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Beautiful Disaster

(Beautiful #1)

Jamie McGuire (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 614,878 ratings · 30,327 reviews

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, ...more

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Kindle Edition, 319 pages

Published May 26th 2011 by Jamie McGuire

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Nov 02, 2011 Sophia. rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: No. Fucking. One.

Shelves: give-me-a-gun-please, real-bad-relationship, what-happened-to-feminism, zero-stars-really, can-i-kill-the-hero, go-buy-some-dignity, sick-and-twisted, very-bad-messages, gave-up-on, ever-heard-of-self-respect

* Warning: If you're easily offended by cursing, and/or aggressivity, then don't FUCKING read this. *

I am literally losing it. This book contains one of the most disturbing scenes I have ever read in any book. EVER.
So here's one excerpt from the book.

Abby slept with Travis and left his apartment in the morning without saying goodbye. This is his reaction, a few hours later :

“Travis is a fucking wreck! He won’t talk to us, he’s trashed the apartment, threw the stereo across the room… Shep [roo ...more

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May 08, 2012 Lucy rated it did not like it

Shelves: chicklit, how-did-this-get-published, oh-the-hype, vomit-in-a-hat, anti-feminist, romance, adult, lost-interest-based-on-author, parents-are-evil, story-what-story

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. DELETED AND READDED BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD IT BURIED

Beautiful Disaster opens up at night in the basement of an empty academic building on a college campus where a fighting/betting ring known as The Circle is being run. This is where we meet Travis 'Mad Dog' Maddox, the male romantic lead. He, of course, wins his fight. The female lead, Abby, is attending the fight club for the first time that night. She ends up with blood on her cashmere sweater and a new name given to her by Travis, who doesn't ev ...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Kiki rated it did not like it

Shelves: lost-the-will-to-live, mayhem-and-misogyny, what-has-been-seen-cannot-be-unseen, wash-your-mouth-out-with-soap, ethically-questionable, lolwut, choking-noises

I read this book on an 8-hour flight from London to Toronto. This book and I spent 8 hours together, in coach seating, with nothing to do but surrender to the impossibility of escape. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, and this book caught me. It caught me like Slenderman in a dark forest.

I will proceed to chronicle my transition from literature enthusiast to broken shell of a woman below.

Beautiful Disaster: A hallmark of passive aggressive literature that is secretly at home in the ...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Shelly Crane rated it really liked it

I'm not sure what to write about this book. The reviews for the book were SOOO incredibly misleading. I thought Travis was going to hit her, or come close, the way everyone was going on about the 'abuse' in the book. I get it, it was intense. But having seen real abuse with my own eyes, in real life..I didnt understand what everyone else saw that made it be worse and stand apart from all other books.

This is a book about an alpha male. Just because it's not a paranormal book and instead, a contem ...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Kat Kennedy added it

Nope. Can't do it. It's just too horrible. I've reached my max saturation point of stupidity. ...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Emily May rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf, romance, contemporary, young-adult

(view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 11, 2015 Angela rated it did not like it

Shelves: 1-star-reads

I haven't been this pissed off reading a book since Bad Romeo. Beautiful Disaster was a cluster eff of a read managing to throw everything I hate in a book into one novel.

My first issue with this book are the characters. Our leading lady is Abby Abernathy. Then there's our leading man Travis Maddox. I can capture my feels for both of them at the same time. I HATE THEM!!! I CAN'T STAND THEM!!!! Actually that really undersells how I feel towards them but whatever. Abby is DUMB! there is no other w ...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Dd rated it liked it

Shake in your boots,boys,and drop your panties,ladies!

I give you : Travis 'Mad Dog' Maddox!

"He made his entrance,shirtless,relaxed and unaffected.The lean muscles stretched under his tattooed skin."

Okay ladies,here we go.1,2,3 and....S.W.O.O.N!!

"He oozed sex and rebelliousness with his buzzed,brown hair and tattooed forearms."

Uh-oh boy!!Here go my ovaries!!

Ummm...QUESTION!!

Can I get pregnant from this?

Anyway....

Okay,now the storyline!!

Abby Abernathy has a secret.She has a past.A dark pas ...more

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Jul 02, 2011 Kristen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books, 5-star, fabulous-secondary-characters, obsessed-controlling-hero, all-time-favorite, long-and-drawn-out, drama-for-drama-sake, tattooed-pierced-hero, fabulous-characters, thought-provoking

5 stars with a caveat, and by far my most difficult review to write to date.

I’m honestly baffled by my response to this book because I not only enjoyed the story, but I also gave it high marks. In many ways this book is everything I hate in a Young Adult romance, but I still found myself enthralled, giddy, and starry eyed, regardless of how annoyed I became at time. In fact, I felt like I was at odds with myself during most of it. There was my latent teenage self, all starry eyed and idealistic, 5 stars with a caveat, and by far my most difficult review to write to date.

I’m honestly baffled by my response to this book because I not only enjoyed the story, but I also gave it high marks. In many ways this book is everything I hate in a Young Adult romance, but I still found myself enthralled, giddy, and starry eyed, regardless of how annoyed I became at time. In fact, I felt like I was at odds with myself during most of it. There was my latent teenage self, all starry eyed and idealistic, who loved everything about this book, warring with my more mature and realistic 40-year-old self who knows better. It became quite exasperating.

I found I liked all the characters in this book. Not once did I become annoyed with them- shocking for a Young Adult story. The characters were multi-dimensional and authentic. I was easily transported into their world of college drama (although, frankly, it felt more like High School).

Right from the start I fell head-over-heels in love with Travis. He's such a lovable jerk. He epitomizes the charismatic, lackadaisical, tattooed, sexier-than-all-get-out bad boy over whom most young girls swoon. He's volatile, tough, flirty, compulsive, charming, aggressive, shameless, intelligent, domineering, proud, and nonchalant. He also has a tenderhearted, kind and vulnerable side that makes it impossible not to love him. He really is the ultimate fantasy.

Our book begins with Abby, our level-headed and strong-willed heroine, attending an underground college fight club where Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox is the undefeated champion. Unimpressed with his slick and smooth talking manner, she brushes him off, wanting nothing to do with him. Only too familiar with his type, she knows he means trouble. Travis, intrigued because Abby is immune to his charms, all but stalks her, wanting to win her over. Eventually he succeeds. What begins as a genuine friendship slowly blooms into an all consuming, passionate, and frankly, obsessive and codependent relationship.

I really liked Abby's character. I was braced to dislike her as the story progressed, fearing she would become little more than a doormat because of the codependent and obsessive relationship she had with Travis. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how level-headed she remained throughout the book. She confronted all of his “red flag” behaviors in a mature and rational manner, even leaving him for a time.

The thing that makes this story both intriguing and appalling, is Travis' obsession with Abby. He is consumed by her. She becomes his everything. Exhilarating in theory; unhealthy in reality! His obsession, at times, becomes disturbing and worrisome. In the end Travis makes some behavioral changes, albeit more surface than substance, hoping to win Abby back. He succeeds, and Abby returns to the relationship. In doing so, some readers may believe in the misconception that one person can change another.

While a part of me knows better I still loved so much about this book. I am a girl, after all! Would I want my 17 year old daughter to read this? No. Very few teens have either the experience or maturity to distinguish between fantasy and reality.

But will I read this book again? Yes! (Oh dear, this makes me a hypocrite!)
...more

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Nov 20, 2015 Whitney Atkinson rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: the-worst, romance, read-in-2016

This book isn't beautiful, it's just a complete disaster. Travis is psychotic, abusive, and overprotective. I cannot believe shit like this gets published. ...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Rose rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, new-adult, glorified-violence, drama, tough-subjects, contemporary, realistic-fiction, mature, tbr-challenge, abusive-relationships

Jamie McGuire's "Beautiful Disaster" is the worst adult contemporary romance novel I've had the displeasure of reading.

I'm imagining I've raised a few eyebrows with beginning this review on that note. You might be thinking "Well, aren't you being a little melodramatic, Rose? It's just a book - it can't possibly be that bad, right?"

*exhales slowly* Let me state for the record I'm a person who likes reading many different kinds of romances because I'm an avid reader and genres know no bounds with ...more

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Nov 12, 2011 Brittany rated it did not like it

Shelves: dropped-book, disgusting, ya, m-f

Jamie McGuire. Putting the woman's movement back 200 years. D: It saddens me that someone from my own gender is writing such shallow and mindless dribble. I know the economy is bad, but damn have some pride!

If you were able to get through this book without throwing up I have to applaud you. I had to stop reading at page 225 because I was becoming physically ill. It wasn't the subject that sickened me, it was HOW the subject was being written. The characters and their reaction to Travis' obsessi ...more

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Jan 21, 2012 ~ Becs ~ rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: No one

Shelves: absolute-drivel, run-screaming-for-the-hills, young-adult, book-everyone-loved-but-me, worst-sex-scenes-ever

I read this because it tops so many lists here on Goodreads and I wanted to see what the hype is about but it sadly didn't even begin to live up to my expectations. I actually believe this may be the worst book I have ever read.

The characters are poorly developed, the writing style just appalling, I never really understood their motivations and the narrative never gave them time to react to situations. This felt like it had been written by a twelve year old to me.

This takes place over 2 semeste ...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Abbi Glines rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favs

I rarely review books unless the author is a friend of mine. However, I thought I'd say something about this one. I put off reading this because I'd read the reviews and the ones that complained about the editing issues worried me. I don't like reading a book for enjoyment and find myself mentally editing it the entire time. OMG, I am so glad I gave in and read it. It's insanely good. Yes, there are errors but honestly I was so wrapped up in the story I didn't care. It is really edgy and I would ...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Jude rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

*My Review on Walking Disaster. No Spoilers.

The book Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire has been all around the Blogosphere lately. It became available on Netgalley and many bloggers are currently reading it. This book has caused many controversy and has earned some really nasty reviews, still, the book has an average rating of 4.13. I recently stumbled upon a review that said very very no-so-nice things about Beautiful Disaster, and it also mentioned that everyone that rated this b ...more

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May 20, 2018 sunny rated it did not like it

Shelves: adult, literal-garbage, romance, sexsexsex, endless-pain, contemporary, cringe-romance, boring-af, sick-of-this-bitch, i-dont-get-the-hype

there is so much wrong with this book, i don't even know where to start, jesus christ.

this annoying little pest named Abigail moves from her """dark past""" to start fresh at a university far from her """dark past""" and be a goody little two shoes. her friend takes her to a secret (illegal?) fight where she gets sprayed by blood and catches the attention of the baddest bad boy on earth, Travis LILBITCH. then she challenges him and, betting against him and if she loses she must stay in his apart ...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Aestas Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

“I need to hear you say it. I need to know you’re mine.”
“I’ve been yours since the second we met.”

ooooo *sigh* what can I say about this book except that its reeeeally good, HIGHLY addictive and utterly captivating. You literally feel compelled to keep turning the pages. You just can't stop. No joke!

Abby and Travis meet in college. He's a tough, charming, insanely hot, tattooed badboy who also is a womanizing A student who fights in a ring at night and once he meets Abby, he's just captiva ...more

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Sep 27, 2013 karen added it

Shelves: free-from-work, for-that-bodice-ripper-group

I know we're fucked 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 fucking 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 think about. You're all I dream about. You're all I want.

o ...more

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Jan 07, 2017 Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell rated it did not like it

Shelves: new-adult, 2017-romance-reading-challenge, kissing-books

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This is not going to be one of those reviews that thoroughly breaks down the story and supports all of its main arguments with quotes. Too many people have done this already - and they've done a much better job than I could. BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is second only to FIFTY SHADES OF GREY and perhaps TWILIGHT in terms of books that have been lambasted and deconstructed to the point where most readers can easily tell you, without even glancing a ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Torie rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, books-i-own

WARNING: THIS BOOK IS LIKE CRACK

Because you feel like such shit for reading it, but you can't stop yourself from reading it anyway. There were more typos than I could count, the dialogue is just so cheesy it's cringe-worthy, the boy is such a Gary-Sue, BUT...oh my Lord I could NOT stop myself. I was so grossed out by myself for liking it, my boyfriend was grossed out by me liking it, but I couldn't pull myself away!

The Issues
The boy is a character OBVIOUSLY conjured by a woman and a HUGE Ga WARNING: THIS BOOK IS LIKE CRACK

Because you feel like such shit for reading it, but you can't stop yourself from reading it anyway. There were more typos than I could count, the dialogue is just so cheesy it's cringe-worthy, the boy is such a Gary-Sue, BUT...oh my Lord I could NOT stop myself. I was so grossed out by myself for liking it, my boyfriend was grossed out by me liking it, but I couldn't pull myself away!

The Issues
The boy is a character OBVIOUSLY conjured by a woman and a HUGE Gary Sue! He's a bad-boy that's superb at fighting, but he's still a genius that doesn't have to work towards school. How convenient! No one can beat him at a fight and no girl can pass him without shamelessly throwing herself at him. The only flaw he really seems to have is his inability to control his anger and his violent tendencies (which apparently make him all the more appealing), but other than that, he's pretty peachy keen. He has a sob story, which isn't really all that sad, but McGuire was trying to fault him somewhere--anywhere--and his lack of a mother seemed good enough. He says all the right things, that are so incredibly cheesy, and it makes me wince every time I read them.

The girl is a special little snowflake. I didn't really hate her, and I didn't quite love her, but since I was saddled with her, I chose to quietly accept her as a narrator. Her decisions were so stupid sometimes and so ridiculous, that it was unbelievable. Like, I wanted to hit her and say, "Really? Why are you such a wuss? Why are you so weak? Why do you keep running?" Her sob story wasn't really that sad either, but I guess EVERYONE has to have a sad backstory in this tale. Ugggh. I did not sympathize with her at all. It was such an absurd sob story that I like really could care less.

The cliches run so rampant throughout the book! The only girl who refuses the sexy bad boy is the one he wants the most. Why? I don't know! Nothing really stands out about her other than she wears short dresses and gets drunk a lot. I guess that's hot for boys. I'll take note! If a boy hits on you, try to repel him by being bitchy, ugly, and distant and he will LOVE YOU even if he denies everyone else!

The foil to the boy was horribly developed. He did not prove a strong antagonist because all Abby would describe him as is "rich, cute and charming," so we don't really learn much about him other than that. Like, what are we going to do with the fact that he's going to go to Harvard?? It's too obvious that he's supposed to be the polar opposite of Travis' "wrong side of the tracks" lifestyle (and supposedly the right choice for Abby), and therefore makes it too obvious who she's going to choose.

Why I loved it anyway

The narrator was annoying, but she wasn't THAT bad. Sometimes I enjoyed her quips, and I sure as hell enjoyed the smutty scenes (Mcguire, you sure can write some good smut!), but what I really loved were the supporting characters. Loved America! Though, to be completely honest, I've never heard of a blonde girl named America before. I love when girls actually have supportive girl friends rather than destructive ones. It's a refreshing change and I loved it. Shep was really minor and off to the side, so I can't really talk about him since he just pops in when it's convenient. I like the whole fighting idea and some of the plot turns were really fun to read. Travis may have been a Gary Sue, but aside from all the CHEESINESS he oozed, you get to like some of the stuff he says and does. But seriously, SO MUCH CHEESE. THE DIALOGUE MADE ME WANT TO CLAW MY EYES OUT. UGH.

Still, I enjoyed it and I absolutely hate myself for it. ...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Ceilidh rated it did not like it

Now that I have officially joined the Kindle army, I felt that it was an appropriate time to start checking out the burgeoning e-book and self-published market. Only a fool would underestimate the growing power and influence of the e-book market in relation to mainstream publishing and I’ve noticed several particular books coming up time and time again amongst both my GoodReads friends and the book blogging scene in general. This book is one of them.

I’d be lying if I said that I ever thought th ...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Christy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-audio

original review, June 2012:
I absolutely loved this book. I read it, then the next day immediately picked it up and read it again. I wasn't ready to let go. Abby worked my nerves at times, but I LOVED Travis Maddox!

re-read 2019
This made me feel so nostalgic. I'm not sure if I read it for the first time now I would love it as much as I do, but I still 5 star loved it <3 ...more

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Oct 07, 2012 xrysa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, favorites

I think this is my favorite book ! I'm still book hangovered .

Where should I begin?
Ummm , yeah ...

Travis
“I belong to my beloved, and my beloved is mine.”

I loved him , many people may consider him as immature but his will for love was unbelievable.
Travis is fighting illegally ,he is hot , he has tattoos and all the girls want to f*ck with him. ( I wonder why?*innocent eyes*)

Abby

She was just an innocent girl who fell for someone that reminded her , her past.She bet with Travis and this gave ...more

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Oct 21, 2018 • Lindsey Dahling • rated it did not like it

Shelves: its-a-no-from-me-dawg

Um, guys? Remember that time about 12 years ago when we were all reading Twilight in high school and were positively swoOoOoOning over how romantic Edward Cullen’s love for Bella Swan was? Remember how our hearts were aflutter as we read about him breaking into her room before they were even dating just so he could watch her sleep?

And remember that time we all graduated from high school and then slowly began to realize that...wait...Edward Cullen’s love may actually be categorized as an unhealth ...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Wendy Darling marked it as will-never-read

Shelves: young-adult, indie-author

And another one bites the dust.

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Oct 30, 2013 Jessica Edwards rated it it was amazing

Shelves: swoon, fighters, erotic-romance, favourites, paperbacks-i-own, i-want-you-now, panty-droppers, bad-boys, alpha-male

Travis Maddox...well if that name doesn't make you fangirl, I don't know what does.
Thanks to my mother who recommended me this book, otherwise I never would've picked this book up. I went into this book blind because I heard a lot of mixed reviews about it so I didn't know what to really expect when I read this book.
I really really liked it. That's pretty much all I can say. There was nothing I didn't like about it.
I like a hero that's possessive and gets jealous because ultimately it means t ...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Stacia (the 2010 club) rated it did not like it

Shelves: new-adult-college, contemporary-romance, drama-llama

*Update December 2011 - original rating dropped. I realized after much thought that the ending really bothered me. I wish (view spoiler)

Review revised to add a warning : You may cringe at the ridiculous amount of nickname usage in t ...more

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Jul 05, 2014 Phuong ✯ (hiatus) rated it did not like it

Shelves: alpha-jealous-possessive-hero

This author is just vile,nasty, and a racist among many other things.

Thank you Kennedy Ryan for calling JM out on her bullshit.

Here some more screenshots of things she said. Disclaimer: these screenshots are not mine. I just found them on various Twitter and Facebook pages and wanted to share them with you.

Because I've read that Goodreads sometimes deletes reviews that don't have anything to do with the book, I just want to say that I've read Beautiful Disaster in 2014 and gave it 5 stars BUT ...more

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Jun 03, 2018 KAS rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

4.5 Stars

Once again, I am late to the party, but W. H. O. A!!

I am trying my darnedest to come up with a word that would best describe what I just read, because honestly, this book has left me a bit speechless.

I’m guessing an apt word would be “intense.” Intense emotions, intense love, intense actions. An intense, toxic relationship!

Despite of all his flaws, which he revealed unashamedly, I fell head over heels for the hero, Travis, but the heroine, Abby, well ... she needed someone to knock ...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Ridley rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebook, naughty-stick, 2-star, read-2012, ya-romance

I can't really be bothered to write my usual style of review. I'm the last person on the planet to read it, so summarizing the plot just seems a waste of time. Instead, I'm going to skip straight to my criticism.

First off, if you don't like first person narration, this is not the book that will change your mind. It uses the device particularly poorly. Our narrator, the heroine, at times has too much insight into the minds of others and at other times has too little knowledge of her own mind. Non I can't really be bothered to write my usual style of review. I'm the last person on the planet to read it, so summarizing the plot just seems a waste of time. Instead, I'm going to skip straight to my criticism.

First off, if you don't like first person narration, this is not the book that will change your mind. It uses the device particularly poorly. Our narrator, the heroine, at times has too much insight into the minds of others and at other times has too little knowledge of her own mind. None of her personality comes through in the narration. She just describes what she and the people around her did, using a flat, emotionless sort of voice. It was like the story was written in third person then run through a find/replace to switch the pronouns. Abby thinks bizarre things like:

I looked down to my plate, letting the long strands of my caramel hair create a curtain between us.

and mangles grammar like:

Kara was reading ahead in her brand-new books, grimacing at America and I when we walked in.

Secondly, I think this early bit of characterization says it all about Travis:

He had tattoos on opposite sides of his chest, and black tribal art covering each of his bulging shoulders.

Since tribal tattoo = douchebag, the fact that he's a misogynist asshole didn't surprise me too much:

“I don’t promise anyone anything, Pidge. She didn’t stipulate a relationship before she spread eagle on my couch.”

I stared at the couch with revulsion. “She’s someone’s daughter, Travis. What if, down the line, someone treats your daughter like that?”

“My daughter better not drop her panties for some jackass she just met, let’s put it that way.”

Nice sex negative message there, don't you think? Abby the virgin is a good girl. All of Travis' past one night stands are referred to as "sluts," "bimbos," "whores" and "Barbie dolls." Abby joins right in with Travis on the slut shaming, making it plain that the sexual double standard isn't just a character flaw of Travis', it's an assumption that drives the narrative. Women who enjoy sex are dirty sluts who don't deserve respect in this story's world, and that's some sad internalized misogyny.

Next up is how Travis is a textbook abuser archetype. He never hits Abby or any other woman in the book, but he exhibits every quality present in your average domestic abuser. He has a violent temper when he doesn't get his way:

“He took a swing at Shep when he found out we helped you leave. Abby! Please tell me!” she pleaded, her eyes glossing over. “It’s scaring me!”

The fear in her eyes forced only the partial truth. “I just couldn’t say goodbye. You know it’s hard for me.”

“It’s something else, Abby. He’s gone fucking nuts! I heard him call your name, and then he stomped all over the apartment looking for you. He barged into Shep’s room, demanding to know where you were. Then he tried to call you. Over, and over and over,” she sighed. “His face was…Jesus, Abby. I’ve never seen him like that.

“He ripped his sheets off the bed, and threw them away, threw his pillows away, shattered his mirror with his fist, kicked his door…broke it from the hinges! It was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!”

He's possessive, even after Abby's broken up with him:

“I love you. I can’t let other guys dance with you.”

He's quick to violence when he feels he's been insulted:

Travis lifted Finch’s tray off the table and swung it into Chris’ face, knocking him off his chair. Chris tried to scramble under the table, but Travis pulled him out by his legs, and then began to wail on him.

Chris curled into a ball, and then Travis kicked him in the back. Chris arched and turned, holding his hands out, allowing Travis to land several punches to his face. The blood began to flow, and Travis stood up, winded.

And, most importantly, he sees nothing wrong with his behavior. I'm not a sheltered delicate flower. I'm a hockey fan who has been in her fair share of scraps over the years. I don't think a violent temper necessarily makes someone a predator. What makes Travis a predator, to my mind, is how his violent attacks on people outside the fight ring aren't treated as a personality flaw. These actions are not only not condemned by the characters or narrative, they're actually held up as examples of his love for and devotion to Abby. Viciously bloodying an innocent bystander's nose is treated as a heroic act.

All that said, had this book ended at its halfway point, I think I would have begrudgingly given it 4* for being a cracktastic trip back to college to stroll down Bad Life Decisions Lane. It encapsulated the self-centered, impulsive, emotional and dramatic whirlwind that is young adulthood in a way adult contemporary romance does not. I know, as someone who graduated from college more than a decade ago, that Travis is bad news and that Abby's a head case, but college is the time for bad behavior. I would've liked an indication from the narrative that they were all screwed up and/or getting away with something, but it was seductive to go back to a time where you didn't know any better and you felt free to take crazy risks.

Unfortunately, the author seems to have been unable to part with her characters and spent the second half writing her own fan fiction where Abby and Travis have Adventures! and break up and make up along the way. There's a beyond bizarre trip to Vegas that comes out of fucking nowhere. Abby's father is pointlessly introduced and forgotten about in an abrupt fashion. There's a throwaway sub-plot involving a mobster and a brush with death just to seal the deal. Where the first half of the book follows a nice dramatic arc, the second half is a half-witted sine wave shamelessly stalling the HEA. Bleh.

In the end, the gratuitous violence, misogyny, poor writing and uneven pacing team up to make this a sub par read for me. I'm not going to wring my hands over the terrible message this sends to YA readers, because I don't think fiction works on people like that, but neither can I enjoy something with such glaring negative themes in it. McGuire has a knack for telling a story, but I can't ignore the flaws in this to enjoy it. 2* ...more

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About Jamie McGuire

Jamie McGuire

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Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.

Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with the international bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel, Walking Disaster, debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Jou ...more

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