Nowhere But Here – Katie McGarry – Thunder Road #1 – Harlequin Teen – Published 26 May 2015
♥♥♥♥♥
Synopsis
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
Who needs cliff jumping or swimming with sharks. Nowhere But Here was an adrenaline rush from beginning to end. I absolutely love Katie McGarry’s writing. It is flawless every single time. And this book was no different. A new series, a new set of incredibly crafted characters, so real, so raw, so perfect you can’t help but love them. For some reason when I read a sample of this book months ago I lowered my expectations somewhat. So silly. What I didn’t realise is that excerpt was taken out of context and that this book was so compulsive, so addictive, so good.
When I started this book I was a little confused about what was really going on. But that’s the point. Emily is thrust into this life she didn’t know existed and meets a whole lot of people she’s either unsure of or downright terrified of. So, as the reader, you are right there with her. As you read on some things become a little clearer, but the book keeps you on edge the whole way through.
The romance. Sigh. The romance. No one does a love story like Katie McGarry. But while the romance is heartachingly beautiful, touching and steamiy, what makes it work is the strength of the characters, not only as a group but also individually. This story has a large cast of characters but not once did I struggle to remember who was who because each and every one of them are so defined and refined. I cannot wait to return to the little town of Snowflake and this wonderful, badass, loving group of crazy people. What I also love about this book, and all of Katie’s books, is that there is no set pattern that the storyline or characters fall into. What happens depends on how the characters react. I don’t think I’m explaining this very well, but I feel that what happens, whether that be the action or the romance, is so true to the characters and who they are.
So basically, I loved this. And while that shouldn’t be a surprise, what did surprise me was how much I loved it. Now to wait for the next book. But I’m not too worried, because it will undoubtably be worth the wait.
More information
Category: Young adult fiction
Genre: Contemporary.
Themes: Romance. Family. Motorcycle clubs.
Age guide: Ages 14 and up.
Advisory: Frequent coarse language, including f***, s*** and variations of these. Sexual references. Alcohol use. References to violence.
Series: Thunder Road #1
Published: 26 May 2015 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, hardcover, ebook. 496 pages.
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