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Off Limits #1
Pushing the Boundaries
Myra goes to Haiti with one goal: take the photograph that will win a scholarship and prove to her uber-traditional family that she has what it takes to be a photographer instead of a doctor. Her camera has always been her shield against getting too close to anyone, but she didn’t expect the hot teen translator who has an ability to see past her walls.
Elias needs his job as a translator to provide for his siblings. He can’t afford to break the rule forbidding him from socializing with a client. Except this girl Myra insists on going outside the city to capture the perfect picture, and he steps in as her guide in order to keep her safe.
The deeper they travel into the country, the harder they fall for each other. Now they’re both taking risks that could cost each other their dreams.
If they get too close—it could ruin both their lives.
Disclaimer: Caution! Reading this book will open your heart and inspire you to take risks. Only those searching for true love should proceed.
ebook
First published January 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Trombley
18 books264 followersStacey Trombley is the author of several fantasy romance series including WICKED FAE and SHADOW HILLS ACADEMY. Her places to travel list is almost as long as her to-be-read list. Most recently, she spent 9 months living in a van with her family, traveling the US and Mexico. She has many more adventures in mind, both on Earth and in her imagination.
Follow her journey on Instagram and Tiktok @StaceyTrombleyAuthor and learn more about her books at www.StaceyTrombley.com
Follow her journey on Instagram and Tiktok @StaceyTrombleyAuthor and learn more about her books at www.StaceyTrombley.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 8, 2017
3.5 Stars
Let's just get to the things I didn't like much first.
I am not a huge fan of the writing style. To be honest, the way Trombley dealt with the creole dialogues, is not to my liking. I know that is style many authors use, but I personally find it disruptive. It's really a matter of personal preference. At time I found the writing a bit too simplistic, but at others there were amazing descriptions. Which makes the writing style feel a bit inconsistent and it's one of the reason's it took me a while to get into the book.
The second negative point: the romance. It's too insta. I mean, we talking a week! One week, people. I get that Myra got affected by the place, but their feelings for each other and the dramas? I kept thinking, dude, it's been a few days...
However, the thing I liked do outway the things I didn't! So despite the above, I enjoyed the book immensely.
First and foremost Trombley chose two really different protagonists. I love that! But not only did she chose diverse characters, she also did a brilliant job at getting them right. Myra makes "sense", her struggles, even the ones with her mother, her attitude, her perceptions, her acts are that of a pakistani american youth. It's really well done. I absolutely love the character building in this book. Elias, felt a bit woody in the beginning, but soon became a vivid character that felt real.
The support cast was just as well written. But really for me the star in the story is Myra and her character growth. It's beautiful and feel so realistic. I was really moved by her, her changes and discoveries.
As I said I wasn't a fan of the romance, which means, some of the plot was not really my cup of tea. But there is so much more to this story than the romance. The work in the clinic for example, I have worked as a helper in a refugee clinic, and let me tell you I felt transported back to it. Tromley did a fantastic job at shedding light to those situations. I mean the negative and positive sides. And I felt like I visited Haiti after I finished read this. I know all about leaving a piece of your heart in places (mine is scattered in places all of the world) and I totally got what happened to Myra.
The poverty, the way that people are, the kids are the highlight of this book to me.
A beautiful reminder and a wonderful beacon of hope. Because as Myra discovered, instead of seeing the differences, when we see the similarities- the joy and hope we all share- we discover true beauty. I believe that humanity needs people like that and that we need to be reminded of this as much as possible.
Beautiful subtext, interesting characters and some beautiful descriptions make this a truly different experience.
Let's just get to the things I didn't like much first.
I am not a huge fan of the writing style. To be honest, the way Trombley dealt with the creole dialogues, is not to my liking. I know that is style many authors use, but I personally find it disruptive. It's really a matter of personal preference. At time I found the writing a bit too simplistic, but at others there were amazing descriptions. Which makes the writing style feel a bit inconsistent and it's one of the reason's it took me a while to get into the book.
The second negative point: the romance. It's too insta. I mean, we talking a week! One week, people. I get that Myra got affected by the place, but their feelings for each other and the dramas? I kept thinking, dude, it's been a few days...
However, the thing I liked do outway the things I didn't! So despite the above, I enjoyed the book immensely.
First and foremost Trombley chose two really different protagonists. I love that! But not only did she chose diverse characters, she also did a brilliant job at getting them right. Myra makes "sense", her struggles, even the ones with her mother, her attitude, her perceptions, her acts are that of a pakistani american youth. It's really well done. I absolutely love the character building in this book. Elias, felt a bit woody in the beginning, but soon became a vivid character that felt real.
The support cast was just as well written. But really for me the star in the story is Myra and her character growth. It's beautiful and feel so realistic. I was really moved by her, her changes and discoveries.
As I said I wasn't a fan of the romance, which means, some of the plot was not really my cup of tea. But there is so much more to this story than the romance. The work in the clinic for example, I have worked as a helper in a refugee clinic, and let me tell you I felt transported back to it. Tromley did a fantastic job at shedding light to those situations. I mean the negative and positive sides. And I felt like I visited Haiti after I finished read this. I know all about leaving a piece of your heart in places (mine is scattered in places all of the world) and I totally got what happened to Myra.
The poverty, the way that people are, the kids are the highlight of this book to me.
A beautiful reminder and a wonderful beacon of hope. Because as Myra discovered, instead of seeing the differences, when we see the similarities- the joy and hope we all share- we discover true beauty. I believe that humanity needs people like that and that we need to be reminded of this as much as possible.
Beautiful subtext, interesting characters and some beautiful descriptions make this a truly different experience.
February 6, 2017
Myra is a teen who has always felt an outsider and different to her peers. Her parents are Pakistani, she’s a Muslim, they live in the US and both her parents are well known in their own fields. Her Mum is a Doctor, travelling to Haiti to treat patients there as part of an international aid initiative and Myra is going with her as another volunteer to help at the hospital. Myra’s relationship with her mum isn’t brilliant. Her Mum expects Myra to train to be a Doctor. Myra is hoping the trip will enable her to take a special photograph that will enable her to win a scholarship to study photography rather than medicine. She’s always used her camera as a shield to protect herself from anyone getting too close, now she’s hoping it will help her escape her parents’ expectations.
Elias is a translator, working hard to provide food, clothing and education for his younger siblings. He’s a teenager, too, but he’s been warned that he should never socialise with any of the clients. However, headstrong Myra is determined to leave the secure accommodation and the hospital to find that elusive photographic opportunity. As Myra makes irresponsible decisions which put her at serious risk, Elias is her only hope to return home safely. As he endeavours to protect her and keep her safe the two fall harder for each other. Their lives, however, are so different. How could they stand a chance? When Myra’s actions detrimentally affect Elias and his family, how can she make things right again?
This is an emotive story through which the heroine starts to grow as her knowledge of Haiti and its people also grows. She is, however, initially also very selfish and lacks any empathy for the impact of her actions on others - especially Elias and his family. Elias is, in contrast, a hard working young man who takes his family responsibilities very seriously, making him extremely likeable and endearing. The poverty, the work in the clinic and the need to help enable people to educate and help themselves are all key messages within the story, as are other cultural aspects. I found it interesting to read about the conditions and hope the books can help others be more aware of the situation there so more can be done. The story has some interesting characters, sub plots and descriptions, a very different teen romance!
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel. This is my honest review.
Elias is a translator, working hard to provide food, clothing and education for his younger siblings. He’s a teenager, too, but he’s been warned that he should never socialise with any of the clients. However, headstrong Myra is determined to leave the secure accommodation and the hospital to find that elusive photographic opportunity. As Myra makes irresponsible decisions which put her at serious risk, Elias is her only hope to return home safely. As he endeavours to protect her and keep her safe the two fall harder for each other. Their lives, however, are so different. How could they stand a chance? When Myra’s actions detrimentally affect Elias and his family, how can she make things right again?
This is an emotive story through which the heroine starts to grow as her knowledge of Haiti and its people also grows. She is, however, initially also very selfish and lacks any empathy for the impact of her actions on others - especially Elias and his family. Elias is, in contrast, a hard working young man who takes his family responsibilities very seriously, making him extremely likeable and endearing. The poverty, the work in the clinic and the need to help enable people to educate and help themselves are all key messages within the story, as are other cultural aspects. I found it interesting to read about the conditions and hope the books can help others be more aware of the situation there so more can be done. The story has some interesting characters, sub plots and descriptions, a very different teen romance!
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel. This is my honest review.
February 6, 2017
original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
** I received an advanced readers copy from Entangled: Crush in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Myra went to Haiti on a mission trip with her mother to help in a medical clinic for a week. She didn't really want to go because medicine was her mother's gig and not hers. She didn't want a future in medicine like her mother was pushing her towards, instead she wanted a future as a photographer even though she knew her mother would never approve. She thought that winning a photography contest could give her the money for tuition that she would never get from her mom and she could finally be free of her. One good shot in Haiti would give her that freedom she was looking for. She didn't count on the cute translator that was assigned to her group and the things he would make her feel. Running hot and cold, she couldn't figure him out.
What she didn't know was that Elias needed his job. His entire family depended on him and his income. Without it his younger siblings could not go to school and gain the possibility of a prosperous future. He had to remain professional and abide by the one big rule of his employer. Stay away from the clients. Easier said than done when he found himself drawn to Myra and caught in situations that brought them close.
I finished this book last night and I wanted to take a few hours to think about it before putting my thoughts in writing. There was something about it, I wasn't sure what, that I couldn't put my finger on. After taking the time I finally figured out what it was about the book that had me unsettled.
I didn't like Myra at all, not even a little bit. Regardless of her circumstance, I found her to be selfish, self centred, thoughtless, entitled, careless, oblivious and completely immature. OK, I said it. Perhaps it sounds harsh but I knew there was something that was bugging me and that's what it was. She was on a mission for a picture that put herself and Elias at risk and she didn't seem to care. At her age there was really no excuse for not knowing the impact of her actions on Elias.
I did however like Elias. He was working hard to provide for his family in a country where opportunities are limited and few and far between. His devotion to his family was heart warming. I have not had the opportunity to visit Haiti but I have visited many underprivileged countries where poverty is at the forefront and opportunities are extremely limited. I have seen first hand some of the struggles. That is why I found it hard to understand the insta-love and why Elias couldn't stay away from Myra. He had too much at stake to get involved, yet he did.
Perhaps it was my maturity and experience that tainted this story for me...I don't know. All I know is that it bothered me a lot. Even the ending was way too far fetched and unrealistic for me. I think Pushing the Boundaries is best suited for the younger of the YA audience. They may think it's cute whereas all I could think about was the bigger picture. There was nothing wrong with the writing, I just couldn't get behind the story.
** I received an advanced readers copy from Entangled: Crush in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Myra went to Haiti on a mission trip with her mother to help in a medical clinic for a week. She didn't really want to go because medicine was her mother's gig and not hers. She didn't want a future in medicine like her mother was pushing her towards, instead she wanted a future as a photographer even though she knew her mother would never approve. She thought that winning a photography contest could give her the money for tuition that she would never get from her mom and she could finally be free of her. One good shot in Haiti would give her that freedom she was looking for. She didn't count on the cute translator that was assigned to her group and the things he would make her feel. Running hot and cold, she couldn't figure him out.
What she didn't know was that Elias needed his job. His entire family depended on him and his income. Without it his younger siblings could not go to school and gain the possibility of a prosperous future. He had to remain professional and abide by the one big rule of his employer. Stay away from the clients. Easier said than done when he found himself drawn to Myra and caught in situations that brought them close.
I finished this book last night and I wanted to take a few hours to think about it before putting my thoughts in writing. There was something about it, I wasn't sure what, that I couldn't put my finger on. After taking the time I finally figured out what it was about the book that had me unsettled.
I didn't like Myra at all, not even a little bit. Regardless of her circumstance, I found her to be selfish, self centred, thoughtless, entitled, careless, oblivious and completely immature. OK, I said it. Perhaps it sounds harsh but I knew there was something that was bugging me and that's what it was. She was on a mission for a picture that put herself and Elias at risk and she didn't seem to care. At her age there was really no excuse for not knowing the impact of her actions on Elias.
I did however like Elias. He was working hard to provide for his family in a country where opportunities are limited and few and far between. His devotion to his family was heart warming. I have not had the opportunity to visit Haiti but I have visited many underprivileged countries where poverty is at the forefront and opportunities are extremely limited. I have seen first hand some of the struggles. That is why I found it hard to understand the insta-love and why Elias couldn't stay away from Myra. He had too much at stake to get involved, yet he did.
Perhaps it was my maturity and experience that tainted this story for me...I don't know. All I know is that it bothered me a lot. Even the ending was way too far fetched and unrealistic for me. I think Pushing the Boundaries is best suited for the younger of the YA audience. They may think it's cute whereas all I could think about was the bigger picture. There was nothing wrong with the writing, I just couldn't get behind the story.
February 7, 2017
I really wanted to enjoy this one more but something about it left me, I don't know, just feeling off.
Myra travels to Haiti with her mother as part of a Doctors without Borders type of deal. Her mother is a doctor who does work at a clinic set up in Haiti and Myra, along with other teens, join the doctors as interns. Myra's mother hopes this will set her on the path to becoming a doctor. Problem is, Myra doesn't want to be a doctor, she wants to be a photographer. And she's in Haiti hoping to capture that one picture to win a scholarship to an art school. When she gets off the plane she immediately meets Elias. Elias has been hired to be a chauffeur/translator to the Americans while in the country. This is a huge opportunity for Elias. With this job he can afford to send his siblings to school and help feed his family. The job just comes with one warning - stay away from the Americans. I'm pretty sure you can all figure out what comes next.
I'm just going to say it, I did not like Myra. At all. I get that she feels trapped by her parents, by her religion, etc., but that doesn't excuse the fact that she ruins other people's lives with the attitude of 'oh it can't be that bad'. I get that she's young but being young and being naive are two different things.
Oh the other side, I did like Elias for the most part. I like what he represented and how the author chose to showcase his struggles with poverty and lack of jobs to grow. He wants to learn. He wants to be successful for his family. It definitely puts things in perspective when you watch how he just wants to feed his family.
I also appreciated the culture and description of Haiti. I read in the authors notes that Trombley has spent time in Haiti in her youth and I think that helped here. Writing another country is hard when you're just going off Google. Having been there and experienced the culture first hand added to the story.
But ultimately, I struggled with this book. The instalove was kind of ridiculous. I mean, you just met this person and you're only in Haiti, what, a week I think it was? It would have worked better if it was crush status more then love. I mean, they didn't really spend that much time together to make it believable. Another thing was the ending. Everything from when Elias receives the package to the end was a little sugary sweet and too perfect. It wasn't believable and took away from what could have been a bittersweet growing experience.
I do think this book will relate with young adults. Maybe I was just a little too old for the story and writing, that it just didn't work for me.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Myra travels to Haiti with her mother as part of a Doctors without Borders type of deal. Her mother is a doctor who does work at a clinic set up in Haiti and Myra, along with other teens, join the doctors as interns. Myra's mother hopes this will set her on the path to becoming a doctor. Problem is, Myra doesn't want to be a doctor, she wants to be a photographer. And she's in Haiti hoping to capture that one picture to win a scholarship to an art school. When she gets off the plane she immediately meets Elias. Elias has been hired to be a chauffeur/translator to the Americans while in the country. This is a huge opportunity for Elias. With this job he can afford to send his siblings to school and help feed his family. The job just comes with one warning - stay away from the Americans. I'm pretty sure you can all figure out what comes next.
I'm just going to say it, I did not like Myra. At all. I get that she feels trapped by her parents, by her religion, etc., but that doesn't excuse the fact that she ruins other people's lives with the attitude of 'oh it can't be that bad'. I get that she's young but being young and being naive are two different things.
Oh the other side, I did like Elias for the most part. I like what he represented and how the author chose to showcase his struggles with poverty and lack of jobs to grow. He wants to learn. He wants to be successful for his family. It definitely puts things in perspective when you watch how he just wants to feed his family.
I also appreciated the culture and description of Haiti. I read in the authors notes that Trombley has spent time in Haiti in her youth and I think that helped here. Writing another country is hard when you're just going off Google. Having been there and experienced the culture first hand added to the story.
But ultimately, I struggled with this book. The instalove was kind of ridiculous. I mean, you just met this person and you're only in Haiti, what, a week I think it was? It would have worked better if it was crush status more then love. I mean, they didn't really spend that much time together to make it believable. Another thing was the ending. Everything from when Elias receives the package to the end was a little sugary sweet and too perfect. It wasn't believable and took away from what could have been a bittersweet growing experience.
I do think this book will relate with young adults. Maybe I was just a little too old for the story and writing, that it just didn't work for me.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. It wasn't nearly long enough. I want more of Myra and Elias. Such a sweet story.
Its the story of a young American/Pakistani girl who's mother is a doctor and really wants her to be one too. She goes on a mission trip to Haiti with her mother to volunteer at a free clinic. While her mother wants her to be a doctor, Myra wants to enter art school and needs the perfect picture to try to win a scholarship. There she meets a Haitian boy that has been hired as a translator for the volunteers and the locals. He isn't supposed to do anything other than translate. He isn't supposed to spend time with them or get to know them. She isn't supposed to spend time with him either. But Myra wants to find that perfect picture and needs to get away from the clinic to do that.
I thought the message of the book was beautiful. Simplicity. Honesty. Beauty. Love.
The scene that plays out on pages 108-109 with the children was lovely. The ending was perfection.
I had tears in my eyes as I finished reading this book.
READ IT.
Its the story of a young American/Pakistani girl who's mother is a doctor and really wants her to be one too. She goes on a mission trip to Haiti with her mother to volunteer at a free clinic. While her mother wants her to be a doctor, Myra wants to enter art school and needs the perfect picture to try to win a scholarship. There she meets a Haitian boy that has been hired as a translator for the volunteers and the locals. He isn't supposed to do anything other than translate. He isn't supposed to spend time with them or get to know them. She isn't supposed to spend time with him either. But Myra wants to find that perfect picture and needs to get away from the clinic to do that.
I thought the message of the book was beautiful. Simplicity. Honesty. Beauty. Love.
The scene that plays out on pages 108-109 with the children was lovely. The ending was perfection.
I had tears in my eyes as I finished reading this book.
READ IT.
December 31, 2016
3 “Haiti & First Love” Stars
ARC via NetGalley
Thank you, Entangled Crush!
Pushing the Boundaries had an intriguing premise: first-world girl passionate about photography travels to third-world country in search of its beauty, then falls in love with local boy.
There was a lot of room for this to develop into a beautiful story about how first love can (or at least can try to) overcome cultural shock and people’s differences, but the message got lost in execution.
The writing was good—it could’ve used a little more description, especially in the beginning, but it was strong enough to not take me away from the story. The setting was unique, which made me want to read the book in the first place. But what really dragged this story down for me was the main character, Myra. I wanted to like her. I really did. She had enough things going for her initially, but those things ended up not being enough to make me like her. Look, Myra wasn’t all bad. First, she wasn’t the usual priviledge white American girl, who thought the world belonged to her and looked down at others. Aside from a few misteps in the beginning of the story, it sounded like she was really just ignorant of the circunstances surrounding Haiti and its people. Once she had a better understanding (as much as one can gather in a few days), she seemed to have her head and heart in the right place. Myra was also passionate enough about something to risk disappointing her mother to achieve her dreams, which means she wasn’t just a girl worried about material things or daydreaming 24/7 about the next boy.
With all that, though, Myra still managed to be unlikable to me.
My biggest problem with Myra was how selfish she could be when it came to Elias, the much more likable love interest. Maybe, in retrospect, the fact that Elias had a lot more going for him might’ve hurt her case.
Elias was a hard-working young man worried about others more than himself. He put up with his boss’ boderline abusive attitude to guarantee his family had food in the end of the day, and that his little brother could get the education he needed. He was always thinking about his family and the people who needed him. In the one time Elias acted thinking solely about his wants/needs, he paid for that greatly.
So it was extremely easy to like Elias, which means Myra had to work extra hard to get the same reaction from readers.
Judging from how she acted in the second half of the story, I don’t think she was too worried about her likability at all. That can work if you can sustain your premise and keep your readers hooked despite the fact that they can’t really connect with the main character...which wasn’t the case here, as far as I was concerned.
I needed more of Haiti’s culture, more action, more tension in order to stay engaged. Sure, the little we got to see about that country and its people was the thing that kept me reading, but it still wasn’t enough to make me rate this book anything above 3 stars. Plus, since this is an Entangled Crush book and they always deliver the cutest romances, I was expecting something along those lines. Unfortunately, the insta love didn’t work well here, and the happy ending felt a bit surreal and rushed.
February 21, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This unique contemporary romance shines the spotlight on cultural differences and the ways that we sometimes judge based on expectation rather than reality. Set in Haiti, the book focuses on the country’s beauty rather than its drawbacks.
What Fed My Addiction:
Haiti!
I’ve been to Haiti three times—twice in the process of adopting my son and once when I escorted a baby girl with spina bifida who we had hosted back home to her momma. So, I have a special connection with the country and I could truly relate to Myra’s thoughts and feelings when she arrives in Port au Prince. It can be disconcerting to arrive in a place that’s so different—so bustling and active and a little overwhelming when you first step off the plane (heck, the plane ride itself was a little strange when I flew into Cap Haitien). Myra wants to see the “real” Haiti, not just the parts within the clinic walls—she wants to experience the people and their everyday life. She discovers that while most Haitians are poor, they’re not without joy. They share laughter and love and a feeling of community that we sometimes lack here in America where things are (in comparison) “easy.” Reading this book reminded me of both the beauty and the pain of Haiti and its scenic countryside.
Elias.
It’s easy to connect to likable Elias, who’s incredibly focused on taking care of his family. He knows how important his job is—jobs are not readily available in Haiti, especially skilled jobs that are steady and pay well. Elias is earnest and caring and he finds himself drawn to Myra. She is different than he imagined Americans to be in many ways, but it’s also obvious that she’s naive when it comes to Haiti. He wants to connect to her—to help her—but he doesn’t want to lose his job because of it!
Diversity.
This books features LOTS of diversity. With one Haitian MC and one Pakistani-American MC (who is also Muslim), the cultural differences take center stage, but it’s the things that make us all the same that are truly highlighted!
What Left Me Hungry for More:
Trouble connecting at first.
It took me a little while to connect to Myra fully. I wasn’t sure exactly why this was, but I find that I often have this issue with books told in present tense, so it could have just been that. By the end of the book, I was emotionally connected to the characters more. I also felt like the romance bordered on insta-love (though they never quite claimed to love each other, which was refreshing—still, they were willing to give up a lot for each other after only knowing one another for a week).
Unrealistic ending.
Things get wrapped up in a very unrealistic timeframe (and maybe a tad too easily?), but I did really like the conclusion overall.
This book is an enjoyable read that gives us a glimpse into a culture we don’t often see explored. Overall I give it 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Chapter by Chapter blog tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This unique contemporary romance shines the spotlight on cultural differences and the ways that we sometimes judge based on expectation rather than reality. Set in Haiti, the book focuses on the country’s beauty rather than its drawbacks.
What Fed My Addiction:
Haiti!
I’ve been to Haiti three times—twice in the process of adopting my son and once when I escorted a baby girl with spina bifida who we had hosted back home to her momma. So, I have a special connection with the country and I could truly relate to Myra’s thoughts and feelings when she arrives in Port au Prince. It can be disconcerting to arrive in a place that’s so different—so bustling and active and a little overwhelming when you first step off the plane (heck, the plane ride itself was a little strange when I flew into Cap Haitien). Myra wants to see the “real” Haiti, not just the parts within the clinic walls—she wants to experience the people and their everyday life. She discovers that while most Haitians are poor, they’re not without joy. They share laughter and love and a feeling of community that we sometimes lack here in America where things are (in comparison) “easy.” Reading this book reminded me of both the beauty and the pain of Haiti and its scenic countryside.
Elias.
It’s easy to connect to likable Elias, who’s incredibly focused on taking care of his family. He knows how important his job is—jobs are not readily available in Haiti, especially skilled jobs that are steady and pay well. Elias is earnest and caring and he finds himself drawn to Myra. She is different than he imagined Americans to be in many ways, but it’s also obvious that she’s naive when it comes to Haiti. He wants to connect to her—to help her—but he doesn’t want to lose his job because of it!
Diversity.
This books features LOTS of diversity. With one Haitian MC and one Pakistani-American MC (who is also Muslim), the cultural differences take center stage, but it’s the things that make us all the same that are truly highlighted!
What Left Me Hungry for More:
Trouble connecting at first.
It took me a little while to connect to Myra fully. I wasn’t sure exactly why this was, but I find that I often have this issue with books told in present tense, so it could have just been that. By the end of the book, I was emotionally connected to the characters more. I also felt like the romance bordered on insta-love (though they never quite claimed to love each other, which was refreshing—still, they were willing to give up a lot for each other after only knowing one another for a week).
Unrealistic ending.
Things get wrapped up in a very unrealistic timeframe (and maybe a tad too easily?), but I did really like the conclusion overall.
This book is an enjoyable read that gives us a glimpse into a culture we don’t often see explored. Overall I give it 3.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Chapter by Chapter blog tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
January 5, 2017
Originally posted on Daydreaming Books.
* I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This book was definitely a fun and diverse one. I enjoyed the plot and I really liked the character growth throughout the book.
Myra accompanies her parents to Haiti because of the medical camp which her mother will attend and she wants her to learn for her future but Myra's aim for the trip is something else instead. She wants to capture the perfect picture which would be her gateway to freedom to the Photography school she wants to attend. But her world complicates when she meets the interpreter of the group, Elias. Will Myra's efforts be successful?
The plot was pretty enjoyable. I liked it a lot but something felt lacking. Myra along with her parents with other doctors step into Haiti for the medical camp in which her mother will be working alongside the other doctors. This book really opened my eyes to the condition of Haitians who were deprived of schooling, medicines and even basic sanitation facilities. It was really heart wrenching to read about what was going on with their lives. This book also portrayed the superstitions among the Haitians and the prejudice of the races against each other.
The characters were really diverse. On one hand, we have Myra, who is a Pakistani. She feels the culture shock when she lands in Haiti. She steps into a world is completely different from the ones she is used to. And on the other hand, we have Elias is who daily struggling to earn to support his whole family so that his siblings could attend school. Their lives were completely different from each other, yet somehow their friendship was so pure and I loved them together. However, I would have loved to see more of them.
Overall, Pushing the Boundaries was an enjoyable read. The plot was executed neatly and I enjoyed the character growth. The romance between Myra and Elias was sweet but the chemistry felt lacking. The writing felt a bit inconsistent and the pace was even throughout the book.
Recommend it?
Yes.
* I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This book was definitely a fun and diverse one. I enjoyed the plot and I really liked the character growth throughout the book.
Myra accompanies her parents to Haiti because of the medical camp which her mother will attend and she wants her to learn for her future but Myra's aim for the trip is something else instead. She wants to capture the perfect picture which would be her gateway to freedom to the Photography school she wants to attend. But her world complicates when she meets the interpreter of the group, Elias. Will Myra's efforts be successful?
The plot was pretty enjoyable. I liked it a lot but something felt lacking. Myra along with her parents with other doctors step into Haiti for the medical camp in which her mother will be working alongside the other doctors. This book really opened my eyes to the condition of Haitians who were deprived of schooling, medicines and even basic sanitation facilities. It was really heart wrenching to read about what was going on with their lives. This book also portrayed the superstitions among the Haitians and the prejudice of the races against each other.
The characters were really diverse. On one hand, we have Myra, who is a Pakistani. She feels the culture shock when she lands in Haiti. She steps into a world is completely different from the ones she is used to. And on the other hand, we have Elias is who daily struggling to earn to support his whole family so that his siblings could attend school. Their lives were completely different from each other, yet somehow their friendship was so pure and I loved them together. However, I would have loved to see more of them.
Overall, Pushing the Boundaries was an enjoyable read. The plot was executed neatly and I enjoyed the character growth. The romance between Myra and Elias was sweet but the chemistry felt lacking. The writing felt a bit inconsistent and the pace was even throughout the book.
Recommend it?
Yes.
March 19, 2018
This was a really great story of 2 people that were completely different. They have completely different backgrounds. One whose parents who have money and the other who doesn't. But also it takes place mostly in Haiti. Which you do not read books that are from there anymore. I love how the author told these characters. Myra is American/Pakistani and Elias is Haitian. So completely different cultures. I love stories that have different cultures in them.
I also love stories that are very descriptive and to me this story was. I love the books published by Entangled Teen. I have not found one story from them that I did not fully enjoy. I would love to read more by this author. I enjoyed this so much. This is a great young love story. Yes teenagers can be selfish, they can be mean to each other. Not trusting of each other. This story is more realistic than most. But I completely love this type of story.
I also love stories that are very descriptive and to me this story was. I love the books published by Entangled Teen. I have not found one story from them that I did not fully enjoy. I would love to read more by this author. I enjoyed this so much. This is a great young love story. Yes teenagers can be selfish, they can be mean to each other. Not trusting of each other. This story is more realistic than most. But I completely love this type of story.
March 23, 2017
A trip to Haiti is just what Myra needs to prove her worth in something else other than being a doctor, but what she doesn’t count on is the Haitian translator who pushes her beyond what she is comfortable with.
Much of the story reads like a positive reinforcement of—or an argument for—cross-cultural exchange and cross-ethnic pairings, as the differences between Elias and Myra are emphasised and celebrated. But there’s also the acknowledgement that with it comes familial disapproval and the ramifications of starting a relationship that can’t possibly have a happy end. Combined with the teenage angst and the rebellion that comes with parent-teenager conflicts, I found myself ready to give up when Myra’s reticence in letting people in crossed the line into ignorance, selfishness and stupidity as the story wore on.
Unfortunately, it's simply not a story that resonates with me at all despite Stacey Trombley’s very positive attempt at portraying the difficulties in a relationship that defies stereotypes and gender expectations. While I did like the heart-wrenching descriptions of Elias’s family situation and the conditions that the Haitian people face, the happy-for-now ending seemed somewhat implausible, even as it cutely marked the start of something hopeful.
*ARC by netgalley
(very grateful, as always)
Much of the story reads like a positive reinforcement of—or an argument for—cross-cultural exchange and cross-ethnic pairings, as the differences between Elias and Myra are emphasised and celebrated. But there’s also the acknowledgement that with it comes familial disapproval and the ramifications of starting a relationship that can’t possibly have a happy end. Combined with the teenage angst and the rebellion that comes with parent-teenager conflicts, I found myself ready to give up when Myra’s reticence in letting people in crossed the line into ignorance, selfishness and stupidity as the story wore on.
Unfortunately, it's simply not a story that resonates with me at all despite Stacey Trombley’s very positive attempt at portraying the difficulties in a relationship that defies stereotypes and gender expectations. While I did like the heart-wrenching descriptions of Elias’s family situation and the conditions that the Haitian people face, the happy-for-now ending seemed somewhat implausible, even as it cutely marked the start of something hopeful.
*ARC by netgalley
(very grateful, as always)
December 1, 2016
I wanted to love this book, but the charachers felt forced to me. There seemed to be not a lot of depth to Myra and while there was more to Elias, it was not in-depth either. There seemed to be little background on the characters and they seemed to "fall in love" rather quickly. I didn't feel the attraction. Myra's problems with her parents seem rather small in the grand skem of things. A communication barrier is a problem, but the whole alluding to made it seem like the problem was way bigger than it was.
Elias… what was he thinking sacrificing his family for a girl he'd known for a couple of days? It just didn't feel believable especially when we didn't get the background on most of it until the end of the book.
The ending of the book was the best part in my opinion. Everything comes together, but I wish the book itself had more depth.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley for a fair review.
Elias… what was he thinking sacrificing his family for a girl he'd known for a couple of days? It just didn't feel believable especially when we didn't get the background on most of it until the end of the book.
The ending of the book was the best part in my opinion. Everything comes together, but I wish the book itself had more depth.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley for a fair review.
February 2, 2017
If you enjoy young love books, this will do you well. There is some adventure, some suspense and some flirtatious romance. Alot of scenes that you can picture in your mind. She paints many beautiful pictures. I felt the ending was a bit over the top, but I enjoyed the book overall.
February 7, 2017
Sad to say I didn't enjoy this one as much as I was hoping. Full review soon.
February 5, 2017
What struck me the most about this book was the cultural diversity and the setting. This book is primarily based in Haiti when Myra and her mother have travelled to provide health care in a clinic. Myra and her mother are both Pakistani and her mother works as a doctor. Myra practices the Muslim faith and they both live in America. The other main character is a Haitian boy named Elias who works as an interpreter for Myra’s group whilst they are in Haiti. The diversity and different cultural perspective was both enlightening and refreshing and this added to my enjoyment of this book.
The same basic elements of a contemporary romance were present in the book, but the tension came not only from the cultural differences but the financial as well. I loved that I could read a contemporary romance that has been turned on its head and has a totally new and refreshing take on this genre. There were obvious familial issues about future careers and the ability of one to take care of their family that were well dealt with within this book.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good contemporary romance, but with a totally new perspective on life.
The same basic elements of a contemporary romance were present in the book, but the tension came not only from the cultural differences but the financial as well. I loved that I could read a contemporary romance that has been turned on its head and has a totally new and refreshing take on this genre. There were obvious familial issues about future careers and the ability of one to take care of their family that were well dealt with within this book.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good contemporary romance, but with a totally new perspective on life.
February 7, 2017
Myra is a young girl who wants to go to art school, she thinks that by going along with what her mother wants she may get what she wants.
Myra's mother is a doctor and has a non profit organization that runs a clinic in Haiti. Her mother brings Myra along on her week to visit the clinic with other doctors and volunteers.
Myra just goes hoping she can take pictures with her camera and submitt it to win money for college.
Then Myra meets Elias a Haitian and she thinks this trip might get better after all.
But Myra learns so much more from her week there. She learns how people truly live and Elias opens her eyes to everything. However with her mother telling her to stay away and Elias's job on the line will be stay away from this girl. Because if he loses his job then his family loses the extra income. This book is great, I feel Myra learned so much in such a short time about herself and others.
Elias learned he is strong enough to overcome a lot of different roads.
Check this book out for a great read, learn just a little bit about what people will do for others.
Myra's mother is a doctor and has a non profit organization that runs a clinic in Haiti. Her mother brings Myra along on her week to visit the clinic with other doctors and volunteers.
Myra just goes hoping she can take pictures with her camera and submitt it to win money for college.
Then Myra meets Elias a Haitian and she thinks this trip might get better after all.
But Myra learns so much more from her week there. She learns how people truly live and Elias opens her eyes to everything. However with her mother telling her to stay away and Elias's job on the line will be stay away from this girl. Because if he loses his job then his family loses the extra income. This book is great, I feel Myra learned so much in such a short time about herself and others.
Elias learned he is strong enough to overcome a lot of different roads.
Check this book out for a great read, learn just a little bit about what people will do for others.
March 8, 2017
Book Review- Pushing the Boundaries by Stacey Trombley
Myra has arrived in Haiti with her mother and the medical volunteers. They will be running the clinic for a few days. Myra’s mother wants her to be a doctor but Myra’s passion is photography. She wants to go to art school. Her mother would never understand or let her go.
Elias is the driver and interpreter hired to help the Americans. He knows he is very lucky to have this job to support his family. He has been warned by Mr. Rowland to keep everything professional. He catches Myra’s eye and tells her friend in English that he is cute. However she is embarrassed when she realizes he understood her. Her mother is not happy either. Myra knows she will hear about it later.
Myra is warned about the inappropriate boy and her behavior. Her mother is keeping a close eye on her and she has to be good. Her goal is to go out and see the real Haiti. Elias is also warned about keeping his distance. However he and Myra run across each other on the roof patio. He sees the real her and she is shocked. She is also intrigued. He offers to show her the real Haiti. Unfortunately things don’t go as planned as Myra battles with her mother and Elias fears losing his job.
When Myra decides to do it herself, she realizes she has no clue what she has gotten herself into. Elias comes to her rescue and the day they have is wonderful. Then everything falls apart around them. Myra has to decide if what she wants is worth fighting for.
The storyline of this book was fascinating. The author brings different cultures into play that conflict. Myra’s mother being from Pakistan has her views that Myra fights against. She is American and hates the strict ties her mother tries to bound her with. She wants to choose her own future. That is a huge conflict present in the story. It adds to Myra’s choices, drive and character.
Then add in the Haitian culture and see how poor the country truly is. The author shows the reader exactly what is happening. Elias supports his family with a job that is rare. It is hard to fathom the situation his life presents. Myra views Haiti from an American point of view which adds to the story. She doesn’t fully understand and that is difficult for Elias.
This plot has obvious avenues the author takes the reader, but there are underlying issues that bring out more of the complexity to the story. There are deeper issues at play. It was a great read. I recommend it. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Myra has arrived in Haiti with her mother and the medical volunteers. They will be running the clinic for a few days. Myra’s mother wants her to be a doctor but Myra’s passion is photography. She wants to go to art school. Her mother would never understand or let her go.
Elias is the driver and interpreter hired to help the Americans. He knows he is very lucky to have this job to support his family. He has been warned by Mr. Rowland to keep everything professional. He catches Myra’s eye and tells her friend in English that he is cute. However she is embarrassed when she realizes he understood her. Her mother is not happy either. Myra knows she will hear about it later.
Myra is warned about the inappropriate boy and her behavior. Her mother is keeping a close eye on her and she has to be good. Her goal is to go out and see the real Haiti. Elias is also warned about keeping his distance. However he and Myra run across each other on the roof patio. He sees the real her and she is shocked. She is also intrigued. He offers to show her the real Haiti. Unfortunately things don’t go as planned as Myra battles with her mother and Elias fears losing his job.
When Myra decides to do it herself, she realizes she has no clue what she has gotten herself into. Elias comes to her rescue and the day they have is wonderful. Then everything falls apart around them. Myra has to decide if what she wants is worth fighting for.
The storyline of this book was fascinating. The author brings different cultures into play that conflict. Myra’s mother being from Pakistan has her views that Myra fights against. She is American and hates the strict ties her mother tries to bound her with. She wants to choose her own future. That is a huge conflict present in the story. It adds to Myra’s choices, drive and character.
Then add in the Haitian culture and see how poor the country truly is. The author shows the reader exactly what is happening. Elias supports his family with a job that is rare. It is hard to fathom the situation his life presents. Myra views Haiti from an American point of view which adds to the story. She doesn’t fully understand and that is difficult for Elias.
This plot has obvious avenues the author takes the reader, but there are underlying issues that bring out more of the complexity to the story. There are deeper issues at play. It was a great read. I recommend it. I give it a 4 out of 5.
February 11, 2019
This was a good little quick read. I gave it 4 stars because of the emotions the characters made me feel. I really liked the characters and the story. I felt disconnected from the story when characters speak Creole. Sometimes the author wrote them speaking in English, sometimes in Creole with translation, and in just Creole. That was my only con.
I felt the emotions Stacey was conveying through her writing. She really sucked me into the story. I wish it was longer and/or she writes a follow-up or an epilogue.
It's told in both Elias and Myra's POV. - Christina
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I felt the emotions Stacey was conveying through her writing. She really sucked me into the story. I wish it was longer and/or she writes a follow-up or an epilogue.
It's told in both Elias and Myra's POV. - Christina
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 19, 2019
Good read
June 19, 2020
a little too boring/underdeveloped...
July 31, 2020
Easy read
Was a cute and unique story. Easy to get through and a little inspiring as well. Makes you want to do more
Was a cute and unique story. Easy to get through and a little inspiring as well. Makes you want to do more
February 6, 2017
This is a very sweet love story that spans oceans, race, and culture. This is about unexpectedly finding someone that understands and gets you even if you have not known each other for long. It was a mutual attraction between Myra and Elias. Elias proved to be the key to Myra having the courage go after what she really wants to do with her life. A medical mission trip to Haiti has changed Myra's life more than she can ever imagine. The island spoke to her and confided to her its secrets.
This is a very cute and feel-good story. It takes me back to the days when I too was like Myra, trying to find how I fit in in the order of things in the universe. How it is to find yourself in a place where everything is new and discoveries, no matter how mundane are a great novelty. I can still remember my first out-of-country trip. It was to Singapore. I flew alone. I was meeting my two other friends in the airport and our friend who was based there will pick us from the airport. I was so excited, so full of anticipation. It seemed like my body was tingling. I felt so alive. I was looking forward to experiencing a different culture, meet new people, enjoy the sights and take on new and wonderful experiences to be bottled and take home with me.
Like in the story, traveling for whatever reason, whether to volunteer, to work or just to unwind, will always bring unexpected and unassuming people who will touch us one way or another that we can never hope for. Knowing about their daily lives will enrich and inspire us. Like Myra, you will learn to appreciate the differences, be thankful for the things that you have and will put things into perspective. I think my most unforgettable trip was going to Cambodia. We talked to kids and women selling paintings and souvenirs near the Angkor Wat and we were humbled. My friends and I realized that we were so blessed, the kids there find it hard even going to a public high school. There are not a lot of public schools in their country. That's the beauty of traveling, it will put you where you stand in the whole scheme of things. You will realize you are just a speck in this vast universe. The world or the universe for that matter does not revolve around you. You have no right to treat anyone unfairly. It gives you a good smack in the butt.
This story made me remember that I had once thought of volunteering. Of going to far-flung places and help in any way I can but I had not gotten the chance. I did volunteer before for a Christian organization helping street children in Quezon City. I went there with my friend for a few weekends to help bathe the children, fed, played games and taught them. It was a very gratifying experience and it was my way of giving back but then real life interfered. I got too busy with work. I still hope to volunteer again.
I give the book 4/5 digital cameras. This just only proves that friendship and love knows no boundaries, race, religion or culture. It speaks to every person. This story also indicates how humanitarian missions to third-world countries are very important and helps a lot of people. Those who are less fortunate are given hope that they can have a better life. If only governments all over the world would care enough of its citizens. No corruption. Then, there would be no need for humanitarian missions at all.
This is a very cute and feel-good story. It takes me back to the days when I too was like Myra, trying to find how I fit in in the order of things in the universe. How it is to find yourself in a place where everything is new and discoveries, no matter how mundane are a great novelty. I can still remember my first out-of-country trip. It was to Singapore. I flew alone. I was meeting my two other friends in the airport and our friend who was based there will pick us from the airport. I was so excited, so full of anticipation. It seemed like my body was tingling. I felt so alive. I was looking forward to experiencing a different culture, meet new people, enjoy the sights and take on new and wonderful experiences to be bottled and take home with me.
Like in the story, traveling for whatever reason, whether to volunteer, to work or just to unwind, will always bring unexpected and unassuming people who will touch us one way or another that we can never hope for. Knowing about their daily lives will enrich and inspire us. Like Myra, you will learn to appreciate the differences, be thankful for the things that you have and will put things into perspective. I think my most unforgettable trip was going to Cambodia. We talked to kids and women selling paintings and souvenirs near the Angkor Wat and we were humbled. My friends and I realized that we were so blessed, the kids there find it hard even going to a public high school. There are not a lot of public schools in their country. That's the beauty of traveling, it will put you where you stand in the whole scheme of things. You will realize you are just a speck in this vast universe. The world or the universe for that matter does not revolve around you. You have no right to treat anyone unfairly. It gives you a good smack in the butt.
This story made me remember that I had once thought of volunteering. Of going to far-flung places and help in any way I can but I had not gotten the chance. I did volunteer before for a Christian organization helping street children in Quezon City. I went there with my friend for a few weekends to help bathe the children, fed, played games and taught them. It was a very gratifying experience and it was my way of giving back but then real life interfered. I got too busy with work. I still hope to volunteer again.
I give the book 4/5 digital cameras. This just only proves that friendship and love knows no boundaries, race, religion or culture. It speaks to every person. This story also indicates how humanitarian missions to third-world countries are very important and helps a lot of people. Those who are less fortunate are given hope that they can have a better life. If only governments all over the world would care enough of its citizens. No corruption. Then, there would be no need for humanitarian missions at all.
February 3, 2017
This was an interesting read. There were highs and lows in this book for me but overall by the ending I started to feel a little more for the characters as a whole. It was a nice to start to a new series, would love to see where this is going though.
We meet Myra as she is on a trip to Haiti with her mother to work at a clinic. First let me say this is something countries like Haiti need more of, it’s great to see a book that emphasizes the needs and wants of other countries in beneficial ways. Sure you can’t help them all but every little bit helps overall. I think the characterization of the Haitian people was good, was it perfect, maybe not. I’m not Haitian so I can’t really say and I’ve never been but I can definitely image. I know how tough it can be. Anyway I’m sidewinding away from the story. Myra is trying to sneak away to see the real Haiti in hopes of getting a photograph so she can submit it for a college that her mom doesn’t want her to go to. It’s all very dramaqueenesque, but what is a problem for some may not be for others, meaning what is a big deal to one person may not seem like a big deal to another.
We meet Elias who is also fighting to survive for him and his family with his job driving and interpreting for the Americans. But his attraction to Myra seems to be his downfall. It’s actually really sweet how quickly he fell for her and how utterly hurt he is by her, but still he fights for her. Will Myra do the same for him though? That is the question and you will have to read the book to find out.
I think this book had a lot of good points to it, it was a quick read, interesting to throw you into this kind of setting. Not something that happens in young adult books or contemporary romances. This wasn’t even about the two cultures clashing and possible love, this was really about two people from two different worlds trying to get through their young lives and live happily doing what they know best. There are issues being bought up in this book such as parent and child differences, coworkers showing over empowerment over other employees. So many things throughout this book. It did bring a tear to my eye at one point. But this is just the beginning. Let’s see what will happen next.
Love the cover, the story and just everything it was an overall good book.
We meet Myra as she is on a trip to Haiti with her mother to work at a clinic. First let me say this is something countries like Haiti need more of, it’s great to see a book that emphasizes the needs and wants of other countries in beneficial ways. Sure you can’t help them all but every little bit helps overall. I think the characterization of the Haitian people was good, was it perfect, maybe not. I’m not Haitian so I can’t really say and I’ve never been but I can definitely image. I know how tough it can be. Anyway I’m sidewinding away from the story. Myra is trying to sneak away to see the real Haiti in hopes of getting a photograph so she can submit it for a college that her mom doesn’t want her to go to. It’s all very dramaqueenesque, but what is a problem for some may not be for others, meaning what is a big deal to one person may not seem like a big deal to another.
We meet Elias who is also fighting to survive for him and his family with his job driving and interpreting for the Americans. But his attraction to Myra seems to be his downfall. It’s actually really sweet how quickly he fell for her and how utterly hurt he is by her, but still he fights for her. Will Myra do the same for him though? That is the question and you will have to read the book to find out.
I think this book had a lot of good points to it, it was a quick read, interesting to throw you into this kind of setting. Not something that happens in young adult books or contemporary romances. This wasn’t even about the two cultures clashing and possible love, this was really about two people from two different worlds trying to get through their young lives and live happily doing what they know best. There are issues being bought up in this book such as parent and child differences, coworkers showing over empowerment over other employees. So many things throughout this book. It did bring a tear to my eye at one point. But this is just the beginning. Let’s see what will happen next.
Love the cover, the story and just everything it was an overall good book.
February 7, 2017
Pushing the Boundaries has a fairly unique premise--a Pakistani American girl goes (against her will) with her doctor mother on a service trip to Haiti to work in a medical clinic and becomes involved with their teenaged Haitian interpreter/driver, and problems ensue. Myra and Elias are from different worlds--literally--and it seems as if their relationship can't realistically be more than a bittersweet memory of a first love experience...or can it?
I enjoyed a look into a different world--like Myra, I wanted to see what Haiti looked like beyond the clinic and rented home she was shuttled between, thought the way she chooses to get out nearly causes more problems than positive experiences. Her self-centeredness and tendency to think of herself first and of others (maybe) second made her difficult to like at times, though she does grow up more toward the end, garnering more sympathy for her character. Elias is much easier to like overall, though his chapters tended to be too short to really get to know him and his life as much as I'd like to.
There's a touch of insta-love here (though it is their "first love" experience, so that's not exactly out of character) and I'm still processing how I feel about the way things are left at the end--a too quick and easy solution? The rich Americans coming in and making everything all better?--the jury's still out on that part. This is being billed as the first in a series, and if the other book(s) are going to continue Myra and Elias's story, I am interested in seeing where it is going to go.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I enjoyed a look into a different world--like Myra, I wanted to see what Haiti looked like beyond the clinic and rented home she was shuttled between, thought the way she chooses to get out nearly causes more problems than positive experiences. Her self-centeredness and tendency to think of herself first and of others (maybe) second made her difficult to like at times, though she does grow up more toward the end, garnering more sympathy for her character. Elias is much easier to like overall, though his chapters tended to be too short to really get to know him and his life as much as I'd like to.
There's a touch of insta-love here (though it is their "first love" experience, so that's not exactly out of character) and I'm still processing how I feel about the way things are left at the end--a too quick and easy solution? The rich Americans coming in and making everything all better?--the jury's still out on that part. This is being billed as the first in a series, and if the other book(s) are going to continue Myra and Elias's story, I am interested in seeing where it is going to go.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 31, 2017
Myra always felt different and like she didn’t fit in as far as her peers went. Myra was a Muslim and her parents were from Palestine. Myra’s mother was a doctor and Myra went on a mission trip with her mother to Haiti to help in a medical clinic as her mother hoped Myra would become a doctor. But Myra didn’t want to be a doctor her dream was to become a photographer. She hoped by winning a photography contest it would provide the money for her to go to photography school. She hoped to get the perfect picture while in Haiti. One shot could do it for Myra. Then Myra met the cute translator and her heard her say he was cute. Myra also felt a lot of things she had never felt before. She didn’t know Elias needed his job to support his family. So his younger siblings could go to school and have a good future. But the number one rule of his employer who didn’t treat him very well was stay away from the Americans. But Elias finds insta / love puppy love whatever with Myra after a few days and breaks the rule.I didn’t particularly like this story for the most part. The story dragged for me at times especially in the beginning. I did like how Elias tried to protect Myra when she puts herself at serious risk. I just don’t feel Elias would sacrifice his family for a girl he had only known a couple days and would be leaving soon. Matter of fact I loved Elias’s devotion to his family. I didn’t like Myra she was selfish, self centered, thoughtless, careless, and immature. This just wasn’t believable to me. But I did like how the author brought in the problems in this country and what the people go through. I am sure someone will like this just wasn’t for me.
January 30, 2017
I was given this ARC for a honest review.
Pushing Boundaries is about a girl, Myra, a Pakistani American, who goes to Haiti with her mother on a medical internship for a vaccination clinic. What her mother doesn’t know is Myra wants to be a photographer and the only reason she is in Haiti is to appease her mother and maybe capture a great picture so she can win a scholarship to her dream school. This is where she meets Elias, their interpreter, who needs the job to feed his family. The biggest rule to his job is “don’t get close to the Americans”, but Elias didn’t expect to meet Myra, and he can’t seem to keep from getting close to her.
I enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of the Entangle Crush books, but this one is completely different than all of the others. I would rate this author among the top of the Crush writers. I like the idea of the book and the setting. I love that it's set in another country. I love that the author chose Haiti and real down to earth characters. Too many time authors choose to write about rich snobby guys. Don’t get me wrong, I love the arc type, but it was a breath of fresh air to read about Elias, his life and country pride. He is down to earth and hard working. I love him. I can’t say I love Myra though. I wish I had felt more of a connection with her.
Overall, I think the book was well written and was a good read. I give it four stars overall.
Pushing Boundaries is about a girl, Myra, a Pakistani American, who goes to Haiti with her mother on a medical internship for a vaccination clinic. What her mother doesn’t know is Myra wants to be a photographer and the only reason she is in Haiti is to appease her mother and maybe capture a great picture so she can win a scholarship to her dream school. This is where she meets Elias, their interpreter, who needs the job to feed his family. The biggest rule to his job is “don’t get close to the Americans”, but Elias didn’t expect to meet Myra, and he can’t seem to keep from getting close to her.
I enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of the Entangle Crush books, but this one is completely different than all of the others. I would rate this author among the top of the Crush writers. I like the idea of the book and the setting. I love that it's set in another country. I love that the author chose Haiti and real down to earth characters. Too many time authors choose to write about rich snobby guys. Don’t get me wrong, I love the arc type, but it was a breath of fresh air to read about Elias, his life and country pride. He is down to earth and hard working. I love him. I can’t say I love Myra though. I wish I had felt more of a connection with her.
Overall, I think the book was well written and was a good read. I give it four stars overall.
January 22, 2017
While I appreciated this story a great deal, I did not like it nearly as much as I wanted.
This is well written, albeit pedestrian in approach. While this is not normally as issue with me in this situation this is an example of a story that does not live up to the telling. Trombley has some very interesting things to say about culture, ethnic diversity and the way in which Westerners often have inaccurate misconceptions of people living in the Third World. In this way I commend her for tackling some serious and important issues. However, I feel the content of the story was deeply mismatched with the rather straightforward telling. I'd have liked to see the author stray from the conventional approach and experiment with more creative ways to tell the story. In fact, this is a story that screams for a more literary approach and one which enables a deeper investigation of character and theme.
On another level perhaps what is most important is that the author is bringing these ideas to an audience that may not otherwise be exposed to them.....I just couldn't help feeling as though she missed a lot of opportunities with the story as it was.
This is well written, albeit pedestrian in approach. While this is not normally as issue with me in this situation this is an example of a story that does not live up to the telling. Trombley has some very interesting things to say about culture, ethnic diversity and the way in which Westerners often have inaccurate misconceptions of people living in the Third World. In this way I commend her for tackling some serious and important issues. However, I feel the content of the story was deeply mismatched with the rather straightforward telling. I'd have liked to see the author stray from the conventional approach and experiment with more creative ways to tell the story. In fact, this is a story that screams for a more literary approach and one which enables a deeper investigation of character and theme.
On another level perhaps what is most important is that the author is bringing these ideas to an audience that may not otherwise be exposed to them.....I just couldn't help feeling as though she missed a lot of opportunities with the story as it was.
January 31, 2017
Myra is a Pakistani girl who was raised in America. Her Doctor mother wants her to be like her so together they make a trip to Haiti with other American’s to set up a clinic for the Haitian people. Elias is a Haitian boy who works as a translator. The two form an almost instant connection even though they were told to steer clear of each other. Myra wants nothing more than to get away from the clinic and get a photograph that will win her a scholarship. Will love sprout? Will Myra get the winning photograph that she needs? Will these two find a way to let their friendship continue to grow?
I enjoyed the characters. I really enjoyed the plot. It took you to a work you don’t usually see in a book, let alone a YA book. I enjoyed watching Myra grow as a person. I enjoyed watching the friendship between Myra and Elias grow. I loved the authors writing style. The flow and pace were great.
This is a great book for YA readers. I loved being thrown into a world that I have never imagined. Such a great read!
4.5 stars
I enjoyed the characters. I really enjoyed the plot. It took you to a work you don’t usually see in a book, let alone a YA book. I enjoyed watching Myra grow as a person. I enjoyed watching the friendship between Myra and Elias grow. I loved the authors writing style. The flow and pace were great.
This is a great book for YA readers. I loved being thrown into a world that I have never imagined. Such a great read!
4.5 stars
December 9, 2016
I received this book via NetGallery in exchange for my honest review.
I have read many books in the Entangled Teen Crush series and have enjoyed them but unfortunately for me this book just didn't do it for me.
I really liked the book being based on something totally different then normal and brining the awareness of the problems in Haiti. I liked Elias, he was working hard to be the man in the family and provide for his family. He was really humble to who he was. It was hard not to like him. I did not really like Myra and how her character was portrayed, she was too selfish for me. At the end of the book she got better started thinking more about others and what important, but she was still lost of me. I did not really feel the connection between Elias and Myra it was to insta love and didn't really get it.
I loved the end of the book the most. What Myra's family decided to do move to Haiti and make more of a bigger difference for more people.
I have read many books in the Entangled Teen Crush series and have enjoyed them but unfortunately for me this book just didn't do it for me.
I really liked the book being based on something totally different then normal and brining the awareness of the problems in Haiti. I liked Elias, he was working hard to be the man in the family and provide for his family. He was really humble to who he was. It was hard not to like him. I did not really like Myra and how her character was portrayed, she was too selfish for me. At the end of the book she got better started thinking more about others and what important, but she was still lost of me. I did not really feel the connection between Elias and Myra it was to insta love and didn't really get it.
I loved the end of the book the most. What Myra's family decided to do move to Haiti and make more of a bigger difference for more people.
February 7, 2017
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Pushing the Boundaries by Stacey Trombley! Myra travels to a health clinic in Haiti with her mother and a group of Americans. Myra is of Pakistani heritage and her mother is a doctor. Her mother expects Myra to become a doctor also, but she wants to be a photographer instead. Myra's looking for the perfect photo to submit to a scholarship contest. With the help of the Haitian translator, Elias, Myra discovers the beauty of Haiti and learns more about herself and her mother than she could have ever realized on her own. The author's personal connections with the Haiti setting and the Haitian culture and language make the story an interesting and unique realistic fiction - 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Pushing the Boundaries by Stacey Trombley! Myra travels to a health clinic in Haiti with her mother and a group of Americans. Myra is of Pakistani heritage and her mother is a doctor. Her mother expects Myra to become a doctor also, but she wants to be a photographer instead. Myra's looking for the perfect photo to submit to a scholarship contest. With the help of the Haitian translator, Elias, Myra discovers the beauty of Haiti and learns more about herself and her mother than she could have ever realized on her own. The author's personal connections with the Haiti setting and the Haitian culture and language make the story an interesting and unique realistic fiction - 4 stars!
December 1, 2016
Thank you Entangled Teen Crush and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book for review.
I loved this book so much. The timing was perfect because I'm finding myself drawn to books that take place outside the US right now. I feel even more now that visiting foreign countries is so important. Most Americans can't comprehend how different things are and how lucky we truly are. I was already interested in visiting other countries, not so much the tourist areas (though I want to see those, too), but where the people actually live. To see their culture and learn more about them. This book makes me want that even more now and I hope others get encouraged also. Not to go fall in love like Myra, but to truly learn and to appreciate our lives more.
I loved this book so much. The timing was perfect because I'm finding myself drawn to books that take place outside the US right now. I feel even more now that visiting foreign countries is so important. Most Americans can't comprehend how different things are and how lucky we truly are. I was already interested in visiting other countries, not so much the tourist areas (though I want to see those, too), but where the people actually live. To see their culture and learn more about them. This book makes me want that even more now and I hope others get encouraged also. Not to go fall in love like Myra, but to truly learn and to appreciate our lives more.
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