Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Take Me On by Katie McGarry



4 1/2 out of 5 Worth-Fighting-For Stars

“I know what it’s like to be scared. To wonder if anything will feel normal again. There’s this hopelessness, a sadness that permeates through your pores, when you have no idea what home is or what the word means. I may be under somebody’s roof, but it’s not a home. I just want a home.” 

--Haley 

I've read several books Katie McGarry before, and while I enjoy all of them, Take Me On might just be my favorite out of the Pushing the Limits series. The storyline deals with real situations that people find themselves in  (just like all the books in this series does), and McGarry clearly knows how to pace a novel. I wasn't bored at all while reading and love that we aren't told what the characters are going through, but shown. Haley and West are two people from very different worlds, yet soon find themselves thrust into the same one, wondering how they got there. Both deal with real struggles in their lives, but soon learn that together life becomes better. Still very complicated and by no means easy, but definitely better.

Haley:

I miss who I used to be.

For Haley, her family loses everything after her father is laid off and her sister gets sick. Their only option is to live with her uncle, an evil bastard of a human being. Not to mention the fact that she used to be a national titleholder for kickboxing, until one night has her leaving her love of the ring behind. Her father is broken, her younger sister is growing up in a house made of evil, and her family feels that she's betrayed them, while really everything she does is to protect them. Then West Young crashes into her life - almost literally - and takes on a fight for her. Knowing he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help, Haley begins to train him for up-coming battle. Can she keep her feelings in check, or will she fall for another fighter and once again have to deal with the regret?

I was stupid. I fell for the wrong guy. He hurt me and I paid. He hurt me and I broke. He hurt me and the rest of the world will forever condemn.

West:

I’m not much of anything anymore.

Ever since his birth, West has felt like a failure. He was literally born in the hopes of being a bone-marrow match for his dying sister, but it was too late. Being a Young, West has been given every privilege; he doesn't wish for anything. But he's always been considered the "wild child" of the family, and knows that he will forever be a disappointment to his father. His younger sister is in a terrible accident and West blames himself, and after a fight between him and his father, he finds himself kicked out of his home. Too proud to ask for help, West lives in his car, and learns that he has taken so much for granted. It's Haley that helps him find his real self, be more than a disappointment or the spoiled rich kid. Together, they're better. Until he learns that his family may be the cause of Haley's nightmare of a life.

Abby:

I like pretending. You can create anything you want out of the world.

Abby is by far a very interesting character, and I hope that she one day gets her own book. She doesn't play a major role in the novel, but enough to make things more interesting. She doesn't take pity from anyone, and is one lethal-badass character. She knows everything, but you can never know when she's telling the truth, and I like how she helps West out a bit, protects him without him even realizing it. A very interesting character indeed.

Jax:

“I should have left a lot sooner. He’s toxic. He worms his way in, past your skin, past your muscles and into your soul. Once he’s in, he continues, eating you until you’re dust. I’m already half dust, Haley, and I’m tired of trying to hold together what’s left.” 

Jax is Haley's cousin, but their bond is so much deeper than simply cousins. He spends all his time at the gym or with Haley and her brother, Kaden, anything to be away from his father (the evil bastard mentioned above). He's gone through his rough patches with Haley, but knows that he needs to protect his family, whether it be his siblings from his father or Haley from her demons. I am frustrated with his character at times, but know that he'll do anything to protect the ones he loves.

Overall:

Take Me On is a heartfelt, intense, great read. My only complaint is that it ends a bit abruptly, but even the ending is good. Of course, I would like to know what else happens in Haley and West's future, but everything that needs to be answered is. What I really like though about this novel is how real the character's situations are - it makes them easy to connect to, and you can't help but fight with them for their happy ending. 

Speaking out takes courage, but fear can make a compelling argument. Telling the truth gives you power… It sets you free.