Monday, November 04, 2013

Review: Crash into You by Katie McGarry

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I received this book for free from Harlequin Teen in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Crash into You by Katie McGarryCrash into You by Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits #3
Published by Harlequin Teen on November 26th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, YA
Source: Harlequin Teen
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The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Isaiah has been a favorite character of mine since book 1. He’s got a badass look but the kindest heart and most gentle soul. Crash Into You, written in his POV, made me adore him even more. We get to see what’s going on in that hard-to-crack head of his. Having had a difficult childhood in the foster care system, he’s developed a rough edge, but to give a big eff you to stereotypes he’s positively one of the most generous and loyal person I know (yes I have met him in real life – be jealous! >.<). He doesn't always get the best hands to play with, though, which makes it all the more harder to watch - the more he tries to stay out of trouble, the more it seems to find him. In turn, you get this urgent need to know how everything turns out Right. This. Minute! This book will see a lot of 3AMs! It also brings to light the heartbreaking, but real issue of kids aging out of the foster care system. This is something teenagers face at an age where they have yet to figure themselves out, let alone the harsh world they suddenly find themselves in - most times alone. Standing by Isaiah is the delicate, but radiant car obsessed Rachel. Rachel is a private school, straight-A, good girl type, at least until she decides to drag race herself into trouble. Her innocent nature could have easily been overwhelmingly annoying, but instead she gives the book so much heart and perfectly balances out Isaiah's tough shell. She does come with her own secrets, which she hides from not only Isaiah but her whole family. While it's undoubtedly a sad situation she was born into, I appreciated the lack of an extreme worst-case-scenario that seems oh-so-popular in contemporary fiction - particularly in New Adult. Overall I found Rachel likeable in an effortless sort of way, plus she comes with a handful of brothers to add to an already fantastic cast. As usual, from protagonists to the smallest of roles, every single character is molded with a personality and life of their own. I especially loved Rachel's brothers who are all distinctly quirky and older brother like. Though what stood out to me was how bigger of a role the characters from the previous books had in this one compared to its predecessor. We get longer and more significant glimpses at Noah and Echo, both being fairly important in this story, actually. Beth also makes a few appearances that leads to some developments on that front as well. On the subject of Beth, I'm happy that she and Isaiah didn't end up together. It seemed like the obvious choice from book 1, but after reading Beth's and Isaiah's individual stories it's clear that a romantic relationship between these two would have been a disaster. They need someone to balance their bold personalities out; they would have likely crashed and burned. In contrast, the romance between Isaiah and Rachel is full of sparks and raging chemistry. Not having been a fan of the hot and cold nature of Ryan and Beth's relationship, it was with relief that I found this one drama free in comparison. Don't get me wrong, they do have their share of bumps in the road, and although some of it could have been avoided had they communicated better, it was much easier to emotionally immerse myself in this relationship. One thing about Eric, the "villain" of this story, is that I didn't completely feel the fear that he was rubbing off on everybody. Sure he has "friends with bats" but this is a 19year old kid that people treat like a mob boss! This was obviously not even enough to steer my rating, but I wouldn't have minded more show of the power he wields. After all is said and done, what may be the best part of the book is finding out it's not over!

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five-stars
5 Hot Espressos


Find my review of Pushing the Limits (Book 1), here!


Find my review of Dare You To (Book 2), here!


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Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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25 Responses to “Review: Crash into You by Katie McGarry”

  1. Nick @ Nick's Book Blog

    I’m so glad you loved this, Giselle. This one is definitely my favorite of the series, but probably because Isaiah has always been my favorite character. I was mad when I heard that his story wasn’t with Beth either, but after reading Beth’s story, I’m glad that he wasn’t with her at the end because Isaiah deserves someone much much much better than Beth and Rachel was that girl.
    Anyways, I agree with you on that Eric fellow. He tried so hard to look tough and all, but his toughness never came through to me. I’m curious about Take Me On because West was intriguing in this one.
    Lovely review, Giselle.

  2. Savannah

    OMG Chayse read this, this weekend and loved it. He could not stop talking about it. Great review! Now I’m off to pry this book away from Chayse…

  3. Isalys

    I am so excited for this book! I have Beth & Ryan’s book at home but have dragged my feet on reading it because I felt very little love for Beth’s character. Isaiah on the other hand had me at hello! From day one, you get such a sense of his gentle and kind nature and it just draws you in. I’m so glad he gets his HEA πŸ™‚

    β™₯Isalys / Book Soulmates

  4. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    Hell fucking yes! So happy you liked loved this one too. I’ve been dying for Isaiah’s story since book 1. Loved him and Rachel and everything about them. I was also a big fan of her brothers but not as much as Isaiah’s friend (the girl who I can’t remember her name right now). I would LOOOOOVE a story about her and Logan. *fingers crossed*
    Can’t wait for the next book and well anything else Katie writes. I would read her damn grocery list if I could πŸ™‚
    Love the review!

  5. Ellen

    Wonderful review. I am reading this one soon for the tour. I can’t wait and I am super excited to know there will be another installment.

  6. Melliane

    I should try this series, I saw this one but I haven’t read the other. And I thought it was book 2… so behind! Thanks for the great review!

  7. kimbacaffeinate

    I only read your first paragraph since I just started this for review. Like you I have been anxiously awaiting Isaiah story. Good to know about the 3 AM danger..since that is so me!! So glad you loved it, and those five cups of espresso have me excited!

  8. Alicia

    Will I be given angry glares if I say I haven’t read a single book in this series =P I remember last year, Pushing The Limits was THE book in contemporary, almost EVERYONE was reading it and giving it raving 8 stars out of 5, it was so hyped! I wanted to read it so badly but ended up… a year later… and still haven’t sniffed a single page of the book *sigh*

    MUST READ IT.!

  9. Aman

    Ah, I can’t wait to start this book next week! That’s why I’m trying really hard not to peak at you review yet, but I love that it was super addicting and kept you up at night. That’s exactly what I expect from Katie McGarry and I’m so glad that she delivered it. And it’s double fun to know that it’s not over! I’m so happy to see that 5 star rating! Thanks for sharing, Giselle! πŸ™‚

  10. Anna

    Great review! I loved the first book but I just can’t seem to get over the fact that Isiah and Beth aren’t going to be together lol. I just don’t get why the author implied it in the first book just to be like “JK!”. I know eventually I’m going to have to get over this because I’ve read amazing things about both books and I know I’m going to love them with their new love interest. Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed this book! πŸ™‚

  11. Amy @ Book Loving Mom

    Eeep!!! I am so excited to read this one!! I am on the blog tour for it in December! Isaiah was a favorite character of mine too and I have been really looking forward to his book. I didn’t enjoy Dare You To and actually never finished it because Beth and the other dude bothered me too much. I’m glad that you enjoyed this one, and I am even more excited to get to it now!!

  12. Abbe Hinder

    I’m just getting around to Pushing the Limits but I can’t wait to read this one! From your review, I feel like I will love it, cover to cover. The older brothers sound amazing and funny so I’m looking forward to them as well. Great review!

  13. Alexa Y.

    I’m so excited to read Crash Into You! I’ve loved all of Katie’s books so far (Dare You To being my absolute favorite), and I can’t imagine that this one will be any different.

  14. Trish @ Between My Lines

    Great review Giselle, these characters are a shining example of how to write real characters that we all adore. I already loved Isaiah but after this book, he is one of my favourite characters ever. And the issue of aging out of foster care is one that really hit me hard and made feel so bad for all the teens that have to face that.

  15. Tara

    So jealous of everyone who gets to read this book early. I’m such a fan of McGarry’s books, and I’m dying to read this, so I’m super glad you gave it a FIVE.

  16. Michele Piedrahita

    I REALLY love Katie McGarry’s Books. I swear each new story makes me feel apart of this world Katie has created. I cant wait to keep reading!!!!

  17. Alexia @ Adventures in Reading

    Yup I am totally a black sheep when it comes to this book. Finished reading it today and I found it to be my least favorite. Rachel was a doormat and Isaiah bordered on controlling. I ended up giving this one 3.5 stars (review will be posted tomorrow)

    I loved Abby though and I hear we are getting her and West’s story next.