♥!The Young Adult Book Club!♥ discussion

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire



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.


Discuss Travis and Abbey. Do you find them to be beautiful, a disaster, or a mix of both? Travis has his own POV in the next book, Walking Disaster. Will you read it?

OMG...I love Travis. Beautiful Disaster left me Speechless:)

I really enjoyed their story, even though at times it was quite a disaster. But it was addicting! I'm looking forward to seeing things from Travis' POV!

I thought this story was horrible and disturbing, it makes me worried that young girls will read this and believe that this is romantic behavior that was appropriate .. Just plain horrible (in my opinion)

Jaclyn wrote: "I thought this story was horrible and disturbing, it makes me worried that young girls will read this and believe that this is romantic behavior that was appropriate .. Just plain horrible (in my o..."

I read a lot of dysfunctional and disturbing books so this wasn't too bad for me. I mostly looked at it as a book about two messed up people trying to learn to love and be loved and work it out. But it definitely wasn't a relationship I looked up to or would want for myself but I did enjoy watching the disaster unfold. I can understand why it was such a love it or hate it book though. Won't be a read for everyone.

i love this book! i love travis and abby!

I enjoyed reading this book, but I do have to say Travis and Abby relationship was very disturbing to me. It is not the type of relationship I would want for my self (I wouldn't want anything anywhere CLOSE to this). I do however feel like it is realistic for a young aged couple. I know these two are in college, but I think when young adults fall in love, they fall HARD and FAST. Abby and Travis were no exception. They still seem to bring out the worse out of each other which can't be healthy for a person. Even though they bring out the worse, you cannot deny their unconditional love for each other.

I'm really looking forward to Walking Disaster because I want to see what was going on in Travis as he was falling for Abby. It is quiet a journey to go from only wanting one night stands to wanting to be with only one person for the 1st time in his life to deciding he wants to be with that person for the rest of his life. WOW talk about a change of heart (& all this in what 7 months)

Jessica wrote: "I enjoyed reading this book, but I do have to say Travis and Abby relationship was very disturbing to me. It is not the type of relationship I would want for my self (I wouldn't want anything anywh..."

I am really looking forward to seeing what Travis was thinking and how he changed. I am also excited that we will get a bit more of a look into their future!

Jennifer wrote: "I really enjoyed their story, even though at times it was quite a disaster. But it was addicting! I'm looking forward to seeing things from Travis' POV!"

Me too:)
It's a good change;)

Jessica wrote: "I enjoyed reading this book, but I do have to say Travis and Abby relationship was very disturbing to me. It is not the type of relationship I would want for my self (I wouldn't want anything anywh..."

LOL, You're somehow right. Beautiful Disaster was a mini copy of Romeo and Juliet. Both characters are reckless and they rush into things mindlessly.

Jennifer wrote: "Jaclyn wrote: "I thought this story was horrible and disturbing, it makes me worried that young girls will read this and believe that this is romantic behavior that was appropriate .. Just plain ho..."



Definity a love or hate book.. For me I felt like if I had a better grasp of the book I wouldn't have chosen it but i can def see where you're coming from just easy for me

I really enjoyed this book and I will read 'Walking Disaster'. Even though Travis and Abby's relationship was really disturbing I could still see the love part in both characters.
Though I wanted to scream at Abby sometimes for being melodramatic, but that just shows she and Travis are a beautiful disaster :)

I know a lot of people are saying their relationship is dysfunctional and disastrous but hey if it wasn’t there wouldn’t be a reason to tell their story or it would be very boring.
I loved it because it was real and raw

I really enjoyed this book! But I don't look at it as the I-wish-I-had love story. In no way is it something to aspire to--the 'disaster' elements of it. The love, yes!

In terms of people wanting this to be their story. Well... I always read like a bystander witnessing the story unfold. I know some people go into it as though they are the characters. Or the writing is in forst person, so it eases that feeling... So I never really have a 'this is what I wish!' moment, or consider the story mine. Maybe that is why? But I don't think many people that read this actually want to witness and endure what Abbey and Travis did...

I just read over. I hope what I said isn't too convoluted.

I thought the love story was just a rush of hormones. Travis started out as the cool bad-ass and then descended into some pathetic slug who couldn't, for the life of him, stop begging for love and warmth from a girl who was clearly suffering from dementia.

This wasn't love. It was obsession and a stupid one.
I still read for the drama though.

I read it and then I just wanted to smack Abby upside the head and tell her to wake up. I liked him at first and then Travis turned all psycho on her with everything. It was crazy. I read it once and I will not read it again.

I'm not sure about the POV from Travis though. It would be interesting I guess but it isn't going to be a mark my calendar release date.

I have trouble deciding how I feel about this book. When I was reading it, I found it addicting and I just had to know what was going to happen next. But then when I set it down for a while, I really began to analyze what was really going on in the story. The relationship was extremely dysfunctional and I would not wish to have a guy like Travis as a boyfriend. However I did like that, while it was a disaster, at times their relationship was beautiful (hence the title). When Travis didn't go psycho and when Abby wasn't being stubborn and stupid, I really did feel that they did love each other. And I liked how they were best friends first and stayed that way till the end. They were obviously attracted to each other but Abby was smart enough in the beginning to know that she should stay away from him romantically. Travis began to annoy me towards the end as well. He started out as this bad ass street-fighter but then he turned into...a girl... I love when guys become emotional and are able to share how they feel but Travis took it too far. You can show emotion and be a man. Towards the end though, Travis couldn't.

As far as plot goes, I wish some things could have been explained more such as Abby's past with her father. I found those parts to be some of the most interesting, but sadly they were few and far between. Seeing Abby interact with people in Vegas was one of my favorite parts because you could see that she had a mind that didn't always revolve around Travis. I wish there had more of the street fights also. I feel like this book could have been so much better plot-wise but it was so overshadowed by the relationship that it fell flat.

Overall, I liked this book. I had some problems with it and it wash't amazing but it wasn't bad either. It had so much potential. Although I liked it and gave it three stars, I don't think I would be able to reread it or read Walking Disaster.

I enjoyed this book and found the characters interesting but I didn't fall in love with them.

Like Angelena, I loved how Travis & Cassie developed their friendship prior to a realtionship commencing, and at times I found Travis loveable and gorgeous, but then it started to get weird. The way their relationship became was less like love, and more about obsession and need.

Something I adored about this book was Travis' dad and brothers, they made me smile and I wanted to have Christmas with them too.

I will give Walking Disaster a go but not sure if I will get through it, as I really disliked how Beautiful Disaster ended. We will have to wait and see.

This book was wonderful and very addictive. I received it in the mail around noon and just finished and its right after 3. I loved the relationship between Abby and Travis. It portrays how relationships with this age group work more than not. It mirrored my marriage pretty perfectly when it came down to the whirlwind pace. I feel like it was a beautiful story about two people who come together despite that they are different yet alike and can overcome the issues that arise, accept the past and mistakes of the other, and love and live together.

I loved this book, as self destructive and seriously complicated their relationship was. SUCH a beautiful disaster. The fights really were true to what goes on in relationships and really gave you an insight to how it feels when you love someone so much it hurts. This book really is addictive and amazing, finished it in less than 5 hours. I am happy this was recommended and SOOOO looking forward to travis POV.

I read this book a while ago but I could not put it down. It was addicting! I do agree that their relationship is dysfunctional and Travis really made me mad a few times. He is throwing things, really? But I still can't wait to read more.

I loved loved loved this book!!
I loved the characters. I loved their chaotic and sometimes dysfunctional relationship!Along with Thoughtless, and Effortless this book made it right on my most Favorite shelf. And Travis made a place in my heart right alongside Kellen! Cannot wait for "Walking disaster"!!!!!!!!!! :P

I read this book about a month ago and I loved, loved, loved it....can't wait for Walking Disaster!!!

i read it a when it was a new release and i loved it. was quite good.

I absolutely loved this book. I bought it on my kindle and wanted to share with everyone else so I went and bought it in paperback so that I could add it to my bookshelf. Can't wait to read his version of the story :)

it was like a car crash that i couldn't look away from, both fascinating and disturbing. i hated it and loved it at the same time. i wanna read the second book from Travis' POV. i know it's gonna be insane.

I couldn't put the book down. I loved it and at the same time I hated it like others have mentioned. I felt that there was a lot going on with the book, though. There was so much happening.

Travis is insane, but I still really liked him. I can't wait to read the second book on Travis' POV.

I loved travis. it didnt take long for me to get hooked. It was amazing.

What did you guys think of the old cover???

I loved this book! So much! :)

yeah i love it too. but i like the other cover much more

I'm halfway done & loving every minute of it :)

I kind of liked the old cover better just because it was more unique. I think it wasn't as pleasing to the eyes though LOL

honestly the old cover sort of grosses me out, lol

Julie wrote: "honestly the old cover sort of grosses me out, lol"

lol yeah I think that is why it was changed. Sort of turns people off. But I dunno I feel like the new cover isn't unique and bold enough to match the book.

This book pretty much ruined my life. I love it so much. I can't wait for Walking Disaster!

I loved this book one of the best I've read recently and I much prefer the new cover.

i actually really loved this book. i can't wait to read the next one which will be from Travis' Point of view. it will be interesting to get into his head.

Ethel wrote: "i actually really loved this book. i can't wait to read the next one which will be from Travis' Point of view. it will be interesting to get into his head."

yeah. even before i knew that travis POV is the next book i wanted to know his thoughts

I thought that this book was really good, and it would be really interesting to see the story form Travis' point of view

Is the Walking Disaster going to be Travis' POV of Beautiful Disaster? Or a sequel of BD but in Travis' POV?

Karen wrote: "Is the Walking Disaster going to be Travis' POV of Beautiful Disaster? Or a sequel of BD but in Travis' POV?"

It will be Beautiful Disaster in Travis' POV but there will be a prologue and epilogue and lots of new scenes that we didn't see before since now we are seeing everything from Travis!

Jennifer wrote: "Karen wrote: "Is the Walking Disaster going to be Travis' POV of Beautiful Disaster? Or a sequel of BD but in Travis' POV?"

It will be Beautiful Disaster in Travis' POV but there will be a prologu..."

thanks for the clarif! I'm excited!!!

Yeah I'm really excited! The prologue was already released and it was Travis as a little boy when his mom died and what she told him. http://issuu.com/atriabooks/docs/walk...

Also this tease was released!

Shepley jogged around the front of the Charger, and then slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m still taking the official position that this is a bad idea.”
“Noted.”
“Then where?”
“Steiner’s.”
“The jewelry store?”
“Yep.”
“Why, Travis?” Shepley said, his voice more stern than before.
“You’ll see.”
He shook his head. “Are you trying to run her off?”
“It’s going to happen, Shep. I just want to have it. For when the time is right.”
“No time any time soon is right. I am so in love with America that it drives me crazy sometimes, but we’re not old enough for that shit, yet, Travis. And … what if she says no?”
My teeth clenched at the thought. “I won’t ask her until I know she’s ready.”
Shepley’s mouth pulled to the side. “Just when I think you can’t get any more insane, you do something else to remind me that you are far beyond bat shit crazy.”
“Wait until you see the rock I’m getting.”
Shepley craned his neck slowly in my direction. “You’ve already been over there shopping, haven’t you?”
I smiled.

From Chapter 2
“What are you doing?” Shepley said. He stood in the middle of the room, a pair of sneakers in one hand, a dirty pair of underwear in the other.
“Uh, cleaning?” I said, shoving shot glasses into the dishwasher.
“I see that. But...why?”
I smiled, my back turned to Shepley. He was going to kick my ass. “I’m expecting company.”
“So?”
“The pigeon.”
“Huh?”
“Abby, Shep. I invited Abby.”
“Dude, no. No! Don’t fuck this up for me, man. Please don’t.”
I turned, crossing my arms across my chest. “I tried, Shep. I did. But, I don’t know.” I shrugged. “There’s something about her. I couldn’t help myself.”
Shepley’s jaw worked under his skin, and then he stomped into his room, slamming the door behind him.
I finished loading the dishwasher, and then circled the couch to make sure I hadn’t missed any visible empty condom wrappers. That was never fun to explain.
The fact that I had bagged nearly every beautiful co-ed at Eastern was no secret, but I didn’t see a reason to remind them when they came to my apartment. It was all about presentation.
Pigeon, though. It would take far more than a good presentation to bag her on my couch. At this point I was taking it one step at a time. If I focused on the end result, I could easily fuck it up. She noticed things. She was farther from naive than I was; light years away. This operation was nothing less than precarious.
I was in my bedroom sorting dirty laundry when I heard the front door open. Shepley usually listened for America’s car to pull in so he could greet her at the door.
Pussy.
Murmuring, and then the closing of Shepley’s door was my signal. I walked into the front room, and there she sat: Glasses, her hair piled on top of her head, and what might have been pajamas. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d been molding in the bottom of her laundry hamper.
It was so hard not to bust into laughter. Never once had a female come to my apartment dressed like that. My front door had seen jean skirts, dresses, even a see-through tube dress over a string bikini. A handful of times, spackled-on makeup and glitter lotion. Never pajamas.
Her appearance immediately answered why she’d so easily agreed to come over. She was going to try to nauseate me into leaving her alone. If she didn’t look absolutely sexy like that, it might have worked, but her skin was impeccable, and the lack of makeup and the frames of her glasses just made her eye color stand out even more.
“It’s about time you showed up,” I said, falling onto my couch.
At first she seemed proud of her idea, but as we talked and I remained impervious, it was clear that she knew her plan had failed. The less she smiled, the more I had to stop myself from grinning ear to ear. She was so much fun. I just couldn’t get over it.
Shepley and America joined us again. Abby was flustered, and I was damn near lightheaded. She went from doubting the fact that I could write a simple paper to questioning my penchant for fighting. I kind of liked talking to her about normal stuff, preferable to the awkward task of asking her to leave once I bagged her. She didn’t understand me, and kind of wanted to, even though I seemed to piss her off.
“What are you...the Karate Kid? Where did you learn to fight?”
Shepley and America seemed to be embarrassed for Abby. I don’t know why; I sure as hell didn’t mind. Just because I didn’t talk about my childhood much didn’t mean I was ashamed.
“I had a dad with a drinking problem and a bad temper, and four older brothers that carried the asshole gene.”
“Oh,” she said simply. Her cheeks turned red, and at that moment, I felt a twinge in my chest. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it bugged me. I immediately tried to make her feel better. “Don’t be embarrassed, Pidge. Dad quit drinking. The brothers grew up.”
“I’m not embarrassed.” Her body language was opposite her words. I struggled to think of something to change the subject, and then mentioning her sexy, frumpy look came to mind. Her embarrassment was immediately replaced by irritation, something I was far more comfortable with.
America suggested watching TV, but the last thing I wanted to do was to be in a room with Abby, unable to talk to her. I stood. “You hungry, Pidge?”
“I already ate.”
America’s eyebrows pulled in. “No, you haven’t. Oh...er...that’s right. I forgot. You grabbed a...pizza? Before we left.”
Abby was embarrassed again, but anger quickly covered it.
I opened the door, trying to keep my voice casual. I’d never been so eager to get a girl alone—especially to not have sex with her. “C’mon. You’ve gotta be hungry.”
Her shoulders relaxed a bit. “Where are you going?”
“Wherever you want. We can hit a pizza place.” I inwardly cringed. That might have been too eager.
She looked down at her sweat pants. “I’m not really dressed.”
I grinned. She had no idea how beautiful she was. That made her even more appealing. “You look fine. Let’s go, I’m starvin’.”
Once she was on the back of my Harley, I could finally think straight again. My thoughts were usually more relaxed on the bike. Abby’s legs had my hips in a vice grip, but that was oddly relaxing, too. Almost a relief.
The weird urge I felt around her was disorienting. I didn’t like it, but then again, it reminded me that she was around, so it was as comforting as it was unsettling. I decided to get my shit together. Abby might be a pigeon, but she was just a fucking girl. No need to get my boxer briefs in a bunch.
Besides, there was something under the good girl facade. She hated me on sight because she’d been burned by someone like me before. No way was she a slut, though. Not even a reformed slut. I could spot them a mile away. My game face slowly melted away. I’d finally found a girl that was interesting enough to get to know, and a version of me had already hurt her.
I barely knew the girl, and the thought of some jackhole hurting Pidge infuriated me. Abby associating me with someone that would hurt her was even worse. I gunned the throttle as I pulled into the Pizza Shack. That ride wasn’t long enough to sort out the clusterfuck in my head.
I wasn’t even thinking about my speed, so when Abby jumped off my bike and started to yell, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I went the speed limit.”
“Yeah, if we were on the Autobahn!” She ripped the wild bun down and then brushed her long hair with her fingers.
I couldn’t stop staring while she re-wrapped the long, caramel strands, and then tied them back again. I imagined that was how she looked first thing in the morning, and then had to refer to the first ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan to keep my dick from getting hard. Blood. Screaming. Visible intestines. Grenades. Gunfire. More blood.
I held the door open. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, Pigeon.”
She angrily stomped past me and into the restaurant, ignoring my gesture. It was a damn shame; she was the first girl that I had ever wanted to open the door for. I’d been looking forward to that moment, and she didn’t even notice. *sobs*

Chapter 8
Shepley walked out of his bedroom pulling a T-shirt over his head. His eyebrows pushed together. “Did they just leave?”
“Yeah,” I said absently, rinsing my cereal bowl and dumping Abby’s leftover oatmeal in the sink. She’d barely touched it.
“Well, what the hell? Mare didn’t even say goodbye.”
“You knew she was going to class. Quit being a cry baby.”
Shepley pointed to his chest. “I’m the cry baby? Do you remember last night?”
“Shut up.”
“That’s what I thought.” He sat on the couch and slipped on his sneakers. “Did you ask Abby about her birthday?”
“She didn’t say much, except that she’s not into birthdays.”
“So what are we doing?”
“Throwing her a party.” Shepley nodded, waiting for me to explain. “I thought we’d surprise her. Invite some of our friends over and have America take her out for a while.”
Shepley put on his white ball cap, pulling it down so low over his brows I couldn’t see his eyes. “She can manage that. Anything else?”
“How do you feel about a puppy?”
Shepley laughed once. “It’s not my birthday, bro.”
I walked around the breakfast bar and leaned my hip against the stool. “I know, but she lives in the dorms. She can’t have a puppy.”
“Keep it here? Seriously? What are we going to do with a dog?”
“I found a Cairn Terrier online. It’s perfect.”
“A what?”
“Pidge is from Kansas. It’s the same kind of dog Dorothy had in the Wizard of Oz.”
Shepley’s face was blank. “The Wizard of Oz.”
“What? I liked the scarecrow when I was a little kid, shut the fuck up.”
“It’s going to crap every where, Travis. It’ll bark and whine and … I don’t know.”
“So does America … minus the crapping.”
Shepley wasn’t amused.
“I’ll take it out and clean up after it. I’ll keep it in my room. You won’t even know it’s here.”
“You can’t keep it from barking.”
“Think about it. You gotta admit it’ll win her over.”
Shepley smiled. “Is that what this is all about? You’re trying to win over Abby?”
My brows pulled together. “Quit it.”
His smile widened. “You can get the damn dog…”
I grinned with victory.
“…if you admit you have feelings for Abby.”
I frowned in defeat. “C’mon, man!”
“Admit it,” Shepley said, crossing his arms. What a tool. He was actually going to make me say it.
I looked to the floor, and everywhere else except Shepley’s smug ass smile. I fought it for a while, but the puppy was fucking brilliant. Abby would flip out (in a good way for once), and I could keep it at the apartment. She’d want to be there every day.
“I like her,” I said through my teeth.
Shepley held his hand to his ear. “What? I couldn’t quite hear you.”
“You’re an asshole! Did you hear that?”
Shepley crossed his arms. “Say it.”
“I like her, okay?”
“Not good enough.”
“I have feelings for her. I care about her. A lot. I can’t stand it when she’s not around. Happy?”
“For now,” he said, grabbing his backpack off the floor.

This book was crazy but I did enjoy it. I feel like their relationship was more of a disaster than beautiful. I'm not sure if I could suffer through it again therefore I don't think I will read it from Trav's point of view.

It's been so long since I read Beautiful Disaster that I'm ready to go back. All the talk about the series made me want to read it again but I'll hold off for Walking Disaster so it's all new for me again.

I will be reading beautiful disaster right before this new book comes out too.