Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Title: Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4)

Author: Katie McGarry

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

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

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

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

It’s no secret that I love Katie McGarry and her books. Actually, I more than love her books, I absolutely ADORE them. So I’ve pretty much been pining for her latest, Take Me On, since I flipped the last page of Crash Into You. Now that I’ve read it, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I absolutely loved Take Me On. I mean, how could I not?

A year ago, Haley Williams walked away from fighting even though she was a champion kickboxer. It was the only way she could think of to protect the people she cares about. But when West Young walks into her life, Haley finds herself throwing punches once again to protect West, a complete stranger. West has been getting into fights for as long as he can remember. But never has he considered training to be a fighter. Now, West finds himself volunteering to fight for Haley, the girl he’s just met but who he can’t seem to stop thinking about. Haley and West should keep things simple between each other. Neither is in a position to be in a relationship. But the more time they spend together, training, the deeper their feelings for each other get. The big question for Haley and West is whether what they feel for each other worth fighting for?

Oh how I love Katie McGarry and her books. I’ve already said it, but I’ve pretty much been pining for Take Me On since I flipped the last page of Crash Into You. There’s just something about these stories that is incredibly addicting. So when I picked up Take Me On, I made sure I had lots of time on my hand because I knew that I wouldn’t want to stop reading. And I was totally right. The day after I started reading, I was at work and I kept looking at my bag, wishing I could be reading Take Me On instead. Because it was oh so good. As typically happens with Katie McGarry’s books, I was hooked right from the start. It helped that I had already met West in Crash Into You and I was dying to find out more about him. But even if I hadn’t known him, I would have been hooked. I wanted to find out all about these characters and their lives. I wanted to find out why Haley had walked away from fighting. I wanted to see if West’s father would realize how much he was making his son miserable. And of course, I wanted to see West and Haley together. I wanted to see their relationship grow and develop. Because West and Haley needed each other, even though they didn’t alway see it. 

In Crash Into You, I had gotten a glimpse of West Young and I wasn’t sure how I felt about him. But then Take Me On came along and I was all over West. Just like with Rachel in Crash Into You, it didn’t take long for me to realize just how miserable West was because of his parents, especially his dad. West was just in a bad place, he needed to get out. But until he was forced out, he didn’t really know how to get himself out. And really, what West needed was Haley—someone who would get under his skin in ways no one else could. But Haley was also someone who understood West the way no one else did. And much like it didn’t take long for me to fall for West, it took even less time for me to love Haley. I wanted so much for Haley. If I thought West was in a bad place, Haley was in an even worse situation and she had no way out without losing everything and everyone she’s ever cared about. I loved her, but I also wanted her to get her fight back. The whole time I was reading I could tell that she had this urge to fight back against her situation, but she kept on suppressing it. But when she met West, that started to change and I was happy about it. So yes, I LOVED West and Haley. On a different note, I still want to find out more about Ethan, West’s younger brother and Rachel’s twin. Also can Abby have her own story yet? Because I would read that in a heartbeat.

It should come as no surprise whatsoever that I loved Katie McGarry’s Take Me On. From page one, I was hooked and I couldn’t have asked for a better story for West and Haley. If you still haven’t read one of Katie McGarry’s books, you really should get on that. Because I honestly can’t wait to read what she writes next.

Waiting on Wednesday (86)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where book bloggers devote a post to an upcoming book release they are particularly looking forward to reading.

THIS WEEK'S PICK:

SWAY BY KAT SPEARS

High school senior Jesse Alderman, or Sway as he’s known, could sell hell to a bishop. He also specializes in getting things people want—term papers, a date with the prom queen, fake IDs. It’s all business with Jesse. He has few close friends and he never lets emotions get in the way.

But when Ken, captain of the football team, leading candidate for homecoming kind, and all around jerk, hires Jesse to help him win the heart of the angelic Bridget Smalley, Jesse finds himself feelings all sorts of things. While following Bridget and learning the intimate details of her life, he falls helplessly in love for the very first time. He also finds himself in an accidental friendship with Bridget’s younger brother who’s belligerent and self-pitying after spending a lifetime dealing with cerebral palsy. Suddenly Jesse is visiting old folks at a nursing home in order to run into Bridget, and offering his time to help the less fortunate, all the while developing a bond with this young man who idolizes him. The tin man really does have a heart after all.

A Cyrano De Bergerac story with a modern twist, Sway is told from Jesse’s point of view with unapologetic truth and biting humor. His observations about the world around hi are untempered by empathy or compassion—until Bridget’s presence in his life forces him to confront his quiet devastation over a life changing event a year earlier and maybe, just maybe, feel SOMEthing, again.

Ever since I first heard about Kat Spears' Sway, I have been wanting to read it. First it's a contemporary story. Second, it's a contemporary story from a guy's perspective. And third, it just sounds awesome. Honestly, though, it just sounds like my kind of story and I can't wait to read. And I'm even hoping to be able to snag a copy of the book while at BEA this week.

Sway by Kat Spears will be published September 16, 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin.

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Title: The Art of Lainey

Author: Paula Stokes

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 20, 2014

Source: ARC borrowed from fellow blogger

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, and Susane Colasanti, The Art of Lainey tells the story of how, with the help of The Art of War, Lainey plots the perfect plan to get her boyfriend back. But is getting him back really what she wants?

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her--no reasons, nor warnings, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that's when Lainey and Bianca stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, the girls are sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey's arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous.

After a few "dates," it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game. Can fighting for what she wants help Lainey figure out what she really needs?

You guys all know how much I love reading fun and adorable contemporaries. This time of year especially, I pretty much crave them. They just go so well with summer. Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey was just what I was craving and it quickly became a favourite. 

Lainey Mitchell had her summer all planned: she would work at her family’s café, play in a soccer summer rec league and spend all her spare time with her amazing boyfriend, Jason. But that plan quickly falls apart when, out of the blue, Jason breaks up with her for no reason and in front of everyone in the café. Lainey isn’t about to let a break up stop her though. With the help of her best friend, Bianca, she starts plotting how to get Jason back. Inspired by The Art of War, Lainey decides that was she needs is a fake boyfriend to make Jason jealous. Enter Micah, Lainey’s co-worker and Jason’s complete opposite. Who better to be a fake boyfriend? After just a few days, things seem to be working great. But the more time Lainey spends with Micah, the more she starts to think that maybe she’s been going after the wrong guy all along. 

I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved and enjoyed Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey. When I picked it up, I was just in the mood for a fun and adorable contemporary story, and on the surface that’s just what I got with The Art of Lainey. When I started reading, it didn’t take long for me to get completely sucked in. I loved the way The Art of War was woven into the story, realizing just how much it can be applied to everything beyond just war. And of course, in the context of this story, it led to some pretty amusing moments. Let’s just say that Lainey had a tendency to take things quite literally, making things that much more amusing. But what I loved about The Art of Lainey more than anything was the romance. This wasn’t your typical love at first sight story. The romance here, was definitely more of a slow burn between Lainey and Micah. If anything, they didn’t even really like each other when this whole fake dating thing started. But right away, I could tell that things would change and that Micah was who Lainey really belonged with, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s the thing about Lainey. For almost half of the book I didn’t really like Lainey, to the point where I started wondering whether this would affect my enjoyment of the book. She just bothered me. She was so focused on trying to get Jason back that she didn’t see what was right in front of her, and don’t even get me started on her behaviour. She was just being that girl who couldn’t seem to figure out who she was outside of her boyfriend, and it bugged me. But there was character growth. Once Lainey started spending more time with Micah, she started changing for the better. She was still the same person, but she became much more likeable and actually started to understand who she was. And then there was Micah. Micah was so not who I expected him to be. He was SO MUCH BETTER. I loved the way he pushed Lainey and challenged her, trying to get her out of her comfort zone. But he wasn’t a jerk. Those glimpses I saw of him with his younger sister completely melted my heart. There was just so much more to him than met the eye. And I can’t wait to to read his story in Infinite Repeat. 

In case you hadn’t guessed it by now, I absolutely loved Paula Stokes’ The Art of Lainey. It was a fun and totally adorable story that kept me turning the pages with a big smile on my face. If you’re looking for the perfect contemporary read for summer, The Art of Lainey is just that book.

BEA 2014

Unless you've been living under a rock the last couple of weeks, you probably know that next week is BEA week. I'm so excited to be going back to NYC because I love the city and to be going specifically for BEA. This will be my second year going, and I honestly can't wait. Last year was a lot of fun and I'm hoping for some more again this year. 

Because I'll be away, things are probably going to be quieter on the blog and I probably won't be on Twitter as much, though I will try to keep tweeting while I'm in New York. If you are going to BEA, let me know because I would love to actually meet you in person. Or you see me, just come say hi (if you don't know what I look like, just check out my Twitter profile). I'm really friendly (and loud, you've been warned) and I just love talking to people, especially if it's about books! 

I hope to see some of you there! 

Blog Tour - All Lined Up by Cora Carmack + Giveaway

Title: All Lined Up (Rusk University #1)

Author: Cora Carmack

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Source: From Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows of her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking IT, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has been ruled by both. 

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball…as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated. 

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter. 

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel. 

Every so often, I get so excited about a book I become afraid that it won’t possibly live up to how much I’ve built it up in my mind. And then I read the book and all my expectations are met, to a point where the book becomes addicting and I find myself still reading at 2:30 AM. Most recently, that book for me was Cora Carmack’s All Lined Up.

Dallas Cole has spent her whole life coming in second to football. Being the daughter of a high school football coach in Texas will do that to a girl. Now heading to college, Dallas hopes to finally be able to be something other than the football coach’s daughter. But those plans quickly evaporate. Not only will Dallas be going to the same college as her ex, but her dad is now the new head football coach at Rusk University. Things might be looking up, though, when Dallas meets Carson McClain at a party. There’s only one catch, Carson is on the football team, and Dallas doesn’t know it. Carson should be focusing all his efforts on keeping his grades up and working out if he wants to make first-string quarterback. But since meeting Dallas, he can’t seem to focus on anything but figuring out how to see her again. To make things better, she’s also his new coach’s daughter. Dallas and Carson should stay away from each other, but they can only fight their feelings for so long.

So. About All Lined Up. This would be so much easier if my review could just be “I loved it, and you should read it so that you can love it, too.” Because, honestly, I LOVED All Lined Up. I remember when I first started hearing about the book, it was being compared to Friday Night Lights, just in college instead of high school. The comparison instantly sold me on the book (side note: if you haven’t watched Friday Night Lights yet, get on that pronto). At the same time, though, that comparison scared me a little: how could a book possibly live up when it’s being compared to one of my favourite TV shows ever? I shouldn’t have worried too much though, because I wasn’t in the least bit disappointed by Cora Carmack and All Lined Up. Right from the start I got sucked in to the story, using every spare minute I had to read. Because it was told from a dual perspectives, I just kept turning the pages, wanting to see what would happen and what I would see from whose point of view. In all honesty, this story is just addicting. It was one of those books that caused me to stay up reading way past when I should have been (a decision I really regretted the next morning). But it was worth it. I loved every page of what I read, and I fell completely in love with Dallas and Carson.

Right from page one, I was in love with Dallas. I loved her snark and her tendency towards being over dramatic. And considering what I knew of her background and childhood, I could understand why she was the way she was, but I loved her. And because I loved her, I wanted her to find someone who would finally not put her second to football. And honestly, I had my doubts that Carson would be that person, at first. But again, I didn’t really have anything to worry about because once I got to know Carson better I knew that he would never even think to do that. And just like Dallas it didn’t take long at all for me to fall for Carson. He was just such a good guy. And I really don’t know what else to say about Carson other than how awesome and great and fantastic he was (I know, I’m babbling). And then put Dallas and Carson together, and I was one very happy reader. On a different note, can we please get a story about Stella and Ryan, because that would also be pretty awesome. I can just picture the laughs that would come from it.

In case it wasn’t absolutely obvious, I LOVED Cora Carmack’s All Lined Up. It was exactly what I had hoped it would be and I couldn’t be happier. I can’t wait to read more Rusk University books because I just know I will love them. And now I’m going to go re-watch some Friday Night Lights.

Giveaway!

Want to read Cora Carmack's All Lined Up (trust me, you do)? Then fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win 1 of 5 signed copies of All Lined Up. Giveaway is open to US only. Good luck!

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