An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.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. ~ Goodreads
Review:
I adored Pushing the Limits – McGarry’s debut novel but haven’t connected to another one by her since. I keep trying and kind of decided that Nowhere But Here would be the *decider novel*. If I didn’t like it I would just throw in the towel with this author.
The males in her books are pretty much over protective, arrogant shits that treat girls like glass in need of body guards and that's what has turned me off so much. Even though this is a motorcycle club series, and actually about a guy whose job is to protect the heroine, the men are surprisingly less misogynistic than any of her previous books. The hero, Oz, is a truly good guy who respects Emily, and women in general. I was kind of blown away by and impressed by that.
Emily has a lot of fears and is the your typical innocent McGarry heroine – paired with the more experienced hero but overall, Emily is a well developed character that doesn’t come off as a special snowflake that everyone wants to hit on or deflower. I really liked her. Despite screaming BAD BOY FALLS FOR INNOCENT GIRL tragedy setup, I’m happy to report the romance was good! It’s not at all like the summary suggests. Oz and Emily are probably the two most level headed people in the whole book.
And that’s where things went south for me. *face palm* – the adults in this book have lost their ever loving minds! So many lies and ridiculous cover ups and nonsensical *clues* to chase!
Emily’s whole life with her mom and adoptive father is a lie. Then another lie brings her face to face with her biological father and his family. Then more lies, meant to protect her, almost get her killed.
Then certain people want her to know the truth. Instead of just telling her – they want her to figure it out on her own - sending her on a wild goose chase that only puts her in more danger. It was just crazy! Stay with your father – it’s safer. Go home to your mother – it’s safer. Make up your f*cking minds already!
I really only hung in there to find out the secret. It is a big reveal but nothing that couldn’t have been revealed over an extended breakfast and an extra cup of heavily caffeinated coffee.
Then there’s the motorcycle club element. McGarry has the characters bend over backwards to explain why this isn’t one of those bad biker clubs and sure they have a legitimate business but that’s a bunch of hooey. It’s a controlling group where you have swear allegiance, need protection, no girls allowed crap, lie to the cops, and get kicked out if you violate any rules. Everyone is always in danger because of their lifestyle. Whatever. It’s just not my thing.
So…I was completely surprised by and enjoyed the hero and romance but the adults and their secrecy made me want to throw things and the MC thing isn’t for me. I think I need to accept that PTL was a one time thing and move on.
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Nowhere But Here is part of my Blogger Shame review Challenge
hosted by Herding Cats & Burning Soup to clear out those older books that keep getting pushed aside because...Ooh! New! Shiny!
I just do not get the MC thing
ReplyDeleteMe either but I know a lot of people love it. I guess it's just not for me.
DeleteStill haven't tried a MC book, don't think I plan to >.<
ReplyDeleteI've read a few and I always have a problem with it. This is MC *light*. they aren't criminals but all the other elements are there and to me...it's still a dangerous world so it's still not where I want my romance.
DeleteYeah, I'm SO not a fan of those books that play out the female MC as a weakling that needs the man, or even worse, the man that always feels the nee to protect her and not let her do anything. We're strong, we can take care of ourselves too, you know... THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'm glad that the one dude in this one didn't feel the need to do that though, that kind of makes me slightly happier. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe adults look at her that way but the hero is pretty awesome in that regard. And like i said - not just with her but with all women. It's a nice change of pace.
DeleteOh I need to check this one out. I did love her other series (and I'm still behind) and she is one of my guilty pleasures. You have me really curious about this one. I wouldn't be all over the biker gang either, but if it didn't make you hate it, then it won't do the same to me. :) Brilly review.
ReplyDeleteThe biker gang element is there but not as hard core. They ride bikes - they have a legitimate company but it does still put them in some danger and in conflict with the criminal MC's.
DeleteAlso,if you love her other books this should work for you!
DeleteI would be interested to see what you think. It was so weird that it was the adults that annoyed me! lol
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sorry this author isn't really for you, but that's great that you liked this one a bit more than some of the others. I am really tired of the whole "misogynistic male and girl falls in love with him" thing. IT's just not cool.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
All new to me. I tried pushing the limts but couldn't get into it. Im very selective about the possessive male types.
ReplyDeleteAll new to me. I tried pushing the limts but couldn't get into it. Im very selective about the possessive male types.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind MC themes, but they have to be written well for me to enjoy them. Some authors go too intense for my taste. I hate the whole "secret" trope, especially one like this one. It can drive me up the wall.
ReplyDeleteOooo, the first line of your review though! I loved Pushing the Limits but the rest of that series was kind of hit-or-miss for me. I actually didn't like this one either, but I adored Walk the Edge. It was so great! =)
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, Karen!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Aw, sorry to hear it didn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteOh that sucks when there's one awesome read and then the rest are just meh. I like MC books but I want an actual MC and not a pseudo-MC. Definitely off my list with the big secret. I've read a couple where there's finally the reveal and I'm like yeah that was a seriously good one to have tried to keep quiet but most of the time it's an eye roller.
ReplyDeleteOh no :( sorry this didn't work for you! I actually enjoyed it a lot, but I know several other bloggers who didn't.
ReplyDeleteThere are many other authors for you to enjoy though :D
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews