Book Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge (Thunder Road #2) by Katie McGarry

Blurb:

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life. 

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules. 

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

My Review:

Walk the Edge is the second book in the Thunder Road trilogy although for the most part it can be read as a standalone. 

Breanna Miller feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere - not at school or in her family of nine children. That's because she's insanely smart - think Dr. Spencer Reid of Criminal Minds in the body of a teenage girl. 

On the other hand, is Thomas "Razor" Turner, one of the big bad members of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club that Breanna has been taught to fear her entire life. But when Breanna needs his help stopping a blackmailer holding an incriminating photo over her head the two start an unlikely friendship that quickly blazes into something more. 

I like how in Katie McGarry's books she always marries two different worlds, two different groups of characters that you wouldn't think would fall for each other until they do. In her Pushing the Limits series it was teens with rough home lives living in the foster care system falling in love with people from the white collar part of town and in this series it's good girls falling for biker boys. 

I loved Nowhere But Here but, to be honest, although I liked Walk the Edge, I didn't like it as much as Nowhere But Here.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Razor and Breanna but there was just something not as exciting as the first book. A spark that was missing. A lot of the book was spent talking about the weird way Breanna's mind worked and dishing out random facts and just like book 1 every tragic thing that happens to the members of the Terror seems to stem back to the Riot in some way. 

One thing was consistent, I hated Breanna's family just as much as I hated Meg in Nowhere But Here. And I really wasn't feeling Violet in this book. Her attitude is getting on my nerves. I hope my opinion of her changes in Long Way Home.

Overall, I liked this book, but I felt that the ending came together rather quickly. 

My Rating:

3.90 of 5 Stars!

Book Review: Chaos by Jamie Shaw

Chaos (Mayhem #3) by Jamie Shaw

Blurb:

From the moment she saw Shawn Scarlett perform at a school talent show, Kit Larson has loved two things: the guitar, and the gorgeous, green-eyed boy who inspired her to play. But one careless night in high school shatters her hope of ever being more than a notch on his bedpost.

Six years, two bands, and one mostly-mended heart later, Kit’s about to make her rock star dreams a reality as the new guitarist for Shawn’s band, The Last Ones to Know. He may not remember their reckless night together, but Kit has never forgotten… and she’s determined to make him eat his heart out.

The release of their new album means a month cooped up on a tour bus, sleeping inches away from the ridiculously sexy musician she’s never quite gotten over. And as Kit gets to know the real Shawn—not Shawn Scarlett, the rock god, the player—their attraction becomes too hot to resist. But the past is paved with secrets, and when they finally surface, Kit could lose everything: the band, the music, her dreams… and Shawn. 

My Review:

Chaos is the third book in the Mayhem series and is about Shawn and The Last One To Know's newest rhythm guitarist, Kit. 

The prologue turns the clock back six years and explains Shawn and Kit's past and when the first chapter begins it has still backtracked a little from when Riot ended. I wasn't sure I would like Shawn after how he treated Kit when she joined the band in Riot but I liked Kit instantly.

Reading Chaos completely changed my opinion of Shawn and I loved the two of them together. We also get to see more of Leti in this book, which I loved because he's one of my favorite characters in this series and we were introduced to Kit's four awesome, overprotective brothers - one of which hits it off with Leti (but I won't say which one!). 

Kit acts all tough and strong on the inside but the reader sees that behind the walls she's erected flashes of the vulnerable teenager she was still crept through. 

The plot moved well and I waited for the inevitable moment where Shawn and Kit's past would come to light and OMG that part was perfect! I was laughing and embarrassed all at the same time. 

Overall, this is possibly my favorite book of the series so far. I didn't want to put this book down and found it easy to finish the 380+ page book in about a day and a half. This series is fantastic and definitely a must read for fans of rock star romance and romance in general.

My Rating:

5 of 5 Stars!  

Book Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry

Blurb:

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've been wanting to read this book for a while. I love the author's writing style and this book grabbed me from the first page. I'll admit, my favorite part of the book occurs in the beginning. Specifically at the "funeral." People who've already read this book know what I'm talking about. It was hilarious and unbelievable and so wrong to laugh at yet so funny. 

Initially, I wasn't sure that I would like Oz. I know motorcycle club books are popular lately in adult romantic fiction but we all know what people say about those kinds of clubs. I can't honestly blame Emily for her initial impression of Eli's friends and family. I think it's a little unfair for Oz to judge Emily right off the bat because honestly - how can he not see things from an outsider's perspective? His lifestyle is far from normal. 

As usual, the author created a story and characters that you can't help loving. I think Emily showed a lot of growth throughout this book, seeing her go from not wanting anything to do with the people in her biological father's life to allowing herself to let them love her and loving them in return. 

I kind of assumed the truth about Eli and Meg's doomed relationship from the start, and my suspicions were confirmed but I loved Emily's journey to find the truth about her past all the same.

I loved Oz and Emily's chemistry - it was steamy and off-the-charts without being too mature for a young adult novel. Watching them grow from dislike to like to love was a seamless transition and by the end of the book, I saw that they fit together perfectly.

Overall, I loved this book and if the other two books in this trilogy are like this one I'm going to love immersing myself in this world! 

My Rating:

4.75 of 5 Stars!