REVIEW: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2)
Author: Jamie McGuire
Others in Series: Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1)
Pages: 433
Publisher: Atria Books
Date Published: April 2, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Received from Publisher for Honest Review

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

I was actually a bit worried when I saw that Jamie McGuire was planning to write Walking Disaster.  When I read Beautiful Disaster about a year ago, it completely blew me away.  I consider it my "gateway book" because after I finished it, I had so many emotions flying around that I just had to get them out.  I sat down and wrote my first real review (click here!).  I only posted it on Amazon at the time, but it wasn't long after that I started this blog, and I was sure to add it here too.  Although I've read MANY amazing books since then, Beautiful Disaster is still one of my all time favorites.  I like the way Beautiful Disaster ended, and I didn't really think there was a need to go further.  But, the opportunity for a glimpse into Travis's soul was just too much temptation.  I knew I had to read it, and I am so glad I did!  Travis was such a complex hero, and I had a serious love/hate relationship with him.  I loved his intensity, his passion for Abby, and his determination.  But, his anger and obsessiveness were pretty disturbing!  You'll probably want to read my review of Beautiful Disaster now, if you haven't already.  I think this review will make more sense if you do!  

For the record...I take back every negative thing I said about Travis in my Beautiful Disaster review.  Getting to hear his side of the story has totally changed my opinion of him.  Yes, he's still angry and obsessive.  Yes, he still beats the hell out of everyone that pisses him off.  But you get to see why he is the way he is.  You get to see what he's thinking  when he's totally screwing up.  And you get to see how he feels afterwards when he's totally pissed Abby off.  Watching him realize that he's in love with Abby is like an awakening.  It totally changes who he is.  What really broke my heart was his fear.  He's so afraid of losing her that you can actually feel his agony every time they fight.  And boy do they fight...a lot.  

I loved getting to see more of America and Shepley this time, too!  I already loved them both, but this time we get to see just how America feels about Travis.  The bonding between the two of them is something I never expected, and totally loved.  You would never have guessed in Beautiful Disaster that she actually cared about Travis like she does.  Her loyalties are with Abby, but  she cares about what Abby is doing to Travis, too.   And Shep...*swoon*...can he be any sweeter?!  The way he loves America just makes me smile.  We get to see more into his side of the story, and I loved seeing  the relationship that he has with Travis.  He really is the only thing keeping Travis from snapping so much of the time. 

Walking Disaster really is all about Travis and his demons.  This means we don't see nearly as much of Abby, and what we do see is mainly during the negative moments.  If you haven't read Beautiful Disaster, 1.)What are you waiting for?!  Go read now!  2.) Be sure to read Beautiful Disaster first, or Abby is going to come off as a real bitch.  Well...even more of a bitch.  She still makes me want to smack her in the back of the head.  Wake up girl!  We also get to see Travis lean on his family when he feels like everything is falling apart.  While we meet his father and brothers in Beautiful Disaster, we really get to know them in Walking Disaster.  I can't wait to see what's in store for the Mattox bothers in upcoming books!

All in all, I'm extremely happy that I decided to give Walking Disaster a chance.  It is the perfect companion to Beautiful Disaster.  Walking Disaster made me fall in love with Travis all over again, and this time, I'm all in.

Oh, and the epilogue...O.M.G.  Yes, there's an epilogue!  I won't say any more than that, but it alone was worth the read!!

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