Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: May 26th, 2015
Pages: 496
Series: Thunder Road #1
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3/5
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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.

It's stupid how long it took me to finally read Nowhere But Here. Especially since I'm pretty sure I pre-ordered it. Anyhow, did this turn out to be my favourite Katie book? No. But at the end of it, I was entertained.

Katie is great at writing that star-crossed, young love, different worlds romance. Oz and Emily certainly had chemistry from the get-go.

My main problem was being bored and feeling a big disconnect with Emily and Oz. For at least half the book there was no drive for me to keep going. Sure I wanted to know what the hell the secrets were. But that was about it. Being in Emily and Oz's heads had its moments. I can understand why both of them are frustrated; they were raised in very different environments and families.

The bits that really kept me going, were when the friends(Razor, Chevy, Violet) were all together. They're a dynamic bunch. I can't forget the whole motorcycle club; that's about half the plot. I mean, if you want to talk interesting dynamics... I'm not into the whole Sons of Anchery, but what I love about this gang is the relationships. It is one big family. Blood or not doesn't matter.

Eli broke my heart. I just kept watching him try and be apart of Emily's life and he's precious. Like I know he's technically an absent father in your life. And you have an amazing adoptive dad. But like Eli, I just wanted you to love him and appreciate him. That's where all the secrets came in. The poor guy. I actually didn't see the "shockers" coming. Katie did a really good job of colliding secrets lies and life together there at the end. Left me so tear(ish).

Katie always writes a solid romance. Is it without its problems? No. Is it lacking so much diversity? Yes. But at this point I take her YA romance books for what they are; a solid mix of very different boys and girls falling in love in sometimes the messiest of ways. Brain candy.


Happy reading!

Brittany