellos.
Ryan es ese tipo de personaje que puede conquistarme y con el que puedo sentirme identificada fácilmente. Mientras que Beth era un tanto mas confusa, testaruda y difícil de entender. Hubo en que momentos en que quise ahorcarla con mis propias manos pero llegue a entender muchas de sus necedades mientras iba leyendo. Ella es un personaje de esos que hay que ir descifrando mientras lees. Ambos personajes me enseñaron en cuanto a la aceptación y la culpabilidad.
Ame este libro, tan simple como eso puede sonar.
andreea27's review against another edition
4.0
Aceasta carte mi s-a parut ceva mai buna decat Pushing the limits. Beth nu imi atrasese cu nimic atentia in prima carte, si trebuie sa recunosc ca eram plina de prejudecati in privinta ei inainte de a incepe sa ii citesc povestea.
Insa ea m-a surprins in mod placut prin personalitatea ei puternica. Am o admiratie pentru cele carora nu le este frica sa fie sincere si directe, chiar daca asta le costa reputatia de "fete cuminti", datorita vocabularului pe care il folosesc sau racelii comentariilor. Nu incearca sa ascunda ceea ce este si nici nu este coplesita de vreun sentiment de rusine pe dinauntru. Beth este ea insasi si asta reuseste sa-l impresioneze pe starul echipei de baseball, Ryan Stone.
In cadrul unei vieti familiale distruse, Beth a cunoscut greutatea responsabilitatilor de la o varsta mult prea frageda. Este intotdeauna insotita de frica. Frica de atasament si de tradare, ceea ce presupune a avea, in prealabil, frica de a se increde in persoanele din jurul sau. Acest lucru ii confera o anumita nota de fragilitate, o slabiciune care denota ca limbajul sau violent si replicile taioase nu sunt decat o metoda de auto-aparare, pentru a ii tine pe ceilalti departe si pentru a-i impiedica sa se apropie.
Insa Ryan reuseste sa distinga aceste franturi care ii dau fragranta de delicatete lui Beth. Cu ajutorul lui, ea risca totul pentru a invata sa aiba incredere.
Cel mai mult mi-a placut evolutia lui Ryan. Lumea lui este aparent perfecta, intrucat el este cel mai bun din echipa de baseball, parintii sai au un mariaj fara cusur in public, iar viitorul ii este deja asigurat. Insa aparitia lui Beth in viata sa il face sa realizeze ca majoritatea deciziilor care urmau sa ii fixeze viitorul nu erau luate de el. Descoperind un talent ascuns pentru scris, acesta trece peste vointa tatalui sau si incepe sa ia in considerare posibilitatea de a urma o facultate, urmand sa decida ceea ce isi doreste mai mult: sa scrie sau sa joace baseball profesional.
Un alt element important al romanului il reprezinta Isaiah. Este greu de descris relatia sa cu Beth, insa mici aluzii au fost presarate si in prima carte din aceasta serie. Pe cei doi ii leaga o prietenie profunda, o dragoste aparent inocenta si familiala. Isaiah a fost intotdeauna un punct de sprijin pentru Beth, intrucat a fost alaturi de ea ori de cate ori aceasta a avut nevoie. Intre ei exista genul de afectiune care nu necesita cuvinte. Momentele de tacere nu erau apasatoare, ci confortabile. Insa totul se ruineaza in momentul in care Isaiah ii declara lui Beth dragostea sa, care nu este cu nimic aproape de prietenie.
Voi astepta cu nerabdare Crash into you, pentru ca Isaiah este un personaj deosebit care merita sa fie iubit si sa gaseasca persoana potrivita. Beth nu ii putea oferi mai mult decat prietenie iar el deja confundase limitele unei afectiuni speciale cu dragostea.
Insa ea m-a surprins in mod placut prin personalitatea ei puternica. Am o admiratie pentru cele carora nu le este frica sa fie sincere si directe, chiar daca asta le costa reputatia de "fete cuminti", datorita vocabularului pe care il folosesc sau racelii comentariilor. Nu incearca sa ascunda ceea ce este si nici nu este coplesita de vreun sentiment de rusine pe dinauntru. Beth este ea insasi si asta reuseste sa-l impresioneze pe starul echipei de baseball, Ryan Stone.
In cadrul unei vieti familiale distruse, Beth a cunoscut greutatea responsabilitatilor de la o varsta mult prea frageda. Este intotdeauna insotita de frica. Frica de atasament si de tradare, ceea ce presupune a avea, in prealabil, frica de a se increde in persoanele din jurul sau. Acest lucru ii confera o anumita nota de fragilitate, o slabiciune care denota ca limbajul sau violent si replicile taioase nu sunt decat o metoda de auto-aparare, pentru a ii tine pe ceilalti departe si pentru a-i impiedica sa se apropie.
Insa Ryan reuseste sa distinga aceste franturi care ii dau fragranta de delicatete lui Beth. Cu ajutorul lui, ea risca totul pentru a invata sa aiba incredere.
Cel mai mult mi-a placut evolutia lui Ryan. Lumea lui este aparent perfecta, intrucat el este cel mai bun din echipa de baseball, parintii sai au un mariaj fara cusur in public, iar viitorul ii este deja asigurat. Insa aparitia lui Beth in viata sa il face sa realizeze ca majoritatea deciziilor care urmau sa ii fixeze viitorul nu erau luate de el. Descoperind un talent ascuns pentru scris, acesta trece peste vointa tatalui sau si incepe sa ia in considerare posibilitatea de a urma o facultate, urmand sa decida ceea ce isi doreste mai mult: sa scrie sau sa joace baseball profesional.
Un alt element important al romanului il reprezinta Isaiah. Este greu de descris relatia sa cu Beth, insa mici aluzii au fost presarate si in prima carte din aceasta serie. Pe cei doi ii leaga o prietenie profunda, o dragoste aparent inocenta si familiala. Isaiah a fost intotdeauna un punct de sprijin pentru Beth, intrucat a fost alaturi de ea ori de cate ori aceasta a avut nevoie. Intre ei exista genul de afectiune care nu necesita cuvinte. Momentele de tacere nu erau apasatoare, ci confortabile. Insa totul se ruineaza in momentul in care Isaiah ii declara lui Beth dragostea sa, care nu este cu nimic aproape de prietenie.
Voi astepta cu nerabdare Crash into you, pentru ca Isaiah este un personaj deosebit care merita sa fie iubit si sa gaseasca persoana potrivita. Beth nu ii putea oferi mai mult decat prietenie iar el deja confundase limitele unei afectiuni speciale cu dragostea.
ida0810's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
I would give this a "7" in a heartbeat.
Second in the Pushing the Limits New Adult romance series with some gritty events and characters. It's based in Groveton, Kentucky.
I received this ARC from the publisher.
My Take
Oh. My. God. Good. It's a story about two young adults who are more mature than their parents that will stay with me for a very long time, and I cannot emphasize enough how excellent this was.
McGarry pulled deep for this, delving into parental pressures of all kinds—primarily those that parents place on their children with a minor look at those placed on parents by their children. Manipulating their children to satisfy their own selfish needs.
Even better, McGarry took her time to develop this story and brought in a nice range of characters to help emphasize the issues, making the most incredibly complete story. It may be a story aimed at Young Adults, but it's a story I recommend to parents as well. If you recognize yourself in this—STOP.
We learn quickly enough that this story is about Ryan and Beth---the superstar jock and the trailer trash girl---and their strengths and fears. Two people I would be proud to call friends, people from whom I could learn. The supporting characters are nicely rounded out with their own issues as people in themselves, who also support what is happening between Ryan and Beth as a couple and as individuals.
I love that Ryan has the maturity to look below the surface and the patience to wait.
The only quibbles I can think of is that I wish McGarry had put a bit more emphasis on Beth's biggest regret about her past, the last battle with Trent seemed gratuitous, and I do wish that McGarry had made the distinctions between chapters more obvious as to whose perspective we were viewing (she switches between Ryan's and Beth's thoughts throughout).
There may be clichés in this, but I haven't noticed them. Instead, McGarry has played this with a tremendous realism. Beth's fears ring true; it doesn't feel contrived simply to create drama or tension. Just as Ryan's anger feels real. It may not make a lot of sense, but he's still reeling from events, from the huge disruption in his life. And he's still just a teenager struggling with emotions and coming to terms with the stupidity of adults.
Oh, wow. I love the advice Scott gives Ryan making baseball his career. Then there's the scene at the end between Ryan and Beth when he asks her why. Oh...so heartrending and honest.
The drama and tension in this are perfect. And enough to make you cry for all the loss. For the lessons that Beth and Ryan, and yes, even Mark, have had to learn. For the pain that forces these lessons on so many people.
I recommend this book very highly, and hope I can get hold of the first in this series, Pushing the Limits, 1.
The Story
It's a dare that brings Beth to Ryan's attention, but it's something under all that camouflage that keeps him interested.
The Characters
Elisabeth Risk is the most loyal person, even when it's unwarranted. When she loves, she loves hard. Isaiah, a.k.a., Tattoo Guy, is Beth's best friend, her refuge from her life, her rock. Noah is their friend as well, and he's with Echo (see Pushing the Limits).
Beth's mother is a drug addict, weak and selfish with a need to get entangled with the wrong kind of guy. Shirley is her mom's enabling sister. Trent is the jerk of a boyfriend currently in mom's life. He's also managed to slip under the police radar in spite of his activities and the beatings he doles out to one and all. Scott Risk is her dad's brother. A successful, and retired, professional ball player who managed to escape his origins. Allison is his very angry wife.
Ryan Stone is in love with baseball and winning. A good thing as his father has ambitions that way. Too bad if Ryan also has a passion for writing. Mark was a loved brother, before he came out with his news. A truth his parents, Miriam and Andrew, with their passion to be the model family, can't handle. Mom loves her charity-luncheon social whirl while Dad owns his own company and is active in local politics.
Chris and the easily bored and very intelligent Logan with his need for that edge are both on the baseball team and best friends with Ryan. Lacy Harper is Chris' girlfriend, and they're very much in love—"Chris reveres her as his own personal religion." Too many years ago, she was also Beth's friend.
Gwen Knoll? Gardner? is Ryan's old girlfriend. She's moved on to greener pastures, but can't resist twisting the knife. She does come by her nastiness honestly—gets it from her mom. Mrs. Rowe is the enthusiastic English teacher. Rob Davis is a scout for the Cincinnati Reds. Pete Carson is a scout with the University of Louisville while his wife, Vickie, is the dean of the English department. It makes for a very lively recruiting session, LOL... Denny is the bartender and owner of The Last Stop, her mother's favorite watering hole.
The Cover
The cover is the only time it feels as if the publisher is purposely jerking at your heartstrings and is a metaphor for the problems that Beth and Ryan have to overcome.
The title involves several levels, beginning with Ryan's overt need to excel, particularly when his friends Dare You To do. Yet it also involves Ryan's need for his brother, and Beth's torn loyalties between her friends, her mother, and Ryan.
Second in the Pushing the Limits New Adult romance series with some gritty events and characters. It's based in Groveton, Kentucky.
I received this ARC from the publisher.
My Take
Oh. My. God. Good. It's a story about two young adults who are more mature than their parents that will stay with me for a very long time, and I cannot emphasize enough how excellent this was.
McGarry pulled deep for this, delving into parental pressures of all kinds—primarily those that parents place on their children with a minor look at those placed on parents by their children. Manipulating their children to satisfy their own selfish needs.
Even better, McGarry took her time to develop this story and brought in a nice range of characters to help emphasize the issues, making the most incredibly complete story. It may be a story aimed at Young Adults, but it's a story I recommend to parents as well. If you recognize yourself in this—STOP.
We learn quickly enough that this story is about Ryan and Beth---the superstar jock and the trailer trash girl---and their strengths and fears. Two people I would be proud to call friends, people from whom I could learn. The supporting characters are nicely rounded out with their own issues as people in themselves, who also support what is happening between Ryan and Beth as a couple and as individuals.
There are sections with Ryan's dad that drive me mad. How dare he! How dare he extort his own son!!? How dare he think Ryan owes him!!!!
I love that Ryan has the maturity to look below the surface and the patience to wait.
A bit of home truth that applies to anyone:
"Why would any girl ask a guy to give up something he loves?"
How can you not cry over: "It's our rain, Beth"?
The only quibbles I can think of is that I wish McGarry had put a bit more emphasis on Beth's biggest regret about her past, the last battle with Trent seemed gratuitous, and I do wish that McGarry had made the distinctions between chapters more obvious as to whose perspective we were viewing (she switches between Ryan's and Beth's thoughts throughout).
There may be clichés in this, but I haven't noticed them. Instead, McGarry has played this with a tremendous realism. Beth's fears ring true; it doesn't feel contrived simply to create drama or tension. Just as Ryan's anger feels real. It may not make a lot of sense, but he's still reeling from events, from the huge disruption in his life. And he's still just a teenager struggling with emotions and coming to terms with the stupidity of adults.
Oh, wow. I love the advice Scott gives Ryan making baseball his career. Then there's the scene at the end between Ryan and Beth when he asks her why. Oh...so heartrending and honest.
The drama and tension in this are perfect. And enough to make you cry for all the loss. For the lessons that Beth and Ryan, and yes, even Mark, have had to learn. For the pain that forces these lessons on so many people.
I recommend this book very highly, and hope I can get hold of the first in this series, Pushing the Limits, 1.
The Story
It's a dare that brings Beth to Ryan's attention, but it's something under all that camouflage that keeps him interested.
The Characters
Elisabeth Risk is the most loyal person, even when it's unwarranted. When she loves, she loves hard. Isaiah, a.k.a., Tattoo Guy, is Beth's best friend, her refuge from her life, her rock. Noah is their friend as well, and he's with Echo (see Pushing the Limits).
Beth's mother is a drug addict, weak and selfish with a need to get entangled with the wrong kind of guy. Shirley is her mom's enabling sister. Trent is the jerk of a boyfriend currently in mom's life. He's also managed to slip under the police radar in spite of his activities and the beatings he doles out to one and all. Scott Risk is her dad's brother. A successful, and retired, professional ball player who managed to escape his origins. Allison is his very angry wife.
Ryan Stone is in love with baseball and winning. A good thing as his father has ambitions that way. Too bad if Ryan also has a passion for writing. Mark was a loved brother, before he came out with his news. A truth his parents, Miriam and Andrew, with their passion to be the model family, can't handle. Mom loves her charity-luncheon social whirl while Dad owns his own company and is active in local politics.
Chris and the easily bored and very intelligent Logan with his need for that edge are both on the baseball team and best friends with Ryan. Lacy Harper is Chris' girlfriend, and they're very much in love—"Chris reveres her as his own personal religion." Too many years ago, she was also Beth's friend.
Gwen Knoll? Gardner? is Ryan's old girlfriend. She's moved on to greener pastures, but can't resist twisting the knife. She does come by her nastiness honestly—gets it from her mom. Mrs. Rowe is the enthusiastic English teacher. Rob Davis is a scout for the Cincinnati Reds. Pete Carson is a scout with the University of Louisville while his wife, Vickie, is the dean of the English department. It makes for a very lively recruiting session, LOL... Denny is the bartender and owner of The Last Stop, her mother's favorite watering hole.
The Cover
The cover is the only time it feels as if the publisher is purposely jerking at your heartstrings and is a metaphor for the problems that Beth and Ryan have to overcome.
The title involves several levels, beginning with Ryan's overt need to excel, particularly when his friends Dare You To do. Yet it also involves Ryan's need for his brother, and Beth's torn loyalties between her friends, her mother, and Ryan.
rachd24's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED book two in this series, was so worried I wouldn't and that the characters' voices would all meld into one and be same-y. Definitely not the case. I stayed up til 2am to finish this, I think that says it all really.
Check out my full review here:
https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/review-dare-you-to/
Check out my full review here:
https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/review-dare-you-to/
ec_newman's review against another edition
5.0
So, I'll write more later but I figured out why I like these books so much. The romance is great, yes but the characters grow. And the angst present is not there just to be angst. It has a purpose and that us what makes McGarry's books so good.
http://youtu.be/KseHXfYSI2Q
http://youtu.be/KseHXfYSI2Q
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Review coming soon. :) Just this: This was a stunning, beautiful book!
magencorrie's review against another edition
4.0
Just amazing! Beth and Ryan's story was a thrill to read!
Can't wait for the next book.
(Review to come later)
Can't wait for the next book.
(Review to come later)