Take Me On: A Scorching Hot Romance

By Dylan Rose

A sexy, no-holds-barred debut from Dylan Rose! Meet yoga goddess Kenzie Fox, who strikes an unconventional—steamy—bargain with Antonio Navedo, the irresistible stranger buying her stake in a rum distillery. Everyone wins in the bedroom… But in love? That’s anyone’s guess…

Clean-living New Yorker Kenzie Fox is ripped from her comfort zone when a relative leaves her shares in a Miami rum distillery. She flies to Florida intent on selling up, but her plans are turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger turns into an unforgettable night of passion. One that has her questioning her “no strings” rule on relationships.

When she turns up to the sales meeting the next morning, Kenzie realizes she’s been duped. Sitting opposite her is none other than the mysterious man from last night, Antonio Navedo. Did he use her to get her shares? Their sexual chemistry is still electric, but she’s too angry to let him off easy. Instead of her shares, she offers him a sexy, high-stakes challenge.

If Kenzie can turn the outdated business around in a week, then he must sell her his shares, no questions asked. But if she fails, not only does he get her shares, but she’ll also have to play out his wildest bedroom fantasies—and Antonio has a very wild, shockingly romantic imagination. In this erotic wager, who will end up on top?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781488048623

Book preview

A sexy, no-holds-barred debut from Dylan Rose! Meet yoga goddess Kenzie Fox, who strikes an unconventional—steamy—bargain with Antonio Navedo, the irresistible stranger buying her stake in a rum distillery. Everyone wins in the bedroom... But in love? That’s anyone’s guess...

Clean-living New Yorker Kenzie Fox is ripped from her comfort zone when a relative leaves her shares in a Miami rum distillery. She flies to Florida intent on selling up, but her plans are turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger turns into an unforgettable night of passion. One that has her questioning her no strings rule on relationships.

When she turns up to the sales meeting the next morning, Kenzie realizes she’s been duped. Sitting opposite her is none other than the mysterious man from last night, Antonio Navedo. Did he use her to get her shares? Their sexual chemistry is still electric, but she’s too angry to let him off easy. Instead of her shares, she offers him a sexy, high-stakes challenge.

If Kenzie can turn the outdated business around in a week, then he must sell her his shares, no questions asked. But if she fails, not only does he get her shares, but she’ll also have to play out his wildest bedroom fantasies—and Antonio has a very wild, shockingly romantic imagination. In this erotic wager, who will end up on top?

Dylan Rose is a writer from New York City who is obsessed with watching romantic comedies, taking hot baths on cold nights and finding the perfect red lipstick. Take Me On is her debut novel for Harlequin DARE. Follow her adventures on Instagram, @dylanroseromance.

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TAKE ME ON

DYLAN ROSE

This book includes an extended sneak peek at Mr. Temptation by Rachael Stewart that we think you’ll love!

This longer excerpt does mean that the story of Take Me On will end at approximately 80% on your digital reader or app.

Enjoy the story—and the extended excerpt!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Excerpt from Mr. Temptation by Rachael Stewart

Excerpt from On Her Terms by Cathryn Fox

CHAPTER ONE

MACKENZIE FOX SAT in the back of a car, en route from the airport to her hotel, and already she was sweltering. It wasn’t just the lack of A/C. The driver had rolled the windows down, letting in a gust of hot air that swept across her cheek each time the car picked up speed as they rolled down Collins Avenue. Plus, she was seriously overdressed. Attired in her go-to travel outfit—comfy black leggings, Ugg boots and a zip-up sweatshirt emblazoned with Honor Yoga, the name of the studio she owned back in Brooklyn—she knew she looked like an out-of-place New Yorker. Just a few short hours ago she was slugging through the slushy February streets, bundled up against the frigid temperatures.

Glancing out the window, she could see the heat rising off the hot bodies that filled the sidewalks. A woman in a pair of jean shorts cut so high that her perfectly rounded bottom was almost completely visible. A group of girls laughing as they crossed the street at an intersection, wearing nothing but neon string bikinis, their bodies bouncing and glistening as they walked. Jogging alongside the cab was a perfectly chiseled man running with his shirt off, with warm brown skin. She noted the beads of sweat glistening on his chest and back and imagined he tasted like salted caramel.

Whew! She had only been in Miami less than an hour and already Kenzie was feeling the heat.

Just as the car pulled up to the entrance of the legendary Fontainebleau Hotel, Kenzie snuck a glance at her appearance in the rearview mirror. She pulled her long, curly brown hair into a messy bun on the top of her head and reapplied a swipe of her signature crimson gloss to her lips. The driver, an older man with tanned, wrinkled skin and hair graying at the temples, gave her a wink.

"Enjoy Miami, chica."

Thanks, Kenzie said, opening the door and slinging her only luggage—a small overnight bag—over her shoulder.

But Kenzie wasn’t here to enjoy herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t need a longer vacation. God knows, she could use a break from the seemingly endless string of blizzards they were experiencing back home. But this trip was all about business, not pleasure. And it was business she was eager to get out of the way.

A week ago, to the day, her great-aunt Lilly had passed away. Having never met the woman, Kenzie didn’t think it necessary to fly down for the funeral. But within a day of hearing the news, a lawyer had contacted her, letting her know that she was named in Aunt Lilly’s will. There were a few pieces of family jewelry, a savings bond, and most interestingly, a stake in a small rum distillery.

When the attorney mentioned there was an interested party willing to buy out her share, Kenzie was relieved. Not only did she have no interest in running a distillery, the money from the sale would likely allow her studio to stay in business, despite the astronomical rent hike her landlord had slapped her with earlier that month. Although her business was profitable, the skyrocketing city rents were in danger of putting her out of business.

Kenzie entered the palatial lobby and was heading toward the front desk when a voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned toward the bar where the laughter was coming from and her eyes landed on an olive-skinned man in dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt and a sports jacket. He was seated next to a scantily-clad, beautiful Latina. Apparently, whatever he had said was extremely amusing because the woman was laughing with her head thrown back, a long mane of hair cascading down her spine. The man, dark-haired with a strong face and piercing brown eyes, looked past his companion and momentarily locked eyes with Kenzie, sending a shiver up her back. He flashed her what was most certainly a devilish smile before turning his gaze back to the woman.

Wow. Kenzie unzipped the front of her sweatshirt, pulled out a magazine from her bag and fanned herself furiously as she waited to check in. It had been a while since she had experienced this kind of instant attraction to someone. There was something animalistic about the way he had looked at her, with those dark eyes peering out between strands of his black hair, which was just long enough to be sexy. In that brief glance, she had taken in the entirety of his perfect form. Her mouth went dry as she imagined the mysterious stranger kissing the sensitive spot on her neck that always sent the blood rushing straight to her nether regions, causing her nipples to harden and her insides to melt like butter.

Bottle of water, miss? asked the desk clerk.

Yes! Kenzie croaked, stepping up to the desk and taking the bottle, relieved at the opportunity to cool down this fire that a stranger had suddenly ignited.

How many keys will you be needing? asked the clerk as she typed quickly on her computer.

Just one, Kenzie answered. Just one had been the answer to that question for quite a long time now. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested, but with running her own business, the last thing she had time for was dating. Ever since her fiancé Cole’s death a few years ago, she had thrown herself into her work—and it had paid off. Sure, there had been interest from many guys, mostly fellow yogis who showed up at her studio or hung around the vegetarian café she frequented in her neighborhood. She was a bit ashamed to admit it but in recent months she had found herself craving something a little bit...meatier.

With the key to her room in hand, Kenzie took the elevator up to the 28th floor and found her room at the end of the hallway. Opening the doors, she sighed at the sight of the giant, king-size bed at the center of the room. Further exploration revealed a serene bathroom with a claw-foot tub, and out on the balcony, a view of the ocean. Her first idea was to strip off all her clothes, get into the plush bathrobe the hotel provided and plop herself down on the bed in front of the TV and order room service. But then she thought of Missy, one of the yoga instructors at the studio, and how disappointed she’d be if all she did in Miami was binge-watch Queer Eye. You need to get out there and have some fun! her friend had told her.

Kenzie had a flash of the handsome stranger from the bar’s devilish grin and, wondering if he was still down there, opened her carry-on and pulled out a silky, magenta slip dress she had tossed in her bag as an afterthought.

Why not? she thought to herself, kicking off her boots, and pulling off her too-heavy clothing until she was standing naked in front of the giant mirror positioned directly in front of the bed. Kenzie caught a glimpse of herself and couldn’t help but smile. It was true—she had a pretty rockin’ body, and it was hard-earned, with many hours spent running, doing yoga, challenging herself both physically and mentally. She swiveled her hips to the side, checking out what her friends referred to as her yoga butt, which was ample and firm. Kenzie slipped the flimsy dress over her naked breasts, thought about putting her bra back on for a moment and then decided against it. A tiny pair of black panties and heels completed the look. Letting her curls loose from the bun, they cascaded over her creamy white shoulders. Now that was more like it!

Back down in the lobby, Kenzie made a beeline for the bar but was dismayed to see that the handsome stranger was no longer there. What was she thinking, anyway, seeking out a random businessman in a hotel lobby? Okay, a totally hot businessman, who looked like his sole purpose on the planet was pleasuring women, but still. The obvious conclusion was that Kenzie Fox was desperately in need of a good fuck. All this pent-up sexual energy was bad for her prana. Sitting down on a stool, she flashed a smile at the bartender, ordered her usual—a club soda with lime—and pulled out her phone. Maybe Missy was right, it was time to try online dating.

But before she had time to search for a dating app, she felt a hand graze across her lower back. It was a strong, firm hand—clearly a man’s—and the surprising touch sent a tingle up the length of her spine.

I was hoping to see you again, said a sultry male voice with the slightest hint of a Spanish accent.

Kenzie turned to her left and laid eyes on the arresting man she had noticed earlier. Up close, he was even more handsome than she’d previously noticed, with intense, dark eyes that made it impossible for her to look away from him. His longish dark hair was thick and full, and Kenzie imagined raking her hands through it in the heat of passion.

Do you mind if I sit down?

Kenzie nodded affirmatively. She wasn’t usually at a loss for words but somehow her ability to form them was suddenly impaired. She felt her cheeks get hot and hoped that he didn’t notice she was blushing.

My name is Antonio Navedo, he said, extending his hand to her. I noticed you earlier, when you were checking in.

Yes, I noticed you, too. Okay, there was no hiding it. She was seriously blushing now. MacKenzie Fox. My friends call me Kenzie.

Where are you traveling from, Kenzie? he asked, taking the bar stool next to her and turning his body toward her so that their knees were almost touching.

New York, Kenzie answered, regaining her composure. I’m here on business, she stated matter-of-factly.

But there has to be a little room for pleasure, no? I find that to be very important.

Yes, you seemed to be enjoying yourself when I saw you earlier, Kenzie ventured with a hint of challenge in her voice. She watched as Antonio’s face changed from amused to slightly serious. There was a flash of danger in his eyes that was incredibly sexy.

That was my business associate, he said in a serious tone. I often take my meetings here.

Kenzie let out an amused little laugh. Business associate in what? she wondered. But did it really matter? She tried her best to stop her gaze from traveling from Antonio’s sensual lips down to the small V of skin exposed at his shirt collar, but her eyes went there anyway.

Just then the bartender reappeared, placing the club soda in front of Kenzie.

What can I get for you, Antonio? he asked. Kenzie raised an eyebrow. Was he a regular at a hotel bar? That was a definite red flag. What kind of business was he involved in anyway?

The Atlantico Reserva, neat. Thank you, Jose. And for you? he said, turning to Kenzie. Something besides the water?

I’m good with this, Kenzie said, pursing her red lips around the straw and taking a long sip. She felt Antonio watching her mouth and suddenly felt downright pornographic. Removing the straw from her mouth, she smiled. I don’t drink.

She said it offhandedly, disguising the fact that her choice to abstain was a heavy subject. Three years earlier, Cole had been at the wheel in a drunk driving accident. When Cole didn’t survive, she had stopped drinking alcohol, thinking that it could do no good in her life.

Antonio raised an eyebrow and smiled back at her. So, what do you do to relax? When you’re not ‘on business’?

Kenzie thought for a second and realized she couldn’t remember a time in recent years when she wasn’t totally consumed with her business. It was the most important thing in her life now, and ever since she had found out the studio was in danger of closing, she’d had trouble sleeping. Maybe some relaxation would be just the thing to set her mind straight.

Kenzie turned her body toward Antonio’s so that her bare knee grazed the inside of his leg. I own a yoga studio. So, I guess you could say my work is my relaxation. Do you practice?

Antonio’s eyes lit up and he laughed loudly. Uh, no. I prefer other forms of physical activity.

Who was this guy? On the one hand, his smile was so warm and inviting, she felt like she already knew him. But then there was that glint in his eye, and the way he commanded the room that suggested to her that he was someone very powerful, and quite possibly, dangerous. In any case, he was oh so different from the gentle, overly-intellectual men who tried to court her back home. Antonio was such a...man!

Falling back to the hair-twirling habit that manifested itself whenever she was nervous, Kenzie twisted her hair up to the top of her head and formed a makeshift bun and exhaled deeply. Was the air-conditioning out of whack or was she just not used to all this intense heat?

Unexpectedly, Antonio reached his fingers into her glass and fished out an ice cube. Taking the slippery cube between two of his manly fingers, he reached around Kenzie and began to trace circles with it at the base of her neck.

Better? he asked, maintaining direct eye contact with her as droplets of water melted down her back.

Oh yes, Kenzie whispered. Emboldened by his move, she leaned closer to him. Maybe I could show you some yoga poses, I’m sure you could benefit from them.

Antonio leaned toward her, matching her body language. They were so close that she could breathe in his scent—a mixture of fresh cologne and sweat that nearly made her swoon, making the hairs on her arms stand up on end and sending electric signals straight down to her lady parts.

I would like that very much, Antonio said in a low, husky voice. Kenzie glanced down at his crotch and could see that he was feeling the same shock waves, too. Part of her wanted to reach out and put her hand on that sexy bulge, right there in the bar, but propriety, and

Reviews for Take Me On

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the fourth book in the series and, while I enjoyed "Pushing the Limits", this one didn't engage me as much as the first one did. I liked the dual narrative but often West and Hayley annoyed me. West was too impetuous and Hayley's meekness was irritating. However, the main problem with this book was that there was too much happening with fist fights, homelessness, disfunctional families, drug addicts, depression, parental abuse, psychopathic exes, lies, secrets, etc, etc. While this wasn't a bad story, it was forgettable.

[bookaholiccat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My Verdict: 4 ½ Stars

Take Me On is the fourth book in the Pushing the Limits series by Katie McGarry.

Take Me On starts roughly couple of months before the end of Crash Into You. Rachel’s brother, West Young, feels responsible for what happened to Rachel. His guilt makes him act out, and after one too many fights he is expelled from school. His father, tired of his antics, kicks him out of the house.
West needs to prove himself and his father that he is not the screw up kid everybody thinks he is.
He meets Haley after almost running her over with his car, a girl that intrigues him and to his luck goes to his new school in the bad side of town.
Since the first encounter he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about Haley, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him.
Haley used to be a successful fighter, but after her last relationship ended badly she lost her passion for the sport and has sworn off of dating another fighter. Even though West is not professional, that’s exactly what he is, a no-no in Haley’s new book of rules.
West knows Haley’s ex-boyfriend, Matt, is bad news and to protect her he accepts a challenge to a fight. The only problem is Matt is a professional fighter and West isn’t.
Haley knows West accepted the challenge to protect her and even though she left the sport behind she knows West needs her help to survive the fight. Leaving her promises to herself behind, she starts to train West.
West is falling hard for Haley and she for him, but to be together they need to be honest about their pasts. The only problem is the secrets they have been keeping can unite them or tear them apart.

Thanks to Crash Into You (book 3), when I started this book I had a not too favorable image of West, but as always, one thing is what you see from the outside, another very different when you are in the head of the character and you see the reasoning behind his actions, and that’s exactly what happened with West in this book.
Despite being rich and have everything in life, West has always feel as a failure and an undesired. Hearing since early ages that he was conceive to save his older sister whom was dying of cancer and knowing he wasn’t a match and she died hasn’t been easy. Having a grieving mother and an absent father hasn’t helped to reassure him, and now, after what happened to Rachel, his guilt and feeling of unworthiness has reached its limits.
West knows he needs to do something for himself and being homeless is just the push he needed.
I really liked that West saw his situation as an opportunity to be better instead of feeling sorry for himself and wallowing in despair. I liked that he knew what he wanted and work hard to achieve it, whether it be being with Haley or becoming a responsible adult.

My heart broke for Haley. She has had a terrible last year. After his father lost his job, they lost their house; circumstances took them to live with her uncle, an abusive bastard that used every opportunity to break her and her family’s spirit. The hardest part was they couldn’t do anything but take everything he threw at them because they were living under his roof and didn’t have another place to go.
If that wasn’t enough, Haley ex-boyfriend is dangerous and has her living in fear, not only for her safety, but that of her family.

Teen’s years are hard enough, I can’t imagine going through that with all those other conflicts that Haley had in her life. That is one of the things about Mrs. McGarry’s books. She gives us crude realities that makes us being grateful for what we have and open our eyes to the realities of life. I can’t imagine how many people are going through circumstances similar to Haley’s life. Fighting day after day to stay afloat and hoping for an opportunity in their conflicted lives for a chance to a better future.

West and Haley’s relationship develops slowly. West is constant in what he wants, but Haley is afraid. They need time to grow together and to realize they are stronger together than apart. Haley makes West a better man and West gives Haley the security and tenderness she so much needs.

In this installment we also see Rachel and Isaiah, but this time we see them through West’s eyes. We also see West warming up towards Isaiah and some part of Rachel’s recovery.

One character that plays an important role is Isaiah’s friend, Abby. Abby is a very interesting character to say the least. I really hope next book is her book. If somebody deserves some love is that girl.

Take Me On also delves into the fighting world and it was pretty obvious Mrs. McGarry did her job. Her knowledge of the sport is clearly seen when she brings it to live with her words.

Take Me On has everything I expect a McGarry book to have. Conflicted, tortured and compelling characters, top notch writing, engaging story and many heart-wrenching moments.

Take Me On is a book I recommend you all to read, and even though is catalogued as YA, I wouldn’t recommend it to very young readers due to its mild sexual content.

I’m looking forward to next book in this series, and I as I say before I’m hoping it’ll be Abby’s story.

[destinyisntfree · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You ever finish a book and realize that, on one hand, you really need to get your thoughts down on paper right away before you explode, but at the same time you feel like you need to collect your thoughts because you are so emotional? That is kind of how I feel right now.

I have read every book in this series thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. I have loved every book in this series. But this one was, by far, the biggest roller coaster right yet.

I really do not know how she does it. The author of this series continuously seems to capture the hardest realities that could exist for a teenager and finds ways to make them beautiful. I am absolutely in awe.

West and Haley meet under the worst possible circumstances and their story is one of strife and turmoil and struggle, and yet they endure and they survive.

Throughout this series, I have seen circumstances and situations that are so unbelievably real. The realization that there are teens that really live through things like that is heartbreaking and emotional and it shredded me to my core. And I loved every minute of it.

In this and the other books, the characters are real and human. They are the types of characters that people can connect to. For some, reading through this book will make them face their own demons. For others, it will remind them that no matter how bad you think it is, there is always someone else who has a worse situation. For still others, it will seem unreal, unimaginable, and nothing more than the work of a gifted story teller. For me, it is all of the above. I feel like for having read this book, I am more in touch with the harsh realities of the world in which we live. I am a better person for it.

Thank you, Katie McGarry, for writing books that make me think, make me face reality, and make me strive to create a better world for my children. I will be forever changed.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Just like all of McGarry’s books, Take Me On, is a realistic story that tears at your heart strings. With adorable romance, engaging characters, and emotion, it was a quick read that all young adult contemporary fans will love!Opening Sentence: A DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN at the far end of the barren hallway and the clicking of high heels echoes off the row of metal post-office boxes.The Review:Haley is unlike most girls her age, for most of her life she spent all her extra time in a gym training to be a champion kickboxer. She loved everything about kickboxing and she was good at it, but then something devastating happens and Haley hasn’t stepped foot in a gym since. In the last year her life has turned upside down. First her father lost his job and eventually they lost their home, then things with her longtime boyfriend take a turn for the worst and Haley doesn’t know how to get things back on track. Then one night when she is walking home a group of guys jump her and the most unexpected boy comes to her rescue.Haley doesn’t know what to think of West Young, but when he accepts a mixed martial arts fight to help her out she knows she is going to get to know him a lot better. He has no idea what he has gotten himself into and if he is going to survive the fight Haley is going to have to once again return to the ring. She decides to train West, but they agree to keep things completely platonic between them. Soon they are spending all their extra time together and it doesn’t take long for things between them to heat up. They can only fight their attraction so long, but both of them have dark secrets that could tear them apart forever. Will they be able to overcome their fears and learn that love really is worth fighting for, or will their insecurities keep them apart?Haley was a very easy character to like even though she had a few frustrating moments. I loved that she was a female fighter, it instantly made me respect her for being willing to step out of the norm and be different. She is also a very passionate person that loves her family dearly. The last year has been rough for her but she has stayed strong for everyone even though the people she cares about most have really let her down. I really admire Haley’s inner strength, but at times it frustrated me when she kept everything in. Instead of accepting help from her family and friends she takes on everything by herself and I personally thought this aspect of her personality was overdone. She was a little too over protective and I would have liked to see her open up sooner. But with that being said, I still loved Haley and I am so happy I got to read her story.West was an adorable guy and I loved him. He comes from a very privileged family but he has always been the black sheep. He likes to do his own thing and he hasn’t always made the best decisions in life. His relationship with his father has always been rocky but recently it has gone from bad to worse. I can actually really relate to West because I had a similar relationship with my father growing up. I was very vocal about my opinion and suffice to say my mouth got me in a lot of trouble just like West. But underneath all that attitude he really does want his father’s approval, he just doesn’t know how to earn it. He is a passionate person that really cares about his family he just doesn’t go about showing it very well. I see a lot of myself in West’s character so that obviously helped me to build an instant connection with him, but he was also just an interesting character to read about.The relationship between West and Haley was done perfectly. It developed slowly and was full of great sexual tension. I loved the witty banter that they exchanged and they both always had a great comeback for everything. If you looked at the outward appearance these two, they were as opposite as you can get but they were actually very similar in many ways. They brought the best out in each other and they forced the other one to be their best. They had the type of relationship everyone should strive for and I loved them together.Take Me On was a beautiful story filled with emotion, romance, and drama! Like all of McGarry’s books, it was wonderfully written and covers tough issues that average people deal with in real life. I think that is one of my favorite things about this series, everything that happens to the characters is always realistic. I will admit that for me this story was less memorable then the previous books in the series but that has nothing to do with McGarry’s delivery, it was more that I didn’t connect as much with the issues that were presented. I honestly don’t know why, but I just didn’t find it as interesting as the problems she covered in the previous books. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this story because I absolutely did, it was a quick read that was very enjoyable. I loved the characters and was excited to see some of my old favorite characters make appearances. I also really enjoyed meeting all the new people presented to the world and I am intrigued to see if any of them will get their own story in the future. As always, McGarry’s writing was phenomenal and to be honest I would gladly read anything she writes. I am a huge fan of this series and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. While all of these books can easily be read as a stand-alone, I do suggest that to get the full effect you start from the beginning of the series, but if you don’t want to you can easily start with this one. I would highly recommend this series to anyone that loves emotional young adult contemporary stories.Notable Scene:I don’t give a shit if they play poker with the devil. They took me down. That doesn’t happen, and I won’t let that be the final say—especially since I’ll be spending the next four months in this hellhole.Haley clutches my arm as if I were about to waltz into a minefield. “No!”I lean into her—our heads less than an inch apart. The crazy ass bastard’s words echo in my head: I know where to find Haley. “Have they threatened you?”Her fingernails attempt to dig canyons into my arm.“There are things in my life you can’t understand, okay? I know you meant well on Friday, but to be honest, you screwed everything up, so I’m begging you to listen to me now. Stay away from them, stay away from me and, for the love of God, don’t mention Friday to anyone.”The warning bell rings. Haley releases me and runs up the stairs. What the hell?FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of Take Me On. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[brandileigh2003 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to read Take Me On because I have adored everything Katie has written and figured this would be no exception. I got this one from netgalley but not compensated besides free book, and doesn't effect how I review this book. In West and Haley's story, we hit the ground running, just as Haley almost does when West nearly hits her with his car. This fated meeting shapes the next parts of their lives, sometimes bringing up bad memories, and getting into pasts that they are trying to escape from. We get a peek at how Rachel is doing, get to see Isaiah by her side, we meet again with Abby too, and it makes me so happy. She is one of my favorite side characters and I am still rooting for her to get her own book so we get to know more of her life instead of the front she puts on. We got to see inside a bit with Rachel, but still I wanted more. Anywho. I love this world within our world that Katie McGarry has written. Her characters have such depth, and they are flawed. They have very real problems that has shaped how they view others, and how they go about life. I remember in Crash Into You, I had a lot of issues with Rachel's brothers, and surprise, West is a main character in this one, and I come to terms with what was going on in that handsome little head of his. He carries so much guilt for how he handled the money and even coming to a new view with her panic attacks, and the pressure they all put on her to keep their mom happy. With her so hurt and injured, he won't go and see her because he is convinced that she hates and blames him as well. West is a fighter, but the heart that is under there really got to me. The relationship with his dad broke my heart and I can see how that sort of shaping will also change how you would relate with your sister. But I adored the way he was with Haley from the beginning. How he respects women even if he shows it in strange ways, and he really did try to help, even when Haley was convinced that he was doing anything but helping when he kept interfering. They had so much chemistry that it lit up the pages and made me sigh. Their very touches effected the other so much. Which was kind of a miracle with how Haley shut herself down after her failure of a last relationship. She is wary of them too because of the naive choices she made that hurt her relationship with her family. Her brother Kaden and her cousin Jax are closest to her, and they lost some respect for her because she lied to protect them with how some things went down. And when West keeps getting thrown into her path, it is hard to admit that she is attracted to him. But they have a deeper connection to and more in common than either could have ever guessed, and some of that in common is things they wouldn't wish on their worst enemy. The ending was perfect for both of them. Not only do we get progression and updates from Isaiah, Rachel and Abby, but we get some closure for West and Haley. They both had a lot to learn about themselves, life and work to do in order to really make sure they are going after their dreams. It took a lot of life's beatings for them to finally see the light and really understand some of the things that others have been trying to pound into their head whether about their actions, their images, their pasts, or about love in general. We get to see that although they had to make hard choices, choices that aren't going to end any time soon, that they have such a hope, love and support from their friends and family. Family in this one was not pretty, but it was a continual theme. Adults screw up big time too, but unfortunately their mistakes also will extend to their families, and sometimes life just sucks and bad things happen. But our responses are what define us. That we still fight, that we are still living and not giving up can give more hope to others that we think. Haley is living in a messed up situation with her family, and they have to learn to stand up to the person putting a roof over their heads, because no matter what good is done, some things just can't be forgiven. West's family always had the money, but their mom was in such a tunnel vision depression from losing a daughter that too often she just didn't see the children still in front of her. But luckily both her and West's father have a lot of growth, and while there is still a long way to go with them, at least they try. These books are so addicting and readable. They deal with real life tough issues, and then throws heart stopping first kisses, chemistry and a huge dash of hope for the characters you come to love, they are irresistaI fly through them and don't want to stop or real life to interfere while I am getting caught up in their lives, their romances, and the story they have to tell. And by the way I am with Tanya and Glass we need more in this series. 6 and #7 need to be about Abby and Ethan! Feel free to tweet with us/me #morepushingthelimts Bottom Line: Another great one in the Push the Limits series getting a look at two new characters whose fates ran into each other.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Katie McGarry has written another intense coming of age story in TAKE ME ON. Haley Williams's life has imploded. Her father lost his job, their house was foreclosed on, and, after spending a short time in a homeless shelter, her family is now living with her father's brother and his family. Haley's uncle is one of those verbally abusive types who also delights in setting arbitrary and inconsistent rules. Haley is constantly fighting herself to keep from defying him which could lead to her family being homeless again. In addition, Haley is dealing with an abusive ex-boyfriend who is a MMA fighter and who is threatening her brother and cousin. Haley used to be a nationally ranked kickboxer but her boyfriend's abuse has ruined her confidence in herself and her love for the sport of kickboxing. West Young isn't having a very good year either. His feels massive guilt for the car accident that injured his sister Rachel. He is also constantly at odds with his father. West is the impulsive act first, think later type of guy. He is also the pot smoking, party boy kind of guy. His good looks and wealthy background make him a chick magnet and he doesn't turn them away. He is also a fighter who is quick to defend any insult with his fists. He has currently been expelled from his private school for fighting. Haley and West meet when Haley is being attacked by her boyfriend's drug using younger brother. West fights but it is Haley who saves them both. Of course, that makes both West and Haley a target for the ex-boyfriend. Haley agrees to train West so that he can fight with the ex despite her fear of having anything to do with the fighting world again.Despite Haley's determination not to get involved with another fighter, West works his way into her heart. And, for West, Haley's courage makes him fall for her too. A common theme is McGarry's books is that love heals, love strengthens, and love empowers. Life situations may still be awful but love gives the strength to get through them. I enjoyed this story very much. I liked the chance to revisit some favorite characters from earlier stories especially Abby who really needs a book of her own.