Friday, May 30, 2014

Review: Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Title: Take Me On
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Series: Pushing the Limits#4
Publication Date: 1st June 2014
Pages: 464
Book Source: Harlequin Teen Aust & NetGalley


Synopsis: Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

My Thoughts: 
Take Me On takes place during a period of Crash Into You and without spoiling things for anyone who hasn't read the series let me just say I enjoyed it a whole lot more than I thought I would. Rachael's brother, West was pretty much a dick in Crash Into You and I wasn't thrilled Take Me On was going to be his story. Must have been that smack up the head I gave him because he redeemed himself. I still think the family need to take some of their megabucks and cough up for serious therapy ... the Lousy Parent award won't cost them a thing. 

I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) aspect, McGarry nails the gym atmosphere, the hard-core training, sweat-blood-tears determination, the fight side of things in amateur/pro sport. 

Haley I liked immediately, she's tough and yet vulnerable, protective of those she loves and she fights for what she believes in. And West, well he grows in this installment and his growth and maturity is realistic, not some inexplicable change in character. And I liked him (nearly choked admitting that) and his biceps. West and Haley are just plain good for each other, the chemistry is there, sparks fly and it gets heart-melt-y good.

Kudos to Katie McGarry, she keeps changing it up and the whole troubled, heart-achy theme is not getting the least bit old. Her exploration of relationships is insightful, the issues are real, (homelessness and depression) it's big on those values like honesty, integrity and responsibility and it's tempered with hope. 

Breaking the Rules is next, Dec 30th 2014, we re-visit Echo and Noah from Pushing the Limits which will be awesome but what I really want to know is when does Abby get her book? Come on, give us a hint, don't leave us hanging ;)


Connect with Katie McGarry


The stories really build on each other so I'd recommend reading in order 
#1 Pushing the Limits
#2 Dare You To
#3 Crash Into You




7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. have you read the rest of the series Julie, I can't remember?

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  2. I am not really sure about me and this one

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    Replies
    1. different strokes for different folks hey B ;)

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  3. I can't remember how I stumbled on this series (could be your fault), but I am glad I did. I've got this book on the stacks and will get to it soon.

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    Replies
    1. Can't wait to see whether you have similar opinion Nise, and if West redeems himself for you too

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  4. I was worried about this one because I thought it would get repetitive by now but I'm glad to hear that's not the case!

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