Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

(Pushing The Limits series, book 1)

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 surprisingly 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 in 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 watched you battle against the worst memory of your life and I watched you win. Make no mistake, Echo. I battled right beside you. You need to find some trust in me…in us.” - Noah

SWEET MOSES! This book was just beyond incredible. I love, love, LOVED IT!! I actually had this downloaded on my Nook for a couple months and completely forgot about it (I download books like it’s nobody’s business) and as I was cruising Goodreads I saw someone’s review, and I thought “Don’t I have that book downloaded already?” You bet your ass I did, and after the rave review I decided to bump it to the top of my to-read list. I am so glad I did; I fell completely head over heels in love with these characters. (I also kind of wanted to punch myself in the face for having this book for so long and not reading it buuut…let’s move on.)

Echo used to be one of the “it-girls” at her high school; she was smart, pretty, popular, a member of the dance team, and dating one of the hottest guys in school. Now, she’s a social pariah who keeps to herself, and always wears long sleeves to cover up the scars on her arms that fuel the gossip mill; the scars that Echo wishes she had answers for. She has managed to block out that entire day and has no recollection of what actually happened to her. As if that wasn’t enough, she is still reeling from death of her brother, Aires, who was killed in Afghanistan and the idea of her father being remarried to her former nanny. While her overbearing father and his new, young wife try to push Echo back towards normalcy, she finds herself at a standstill: what is normal anymore?

Noah didn’t used to be a pot-smoking loner; he was a star basketball player, got good grades, and made plans to attend college after high school. All that changed when he became a product of the system after his parents were killed in a house fire. He was labeled emotionally unstable, and was no longer allowed to see his two younger brothers. Feeling helpless, he turned to drugs and let his grades slip. Little does he know, a fiery red head is about to change his whole outlook on life, love, and everything in between.

I honestly can’t say enough positive things about this book. It had two of the most honest, raw, damaged characters I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and I seriously don’t think I could love them anymore than I already do. I was rooting for Echo and Noah from page 1 and my heart ached for them; here are two people who have done nothing to deserve the hand they’ve been dealt and yet they have to play it. Their evolution from acquaintances to a couple was perfectly written, well timed, and heartwarming. I wanted them together all along, but the moment that put it over was when Noah met Echo’s dad and stepmom; he performs such a small gesture but it just made my heart beyond happy! (Excuse me for a moment while I swoon…)

….Okay, I think I’m good….

This book made me laugh out loud and made me cry; it made my heart break and made it swell; it’s just fucking incredible. The ease with which Katie McGarry transitioned between Echo and Noah’s POV was impressive, and the writing style in general was great. Seriously, this is one the best books I have read this year and if you haven’t read it yet, you REALLY don’t know what you’re missing. You need some Echo and Noah in your life; TRUST ME! These two characters are just fucking amazing!!! If you haven’t read this book, buy it now; just don’t do what I did and let it sit in your e-reader unread for months.  *facepalm*

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Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie

(Sleepless series, book 1)
Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the ‘eighteen disease’ with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they’re forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them a miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice each other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can’t ever be acted upon because they’re both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B. And, oh, how lovely Plan B’s can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper’s past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there’s the little issue that neither of them knows they’re in love with the other. 

“One day, you and I are gonna wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day. One day. I promise you.” – Callum

I had read three excellent romance novels within the past couple weeks, and now Callum & Harper makes it four. I can’t quite give it 5 stars, but we’ll get into why a little later. The storyline was moving, original, and heart wrenching. Callum and Harper are kicked out of their foster homes when they turn eighteen, as their foster parents no longer receive compensation for taking care of them. With both of them being part of the ‘system’ for years, they are now on their own, jobless, homeless, and broke. Then, as fate would have it, they meet at Social Services and are immediately drawn to each other…yet can’t find the nerve to tell the other, and they both think the other just wants to be friends. I loved the change in POV as it shifted back and forth between Callum and Harper, especially when the same incident was narrated from both of them. I thought it was an excellent way to show how each of them felt about the other, and added to the turmoil of the reader knowing that they were both in love with each other and just too afraid to admit it.

Now, here are the two reasons why I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars; first of all, the quickness of their complete infatuation with each other. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in lust at first sight and I know all about the tingles and jingles you start feeling when you meet someone and are immediately attracted to them…but this seemed like it was poured on thiiick like molasses right off the bat. Aside from that, I absolutely love Callum and Harper together! They were essentially each other’s savior and became the family that neither of them had. The other reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars was because of the lack of communication between the two of them regarding their feelings. I can understand that they didn’t want to say anything because they were both scared of ruining what they had and were both terrified of losing the other. I just felt like the whole ‘hiding how they both really felt’ thing lasted a little too long. I mean, I was legit getting frustrated when I was over halfway through the book and they STILL hadn’t told each other how they really felt! I know they were both holding onto each other in any way they could without ruining it, but how long can you really pretend like you only want to be friends with someone when you’re completely infatuated with them? I think Callum and Harper set a record.

I felt for both of them so much, especially when it seemed like absolutely nothing could go their way; it was like they’d take one step forward and the world would push them five steps back. I’ll admit, some of the incidents seemed a little far-fetched but they did add a welcome element of suspense to the storyline. Time after time, they both proved that there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for each other and it just proved how pure and real their love for each other really was. Ahhh, I’m such a sucker for a good romance!

Overall, I really loved Callum & Harper. They found each other when both of them seemed lost, and managed to help each other learn how to survive in a cruel world that had turned its back on them so many times. They really are soul mates, and their love for each other is inspiring. This is a great romantic story, and the epilogue is flawless. Seriously…go and buy this book now. I promise you won’t be disappointed! 

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