No Limits by Ellie Marney

Title: No Limits
Author: Ellie Marney
Publisher: Bearded Lady Press
Date of Publication: 14th August 2017
Source: Review copy courtesy of the author

Summary:

Boozer, brawler, ladies’ man – nineteen-year-old Harris Derwent is not a good guy.

His one attempt to play the hero – helping out his old flame, Rachel Watts – has landed him in hospital. Now injured, broke, and unemployed, he’s stuck back in the country, at his father’s mercy. Harris needs to pay off his dad’s debts, and fast. But working as a runner for a drug cartel is a dangerous path – especially if Harris agrees to narc…

Eighteen-year-old Amita Blunt is the perfect police sergeant’s daughter – practical, trustworthy, and oh-so responsible. Getting involved in Harris’s case was never part of the plan. But working at the hospital, she’s invisible – which makes her the ideal contact for a boy feeding information back to the police…

Harris and Amie’s connection is sizzling hot – but if the cartel finds out about them, things could get downright explosive. Backed into a corner, with everything at stake, it’s time for Harris and Amie to find out if love really has no limits…

Review:

Crime fiction is really the first genre I fell in love with. Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew were the first series' that I really devoured, reading all that I could. My stories at school were completely plagiarised Trixie Belden stories (the one with the neighbour they thought was a witch was a particular favourite), and the games my friends and I played were also based on these stories, with goodies and baddies and a neat resolution by the end of lunch. Given all that, it's surprising that I don't read more crime fiction, adult or YA, especially as I always enjoy it when I do.

No Limits is the story of Harris Derwent, who we first meet in Every series. This can be read as a stand alone, although the story does start directly after events in the final book in that series, and characters from it are referenced throughout. Harris has landed in hospital and in the care of Amie Blunt, the daughter of the local police sergeant. They know each other tangentially, through school and the local footy and netball club, but have never had much to do with each other. Being in such close contact during Harris' recuperation means that Amie sees some scars that aren't from his current injury, and Harris learns there's more to Amie than just being the sergeant's perfect daughter.

Harris' complicated home life leads him into a desperate and dangerous arrangement, and Amie agrees to be the go between, feeding information back to the police. But the people Harris is dealing with aren't messing around, and one or both of them might end up killed if they're not very, very careful. And their growing attraction makes it hard to be careful.



I loved every page of this book. My only complaint is that it isn't longer because I want more. I loved the way Amie and Harris gradually opened up to each other, and realised their attraction was mutual.  The fast pace and high stakes kept me turning pages, and I finished it in a day. Harris and Amie both have distinct voices, which are so real and grounded. The dialogue is genuine, and unmistakably Australian.

No Limits tackles some serious social issues. The most obvious is the effect of drugs, particularly ice (crystal meth), but it also addresses the fact that many rural towns are dying. Young people are moving away for education and jobs, and they're not returning. Businesses can't sustain themselves and people in those situations can get desperate.

I really loved Amie's family, especially her Nani. Amie's mother came from the Punjab region of India, and her mother's family are Sikh. There is a lot of expectation on her shoulders (admittedly, a lot is self inflicted), and she struggles under the weight of it.

Something Ellie does very well is create romantic tension in the space between characters. The not kissing, and the not touching, that becomes unbearable to the point where they have no choice.

And I still want a picture of Harris' tattoo.

Just a final note, there's a term used to describe Amie which is considered highly offensive in the UK. I'm not sure how offensive it is in Australia. The slur is used by a character who is a drug dealing scumbag and it's made clear that it's unacceptable, but if this is going to be hurtful for you to read, you may wish to avoid the book.

Due to violence and drug use, I would recommend this for mid teens and older. No Limits is available for preorder on Amazon now.