"Beautiful Disaster" by Jamie McGuire

"I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn't something about you at all. It was just you."
-Jamie McGuire, Beautiful Disaster

Being a writer and, of course, a reader, I hate to judge a book by its cover; however, I know that the cover should bring in a potential reader. Walking aimlessly through Books A Million one night last fall, I was desperate for something to read. I continued to walk by a paperback book that was gray and dull with a butterfly captured in a jar. I had never heard of this book or even the author for that matter. Something about this book was pulling me in already because the cover was unique enough to make me wonder what made the disaster beautiful. So, I read the back of the book and instantly wanted to know the story of Abby Abernathy.

Beautiful Disaster is absolutely a perfect title for this book. It gives the hint to the main plot in the story. Abby is the "good girl" tagging along with her best friend, America, and America's boyfriend, Shepley, when she meets him: Travis. Although this seems like the typical storyline of running into true love spontaneously, it's not. Travis is in the middle of fight ring and winning. He spots her in the crowd and stops the fight just to talk to her. Not impressed, she doesn't swoon over him, which is completely opposite from the majority of the other girls. Seeing her reaction as a challenge to win her over, he makes a bet with her: if he loses the fight, he will abstain from sex for an entire month, but if he wins, she has to stay at his place for that month.

Travis is the "bad boy" that all girls (good or bad) basically drool over. He is muscular, he has the tattoos, he puts on the "Mr. Cool" attitude, and he loves having a good time. Not to mention, he is nice to just look at. Abby knows she needs to be anywhere but with him. Nothing good can come from hanging around Travis Maddox. THE Travis Maddox. Oh, she has the heard the stories around her college campus, and she needed to stay away. Far away.

Obviously, he wins the fight. Travis - Mad Dog - Maddox doesn't lose fights. Looks like Abby is moving out of the dorm for a month and in with Travis. I'm not giving anything away, don't worry. If he lost the fight, that wouldn't be much of a story now would it? It's what happens and changes in the lives of Abby and Travis that really makes the reader fall head-over-heels for this book. It's not the average love story.

I've recommended this book to...well everyone when the opportunity presented itself. The ones who read it finished it within a day or two. It's just THAT good! Beautiful Disaster is simply an incredible, passionate, intriguing page-turner! Jamie McGuire really knows how to make the reader feel what Abby feels and brings the reader to care for her, as well. Her writing is the perfect amount of descriptive. Also, I loved the reality of the book. By "reality" I mean it's not an unrealistic romance novel like a Nicholas Sparks piece. Don't get me wrong, Sparks writes beautiful books, but it gives girls very high expectations. McGuire, however, created a male role that is not perfect. He makes mistakes, gets angry, and is definitely no prince charming. He is a real character. Never does he use fancy poetic words, he just talks as anyone else would. It's so easy to relate to the book.

Now, if I have young followers, I would not recommend this book for you. It is a mature book. There is language, as well as sexual content. Once you are older, though, it's definitely worth the read!

The sequel, Walking Disaster,  is just as intriguing! It is the same story, but through Travis's point of view! Because I loved Beautiful Disaster so much, I literally waited up until midnight for Walking Disaster's release, and I began reading it the second it downloaded to my Kindle. (I pre-ordered it, of course)! So, as soon as you read Beautiful Disaster, make sure to read Walking Disaster! You won't want to miss it!

Hopefully, this has sparked your interest enough to purchase and read Beautiful Disaster as well as Jamie McGuire's other books. (I've read them as well...BRILLIANT!) Feel free to leave your comments, questions, opinions, and remarks right here on the blog, or LIKE the Drunk On Books Facebook page (CLICK HERE) and leave your thoughts there! I'd love to hear feed back! If you have a book suggestion, don't hesitate to let me know! I will read and review a requested book.