Monday, October 1, 2012

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Pages: 432pgs

The Story

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, 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 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 Review

A big thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending a review copy of this book!

I didn't know what to expect from this book, other than practically everyone in the book reviewer blogger world was raving about it and saying it's the next big thing after the highly successful and bestseller adult series, Fifty Shades of Grey. Having not read Fifty Shades of Grey and then finding out - for this series - there might be a possible film in the works, I was still willing to go into this story without too many expectations and just see how everything played out. In the end though, after finally finishing the book in a couple of days, it was actually not too bad and it was definitely better than what I've read in the past of the 'edgy' book genre.

Pretty much what you've read from the storyline's blurb is pretty much all you will get from BEAUTIFUL DISASTER - fun, interesting and really . . . well, interesting. With the center story revolving around a very, very new and complicated relationship between two very, very complicated main characters, it's easy to say there's a cliche storyline that's written. After all, you have your good girl and then you have your bad boy, and basically this whole storyline is about these two older teens trying to make it through college life the best way they can as well as leaving behind some bad pasts and avoiding all sorts of complications in their wake. But while that's all well and good, the relationship shared between Abby and Travis is much more than it appears to be - for better and for worse.

Our main heroine, Abby, was someone I constantly felt conflicted with. The love and hate relationship is what I had, you know? At certain times, particularly around the first half of the book, she resembled your typical college student I could easily identify with, someone beginning her new life with her new friends with a great attitude towards life of the unknown as well, but then there were those other times too, where her character failed to impress me with her out-of-the-blue decisions and giving into temptation during her weakest moments which made me a bit saddened. Though, when it came down to it, I guess that's why I couldn't stop reading this book because there was something about Abby that I really liked as much as I hated myself for liking it about her. Argh. She's a really, really complicated one to describe to other readers. Really complicated in fact. I may not have understood her actions but overall I thought she was someone who made you keep reading the book and that's the whole point of a main character, right?

The next character . . . well boy oh boy, oh boy there's the love interest Travis! For someone so bad and so troubled as Travis, I have to say he was the main character I was most intrigued with and was dying to meet when I started this book. With many reviews talking about his character and how phenomenal he was in depth, I was pretty excited to meet him and when I did meet this boy . . . he's pretty much my worst nightmare off all fictional boys truth be told. Nope I'm not kidding here. He totally was! Both a motorbike-riding and a tattoo-wearing boy, someone who is always having sex with countless of women (way a go Travis for being disgraceful), fighting in bloody fight rings (again way a go for a good life) and being the dirty little secret girls want to keep hidden to themselves (again another way a go Trav), Travis was definitely someone you loved but mostly hated for being so . . . well . . . um . . . him. Though on another side of things, I can totally understand Travis's appeal to younger women such as myself and even older ones at that. I guess we liked how protective he was of Abby, even in some very awkward situations (he was fine in that aspect by the way) but for me personally . . . there was just one problem for his character. The overall relationship issue between him and Abby.

I mean c'mon you guys let's face it . . . the relationship shared between him and Abby is not healthy at all - I repeat not at all - and as much as I enjoyed this book in its entertaining book form, but the main reason why I didn't give this book an extra star was because of how the Travis and Abby relationship was presented. I know in experience how relationships can never be perfect and be all sunshine and rainbows, and I also know there are always going to be some complications involved in every relationship a person has with someone, but the thing is . . . I don't like promoting unhealthy relationships in books let alone a girl being in an actual relationship with a possessive, jealous, fist-beater boyfriend . . . I just don't like it. It doesn't matter whether he's a hottie rebel, a good-looking guy, a real charmer or even a boy who seems to watch over your every step and trying to do what's 'best for you' . . . it's just not what girls should aspire to have . . . it's wrong. Travis, as a character, has a big heart for a rough-around-the-edges guy and I get that, but with him acting with his fist rather than his head just because someone looks at his girlfriend in the 'wrong way', it doesn't excuse the fact on how violent and possessive and controlling he is . . . I couldn't stand being in a relationship with someone like Travis.

In saying that, I had no real problems with the storyline, especially in the first half of the book. It was rough in some places (I admit that) but it was still an addictive read. Only . . . once I hit the middle mark of the book and I continued reading it until the very end, unfortunately that's when things began to fall apart. Some points fell out of place for me and some things happened for no reason. But despite all of the crazy things that happened in relationships and other book events, this book was something I just wanted to keep on reading and that's the point of a book. The real point. Abby and Travis may not have been awesome characters but the supporting cast alongside them will definitely get you through til the end!

Overall, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER was in fact a beautiful disaster. Messy, edgy, dysfunctional and hella complicated in all the right places, but I know this book will definitely be a hit for readers looking for something completely different in the much older YA market and I'm looking forward to seeing Jamie McGuire's next book which is a version of this book, only it's going to be written in Travis's point-of-view, which should be interesting to say the least!

The Rating

3 1/2 / 5 stars

20 comments:

  1. I've heard a lot of different things regarding this book, but I think I will be giving it a try since I've seen enough positive to make it seem worthwhile. Thanks for the review!

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    1. There's a lot of different opinions on this book but it's something you have to read to find out for yourself. It's definitely worth the read. :)

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  2. Great review - I know what you mean by not wanting a boyfriend like Travis but at the same time I thought he was hot.. He never beat her - just everyone else. So at least he had his priorities sorta set right in some ways. he was possesive, but I think deep down she had him in control. but overall - I really enjoyed this story. As dynsfunctional as it may have all seemed when it come down to it , I just figured its another one of those stories You know lol. Its all make believe but deep dwon we know there are men out there whom are like it.. but I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it.. IT ws so much better than FSOG ... *FIFTY**

    kat

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    1. Thanks Katrina! Haha yes . . . he just beat everyone else which made me a bit . . . frustrated at him. I haven't read FSOG nor will I anytime soon but glad to hear it's better than that book. :)

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  3. I totally understand what youre saying about Travis and also the relation bet him and Abby. I loved the fictional Travis but I guess If I think about it, in real life I dont know if ill like him to be my bf or something. Loved your review Erin glad that you still enjoyed it!

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    1. Thanks Lalaine! For entertainment purposes Travis was a great character to read about but yeah . . . in real life he would be someone I would stay away from. haha.

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  4. Great review, Erin. I've been wondering about this because I've heard so many different opinions. Maybe I will give it a go soon!

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    1. Thank you. Definitely give this one a go. It really surprised me.

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  5. I read this last week and...eh. I loved that it was entertaining and addictive but I have so many promblems with this book, all which you mention. The relationship between Abby and Travis is very unhealthy. Travis is a lose cannon with a temper and the way he acted was just...ARGH. I didn't feel much toward Abby but in the end she just got annoying. Eh, watch out for my review, it's going to be hectic. I have SO many things I had problems with and I'm looking forward to sharing them. Ha, I might even get crazy and use a GIF. That's how I feel towards this book. Like I could let lose and just explain my feeling through GIF's. I don't mean that in a good way either...

    It doesn't matter whether he's a hottie rebel, a good-looking guy, a real charmer or even a boy who seems to watch over your every step and trying to do what's 'best for you' . . . it's just not what girls should aspire to have . . . it's wrong. YES. YES. YES. Exactly my thoughts!

    Great review, Erin! :)

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    1. Can't wait to read YOUR review then! I love GIF reviews (even for books people didn't like - so funny) so please do share those in your review haha. I do the exact same thing if I can't explain my feelings . . . addicted to GIF's!

      Anyway I'm glad you agree with me. Thanks Rebecca!

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  6. I've actually felt the opposite from the reviews I've been reading! I know that I have read some positive ones but the negative stick out more clearly in my mind, maybe because they had quotes to back it up or maybe just because I was really, really disturbed. The things about Travis and the relationship between him and Abby I've been reading honestly just make me feel uncomfortable... I don't know if I'm quite ready to read such an explosive, unhealthy relationship.

    That said, I'm glad you somewhat enjoyed this one! :) It definitely sounds INTERESTING and like a cool character study if nothing else, haha. Thanks for the review, Erin! <3

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    1. I felt rather uncomfortable too. Made Bella and Edward look like rolemodels haha.

      Thanks Sonia!

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  7. I REALLY think I'm going to feel similarly about the unhealthy relationship. To be honest, that's what's primarily been putting me off reading it. I mean, I've read a share of unhealthy relationships, but I see this commented on in every review and it just doesn't sound like something I will enjoy.

    Yet at the same time, EVERYONE touches on how addictive it is. Part of me wants to take this journey just to see for myself. To see what makes it so compelling. The kind of books you half hate, half love, are often the most fascinating. Agh. Damn you all making me SO damn curious!! Fantastic review, Erin!

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    1. I think most people thought the same as me . . . but there are many others who LOVED the relationship. It's really up to the reader in the end.

      Thanks Brodie!

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  8. "I don't like promoting unhealthy relationships in books let alone a girl being in an actual relationship with a possessive, jealous, fist-beater boyfriend . . . I just don't like it."

    Ooooh, Erin, I couldn't finish this book, but THIS. I mean... I don't get the vibe that there's a healthy outcome to all their drama, but they get a happily ever after, anyway? It doesn't sit right with me :S

    Glad you liked it, anyway! ♥

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    1. I understand why. I know a few people who couldn't finish this book . . . it's up to the reader really in whether to like it or not.

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  9. You know. I oddly adored this book. There's no way you can ignore the unhealthiness of Abby and Travis's relationship but there was something about this book that I just loved. I think it was the chemistry and intinesity, however unnerving at times that drew me in.

    Wonderful review though, honest and through <3

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    1. Oddly I liked the book too. Best thing it's all fictional . . . so it's all for entertainment purposes really. And I was entertained. :)

      Thanks Rachel!

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    2. Oh yes. I think the fact that it's fictional was the only reason i enjoyed it. If it had been anything within my own life I certainly would have seen it another way.

      You're welcome :)

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  10. I loved this book! And I mean I loved loved loved it. :) lol. The relationship is unhealthy but I think I loved it even more because of that. Cause I had a personal connection to it. :)

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