Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence.
But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.
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Review:
Walking Disaster is the sensational 2nd novel from Jamie McGuire and is the book fans have been waiting for--Beautiful Disaster in Travis's POV! And with all the scorching romance, intensity and passion Abby and Travis generate, this book does not disappoint!
To say I was excited when Simon & Schuster offered me the chance to be one of the very few lucky bloggers to get my hands on an ARC of this would be an understatement. Beautiful Disaster was an unexpected favourite of mine last year so I've been eagerly awaiting the publication of this Walking Disaster since hearing McGuire was writing it. Jamie McGuire once more proves what a talented writer she is with this book. Retelling the events of Beautiful Disaster this time through Travis's eyes, we're once more drawn into the raw, intense love story we fell in love with during the first book!
It goes without saying that I love Travis and Abby. Obviously, I already knew these characters heading into this book and I already knew what was going to happen, but Walking Disaster gave me the chance to explore them even more, especially Travis. Now, in no way am I going to give away spoilers--I already made a promise to myself that I wouldn't, but if you've ever wondered about the origins of Abby's not quite traditional nickname or even what happens after the final page of Beautiful Disaster turns, this is the perfect chance to find out!
One of the things that was a standout for me during this book was that McGuire doesn't shy away from the raw, gritty character Travis is. Nor does she change him unexpectedly just to please us, but instead stays very true to the flawed individual we met in Beautiful Disaster as we witness his fears and inner demons first hand. The true goings on inside Travis's head reflect quite accurately his actions.
It's through this honest and authentic insight that I saw his mistakes and his reckless actions through new eyes. I can't quite say this changed the way I think about him. Let's face it...I already loved the guy, but it certainly helped me to understand him better. Seeing the world as he saw it and seeing certain events unfold through his eyes and with his mindset allowed me to see an entirely different side to this story. Writing a book like this was certainly genius on Jamie McGuire's part! This is a chance book lovers dream about--the opportunity to jump into the head of our favourite male leads and McGuire certainly couldn't have done a better job!
Now, I must say I know there is always going to be a lot of debate surrounding this book. It's easy to look at aspects of Abby and Travis's relationship that are unhealthy and intense but in doing so it's easy to miss the really good parts. Yes, together they're insanely passionate and volatile to the point of being obsessive, but there's also something very redeeming about them as a couple too. Here are two individuals, each flawed and broken in their own way and who can be somewhat destructive together, but who also managed to flourish together in unexpected ways.
People make mistakes. It's human nature. It's who we are, but we grow, and we see people grow, becoming better versions of themselves, despite all the obstacles and their self destructive natures and that's when we're seeing something special. That's what Walking Disaster is about at it's core and it's because of this that I think Jamie McGuire has penned her highly anticipated follow up to Beautiful Disaster perfectly!
Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Simon & Schuster (Thank you, so SOOOO much Caroline!)
Format: Paperback ARC
AU Release Date: Available beginning of April!
Buy it: Booktopia // The Nile // The Book Depository
Recommendation: This is a must read for Beautiful Disaster fan!
Cover: Love the cover!.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: I'd read anything Jamie McGuire put out!
Great review! Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of the first book because of the whole unhealthy relationship . . . I was one of those that just couldn't get it. But I'm glad you enjoyed this book and got to know Travis some more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin. I don't think this book/series is for everyone, but I'm glad you gave it a go anyway :)
DeleteAwesome review Rach and well said!! Mine is going up tomorrow. We were very lucky to get a copy and I was soooo excited when it arrived, I was rather bouncy bouncy waiting for the mail man!
ReplyDeleteI love Travis and I loved reading through his head and seeing through his eyes :D
Mich
Thanks Michelle :) I was so excited to get this too. Super, super excited.
DeleteI thought it was brilliant reading through Travis's head. So many times during Beautiful Disaster I wondered what Travis was thinking during different parts, so I loved finally being able to know!