Monday, May 6, 2013

Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)
Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....
”add
Publishes in US: June 7th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: Harlequin Teen via Netgalley
Series? Sort of. Companion novel to Pushing the Limits (read my review HERE). This means you don't need to read PtL to understand DYT. The next book, releases Nov 26th 2013 and focuses on Isaiah (the arc has 2 bonus chapters of it)

Buy it:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  IndieBound  BookDepository.com

Find Katie McGarry online: site   twitter   facebook

 

Oh my goodness. This was dark, amazing, emotional and hot. Katie has written another contemporary masterpiece and as an added bonus we get to see a peek at Noah and echo. Though you didn't have to read pushing the limits to understand and love dare you to. They would just seen like secondary characters.
I loved Beth and her tough exterior and how Ryan broke through that and while she was still amazing and kick ass we get to see get beautiful heart.
Ryan is perfect on the surface but there is a lot brewing under neath. I loved his loyalty and admired his self confidence and how hid desire to win became a theme. Though i really appreciated that he stepped up and did what wad right even if it meant losing.
There were some smoking hot scenes that made me need to stick Mt head on the freezer and then run back to get more.
The characters in this story are so beautifully written! Ryan's inner dialogue was awesome and it made me smile a lot.
"I shrug and begin to search the room for a viable reason to escape--like the curtains catching on fire."
"..tonight hell would freeze over and donkeys would fly out of my ass..." 
Lacy is a great character as well and i loved how she fit into the whole scene. She reminded nee a lot of myself with the boys was friends and the limited loyalty. As well as being on the fringes.
Gwen... Oh, Gwen. I wanted to smack her.
Loved Ryan s brother and that her read not perfect bit he too had a story and things to prove to himself.
Beth and her need to take care of her mom is so understandable and it hurts my heart all that sheer had to go through.
Isaiah... I so thought that some how this would be his and Beth story but while he was in it and their friendship was an important theme and he had a lot to add to the story it was not in the way that i thought.
Watching Beth learn to trust others and especially learn to trust herself was the most amazing part of this story. It wasn't an easy road, and she had to go through sooo much. Not only did her relationship with Ryan help, but also her uncle, Lacy and letting go of her past. She had to realize that no one is perfect, herself included, but that there are people who are worthy of the trust. Really, the theme of learning to also accept yourself for who you are is what I am coming away from this story with!
I love the dual narrative, it helped me to understand and love both of the characters all the more. It is also a unique way of storytelling where you know what the other person is really thinking and feeling. 
The ending is like the rest of the book--perfection. 

Fav. Quotes:
"A sliver of hope sneaks past my walls and I slam every opening shut. Emotion is evil. People who make me feel are worse. I take comfort in the stone inside of me. If I don't feel, then I don't hurt."
Living is like being chained at the bottom of a allow pond with my eyes open and no air. I can see distorted images of happiness and light, even hear muffled laughter  but everything is out of my reach as I lay in suffocating agony. If death is the opposite of living, then I hope death is like floating.  
"Leaving her would be like tearing off my own arm. I've never been in love before. I thought I had been, but I wasn't. This overwhelming, encompassing feeling is love. It's not perfect and it's messy as hell. and it's exactly what I need."
Bottom Line: Darkly captivating an emotional romance woven with hope and character growth.

Books similar to Dare You To: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarryEasy by Tammara Webber

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Under what conditions would you stop protecting your mom?

75 comments:

  1. I loved the snippet provided at the end of Pushing the Limits and I can't wait to read this too! To answer your question (how appropriate as Mother's Day approaches), I don't think there are any circumstances under which I'd stop protecting my mom. I mean, she's my mom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I think with normal circumstances no one would

      Delete
  2. Ahhh, I cant wait to read this one!

    I would never stop protecting my mom. She is my mom and is the reason I am who I am today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad you liked this one so much. I'm going to read it soon,and now I'm really looking forward to it. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't wait to read this one, Pushing The Limits was definitely one of my favorites last year and I hoping that I will enjoy this one just as much. I love the cover too! Thanks for sharing!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

    ReplyDelete
  5. woot! I only read your first two sentences since I have to read this for review and prefer to read reviews after mine is done..but i had to sneak a peek to see if you liked it..expectations are high on this one and you made me squeal with delight! I cannot wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad that you liked this one! I didn't like it as much as PTL, but it was still good. Awesome review, Brandi! (:

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have this one coming up, and I can not wait. Beth and Ryan sounds awesome. Wonderful review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. they are! I was expecting something different but loved it

      Delete
  8. I think this book totally wins your heart - yay!!

    I guess deep down, we all want to protect our family even when we're unsure of what we could do.

    Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, we def have an instinct and love for our family

      Delete
  9. Ahhhh I really need to read this book! Loving all your fave quotes, they just make me want to read it all the more! Great review :)

    Laura @ What's Hot?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Another series that I have yet to start but really want to! I've been hearing amazing this about the first and the sequel :)

    Janina @ Synchonized Reading

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ahh! Awesome review :D I'm so glad you loved this book. <3 Sigh. I cannot wait to read it. Have it via NetGalley (A) Ryan sounds amazing. And I cannot wait to get to know Beth more. <3 Thank you for sharing sweetie :)
    Thank you for commenting on my blog. <3
    Love, Carina @ Carina's Books

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so happy to hear this lived up to expecations. It is a tall order to write a book as good if not better than PTL. I am so excited to dig in and rad more of Beth and Ryan's story. I know they are just as damaged as Noah and Echo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it is a hard to live up to.
      Damaged in a different way with Beth

      Delete
  13. I'm so happy you loved Dare You To. I'm excited to get started on it soon. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eeep -- I am reading this right now. Great review!

    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm kinda sad that it isn't Isiah and Beth's book. I mean.. I so very wanted it to be. If the prologue at the end of PtL was any indication on how this book would turn out to be, then I'm excited for it since Ryan seemed like an awesome love interest. Beth's growth would be lovely to read about and hot you say? Uh-uh! Me wants this book nowww!! Thanks for sharing :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! But I know that book 3 will be all about Isaiah healing

      Delete
  16. I'm glad you loved this one so much! I really enjoyed it too, and was rooting for Beth to get her life together and open herself up to Ryan and her uncle. There is no doubt Katie McGarry has a talent for writing seriously addictive stories. Great review! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't wait to read this one. I loved Pushing the Limits and I hope this one lives up to my expectations. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have been looking forward to this one! I love the grittiness mixed with the romance.

    ReplyDelete
  19. She would have to be doing something that was harming other people. Glad you enjoyed this one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her mom def was, it was one of the worst possible situation I think

      Delete
  20. I am just so very unsure about these

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Understandable. They are dark and the girls are damaged,

      Delete
  21. Really great review, Brandi! I felt like sticking my head in the freezer too at times. ;) Katie McGarry definitely knows how to write the best romances. And I agree about the dial narration. It worked really well for me. I'm glad you liked it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, some hot moments :) But I would have to take the book with me so it prb wouldn't get me cooled of

      Delete
  22. I'll be reading this one soon and I cant wait! Your review has me even more excited now! Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm hoping to get to this wonderful book soon!! Your review is awesome and makes me so excited to start reading it!!!

    Magen Corrie
    ~Corrie the Book Crazed Girl

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oooh, you've aroused my curiosity! I'm going to request this at NetGalley. Thanks for the tantalizing review! --I'd do everything in my power to protect my mom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I hope you enjoy when you read it
      I would too!

      Delete
  25. WooHoo, I agree with everything you said. I am planning on reviewing this soon. Such a great book and characters.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I adored Pushing the Limits but wasn't sure whether or not I should pick this up. If this book isn't as good as PtL then it would ruin my memory of the series. But now I've read enough reviews on this to convince me otherwise. You know what? I think I will read Dare You To after all :)

    -Ariella @ Secrets of Lost Words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is different enough it wouldn't effect PtL.
      I think you'll love it

      Delete
  27. Awesome review. I loved this book too. You have put all my thoughts in your review!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I LOVED this so much! After I was done, I wanted to dive back in and read it again. Katie McGarry is such an extraordinary writer. The character development in here was really good, too. I loved seing Ryan and Beth grow into something more. Fab review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, the development is amazing and I need to reread and want the 3rd

      Delete
  29. Eeek! I need this one so badly! After Pushing the Limits, I am a huge McGarry fan :) I'm so glad you loved this book. You've seriously convinced me to move it up on my TBR pile. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh yay! I'm so glad you loved this one! I'm looking forward to reading it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Fantastic review! I haven't read these yet, but I have heard so much and am really interested. I love the idea of the dual perspectives and the quotes are great. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really liked Dare You To and how Beth matured over the course of the story. I also thought the dual POV's were great. Amazing review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You know I always answer your questions instead of remark on your review, but this time I'll just say wonderful review and I can't wait to get a chance to read my ARC. It makes me want to read it right now!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dark, emotional and hot! Exactly. I've read this book just few days ago and I loved it! :) Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved it too. I love the dark and emotional and she nailed it

      Delete
  35. oh yes I heard so many great things about this book I'm glad it's as good as they say!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I loved them in different ways, and yes, his uncle was great

    ReplyDelete
  37. I just loved this one so much! Ugh, I hated Gwen too. Ryan was a sweetheart though and I thoroughly enjoyed Beth's characters. :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

    ReplyDelete
  38. I agree, this was epic and amazing!! Ryan was just so lovely and I loved seeing the changes in Beth! Great review, Brandi! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. That's a tough question. What has she done? I don't know if you could ever stop protecting your mom. Was it a really bad thing and you should say something. I really don't know

    ReplyDelete
  40. I don't know that I loved this book as much as Pushing the Limits. It didn't feel as unique to me. I did like it though. I love Katie McGarry and I can't wait to read Isaiah's story!

    Just Another Story

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like.
Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)