Review- Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

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.

REVIEW:

I have no clue how to even begin writing a review for Beautiful Disaster, which is exactly what the title says it is- a beautiful disaster. 

After reading some reviews for Beautiful Disaster, it is clear that this is a book that readers will either love or loathe. I know that there are certain readers who found the book to be a little too out of the world, but honestly, when it comes to reading, it's an escape for me, like music is, and as long as I can escape into a new world and feel like I'm a part of it by doing nothing but simply reading, it works for me. Beautiful Disaster did exactly that. It worked. In its own messed up, disruptive, disturbing and different way, it was beautiful. And like my favourite band Boys Like Girls say in their song Let Go- 

there's beauty in the breakdown. 

It's just like what Abby says- when it's right and when it's good... it's beautiful.

Abigail 'Abby' Abernathy, daughter of famous gambler Mick Abernathy, moves to a new town for college along with her best friend, America to start a new life and leave her past behind. She was a well formed and well-rounded character. Abby is strong, simple and sweet. Her past was a complete cracker. It was variant, something that I'd never read of before and I loved getting to know every bit of it. For me, Abby is the luckiest girl in the world, but that's only because of my immense love for Travis.

Travis... Travis is... he's unbelievable, exceptional and completely mind blowing. Keeping aside his gorgeous looks and intricate tattoos, he was extremely nice as a person. Gentle and kind aren't the words that can be used to describe Travis, but in his own twisted way, he was that too. He calls Abby 'Pigeon' or 'Pidge' which is so F-ing adorable. His family of five brothers, Trenton, Thomas, Taylor and Tyler and Travis himself with his dad Jim was a bunch of joyful and charming people. Although Travis does seem a little over protective and over possessive, I think it's absolutely fine to be that way, because in the end, love does make the world go round and that's whats happened to the fighter and player- he is in love. I seriously want to hug Jamie McGuire for creating such an extraordinary character. Trav is my book boyfriend, he is perfect. I love him. Too much. 

Abby and Travis share a totally messed up, complicated yet simply beautiful relationship. It was amazing to see how a simple friendship and a simple bet can be so life-changing. I read that some people found the relationship to be quite abusive, but it is not. It is what it is and whatever it is, it is beautiful. I loved seeing how Abby and Travis went from being friends to best friends to lovers. It was amazing. 
Yes, the ending did seem a little crazy and not so believable. Yes, it didn't make sense for Travis to go around having sex with other girls while beating the shit out of the guys who just tried to talk to Abby. Then again, I'm happy that they both get their happily ever after, which they truly deserve and work things out. 

Shepley's following line from the book perfectly describes Abby and Travis.

“I wish you and Travis would just get your shit together! You're a goddamn tornado! When you're happy, it's love and peace and butterflies. When you're pissed, you take the whole fucking world down with you!” 

Abby's best friend America and Travis' cousin Shepley also shared a wonderful relationship. They were adorable and did things their own way which was cute. As individual characters, I liked how Mare was with Abby throughout even when Abby seemed to not return the same gesture. It was a little confusing to see America support Abby and Travis' relationship at one point and go against the idea of them being together the next instance. Nonetheless, the two girls shared a lovely relation and their friendship was fun to read. Shepley, on the other hand, is the prefect guy. He was absolutely beaut and excellent. Too bad he was made to stand next to Travis. I loved Shep for who he was as a person, but I loved Travis more. I would love to know more about Mare and Shep. *subtle hinting, Jamie*

Beautiful Disaster has been one of the most amazing books that I've read. I admit that it was over the top and surreal at times and it is a bit too much- too much of drama, but come on, we all want to believe that love happens and it does- in the most inexplicable and unimaginable ways possible. 
Jamie McGuire has written a beautiful story with characters that are beautiful in their own way. The author has crafted a beautiful story that will stay with me forever, bring a smile to my face, a pounding beat to my heart and a thousand crazy thoughts in my head every time I think of it- which is most of the time. There were some very very minute editorial mistakes in the book, but seriously, who cares when the story in itself weaves its charm and finds a way to your heart where you hold it dear. 

A cheerful, moving, sad and happy and intense read all at once, Beautiful Disaster is disastrously beautiful and beautifully disastrous. You will love it or loathe it. I loved it. Truly, madly and deeply.

RATING:

Sarika