Description Provided by Goodreads: INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.
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.
This book wasn't one of those books that I had lying on my shelf waiting to be read or anything of the sort. I had no idea this book even existed until a couple of weeks ago. I just so happened to stubble upon it while I was looking for a quote for my quote column. I was reading the quotes and I accidentally read a quote from this book and automatically two things happened: 1) I knew that this quote wasn't from the book I was searching and that it was from another book and 2) I was hooked by this book and wanted to read it. Thankfully this book didn't disappoint and I've got to say that it is now one of my favorite books.
Story Line: When I first read the synopsis of this book I figured that it would be a typical good girl falls for bad boy and after difficulties they finally admit they're in love with each other and live happily every after. However, I have to say that I am gladly mistaken. This story line, while still the classic bad boy and good girl story, has a modern twist to it and some unexpected twists with the main character Abby that I never saw coming. I loved reading about the relationship between Abby and Travis and how it developed and the heartbreaking moments they have. This story line surprised me and had me waiting for the sequel.
Writing: (New Section!!) This is a new subsection that I was thinking of adding into my reviews but never found the right book to add it into; however, I think this book is the perfect review to finally unveil this new edition. Jamie McGuire's writing is absolutely fantastic in this book. With ever word, every sentence, and every page Ms. McGuire pulls you into the lives of her characters and brings you along with them as they struggle to make sense of their feelings and the world around them. Another thing that I adored about Ms. McGuire's writing is that it really makes her audience experience the feelings of the characters as they themselves felt them and it makes you feel as if you were part of the story.
Characters:
Abby: Abby's character takes on more complexities as we learn more about her past, which also gives us a more clear insight into why she makes the decision she does. I really liked her character because she's a strong girl that will stand up for herself and isn't afraid to back down from a situation or make hard decisions. Although I sometimes wished I could yell at her for certain decisions she makes, I still loved reading about how she fixed these mistakes and continued forward.
America/Shepley: America is Abby's best friend, who came with her from Kansas, and Shepley is Travis's cousin. It also happens that Shepley and America are dating which is how Abby and Travis actually meet. While they were not the main characters of this book I really enjoyed reading about them and seeing them through the eyes of Abby. If there was any one sentence that would describe both America and Shepley it would be: They are the kind of best friends you want to have. Both America and Shepley show great loyalty and care for their best friends, Abby and Travis, even though it might get in the way of their relationship.
Travis: Now the best for last, in my opinion, is Travis Maddox. Travis is a protective, gorgeous, outspoken, intelligent, sweet, if a little crazy, bad boy. I automatically knew I was going to love his character since he was first introduced and by the time the book ended I was completely head over heels for Trav!! While there are some decisions that Travis makes that I don't approve of, I think they make his character more human and amazing. Ms. McGuire doesn't try and make Travis this perfect hero that her audience will love; instead she gives him flaws and challenges that he overcomes. The way in which his character changes and grows throughout the story to overcome these challenges is what makes the audience fall in love with him.
Overall: I adored this book and I can't wait for a sequel or anything pertaining to Abby and Travis. I will forever rejoice over that day that I accidentally found out about Beautiful Disaster and I totally recommend reading this book.
Rating: I would give this book a 20!! But that would mess up my rating system so I'm going to give it a 10!!!!!
About the Author:
Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography. Her most recent novel, Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written bestselling contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster, and the Providence series. Jamie now lives in Enid, OK with her three children and husband Jeff, who is a real, live cowboy. They share their 30 acres with six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.
