Mini Review: Crossing the Line (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Publication date: April 1st 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars 

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

My Thoughts:
I just find it so sweet and old fashioned to fall in love over letter writing!  Crossing the Line was a swoony short read that had me ooohing and awwing by the end.  Love Katie McGarry’s writing!

We know Lila best as Echo’s long-suffering and loyal friend.  She’s a peach in Pushing the Limits, and no one could ask for a better girl to have your back! What we didn’t know in Pushing the Limits is that Lila met a boy, Lincoln, at Aires’ funeral and made a lasting connection.  Bonded together over grief, (Lincoln’s brother died in the same unit that Aires did), they stay in touch through letters for two years.  Falling bit by bit they make plans to attend college together in Florida when they graduate.  There’s a bump in the road that they need to navigate over, but this helps push things with their relationship in the right direction. 

I love the idea of falling in love through letters.  Taking the time to craft together something tangible that you can save and take out and re-read over and over is just so romantic.  Lincoln and Lila feel a deep connection, so by the time they see each other again it’s like being with someone who knows you in and out.  No insta-love here even though this is a mere 67 pages long. 

This is perfect when you need a snippet of romance to perk you up but don’t have a lot of time.  An hour or two and you’re left with a stupid happy grin on your face.  

Favorite Quote (it’s spoilery, so consider yourself warned):

“I like you, Lila. As more than a friend.  I wake up in the morning and I think of you. I go to bed at night and you’re the last thought in my mind. I dream of you. The best days of the week are the ones when I get your letters.”

She blinks once, her face frozen. My stomach sinks. “But if you don’t feel the same way, it’s okay. I swear—“

“Lincoln,” she says before I can finish. “I feel the same way…for you.”