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Pushing the Limits #1.5
Breaking the Rules
“I wish life could be like this forever,” I say.
“We’d be okay then.
We’d forever be okay.”
For Echo Emerson, a road trip with her boyfriend is the perfect way to spend the last summer between school and college. It’s a chance forget all the things that make her so different at home. But most of all, it means almost three months alone with gorgeous Noah Hutchins, the only boy who’s never judged her.
Echo and Noah share everything.
But as their pasts come crashing back into their lives, its harder to hide that they come from two very different worlds. And as the summer fades, Echo faces her toughest decision – struggle to face the future together or let her first love go…
“We’d be okay then.
We’d forever be okay.”
For Echo Emerson, a road trip with her boyfriend is the perfect way to spend the last summer between school and college. It’s a chance forget all the things that make her so different at home. But most of all, it means almost three months alone with gorgeous Noah Hutchins, the only boy who’s never judged her.
Echo and Noah share everything.
But as their pasts come crashing back into their lives, its harder to hide that they come from two very different worlds. And as the summer fades, Echo faces her toughest decision – struggle to face the future together or let her first love go…
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
187 people are currently reading
9650 people want to read
About the author
Katie McGarry
30 books12.8k followersKATIE MCGARRY is an award winning and critically acclaimed novelist of the Witches of the Island series (A Wicked and Beautiful Garden), the Pushing the Limits, Thunder Road, and Only a Breath Apart series and the standalone novel, Say You’ll Remember Me. Katie is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is currently living out her own love story with her husband, three children, her affectionate dog, Rachel, and her very needy cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 602 reviews
March 2, 2018
5 All I Want Is For You To Be Happy Stars!
Goodness sakes ..... What a fantastic, emotional read!!
Also written beautifully in dual POV ;) My absolute favorite writing narrative.
Noah and Echo have just graduated high school and set off together on a road trip for the summer before they start college in the fall. They desperately need to get away from their hellish pasts and need a future to look forward too, hopefully together as a couple.
In the first book of this series, “Pushing The Limits,” Noah and Echo meet and fall in love. A total opposites attract love story. This book picks up where they spend time really getting to know each other far away from “home.”
While traveling two truths become evident. They discover their goals in life are on two different paths, which are leading them further and further apart. They also discover they can’t run away from their pasts. Neither of them think there will be a “them” by the time they get back home.
It’s happening ..... all of my fears ..... Echo is moving forward without me.
I think someone slashed me open with a rusty blade, and I strive for numb. Why did I decide to feel again? I was good at numb. I survived well on numb.
This book is an amazing journey of young love finding it’s way. A journey of fighting to stay together as a couple, as well as finding out who they are as individuals. It is a journey full of strong wills and compromises, quarrels and make-up sessions, misunderstandings and forgiveness, betrayal and redemption.
Noah tears his gaze away from mine, and it’s like he’s torn my heart in two. I press my hand over my chest as if that could stop the pain. What’s worse than the dizzying nausea shooting through me is that he’s heading in the direction of the girl that he talked to, the one that he touched.
This is a journey of learning to let go and taking life altering risks. I totally enjoyed walking the journey with them!
BTW, this is a full length novel. Don’t let the “1.5” beside the title fool you.
Goodness sakes ..... What a fantastic, emotional read!!
Also written beautifully in dual POV ;) My absolute favorite writing narrative.
Noah and Echo have just graduated high school and set off together on a road trip for the summer before they start college in the fall. They desperately need to get away from their hellish pasts and need a future to look forward too, hopefully together as a couple.
In the first book of this series, “Pushing The Limits,” Noah and Echo meet and fall in love. A total opposites attract love story. This book picks up where they spend time really getting to know each other far away from “home.”
While traveling two truths become evident. They discover their goals in life are on two different paths, which are leading them further and further apart. They also discover they can’t run away from their pasts. Neither of them think there will be a “them” by the time they get back home.
It’s happening ..... all of my fears ..... Echo is moving forward without me.
I think someone slashed me open with a rusty blade, and I strive for numb. Why did I decide to feel again? I was good at numb. I survived well on numb.
This book is an amazing journey of young love finding it’s way. A journey of fighting to stay together as a couple, as well as finding out who they are as individuals. It is a journey full of strong wills and compromises, quarrels and make-up sessions, misunderstandings and forgiveness, betrayal and redemption.
Noah tears his gaze away from mine, and it’s like he’s torn my heart in two. I press my hand over my chest as if that could stop the pain. What’s worse than the dizzying nausea shooting through me is that he’s heading in the direction of the girl that he talked to, the one that he touched.
This is a journey of learning to let go and taking life altering risks. I totally enjoyed walking the journey with them!
BTW, this is a full length novel. Don’t let the “1.5” beside the title fool you.
wish-list
January 14, 2016Edit: January 15, 2015
Haven't read it yet. I'm still waiting for the hardcover of this edition...
Why can't there be hardcovers with THIS cover? Whyyy.
I think I'll have to read the Kindle edition, if I want this cover, LOL.
____________________________________
THE COVER IS OUT!
____________________________________
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Haven't read it yet. I'm still waiting for the hardcover of this edition...
Why can't there be hardcovers with THIS cover? Whyyy.
I think I'll have to read the Kindle edition, if I want this cover, LOL.
____________________________________
THE COVER IS OUT!
____________________________________
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Want to read
July 15, 2015I'm so scared to start this LOL. I'm not ready for more heartache.
January 24, 2015
Your dearest Tanja & Glass are back with another joint review for Katie's book. It's a tradition and some traditions we don't break.
Tanja: I think that this is the first time that I'm actually feeling sorry for a review that we haven't written yet, but the fact is that this will turn into "this should be Abby's book" story. But let's try to avoid it, somehow.
So this book for me was everything Katie usually is. It's like when you get into a Katie restaurant and order a Katie special you'll get this. Swoon worthy scenes and plenty of drama, all cooked together. But, it seemed like it was in a microwave before it got to you.
(Love, make some sense here, as I'm losing my metaphors)
Glass: But this should have been Abby's story!!! I am sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that we might never get that. And your metaphors are perfect - Breaking the Rules (I cannot believe that I'm about to say this) is a washed out version of epic, swoon-worthy story we had in Pushing the Limits. Noah was one of my favorite guys in this series - well, until we met West in Take Me On - but now I'm starting to doubt everything. I kind of wish that we haven't read this at all, don't you agree?
Tanja: Yes, totally. I assume that now readers will think that this is awful or something. It's not, at the same time it's not nearly as good as Pushing the Limits and other Katie's books were. It was just average and Katie's is everything by average writer.
Glass: Plus, I ended disappointed with both Noah and Echo, they annoyed me so much. Especially her. But as you already said, it is okay book, fans of the series will enjoy reading this, there are still a lot of "signature" Katie McGarry scenes and ending kind of redeemed everything.
Tanja: Exactly. It's sad, because you could get a lot from this series by writing about other character (we won't let it go), but this was well unnecessary. What bothered me the most, was that sort of, kind of love-triangle there. Gaaah! Why?!
Glass: Why did you even have to mention that? I didn't like that part at all. Completely unnecessary, extra drama. But, guys, don't get us wrong - we did give 3 stars to this book, so it means that Breaking the Rules wasn't a bad read - just not what we expected. But Katie McGarry is going to publish completely new book this year, Nowhere But Here, and we are so excited because of that. That summary sounds so intriguing and like nothing I've read so far when it comes to young adult genre.
Tanja: Yup. It's not Abby's book (this is the last time I'm mentioning it!), but I think it'll be much better than this. You know me, I'm always up for unique reads and let's hope that Nowhere But Here will be that. Aside the drama and everything, this is just an okay read. So I'd recommend - don't expect something different and new, as you won't get that. But you'll for sure enjoy reading it, as one thing that Katie will never fail at is good writing.
Happy reading,
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
October 6, 2018
“Things are complicated. No doubt. But we’ll battle through this. We have to. Giving up is not an option.”
Why I love reading the series is because both paotaginists have experienced a lot, but a few of the unfortunate coincidences were too much for me.I rarely get emotional over books but Echo and Noah always succeed to that to me, especially with their backstories, the thing they're going through, the circumstances they're both experiencing.
I loved knowing about Sarah’s past life more and that Noah has finally found a blood relative from his mother's side.
Isaia and Beth have gotten further into my heart and I can't wait to know their individual stories. On the other hand Noah and Echo have finally managed to conquer me again, but at times it was already a bit much. At the end of the game it was again round, convincing and it suited the two of them and their history.
It is a fact that these books are very depressing. I thought that there was hardly any development of Echo, however by the end of the book I loved how she started to change, embrace herself and stand up for herself and that was much appreciated. But, her character developement was really complicated and confusing at the same time, at some parts she seemed stronger and more confident, but the other times she falls back into old patterns. Of course I can understand it too, what she has gone through was indeed very traumatic, but nevertheless I thought that was a pity, because somehow I had the feeling that the author wanted to provide a lot of drama. The main reason why she became the way she was in the end of the book is all because of Noah. I like Noah very much, because no matter what his problems are and the things he's dealing with, he's trying to help Echo to become stronger.
I absolutely loved getting to read more about Noah and Echo. I loved being able to see how their relationship grew and matured, as well as how they managed to overcome both their personal issues and of their relationship.
Some of the parts that left me irritated with the book were the characters especially Echo, she was still behaving like a brat and I hated that she was doubting Noah for cheating on her just because he was talking to another girl at a party. What annoyed me was that the book didn’t have chapters just perspectives from the two main characters, however that had no effect on the story what so ever.
But I loved how the book wrapped up by the end.
Why I love reading the series is because both paotaginists have experienced a lot, but a few of the unfortunate coincidences were too much for me.I rarely get emotional over books but Echo and Noah always succeed to that to me, especially with their backstories, the thing they're going through, the circumstances they're both experiencing.
I loved knowing about Sarah’s past life more and that Noah has finally found a blood relative from his mother's side.
Isaia and Beth have gotten further into my heart and I can't wait to know their individual stories. On the other hand Noah and Echo have finally managed to conquer me again, but at times it was already a bit much. At the end of the game it was again round, convincing and it suited the two of them and their history.
It is a fact that these books are very depressing. I thought that there was hardly any development of Echo, however by the end of the book I loved how she started to change, embrace herself and stand up for herself and that was much appreciated. But, her character developement was really complicated and confusing at the same time, at some parts she seemed stronger and more confident, but the other times she falls back into old patterns. Of course I can understand it too, what she has gone through was indeed very traumatic, but nevertheless I thought that was a pity, because somehow I had the feeling that the author wanted to provide a lot of drama. The main reason why she became the way she was in the end of the book is all because of Noah. I like Noah very much, because no matter what his problems are and the things he's dealing with, he's trying to help Echo to become stronger.
I absolutely loved getting to read more about Noah and Echo. I loved being able to see how their relationship grew and matured, as well as how they managed to overcome both their personal issues and of their relationship.
Some of the parts that left me irritated with the book were the characters especially Echo, she was still behaving like a brat and I hated that she was doubting Noah for cheating on her just because he was talking to another girl at a party. What annoyed me was that the book didn’t have chapters just perspectives from the two main characters, however that had no effect on the story what so ever.
But I loved how the book wrapped up by the end.
March 2, 2015
Pushing the Limits is probably my favorite contemporary young adult book. If you haven’t read it, stop now and go read it immediately (you can see my 5 star gush-fest of a review here). I’ve read, listened, re-read, and re-listened literally countless times and it never fails to put a smile on my face, pull at my heartstrings, and swoon over the greatness that is Noah Hutchins. I think the story leaves off in such a great place, but there’s no denying I was counting down the hours to get my hands on Breaking the Rules, the continuation of Noah and Echo’s love story.
After graduating high school at the end of PTL, Noah and Echo mention that they plan on going for a road trip so Echo can pursue her art by visiting galleries across the country. This book picks up at the end of their summer together, about a week before they plan to head back home to Kentucky. From the sounds of it, Noah and Echo have had a great time so far and it’s been smooth sailing. The closer they get to home though, the more they have to face their pasts and think about what the future is going to bring. There is no question that they are madly in love, but their impending return to reality brings back old doubts.
Echo is still struggling to deal with her past. The loss of her brother, the traumatizing event with her mother, her father’s new family, its a lot to come to terms with. Moving forward with her art, college, Noah, and getting past the insecurities of her scars proves to be harder than she thought. Meanwhile, Noah is still trying to be more for her. He’s constantly trying to better himself and prove that he’s more than the troubled foster kid the system screwed over.
Noah and Echo really balance eachother out and you can really feel how much they love eachother. They make eachother better and stronger, but they still have a long way to go. The problems outside their relationship make cracks in their foundation and leads one or both of them to question whether they should take that next step.
Even though Echo and Noah are away from home during Breaking the Rules, I am so happy that we still got plenty of time with old favorites. Isaiah and Beth both play a part in this story and I loved how they tied into everything that was going on. Beth surprised me on more than one occasion (I might have to try her book out now) and Isaiah was phenomenal. Not only does he have Noah’s back and support him 100%, but he does the same for Echo and he’s not afraid to kick Noah’s ass a little when he needs it.
This quote sums up a lot of the book for me and that was part of the problem. It felt like fight after fight, argument after argument, over the same things. They were mostly very small incidents that triggered another round of conflict, groveling, or Noah internally beating himself up. That’s not to say that they don’t have very valid issues to work through, its just that I could have done with fewer rounds of battle. It’s realistic that they’d be working through things and it wouldn’t all be perfect, but it just seemed like one fight rolled into another and it got tiresome, especially being a full length novel. If the story had picked up earlier in their trip when things were more lighthearted then progressed to the point where it actually begins, I think it would have felt more balanced and I wouldn't have struggled so much to get through it.
Ultimately, I wanted more happy. I needed more happy. After everything they’ve been through, I was craving that time for them. Because of that, this book didn’t fulfill my want for more Noah and Echo time. Truthfully, it pains me to write a single negative thing about this book because I love these two so much. They are one of my absolute favorite couples ever, but I didn’t really get what I was looking for, so for that reason I feel like I need yet another book or novella to satisfy me. There were moments that I felt that same spark I felt in PTL and it definitely hit me with an emotional punch a time or two, but not enough to hit that same level of awesomeness.
I’m having a hard time deciding on a rating. On one hand it felt like a 3 star at best, but because of my already present love for Noah and Echo a 4 star, but honestly that feels too generous for how conflicted I am. I sincerely hope that this isn’t the last we get of their story, if so I would have probably felt more content just stopping after Pushing the Limits and not reading this book at all.
“I want things to be simple...and for us to be okay...and...and to know that after all this, you still love me.”
After graduating high school at the end of PTL, Noah and Echo mention that they plan on going for a road trip so Echo can pursue her art by visiting galleries across the country. This book picks up at the end of their summer together, about a week before they plan to head back home to Kentucky. From the sounds of it, Noah and Echo have had a great time so far and it’s been smooth sailing. The closer they get to home though, the more they have to face their pasts and think about what the future is going to bring. There is no question that they are madly in love, but their impending return to reality brings back old doubts.
“…is it enough to help us last beyond a few months of living in a bubble?”
Echo is still struggling to deal with her past. The loss of her brother, the traumatizing event with her mother, her father’s new family, its a lot to come to terms with. Moving forward with her art, college, Noah, and getting past the insecurities of her scars proves to be harder than she thought. Meanwhile, Noah is still trying to be more for her. He’s constantly trying to better himself and prove that he’s more than the troubled foster kid the system screwed over.
Echo’s my solid, my base, my foundation. She has no idea that the single fear that keeps me up at night is knowing one day she’ll discover she doesn’t need me like I need her.
Noah and Echo really balance eachother out and you can really feel how much they love eachother. They make eachother better and stronger, but they still have a long way to go. The problems outside their relationship make cracks in their foundation and leads one or both of them to question whether they should take that next step.
“I love you.” So much that sometimes it hurts. Noah tilts his head down, and his nose skims against mine.
“You’re my whole world, Echo. Someday, when you’re ready, I’ll show you how much.”
Even though Echo and Noah are away from home during Breaking the Rules, I am so happy that we still got plenty of time with old favorites. Isaiah and Beth both play a part in this story and I loved how they tied into everything that was going on. Beth surprised me on more than one occasion (I might have to try her book out now) and Isaiah was phenomenal. Not only does he have Noah’s back and support him 100%, but he does the same for Echo and he’s not afraid to kick Noah’s ass a little when he needs it.
“..So why are you calling?”
“I fucked up with Echo.”
“When don’t you fuck up with Echo?”
This quote sums up a lot of the book for me and that was part of the problem. It felt like fight after fight, argument after argument, over the same things. They were mostly very small incidents that triggered another round of conflict, groveling, or Noah internally beating himself up. That’s not to say that they don’t have very valid issues to work through, its just that I could have done with fewer rounds of battle. It’s realistic that they’d be working through things and it wouldn’t all be perfect, but it just seemed like one fight rolled into another and it got tiresome, especially being a full length novel. If the story had picked up earlier in their trip when things were more lighthearted then progressed to the point where it actually begins, I think it would have felt more balanced and I wouldn't have struggled so much to get through it.
This is all we’ve done for days now—fight. We’re at odds with each other, and I hate it. I want us to go back to one week ago, two weeks ago, any time after graduation and before this—free from the world, free from arguing.
Ultimately, I wanted more happy. I needed more happy. After everything they’ve been through, I was craving that time for them. Because of that, this book didn’t fulfill my want for more Noah and Echo time. Truthfully, it pains me to write a single negative thing about this book because I love these two so much. They are one of my absolute favorite couples ever, but I didn’t really get what I was looking for, so for that reason I feel like I need yet another book or novella to satisfy me. There were moments that I felt that same spark I felt in PTL and it definitely hit me with an emotional punch a time or two, but not enough to hit that same level of awesomeness.
I’m having a hard time deciding on a rating. On one hand it felt like a 3 star at best, but because of my already present love for Noah and Echo a 4 star, but honestly that feels too generous for how conflicted I am. I sincerely hope that this isn’t the last we get of their story, if so I would have probably felt more content just stopping after Pushing the Limits and not reading this book at all.
“I’m going to spend my whole life making you happy.”
“You better.”
December 28, 2014
Breaking the rules was the continuation of Pushing the Limits, a book that I had really enjoyed. At the end of pushing the limits we saw Noah and Echo ready to go on a road -trip. Breaking the rules shows us in fact the last weeks of their road trip. They move across Colorado , where Echo visits galleries and tries to prove to herself and everyone else that she's talented. Noah follows her everywhere, but he also learnt that there were blood relatives from his mother's side who claim that they didn't know that Noah wasn't adopted like his brothers and now they're trying to reach out to him. Being near the places they're travelling now with Echo, Noah is considering meeting them, even though he's hesitant because his mother had ran away from them, when she was young.
Is bad family better than no family?
In the meanwhile there's someone who's interested in Echo's talent. He wants her to study under him. With demons that they still haven't overcome, both Echo and Noah try to fight them, without destroying their relationship in the process. Echo still feels insecure that Noah will leave her like Aires and her father did. Noah has the same insecurities, that if Echo stays away from him, this long distance relationship won't work.
“What if we’ll always be broken? What if we can never be fixed? What if this is it, for the rest of our lives? Regardless of whether we’re together or not? What if our past will always haunt us and makes us miserable? What if we’ll never shed our baggage and weights, and we’ll never be set free?”
With a few obstacles on the way, they both try to make decisions, since now that they aren't high school students anymore , but they're crossing the lines to adulthood, they both try to become man and woman in any way possible for them.
I really liked reading more about Noah and Echo. They were a couple that I had enjoyed and I really loved their story, so I was excited when I learnt about this book. I don't know if the author plans anything for them in the future [Yes, I read the note in the end btw] , but my only hope would be to read a novella of their futures, but not just Echo's & Noah's story, but from each couple from this series.
Is bad family better than no family?
In the meanwhile there's someone who's interested in Echo's talent. He wants her to study under him. With demons that they still haven't overcome, both Echo and Noah try to fight them, without destroying their relationship in the process. Echo still feels insecure that Noah will leave her like Aires and her father did. Noah has the same insecurities, that if Echo stays away from him, this long distance relationship won't work.
“What if we’ll always be broken? What if we can never be fixed? What if this is it, for the rest of our lives? Regardless of whether we’re together or not? What if our past will always haunt us and makes us miserable? What if we’ll never shed our baggage and weights, and we’ll never be set free?”
With a few obstacles on the way, they both try to make decisions, since now that they aren't high school students anymore , but they're crossing the lines to adulthood, they both try to become man and woman in any way possible for them.
I really liked reading more about Noah and Echo. They were a couple that I had enjoyed and I really loved their story, so I was excited when I learnt about this book. I don't know if the author plans anything for them in the future [Yes, I read the note in the end btw] , but my only hope would be to read a novella of their futures, but not just Echo's & Noah's story, but from each couple from this series.
December 30, 2014
Oh, Book. It was not meant to be with us. Perhaps I should have known better, but Pushing the Limits has long been a favorite series of mine. I couldn't resist another peek into the world of Noah and Echo, and I was hoping the drama wouldn't be too much to handle. The warning signs were there, though: I'm not fond of the idea of books about a couple who already got their "happy ending", because what else do we expect but more of the same?, and Breaking the Rules is no exception. I feel as if its soul purpose was to extend the pain and heartache in the disguise of character growth. Did Noah and Echo grow? Sure, but not enough for an entire book, and not in a way that was anything but annoying.
Let me set the stage: Noah and Echo are on the road, trying to be their own people and figure out who they are separately and together, and this involves Echo pursuing her dream of art (I won't even get into the how unrealistic this story line plays out). But the first chapter doesn't finish before the drama kicks in: Echo's mom - who tried to kill her years ago - has called her. Should Echo reach back out to her? Noah sure doesn't think so, but they aren't exactly on the same page about that... or much of anything, apparently. Because from then on, it's nothing but drama after drama after drama - okay some sexy times - after drama after drama. Nothing but repetitive arguments, fears, and doubts. It's like these kids don't want to be happy, they make so much out of everything that comes their way. We also have romance tropes that should honestly burn in a fire - secrets being kept, two outside forces there for no other reason but to create tension between Noah and Echo, a brief separation, etc. This book is like a study in misery. But what I found more annoying than the obstacles in their way was how they dealt with those obstacles. I don't think any teenager in the history of ever would obsess over each and every moment the way Noah and Echo do. They are constantly second guessing themselves and the other, and in the process their emotions are all over the place. In a single chapter they go from sad to angry to happy to lustful to angry again. What is the point?! I just wanted to yell at them to stop worrying and obsessing so much. Cheese grater, meet brain.
Simple truth: this was not an enjoyable experience. I know these books tend to be on the dramatic side, I know these characters tend to internalize and over-analyze every possible emotion, but this is the first time it didn't work for me. If felt magnified here. If you're a fan of the series, I don't want to say skip this one, but know what your drama levels are and go from there. Personally, I think the ending of Pushing the Limits is more satisfying anyway.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
Want to read
December 8, 2014IT'S LIVE!!! http://amzn.to/1G6n3NQ
February 9, 2017
Io amo la McGarry.
Amo la sua scrittura. Il suo modo di entrare a fondo nei problemi. La sua delicatezza nello scrivere, nell’affrontare problematiche che sono spesso spinose e poco considerate. Adoro il suo modo di non lasciare in sospeso nulla… come in questo caso, come in questo libro.
In fondo, Noah e Echo il loro lieto fine l’avevano già avuto. Tutto si era concluso per il meglio. Erano venuti fuori dai loro bozzoli, più forti, insieme e innamorati. Non ci sarebbe stato bisogno di altro, no?
NO. Dopo aver affrontato il dolore e la disperazione entrambi cercano di costruirsi una nuova vita, un nuovo futuro, ma è sempre difficile sconfiggere i propri demoni, soprattutto se questi hanno radici profonde. Così Echo e Noah dovranno affrontare un nuovo viaggio che li condurrà verso l’età adulta, la maturazione totale. È bello come l’autrice abbia affrontato tutto questo, scavando ancora nel passato dei protagonisti, affrontando di nuovo e in maniera più profonda il loro passato. È stato vero e proprio un tuffo, per chiarirlo, per mettere pace al dolore, per accettarlo e attraversarlo.
Il rapporto tra i due innamorati poi, è stato gestito in maniera perfetta (secondo me). Niente rose e fiori, questo è un rapporto tra due persone che si amano moltissimo ma che devono ancora affrontare il buio della loro anima, imparare a crescere e a farlo insieme! È uno scorcio reale di un qualsiasi rapporto amoroso, che affronta problemi più o meno destabilizzanti e traumatici. Echo e Noah sbagliano, soffrono, si rialzano e capiscono… capiscono di essere una cosa sola, capiscono che l’amore non sempre basta, servono volontà e saggezza, sacrificio e compromessi. L’amore, così, vince ogni paura, ogni dubbio, ogni piccolo errore… mi sono commossa, come sempre!
CONSIGLIATISSIMO! (e se potete leggetelo subito dopo Oltre i Limiti)
;)
Amo la sua scrittura. Il suo modo di entrare a fondo nei problemi. La sua delicatezza nello scrivere, nell’affrontare problematiche che sono spesso spinose e poco considerate. Adoro il suo modo di non lasciare in sospeso nulla… come in questo caso, come in questo libro.
In fondo, Noah e Echo il loro lieto fine l’avevano già avuto. Tutto si era concluso per il meglio. Erano venuti fuori dai loro bozzoli, più forti, insieme e innamorati. Non ci sarebbe stato bisogno di altro, no?
NO. Dopo aver affrontato il dolore e la disperazione entrambi cercano di costruirsi una nuova vita, un nuovo futuro, ma è sempre difficile sconfiggere i propri demoni, soprattutto se questi hanno radici profonde. Così Echo e Noah dovranno affrontare un nuovo viaggio che li condurrà verso l’età adulta, la maturazione totale. È bello come l’autrice abbia affrontato tutto questo, scavando ancora nel passato dei protagonisti, affrontando di nuovo e in maniera più profonda il loro passato. È stato vero e proprio un tuffo, per chiarirlo, per mettere pace al dolore, per accettarlo e attraversarlo.
Il rapporto tra i due innamorati poi, è stato gestito in maniera perfetta (secondo me). Niente rose e fiori, questo è un rapporto tra due persone che si amano moltissimo ma che devono ancora affrontare il buio della loro anima, imparare a crescere e a farlo insieme! È uno scorcio reale di un qualsiasi rapporto amoroso, che affronta problemi più o meno destabilizzanti e traumatici. Echo e Noah sbagliano, soffrono, si rialzano e capiscono… capiscono di essere una cosa sola, capiscono che l’amore non sempre basta, servono volontà e saggezza, sacrificio e compromessi. L’amore, così, vince ogni paura, ogni dubbio, ogni piccolo errore… mi sono commossa, come sempre!
CONSIGLIATISSIMO! (e se potete leggetelo subito dopo Oltre i Limiti)
;)
December 10, 2014
wowowowow I forgot how much I adored Noah and Echo. They're definitely my fav couple in this series. It's been a looooong time since I last read Pushing the Limits, so I didn't remember much about it but it's crazy because both Noah and Echo sound so mature in this. They both did a lot of growing up since I last saw them.
We also got to see Isaiah and Beth again, and I LOVE how Isaiah is Noah/Echo biggest fanboy.
I love this book. I dunno why I thought this was going to be a novella but no it's a full-length novel and I'm so thankful for that. I can't get enough. I love these characters, I miss them a lot, and reading this feels like a reunion, or coming home.
pre read
MORE NOAH MORE NOAH MORE NOAH
We also got to see Isaiah and Beth again, and I LOVE how Isaiah is Noah/Echo biggest fanboy.
I love this book. I dunno why I thought this was going to be a novella but no it's a full-length novel and I'm so thankful for that. I can't get enough. I love these characters, I miss them a lot, and reading this feels like a reunion, or coming home.
pre read
MORE NOAH MORE NOAH MORE NOAH
September 17, 2016
Absolutely love Noah and Echo and this sequel was the perfect ending (or beginning really) to their story. It is about moving on, letting go, and finally living in the moment. Letting yourself trust, fall in love, and be happy. I couldn't be happier that I read this and it was just what I was looking for.
Want to read
September 18, 2014 PUSHING THE LIMITS sequel!! More Echo & Noah!!
My review of PTL: http://bit.ly/1BQoiOQ
My review of PTL: http://bit.ly/1BQoiOQ
May 7, 2015
4.5 ‘Noah and Echo Forever’ stars
Pushing the Limits absolutely rocked my world when I read it, and it remains one of my all-time favourite books. I was nervous when Katie McGarry revealed her intentions to publish a sequel, because Noah and Echo have both been through so much, I didn’t want them to have to endure any more drama or heartache. But I have mad, obsessional love for these characters, and absolute faith in Katie McGarry that she would give them their well-deserved happy ending, so there was no way I wasn’t going to read it.
Echo and Noah met in high school where they formed an unlikely friendship which developed into an against-the-odds type of relationship. Both of them were struggling with trauma in their past, which greatly affected their lives and who they were, but they accepted each other without question and overcame so much to find happiness together. When we left them in Pushing the Limits, they were heading off to travel around America during their summer vacation before starting College, giving Echo the opportunity to visit art galleries in the hopes of selling her paintings, and allowing the two of them to have some much deserved time together.
This book picks up in the final weeks of their blissful summer together (prior to the timing of the other books in the series), and as the prospect of going home gets closer and closer, cracks start to appear in their happiness. Echo isn’t having a lot of luck selling her paintings, and she still has unresolved issues from her past that are plaguing her. Noah’s past actually comes looking for him, and his bad boy history brings problems and makes them both question everything.
Love has never been the problem for Noah and Echo, their connection is deep, and they love each other fiercely. It’s all of the other stuff that gets in the way, and that is so beautifully portrayed in this book, as even with all that they are going through individually, they want nothing more than to see each other be happy. I had no doubt they were going to be alright, but watching them go through the difficult times was heartbreaking! I hated seeing them in so much pain!!!
When things get tough, they are both forced to confront their issues and examine what it is they really want and what they have to do to get it. Echo needs to finally acknowledge and then lay all of her demons to rest and find her way forward, while Noah needs to overcome all that he has been through and all that he has done and become the man he wants to be. And in this book we get to see them deal with all of that, while they fight hard to hold on to each other.
But it’s not all sad and dramatic! Noah and Echo have an amazing relationship, and we get to see lots of sweet and happy time between them. They are so accepting of each other, so open and trusting, and so absolutely wrapped up in each other. They have fun, they play, and things even get a little bit steamy! Reading their story honestly gave me shivers. These two belong together and I couldn’t get enough, and I lapped up every moment of it.
Once again, Katie McGarry has given us a beautifully written, highly emotional story. From the moment I started reading I felt like I was right back in the middle of Noah and Echo’s world, and with the dual POV she gets us right to the heart of her characters. The story is slow moving with not a lot of action, but the tension builds nicely throughout the book as everything snowballs to the big breaking point before we get our happy (slightly sappy) ending.
I was happy to see the return of some other much-loved characters – including the fabulous Mrs Collins, as well as Isaiah and Beth, and Isaiah made me fall even more in love with him! He is beautifully protective of his loved ones, but not afraid to call them out when needed, and the way he had both Echo and Noah’s back throughout this book is sensational!
I wouldn’t say that this book is a must-read, as Pushing the Limits can most definitely be read as a stand alone. The ending that Noah and Echo got in the first book was entirely satisfying, and I would have been happy to leave it at that, but this is a gorgeous read for those that want to see more of Noah and Echo together (and honestly, who wouldn’t?!) as they continue healing from their pasts, and figuring out their future – together.
I loved it – 4.5 stars.
Pushing the Limits absolutely rocked my world when I read it, and it remains one of my all-time favourite books. I was nervous when Katie McGarry revealed her intentions to publish a sequel, because Noah and Echo have both been through so much, I didn’t want them to have to endure any more drama or heartache. But I have mad, obsessional love for these characters, and absolute faith in Katie McGarry that she would give them their well-deserved happy ending, so there was no way I wasn’t going to read it.
Echo and Noah met in high school where they formed an unlikely friendship which developed into an against-the-odds type of relationship. Both of them were struggling with trauma in their past, which greatly affected their lives and who they were, but they accepted each other without question and overcame so much to find happiness together. When we left them in Pushing the Limits, they were heading off to travel around America during their summer vacation before starting College, giving Echo the opportunity to visit art galleries in the hopes of selling her paintings, and allowing the two of them to have some much deserved time together.
This book picks up in the final weeks of their blissful summer together (prior to the timing of the other books in the series), and as the prospect of going home gets closer and closer, cracks start to appear in their happiness. Echo isn’t having a lot of luck selling her paintings, and she still has unresolved issues from her past that are plaguing her. Noah’s past actually comes looking for him, and his bad boy history brings problems and makes them both question everything.
Echo’s my solid, my base, my foundation. She has no idea that the single fear that keeps me up at night is knowing one day she’ll discover she doesn’t need me like I need her.
Love has never been the problem for Noah and Echo, their connection is deep, and they love each other fiercely. It’s all of the other stuff that gets in the way, and that is so beautifully portrayed in this book, as even with all that they are going through individually, they want nothing more than to see each other be happy. I had no doubt they were going to be alright, but watching them go through the difficult times was heartbreaking! I hated seeing them in so much pain!!!
“What if we’ll always be broken? What if we can never be fixed? What if this is it, for the rest of our lives? Regardless of whether we’re together or not? What if our past will always haunt us and makes us miserable? What if we’ll never shed our baggage and weights, and we’ll never be set free?”
When things get tough, they are both forced to confront their issues and examine what it is they really want and what they have to do to get it. Echo needs to finally acknowledge and then lay all of her demons to rest and find her way forward, while Noah needs to overcome all that he has been through and all that he has done and become the man he wants to be. And in this book we get to see them deal with all of that, while they fight hard to hold on to each other.
I need us to be indestructible. I can’t return to cold and alone. Things are complicated. No doubt. But we’ll battle through this. We have to. Giving up is not an option.
“Me and you,” I whisper.
But it’s not all sad and dramatic! Noah and Echo have an amazing relationship, and we get to see lots of sweet and happy time between them. They are so accepting of each other, so open and trusting, and so absolutely wrapped up in each other. They have fun, they play, and things even get a little bit steamy! Reading their story honestly gave me shivers. These two belong together and I couldn’t get enough, and I lapped up every moment of it.
“I love you.” So much that sometimes it hurts.
Noah tilts his head down, and his nose skims against mine. “You’re my whole world, Echo.
Once again, Katie McGarry has given us a beautifully written, highly emotional story. From the moment I started reading I felt like I was right back in the middle of Noah and Echo’s world, and with the dual POV she gets us right to the heart of her characters. The story is slow moving with not a lot of action, but the tension builds nicely throughout the book as everything snowballs to the big breaking point before we get our happy (slightly sappy) ending.
I was happy to see the return of some other much-loved characters – including the fabulous Mrs Collins, as well as Isaiah and Beth, and Isaiah made me fall even more in love with him! He is beautifully protective of his loved ones, but not afraid to call them out when needed, and the way he had both Echo and Noah’s back throughout this book is sensational!
I wouldn’t say that this book is a must-read, as Pushing the Limits can most definitely be read as a stand alone. The ending that Noah and Echo got in the first book was entirely satisfying, and I would have been happy to leave it at that, but this is a gorgeous read for those that want to see more of Noah and Echo together (and honestly, who wouldn’t?!) as they continue healing from their pasts, and figuring out their future – together.
“You’re what I think about every second of the day! … You’re why I find a reason to take a breath when I open my eyes in the morning. I wanted nothing for my life and then I found you. You showed me I could be more, and I want more.”
I loved it – 4.5 stars.
November 5, 2017
this is not as much firework as the pushing the limits.
breaking the rules is slow. very slow. a lot of fight, kiss and made up chapters at the beginning. only toward the end gets interesting.
it is to satisfy curiosity about noah and echo.
breaking the rules is slow. very slow. a lot of fight, kiss and made up chapters at the beginning. only toward the end gets interesting.
it is to satisfy curiosity about noah and echo.
July 27, 2015
McGarry's books are the type of guilty-pleasure reads I genuinely feel ever-so-slightly guilty about reading. Not only are they chock-full of the type of predictable drama romantic comedies are full of--an ex-girlfriend appears out of the blue, a more sophisticated guy is interested in your girlfriend, etc.--but they also contain a nearly sickly-sweet romantic couple. Yet, I find that McGarry's writing is simply irresistible. She makes you FEEL for her characters and though I could see the conflicts coming from a mile away, they still made me gasp and my heart squeeze in worry. It's all Standard Romance Plot but, sometimes, that's precisely the kind of novel a girl needs to forget about her finals.
Moreover, what I did really enjoy about Breaking the Rules is the manner in which McGarry writes Noah and Echo's relationship. By the end of Pushing the Limits, it seems as if these two are riding out into the sunset and living their happily-ever-after. The fact that neither Noah nor Echo are completely healed from their pasts is a relief. The fact that they haven't had sex by the opening of this novel and take time to talk about it and discuss their insecurities and wait until they're both comfortable is yet another relief. Most of all, though, the fact that their futures aren't set in stone and are subject to change is a wonderful message. At its core, Breaking the Rules is a romance novel, sure, but it also has plenty of note-worthy New Adult qualities that I support. Now, if only Noah could get rid of that terrible habit of calling Echo his siren and we'd all be that much happier...
Moreover, what I did really enjoy about Breaking the Rules is the manner in which McGarry writes Noah and Echo's relationship. By the end of Pushing the Limits, it seems as if these two are riding out into the sunset and living their happily-ever-after. The fact that neither Noah nor Echo are completely healed from their pasts is a relief. The fact that they haven't had sex by the opening of this novel and take time to talk about it and discuss their insecurities and wait until they're both comfortable is yet another relief. Most of all, though, the fact that their futures aren't set in stone and are subject to change is a wonderful message. At its core, Breaking the Rules is a romance novel, sure, but it also has plenty of note-worthy New Adult qualities that I support. Now, if only Noah could get rid of that terrible habit of calling Echo his siren and we'd all be that much happier...
Want to read
September 19, 2014 Breaking the Rules is now coming out December 8th. Three weeks earlier! It looks like the book might be onsale for $3.82 on Amazon. The cover is nice. It's not really how I picture Noah though but it's still nice. I can't wait to read this. I have wnated a roadtrip story ver since I read Pushing the Limits!
Here is a link to Chapter 1 of Breaking the Rules (Noah/Echo's summer roatrip story):
https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
Here is a link to a little more information on the book and Twitter party that is coming up
http://www.katielmcgarry.com/post/201...
I have been wanting to read a story about Noah and Echo's summer roadtrip ever since I read Pushing the Limits. I am so excited that there is a book about their roadtrip! I was a little weiry about them having a sequel but since this takes place in between Pushing the Limits and Dare You To that I don't feel as nervous. I know that they are still together and happy in Crash into You.
I assume that Noah and Echo probably won't appeare in Take Me On so it is nice that we will get to see a little more of them in their book and get fill in some of the gaps. Noah and Echo's roadtrip has been mentioned in all the main books so it made me curious about it.
I hope that there will be a few phone conversations with Isaiah and Lila.
I hope that one day Isaiah will get a short story where he gets to meet his dad's family. I'd like to see him meeting them.
Here is a link to Chapter 1 of Breaking the Rules (Noah/Echo's summer roatrip story):
https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
Here is a link to a little more information on the book and Twitter party that is coming up
http://www.katielmcgarry.com/post/201...
I have been wanting to read a story about Noah and Echo's summer roadtrip ever since I read Pushing the Limits. I am so excited that there is a book about their roadtrip! I was a little weiry about them having a sequel but since this takes place in between Pushing the Limits and Dare You To that I don't feel as nervous. I know that they are still together and happy in Crash into You.
I assume that Noah and Echo probably won't appeare in Take Me On so it is nice that we will get to see a little more of them in their book and get fill in some of the gaps. Noah and Echo's roadtrip has been mentioned in all the main books so it made me curious about it.
I hope that there will be a few phone conversations with Isaiah and Lila.
I hope that one day Isaiah will get a short story where he gets to meet his dad's family. I'd like to see him meeting them.
January 23, 2015
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
Tanja: I think that this is the first time that I'm actually feeling sorry for a review that we haven't written yet, but the fact is that this will turn into "this should be Abby's book" story. But let's try to avoid it, somehow.
So this book for me was everything Katie usually is. It's like when you get into a Katie restaurant and order a Katie special you'll get this. Swoon worthy scenes and plenty of drama, all cooked together. But, it seemed like it was in a microwave before it got to you.
(Love, make some sense here, as I'm losing my metaphors)
Glass: But this should have been Abby's story!!! I am sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that we might never get that. And you metaphors are perfect - Breaking the Rules (I cannot believe that I'm about to say this) is a washed out version of epic, swoon-worthy story we had in Pushing the Limits. Noah was one of my favorite guys in this series - well, until we met West in Take Me On - but now I'm starting to doubt everything. I kind of wish that we haven't read this at all, don't you agree?
Tanja: Yes, totally. I assume that now readers will think that this is awful or something. It's not, at the same time it's not nearly as good as Pushing the Limits and other Katie's books were. It was just average and Katie's is everything but average writer.
Glass: Plus, I ended disappointed with both Noah and Echo, they annoyed me so much. Especially her. But as you already said, it is okay book, fans of the series will enjoy reading this, there are still a lot of "signature" Katie McGarry scenes and ending kind of redeemed everything.
Tanja: Exactly. It's sad, because you could get a lot from this series by writing about other character (we won't let it go), but this was well unnecessary. What bothered me the most, was that sort of, kind of love-triangle there. Gaaah! Why?!
Glass: Why did you even have to mention that? I didn't like that part at all. Completely unnecessary, extra drama. But, guys, don't get us wrong - we did give 3 stars to this book, so it means that Breaking the Rules wasn't a bad read - just not what we expected. But Katie McGarry is going to publish completely new book this year, Nowhere But Here, and we are so excited because of that. That summary sounds so intriguing and like nothing I've read so far when it comes to young adult genre.
Tanja: Yup. It's not Abby's book (this is the last time I'm mentioning it!), but I think it'll be much better than this. You know me, I'm always up for unique reads and let's hope that Nowhere But Here will be that. Aside the drama and everything, this is just an okay read. So I'd recommend - don't expect something different and new, as you won't get that. But you'll for sure enjoy reading it, as one thing that Katie will never fail at is good writing.
Till the next one...
Your dearest Glass and Tanja are back with another joint review for Katie's book. It's a tradition and some traditions we don't break.
Tanja: I think that this is the first time that I'm actually feeling sorry for a review that we haven't written yet, but the fact is that this will turn into "this should be Abby's book" story. But let's try to avoid it, somehow.
So this book for me was everything Katie usually is. It's like when you get into a Katie restaurant and order a Katie special you'll get this. Swoon worthy scenes and plenty of drama, all cooked together. But, it seemed like it was in a microwave before it got to you.
(Love, make some sense here, as I'm losing my metaphors)
Glass: But this should have been Abby's story!!! I am sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that we might never get that. And you metaphors are perfect - Breaking the Rules (I cannot believe that I'm about to say this) is a washed out version of epic, swoon-worthy story we had in Pushing the Limits. Noah was one of my favorite guys in this series - well, until we met West in Take Me On - but now I'm starting to doubt everything. I kind of wish that we haven't read this at all, don't you agree?
Tanja: Yes, totally. I assume that now readers will think that this is awful or something. It's not, at the same time it's not nearly as good as Pushing the Limits and other Katie's books were. It was just average and Katie's is everything but average writer.
Glass: Plus, I ended disappointed with both Noah and Echo, they annoyed me so much. Especially her. But as you already said, it is okay book, fans of the series will enjoy reading this, there are still a lot of "signature" Katie McGarry scenes and ending kind of redeemed everything.
Tanja: Exactly. It's sad, because you could get a lot from this series by writing about other character (we won't let it go), but this was well unnecessary. What bothered me the most, was that sort of, kind of love-triangle there. Gaaah! Why?!
Glass: Why did you even have to mention that? I didn't like that part at all. Completely unnecessary, extra drama. But, guys, don't get us wrong - we did give 3 stars to this book, so it means that Breaking the Rules wasn't a bad read - just not what we expected. But Katie McGarry is going to publish completely new book this year, Nowhere But Here, and we are so excited because of that. That summary sounds so intriguing and like nothing I've read so far when it comes to young adult genre.
Tanja: Yup. It's not Abby's book (this is the last time I'm mentioning it!), but I think it'll be much better than this. You know me, I'm always up for unique reads and let's hope that Nowhere But Here will be that. Aside the drama and everything, this is just an okay read. So I'd recommend - don't expect something different and new, as you won't get that. But you'll for sure enjoy reading it, as one thing that Katie will never fail at is good writing.
Till the next one...
January 2, 2015
I have to admit I was a little nervous when I picked up Breaking the Rules, I absolutely loved both Echo and Noah in Pushing the Limits and I was worried about seeing them go through even more trouble and heartbreak after they were supposed to have got their happy ending. However, if you consider everything that they've both been through and the effect that has had on them it wasn't surprising that their happily ever after wouldn't come quite so easily and I was quite glad that Katie McGarry was brave enough to revisit their story and make them work at it.
Both Echo and Noah have been left damaged by the events in their pasts, they have trust issues, they're insecure and they constantly worry about being abandoned. They've both lost people they loved and they've also been let down by people who should have been there for them so it isn't surprising that they live in fear of it happening again. They are madly in love with each other but that doesn't mean that their issues have gone away and now more than ever they need support and help to come to terms with their problems and find new coping mechanisms. They have to learn to trust in each other and to put their fears to one side so they can enjoy the moment rather than constantly worrying about what might happen in the future. The couple have spent the summer travelling and enjoying just being together but the closer they get to returning home the more their old lives start to weigh on them bringing things to the front of their minds again.
I'm not going to lie, Breaking the Rules was a painful read at times, it was hard to see Echo and Noah's relationship start to fall apart, especially after I'd rooted for them so hard throughout the first book. However, it was also incredibly satisfying to see them start to deal with their issues and learn how to communicate better. Echo is finally able to confront her mother and start getting her relationship with her father and step-mother back on track and we see Noah find out more about his mother's family and the relatives he never even knew existed. They both make difficult discoveries but they come through their experiences stronger than ever and I completely believe that their relationship will survive any further challenges that life can throw at them. I loved revisiting them and it reminded me how much I loved Isaiah so I really do need to get around to reading his book soon! I love Katie McGarry's writing, her stories are full of intense emotions and lots of drama and I always find myself devouring them.
Both Echo and Noah have been left damaged by the events in their pasts, they have trust issues, they're insecure and they constantly worry about being abandoned. They've both lost people they loved and they've also been let down by people who should have been there for them so it isn't surprising that they live in fear of it happening again. They are madly in love with each other but that doesn't mean that their issues have gone away and now more than ever they need support and help to come to terms with their problems and find new coping mechanisms. They have to learn to trust in each other and to put their fears to one side so they can enjoy the moment rather than constantly worrying about what might happen in the future. The couple have spent the summer travelling and enjoying just being together but the closer they get to returning home the more their old lives start to weigh on them bringing things to the front of their minds again.
I'm not going to lie, Breaking the Rules was a painful read at times, it was hard to see Echo and Noah's relationship start to fall apart, especially after I'd rooted for them so hard throughout the first book. However, it was also incredibly satisfying to see them start to deal with their issues and learn how to communicate better. Echo is finally able to confront her mother and start getting her relationship with her father and step-mother back on track and we see Noah find out more about his mother's family and the relatives he never even knew existed. They both make difficult discoveries but they come through their experiences stronger than ever and I completely believe that their relationship will survive any further challenges that life can throw at them. I loved revisiting them and it reminded me how much I loved Isaiah so I really do need to get around to reading his book soon! I love Katie McGarry's writing, her stories are full of intense emotions and lots of drama and I always find myself devouring them.
May 16, 2017
Breaking the Rules was a wonderful follow-up to Noah and Echo's story! While I loved how Pushing the Limits ended, it was obvious that there was still so much that Echo and Noah had to accomplish and sort out. Not only individually, but as a couple too. So this story starts out a few months after we last saw them. They're on the last leg of their road trip, and while the majority of their trip has been easy, it's definitely not going to stay that way. Especially since their thoughts about returning home are looming in the background. And they unfortunately have a few brutal roadblocks headed straight their way.
My favorite thing about this book, besides the characters of course, was all of the messages I took away and found hidden in the pages. My favorites were -
✮ Hurt can sometimes be unavoidable, but it's how you deal with the aftermath that matters.
They're both still figuring themselves and each other out. And while they of course make mistakes, they were bound to hurt one another. Noah a little more than Echo in my eyes. They still have growing up to do, and their immaturity got the best of them at times. Like Echo and the pool scene and Noah and the car scene...you'll see what I mean, ugh. But here's why I love them both so much, they learn from their mistakes. They apologize, they try and talk it out, and they try and make sure those type of events don't happen again.
✮ What forgiveness and letting go truly means.
Both Noah and Echo have so much hurt from their pasts. They haven't moved on. They haven't let it go. While at times they regress from all the obstacles in their way, they were always realistic and tried their best to sort it all out. Even if it took a little time. And slowly over time they did learn to forgive and let go. I was so proud of both of them!
✮ Finding faith in not only yourself, but also the ones you love the most.
With events triggering their insecurities of themselves and their relationship, they were emotionally put to the test time and again. While some may see it as dramatic at times, I saw it as how life can truly be. Messy. Because I got why certain triggers sent them into a tailspin. I just hoped they were strong enough, and had enough faith in themselves, to handle each time in an adult manner. They had to reach deep into themselves, and each other, and the process was a beautiful thing to behold.
This book is definitely for everyone who fell in love with Echo and Noah in Pushing the Limits. There's still the sexual tension, but this time there's so much love underneath it all. And no matter how messed up and drama filled their lives got, they grew so much. I loved knowing that they were stronger now, and watching them work towards their HEA!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
How can we repair us when we keep pressing Rewind on the same parts of the same tired movie? - Echo
My favorite thing about this book, besides the characters of course, was all of the messages I took away and found hidden in the pages. My favorites were -
✮ Hurt can sometimes be unavoidable, but it's how you deal with the aftermath that matters.
I need us to be indestructible. I can’t return to cold and alone. Things are complicated. No doubt. But we’ll battle through this. We have to. Giving up is not an option. - Noah
They're both still figuring themselves and each other out. And while they of course make mistakes, they were bound to hurt one another. Noah a little more than Echo in my eyes. They still have growing up to do, and their immaturity got the best of them at times. Like Echo and the pool scene and Noah and the car scene...you'll see what I mean, ugh. But here's why I love them both so much, they learn from their mistakes. They apologize, they try and talk it out, and they try and make sure those type of events don't happen again.
✮ What forgiveness and letting go truly means.
What if this is it, for the rest of our lives? Regardless of whether we’re together or not? What if our past will always haunt us and makes us miserable? What if we’ll never shed our baggage and weights, and we’ll never be set free?” - Echo
Both Noah and Echo have so much hurt from their pasts. They haven't moved on. They haven't let it go. While at times they regress from all the obstacles in their way, they were always realistic and tried their best to sort it all out. Even if it took a little time. And slowly over time they did learn to forgive and let go. I was so proud of both of them!
✮ Finding faith in not only yourself, but also the ones you love the most.
Echo’s my solid, my base, my foundation. She has no idea that the single fear that keeps me up at night is knowing one day she’ll discover she doesn’t need me like I need her. - Noah
With events triggering their insecurities of themselves and their relationship, they were emotionally put to the test time and again. While some may see it as dramatic at times, I saw it as how life can truly be. Messy. Because I got why certain triggers sent them into a tailspin. I just hoped they were strong enough, and had enough faith in themselves, to handle each time in an adult manner. They had to reach deep into themselves, and each other, and the process was a beautiful thing to behold.
“What is it with guys and matching underwear?”
“I’m a simple man. Too many things going on at one time can be distracting.”
She laughs, and the sound warms my heart.
This book is definitely for everyone who fell in love with Echo and Noah in Pushing the Limits. There's still the sexual tension, but this time there's so much love underneath it all. And no matter how messed up and drama filled their lives got, they grew so much. I loved knowing that they were stronger now, and watching them work towards their HEA!
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March 11, 2018
Actual rating: 2.5
It was very slow and it didn't bring much to the story.
December 31, 2014
DNF at page 101.
Pushing the Limits was an instant favourite of mine back in 2012 and since then I’ve been eagerly waiting for more titles from Katie McGarry because I’ve loved everything she’s produced, until now.
Breaking the Rules is if I’m honest is hard to read, it’s the reason I’ve not finished the rest of book. I knew going into the story that not everything was going to be easy for the characters but, I almost feel like they’re in a worse place now then where they were in Pushing the Limits and it’s pretty much bursting my imaginative bubble of these characters living their lives happily together.
As the story is told from alternative points of view, we see Echo and Noah battle with insecurities, pain, issues and honestly, it’s painful to read. One minute they’re basking in their happiness with each other, but the next, their issues bring them down and they’re arguing and second guessing everything. These aren’t the two characters that I came to love from the first book. They feel like different characters. Yes, they’ve grown but has anything really changed other than being together? No. I just don’t feel like this book was needed – not a full length novel anyway. I feel like drama has been created just for this book where it isn’t needed. Echo started to grate on my nerves and I found her a lot more dramatic than before where I’m rolling my eyes at her. And it makes me sad that I feel this way but reading it isn’t enjoyable. I don’t want these characters so sad. I want them happy and I want to remember these characters for how they were in Pushing the Limits, not Breaking the Rules.
I applauded Katie McGarry for writing a sequel for these characters and getting out more of their story because I’m guessing it doesn’t come easy when you have two very complex characters dealing with real life issues, but for me, I’d have had rather their story finished at the end of Pushing the Limits, where I can continue to imagine the characters living in a bubble of pure happiness and not having any drama to deal with.
Thank you to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pushing the Limits was an instant favourite of mine back in 2012 and since then I’ve been eagerly waiting for more titles from Katie McGarry because I’ve loved everything she’s produced, until now.
Breaking the Rules is if I’m honest is hard to read, it’s the reason I’ve not finished the rest of book. I knew going into the story that not everything was going to be easy for the characters but, I almost feel like they’re in a worse place now then where they were in Pushing the Limits and it’s pretty much bursting my imaginative bubble of these characters living their lives happily together.
As the story is told from alternative points of view, we see Echo and Noah battle with insecurities, pain, issues and honestly, it’s painful to read. One minute they’re basking in their happiness with each other, but the next, their issues bring them down and they’re arguing and second guessing everything. These aren’t the two characters that I came to love from the first book. They feel like different characters. Yes, they’ve grown but has anything really changed other than being together? No. I just don’t feel like this book was needed – not a full length novel anyway. I feel like drama has been created just for this book where it isn’t needed. Echo started to grate on my nerves and I found her a lot more dramatic than before where I’m rolling my eyes at her. And it makes me sad that I feel this way but reading it isn’t enjoyable. I don’t want these characters so sad. I want them happy and I want to remember these characters for how they were in Pushing the Limits, not Breaking the Rules.
I applauded Katie McGarry for writing a sequel for these characters and getting out more of their story because I’m guessing it doesn’t come easy when you have two very complex characters dealing with real life issues, but for me, I’d have had rather their story finished at the end of Pushing the Limits, where I can continue to imagine the characters living in a bubble of pure happiness and not having any drama to deal with.
Thank you to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2017
Pushing the Limits is one of my favourite books, and in my opinion it ended well enough that I didn't need to read another book about Echo and Noah, but I love them as a couple so I wanted to see what Katie McGarry was going to do with them.....
The results: I came out disliking the whole cliché plot line and my feelings for Echo tampered. Echo was always this strong character who found herself with Noah but for some reason she became a little selfish and childish in this book. It almost didn't seem like Echo, not to me anyway. My advice to anyone who loves the series is to just avoid this book.
The results: I came out disliking the whole cliché plot line and my feelings for Echo tampered. Echo was always this strong character who found herself with Noah but for some reason she became a little selfish and childish in this book. It almost didn't seem like Echo, not to me anyway. My advice to anyone who loves the series is to just avoid this book.
December 10, 2014
I loved, loved, loved Noah and Echo's continuing story. I'm a believer in young love, and Katie McGarry really knows how to write it! One of the most touching, romantic, and fulfilling stories I've ever read.
I highly recommend it - and anything else by Katie McGarry! Yes, I'm a big fan!
P.S. I sooo hope she writes Abby's story one day. I NEED that book!
I highly recommend it - and anything else by Katie McGarry! Yes, I'm a big fan!
P.S. I sooo hope she writes Abby's story one day. I NEED that book!
February 25, 2015
4 stars
May 17, 2016
4.5 STARS
I adore Katie McGarry. I think I say this every time I review one of her books but it bears repeating. She is one of those rarified authors that has never once let me down, writes stories and characters that have me completely invested every single time, and is on my super-short auto-buy list. With Breaking the Rules, a revisit with one of my favorite couples from the Pushing the Limits series, Katie McGarry delivered an emotional story that saw so much growth for Echo and Noah.
While Pushing the Limits ended on a hopeful note, it's not as if all their issues were magically resolved. Echo and Noah are still struggling - both individually and within their relationship. These are characters that I came to love in Pushing the Limits so it was impossible not to feel their pain and hurt for their struggles.
A summer road trip meant as a getaway before starting college becomes a landmine filled with insecurities, triggers and fears. They're at a turning point and they both feel it. Noah learns of relatives he never knew about and must decide whether to seek them out or accept that there was a reason his mother kept him from them. And a face from his past wreaks havoc with his own insecurities and has him making decisions that could have lasting consequences.
Echo. My brothers. The entire damned life I've attempted to create - all of it gone with one bad choice. By chasing the wrong person. - NoahEcho continues to battle her insecurities and tries to come to terms with her troubled relationship with her mother. Determined to stand on her own as an artist, she is inevitably faced with gossip, rumors and comparisons as she visits art galleries on the trip. When a gallery owner takes interest in her work and wants to show it at an event where her mother will be in attendance, Echo is forced to make tough decisions. Echo wonders, "Is having bad family better than having no family?" Through it all, Noah is by her side - loving her unconditionally, providing support, and being the one sure thing she can count on.
There are moments when your heart breaks and melts at the same time. When there's so much love flooding your soul that you're drowning in the tide. This is that moment with Noah. - EchoKatie McGarry has an amazing gift of writing male protagonists that I love. Noah has always been an incredible example of that. All through Pushing the Limits, and now here, Noah fights hard to be the man Echo deserves. This is a young man who has known incredible loss, who has fought for the family he has and was strong enough to do what was right for them even as it broke his heart. Noah adores Echo and I'm always moved by his devotion to her.
Hands down, this girl owns me. I gave up caringKatie's writing is simply irresistible and I love the dual POV she employs. Breaking the Rules was incredibly emotional and it had me tearful more times than any book I've read in quite a while. I loved these characters and having them struggle so much for a sense of peace was hurting my heart. I even turned to Twitter and received a little encouragement from Katie:
how fucked I am because of it. - Noah
Echo and Noah make some difficult discoveries over the course of the summer. There is so much growth for both of them over the course of the novel. They remain one of my favorite fictional characters and I can only hope this isn't the last I'll see of them.
February 8, 2017
RECENSIONE COMPLETA SUL BLOG: http://camminando-tra-le-pagine.blogs...
oggi fanno il loro grande ritorno sugli scaffali delle nostre librerie Echo&Noah i protagonisti di “Oltrei limiti” (Click sul titolo per la mia recensione) primo romanzo della serie Pushing the limits di Katie McGarry.
Ho amato follemente Echo&Noah nel primo romanzo dedicato a loro e non vedevo l’ora di ritrovarli in un “Estate contro” – quando la DeAgostini mi ha gentilmente spedito il romanzo ho iniziato a saltellare per tutta la casa come una pazza, e mi sono subito immersa nella lettura – che mi ha rapita all’istante e trascinata in un vortice di sensazione fortissime e dolorose: il dolore dei protagonisti.
Alla fine di “Oltre i limiti” abbiamo lasciato i nostri protagonisti che stavano cercando di rimettere a posto il caos delle loro vite. Abbiamo lasciato Echo a far fronte dei ricordi ritrovati sulla notte che ha cambiato per sempre la sua vita, e Noah si è reso conto che non è pronto per fare il genitore. Non è pronto per prendersi cura dei suoi fratellini a tempo pieno, e la cose migliore per loro è essere lasciati alle cure amorevoli della famiglia affidataria che li vuole adottare. Anche se questo gli ha spezzato il cuore.
Ora ritroviamo Echo e Noah in “Un estate contro” – sono passati due mesi dalle vicende finali del primo romanzo della serie, e loro sono in viaggio. Un viaggio on the road per le strade d’America. Un viaggio alla ricerca di loro stessi, durante il quale Echo vuole dimostrare al mondo il suo immenso talento nell’Arte e vuole esplorare la sua relazione con Noah.
Anche Noah vuole cambiare e diventare una persona migliore. Non vuole più essere il bad boy arrogante con il pugno facile che passa le sue serata a sballarsi con gli amici, ma vuole diventare l’uomo che Echo si merita e vuole essere un buon modello per i fratellini che adora.
In questo nuovo capitolo della serie Pushing the limits ritroviamo Echo e Noah cresciuti, maturati e cambiati e soprattutto più innamorati che mai. Il mio cuore ha perso innumerevoli battiti durante le loro affettuose effusioni e mi sono sciolta come neve al sole davanti alla dolcezza di Noah Hutchins.
Il liceo è ormai finito per i nostri protagonisti e ora sono pronti per iniziare la vita vera con nuove esperienze che li aspettano al college. Vogliono una vita nuova, migliore, e non vogliono più lasciarsi condizionare.... CONTINUA SUL BLOG http://camminando-tra-le-pagine.blogs...
oggi fanno il loro grande ritorno sugli scaffali delle nostre librerie Echo&Noah i protagonisti di “Oltrei limiti” (Click sul titolo per la mia recensione) primo romanzo della serie Pushing the limits di Katie McGarry.
Ho amato follemente Echo&Noah nel primo romanzo dedicato a loro e non vedevo l’ora di ritrovarli in un “Estate contro” – quando la DeAgostini mi ha gentilmente spedito il romanzo ho iniziato a saltellare per tutta la casa come una pazza, e mi sono subito immersa nella lettura – che mi ha rapita all’istante e trascinata in un vortice di sensazione fortissime e dolorose: il dolore dei protagonisti.
Alla fine di “Oltre i limiti” abbiamo lasciato i nostri protagonisti che stavano cercando di rimettere a posto il caos delle loro vite. Abbiamo lasciato Echo a far fronte dei ricordi ritrovati sulla notte che ha cambiato per sempre la sua vita, e Noah si è reso conto che non è pronto per fare il genitore. Non è pronto per prendersi cura dei suoi fratellini a tempo pieno, e la cose migliore per loro è essere lasciati alle cure amorevoli della famiglia affidataria che li vuole adottare. Anche se questo gli ha spezzato il cuore.
Ora ritroviamo Echo e Noah in “Un estate contro” – sono passati due mesi dalle vicende finali del primo romanzo della serie, e loro sono in viaggio. Un viaggio on the road per le strade d’America. Un viaggio alla ricerca di loro stessi, durante il quale Echo vuole dimostrare al mondo il suo immenso talento nell’Arte e vuole esplorare la sua relazione con Noah.
Anche Noah vuole cambiare e diventare una persona migliore. Non vuole più essere il bad boy arrogante con il pugno facile che passa le sue serata a sballarsi con gli amici, ma vuole diventare l’uomo che Echo si merita e vuole essere un buon modello per i fratellini che adora.
In questo nuovo capitolo della serie Pushing the limits ritroviamo Echo e Noah cresciuti, maturati e cambiati e soprattutto più innamorati che mai. Il mio cuore ha perso innumerevoli battiti durante le loro affettuose effusioni e mi sono sciolta come neve al sole davanti alla dolcezza di Noah Hutchins.
Il liceo è ormai finito per i nostri protagonisti e ora sono pronti per iniziare la vita vera con nuove esperienze che li aspettano al college. Vogliono una vita nuova, migliore, e non vogliono più lasciarsi condizionare.... CONTINUA SUL BLOG http://camminando-tra-le-pagine.blogs...
December 11, 2014
The newest addition to Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits series is its most powerful, emotional, heartrending and beautiful. BREAKING THE RULES reunites readers with Echo and Noah in the summer following their high school graduation, when their lives are at a turning point and they’re on the verge of adulthood facing all the challenges that come along with it.
Both Echo and Noah are still struggling with the demons from their pasts and are coming to realize that it’s not as easy to be the people they want to be. Echo is still afraid of the unknown, afraid of change, afraid of risk, afraid of being abandoned, and afraid that she might not be able to stand on her own as an artist. Noah wants to be the man that Echo needs him to be, but his insecurities and his fear of loss might cost him the one person he can’t live without.
Author Katie McGarry has taken their story to the next level. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s heartfelt and moving, it’s relatable. She tackles a point in time in the lives of this young couple where their paths could lead them in different directions. The obstacles she puts in front of them are ones that can’t always be overcome. She makes them face the hard truth that sometimes love may not be enough.
And she does it all in a way that will put readers on an emotional roller coaster, make them ache for everything that Noah and Echo have to go through, and make them wish desperately that the two get their happy ending.
BREAKING THE RULES is a road trip story told in alternating points of view that readers will be able to make a strong connection with, one that deals with real-to-life issues that most couples encounter in their relationship. It’s a story that they’ll fall instantly and madly in love with, with characters that they already adore. It’s a story that shows just how deep the author is willing to dig to add authenticity and to touch readers’ hearts with her characters’ vulnerabilities, their doubts and fears. It’s an amazing story. The very best of the series. And one that is an absolute must read.
Original GR comments.
Oh my gosh this book. This book was so amazing. My favorite of the series. It was powerful and heart-wrenching and raw and real. I loved it. Everyone must read this book.
Review TK.
Both Echo and Noah are still struggling with the demons from their pasts and are coming to realize that it’s not as easy to be the people they want to be. Echo is still afraid of the unknown, afraid of change, afraid of risk, afraid of being abandoned, and afraid that she might not be able to stand on her own as an artist. Noah wants to be the man that Echo needs him to be, but his insecurities and his fear of loss might cost him the one person he can’t live without.
Author Katie McGarry has taken their story to the next level. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s heartfelt and moving, it’s relatable. She tackles a point in time in the lives of this young couple where their paths could lead them in different directions. The obstacles she puts in front of them are ones that can’t always be overcome. She makes them face the hard truth that sometimes love may not be enough.
And she does it all in a way that will put readers on an emotional roller coaster, make them ache for everything that Noah and Echo have to go through, and make them wish desperately that the two get their happy ending.
BREAKING THE RULES is a road trip story told in alternating points of view that readers will be able to make a strong connection with, one that deals with real-to-life issues that most couples encounter in their relationship. It’s a story that they’ll fall instantly and madly in love with, with characters that they already adore. It’s a story that shows just how deep the author is willing to dig to add authenticity and to touch readers’ hearts with her characters’ vulnerabilities, their doubts and fears. It’s an amazing story. The very best of the series. And one that is an absolute must read.
Original GR comments.
Oh my gosh this book. This book was so amazing. My favorite of the series. It was powerful and heart-wrenching and raw and real. I loved it. Everyone must read this book.
Review TK.
September 2, 2015
La mia recensione sul blog http://www.leggereromanticamente.com/...
Vi ricordate di Echo e Noah, i due protagonisti di "Oltre i limiti"? Se ancora non avete letto quel libro allora vi consiglio di rimediare all'istante!
Se poi amerete come me questi due giovani così tormentati e con un sacco di problemi, allora buttatevi anche in questa bella novella che fa da seguito alla loro storia.
Alla fine di "Oltre i limiti" sembrava che tutto fosse sistemato ( infatti poteva benissimo essere considerato un romanzo autoconclusivo) e invece no!
Eccoci a poche settimane dall'inizio dell'università, con i nostri Noah ed Echo in viaggio da soli, un viaggio che sembrava perfetto fino a quando, l'avvicinarsi della fine, non fa altro che far riaffiorare i dubbi, le insicurezze e i demoni del passato che sembravano ormai superati.
Attraverso i POV alternati dei due ragazzi viviamo in prima persone i loro tormenti e le loro paure, che potrebbero essere talmente radicati in loro stessi da portarli a rovinare la loro storia così dolce, romantica e intensa. Come ad un certo punto nel libro dice la stessa Echo "l'amore non è mai in discussione" ma, per guardare al futuro e vivere serenamente, entrambi hanno ancora degli spettri del passato da esorcizzare.
Anche stavolta Katie McGarry è una maestra nel trattare situazioni complicate con grazia e dolcezza. Mi piace molto il suo stile e la sua delicatezza: i romanzi di questa autrice sanno sempre come toccare il cuore delle persone.
Questa novella è sicuramente un po' più "adulta" rispetto al libro precedente, non solo per il rapporto tra i due che passa ad un livello successivo, ma anche per le decisioni che entrambi prenderanno.
Consiglio: se avete appena iniziato questa serie, leggete questo romanzo prima di "scommessa d'amore", cronologicamente quello che succede in questo romanzo avviene prima del romanzo con protagonista Beth.
Vi ricordate di Echo e Noah, i due protagonisti di "Oltre i limiti"? Se ancora non avete letto quel libro allora vi consiglio di rimediare all'istante!
Se poi amerete come me questi due giovani così tormentati e con un sacco di problemi, allora buttatevi anche in questa bella novella che fa da seguito alla loro storia.
Alla fine di "Oltre i limiti" sembrava che tutto fosse sistemato ( infatti poteva benissimo essere considerato un romanzo autoconclusivo) e invece no!
Eccoci a poche settimane dall'inizio dell'università, con i nostri Noah ed Echo in viaggio da soli, un viaggio che sembrava perfetto fino a quando, l'avvicinarsi della fine, non fa altro che far riaffiorare i dubbi, le insicurezze e i demoni del passato che sembravano ormai superati.
Attraverso i POV alternati dei due ragazzi viviamo in prima persone i loro tormenti e le loro paure, che potrebbero essere talmente radicati in loro stessi da portarli a rovinare la loro storia così dolce, romantica e intensa. Come ad un certo punto nel libro dice la stessa Echo "l'amore non è mai in discussione" ma, per guardare al futuro e vivere serenamente, entrambi hanno ancora degli spettri del passato da esorcizzare.
Anche stavolta Katie McGarry è una maestra nel trattare situazioni complicate con grazia e dolcezza. Mi piace molto il suo stile e la sua delicatezza: i romanzi di questa autrice sanno sempre come toccare il cuore delle persone.
Questa novella è sicuramente un po' più "adulta" rispetto al libro precedente, non solo per il rapporto tra i due che passa ad un livello successivo, ma anche per le decisioni che entrambi prenderanno.
Consiglio: se avete appena iniziato questa serie, leggete questo romanzo prima di "scommessa d'amore", cronologicamente quello che succede in questo romanzo avviene prima del romanzo con protagonista Beth.
March 8, 2016
Breaking The Rules es una novela dentro de la serie Pushing The Limits de Katie McGarry y vuelve a tener como protagonistas a Noah y Echo.
Echo y Noah han sido una de mis parejas literarias favoritas desde que lei Pushing The limits hace unos años, su relacion en el primer libro me encanto : dulce, tierna y con mucha mas madurez que otras parejas, por eso me imaginaba que en esta novela tendrian mas problemas, y asi fue. Si el primer libro relata el primer amor, en este se relata lo que viene despues, cuando la relacion se consolida.
Estaba muy contenta de leer mas sobre los personajes de esta serie y aunque los personajes secundarios no aparecieron tanto como esperaba fue una lectura muy muy buena.
En algunas ocasiones me enfadaba con las decisiones de Echo, no se porque pero me era mas facil conectar con Noah y sus miedos que con los de Echo, ademas algunas veces me parecio que Echo era un poco egoista, queria que Noah estuviera de acuerdo con sus decisiones pero ella no era capaz de poner su relacion en primer lugar como hacia Noah.
Con eso no digo que Noah no se equivocara, solo digo que las acciones de Echo me parecieron mas egoistas que las de el.
Aun asi estoy muy contenta de por fin haber leido este libro ( lo esperaba desde hace mucho ), algunos pensaran que no aporta nada nuevo pero si te gusto la pareja de Noah y Echo esta es una lectura obligatoria.
4 Estrellas!!
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