Thunder Road #1
By:
Katie McGarry
Published:
May 26, 2015
Publisher:
Harlequin Teen
Add to Goodreads
Source:
eARC from publisher for a honest review
Book Summary:
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.
My Thoughts:
Katie McGarry's, Pushing the Limits Series, is in my top favorites, as far as young adult contemporary romance is concerned. The appeal of her stories, their authenticity, and relatability cross over to a diverse group of people. Therefore, when I heard that she was coming out with a new series, I was on board! To top it off, this series deals with a Motorcycle Club, called the Reign of Terror, and I have a thing for hot MC guys!
The first story in the series, Nowhere But Here, is about two teens, Emily and Oz. Emily has grown up in Florida, in the sheltered, privileged, and conservative home of her mother and adoptive father. She see's her biological father, Eli, once a year. Eli is a highly respected member of the Reign of Terror, and Emily's mother has lead her to believe that Eli abandoned them both when her mom found out that she was pregnant with Emily.
A variety of circumstances lead Emily to her father's small hometown of Snowflake, Kentucky. She will be staying with Eli and his side of the family for the summer. While at first, Emily, is unhappy about her forced visit dealing with people that she considers dangerous, rough around the edges, and lacking in integrity; she quickly realizes with the help of Olivia (her paternal grandmother,) and Oz (a gorgeous prospective MC member tasked with protecting her,) that everything she was told and taught to believe about Eli and his family was a lie.
Nowhere But Here was a great beginning to a new series! I loved the characters in this story. Emily and Oz were both intelligent, caring, and stubborn individuals, and they both had their own set of preconceived ideas about one another. I loved how little by little, they chipped away at each other's surface, and got to know one another on a deeper level. They helped each other expand their world views, and it was beautiful watching these characters transform. Emily became more open-minded as she learned not to see things in just black and white, embraced her father's side of the family, and with the help of Oz, learned how to start conquering her fears. Oz learned how to speak up, be his own man, and not just blindly follow orders.
The secondary characters in this story were excellent. Olivia, Emily's grandmother, was my favorite. She was tough, courageous, blunt, sassy, and had a huge heart! I enjoyed getting to know the members of the MC Club, and their families. I am looking forward to Razor, as well as Chevy and Violet, getting their own stories.
Even though I would consider this a character driven story, there were still plenty of secrets, surprises, and twists to keep me hooked to the storyline. Emily and Oz's story was sensational. They had a rocky start based on prejudices, and assumptions that lead to a push-pull dynamic. However, Emily and Oz eventually supported one another, built a strong foundation of friendship, and had a slow-burning romance that was both believable, and so sexy with the budding chemistry, and anticipation of every kiss and intimate moment.
My Rating:
Book Teasers:
Book Trailer:
Book Excerpt:
WIND BLOWS IN FROM THE NORTH AND A FEW pieces of Emily’s dark hair sweep across her face. One minute Emily’s a bright flame, then a gust snuffs out her light. Her body sways like a top at the tail end of a spin and I lunge forward.
Emily’s knees give out and her eyes roll back into her head. I catch her inches before she crashes onto the porch. She’s light as I swing her into my arms and her head circles onto my shoulder, reminding me of one of those rag dolls Violet used to play with when we were kids.
“Emily!” Eli’s on top of me, attempting to yank her out of my arms. “Open your eyes.”
Her eyelids flutter, but remain closed as her hand limply clutches my shirt. Eli rams his arms underneath mine and he makes Emily a rope in a tug-of-war. I should let her go. I should want to let her go, but then Emily goes and screws it up for me. “Oz.”
It was a damn whisper, but I heard my name on her lips and so did Eli. His eyes flash to mine and Cyrus’s words repeat in my mind. That girl trusts you. And screw us both for that.
“She’s exhausted,” I say. “Hasn’t slept at all tonight.”
Eli’s expression hardens as he glares at me. I’ve seen Eli throw a coma-inducing punch for less defiance and I readjust the sleeping girl in my arms. A reminder if he decks me now, he’ll be putting his daughter at risk.
Temporarily surrendering, Eli cups Emily’s face in his hands and angles her toward him. “Emily, please open your eyes.”
She does. It’s barely a crack and they’re completely glazed.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” Eli affirms.
“I want my mom and dad,” she mumbles.
“You’ll see them tomorrow.” Eli pushes a strand of hair from her cheek. “You’re safe here. I promise.”
She rejects Eli by curling into me. Her head fits perfectly in the crook of my neck and I loathe the wave of protectiveness that rumbles through my body. Emily’s fingers tighten their grip near my shoulders and the impulse is to shield her from the guys gawking at this intimate scene. Yeah, this is club business, but Emily never asked for any of this.
About Katie McGarry:
Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.
SO love this book.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading so many good reviews about this one! And I cannot wait to meet Oz and Emily. I'm hoping to start this one soon :) Ah! Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI am seeing this one everywhere. Everything I see I like- it is already on my summer read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI love her stuff too, so I'm glad to see that you were super impressed with the new series starter. Your review already has me making a connection with this story. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the author's previous work, Crash Into You was my most favorite read of hers! This book has finally released so YESSS to that <3 It would be interesting to see how the author incorporates a biker gang into YA and now by your rating, I think it's done well. Beautiful review overall.<3 Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteI love New Adult
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you enjoyed it. I loved these new characters too. They were slightly flawed and sheltered, but I loved how they grew together. Great review!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace