Take Me On

You ever finish a book and realize that, on one hand, you really need to get your thoughts down on paper right away before you explode, but at the same time you feel like you need to collect your thoughts because you are so emotional? That is kind of how I feel right now.

I have read every book in this series thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. I have loved every book in this series. But this one was, by far, the biggest roller coaster right yet.

I really do not know how she does it. The author of this series continuously seems to capture the hardest realities that could exist for a teenager and finds ways to make them beautiful. I am absolutely in awe.

West and Haley meet under the worst possible circumstances and their story is one of show more strife and turmoil and struggle, and yet they endure and they survive.

Throughout this series, I have seen circumstances and situations that are so unbelievably real. The realization that there are teens that really live through things like that is heartbreaking and emotional and it shredded me to my core. And I loved every minute of it.

In this and the other books, the characters are real and human. They are the types of characters that people can connect to. For some, reading through this book will make them face their own demons. For others, it will remind them that no matter how bad you think it is, there is always someone else who has a worse situation. For still others, it will seem unreal, unimaginable, and nothing more than the work of a gifted story teller. For me, it is all of the above. I feel like for having read this book, I am more in touch with the harsh realities of the world in which we live. I am a better person for it.

Thank you, Katie McGarry, for writing books that make me think, make me face reality, and make me strive to create a better world for my children. I will be forever changed. show less

You ever finish a book and realize that, on one hand, you really need to get your thoughts down on paper right away before you explode, but at the same time you feel like you need to collect your thoughts because you are so emotional? That is kind of how I feel right now.

I have read every book in this series thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. I have loved every book in this series. But this one was, by far, the biggest roller coaster right yet.

I really do not know how she does it. The author of this series continuously seems to capture the hardest realities that could exist for a teenager and finds ways to make them beautiful. I am absolutely in awe.

West and Haley meet under the worst possible circumstances and their story is one of show more strife and turmoil and struggle, and yet they endure and they survive.

Throughout this series, I have seen circumstances and situations that are so unbelievably real. The realization that there are teens that really live through things like that is heartbreaking and emotional and it shredded me to my core. And I loved every minute of it.

In this and the other books, the characters are real and human. They are the types of characters that people can connect to. For some, reading through this book will make them face their own demons. For others, it will remind them that no matter how bad you think it is, there is always someone else who has a worse situation. For still others, it will seem unreal, unimaginable, and nothing more than the work of a gifted story teller. For me, it is all of the above. I feel like for having read this book, I am more in touch with the harsh realities of the world in which we live. I am a better person for it.

Thank you, Katie McGarry, for writing books that make me think, make me face reality, and make me strive to create a better world for my children. I will be forever changed. show less

También en: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

¿Este es el final de la serie Pushing the Limits? Goodreads no menciona ningún próximo libro de la serie y cuando le preguntan a Katie solo dice que “ojalá” puede volver a escribir un nuevo libro dentro de la serie. Y, vamos, tiene de donde, con los 3453645757 hermanos de Rachel más uno de los más encantadores personajes secundarios que leí en mucho tiempo, Abby, tiene de dónde sacar libro. Katie, Harlequin Teen, por favor, no me dejen en el aire, hay mucho ahí que quiero saber.

Hubo una cosa muy curiosa con este libro, todo iba bien, me gustaban los personajes, la historia es entretenida, Haley es mega ultra badass, pero luego… Viene la “Revelación” de unos personajes que me show more daban igual pero cambió completamente toda mis sentimientos respecto al libro.

Eso es lo interesante con los libros de Katie McGarry, uno espera leer tan solo la historia cliché, y te lo da en 80% del libro pero es ese 20% que puede hacerte amar más el libro, o en mi caso, hacerme sentir incómoda. Obviamente no puedo decir qué fue lo que pasó porque es una de las revelaciones principales del libro pero si alguien ya lo leyó me gustaría mucho que dijera algo en los comentarios (¡Pero cuidado con el spoiler a los demás, eh!)

Centrándome ahora sí en el libro es que me ha encantado como POR FÍN tenemos una escritora que no romantiza la violencia en una pareja. Sí, sé que me gusta el drama y la angustia con los personajes (sobre todo masculinos, que es básicamente lo común) que llegan a encontrar redención gracias y por la protagonista, luego de que ella sufra y sufra por parte de él. Pero en los últimos meses, veo más y más, como algo “ligero” se volvió un poco aterrador entre algunas lectoras (algunas bastante jóvenes) hablando y amando sobre personajes que ni siquiera yo, con mi amor por la angustia, aceptaría y del cuál huiría con orden de restricción incluida. Gracias Katie por recordarnos que el chico malo no siempre cambia y no siempre tiene un corazón de oro (No todos pueden ser Noah o Isaiah, lamentablemente).

Si hay un nuevo libro (y no me refiero a uno intermedio ¬¬) haciendo matemáticas con los libros de Katie, asumo que tendría como protagonista un Bad Boy sexy, así que no nos sintamos desesperadas, nosotras oh amantes de la redención.

Otro de los puntos que me gustó del libro es el respeto que tiene West por Haley, demostrando que no solo es una cara bonita sino también cerebro ya que conoce, respeta y admira (al menos la mayoría del tiempo :v) que Haley podría derrotarlo a él y unos cuantos más en una pelea.

Algunos giros inesperados, a veces difíciles de asimilar, reencuentros con personajes muy queridos de libros anteriores y una historia que amarán los fans de Katie McGarry

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I wanted to read Take Me On because I have adored everything Katie has written and figured this would be no exception. I got this one from netgalley but not compensated besides free book, and doesn't effect how I review this book.

In West and Haley's story, we hit the ground running, just as Haley almost does when West nearly hits her with his car. This fated meeting shapes the next parts of their lives, sometimes bringing up bad memories, and getting into pasts that they are trying to escape from. We get a peek at how Rachel is doing, get to see Isaiah by her side, we meet again with Abby too, and it makes me so happy. She is one of my favorite side characters and I am still rooting for her to get her own book so we get to know more show more of her life instead of the front she puts on. We got to see inside a bit with Rachel, but still I wanted more. Anywho. I love this world within our world that Katie McGarry has written. Her characters have such depth, and they are flawed. They have very real problems that has shaped how they view others, and how they go about life.

I remember in Crash Into You, I had a lot of issues with Rachel's brothers, and surprise, West is a main character in this one, and I come to terms with what was going on in that handsome little head of his. He carries so much guilt for how he handled the money and even coming to a new view with her panic attacks, and the pressure they all put on her to keep their mom happy. With her so hurt and injured, he won't go and see her because he is convinced that she hates and blames him as well.

West is a fighter, but the heart that is under there really got to me. The relationship with his dad broke my heart and I can see how that sort of shaping will also change how you would relate with your sister. But I adored the way he was with Haley from the beginning. How he respects women even if he shows it in strange ways, and he really did try to help, even when Haley was convinced that he was doing anything but helping when he kept interfering.

They had so much chemistry that it lit up the pages and made me sigh. Their very touches effected the other so much. Which was kind of a miracle with how Haley shut herself down after her failure of a last relationship. She is wary of them too because of the naive choices she made that hurt her relationship with her family. Her brother Kaden and her cousin Jax are closest to her, and they lost some respect for her because she lied to protect them with how some things went down. And when West keeps getting thrown into her path, it is hard to admit that she is attracted to him. But they have a deeper connection to and more in common than either could have ever guessed, and some of that in common is things they wouldn't wish on their worst enemy.

The ending was perfect for both of them. Not only do we get progression and updates from Isaiah, Rachel and Abby, but we get some closure for West and Haley. They both had a lot to learn about themselves, life and work to do in order to really make sure they are going after their dreams. It took a lot of life's beatings for them to finally see the light and really understand some of the things that others have been trying to pound into their head whether about their actions, their images, their pasts, or about love in general. We get to see that although they had to make hard choices, choices that aren't going to end any time soon, that they have such a hope, love and support from their friends and family.

Family in this one was not pretty, but it was a continual theme. Adults screw up big time too, but unfortunately their mistakes also will extend to their families, and sometimes life just sucks and bad things happen. But our responses are what define us. That we still fight, that we are still living and not giving up can give more hope to others that we think. Haley is living in a messed up situation with her family, and they have to learn to stand up to the person putting a roof over their heads, because no matter what good is done, some things just can't be forgiven. West's family always had the money, but their mom was in such a tunnel vision depression from losing a daughter that too often she just didn't see the children still in front of her. But luckily both her and West's father have a lot of growth, and while there is still a long way to go with them, at least they try.

These books are so addicting and readable. They deal with real life tough issues, and then throws heart stopping first kisses, chemistry and a huge dash of hope for the characters you come to love, they are irresistaI fly through them and don't want to stop or real life to interfere while I am getting caught up in their lives, their romances, and the story they have to tell. And by the way I am with Tanya and Glass we need more in this series. 6 and #7 need to be about Abby and Ethan! Feel free to tweet with us/me #morepushingthelimts



Bottom Line: Another great one in the Push the Limits series getting a look at two new characters whose fates ran into each other. show less

"it doesn't make falling any less frightening."
"Don't think of it as falling. Think of it as jumping-with me."
"How is jumping better?"
"Falling happens. Jumping you choose."

This was so cute. Haley isn't someone who I loved instantly. She had to grow on me. She's tough, she's been through some tough times and that's made her crawl into her shell instead of come out fighting.

West, on the other hand, has lived a pretty posh life. Money and a prestigious last name, he's had lots of girls, drinks drugs and a fun life.

But their two lives suddenly collide and watching them stumble around in each other's worlds was a great read.

Take me on This book was so fast paced and so much fun to read. I really loved the relationship that developed between Haley and West. You meet West in the crash into you and I loved really learning more about him in this book and how much Crash into you events really effected him. 
 
Haley home life was so hard to read about but i know that so many people in the world have similar stories to Haley. I loved the brother characters that really tried to look out for her and they became my favorite characters. 
 
I think he concept of fights and running away was so large in this book for both lead characters and eventually they each became each other home. I mean when Haley left time i was so throwing my book against the wall and could not show more wait to see what happen.
 
I liked learning more about Abby and i know we get to read her story soon. 
 
I think also the abuse in this book that occurred was so important for young girls to read about and see the dangerous impact it could have on somebody life.
 
I really loved this book and the story that was told.
 
Check out my video review 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx0MuBCX0iU
 
 
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My Verdict: 4 ½ Stars

Take Me On is the fourth book in the Pushing the Limits series by Katie McGarry.

Take Me On starts roughly couple of months before the end of Crash Into You. Rachel’s brother, West Young, feels responsible for what happened to Rachel. His guilt makes him act out, and after one too many fights he is expelled from school. His father, tired of his antics, kicks him out of the house.
West needs to prove himself and his father that he is not the screw up kid everybody thinks he is.
He meets Haley after almost running her over with his car, a girl that intrigues him and to his luck goes to his new school in the bad side of town.
Since the first encounter he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about Haley, but she doesn’t show more want anything to do with him.
Haley used to be a successful fighter, but after her last relationship ended badly she lost her passion for the sport and has sworn off of dating another fighter. Even though West is not professional, that’s exactly what he is, a no-no in Haley’s new book of rules.
West knows Haley’s ex-boyfriend, Matt, is bad news and to protect her he accepts a challenge to a fight. The only problem is Matt is a professional fighter and West isn’t.
Haley knows West accepted the challenge to protect her and even though she left the sport behind she knows West needs her help to survive the fight. Leaving her promises to herself behind, she starts to train West.
West is falling hard for Haley and she for him, but to be together they need to be honest about their pasts. The only problem is the secrets they have been keeping can unite them or tear them apart.

Thanks to Crash Into You (book 3), when I started this book I had a not too favorable image of West, but as always, one thing is what you see from the outside, another very different when you are in the head of the character and you see the reasoning behind his actions, and that’s exactly what happened with West in this book.
Despite being rich and have everything in life, West has always feel as a failure and an undesired. Hearing since early ages that he was conceive to save his older sister whom was dying of cancer and knowing he wasn’t a match and she died hasn’t been easy. Having a grieving mother and an absent father hasn’t helped to reassure him, and now, after what happened to Rachel, his guilt and feeling of unworthiness has reached its limits.
West knows he needs to do something for himself and being homeless is just the push he needed.
I really liked that West saw his situation as an opportunity to be better instead of feeling sorry for himself and wallowing in despair. I liked that he knew what he wanted and work hard to achieve it, whether it be being with Haley or becoming a responsible adult.

My heart broke for Haley. She has had a terrible last year. After his father lost his job, they lost their house; circumstances took them to live with her uncle, an abusive bastard that used every opportunity to break her and her family’s spirit. The hardest part was they couldn’t do anything but take everything he threw at them because they were living under his roof and didn’t have another place to go.
If that wasn’t enough, Haley ex-boyfriend is dangerous and has her living in fear, not only for her safety, but that of her family.

Teen’s years are hard enough, I can’t imagine going through that with all those other conflicts that Haley had in her life. That is one of the things about Mrs. McGarry’s books. She gives us crude realities that makes us being grateful for what we have and open our eyes to the realities of life. I can’t imagine how many people are going through circumstances similar to Haley’s life. Fighting day after day to stay afloat and hoping for an opportunity in their conflicted lives for a chance to a better future.

West and Haley’s relationship develops slowly. West is constant in what he wants, but Haley is afraid. They need time to grow together and to realize they are stronger together than apart. Haley makes West a better man and West gives Haley the security and tenderness she so much needs.

In this installment we also see Rachel and Isaiah, but this time we see them through West’s eyes. We also see West warming up towards Isaiah and some part of Rachel’s recovery.

One character that plays an important role is Isaiah’s friend, Abby. Abby is a very interesting character to say the least. I really hope next book is her book. If somebody deserves some love is that girl.

Take Me On also delves into the fighting world and it was pretty obvious Mrs. McGarry did her job. Her knowledge of the sport is clearly seen when she brings it to live with her words.

Take Me On has everything I expect a McGarry book to have. Conflicted, tortured and compelling characters, top notch writing, engaging story and many heart-wrenching moments.

Take Me On is a book I recommend you all to read, and even though is catalogued as YA, I wouldn’t recommend it to very young readers due to its mild sexual content.

I’m looking forward to next book in this series, and I as I say before I’m hoping it’ll be Abby’s story. show less