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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
*4.5*
I was actually pleasantly surprised. This book wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm so excited to get to Dare You To!
I was actually pleasantly surprised. This book wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm so excited to get to Dare You To!
3.5 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book. It took me far too long to read (over a month) I was in and out of the mood for it and I think some places just hit too close to home so it was hard to read at times. Sometimes the main characters annoyed me, but they were going through a lot so I can forgive them. I liked that the author dealt with real hard issues that some people have to go through and also liked that we got both Echo & Noah's perspectives. I am looking forward to one day continuing on with the series!
Overall I enjoyed this book. It took me far too long to read (over a month) I was in and out of the mood for it and I think some places just hit too close to home so it was hard to read at times. Sometimes the main characters annoyed me, but they were going through a lot so I can forgive them. I liked that the author dealt with real hard issues that some people have to go through and also liked that we got both Echo & Noah's perspectives. I am looking forward to one day continuing on with the series!
Five years ago I read this book and it instantly became an all time favourite. While I've read the other books in this series I haven't come back to reread the book, until now and it was one crazy emotional rollercoaster.
Back 5 years ago this book saved my life while I was suffering with Depression and was considering suicide. It came into my life in a time of need and it has done this job again. At the moment in time I'm suffering a lot. Sure I'm on medication but that doesn't stop the feelings I've harboured for years. This book opened me up emotionally and I realised what I need to do to truly help myself move forward. So thank you, Katie McGarry for writing a book that's not just saved my life once, but for a second time.
Back 5 years ago this book saved my life while I was suffering with Depression and was considering suicide. It came into my life in a time of need and it has done this job again. At the moment in time I'm suffering a lot. Sure I'm on medication but that doesn't stop the feelings I've harboured for years. This book opened me up emotionally and I realised what I need to do to truly help myself move forward. So thank you, Katie McGarry for writing a book that's not just saved my life once, but for a second time.
To, co dla jednych może stanowić wadę, dla innych zaletę, to podobieństwo Przekroczyć Granicę do Morza Spokoju Katji Milley. Schemat rzeczywiście jest niemal identyczny, jednak ja do tej drugiej mam wyjątkowy sentyment, gdyż była to pierwsza powieść z gatunku new adult, po jaką sięgnęłam. Powieść Katie jest bez wątpienia historią wzruszającą, chociaż niedoprowadzającą do łez. Najważniejsze jednak, by nie patrzeć na nią przez pryzmat romansu, bo wtedy nie wyróżnia się niczym znaczącym na tle innych książek tego typu. To naprawdę dobrze skonstruowany kawałek literatury, przez który ktoś taki jak ja, zaczął inaczej spoglądać na swoich najbliższych. Mam cichą nadzieję, że w Polsce zostaną wydane pozostałe książki jej autorstwa.
Całość: http://bit.ly/2b1DO4L
Vlog: http://bit.ly/2b1Dh2S
I want to thank Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy of this book at BEA to read and review. I had heard such great things about this series, but I was not sure if I wanted to start it as I've had no luck with contemporary YA reads for a very long time. I'm so glad I picked this one up! Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my opinion or review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
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
As I said, my track record with contemporary reads as of late has not been good. I've read so many and haven't been able to give any of them above a 3. So I went into this tentatively with the hope that I would at least like it and it would hold my interest I am SO glad I did! This book was fabulous! I really got drawn into Echo and Noah's story and was routing for their love though out!
I love this cover. Not only do I love this cover, but I love that you can take off the dust jacket and it is printed right on the actual book. It's GORGEOUS! I have never seen a book like this before. It makes me just want to touch it!
What can I say about the characters in this book except that I love them. McGarry does such a great job with developing them and making them so realistic that you just can't help but be drawn in by them!
Echo, she's an interesting girl. She has her secrets, secrets she doesn't even know because she doesn't remember what they are! She is so complicated. You want her to remember, but at the same time you know it will cause her pain. And she seems to be going through so much pain already you really don't want her to experience it! So she keeps to herself, although she does have a few friends, and doesn't let anyone in. That is until she begins to interact with Noah, and is completely dean to him. But her damage prevents her from opening up to him and letting him in for the most part, despite the fact that he wants to know her and what she's about. I was able to completely connect with her and understand her actions.
Noah, well he's the good boy gone bad. Also plagued by a tragic past, he allows himself to be seen as this bad boy who does what he wants when he wants without thinking how the consequences will effect others. But he's broken and really his motive is just to mend his wounds by making sure what he has left of his family is ok. He's fiercely protective and this lends to his charm that draws him to echo. He wants to protect her and understand her. His intentions for both his brothers and Echo are pure, even if a bit misguided.
And the secondary characters are just awesome. I love Isaiah and Beth, even though I don't get much from them. And it would be nice to know more about Echo's friends.
The plot moves along swiftly. There are no slow spots. No spots where I wanted to put the book down or where I rolled my eyes. Did I think sometimes Echo and Noah's reactions were over the top, maybe a bit. But given their tragic pasts, I can understand how they might react at they do. I'm still not sure this would necessarily happen in real life. I haven't been a teen for a very long time so what do I know of from their reactions? I know they can be very over the top at times, so such reactions would not surprise me. And we see some major growth and development from both characters throughout the book, which lends to their likability. They become stronger and more resilient as the book progresses and this makes you want to see their story through more and more.
As for McGarry's writing, well, it's really quite phenomenal. There are no information dumps, things are slowly revealed as you need to know them. She unfolds the story in such a way as to keep you interested and totally curious as to where the characters will end up. I enjoyed watching McGarry show Noah and Echo grow and change and realize they have control over their destinies if only they take the reigns. I love that McGarry chose to give us both Noah and Echo's POVs. It was nice to watch them interact that way and really demonstrated how important it is to see each character through more than one set of eyes!
Overall I truly loved this read. Why the 4 stores, because despite being able to relate to the characters, I did find there was something missing with them, though I can't put my finger on it. Would I recommend this book, absolutely. Would I read other books by this author, no doubt in my mind. McGarry has certainly opened my eyes to what a great contemporary YA read can actually look like!
Blurb from Goodreads:
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
As I said, my track record with contemporary reads as of late has not been good. I've read so many and haven't been able to give any of them above a 3. So I went into this tentatively with the hope that I would at least like it and it would hold my interest I am SO glad I did! This book was fabulous! I really got drawn into Echo and Noah's story and was routing for their love though out!
I love this cover. Not only do I love this cover, but I love that you can take off the dust jacket and it is printed right on the actual book. It's GORGEOUS! I have never seen a book like this before. It makes me just want to touch it!
What can I say about the characters in this book except that I love them. McGarry does such a great job with developing them and making them so realistic that you just can't help but be drawn in by them!
Echo, she's an interesting girl. She has her secrets, secrets she doesn't even know because she doesn't remember what they are! She is so complicated. You want her to remember, but at the same time you know it will cause her pain. And she seems to be going through so much pain already you really don't want her to experience it! So she keeps to herself, although she does have a few friends, and doesn't let anyone in. That is until she begins to interact with Noah, and is completely dean to him. But her damage prevents her from opening up to him and letting him in for the most part, despite the fact that he wants to know her and what she's about. I was able to completely connect with her and understand her actions.
Noah, well he's the good boy gone bad. Also plagued by a tragic past, he allows himself to be seen as this bad boy who does what he wants when he wants without thinking how the consequences will effect others. But he's broken and really his motive is just to mend his wounds by making sure what he has left of his family is ok. He's fiercely protective and this lends to his charm that draws him to echo. He wants to protect her and understand her. His intentions for both his brothers and Echo are pure, even if a bit misguided.
And the secondary characters are just awesome. I love Isaiah and Beth, even though I don't get much from them. And it would be nice to know more about Echo's friends.
The plot moves along swiftly. There are no slow spots. No spots where I wanted to put the book down or where I rolled my eyes. Did I think sometimes Echo and Noah's reactions were over the top, maybe a bit. But given their tragic pasts, I can understand how they might react at they do. I'm still not sure this would necessarily happen in real life. I haven't been a teen for a very long time so what do I know of from their reactions? I know they can be very over the top at times, so such reactions would not surprise me. And we see some major growth and development from both characters throughout the book, which lends to their likability. They become stronger and more resilient as the book progresses and this makes you want to see their story through more and more.
As for McGarry's writing, well, it's really quite phenomenal. There are no information dumps, things are slowly revealed as you need to know them. She unfolds the story in such a way as to keep you interested and totally curious as to where the characters will end up. I enjoyed watching McGarry show Noah and Echo grow and change and realize they have control over their destinies if only they take the reigns. I love that McGarry chose to give us both Noah and Echo's POVs. It was nice to watch them interact that way and really demonstrated how important it is to see each character through more than one set of eyes!
Overall I truly loved this read. Why the 4 stores, because despite being able to relate to the characters, I did find there was something missing with them, though I can't put my finger on it. Would I recommend this book, absolutely. Would I read other books by this author, no doubt in my mind. McGarry has certainly opened my eyes to what a great contemporary YA read can actually look like!
Altre recensioni su: http://lamagiadietroleparole.blogspot.it/
Questo pomeriggio ho finito "Oltre I Limiti" per la seconda volta, e esattamente com'era successo quando l'avevo letto ... l'ho amato oltre ogni dire,
Mi ricordo che l'anno scorso leggendo la trama non mi aveva attratta più di tanto come libro ma poi non so bene com'è successo e mi sono ritrovata a leggerlo.
Ed è stata una delle letture più belle di quest'anno. Poco ma sicuro.
La storia di Noah e Echo mi ha conquistata da subito e mi ha fatto emozionare dalla prima pagina all'ultima.
Questi due personaggi sono così complessi e distrutti che non ho potuto fare a meno di innamorarmene. Le loro storie sono incredibili; Echo che non ricorda la notte che le ha rovinato la vita e Noah che invece la ricorda più che bene e che deve farci i conti continuamente.
E poi ... i loro due mondi collidono nello spazio di un giorno grazie a una psicologa che ha deciso di aiutarli a mettere fine ai loro inferni personali. ( Ho adorato Mrs. Collins praticamente dall'inizio alla fine. Sopratutto quando interagisce con Noah. :D)
Da subito i due non si sopportano; vengono da due mondi totalmente diversi. Lei è la figlia di un uomo d'affari benestante, non ha mai dovuto faticare per nulla e fino a due anni prima era una delle ragazze più popolari della scuola e aveva la vita perfetta
Lui è il classico cattivo ragazzo con la giacca di pelle, i tatuaggi, un gruppo di amici un po' inquietanti e le serate a farsi canne con gli amici.
Tutti e due però sono accomunati da una ricerca continua di una normalità a lungo e entrambi hanno i loro demoni e scopriranno che l'unico modo per affrontarli è insieme.
Oltre alla trama a dir poco strepitosa, il vero punto forte di questo libro sono i personaggi.
Echo e Noah mi hanno totalmente risucchiata nei loro mondi ... Ho provato ogni loro singola emozione, ho superato battaglie che credevamo insuperabili e alla fine pianto e gioito insieme a loro.
Entrambi per di più sono estremamente sarcastici, testardi, passionali e forti (anche quando credono di non esserlo.)
Però non sono stati solo i protagonisti a conquistarmi ma anche tutti gli altri personaggi, in particolare gli amici di Noah.
Mi sono affezionata tantissimo a Isaiah e Beth, i due migliori amici del nostro bel tenebroso. Adoro come interagiscono tutti e tre insieme e non so quante volte mi hanno fatto scoppiare a ridere. (Non vedo l'ora di leggere i libri dedicati a loro due <3)
Ho un'idea meno chiara invece di Lila, la migliore amica di Echo ... anche su di lei però c'è un libro e probabilmente leggerò anche quello.
Katie McGarry inoltre trovo sia un'autrice molto abile, ha saputo trasmettere emozioni attraverso le sue parole in modo chiaro e diretto, e l'alternanza tra Noah e Echo nella narrazione mi è piaciuta moltissimo, sopratutto perché mi ha permesso di vedere il loro mondo attraverso i loro occhi e sopratutto di affrontare i loro demoni interiori con loro.
Infine una menzione speciale deve andare per forza alla storia d'amore tra i due protagonisti che ho sinceramente adorato; è estremamente reale e il modo in cui i due si capiscono al volo mi ha lasciato senza respiro.
Veramente un libro stupendo!
5 stelline del tutto meritate <3
Xoxo Marty.
Questo pomeriggio ho finito "Oltre I Limiti" per la seconda volta, e esattamente com'era successo quando l'avevo letto ... l'ho amato oltre ogni dire,
Mi ricordo che l'anno scorso leggendo la trama non mi aveva attratta più di tanto come libro ma poi non so bene com'è successo e mi sono ritrovata a leggerlo.
Ed è stata una delle letture più belle di quest'anno. Poco ma sicuro.
La storia di Noah e Echo mi ha conquistata da subito e mi ha fatto emozionare dalla prima pagina all'ultima.
Questi due personaggi sono così complessi e distrutti che non ho potuto fare a meno di innamorarmene. Le loro storie sono incredibili; Echo che non ricorda la notte che le ha rovinato la vita e Noah che invece la ricorda più che bene e che deve farci i conti continuamente.
E poi ... i loro due mondi collidono nello spazio di un giorno grazie a una psicologa che ha deciso di aiutarli a mettere fine ai loro inferni personali. ( Ho adorato Mrs. Collins praticamente dall'inizio alla fine. Sopratutto quando interagisce con Noah. :D)
Da subito i due non si sopportano; vengono da due mondi totalmente diversi. Lei è la figlia di un uomo d'affari benestante, non ha mai dovuto faticare per nulla e fino a due anni prima era una delle ragazze più popolari della scuola e aveva la vita perfetta
Lui è il classico cattivo ragazzo con la giacca di pelle, i tatuaggi, un gruppo di amici un po' inquietanti e le serate a farsi canne con gli amici.
Tutti e due però sono accomunati da una ricerca continua di una normalità a lungo e entrambi hanno i loro demoni e scopriranno che l'unico modo per affrontarli è insieme.
Oltre alla trama a dir poco strepitosa, il vero punto forte di questo libro sono i personaggi.
Echo e Noah mi hanno totalmente risucchiata nei loro mondi ... Ho provato ogni loro singola emozione, ho superato battaglie che credevamo insuperabili e alla fine pianto e gioito insieme a loro.
Entrambi per di più sono estremamente sarcastici, testardi, passionali e forti (anche quando credono di non esserlo.)
Però non sono stati solo i protagonisti a conquistarmi ma anche tutti gli altri personaggi, in particolare gli amici di Noah.
Mi sono affezionata tantissimo a Isaiah e Beth, i due migliori amici del nostro bel tenebroso. Adoro come interagiscono tutti e tre insieme e non so quante volte mi hanno fatto scoppiare a ridere. (Non vedo l'ora di leggere i libri dedicati a loro due <3)
Ho un'idea meno chiara invece di Lila, la migliore amica di Echo ... anche su di lei però c'è un libro e probabilmente leggerò anche quello.
Katie McGarry inoltre trovo sia un'autrice molto abile, ha saputo trasmettere emozioni attraverso le sue parole in modo chiaro e diretto, e l'alternanza tra Noah e Echo nella narrazione mi è piaciuta moltissimo, sopratutto perché mi ha permesso di vedere il loro mondo attraverso i loro occhi e sopratutto di affrontare i loro demoni interiori con loro.
Infine una menzione speciale deve andare per forza alla storia d'amore tra i due protagonisti che ho sinceramente adorato; è estremamente reale e il modo in cui i due si capiscono al volo mi ha lasciato senza respiro.
Veramente un libro stupendo!
5 stelline del tutto meritate <3
Xoxo Marty.
This book was just absolutely marvelous. The romance was swoon-worthy and beautiful. The characters were real and flawed. The side characters weren't 2-D, they were just as round as Echo and Noah.
The Characters:
I can't say this enough, I LOVE Echo and Noah separately, and together the ship is unstoppable. Both have issues that seem impossible to overcome and how Katie McGary writes this story is just amazing. The ending isn't perfect, because life isn't perfect. You see so many different perspectives on the same story, it's not just how Echo and Noah can have a happy ending, it's how everyone in this story can be at some sort of peace. Echo Emerson is scarred mentally and physically. With a few permanent scars of when her mother attacked her, she is constantly reminded by a day that she doesn't even remember. Echo went from popular girl, to scarred freak, and is slowly trying to get her life together again. And let's not forget the fact that she has to deal with her dad who won't let her do the one thing she loves, and a step-mom who used to be her babysitter.
Noah Hutchins... (enter swoon here)
(Swoon has been entered)
Noah is one of the sweetest bad boys I have ever met. He might curse, he might use girls, he might do drugs, but he has the heart of an angel. (As you can tell, he's bae) He's been thrown through the foster care system and have seen it at its worse. Noah is fighting for the custody of his two younger brothers who are living with a foster family. And when Noah suspects that something isn't right with this family, he is willing to do anything to find out.
"And how do these different characters with these different backstories end up together?" You might ask. They meet through therapy and bond through tutoring.
But to be honest, I love how Ms. McGary makes it known that therapy can actually be helpful, that it's okay to trust and to love. And she shows how to treat a woman correctly. In some stories, the guy orders the girl around and treats her however, but that's not how Noah treats Echo, and I think that's what made this book so precious to me. Even though Noah is the "bad boy" in this story, he respects Echo *wiggles eyebrows in a suggestive manner*, and truly, absolutely loves her. I think I was sold by Page 1, and fell in love by Page 14.
The Characters:
I can't say this enough, I LOVE Echo and Noah separately, and together the ship is unstoppable. Both have issues that seem impossible to overcome and how Katie McGary writes this story is just amazing. The ending isn't perfect, because life isn't perfect. You see so many different perspectives on the same story, it's not just how Echo and Noah can have a happy ending, it's how everyone in this story can be at some sort of peace. Echo Emerson is scarred mentally and physically. With a few permanent scars of when her mother attacked her, she is constantly reminded by a day that she doesn't even remember. Echo went from popular girl, to scarred freak, and is slowly trying to get her life together again. And let's not forget the fact that she has to deal with her dad who won't let her do the one thing she loves, and a step-mom who used to be her babysitter.
Noah Hutchins... (enter swoon here)
(Swoon has been entered)
Noah is one of the sweetest bad boys I have ever met. He might curse, he might use girls, he might do drugs, but he has the heart of an angel. (As you can tell, he's bae) He's been thrown through the foster care system and have seen it at its worse. Noah is fighting for the custody of his two younger brothers who are living with a foster family. And when Noah suspects that something isn't right with this family, he is willing to do anything to find out.
"And how do these different characters with these different backstories end up together?" You might ask. They meet through therapy and bond through tutoring.
But to be honest, I love how Ms. McGary makes it known that therapy can actually be helpful, that it's okay to trust and to love. And she shows how to treat a woman correctly. In some stories, the guy orders the girl around and treats her however, but that's not how Noah treats Echo, and I think that's what made this book so precious to me. Even though Noah is the "bad boy" in this story, he respects Echo *wiggles eyebrows in a suggestive manner*, and truly, absolutely loves her. I think I was sold by Page 1, and fell in love by Page 14.
This was pretty cute. Tropes galore, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. A lot more interesting then similar genres. I can see why this has been requested so much. Cute, fluffy and over dramatic. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.Good one to booktalk/recommend for people wanting romance with lots of Real Life Problems (like foster families, dead brothers, amnesia, babysitters becoming stepmothers, etc)
I thought it wasn't ever going to end. Pheww..I'm done. When I started this book, I knew it had nothing original to dish out. Same old, girl too smart, with a messed up life/past/troubles meets a dark, brooding, hot bad-boy who makes her go oooolalala while her brain screams, "Stay away" with his own issues; cue some cliché music, and ta-da guy's a goner, first time falling for someone after being a one-night-stand kinda guy and girl has her trust issues but obviously falls in love with his caring, considerate, ahemm passionate concern. I don't know why I expected to be impressed. Maybe 'cause I had great time reading some light novels with emotional drama like Perfect Chemistry, Easy and such... Who knew I would be annoyed by the romance part of the novel that actually adds up spice to the otherwise monotonous stories?
The only problem that I had with the story was with Echo and Noah's romance. To be honest, even their characters seemed to be too unoriginal for me to like. Echo is a whiny, uptight teenager with authority issues and no back-bone whatsoever. She loathes her step-mother who used to be her babysitter and blames her dad for ruining their family after her brother died and her mother lost her marbles. She lacked self-confidence and tried too hard to please others. I was unimpressed. Okay, she had gone through some serious damage because of her mother and that reflected on her personality but frankly, her pity-card got old real fast. She had friends that treated her as shit. Lila, her best friend was better than the rest but even she didn't deserve to be called a best friend. All her friends wanted her to pretend that she was okay when she clearly wasn't and she let them. It didn't sit well with me and it took too long for her to realize that she had to please no one else other than herself. Besides, she let everyone push her; be it her father, her ex-boyfriend or Noah. Her father was a control freak, her ex-boyfriend a hormonal teenager whose dick guided his actions and Noah, well, pushy. There was this one scene, where Echo's playing pool with Noah,which btw was really hot, a girl playing pool? mmm..me likey and Noah just pushes himself into her personal space. Okay, yeah, there was a lot of sexual tension so she allowed herself to let him tower over her but seriously? You're with a guy you hardly know and you're allowing him to push you in a corner only 'cause he's hot and giving you the butterflies? No. You don't. You bash his teeth in, umm..maybe that's too violent but you don't let him crowd you. This is what young girls don't understand. You never know if the guy is actually a psycho behind that entire pretty facade.
Anyways, speaking of Noah, I think the author tried too hard to make him look like a bad boy in the beginning. Really, unnecessary use of the word "fuck" doesn't make anyone wicked or bad. If it does, then I sure as hell am the most bad-ass chic you'll come across. *flips hair* Gah! My distractions never end. Noah is a pretty decent guy. He smokes pot and that's cool. What's the big deal if he isn't bashing someone's head while he's high or isn't damaging public property or isn't doing it intentionally to kill himself? He's the stereotypical guy talking about ass and big tits in the beginning and skipping classes, flipping a big flying bird to the authority. He's messed up too because of being thrown from one foster care to another and not being able to keep a watch over his brothers. The story was going somewhere with these two somehow helping each other in moving on. Buuuut...what ruined it was Noah and his nymph *hint* Echo. Noah and his smiling siren every freaking time he breathed the same air as his nymph gave me a head-ache. There was this instant attraction towards her after he realized that she had a messed up past just like his. Yeah, you connected, understood each other, and this is what you call infatuation. In the early stages of a relationship, it's obvious that both parties won't be able to get their hands off each other and keep thinking about their happily ever after but it was too much from Noah's side. I mean, his monologue, and all the talks that started or ended with "baby", "siren", "nymph", "temptress" were too much. It only got worse when they decided to break up.
However, there were things that I liked. I liked Noah's love towards his brother. The story was predictable from the beginning but it was still good to see how he realized what he could and couldn't do for his brothers. The parent's card always works on me in any story. Echo's repressed memories and her insecurities made sense. I still don't feel compassion for her, but at least she took charge and made things work in the end. I was mildly annoyed with Noah and Echo's comparison of Mrs. Collins as a Labrador or was it a golden retriever? Anyhoo, I found it rude that they referred to their adorable therapist as a dog and imagined her wagging her tail and stuff.
The character that I truly liked was Isaiah. I didn't like how things were resolved between Echo and her mother but at least that gave her a new insight on other things. Her father made mistakes and so did Ashley and her mother but Echo put the blame on them for far too long. It was selfish, but she realized that, even if it was in the last chapter or so. Even Noah didn't give credit to Carrie and Joe (his brothers' foster parents) for a long time. I understand that their decisions were tough but the story dragged on through it too much. I think the unnecessary break-up of Noah and Echo could've been done without. Also, the school breaking stunt the author pulled out in the end was so useless.
I can't bring myself to rate this book more than 2 stars.
The only problem that I had with the story was with Echo and Noah's romance. To be honest, even their characters seemed to be too unoriginal for me to like. Echo is a whiny, uptight teenager with authority issues and no back-bone whatsoever. She loathes her step-mother who used to be her babysitter and blames her dad for ruining their family after her brother died and her mother lost her marbles. She lacked self-confidence and tried too hard to please others. I was unimpressed. Okay, she had gone through some serious damage because of her mother and that reflected on her personality but frankly, her pity-card got old real fast. She had friends that treated her as shit. Lila, her best friend was better than the rest but even she didn't deserve to be called a best friend. All her friends wanted her to pretend that she was okay when she clearly wasn't and she let them. It didn't sit well with me and it took too long for her to realize that she had to please no one else other than herself. Besides, she let everyone push her; be it her father, her ex-boyfriend or Noah. Her father was a control freak, her ex-boyfriend a hormonal teenager whose dick guided his actions and Noah, well, pushy. There was this one scene, where Echo's playing pool with Noah,
Anyways, speaking of Noah, I think the author tried too hard to make him look like a bad boy in the beginning. Really, unnecessary use of the word "fuck" doesn't make anyone wicked or bad. If it does, then I sure as hell am the most bad-ass chic you'll come across. *flips hair* Gah! My distractions never end. Noah is a pretty decent guy. He smokes pot and that's cool. What's the big deal if he isn't bashing someone's head while he's high or isn't damaging public property or isn't doing it intentionally to kill himself? He's the stereotypical guy talking about ass and big tits in the beginning and skipping classes, flipping a big flying bird to the authority. He's messed up too because of being thrown from one foster care to another and not being able to keep a watch over his brothers. The story was going somewhere with these two somehow helping each other in moving on. Buuuut...what ruined it was Noah and his nymph *hint* Echo. Noah and his smiling siren every freaking time he breathed the same air as his nymph gave me a head-ache. There was this instant attraction towards her after he realized that she had a messed up past just like his. Yeah, you connected, understood each other, and this is what you call infatuation. In the early stages of a relationship, it's obvious that both parties won't be able to get their hands off each other and keep thinking about their happily ever after but it was too much from Noah's side. I mean, his monologue, and all the talks that started or ended with "baby", "siren", "nymph", "temptress" were too much. It only got worse when they decided to break up.
Spoiler
He asks her to freaking marry him!! Are you fucking kidding me? The only consolation was that Echo's reply was a big, fat no.However, there were things that I liked. I liked Noah's love towards his brother. The story was predictable from the beginning but it was still good to see how he realized what he could and couldn't do for his brothers. The parent's card always works on me in any story. Echo's repressed memories and her insecurities made sense. I still don't feel compassion for her, but at least she took charge and made things work in the end. I was mildly annoyed with Noah and Echo's comparison of Mrs. Collins as a Labrador or was it a golden retriever? Anyhoo, I found it rude that they referred to their adorable therapist as a dog and imagined her wagging her tail and stuff.
The character that I truly liked was Isaiah. I didn't like how things were resolved between Echo and her mother but at least that gave her a new insight on other things. Her father made mistakes and so did Ashley and her mother but Echo put the blame on them for far too long. It was selfish, but she realized that, even if it was in the last chapter or so. Even Noah didn't give credit to Carrie and Joe (his brothers' foster parents) for a long time. I understand that their decisions were tough but the story dragged on through it too much. I think the unnecessary break-up of Noah and Echo could've been done without. Also, the school breaking stunt the author pulled out in the end was so useless.
I can't bring myself to rate this book more than 2 stars.