Nowhere But Here is being released today!! I loved being in this world and meeting the complex characters that Katie McGarry has created. I am excited for you all to meet Oz and Emily!
Title: Nowhere But Here
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Thunder Road #1
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Published: May 26th 2015
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.
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.
Nowhere But Here is not like any bikie book that I have read before. It was still quite intense with elements of danger, but it showed what it’s like for kids that have grown up or are related to this world. My emotions were all over the place, I laughed at times and certain moments brought tears to my eyes and my heart actually shattered as well. It was a fabulous first book in the Thunder Road series.
Emily was quite reserved in the beginning, but considering how sheltered she has been, it was totally understandable. Her parents and Eli have kept so much from her and she finds it difficult to adjust to this complicated world. She grew throughout the story, slowly learning more about her history, and standing up for herself when needed.
Emily and Oz begin this story loathing each other with a passion! Oz knew some of Emily’s secrets and couldn't wait to see her leave. But the more time they spent together, that dislike grew into a gradual friendship, with a heap of sexual tension! Oz’s character changed throughout the story too, he began as an angry boy, but definitely was a man by the end. I saw a soft side to Oz that I wasn't expecting and my whole perspective of him, the club and its people changed.
There were so many great secondary characters introduced, most of them are club people. Olivia, Emily's grandmother played a major role; she changed everyone's lives in one way or another. Eli sacrificed so much for those he loved; my heart broke for him because he wanted to be part of his daughter’s life so badly, and was willing to lay his feelings out there. Chevy and Violet have history, and I have an inkling of what happened and I am keen to read their story to find out for sure! And then there’s Emily’s adopted father Jeff, he was definitely her rock and safe person to fall back on.
I absolutely loved this story. I was learning everything right along with Emily and witnessed the passion and loyalty that the club have for those they consider family. My heart soured and was shattered with each secret and/or twist that was introduced. I think that Katie McGarry has done a remarkable job at introducing us to this new world; I loved the characters, the chemistry and the threats that were wrapped up in this brilliant and well written read. I want the next book NOW!!
“And if we’re swapping compliments, you’re fucking gorgeous.”
Heat flashes on my cheeks and I immediately look down.
“Don’t do that,” says Oz.
“Do what?”
Strong fingers underneath my chin and I swear it’s harder to breathe. Oz lifts my head so that we’re staring at each other again. “Don’t deny a true compliment by looking away. You’re braver than that.”
I bite my bottom lip and Oz swipes his thumb over my mouth, causing me to let it go. His thumb stays at the corner of my mouth and I swear he must feel my pulse pounding in my veins.
Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.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.
Other reviews featuring Katie McGarry
Pushing the Limits Series
Pushing the Limits #1
Dare You To #2
Crash Into You #3
Take Me On #4
Pushing the Limits Series
Pushing the Limits #1
Dare You To #2
Crash Into You #3
Take Me On #4
Wowza! I can't wait to read this one! I picked it up at RT - I couldn't pass on it. :) It sounds fantastic. Mcarry is awesome at creating characters and having them grow and mature as they deal with the complications of their lives. Great review, Naomi!
ReplyDeleteSO loved this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this book right now and LOVING it!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I actually wanna read this one, it sounds like it'd be neat to read about this type of world through a teens eyes. Kinda like seeing how these kids are before the life changes them. The characters sound interesting,too.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite YA genre is still paranormal though;) bring on the faeries!
I can't wait to read this one! I think I might start it tonight if I can :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I loved it, so I can see why it would be everywhere!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great read, I think you'll love it!
ReplyDeleteMe too... Oz was great!
ReplyDelete*Claps* So glad you are! It was fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI think it shows the reader exactly that, Lanie. I hope you do read it, and I love faerie reads too!
ReplyDeleteSquee... I hope you do!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this one.I think I remember requesting it from Net Galley but didn't get it and didn't get a denial so maybe there is still a chance? Your review just wants me to read it even more. Plus reading that the author is University of Kentucky basketball fan is just the icing on the cake since I spent 50 years in Lexington, Kentucky-where UK is:)
ReplyDeleteOh I'd wondered about this one. I like the different set up for it and have a great time with those enemies to friends type set ups.
ReplyDeleteOh ya! *high five*
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get it, it was such a good read. Fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is a cool tidbit! Thanks Lorna!
It was a fun read, considering it's a YA read. Done very well!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to what you think Benish! I hope you like it!
ReplyDeleteI loved Nowhere But Here and just posted my review of it too!!! I agree, it was neat seeing the perspective of a kid that grew up in the biker sub culture. This story had me on an emotional roller coaster and I loved all of these characters as well. I can't wait for Razor's story, and am hoping Violet and Chevy get their own story as well. PM me and tell me what you think happened between them! I'm curious... Great Review :)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
I really loved this book! I adored how family played a huge part in the story and all the characters are wonderful! And I can't wait to read Razor's story, I love that guy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the giveaway Naomi!
I just pm'd you!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you loved it! It was a thrilling story and I loved every minute of it. Meeting them all, slowly falling in love with them all... so good!
It will be great to get a bigger insight into Razor, hell all of them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!