A Review for Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Posted by Donna
Published Date: May 26th, 2011
Finished Date: February 13th, 2012
Source: Bought - 2012 TBR Reading Challenge
Format: Kindle
Pages: 454 
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The Blurb from Goodreads: 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.

The Review: “I know you deserve better than me. You think I don’t know that? But if there was any woman made for me…it’s you. I’ll do whatever I have to do, Pidge. Do you hear me? I’ll do anything.”

Wow! When I picked up this book yesterday morning, I only meant to read a chapter or two, but 8 hours later I had completely devoured it and let me tell you – Beautiful Disaster is such an addictive read that I couldn't help  love  it.

When Abby Abernathy starts Eastern University she is trying to put her past behind her, so meeting Travis Maddox; the ultimate bad boy - who fights for fun, drinks, smokes and has the worst reputation, she’s kind of thrown because he definitely wasn’t in her plans. When Travis notices Abby, she’s quick to prove that she won’t be used like any of his other girls. Instead she suggests they become friend and quickly Travis finds a way for Abby to be in his life for longer than they originally planned. What Abby doesn’t realise is that, she’s about to find her match in Travis but how can she be with someone who reminds her of all the things she’s trying to leave behind?

Firstly, I NEED A TRAVIS! And secondly, this book is so frigging awesome. From the first page I was sucked into a compelling and heart-pounding story and I wasn’t released until the very last page and I have to say, I was so disappointed when I finished. Jamie Maguire knows how to write an amazing contemporary romance novel and has really ticked all the right boxes for me. Epic win!

Now, you know I've got to talk about the characters and honestly, they really could compete with Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry characters, if anything I like them more. 

Abby is a sweet, innocent girl but one that stands up for herself and she really cares what people think about her. When she meets Travis, she knows being friends with him can only be just that and it does take her a while to realise her feelings for him and at that point, she's just too stubborn to admit it. She wants to do the right thing and be with the right guy and honestly she doesn't think Travis can be that for her. But as much as I like Abby, she is a frustrating character. Her stubbornness really gets in her way and clouds her mind. There are so many times that I really wanted to grab her and shake her, but she does redeem herself.

Now Travis he's the ultimate bad boy. Not only does he fight for money, he drinks far too much and he uses girls for sex. He's very rash, stubborn and unpredictable but he's also very loveable and such a sweet guy. Meeting Abby really turns his life around. He changes for her and he becomes the best friend anyone could ever be but once his true feelings start showing, he can't control them and soon the sparks start flying. I really wanted to hate him in parts because he does so many jaw-dropping stupid things, but deep down I couldn't. One thing about him which I had to question was, his temper - he gets so angry sometimes and his feelings for Abby really makes him crazy but again like Abby, he redeems himself. And the fact that he has so many swoon-worthy quotes that seriously makes you melt - you can't help fall for him......like this;

“You know why I want you? I didn’t know I was lost until you found me. I didn’t know what alone was until the first night I spent without you in my bed. You’re the one thing I’ve got right. You’re what I’ve been waiting for, Pigeon.” - Travis

“I know we're f***ed up, all right? I'm impulsive, and hot-tempered, and you get under my skin like no one else. You act like you hate me one minute, and then you need me the next. I never get anything right, and I don't deserve you... but I f***ing love you, Abby. I love you more than I've loved anyone or anything, ever. When you're around, I don't need booze, or money, or the fighting, or the one-night stands... all I need is you. You're all I think about. You're all I dream about. You're all I want.”  - Travis

“I feel like any second you're going to figure out what a piece of s**t I am and leave me.” - Travis 

“You can’t tell me what to do anymore, Travis! I don’t belong to you!”

In the second it took him to turn and face me, his expression had contorted into anger. He stomped toward me, planting his hands on the bed and leaning into my face.

“WELL I BELONG TO YOU!” The veins in his neck bulged as he shouted, and I met his glare, refusing to even flinch. He looked at my lips, panting. “I belong to you.” - Travis & Abby

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And yes Travis Maddox is top on my book boyfriend list. How could he not be?  ;) And the epilogue is just P.E.R.F.E.C.T! 

All in all, Beautiful Disaster is a beautiful and touching story about two people that are so wrong for each other, but deep down, they are so right for each other. An absolute amazing read and one I highly recommend.