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Beautiful Disaster: A Novel
Por Jamie McGuire
Descripción
A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller about a good girl dangerously drawn to the ultimate bad boy.
The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.
Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.
The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.
Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.
Reseñas
This book is rated as 5 stars on Good Reads, and I don't know how. Although the blurb indicates a bad boy, good girl romance, the relationship between Travis and Abbey is something quite disturbing and unhealthy. Whilst I liked Travis' sense of humour, he is basically violent, short-tempered and paranoid, and there were many times I wanted to shake Abbey for her stupidity. As for the ending . . . . . . .
This is a Reading Good Books review.They call it “Fifty Shades for young adults”.Walking One-Night Stand, Travis Maddox meets his match in Abby Abernathy. Travis is the one of the best underground fighters. Abby shows up in one of his fights dressed in a cardigan which he later sprays with blood. Travis is cousin to Shepley who is in a relationship with America, Abby’s best friend. Abby and America are new to Eastern University, getting away from Abby’s dark past.I admit that I enjoyed Fifty Shades for what it’s worth. Reading it with a fanfiction mindset also helped. With that said, I did enjoy reading this book. I read it inside of 2-3 days and there were parts where I could not put it down. The writing is okay and easy to read. It was fast-paced and the… themes… are pretty interesting to young adults and adults alike. But there were bits in the book that, in the words of one of the characters, “has just become one convoluted clusterfuck”. I think the author tried to fit so much about the characters that it became a bit confusing. Abby’s backstory came out of nowhere but it was poorly handled that I didn’t know what to make of it. I think it’s supposed to be a driving force for the second part of the novel but it didn’t have quite as much impact as what I think the author is going for that it almost became an afterthought.This book’s strength is in its characters. Especially the supporting roles, America and Shepley. Abby and Travis were a little too ideal – straight A student bad boy and a “simple” girl who cleans up real nice? Yeah, of course. Travis came across as over-the-top scary many times. America acts like the voice of reason and at the same time, Abby’s best protector. I love the way she goes all out in everything she does. I also love the Maddox family. What a rowdy group of men!What I did not like was the ending. It kind of turned me off from the whole thing. I felt that the ending was the biggest cliche of them all. It was very predictable. As soon as I realized what will happen, I went, “Please, no. Not that direction…” But oh well, got to have at least one painfully obvious cliche in every YA novel, right? And considering this ended up like it did, the story stretched on too long.I had a bit of trouble digesting that this is classified as a young adult novel. In the several bookstores that I visited, I’ve seen this shelved either under YA or contemporary adult fiction. It does have a YA feel but at the same time, it’s a bit dark to be truly YA. Maybe for older young adults? If that makes sense. There are a few themes that I don’t think will send the right message to the teen crowd. Also, I could totally see this as a TV show on the CW Network. This is definitely right up their alley.Rating: 3/5.Recommendation: If you liked Christian Grey and how he treats his woman then you might also like Travis Maddox. And this book.
booknook — Young Adult book reviewsGuys. I feel like I have read every amazing book on the planet this year. But this one.. this one tops the list.I was terrified going into Beautiful Disaster. I don't know why I got so worked up over it, but I did. I was scared because Beautiful Disaster seems to be a "love it" or "hate it" kind of book.. and I so badly wanted to love it. All my worries ended on the very first page. I was totally hooked. I was in love.I barely even know how to describe my reading experience. The physical experience was every bit as valuable as the story. I spent one entire day reading this book in extremely awkward positions (including laying on the floor with my feet up in the air on a chair..wtf?), I took this book with me to the bathroom because I couldn't possibly part with it, and I quoted every other line to my amazingly tolerant boyfriend. I laughed, I giggled insanely, and most importantly, I cried like a little girl. I think my eyes were in tears the entire last quarter of the book. I went from sad, to desperate, to happy, to insanely happy, and back to sad when the book ended and I had no more amazingness to read.Jamie McGuire is a freakin' genius. I'm usually very picky about my bad boys, but Jamie set up Beautiful Disaster perfectly so that I would fall head over heels for Travis. Normally in stories like this there's the asshole bad boy and then there's the nice guy, and I always fall for the nice guy. Not this time! Travis had a great mix of bad boy jerk and sweet, sensitive, affectionate man. That way, when compared to Parker, Parker just looked like the boring, "safe" option, and Travis looked like the passionate, head over heels, to die for option.I think a lot of people don't like this book because they look at Travis and they see a troubled guy who's a bit of an asshole and objectifies women. That's why I was scared going into this book, because I normally hate that kind of thing. But when I looked at Travis, I saw so much more than that. In the first scene he has a bimbo on his lap, but as soon as she insults his friend, he's like "Get the fuck out. Now." I knew right then and there that I would like Travis. He may have flaws but he is loyal. He's not a jackass. He loves his friends, he sticks up for them, and he'll go the lengths of the world for them. His relationship with Abby isn't perfect, but my god, it is passionate. I honestly think the title for this book is so perfect, because their relationship was absolutely beautiful.. but it was also a disaster. It was a little dysfunctional, and a little crazy, and there were definitely highs and lows. But that's what made this book an absolute delight of a roller coaster. When things were going badly, I was desperately clinging onto every page, waiting for things to get better again. I rarely get that invested in books, but I literally felt like my life would end if Travis and Abby couldn't make their relationship work.Even the side characters were amazing and so full of life! America.. how I LOVED LOVED LOOOVED America! She is like the best friend I never had and always wanted. She's so fiercely loyal and always siding with Abby and always supporting her no matter what. I love how they always run to each others' sides when things get tough.My only 'problems' with the book are two small things:The blurb isn't exactly accurate. It says, "The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear.." Abby isn't as much of a "good girl" as the blurb implies. It clearly says, "She doesn't drink or swear," but Abby actually does drink and she has a fake ID. So if Abby is a "good girl" who has a fake ID and goes to clubs and drinks, what the heck am I? :P I don't drink, I never had a fake ID, and I don't go clubbing. I must be the virgin mary! I know that there is a big back story behind this, but I felt like there was never a point in the book where Abby was a good girl. Yes she was trying to start over with a new slate, but she was never ever innocent and never turned down a drink.The other thing isn't really a problem with the book, it's just something that kept making me laugh. Travis always calls Abby "Pigeon" or "Pidge," and I could never keep a straight face. Lady and the Tramp, anyone? The Tramps calls Lady "Pidge" ALL THE TIME! I just couldn't help but think of those cartoon characters every time Travis said it!I feel like I've barely scratched the surface with this review. This book really shook me to my very core. Do you ever feel silly when you yell at characters in a movie for making a mistake? Because obviously they can't "hear" you and nothing you say will change the movie. But when I was reading this book I was yelling at the characters and wishing like crazy that things would work out.. despite the fact that obviously my yelling and wishing wouldn't do any good. But that's how much I fell in love with this book and that's how much it affected me. I know my boyfriend will vouch for all the times I pasted him quotes from the book over Skype, and my mom laughed at me for shrieking in delight over the exciting parts and for screaming, "I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!"There is no doubt in my mind.. this is the best book I have read this year. Period. This is one of my all time favourite books. Danny: I first heard about Beautiful Disaster when I read your Bewitched Bookworms review. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I'm so incredibly thrilled that I discovered this book and I have you to thank!I can't think of a single guy I know that's good enough for you.Your skin was three inches from my face, and you're beautiful, and you smell fucking awesome when you sweat. I kissed you! I'm sorry!You're all I think about. You're all I dream about. You're all I want.I was his exception, and as much as I had tried to fight my feelings, he was mine.
I loved this book. Start to finish loved it. Going to make everyone I know read it. Yes Travis is over the top in some things he does but Abby stands up for herself and he sees it. Hitting guys for looking at her isn't alright but in my eyes this was not an abusive relationship. (Been there, done that) some people don't like it fine but I don't see the necessity to slam the author.
No doubt about it this book is 5 out of 5.
If you love a good girl getting mixed up with a bad boy then you have to read this! Abby goes to college with her best friend and her life goes from calm to messed up in no time. She meets sexy, cut Travis Maddox and becomes completely consumed in his bad boy world. Travis earns money fighting in an underground fight club and has every girl drooling over him. When him and Abby's life intertwines they make a bet where if Abby loses she has to live with him for a month or if he wins he has to stay abstinent for a month. The outcome of the bet leads to a messed up relationship with tons of suspense and passion. They expose their secrets to one another and start the journey of a beautiful disaster.
If you love a good girl getting mixed up with a bad boy then you have to read this! Abby goes to college with her best friend and her life goes from calm to messed up in no time. She meets sexy, cut Travis Maddox and becomes completely consumed in his bad boy world. Travis earns money fighting in an underground fight club and has every girl drooling over him. When him and Abby's life intertwines they make a bet where if Abby loses she has to live with him for a month or if he wins he has to stay abstinent for a month. The outcome of the bet leads to a messed up relationship with tons of suspense and passion. They expose their secrets to one another and start the journey of a beautiful disaster.
Cannot say how much I loved this book. I read the entire book in one night. I literally could not put it down. Such a good read.
Whew!! I started this book yesterday and finished it this am. This was a page turn for sure. I enjoyed it for what it was, entertaining. If you have fallen in love and had a passionate all consuming love affair you will get this story. If not, you'll think it utter nonsense. It was a wild ride from start to finish. There were some grammar issues and such but those didn't deflect from the story. I liked all the characters. Some incidents and dialogue were over the top but I find this to be true in most romance books. I was hesitant to read this book due to all the hype. I purchased this book as an Indie with a different cover. I will be reading the sequel next and hope that it will be just as entertaining and edge of the ledge as this one.
Holy crap. This was one of the best books I have read in awhile. It immediately sucked me in so hard that I read it in two sittings. My mother recommended it to me, telling me to give it 50 pages. I was crying by page 60 because I was already so emotionally invested in the characters. I'm not sure I agree with how the book ended, but I don't actually care either. Just. So. Good.
Oh, my..........I honestly don't know what to say about this book...
Hmmm...this book definitely surprized me, in a good way...in a very good way...
At times, I was so frustrated I wanted to throw the book, at other times, I wanted to hug it...
But now that I've finished it, I feel like I don't know what to do with my life anymore...
I want a sequel continuing where Travis and Pigeon left off, but I feel that if it continued, it would ruin the perfect ending...but I want more...oh, I don't know what to think, I feel like my brain just turned to mush after I finished this...
Hmmm...this book definitely surprized me, in a good way...in a very good way...
At times, I was so frustrated I wanted to throw the book, at other times, I wanted to hug it...
But now that I've finished it, I feel like I don't know what to do with my life anymore...
I want a sequel continuing where Travis and Pigeon left off, but I feel that if it continued, it would ruin the perfect ending...but I want more...oh, I don't know what to think, I feel like my brain just turned to mush after I finished this...
Far too much hype for so-so book. I was in the mood for romance -- young college, butterflies-in-the-stomach young romance. Not believeable here. It may be that this forty-something housewife has completely lost her ability to identify with young/new love. I would not recommend this to anyone above their twenties.... author presents characters as too juvenile in their POV, thoughts, actions, reactions.
This was a great book, and an interesting read from start to finish. Travis is a very complex character and he winds up changing drastically from the beginning to the end of the book. Abby is also complicated, but once she learns to go with her feelings instead of against them, things seem to work out for her. I feel like she was a bit dramatic at times, but that could be from her past, which we only really touched the surface of, or it could be that she is just young. Their relationship might seem like too much at times, however, I like how even though they may fight or not see eye to eye all the time they still push through it all the same. And I think that in its own says a lot.
Just as amazing as the first time I read it, even more so! Can't wait to find out Travis' POV, since Abby's is fresh on my mind :-)
At first I thought that Travis was going to be this really cool and big alpha man and I was right. But then the whole thing with him and Abby began and then I kept thinking to myself of how much of a girl he was. Thank God, he grew out of it. Abby was awesome! America had her own brand of awesomeness. Shep and Finley were two sweethearts. Really liked it!
This was really awesome. The kind of love this couple experiences is so deep that the whole time I could feel everything that the characters were feeling and that is a something that not many books can do. Amazing read.
I'm going to review this book in two parts. The first part for those who have not read it and the second will be for those who have. Beware!
The book kept my attention early on so I read it pretty quickly. The story started out with a good build up, so you understood the attraction. I found myself laughing a lot at some of situations because either they were really funny or so ridiculous it was comical. I also talked out loud a lot too! Haha! I'm giving it four stars because it was a decent entertaining love story, not perfect, but worth the read, in my opinion. The only reason I won't give it five stars is because there are issues with the overall story line that nag at me a little...
*NOTE*
I read this book because of a loud review from a girl on this site who was so passionately against the book's message and how it could influence young girls. Yes, I agree, get out as soon red flags are raised in a relationship, whatever those may be for the individual. In real life a story like this might not turn out so well so be careful!
**SPOILER ALERTS from this point on**
With that being said, let's look at the book for what it was. So Travis is an alpha male with anger and jealousy issues... not a big surprise to many fans of the intense romance genre. He wasn't violent towards her or mean that's what the fight club was for :) He knows he has issues that need to be work on and she told him that as well. I did feel that Abby had the common sense of a rock most of the time, which is ironic because she was supposed to be this super streetwise gambling girl. She didn't ask Travis why he insisted on calling her "Pigeon" for a long time. I would have asked right away, I mean that's not exactly a cute and cuddly nickname. Pidge was even worse, Eew! Plus I don't think SHE brought it up, someone else did. It was also irritating that she took so long to realize or accept Travis's feelings for her. He even said something like "How come everyone else can see it except for you?" She continued to play the clueless role for a while with this whole "He's everything I don't need but I never back down from a bet" point she was trying to prove and tormenting him by sleeping in his bed as platonic friends for a whole month. ( I know, he insisted on her sleeping there but still) Travis fell for her HARD and had a lot of co-dependency issues for sure. At one point I felt like shooting this poor guy to put him out of his misery, she tortured him pretty bad through out the book. I just stopped seeing her purpose for putting him through that. I felt she made a bigger deal than necessary out of the mob boss situation. He got her point and apologized for it- a million times! He begged her take him back- a millions times, then she had the nerve to be hurt when he walked in the apartment with that girl Megan one night? He even asked her then "Do you want me or not?" She still chose "not". Frustrating!! OK, the two girl situation before their relationship had officially begun was totally gross and uncalled for on his part, but she still kept living there?? Yet the mob boss offer is what she chose to leave him over?? Ugh! Overall, I didn't feel that she was as in to him as he was to her. It all felt kind of forced on her part. He felt super insecure even at the end and I don't blame him. She did this complete 180 without a real explanation to him as to why she wanted to be with him and what changed her mind. It was just like "OK, I give up, we're back together now." Usually at the end of a love story, I take away a feeling that this relationship will last and that they were meant to be together. I didn't feel that way about this one. I think the future for them looks shaky. The title is definitely fitting and just about sums everything up!
The book kept my attention early on so I read it pretty quickly. The story started out with a good build up, so you understood the attraction. I found myself laughing a lot at some of situations because either they were really funny or so ridiculous it was comical. I also talked out loud a lot too! Haha! I'm giving it four stars because it was a decent entertaining love story, not perfect, but worth the read, in my opinion. The only reason I won't give it five stars is because there are issues with the overall story line that nag at me a little...
*NOTE*
I read this book because of a loud review from a girl on this site who was so passionately against the book's message and how it could influence young girls. Yes, I agree, get out as soon red flags are raised in a relationship, whatever those may be for the individual. In real life a story like this might not turn out so well so be careful!
**SPOILER ALERTS from this point on**
With that being said, let's look at the book for what it was. So Travis is an alpha male with anger and jealousy issues... not a big surprise to many fans of the intense romance genre. He wasn't violent towards her or mean that's what the fight club was for :) He knows he has issues that need to be work on and she told him that as well. I did feel that Abby had the common sense of a rock most of the time, which is ironic because she was supposed to be this super streetwise gambling girl. She didn't ask Travis why he insisted on calling her "Pigeon" for a long time. I would have asked right away, I mean that's not exactly a cute and cuddly nickname. Pidge was even worse, Eew! Plus I don't think SHE brought it up, someone else did. It was also irritating that she took so long to realize or accept Travis's feelings for her. He even said something like "How come everyone else can see it except for you?" She continued to play the clueless role for a while with this whole "He's everything I don't need but I never back down from a bet" point she was trying to prove and tormenting him by sleeping in his bed as platonic friends for a whole month. ( I know, he insisted on her sleeping there but still) Travis fell for her HARD and had a lot of co-dependency issues for sure. At one point I felt like shooting this poor guy to put him out of his misery, she tortured him pretty bad through out the book. I just stopped seeing her purpose for putting him through that. I felt she made a bigger deal than necessary out of the mob boss situation. He got her point and apologized for it- a million times! He begged her take him back- a millions times, then she had the nerve to be hurt when he walked in the apartment with that girl Megan one night? He even asked her then "Do you want me or not?" She still chose "not". Frustrating!! OK, the two girl situation before their relationship had officially begun was totally gross and uncalled for on his part, but she still kept living there?? Yet the mob boss offer is what she chose to leave him over?? Ugh! Overall, I didn't feel that she was as in to him as he was to her. It all felt kind of forced on her part. He felt super insecure even at the end and I don't blame him. She did this complete 180 without a real explanation to him as to why she wanted to be with him and what changed her mind. It was just like "OK, I give up, we're back together now." Usually at the end of a love story, I take away a feeling that this relationship will last and that they were meant to be together. I didn't feel that way about this one. I think the future for them looks shaky. The title is definitely fitting and just about sums everything up!
Abby, a good girl (no swearing, no drinking) meets Travis, a bad boy (tough, fighter, tattooed)
Travis is a very hot, charming womanizer who instantly becomes captivated by Abby. Abby is also instantly captivated by Travis, no matter how hard she tries not to be.
He makes a deal with her and if he wins she has to live with him for a month.
Travis is a very hot, charming womanizer who instantly becomes captivated by Abby. Abby is also instantly captivated by Travis, no matter how hard she tries not to be.
He makes a deal with her and if he wins she has to live with him for a month.
One of my all-time favorite romances!
I feel like this should have been a screenplay instead of a book. To me, the scenes were carried by actions better caught by a camera. As an original tv movie it would be enjoyable, as a book, for me, it was just okay.
On television, I'm more forgiving of characters that point at a certain guy and claim, "You're the last person I'd ever sleep with!" and several scenes later, of course, they are together and struggle not to be torn apart. As a book, there wasn't enough internal dialogue for me to understand why she didn't like him and then suddenly she did or why he liked her so much, when he had tons of other girls. On tv, it's okay if I don't know what the character is thinking, in a book I LIKE TO KNOW.
On television, I'm more forgiving of characters that point at a certain guy and claim, "You're the last person I'd ever sleep with!" and several scenes later, of course, they are together and struggle not to be torn apart. As a book, there wasn't enough internal dialogue for me to understand why she didn't like him and then suddenly she did or why he liked her so much, when he had tons of other girls. On tv, it's okay if I don't know what the character is thinking, in a book I LIKE TO KNOW.
I reached chapter 5 and so far I don't see the charm of the book. In all honesty, somethings are bothering me like the names; its like the author only thought about the main characters names and the rest she saw on the street or a map! Horrible names and so far very weak writing. But I really want to see how it all ends. I hope it gets better.
... and it did get better! This book surprised me! It was a rollercoaster ride and at every turn I wasn't expecting what would happen next. Though Travis kind of scared me a bit, he's too aggressive for my taste, I enjoyed the books and I got the next two.
... and it did get better! This book surprised me! It was a rollercoaster ride and at every turn I wasn't expecting what would happen next. Though Travis kind of scared me a bit, he's too aggressive for my taste, I enjoyed the books and I got the next two.
I read this book a while ago and plan on re-reading it a third time.
Review coming soon.
Review coming soon.
Wow!Loved this story! Jamie McGuire gave this story everything: romance, fighting, best friends, so much conflict--both internal and external. A wonderful NA story to read!
The story begins with Abby Abernathy arriving at college determined to put a world of distance between her and her sinister past. She does everything right - works hard, doesn't drink a solidly good girl. Enter Travis Maddox, handsome and the antithesis of Abby. He quickly becomes intrigued by Abby and pulls out all stops to reel her in. He charms her into a bet. If he loses, he must remain celibate for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis' apartment (sleep in his bed) for the same amount of time. Needless to say, we know which way the bet goes. This is a love story with a difference. And I loved it.
NOTE: I received this eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED "Beautiful Disaster" from cover to cover. It was a total emotional roller coaster that left me in a state of stupor for hours. I was a complete wreck, not knowing whether to cry or laugh in hysterics.
I only have one suggestion to make though.... "Beautiful Disaster" is in no way a YOUNG ADULT book. It's very much an ADULT book, even though the main character is a 19-year old girl. There were lots of expletives, there were several sex scenes... you get the idea. So no, I wouldn't recommend this book to a teenager.
But, nonetheless, it was amazing. It was one of the books that I truly enjoyed reading this year, and I'm even going to place it in a to re-read folder.
The story itself was pretty unique, though the bad boy-good girl concept still remains. Who doesn't love a bad boy though? And most importantly - who doesn't love a bad boy who learns his lesson? I sure do.
It's a fast paced story with a really strong character presence. I honestly felt like I was in there, right in Abby's head, living the whole episode with her. And believe me, it was an amazing experience that rocked my world! I couldn't put the book down, even dreaming about it. And no, not because I was in love or obsessed with Travis. It was because the story truly moved me.
So, what is the story about? It's about a girl who falls for the wrong guy, who falls for the right girl. I.e. they fall for each other, but their take on the situation is pretty different. Here's why: Abby has had a difficult past, where her father used her as a lucky charm in his gambling, until one day... snap! It was all over. And since then he hated her and abused her verbally. Her mom was a drunk, of whom nobody really wanted to talk about.
Abby's only way out of home was escape to college. Where, of course, she met Travis. And Travis was bad news. I mean REALLY REALLY bad news. The toe-curling, mind-boggling kind of bad news that throws you on your back and takes your breath away. Not only that, but Travis has his own demons to fight, and most of the time, he just gives in to them. That is, until Abby.
They are each other's weakness. They are each other's strength. Each can live without the other, but that isn't what I'd call life.
All the struggles they went through, the jealousy, the fighting, the total disaster that resulted in their broken hearts... all of that was the grand prelude to something so cheesy and beautiful, I can't even describe it. The developmental stages of their relationship brought me up and then pulled me back down until I was such an emotional wreck, I couldn't recognize myself.
And of course, it wasn't completely about Abby and Travis all the time. There were other characters that make appearance. Like Abby's best friend, America, who would kill anyone that threatens Abby's happiness and peace of mind. And Travis's cousin, Shepley, who endured all the mood swings with great patience. Travis's brothers and father, who really made me love them.
Which means that all the ingredients for an incredible story are there: nice plot, realistic characters and great story pacing.
So, what can I say in conclusion? If you enjoyed Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, you'd definitely enjoy Beautiful Disaster.
I LOVED "Beautiful Disaster" from cover to cover. It was a total emotional roller coaster that left me in a state of stupor for hours. I was a complete wreck, not knowing whether to cry or laugh in hysterics.
I only have one suggestion to make though.... "Beautiful Disaster" is in no way a YOUNG ADULT book. It's very much an ADULT book, even though the main character is a 19-year old girl. There were lots of expletives, there were several sex scenes... you get the idea. So no, I wouldn't recommend this book to a teenager.
But, nonetheless, it was amazing. It was one of the books that I truly enjoyed reading this year, and I'm even going to place it in a to re-read folder.
The story itself was pretty unique, though the bad boy-good girl concept still remains. Who doesn't love a bad boy though? And most importantly - who doesn't love a bad boy who learns his lesson? I sure do.
It's a fast paced story with a really strong character presence. I honestly felt like I was in there, right in Abby's head, living the whole episode with her. And believe me, it was an amazing experience that rocked my world! I couldn't put the book down, even dreaming about it. And no, not because I was in love or obsessed with Travis. It was because the story truly moved me.
So, what is the story about? It's about a girl who falls for the wrong guy, who falls for the right girl. I.e. they fall for each other, but their take on the situation is pretty different. Here's why: Abby has had a difficult past, where her father used her as a lucky charm in his gambling, until one day... snap! It was all over. And since then he hated her and abused her verbally. Her mom was a drunk, of whom nobody really wanted to talk about.
Abby's only way out of home was escape to college. Where, of course, she met Travis. And Travis was bad news. I mean REALLY REALLY bad news. The toe-curling, mind-boggling kind of bad news that throws you on your back and takes your breath away. Not only that, but Travis has his own demons to fight, and most of the time, he just gives in to them. That is, until Abby.
They are each other's weakness. They are each other's strength. Each can live without the other, but that isn't what I'd call life.
All the struggles they went through, the jealousy, the fighting, the total disaster that resulted in their broken hearts... all of that was the grand prelude to something so cheesy and beautiful, I can't even describe it. The developmental stages of their relationship brought me up and then pulled me back down until I was such an emotional wreck, I couldn't recognize myself.
And of course, it wasn't completely about Abby and Travis all the time. There were other characters that make appearance. Like Abby's best friend, America, who would kill anyone that threatens Abby's happiness and peace of mind. And Travis's cousin, Shepley, who endured all the mood swings with great patience. Travis's brothers and father, who really made me love them.
Which means that all the ingredients for an incredible story are there: nice plot, realistic characters and great story pacing.
So, what can I say in conclusion? If you enjoyed Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, you'd definitely enjoy Beautiful Disaster.
This book was well written (and edited!), and the characters certainly jumped off the pages. However, I can't say I really liked either one of them. Abby, in particular, seemed to have her head in the sand most of the time. And Travis, though he loved Abby with a startling desperation, was so violent that I had a hard time feeling close to him. I thought it strange that there were no consequences to his radical behavior. When he beat up another student in the lunchroom or kicked over desks in history class, he didn't get suspended. It was as if this was normal behavior and something the school turned a blind eye to. He would have been kicked out of the college I went to. Not only that, but Abby seemed to encourage his violence more often than not.
I felt like the inner demons that drove them, that caused them to act the way they did, should have been fleshed out more. Abby's history with her father (and with Jess) was too vague. Travis says he doesn't remember his mother, but it was her loss that caused him to be off the rails so much? I don't know. I wanted more.
Still, they were a trainwreck (or 'a tornado' as Shepley accurately noted) and that drama, while exhausting, drove the book forward and brought an intensity to the pages.
My favorite books are ones where I can relate to the heroine and where the hero captures my heart. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened with this book, but it was still a gripping read.
I felt like the inner demons that drove them, that caused them to act the way they did, should have been fleshed out more. Abby's history with her father (and with Jess) was too vague. Travis says he doesn't remember his mother, but it was her loss that caused him to be off the rails so much? I don't know. I wanted more.
Still, they were a trainwreck (or 'a tornado' as Shepley accurately noted) and that drama, while exhausting, drove the book forward and brought an intensity to the pages.
My favorite books are ones where I can relate to the heroine and where the hero captures my heart. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened with this book, but it was still a gripping read.
There was at least one huge editing mistake. But after figuring out what happened that is my only major complaint. I LOVED this book and can't wait for Walking Disaster to come out.
Fun romance. well written never a dull moment . A very good read
I love this book! Jamie McGuire delivers a seemingly everyday love story with such elegance. She draws you into the characters; and when Abby's heart broke, mine did too! I have read this book twice this year, it is one of my favorite love stories to date!
I enjoyed this book despite all the negative reviews I've seen for it. Yes, their relationship is unhealthy, yes they are both a bit screwed up, but that's why I liked it. I don't always want to read about the perfect apple pie life. I liked that everything wasn't perfect, that the characters - despite their best efforts - were deeply flawed. I liked that not everything was shiny unicorns and rainbows. In fact, if I had to pick something that I didn't like, it was the ending. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they got a happy ending after all the angst, but I think it was a bit unrealistic given their history and it felt a little rushed, but other than that I enjoyed the book and I'd read it again. I probably will at some point in the future considering I finished it the same day I bought it.
I am so torn about this book. As other's have noted, this book is like crack - or maybe a bad car accident. There are so many horrible things going on but you just cannot help but keep watching - or reading - and despite ridiculous actions on the part of the main characters I just could not help but go back for more. I found myself totally and completely enthralled by Abby and Travis.
Abby is trying to escape her past and Travis is attempting to fill a void by sleeping with anything that moves. They meet and Travis is immediately drawn to Abby because she is the one girl who doesn't take his crap and doesn't want to sleep with him.
Except that she DOES take his crap! Over and over again! And he takes her crap - BEGS her for it, in fact. This relationship is the epitome of dysfunction. Travis has real problems with anger and jealousy and obsessive tendencies and if Abby were my daughter I would tell her to run in the other direction. Abby, on the other hand, while attempting to stay strong only ends up stringing him along.
Despite the dysfunction, I found myself cheering for the couple and wanted the obligatory Happily Ever After. I knew these bad things were going to happen and rip them apart and I knew that they would get back together. I knew it - yet I still wanted all the details. Ms. McGuire's writing is very good, pulls you into the story and doesn't let go. Once you start you have to keep going.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance who don't mind some mildly disturbing scenes (anger and obsession - nothing physical). I would not recommend this to young teenagers. I am shocked that this book is shelved so often as Young Adult. The characters may be young (they are in college) but the themes and situations here are not appropriate for many teens. This book includes lots of underage drinking, use of fake ID's, underground fight clubs, gambling, unprotected sex and other mature themes. Mature older teens who can tell the difference between reality and fiction may enjoy this but the themes here are not appropriate for many.
Abby is trying to escape her past and Travis is attempting to fill a void by sleeping with anything that moves. They meet and Travis is immediately drawn to Abby because she is the one girl who doesn't take his crap and doesn't want to sleep with him.
Except that she DOES take his crap! Over and over again! And he takes her crap - BEGS her for it, in fact. This relationship is the epitome of dysfunction. Travis has real problems with anger and jealousy and obsessive tendencies and if Abby were my daughter I would tell her to run in the other direction. Abby, on the other hand, while attempting to stay strong only ends up stringing him along.
Despite the dysfunction, I found myself cheering for the couple and wanted the obligatory Happily Ever After. I knew these bad things were going to happen and rip them apart and I knew that they would get back together. I knew it - yet I still wanted all the details. Ms. McGuire's writing is very good, pulls you into the story and doesn't let go. Once you start you have to keep going.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance who don't mind some mildly disturbing scenes (anger and obsession - nothing physical). I would not recommend this to young teenagers. I am shocked that this book is shelved so often as Young Adult. The characters may be young (they are in college) but the themes and situations here are not appropriate for many teens. This book includes lots of underage drinking, use of fake ID's, underground fight clubs, gambling, unprotected sex and other mature themes. Mature older teens who can tell the difference between reality and fiction may enjoy this but the themes here are not appropriate for many.
Abby is trying to outrun her past. She has moved with her friend America to the college campus. She is determined to have a fresh start. When she meets Travis, things change. He is everything all the girls want. She finds him cocky, and rude and the farthest thing from from she needs or wants. But he takes an interest in her and she does her best to stay away from him. When the water heater in their building goes out they go and stay with Shepley and Travis. Abby becomes friends, but wants nothing more. Somewhere along the way feelings begin to develop. Abby become attracted to him, but doesn't want to admit it. Abby is seeing another guy, who I thought was a pretty good match for her. But her feelings for Travis are too strong..
Travis is an excellent student, fighter but is the bad boy we don't want our daughters to bring home. He has a bad temper, and doesn't control it very well. His feeling for Abby to me feel more like a co-dependence relationship than love. I understand he does love her, and doesn't know what to really do with it. He tries to change how he is. America, Abby's best friend tries to support her through all of this. Letting her relationship with Shep suffer at times. I think my two favorite character were Kara and Parker. Kara just say how things are, no holding back. And Parker is really sweet and cared for Abby and was genuinely worried for her.
Abby and Travis's relationship take us on an emotional roller coaster ride. It is not a perfect relationship by far, but one I don't completely understand. The was this is written it wasn't hard to get caught up with all of Travis's dying devotion to Abby, but at the same time I felt so frustrated that everyone just made excuses for his behavior, and how he treated Abby. These are two very broken people that together find happiness. This was an addictive read, but not the way I would like. I just really wanted to see what happens. I was drawn to the cover, and the summary peeked my interest, but this was'n't a book that I enjoyed even though I wanted to.
Travis is an excellent student, fighter but is the bad boy we don't want our daughters to bring home. He has a bad temper, and doesn't control it very well. His feeling for Abby to me feel more like a co-dependence relationship than love. I understand he does love her, and doesn't know what to really do with it. He tries to change how he is. America, Abby's best friend tries to support her through all of this. Letting her relationship with Shep suffer at times. I think my two favorite character were Kara and Parker. Kara just say how things are, no holding back. And Parker is really sweet and cared for Abby and was genuinely worried for her.
Abby and Travis's relationship take us on an emotional roller coaster ride. It is not a perfect relationship by far, but one I don't completely understand. The was this is written it wasn't hard to get caught up with all of Travis's dying devotion to Abby, but at the same time I felt so frustrated that everyone just made excuses for his behavior, and how he treated Abby. These are two very broken people that together find happiness. This was an addictive read, but not the way I would like. I just really wanted to see what happens. I was drawn to the cover, and the summary peeked my interest, but this was'n't a book that I enjoyed even though I wanted to.