Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: August 14, 2012 (US)
Pages: 432, Paperback
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Rating: 4 Teacups
The new 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 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.
[summary taken from Goodreads]
Jen's Review
BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
is a very, very, messed up book.
A very,
very--ADDICTING--messed up book.
I admit it, I
thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading this book, I could NOT put it down! The
entire time, I HAD to know how Abby and Travis's relationship was going to end.
I'm not sure what else compelled me to read until the end, but it's so freaking
addicting! I read this in 2 days y'all, and this is one fat book--nearly 450
pages!! However, there were so so many imperfections & flaws in this book
that I am going to rant about for a little bit.
(That was a warning.
In case you didn't get the memo, RANTING AHEAD.)
First off, I was
reading Katie's review (from Katie's Book Blog) and after reading her review, I
couldn't help but notice this as well. WHY. WHY does Travis call Abby PIDGEON?
Abby is a perfectly fine name. PIDGEON. Seriously? No. There wasn't even a reason
as to why he started calling her that. He started calling her "Pidge"
before he even got to know her. Whenever he called her that, it just seemed
like he was the upperhand; it made her sound like a weak and naïve girl (which
she kind of… is) that needed to be sheltered under someone else's protection.
Next, Abby &
Travis have an EXTREMELY unhealthy relationship! I would be freaking scared to
have a boyfriend who can beat the crap out of anyone. Their relationship = a
rollercoaster ride. They break up and make up and break up and make up--it's
like, JUST STAY TOGETHER. Also, he is so DEPENDENT on her. Like, so badly. As
well possessive! This is going to sound super cheesy but, I learned in health
class that controlling your partner in a relationship is NOT SAFE. Yep, sounds
like Travis.
The last bit of the
rant: Travis and Abby are kind of selfish, if you think about it. Either that,
or America and Shepley are too nice. A & T'S relationship literally
crumbled A & S's relationship in every chapter. I LOVED America and
Shepley-- they helped their friends through thick and thin. So why would they
let Travis and Abby ruin their relationship? And why couldn't Travis and Abby
realize it? Oh wait, they were too busy worrying about their own rollercoaster
relationship.
(This concludes the ranting.)
Whew, aside from those negative topics, let's move on to the
positive. As mentioned above, there was TOTALLY the addictiveness factor. And,
the SMEXY TIMES (term stolen from Gianna @ Books to Infinity). Mmm, yummy. To
add on to that, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER has caused me to fall in love with New Adult
novels. =)
Alrighty then, so my
overall thoughts: While BEAUTIFUL DISASTER had it's major problems here and
there, the engrossing story won me over and turned out to be quite a satisfying
read.
4 stars to Beautiful Disaster!
*Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an eARC to review*
Posts
This was seriously the MOST ADDICTIVE I've ever read to date! (Not the best...but definitely the most addictive!) I never really thought about why T called A "pigeon" - and I guess it does make Travis sound like he has the upperhand, however Abby never seemed weak nor naive to me. I always felt she like she knew what she was doing...and I guess in a way, i felt she had the upperhand in the relationship :S Anywayyy awesomeee review Jen! I'm glad you still enjoyed it despite some issues!
ReplyDeleteBriliant review there Jen! Glad you liked it because I'm definitely picking this one up ;) The synopsis is ABSOLUTELY intiguing especially the bet part and just the thought of somebody like her - judging her by nothing, I know! but these tiny stuff about her made me sort of imagine her in a way - living with him in his apartment, how cool! Plus, I believe in stuff like falling in love with someone who treats you differently than anybody, esp refusing this somebody's charm or whatever so I can't wait to read it myself :D
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for sharing <3
xoxo, Mariam @Book-A-Holic
I haven't heard of this before but I love the sound of that synopsis! I'm such a sucker for the good girl/bad boy storyline!
ReplyDeleteThe flaws you found do sound rather annoying, though - like Travis' over-possessiveness and his seemingly very random nickname for Abby...
But I do think I'll read this...just to get a taste of those "SMEXY TIMES" ;)
Brilliant review, Jen! :) x
Yaaaay! It is so, totally addicting, isn't it? :D Even while it is completely messed up. I wondered why Travis called her Pidgeon, but after a while I stopped questioning and just accepted. ;) He is very dependent on her, I agree. And yes, I love America and Shepley too. Fabtastic review, Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteThe drama was too cluttered for me, so this wasn't my sort of book in the end, but I'm glad you enjoyed it Beverley! I'll admit, some of those smexy times were pretty entertaining. ;) Brilliant review!
ReplyDeleteThis book infuriated me! It was just so all over the place, and I agree, VERY, VERY messed up. And just plain wrong. I didn't get the whole 'pidgeon' thing, but I didn't really get most of the things that happened in the book...so, lol. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDelete*sigh* I just can't seem to make up my mind about this book! Good reviews, bad reviews, reviews all over the place, I don't know what to think. I think this kind of messed up, abusive relationship would bother me, but it could easily pull me in and make me appreciate parts of it!
ReplyDeleteI must think about it some more.
Awesome review, Jen!
I love all the varied reactions this book is getting, it makes book blogging so interesting! I've yet to meet Travis and Abby, but I really need to do so, I'm curious to see what I'll think of them. I love books that are addicting, the ones that keep me up way too late because I can not possibly go to sleep without knowing what happens:) Fantastic review Jen!
ReplyDeleteMan... I just don't know why a book like this receives so much hype. It sounds like a PG-13 version of 50 Shades. Still, there seems to be a reason why it is so addicting. Maybe I will give it a try, it just seems a little disturbing.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review, BTW. Your description of Abby and Travis' relationship was the info needed for me to decide to put this on my to-read list.
Angie @YA Novelties
This.Book.Was.Awesome!!!!!!!! Like truly messed up awesome! I could not ever put it down and when I had to (because... work didn't le me continue to read....) Abby and Travis were I could think about!!
ReplyDeleteI agree their relationship was not healthy at some points, but I truly believe that once they got through all this mess both finally have piece and can life in piece!!
P.S.: I adore your rating, so so cute! Love the cups!
Ammaaazing review, Jen! :) I have been wondering whether to read this or not, and I think you've persuaded me. Relationships kind of annoy me when they break up and make up about a zillion times, but their relationship still sounds... interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd Pidgeon???!!! What??!!! o_O
This does sound quite good though, especially since it involves 'smexy times' haha ;) Thanks for sharing! xx
I can totally agree with all your points, Jen! This book even with so many flaws was actually quite addicting. And yes, I don't understand why it was Pidge? He could have thought of a cuter nickname. LOL! Great review, Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this one, but you're right - it was so addicting! I definitely agree that that is a great writing quality to have, so I was pleased that it wasn't a tough book to finish. It just wasn't for me though, but I'm really glad you liked it! Wonderful review!(:
ReplyDelete~Keertana
Ivy Book Bindings
Yeah, you seemed to enjoy this one way more than I did. He sort of explains the pigeon thing in a roundabout way 3/4 of the way in. Something about a white bird = dove = special? I don't really remember. But I'm pretty that was his weird way of explaining his terrible nickname.
ReplyDeleteHaha! It fascinates me to see these reviews for Beautiful Disaster... almost full of ranting, then close by saying it's SO damn addictive and you couldn't put it down. It's so interesting when a book can get you so worked up, yet... totally captivate you from beginning to end. Seriously, I need to read this just so I can understand the addictive quality! I'm a little nervous, I have no idea if I'm going to love it or hate it haha. Love your review!
ReplyDeleteLol Jen! This is a fun review. This was one HOT MESS but I loved it anyways. Like you said, sooo addicting and smexy times! Wonderful review. :)
ReplyDeleteThe unhealthy relationship is a total turn off for me, but I still read every review I come across to see what other people think. I won't pick it up, but I'm glad you liked it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThis was so addicting! I finished it in one sitting. But goodness it was one hot mess. You hit the points spot on Jen!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started this one. I requested it on the basis that someone said it was a "50 Shades of Grey" for YA which made me wonder how that was going to work and so on. I don't think I'll enjoy the unhealthy relationship thing, but addicting books for others always interest me. I like seeing ranty reviews. Great post, Jen!
ReplyDeleteI was actually just watching Lady and the Tramp, and Tramp calls Lady, "Pigeon." Maybe it's a reference to that since Trevor's the "tramp" in the relationship.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet, but I'm thankful for your review. Beautiful Disaster has been "kind of" on my to-read list for ages. I worry I'll either love it or hate it and if I hate it I'll feel frustrated for wasting my time. Your review makes it sound like exactly what I predicted: a melodramatic and imperfect but nevertheless addictive book. We'll see if that's exactly what I feel like reading one of these days!
ReplyDelete