496 pages
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.
Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.
No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.
My Review
I'm going to start off my review with the two main characters' opening lines.
Emily
"Top three awful moments of my life: Meeting my biological father at ten. Breaking my arm in three spots at nine. Falling into a hole and being trapped there overnight with a dead body at eight."
Oz
"It's three in the morning and Mom and I continue to wait."
My First Thought: Is this going to be my kind of book? A few pages later... Why, I guess it is! *smiles wide*
This seemed like a longer romance novel to me since it hit close to 500 pages, but I liked these characters enough that I didn't mind one bit and am thankful for its length. I am so glad I decided to finally take a chance on reading one of Katie McGarry's novels. I don't read a lot of young adult romance, but I am trying to be more open minded about what I read so I gave it a shot.
If I am going to read a romance novel, I prefer one with dual POVs from both the male and female (or male and male or female and female) love interests. I don't know if this will make sense to you, but the dual POVs seem to make me less aggravated with a character with a budding romance when I can get inside both peoples' heads.
In Nowhere But Here we get to witness Emily try to figure out who her biological father is, and if she can find a way to let him into her life. All the while we also get to see Oz deal with trying to conquer his dream of becoming an official member of the Reign of Terror. Their issues are different and the same. Figuring out where and how you belong as a teenager is always difficult. As for these two as a couple, they are super cute and have some steamy moments. Honestly, I didn't find them annoying at all, which is a big accomplishment for a young adult romance. Usually the "will they won't they" or "we fight because we don't communicate thing" drives me insane, but there really wasn't a lot of that here.
The Bottom Line: I am sure fans of Katie McGarry will love this novel. As for everyone else, next time you are in a romance type mood I suggest you pick up Nowhere But Here.
I find I enjoy a dual pov in my romances too Kay. This sounds like it was wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteIt really was. :)
DeleteThis sounds interesting. I might have to check out this series!
ReplyDeleteIt was really good! Not one I normally read, but I liked it a lot.
DeleteI think I'll pick this up at some point... Then again I had planned to read Dare You To and it sat there for like 2 years until I finally just traded it away (and now I will probably never read it because that would take even more effort to get myself a copy). I just don't what it is that's keeping me from picking up her book because I didn't mind Pushing the Limits... I'm just weird I guess.
ReplyDeleteAren't we all a little weird? Do you want to know a secret? I finally read this book simply because I had checked it out and had to return it twice before. I wasn't going to do that a third time so it was now or never. lol
DeleteKatie McGarry is one of my favorite authors, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one so. She's such a good author. The parents in this one was what made me crazy. They got on my nerves. But I enjoyed the romance between Oz and Emily.
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
The parents were frustrating, but it was cute!
DeleteKay, I think you just convinced me that I should try this book & Katie McGarry's writing! I tend not to read much YA Contemp, but I'm trying to change that. I also love dual POV, your comment about this made me change my mind and hopefully hunt a copy down at my library as well!! "I prefer one with dual POVs from both the male and female (or male and male or female and female) love interests. I don't know if this will make sense to you, but the dual POVs seem to make me less aggravated with a character with a budding romance when I can get inside both peoples' heads."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review, (and adding to my tbr pile, lol) Kay :)
I usually don't read a lot in the genre, but figured I would see why everyone loves Katie McGarry's books. Curiosity always gets me, and this time I am glad it did. I think you will like it! I can't wait to hear your thoughts! :D I'm so glad we get each other!
DeleteOh wow, this is pretty long for a romance novel DD: I have heard so many good things about this author but never read any of their books myself. It's something I want to do at some point, so maybe in the future I will! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDelete