Going Too Far

by Jennifer Echols

Book Overview

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO? All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416571736
• ISBN13: 9781416571735
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: MTV Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

A Must-Buy

All Meg has ever wanted is to escape from her backwater hometown. Away from certain memories, away from her parents who seem to want to suffocate her in their dull lives...away from everything. And it looks like she's getting her wish, it's almost spring break and she's going on a trip to Miami and see the beach. But then, Meg and a few friends end up on a bridge where, a few years ago, some kids died. They're caught by a cop, John After, who's only 19 years old and was one of the top students of his year...Meg can't imagine why he would choose to remain tied down in the tiny town and work as a cop. But John is connected, strangely, to the bridge and Meg and her friends' stunt provokes him to want to teach them a memorable lesson. Meg is assigned to join John After during his night shifts for a week, to learn about the law and the importance of it. Only, Meg isn't one to be complacent and she pushes to find out exactly what promoted John to remain bound to the small town that she's so determined to escape from. And he fights back, and stretches her boundaries in an attempt to figure out exactly why Meg refuses to remain in the small Alabama town that has shaped both of their lives so much. So, this was my second Jennifer Echols novel. I'd always intended to read The Boys Next Door, but for some reason, I never got around to it. I *did* read Major Crush which was a pretty cute ro-com read. But then I read Going Too Far. It blew Major Crush away. I'd expected Going Too Far to be good. To be great, even. I was sure that when I reviewed it, I'd tackle it like most of the other books I've reviewed. Normal and level-headed. Except this time, I have no CHOICE but to let loose and write a completely fan-girly review of Going Too Far. You've been warned. Okay. So this book has depth. And I'm not talking the shallow pool that some YA novels are. Going Too Far is a freaking ocean. And I mean it in the best way possible. The relationships and characters in this novel are so complex and layered. The main characters and secondary characters all seem so real. They all have their dreams, their hobbies and their insecurities. John and Meg's pasts both haunt them, every decision in the now is a reflection of certain events from before. Both have secrets that are hinted at, throughout the novel. But, it is only further in the novel that the secrets are fully revealed to the reader and the other characters. (And, of course, this fuels further conflict and further revelations and conclusions.) The story is told in Meg's POV, and it couldn't be told any other way. Meg's voice is realistic; everything about her makes sense and stays true to her character. Along with that, Meg's easy to relate with and feel for, despite her not being like the average teenager. When she hurts, you cringe. When she's happy, you smile. In that aspect, reading Going Too Far is like a (fun) roller coaster. Similarly, John is well-rounded as well. His secret, his driving motivation

Troubled Teens With Angst Collide

In Jennifer Echols' Going Too Far, two teens full of their own personal demons meet one night under volatile circumstances and end up pushing each other to his/her limit while falling in love. The characters are real and interesting, showing great development from the first page. Meg feels like a real troubled teen, who is not without humor or sarcasm, though she is not happy with her lot. John also has his own issues to work out, and is nothing like normal from the beginning. The side characters are engaging and realistic, as well. Told in first person perspective, Meg describes what is happening in her life, and is honest enough about herself the reader can mostly trust what she sees and feels. The writing is easy to follow and flows rather nicely. While there are no big surprises in the story, I was still impressed by all the little details the author tied into the plot. No strings were left untied, and everything that happened or was said had some meaning and was important in some way. The novel was tight and concise, making the story and reading experience even better. I would recommend this teen novel to anyone who wants some drama, heartache, and growth in their teen romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and will not hesitate to pick up the next book by this author.

The Story Siren Reviews:

This was my first time reading Jennifer Echols, I'd seen her book around, but for some reason I never had the initiative to pick one up. Then I saw the cover and synopsis for Going Too Far and I just had to have it. I think originally I'd saw the title as Boy In Blue or something along those lines, but after reading the novel I think that the title, Going Too Far, fits it perfectly. I was expecting to like this novel, I figured it would be good, what I hadn't expected was how much I was going to like it! I sat down to read it and I didn't get up from the couch until I was finished! It was so so... it just sucked me in and would not let go! Meg and John's relationship was so layered and complex, just wow! I loved Meg's character, even though she is insane, I got it, I absolutely empathized with her. And John, he may seem one way, but his character is so complex and you don't really discover that until later in the novel, but I think that is why it works out so well. It was addicting. Such a great novel and Echols does a fabulous job in telling it. I'll definitely be buying a copy to add to my personal library!

Beyond Words! Brilliant!

This book was HOT! The chemistry and banter between Meg and John (Officer After) could keep me reading for probably a 1,000 pages. It was an absolute pleasure to read I couldn't get enough of it. Echols writing style is just perfect to me, it's humorous and detailed and random, everything I love. She created a very likable character in Meg, someone who intentionally creates a somewhat shocking appearance (blue hair) and attitude to protect herself but little by little we learn more about Meg and the reason she is the way she is and you can't help being on her side and wanting to be her friend. And John, man, I loved reading about this boy. I don't even know what to say. I loved reading about John and Meg on night patrol and watching Meg realize she's falling in love with him. It's pretty cute to see this punk haired bad-a%* girl get kind of self conscious around John. There is a great push and pull between them that keeps you on edge, needing to know where this is going to go. I'm at a loss for words of how to express how much I loved this book! It has so very many things going for it, GREAT characters (main and secondary) a great premise, humor, pain.... just please, do yourself a favor and read this book! I'll definitely be reading the rest of the author's books! And seriously, when can I see the movie version? :P

Wonderful!!

Meg has wanted nothing more than to get away from her backwater town. Dealing with her parents who don't understand her, she rebels. She does what she wants when she wants to do it, so she's no friend of the police in town. One night, a week before spring break, Meg and some friends decide to go to a bridge in town that's off limits. Before she can dye her hair another bright color, Meg is having to cancel her plans to go to the beach for Spring Break, so that she can ride with the cop that arrested her on the graveyard shift. What Meg expects from the week riding with Officer John After and what she gets are two totally different things. She never expects that she knows John from high school or that they even had a class together. Meg also doesn't expect to fall for John. He's the opposite of everything that she stands for. But they both have skeletons in their closets and maybe they'll be able to help each other and find a common ground. This is the first time that I have intentionally read slow so that the book would last longer. Going Too Far is a wonderful and deep book. I didn't want it to end. Jennifer Echols makes you feel like you're in the story. I felt what Meg felt, even though I've never been in her kind of trouble. The story isn't as stereotypical as you might think that it is. It gives a new spin and a refreshing look at how life can be unfair sometimes, but it's how you pull yourself out of the rubble that counts. This is one of my Top 2009 Picks and I highly recommend that you pick it up when you're on your next trip to the bookstore. Happy reading!!