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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Take Me On is the fourth official book in the Pushing The Limits series by Katie McGarry for Harlequin Teen, which is one of my all-time favorites. As with previous books, this focuses on relationships between people from apparently opposite spectrums,which are brought together by a specific event or situation. As it previously happened with Dare You To and Crash Into You, Take Me On also focuses on a specific sport, Mixed Martial Arts.
This book is closely linked to the one before, as it usually happens with the series, since West, the main character, is Rachel's brother from Crash Into You, and these events happen even before the end of that book, for the first time in the series, if I recall correctly, and the events of one lead to the other, in some ways, which in turn creates a really interesting dynamic for this book, and allows for a new perspective into the events of the previous one.
Now, here, West meets Haley, a former kickboxer, by chance one night as she is jumped on her way home, and although they both know they're lying, he takes on a fight against her ex-boyfriend, a trainer MMA amateur fighter, to help protect her family. As training goes by, they get to know each other and become close, while they slowly reveal themselves to each other and to the reader, making this a very emotional journey to follow.
As for the story itself and its characters, it follows the same recipe as the previous books, so it could never fail, but it also feels to me like it gather elements from all previous books. The dark, heavy subjects of Pushing The Limits, the sweet boy who is just my type from Dare You To, and a strong, but also fragile girl from Crash Into You (and Abby, who doesn't look like she's going away anytime soon).
The fact that it is kinda the same but different must have worked in the book's favor, because though I love them all, this has most likely become my favorite in the series so far.
Duly Recommended.
This book is closely linked to the one before, as it usually happens with the series, since West, the main character, is Rachel's brother from Crash Into You, and these events happen even before the end of that book, for the first time in the series, if I recall correctly, and the events of one lead to the other, in some ways, which in turn creates a really interesting dynamic for this book, and allows for a new perspective into the events of the previous one.
Now, here, West meets Haley, a former kickboxer, by chance one night as she is jumped on her way home, and although they both know they're lying, he takes on a fight against her ex-boyfriend, a trainer MMA amateur fighter, to help protect her family. As training goes by, they get to know each other and become close, while they slowly reveal themselves to each other and to the reader, making this a very emotional journey to follow.
As for the story itself and its characters, it follows the same recipe as the previous books, so it could never fail, but it also feels to me like it gather elements from all previous books. The dark, heavy subjects of Pushing The Limits, the sweet boy who is just my type from Dare You To, and a strong, but also fragile girl from Crash Into You (and Abby, who doesn't look like she's going away anytime soon).
The fact that it is kinda the same but different must have worked in the book's favor, because though I love them all, this has most likely become my favorite in the series so far.
Duly Recommended.
I absolutely love this book, I couldn't put it down! West and Haley were such interesting and complex characters to read about. I love how we were able to watch west and Haley change and grow and find themselves. I loved the story behind each of their lives and I love them together. I think I fell in love with west just a little bit though.
slow-paced
Review on my blog: http://aideensbookobsession.blogspot.com/2018/11/take-me-on-by-katie-mcgarry.html?m=1
I don't understand how Katie McGarry does it. Somehow, she recycles the same basic skeleton of a plot--girl and boy reluctantly fall in love, go through a lot of problems, and then have a happily-ever-after--yet manages to make every novella and novel captivating and unique. As always, the character development in Take Me On is no exception: it's incredible yet realistic.
My Deep and Thoughtful Thoughts on Take Me On:
I received Take Me On as an ARC through Netgalley via Harlequin Teen.
I received Take Me On as an ARC through Netgalley via Harlequin Teen.
3.5 stars.
This is my least favorite in the series but I still enjoyed it. I read almost the entire thing in one day. My problem is that I didn't like West very much. When I was starting to change my mind about him, he went and did something that made me dislike him again. I never really felt a connection to the characters and the fighting/kickboxing premise didn't really interest me. I did like how everything worked out in the end, I found myself smiling through the last 40 pages. I'm really excited to read Katie McGarry's new book in her new series!
This is my least favorite in the series but I still enjoyed it. I read almost the entire thing in one day. My problem is that I didn't like West very much. When I was starting to change my mind about him, he went and did something that made me dislike him again. I never really felt a connection to the characters and the fighting/kickboxing premise didn't really interest me. I did like how everything worked out in the end, I found myself smiling through the last 40 pages. I'm really excited to read Katie McGarry's new book in her new series!
Boxing and fighting books aren't really my thing, this for me was a 2.5-3 stars. I like West, and Hailey was ok. Truth is I liked Abby more, and I liked her conversations with West more than his and Hailey's. I'm not sure if me not really being into boxing or fighting books had anything to do with this, but I just didn't really get invested in the characters. West and Hailey had a connection, just like Noah/Echo and Isaiah/Rachel had something connecting them, other than this unexplainable feeling towards one another, yet I couldn't connect with them. Truth is I thought Hailey was kind of boring, kind of like Beth. In my opinion it seems that Katie knows how to write these girls who are quiet and overlooked by those around them but then learn how to speak up. She's not really good at writing women who are already tough just a little rough around the edges, but learn how to trust and lean on someone. Although I must admit Hailey was still better than Beth. Hailey actually didn't change too much, she got the help she needed and learned to trust and relinquish some control. It's just that even though all of that happened, I still found her a little boring, especially when taking into account Abby popping up and being her interesting self, lol. Anyway my opinion may be biased, based on the fact that I'm not a fan of boxing/fighting books like I have stated numerous times already, but if you do want to skip it here's the gist
Spoiler
West, Rachel's older brother feels responsible for her accident, so he never visits her. His father gets frustrated and kicks him out. He meets Hailey while living out of his car. He also runs into Abby and realizes the truth about his sisters bff, and how she's not rich and is actually a drug dealer. This whole time he not only blames himself for Rachel being in the hospital but also blames Isaiah, search me why in my opinion Isaiah is the least responsible for what happened to Rachel. Anyway, he gets into it with Hailey's ex, whom she broke up with because he hit her! And they decide to fight in the cage/ring whatever it's called. Hailey helps him train while at the same time taking on the responsibility of carrying all of her family's problems. BTW she has an uncle who is abusive towards her and no one in the family ever speaks up because he would kick them out of his house. Really! Nice going mom, dad, brother, and cousin who claim to love her, yeah stay quiet cause you guys are afraid of living in the shelter again, so it's better to see the abuse and ignore it!?! Like at least try to protect her, speak up for her, do something! She and West get close, a fake relationship turns real. West on the other hand gets accepted back at his parent's house, and his dad offers him a deal, stop fighting, break up with Hailey and he'll pay for her college tuition, which is another burden Hailey has. West breaks it off, only to then find out that his father isn't his biological father. His mother had an affair, with an ex flame who btw West now works for, during the time that his dead older sister, Colleen, had been at her worst with cancer. West decides to go ahead with the fight, he looses but wins respect cause he completed the fight. Hailey, learns the real reason West broke up with her and gets to the fight in time to help him out a bit, but not enough to make him win, but like I said it's ok cause he won respect. Hailey's grandfather, brother, and cousin now respect West and let him continue trying with them. West's dad, not biological but his dad, comes to support and mend bridges with him. Admits that he always new West wasn't his biologically but that it didn't change the fact that he loves him and that West is his son. He also admits to not being thrilled that West is working for his bio-dad but that he'll accept it and only asks West for the same opportunity of getting to know him that West is giving bio-dad, which I think was actually very sweet and nice. Hailey gets a scholarship and she starts attending therapy. West and Hailey become a real couple, in love with each other. The end.
4.5 Stars
Katie McGarry stole my heart, yet again. Not your typical YA/NA. So much more! Full review to come.
Katie McGarry stole my heart, yet again. Not your typical YA/NA. So much more! Full review to come.