Beautiful Disaster (#1)
by Jamie McGuire
Embarrassment of Riches 5/50
Random thought while reading: This is an afront to nice guys everywhere! I have NEVER read about a nice guy made to seem so damn boring, it made me laugh at how blegh he was made compared to the lead male protag! Poor man.
So, having said that, yes, the “bad” guy is awesome. He is so bloody sweet that even I would put up with his sleeping around while we are just friends. This book makes you think you could tame the bad boy beast – just don’t sleep with him right away and call him on his crap and the unattainable hot dude will fall for you. Yay! But seriously, this book was freaking addictive, it made me laugh over the silliest thing and I was giddy, yes, giddy with the flirting and anger and insanity that happened. What the heck?! At least at the beginning.
So realize these two are 19 or 20. He is a serial one night stand haver, she is a freshman at college with a big secret. They are both totally messed up. One by their parents, the other because of other stuff. They are wonderful and horrible together, hence Beautiful Disaster. They are all or nothing. They are intense and insane and violent (not really with each other) and young when all those emotions are really truly, horribly insane.
So anyway, this book is crack. I don’t know that dudes would enjoy it, it is a girlie book fairy tale, that is for sure! But then it just goes crazy. The insanity of jealousy and “no, we are broken up you crazy violent guy who still loves me, so I am going to move over to this dude right next to you, grab him and dance with him to get away from you – shock, horror when violent ex-boyfriend pushes that guy away.” Ok, once or something, but it happens a few times. The almost teasing of Abby, the obsession of Travis…I felt like I was watching a Jerry Springer show or something. At times I just set the book down and didn’t want to read it, but then like a train wreck, I couldn’t stop myself from picking it back up.
The writing is a little clunky too. I mostly noticed it at the beginning, before the story sucked me into its sarlacc gullet (remember the pit in Return of the Jedi in the desert?! – yep, I feel better about myself throwing sci fi movie references into this review.)
So, while I had a love it then hate it relationship with this book, I will say it is very readable and if you let the crazy wash over you and flow with it, it is very exciting. If you like YA contemporaries and enjoy those crazy push/pull relationship stories, check it out! But remember, it is VERY new adult/YA so there are emotions leaking all over the place. It is older though because there are some very adult situations. Anyway, I guess I would give it 4 stars circling your head after this story knocks you on your butt, from the teen angst, alcohol and bare knuckle boxing because the story just sucks you and has its way with you.
Lost Inside The Covers 
Great review! It IS a train wreck, but it’s also addicting. I have a love/hate relationship with the story because I thought Abby and Travis were insane, but I was hooked to the book while reading. You summed it up perfectly!
Megan @ Love, Literature, Art, and Reason
Thank you! It was compulsively readable that is for sure! In a way it reminded me of True Romance, but without the gun battles. lol
I bought this but haven’t read it yet 🙂 Great review in that it didn’t give anything away 😀
Oh I hope you enjoy it! You will have to let me know what you think.
I TRY not to give too much away, but I fail sometimes. Glad to know I was secretive this time. 🙂
Your description of the Jerry Springer YA/new adult/train wreck gave me a big giggle 😀 This sounds so different from the usual romantic teen novels!
I haven’t read many of the new contemporaries, and there are a TON lately, but it does seem different. Because of this one I think I will need to throw one onto Mt TBR every once in a while.
Glad you got a laugh! I did while I was writing my review, that is for sure 🙂
Ooo I don’t think I would buy this now that I have read your review, I am not a huge fan of that kind of relationship
yea, it isn’t for everyone – they were a mess, but somehow worked, crazy making.
LMAO, Jerry Springer? hehe. I told you it was additctive. And like I said, it’s not perfect, the writing isn’t awesome, but for some reason you can’t put it down for long. It’s like watching a car crash, it’s so wrong but you can’t look away. I am happy you enjoyed it for the most part. These angsty people just fascinate me. It really isn’t a book for everyone, but for the right people, it’s gold.
Right?! There is yelling and anger and parent issues and what were you doing?! and glaring, lots of glaring…reminded me of good old Jerry – It was tons of fun, but I was mad at myself for enjoying it so much. I was a little bipolar reading it.
I have this on my shelf just waiting to be read. Maybe I should it up the lists…
Great review.
You have been a reading maniac lately! I love it. Hope you enjoy this when you get to it. I am excited to see your review. 🙂
Haha, sounds like you had really mixed feelings about this one! I’m not totally sure if I would like this one or not….I’m leaning towards not but I could be wrong! I seriously love the front cover though, and enjoyed reading your review! I’ve seen this book cover around quite a lot but had no idea what it was about until now! 🙂
Also I have to ask because I keep looking at it and wondering – What’s the Embarrassment of Riches countdown? Is it to do with your tbr pile? I think I missed the memo, whoops. 😛
Yea, it is aTBR Challenge, I should really put the image on the right so people know what I am talking about! 🙂
Ahhh right I see, it’s a pretty cool name because it keeps capturing my attention!