Review TAKE ME ON by KATIE McGARRY @KatieMcGarry @HarlequinTeen

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2014

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means 

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help. 

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her--fighting for her--is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future. 

Haley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for. 

**Bonus Content** The novella, Crossing the Line, will be included in the back of Take Me On (both print and e-book editions).

About the Author

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, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS - LOVED IT

West Young, Rachel Young's (from Crash Into Me) older brother has fought his way through life and finally gets kicked out of his private school as well as his home.  He is also on the outs with Rachel since he took the money she had saved to pay off a racing debt and avoid having  Isaiah  beat up.  Instead of thinking thing through, West reacts first, and causes all kinds of problems for himself and others.  As he lives on the streets and enrolls int the local public high school, he learns exactly what his rash actions have cost.  This kid has enough issues for a full subscription.  

Haley is a former kickboxing champion who has sworn never to fight again after a break up with her MMA fighter boyfriend.  Driving around, West sees a Haley being harassed by a group of boys.  He stops to talk to her and doesn't listen when she requests that he leave, so she can make it home with her father's prescription, which she loses in the fight that happens after West confronts the boys.  This aggression on his part, sets of a series of events that leads to a MMA fight against her former boyfriend's brother in just a few months.  Haley starts to train him and slowly he gets his life and anger under control. 

 The way McGarry brings these characters together and works in their heartbreaking background is just phenomenal.  There are lots of interesting supporting characters that I would love to read more about, especially Abby.  As a small time, drug dealer, she has a heart of gold and I am sure it is just as scarred.  The elements of being homeless, losing everything because you don't have health insurance and relying on school lunches as your only meals bring forth a "ripped from the headlines" theme brings home in a heart wrenching way.  Parents:  There is language, violence, mentions of drug and alcohol use, sexual situations.  This books is great way to illustrate all that is wrong in our world right now.  

Disclosure I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways! You can also support the blog by clicking on the ads at the top of the page.