Beautiful Disaster 
by Jamie McGuire

Release Date: May 26, 2011
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 360
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Amazon Kindle
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The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, 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 needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, 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’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

This was an addicting train wreck I couldn't look away from. Abby has moved to a new town to start a new life in college. Then she meets Travis Maddox. He is everything she is trying to escape, trouble. He has girls all over him, makes his money in illegal fights, has rage issues, and is known as the school player. But he has his eye on Abby so Abby decides how about we just be friends. This works for awhile since they have a lot in common and enjoy each others company. But when Abby loses a bet and has to live with Travis for 30 days she just can't deny the growing attraction and pull they have for each other.

This is actually a rather controversial read. Travis and Abby's relationship is very far from perfect and quite a bit unhealthy. He has jealous and rage issues. Abby can't make up her mind. They fight and drive each other crazy. They are a disaster but sometimes a beautiful one. They truly love each other but are bad for each other sometimes but then perfect for each other sometimes. It is a realistic look at a crazy relationship but I don't think you are supposed to go "I want that". No, it's more about just enjoying an additive train wreck and hoping these two can get it together and be there for each other, since no one else will be able to do that for these two characters.

I'm not easily offended so I enjoyed this but it definitely won't be a read for everyone. There is a lot of sex, cussing, and violence. Travis never hits Abby but if a guy looks at her sometimes he hits the guy. The author is currently working on this same book but from Travis' perspective which I will definitely be reading. It had a bit too much of the vicious circles thing that I hate, like in Anna and the French Kiss, where the couple just can't get it together. The story kept me intrigued though so I enjoyed it.

"Shake in your boots, boys, and drop your panties, ladies! I give you: Travis: 'Mad Dog' Maddox!"

"You like Pigeon," he said defensively. "It's a dove, an attractive girl, a winning card in poker, take your pick. You're my Pigeon."

"It's dangerous to need someone that much. You're trying to save him and he's hoping you can. You two are a disaster."

Rating: 4/5 Stars!