{Review} Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

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Title: Nowhere But Here
Series: Thunder Road Series #1
Author: Katie McGarry
Published: May 26th 2015
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Source: Paperback ARC provided by publisher for fair & honest review
Rating: 4.5/5
Goodreads  |  Amazon

BLURB:
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.

Another fabulous book by Katie McGarry, filled with mystery, danger & passion! 

REVIEW:
The story:
Wow, this story is one massive emotional roller coaster! 

Emily has been forced to spend the Summer with her biological father and bikie gang member, Eli, and she's not happy about. Under the belief that her father never really wanted her, she's always been distant towards him and never even really met the rest of that side of her family. All she sees is a dangerous bikie gang that she wants nothing to do with. Including Oz, the young bodyguard assigned to stick to her like glue to prevent a rival bikie gang from hurting her.

But as she spends more time with all of them she starts to realise that first impressions are not always correct and nothing is as it seems. Everyone around her are keeping secrets, and Emily is determined to discover why they are trying the hide the truth about her past. But as she digs deeper in the past, little does she realise she's putting everyone around her in danger, including herself.

The characters:
Emily & Oz have grown up in complete polar opposite worlds. Emily has lived a safe and sheltered life, while Oz has has spent his entire life surround by the bikie way of life. 

Emily is sweet and kind, but very reluctant to open up to her new found family. She's wary of their unfamiliar lifestyle and I could completely understand that. I also loved seeing her grow in confidence, but still remain to true to herself. 

Oz is extremely loyal to The Rein of Terror bikie gang. They've been his family from birth, and he can't wait to patch in just like his father. I loved seeing how protective his was of his surrogate family, and despite what outsiders believe, he is a genuinely good guy. 

The romance:
Who doesn't love a classic good girl falls for bad boy trope. At first these two clash, with both of them making massive assumptions about each other. But as they are forced to spend time together, they realise that they may have been wrong. They grow closer and learn to trust each other, with Emily feeling like she can rely on Oz to keep her safe. Their relationship grew fairly quickly, but it felt natural progression over the course of the book.

The writing:
I've always enjoyed Katie's storytelling and this book is no different. While some people may find her books a little to dramatic, it's the exciting drama that I love the most. Was the ending a little unrealistic? Yes. Did that matter to me? Not one bit. The beautifully flawed characters and complex storyline more than made up for it.

FINAL WORD:
I really enjoyed this story, and being set in the bikie gang culture was quite eye opening. Another fabulous book by Katie McGarry, filled with mystery, danger & passion!

CONTENT:
Sexuality: medium / kissing, heavy petting and discussions of sex
Violence: medium / gun violence, shooting, and death threats
Language: medium / occasional f word
Drugs & alcohol: medium / some minor underage drinking