Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I first read this Beautiful Diaster of a book back in 2013 (?). Twas the early days of book fangirling on the web, and the idea of making it into a movie featuring Zack from Disney Channel would’ve frankly boggled me then.
But I never reviewed it online. Till now. Because over the years I kept rereading this book and it has remained steadfast at 5 stars because it is so deliciously toxic and fun to read.
So let’s begin.
꧁The Characters꧂
Our main heroine Abby is sassy, anxiety/perfectionism, and always tries to stay unnoticed. At first, she gives us the energy of a new student beginning college. Relatable and enjoyable to read her banter among close friends, and worry for classes and the future all within the setting of an angsty college with fraternities and shit.
However, we soon learn that our heroine never had a traditional childhood in any sense, and the readers point of view changes from Abby being cute relatable student to “WHO THE FUCK IS THIS GIRL” as she makes the most bizarre decisions in her courtship based in fear/bad communication/i have no excuses for why she ran guys.
But frankly, I love being surprised so I enjoyed the twist! And the angst just made the wait even sweeter.
America the obligatory book best friend was a HILARIOUS addition because her extrovert personality forced Abby into new situations to move the book along, while also being a “girl’s girl” that would do literally anything for Abby. In their scenes together, as a reader I could feel their history and tension, when they both had knowledge about Abby’s past that others didn’t, inside jokes between just the two, and Abby saying “I need you” was just incredibly powerful and nice to read a good friendship.
Finn felt like the college friend you randomly meet, continue to eat lunch with and suddenly you are confused when they aren’t there.
The nerdy cousin, Shep deserves his own book.
And of course, our love interest Travis. He is the cliche dark toxic prince of campus who sleeps around, fights for fun, and comes from a rough family life.
This was such a “I CAN CHANGE HIM” book that I won’t even try to convince you otherwise.
꧁The Setting꧂
Based on a college campus, the setting was very fun in how we bounced around from cafeteria, to underground fighting ring to a frat event to the dreaded finals week. I greatly enjoyed how there was a sense of time passing through the book, whether it was a couple of hours, a couple weeks or suddenly time to leave for the Holidays. It kept the book on pace and the readers engaged: making sure the plot hit all the classic romance moments of first kiss, meeting your boyfriends family over the Holidays, to trying to survive the mafia.
Overall, I recommend this book as a college darker(?) romance where the good girl tries to avoid the bad boy, he becomes obsessed with her and she wants to fix him, only to realize she was never that normal to begin with…. And of course the college angst dials it up to 10000 with sex involved. The characters are fun to reread as they each have their own part to play in the book and make hilariously chaotic decisions. Abby and Trevor are absolutely insane for each other, and I love reading it.
I will not discuss the movie.
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