Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry
Buy Crash Into You by Katie McGarry at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Teens
Reviewer: Robert James
Summary: McGarry's usual sizzling chemistry and a wonderful set of characters make this an absolute must-read.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 384	Date: November 2013
Publisher: MIRA Ink
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1848452541
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This is the second companion book to McGarry's stunning debut Pushing The Limits, following Dare You To. In the wonderful Pushing The Limits, we were introduced to main characters Noah and Echo and an excellent supporting cast including Noah's best friends and surrogate family Beth and Isaiah.

In this, Isaiah is out of foster care (without the system's knowledge) and living with Noah, but the pair are broke, driving him to a desperation agreement to drag race illegally for the sleazy Eric. After a chance encounter with rich girl Rachel, he falls for her hard, but they have more to worry about than just romance. Eric is pressuring them to give him money he feels they owe him, and Rachel has problems of her own at home she doesn't want to share with anyone. Can the couple find happiness and avoid the wrath of Eric?

I loved Pushing The Limits as it had an outstanding set of characters and sizzling chemistry between the two narrators, and enjoyed Dare You To because the chemistry was just as good, but felt that the supporting characters (especially the adults) were weaker. This is, for me, the best of the three, as it has that same fabulous chemistry along with a huge number of interesting, well-rounded characters whose personalities and relationships with each other are completely believable. While Rachel seems from the outside to have the far more settled family, with four brothers and a mother and father, it's quickly apparent that their bond isn't as strong as that of Noah and Isaiah, who aren't related but see themselves as brothers. Still, there is a bond there, and while they frustrated me as the entire family struggled to deal with the grief from the death of Rachel's sister Collen, who died before she was even born, I could completely see why they had so many problems dealing with their issues and talking to each other.

There are other really interesting relationships beyond the romantic and family ones, as well - I love the interaction between Rachel and teen drug dealer Abby, one of Isaiah's friends, and really enjoyed seeing Dare You To's Logan play a part in the book, and the interplay between him and Isaiah in particular. As well, while the adults don't seem to feature that much, they're all compelling characters who can make boneheaded decisions (as can the teens) but who do so in a way that seems to fit their character perfectly.

Going back to the stunning chemistry I've seen insta-love criticisms, but despite the speed of their attraction to each other, it didn't cross my mind when reading it because it feels incredibly well developed despite the short period of time it takes place in. The heightened stakes of the drag racing, the problems with Eric, and Rachel's panic attacks mean that the quick progression of their romance seems to make sense.

What perhaps impresses me most about McGarry is that while the basic premise is similar for all three books - dual narrative YA contemporary romance between two teens with severe issues - they feel very, very different. She seems to have far more skill in differentiating her plots and characters than many similar authors do, and I'm already eagerly anticipating the 2014 release of her fourth novel, which follows Rachel's brother West.

Very highly recommended to all fans of teen contemporaries.

For more dual narratives with wonderful chemistry, don't miss Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley and Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt.

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