Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Published: May 26th, 2015 

by: Harlequin Teen

Series: Thunder Road #1 

Genres: Young-Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Kindle 

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 3.5 Stars 

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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.

 

Review

Nowhere But Here isn’t so different from other YA contemporaries, but it sort of stands out with the MC (motorcycle club) elements. Emily and Oz were destined to feel the attraction, so that wasn’t very original. I understand that this is romance, but I found the way that they “bumped” into each other to be cliche’. However, the reasons why Emily ended up in Oz’s neck of the woods was really interesting, and I wanted to know what secrets were buried about her mother and biological father. As much as I liked her love and dedication to her adoptive father, there’s nothing more juicy than finding out some good old family secrets.

What I Liked

-I love that Eli, Emily’s biological father, is apart of a motorcycle club. I love what the Reign of Terror MC stands for. Family and loyalty is always something that I love to read about. 

-Emily finding out that all is not as it seems when it comes to her paternal family members. For years, she despised them for not wanting anything to do with her, but it was actually the complete opposite.

-Nothing causes tension like a rival gang wanting a piece of the fresh meat. Eli enlists Oz to protect Emily, and it all goes from there.

-I like that the story wasn’t solely focused on Emily and Oz. Eli is a very interesting character. Maybe I like him more since he’s older and came off as sort of badass. Anyway, I found his character to be more interesting than those of Emily and Oz.

What I Didn’t Like

-The pace slowed at times, and it got boring to the point that I put it down often.

As I stated before, lots of cliche’ moments. The obviously “bad boy” falls for the sweet and innocent girl is a little tiring. I mean, I get it. I suddenly wish Oz was a nerd and Emily was one of those not so perfect girls. At least then it would have been more interesting with the Reign of Terror guys in the background. 

Overall, this is a good start to the series. I just hope that book 2 will be a little more on the daring side. I want more from the next characters in the Reign of Terror MC. Still, I’d recommend reading this one. This is my first YA motorcycle club read, but if there are more out there, please give me recommendations!