Mundie Moms

Thursday, January 19, 2017

LONG WAY HOME by Katie McGarry / Book Review & Giveaway


By: Katie McGarry
Published by: Harlequin Teen
To Be Released on: January 31st, 2017
Series: Thunder Road Series #3
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 Stars - I Really Enjoyed It
An e-arc was provided by the publisher, in exchange for my honest review

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.


This is another one of McCarry's books I couldn't put down. I don't know what it is about her writing, but it always sucks me in. Even through the grittiness, the tough scenes, and the moments that literally break her characters, I find myself glued to the pages, wanting them to prove the world wrong. There's something about these characters, and the way that McGarry writes them, that I can't help but getting sucked into their world. I find myself easily rooting for them, wanting to cry with them, and laughing out loud with them.  I love that while each book is about a specific set of characters, the over all series storyline progresses. Like the stories before this one, there is a lot of realism, and grittiness in it. 


I loved Violet. She's a character who doesn't pretend to be anyone but who she is. She's broken, fierce, loyal, independent, stubborn and will do anything for those she loves. She is incredibly strong, and thinks for herself. She doesn't do damsel in distress, and I loved her for that. Though she's broken, and doing the best she can to create a new normal, she has this toughness and drive that can't be broken. I admired her for who she is, who she was, and what she does. I loved that even though she's part of a club that is lead by alphas, this girl has a steely backbone, and isn't afraid to stand her ground, and tell them no.


For as much as I loved Violet, I also loved Violet and Chevy. I loved the way McCarry wrote them. She didn't just write a relationship, she wrote something that made sense. Violet and Chevy have the kind of relationship that when everything else around them is wrong, they are what makes sense. They orbit around each other. They give, and take, and want equally. I loved seeing them together, and work through all that makes their relationship make sense, even when their history and their possibilities for the future make things complicated. Chevy and Violet are my favorite of this series couples. They have a mutual admiration, love, respect, friendship and so much more, for each other. They had me rooting for them they whole time. The way McGarry wrote them felt poetic at times. 


Chevy was a character I really enjoyed getting to know more. He is everything Violet needs. Like Violet, he doesn't do fake. What you see is what you get with him. Like Violet, he's also broken, but in a very different way. I loved that he wanted to help Violet, as much as she wanted to help him. While Violet may be firm in knowing who she is, and what she wants, Chevy has a bit of a complication in figuring out which path he wants to take. When Violet comes to a road with two paths, she doesn't take either one, but instead makes her own. When Chevy comes to his different paths, and has to choose one, he has a tug-o-war figuring out which path to take. I liked that McCarry doesn't rush his decisions. I admired that once he made up his mind, he wasn't deterred from his choice. 


There's a lot of secondary characters who are just as crucial to the story as the main characters are. Adult wise, I loved Chevy's mom. I get why Violet has always loved her. I also appreciated understanding Violet's Mom, and Eli's reasoning behind their actions, by the end of the book. I LOVED Violet's brother, Stone, and how everyone around Violet treats him. Literally, these moments are so sweet. McCarry stole my heart with Stone, and those moments.


McCarry doesn't hold back in this story. There is so much that happens, that I want to talk about. There's more twists in the history between the two motorcycle clubs, some shocking secrets and a few betrayals. Like each of the stories before this one, nothing is going to be easy for the characters, but some how, they always find a way. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. There's a few more answers I need.


*There is language, fight scenes, and a few topics/scenes that may not be suitable for younger YA readers. 


One of my favorite quotes: 

"There are some fights worth fighting, and some fights that need to be let go. And that some times I need to really take a good look in the mirror before I react." 

ENTER TO WIN

Thank you to Harlequin Teen, Inkslinger, and Katie McCarry, I've got a signed bound copy of LONG WAY HOME to giveaway to (1) lucky winner. To enter to win, please fill out the form below. Winner will be notified by email. *US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

  1. Something I admire is loyalty. Someone who is there no matter what else is going on and can be counted on.

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  2. Hi, Chinami here,
    I think I admire when a character knows their wrong and finds the courage to make things right. The reality of it is, the right thing can suck for you but be right for someone else and it sucks to have to choose but it doesn't happen over night, the character fights to keep being this fighter and it's so hard to do when your fighting yourself.

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  3. I love it when characters are strong. When they stick up for what they believe is right, change course when they need to, and own up to their mistakes.

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  4. This is a tough question. I honestly think I admire characters that are unapologetic in who they are. Yes, they make mistakes, and, yes, they'll own up to them, but that doesn't mean they're changing who they are to fit what someone else wants. I love characters who are confident in their own skin and have a take-no-prisoners attitude and know what they're goals and dreams are.

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  5. Thanks for the giveaway; I like characters that don't give up; characters that don't throw in the towel when circumstances get difficult, but rise out of the ashes like a Phoenix. ;)

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  6. Honestly, I like characters that show love for their family. I love how much admiration a reader can see by the words in a book. I, myself, come from a large family and we are not all close but we have each others' backs and we know we can always count on each other for anything.

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  7. I admire honesty and loyalty in a character.

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  8. In a character I admire Bravery. There is bravery in everything someone does. Standing up to others. following their own dreams and beliefs. Thank you for this opportunity!

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  9. I think a book already makes it for me when the secondary characters are done well. I'm always looking for depth in those kind of characters, so I am glad to know their role is so valuable.

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  10. I like characters who are honest - with themselves and with others

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  11. OMG thank you for the giveaway, Katie! I love this new series of McGarry's and can't wait to read Long Way Home. I read a sampler of the book and it ended at a really cliffhanger-y spot. o_o

    I really admire stalwart loyalty in characters! Sometimes it can be rare. :/

    Thank you! Have a great weekend. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  12. I admire the ability to make people feel good about themselves. Having humor and common sense is a big plus too.

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  13. the trait i love is honesty and humor. :) Thank you for the chance!

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  14. I love characters that are strong. Not physically but mentally and emotionally. If the character finds that strength during the book that's even better. Also if they're a bit sassy and sarcastic that doesn't hurt either lol.

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  15. I admire vulnerability; characters that affect me the most that are honest about their struggles but are still strong at the same time.

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  16. I think honesty and resourcefulness will be great in a character.

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  17. I admire when characters are kind to others out of the goodness of their hearts and not to get something in return :)

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  18. I admire characters that are loyal and compassionate. Strength doesn't just mean being badass, remaining a good person despite what you face is an amazing thing.

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  19. Gorgeous review sweetie :D Yay for enjoying this book so much. <3 I have only read the first book by this author.. but I did love that one years ago :) Curious about her other books too. <3

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