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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Get your copy: 

 

REVIEW: Charade & COVER REVEAL: Facade by Nyrae Dawn

Title: Charade
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Series: Games #1
Pages: 245
Publisher: Self-Published
Date Published: October 22, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Bought

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.

I am a huge Nyrae Dawn fan!  I loved her What a Boy Wants series, so I was extremely excited to read Charade.  It definitely didn't disappoint!  I love how well Nyrae does male POV.  She nails it every time.

Charade begins with Cheyenne walking in and finding her boyfriend, Gregory, in bed with another woman.  She already has abandonment issues because of her mother, so she takes this even harder.  She decides that what she needs is a fake boyfriend to make Gregory jealous.  When she sees him get into an argument with Colt she decides he's the perfect guy for her charade.

Colt walks around like he doesn't have a care in the world.  He's sarcastic and angry, and he can be a real ass.  But he's also lonely.  In reality, everything is falling apart.  His mother is terminally ill, and when she's gone, he'll be alone.  The last thing he needs is to play games with a pampered princess, but when she offers him money he can't refuse.  He needs it to pay for his moms pain medicine.

I love how both Cheyenne and Colt find each other frustrating and aggravating.  They fight each other and how they feel until they can't hide it anymore.  The relationship between them starts slow and grows...not rushed, love at first sight.  I like this!  It makes it more real.  Charade is a sweet romance, but it's also a heartbreaking story.  Both Cheyenne and Colt have had their share of past hurts, and they lean on each other when things get even tougher.  Charade will make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and the romance will make you swoon.  It's an altogether great read, and I can't wait to get my hands on Facade. 

“This isn’t a fucking game anymore. No charades here. I don’t know exactly what to call it, but whatever it is, it’s ours. I’m going to latch onto it. And never let go.”

 

Facade is Book #2 in the Games series. Facade is about Colt's friend Adrian, and is sure to be just as amazing as Charade. Check out the amazing COVER REVEAL below!

**FACADE COVER REVEAL**

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Title: Facade
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Series: Games #2
Projected Release: March 2013
Goodreads

Website

No one knows who twenty-one year-old Adrian Westfall is behind his façade. After what he’s done, he deserves to live alone with his pain, even if he’d do anything to forget. Anything for a moment of quiet without his past haunting him.

Eighteen year-old Delaney Cross wants nothing more than to absolve her family from her father’s sins. To keep her suicidal mom off that ledge, and help her brother Maddox get the light back in his eyes. She thinks their road to freedom is through Adrian.

Adrian and Delaney are bound together by tragedy… Only Adrian doesn’t know it.

As their lives intertwine, they find a solace in each other they never knew existed. Laney knows she needs to tell him—to come out from behind her smoke screen, but to say the words could mean losing him.

Two people. Two disguises. True love.

Will it be enough to save them when all secrets are bared?

FACADE is a New Adult book and intended for mature readers.

REVIEW: Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Title: Point of Retreat
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#2)
Pages:  320
Publisher:  Atria Books
Date Published:  August 10, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Bought
Add it to Goodreads
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

In the second book in the Slammed series by New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, Layken and Will's relationship has endured through hardships, heartache, and a cruel twist of fate, further solidifying the fact that they belong together. But the two lovers could not have expected that the things that brought them together may ultimately be the things that tear them apart. Their connection is on the brink of being destroyed forever and it will take an extraordinary amount of willpower to keep their love afloat.

Layken is left questioning the very foundation on which her relationship with Will was built. Will is left questioning how he can prove his love for a girl who can't seem to stop "carving pumpkins." Upon finding the answers that may bring peace back into their relationship, the couple comes across an even greater challenge—one that could change not only their lives but the lives of everyone who depend on them.

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Fave Quote:

“I brush her hair out of her eyes and run my finger along the edge of her face. "I love you, Lake."
"Say it again," she says.
I kiss her forehead and repeat what I said. "I love you, Lake."
"One more time."
"I." I kiss her lips. "And love." I kiss them again. "And you."
"I love you, too.” 
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Click HERE to read my review of Slammed and an interview with Colleen Hoover!

Once again I'm tasked with writing a review for a book that left me speechless.  I feel like nothing I have to say could possibly do justice to this amazing book.  Just like Slammed, Point of Retreat snagged me from the first page, and it never let me go.  While Slammed is told from Lake's point of view, with Point of Retreat we get to see into Will's soul. Hearing the story from his point of view was great.  I butterflying loved it!!  For those of you who will read the next line and STOP READING like I ask, all I can say is go now and read Slammed!  You will not regret it!  Then, come back and read this review if you want.  But, if you're like me you'll know you MUST read Point of Retreat no matter what!

**If you have NOT read Slammed PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! While there are no spoilers for Point of Retreat below there will be spoilers for Slammed!**

  
Point of Retreat starts off right where Slammed leaves us.  Will has custody of Caulder and Lake has custody of Kel.  Both Will and Lake are in college.  Of course, Eddie and Gavin are still their best friends, and they are great supporting characters once again!  Will and Lake have settled into a sort of routine, and things are working for them.  Things are good.  But, when Will starts class his last semester he's surprised to see his ex-girlfriend, Vaughn, in his class.  When she starts to question his relationship with Lake things spiral out of control.  Lake begins to wonder if maybe the only reason they're together is because they're both raising their brothers.  Maybe they're together for the wrong reasons. 

I'm not sure what else I can say about this book that I haven't already said!  I totally adore each and every character in this book.  Will is amazing.  I love how romantic he is.  I love the poetry he writes.  I love how dedicated he is to the people he cares for.  He's raising his little brother, which means he's had to work extra hard and give up his own youth.  Not very many guys would be able to pull off the accomplishments he has.  Lake is much more mature in Point of Retreat.  She didn't have much choice but to grow up.  Even though she was given the opportunity to have the college life most kids her age would want she chose to grow up fast and take on the parent role with her brother.  Eddie and Gavin have a lot going on with them in this book, and I love both of their characters.  The devotion to each other is so romantic, and I love how they stick by Will and Lake.  Kel and Caulder are just as hilarious in Point of Retreat...maybe more so!  They love to get under their teacher's skin.  They have a new friend, Kiersten, and she is my favorite character!  I love her quirky little mind!!  Point of Retreat doesn't have as much poetry in it, but the poetry is does have is amazing and extremely emotional.  The slams again play a big part in the lives of the characters.  Colleen Hoover has wormed her way into my heart, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her!  If this series is anything to judge by we'll be seeing a lot of amazing things! 

5 Stars * * * * *

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Be sure to enter the giveaway for an autographed copy of Slammed AND Point of Retreat!!  Since it took me a little longer than planned to get this review up I've extended the giveaway for another week.

*Open Internationally!*

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REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Title:  Slammed
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#1)
Pages:  314
Publisher:  Atria Books
Format: eBook
Source:  Bought
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and her younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.

One young man brings change to all of this. After moving across the country, Layken meets her attractive twenty-one-year-old neighbor, who has an intriguing passion for slams. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart.

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Fave Quote:

"God, Layken.  How do you do it?" she says.  She blows her nose and grabs another tissue out of the box.  "How do I do what?"  I sniff as I continue to wipe the tears from my eyes.  "How do you not fall in love with him?"  The tears begin flowing just as quickly as they had ceased.  I grab yet another tissue.  "I don't not fall in love with him.  I don't not fall in love with him a lot!"

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This book and the sequel, Point of Retreat, are officially my favorite books of the year!  I made the mistake of starting Slammed late one evening.  Before I knew it, it was 4:00 a.m. and I was finished!  I was absolutely hooked from the very first page, and after a few hours of sleep I immediately started Point of Retreat.  I literally consumed both books in under 24 hours!

Slammed begins with Layken (Lake) and her mother and brother moving from Texas to Ypsilanti, Michigan.  It's been six months since her father died, and her mother decides that it's time for a change.  Layken is less than thrilled with the idea, but when she meets her neighbor, Will, she begins to think that maybe things are starting to look up.  After going on an amazing date Will is all she can think about.  But it's not long until they learn that being together will be impossible.  Unfortunately for them both staying away from each other is also impossible, and the heart wants what the heart wants. 

Colleen Hoover's writing is absolutely amazing!  There are so many twists and turns in Slammed, and I don't want to give away anything!  The emotions are just rolling through the pages.  One minute I would be laughing out loud, and on the very next page I would be crying.  Then, just when you think you have it all figured out...you don't.  A lot of times the instant attraction romances feel too forced and too rushed, but with Lake and Will everything feels real.  The connection between them is tangible, but the circumstances keeping them apart isn't something that they can just ignore.  The chemistry between them is magnetic. You can almost feel the pull towards each other.  It's like they're on opposite ends of a rubber band.  The harder they try to stay away from each other the stronger the pull is.  But, Slammed is about more than just a forbidden romance.  There are many family issues going on with both Will and Lake.  They have both been through so much heartbreak, and they can't help but lean on each other.  I also love the poetry in this book!  I've never been much of a fan of poetry, but the slams blew me away.  It has to be so amazing to get up on stage like that and let your emotions completely take over.  I loved that it played such a huge part in who Will and Lake are, and it goes a long way towards healing some of the scars.  I also have to say this woman can write some dialog!  Jokes, arguments, drama, steamy make out scenes...the dialog is all wonderful!  The supporting characters are also great.  Eddie is Lake's best friend, and her character is so quirky and fun.  She's the kind of person I could see myself being friends with.  Lake and Will both have younger brothers, Kel and Caulder, and they become instant best friends.  These two kids manage to keep the laughs going all the time, even when nothing else seems to be going right.  Slammed is an amazing story with great characters.  Even though I had a total book hangover after reading it I can't wait to do it again.

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Interview & Giveaway!!

Colleen Hoover

Website/Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Do you have a favorite book, one that you go back to over and over?

Oh, goodness.  You know, I don't really read books more than once.  I'm the same way with movies.  Once I watch it, I don't want to see it again.  It just never gets better than the first time.  Especially if the surprise element is great. 

Did you always know that you wanted to write?

I've always loved writing.  I remember when I was four, my older sister came home with a story she wrote.  She read it to me (she was in second grade) and I was SO jealous that she could read and write.  I remember almost crying because I was so ready to go to school and learn how to write.  It's the earliest memory I have of actually developing a love for it. 

Who or what was your inspiration to write?

Like the previous question, I just always remember having that desire.

Do you have a favorite place to read?  To write?

We just recently moved into a new house and I have an office.  There's a huge, comfy chair that I usually curl up in with my diet pepsi and write.  I need complete silence when I write, so the music gets turned off. 

Bookmarks or dog ears?

Bookmarks

Dust jacket on or off?

Off.  I hate them.  That's the first thing to go when I purchase a book.

Paper books or ebooks?

Ebooks.  I love, love, love my kindle. 

What book would you like to see made into a movie?

Umm...does it count if I say SLAMMED? lol.  Because that would be awesome!

Favorite comfort food?

Chocolate.  Any kind as long as it doesn't have raspberry flavoring.  I hate raspberry.

What are your pet peeves?

In regards to writing, I hate sequels that re-introduce everything from the previous books.  I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it's why I didn't do it in Point of Retreat.  Not a whole lot gets on my nerves, though.  I'm really good at tuning things out, especially children.  ;)

What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  I love all of his books so much.  Where The Sidewalk Ends is one of my faves. 

What are you reading right now?

Right now, I'm reading final pass edits of SLAMMED and POINT OF RETREAT.  They are being submitted to Simon & Schuster and I'm stoked that I never, ever have to read them again.  I've read both of these books probably no less than 200 times each.  I can't wait until this switchover is finished so I can jump back into a few good books.  I've been getting a ton of recommendations on my blog, but I'm also scared to start reading again because I really need to write. 

How much time do you spend every day reading?  Writing?

Lately, zero.  I've been so busy with everything else that comes along with this, stuff I had no idea about.  When I wrote Slammed and Point of Retreat, I spent a good 12 hours a day writing.   I hope to get back into that mode, but it's so hard pulling myself away from the computer. 

Out of all the characters you have written so far, who was the hardest to write and who was easier? Do you have a favorite?

I think Will is my favorite, of course.  :)  I loved writing all of them, though.  I really enjoyed Kel, Caulder and Kiersten's characters and think they would make a great book someday in the future. 

If you could be a superhero what super power would you want to have?

Is time travel considered a super power?  lol.  I'd love to time travel. 

If you could take a week vacation with any book character, who would you chose and why?

Ahem.  Christian Grey, maybe?  Because he's a billionaire, so the vacation would be amazing.  And not to mention...fun. 

You recently announced some amazing news on your blog!  (Congrats by the way!!)  Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect from you in the near future?

Simon & Schuster bought the rights to both books, but we haven't really discussed future projects together yet.  I'm waiting until these two get pushed out first, then I'll see what they think of the two I'm working on now.  So as of right now, no dates or projects to announce.  I'm still working on Will's Story and hope to get that out someday.  I'm also working on a book titled Fall Together that I'm really excited about.  There are constantly so many ideas going around in my head that I sometimes have to force myself to stop thinking about it.  I like to focus on one book at a time. 

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Big Thanks to Colleen for doing this interview!!  She is also giving away a signed paperback copy of both Slammed AND Point of Retreat (which I will be posting my review for soon) so be sure to enter the giveaway below!!  I'm jealous...I need a signed copy too!

*Giveaway is open Internationally!!* 

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REVIEW: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Something is seriously off in the Watkins home. And Julie Seagle, college freshman, small-town Ohio transplant, and the newest resident of this Boston house, is determined to get to the bottom of it.

When Julie's off-campus housing falls through, her mother's old college roommate, Erin Watkins, invites her to move in. The parents, Erin and Roger, are welcoming, but emotionally distant and academically driven to eccentric extremes. The middle child, Matt, is an MIT tech geek with a sweet side ... and the social skills of a spool of USB cable. The youngest, Celeste, is a frighteningly bright but freakishly fastidious 13-year-old who hauls around a life-sized cardboard cutout of her oldest brother almost everywhere she goes.

And there's that oldest brother, Finn: funny, gorgeous, smart, sensitive, almost emotionally available. Geographically? Definitely unavailable. That's because Finn is traveling the world and surfacing only for random Facebook chats, e-mails, and status updates. Before long, through late-night exchanges of disembodied text, he begins to stir something tender and silly and maybe even a little bit sexy in Julie's suddenly lonesome soul.

To Julie, the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Not until she forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.

I just finished reading "Flat-Out Love", and I had to immediately sit down and do my review while my emotions are still fresh.  It's not every day that you come across a novel that so eloquently weaves a story of sadness, loss, love and even betrayal, all while making you crack up laughing.  It's a love story and so much more.  It takes "dysfunctional family" to a whole new level.  It's about falling in love and healing old wounds and learning to live in the real world after horrible devastation.  Reading this book was like riding a roller coaster.  You're riding up the tracks and you know there is a stomach clenching plummet up ahead and while you're scared to death your adrenaline is pumping and the drop to the bottom is both terrifying and exhilarating.  "Flat-Out Love" is unbelievably real and connects with you on so many emotional levels.  Jessica Park has created a world of multi-faceted characters that you can't help but love.  Julie is snarky and feisty and I want her as my best friend!  She doesn't mind telling anyone exactly what she thinks.  Celeste is quirky and odd yet extremely intelligent and lovable.  And I love Matt's t-shirts!  I loved absolutely everything about "Flat-Out Love"!

5 Stars * * * * *  

Black Dawn (Morganville Vampires, Book #12)

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine



**Black Dawn is Book #12 of the Morganville Vampires Series**

In Last Breath, the rain brought a new and dire threat to Morganville and its vampires... their ancient enemies, the draug. Now, the vampires are fighting a losing war, and it will fall to the residents of the Glass House: Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire, to take the fight to an enemy who threatens to destroy the town, forever.

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Black Dawn takes up exactly where Last Breath (Book #11) ended.  The vampires and humans have all retreated to Founder's Square and are hiding from the draug.  Amelie has been bitten by Mangus, the master draug, and is turning into a draug herself.  The vamps and humans are working together to try to figure out a way to save Morganville from a threat so deadly that even the vamps are afraid to go outside.  Of course, it falls to Claire, Eve, Shane and Michael to save the day.  

Considering the fact that I was pretty disappointed with Last Breath, I was relieved to enjoy Black Dawn so much.  As usual, I really enjoyed the relationship between the four friends.  When Shane is in trouble they all risk everything to save him.  There is a lot of tension between Eve and Michael, and it hurts Claire to see them so unhappy.  At one point Michael even tells Claire that he was wrong about not wanting her to move in with them way back when she first came to Morganville.  The friendship between the four of them is so strong.   

When I first began this series I loved how unique the concept was.   A whole town created by vampires where humans know what lurks in the dark, but they attempt to live together in harmony...well as much as possible.  These vampires aren't your fluffy, romantic version that so many books are all about.  These vamps are real, blood-thirsty and devious.  Humans don't leave the house after dark.  They're free to live as they please, but they're pretty much captives in the town.  I used to read these books and I would hold my breath not knowing who could be trusted and who couldn't.  I suppose it's because the series has gone on for so many books, but I've lost that thrill.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Black Dawn.  It was probably my favorite in the series.  But, when Oliver threatens Eve and/or Claire I know he's all talk.  When Amelie tells Claire she's going to turn her I know it's not really going to happen.  Even psycho Myrnin, who has lost it and attempted to kill Claire time and time again, has become soft.  Although I'm still enjoying it, I miss the thrill and excitement that was so rampant in this series.  I'm really excited to see where the series is headed now with the vamps telling them the rules are changing.  This could be good!  Maybe not so good for our four friends, but good for me!  I am anticipating lots of excitement for Bitter Blood (Book #13)!  Hopefully it won't disappoint!

***** 5 stars

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, 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 needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, 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’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

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I absolutely adored this book...and I'm a bit ashamed myself for it. 

If you've read other reviews you know just how controversial the story is.  Honestly, I agree with both sides!  Travis is the bad boy, and he's good at it.  He loves to fight and makes great money at it.  He's never had a girlfriend before but he's "bagged" (I cannot tell you how much I hate that word!) most of the girls at school.  Covered in tattoos and oozing testosterone most girls shamelessly throw themselves at him even though they know they'll only be a one night stand.  But not Abby!  Abby is running from a past and Travis is exactly what she wants to stay away from.  She tells him from the first time they meet that she will not be one of his bimbos.  They agree to be friends, but of course, they both fall head over heels.  Travis, the bad boy turned Romeo...yeah, not so much.  Yes, Travis loves Abby.  Yes, Abby loves Travis...even though she tries her damnedest to deny it to herself and everyone else.  If the fight to become a couple was the only fight between these two I'm sure we'd all sleep much better at night, but alas it can't be that easy.  No matter how hard he tries Travis can't keep from messing it up.  No matter how hard she tries Abby can't keep from messing it up.  Are you seeing the pattern here?  Travis is jealous, angry, obsessed, possessive, violent and volatile.  He's like a live volcano and he erupts at ever turn.  He is dangerous!  So why is it that I love him so much?!  And Abby...Abby, Abby, Abby...I spent most of the book wanting to smack her in the back of the head!  Her constant denial irritated me so bad!  Just admit you love him and it will all work out.  But I really don't know why I felt that way, because, for the most part, her feelings are justified.  That's just how much I love Travis I suppose.

So, in response to the reviews that comment on how disturbing and wrong the relationship is, I agree totally 100%!!  Travis is a dangerous man to get involved with.  He beats the hell out of anyone that looks at Abby wrong and he is obsessed with her to the point of being stalker-ish.  Bad, bad representation of what a romance "should" be. 

And to do a total 180...in response to the 5 star reviews that gush over how much they love the book:  Me too!!!!  I love how much Travis loves Abby!  I love how possessive and jealous he is!  I even love it when he beats the hell out of someone for looking at Abby wrong!  I love how he never gives up no matter how much Abby denies their future...even when you start to feel like he's stalking her!!  Is this bad...yeah, probably.  But I don't care!  I LOVED this book!!  It really was a Beautiful Disaster.

5 stars * * * * *

**Beautiful Disaster is labeled Young Adult, but it involves college aged people and is full of rough language, situations and quite a lot of sex scenes.  I would not recommend this book for young teens or anyone at an impressionable age.  I can see how this book might make someone  (particularly kids) think an abusive relationship isn't as bad as it appears.