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sophieee58's review against another edition
5.0
Personally I loved this book it shows the ups and downs of relationship and how love can be found where you least expect it. The book constantly kept me on my toes. It was an emotional rollercoaster making me wanting to scream at Travis at one point but then wanting to scream at Abby the next. Definitely up there with one of the best books I've ever read. Loved it!
lweisman's review against another edition
2.0
Weak plot. Mostly a will-they-won't-they? story with no other conflicts.
sroueche412's review against another edition
2.0
I was hooked on what would happen but it’s definitely a whiplash of emotions with a lot of aggressive, questionable behaviors.
jestareader's review against another edition
1.0
Although I found portions of this book sweet and romantic (which were short and rare), I found the majority of it unrealistic, and REALLY unhealthy.
Here's what I have to say about Abby and Travis:
ABBY: She bugged me quite a bit. At the beginning of the book I agreed with her the most. Her idea was that Travis didn't seem like the safest guy to hang around and she was right! But as the book continued on, the more I was confused with everything she did and the less I agreed with her.
THE SHOWERS: Okay, why did you have to stay at Sheply and Travis'? Another review explained that you just swing over, shower, and go to sleep in your own bed. ... I understand that might be a lot of walking ... but come on.
I feel that the breakup portion needs it's own little bit simply because it was ridiculous. They were both CRAZY (it was mostly Travis, but Abby certainly had her moments). Travis was keeping tabs on her and treated her like she was his, like he actually owned her (which is already awful enough but it's even worse when you considered that THEY WERE EVEN DATING ANYMORE!!) It was scary to read to be honest, how can you feel safe in a story like this?!
TRAVIS: He honestly needs some therapy. Here's Why:
- Punching and Threats
You either had to be Travis' cousin or gay to talk to Abby otherwise Travis would come after you with the punches and threats. Seriously, you whistled at Abbey? You'd end up bleeding on the ground! Brushed her arm? Oops, you're gone. LIKE WOW!
- The Dependency
Even when they broke up, he was called her 'his'. He honestly needed her 24/7, I understood he loved her ... but he constantly needed her, to a unhealthy, and downright terrifying level! Should I even discuss the scene where he literally trashes the apartment, takes a swing at his cousin and scare the shit out of everyone when he found out Abbey left ....
- Stalking
Once again, when they were separated, Travis was still there, uninvited. At one party, he grabbed her, threw her on his back and took her home, without her wanting too. I don't know why Doddy or Dobby or whatever the driver's name was actually drove Travis to his apartment and left him there with Abby by himself. For all he knew, Travis was going to rape her. Abby, she didn't seem to happy in the back seat...
- Drinking
No end to the drinking ... All of them seemed to drink too much actually. Whenever there was a problem ... bottoms up.
I honestly found myself happier for America and Sheply, whose relationship seemed a whole bunch healthier. The majority of sweet parts I mentioned earlier, I am probably just thinking back to America and Sheply.
OH, another character that I believe deserves mentioning ...
KARA: When mentioned in the book, Abby seems to make Kara sound like an absolute bitch, and maybe I missed something, or there is a back story to that, but I didn't catch it. America seemed to be more of a bitch towards Kara than the other way around. Kara actually, to me, seemed respectful. Whenever Travis or America came barging through the door (which was a lot!), Kara would quietly grab her shower bag and leave them to talk.
Honestly, Kara just seemed lonely, didn't look like she had a ton of friends and I don't understand why America and Abby didn't just befriend poor Kara.
The one good thing that I can think about this book is that it was never boring (which, actually might not be good considering why it wasn't).
sachasme's review against another edition
3.0
É aquele negócio né. Definitivamente não é um livro que retrata um relacionamento saudável, mas a leitura é sim viciante. Tem que ser lido com consciência.
kmparsons's review against another edition
2.0
While I found this book entertaining, Travis seemed overbearing and abusive at times. He could not keep his anger in check. And Abby forgave him every time he messed up, which I commend, except she did it so suddenly. It’s like she was unbelievably mad for about 1-5 pages, he shows and and apologizes and she just forgives him. I did not like how it glorified possessiveness as an extreme.
nathalyalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
Este es un libro normal, no lo disfrute demasiado pero esta bien. Cuando iba por la mitad ya llegado al punto en que según yo debería terminar. Sentí curiosidad por seguir leyendo. Entonces todos se volvió un total desastre y entendí el libro. Yo personalmente, disfruto muchos los libros chico-malo/chica-buena, por eso leí este libro.
Travis Madoxx es mi personaje, es todo lo que un chico malo debería representar con los tatuajes y todo problemático pero en realidad es estudioso y de hecho, es un personaje que realmente disfruto leer. Siento que este libro sera mil veces si fuera narrado por el. Y bueno, Abby, ella es un caso aparte. Al principio no la entendía. No sabia si era estúpida o solo trataba de ser estúpida a propósito. Pero casi en la cuarta parte del libro cuando ya casi termina entendí porque ella era así. Por otra parte, America es un personaje muy molesto, hay momentos en que debería simplemente desaparecer pero al casi en los momentos finales, creo que hasta empezó a gustarme.
En conclusión, este es un libro fácil de leer, difícil de entender y sin duda, mejora después de la mitad.
roosgillissen's review against another edition
3.0
Begin was leuk, middelste stuk was wat saai, einde ging opeens erg hard. Overal wat te kinderlijk en voorspelbaar.
beaniedorman's review against another edition
1.0
Wow. Just wow. I read up on some other reviews for this train wreck before writing my own, and I am honestly speechless. Do people genuinely think that Abby and Travis have a healthy relationship? That this book was well written? I'm sorry to disagree with the popular opinion, but this book was a hot mess from start to finish. Travis is a possessive, abusive character, Abby is a pushover, and every single character in this book suffers from split-personality disorder--there is no other explanation for the way they snap from one decision to the next in the time of a single page. The only character that I could appreciate in any way was Kara, the sole voice of reason in a storm of nonsense.
Back to Travis. I can't understand why people are finding him attractive. He took one look at Abby and decided that he owned her. He wouldn't let her so much as talk to anyone he didn't approve of, didn't let her wear anything that he didn't like, and literally kidnapped Abby when she wanted to break up with him, and wouldn't let her leave his apartment.How is this attractive?? How is this endearing or swoon-worthy???
The real problem with this book, though, was the writing. I haven't read a book written so poorly in a long while (Why did I finish it, you ask? Because a friend loaned it to me, and I promised that I would. Sorry for this rant, Lori....*sheepishly apologetic face*) I give the author credit for trying to use a wide variety of words, but it made Abby's voice sound detached and aloof, and made it impossible for me to connect with the story in any way.
I would not recommend this book.
Back to Travis. I can't understand why people are finding him attractive. He took one look at Abby and decided that he owned her. He wouldn't let her so much as talk to anyone he didn't approve of, didn't let her wear anything that he didn't like, and literally kidnapped Abby when she wanted to break up with him, and wouldn't let her leave his apartment.How is this attractive?? How is this endearing or swoon-worthy???
The real problem with this book, though, was the writing. I haven't read a book written so poorly in a long while (Why did I finish it, you ask? Because a friend loaned it to me, and I promised that I would. Sorry for this rant, Lori....*sheepishly apologetic face*) I give the author credit for trying to use a wide variety of words, but it made Abby's voice sound detached and aloof, and made it impossible for me to connect with the story in any way.
I would not recommend this book.
whendevreads's review against another edition
3.0
** Actual rating is 3.5 stars **
I went to see Beautiful Disaster in theaters the other day, after seeing the ad and that it was only in theaters for 2 days. I hadn’t read the book but was intrigued by the premise.
And the movie was… alright. It isn’t winning any awards & it’s very clear that it’s the same director as After. It was very funny, although I don’t think it was trying to be. Dylan Sprouse’s acting was a bit much & overall it was super cringey. A group of women behind us in the theater were angry because the movie “wasn’t like the book at all.”
However, that didn’t stop me from wanting to pick up the book, especially after finding out it was originally a Twilight fanfiction. Sooo much of this book makes more sense when you frame the characters as Bella and Edward. The possessiveness, the need to be gentle with her, the lowkey sexism, them signing their lives away to one another at literally 19 years old…
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I am taking my time to read the 1 star reviews and it’s honestly very entertaining. Is Abby and Travis’s relationship toxic? Oh for sure, but that’s what most of us are here for… let’s be real!! You’re not reading a book about an underground fighter and believing that he’s gonna be the perfect guy/boyfriend. And I’m sorry, but if you are, you’re delusional. Dark and toxic romances have become increasingly popular and it’s not surprising as to why. Obviously, we would never tolerate that behavior IRL, but it’s a book… it’s not real! And despite what you think, it isn’t the author’s job to show you what a healthy relationship looks like. Her job is to write an entertaining story… not all characters are going to align with your own moral compass. Also, for those of us with trauma and daddy issues… it’s hot! I’ll admit it, I’m not ashamed. If I was in Abby’s position I would’ve folded too!
That being said, I have seen that the author has said some problematic and racist things, which I absolutely do not support. I borrowed this book from my local library, so she is not gaining anything from this.
spice level:
I went to see Beautiful Disaster in theaters the other day, after seeing the ad and that it was only in theaters for 2 days. I hadn’t read the book but was intrigued by the premise.
And the movie was… alright. It isn’t winning any awards & it’s very clear that it’s the same director as After. It was very funny, although I don’t think it was trying to be. Dylan Sprouse’s acting was a bit much & overall it was super cringey. A group of women behind us in the theater were angry because the movie “wasn’t like the book at all.”
However, that didn’t stop me from wanting to pick up the book, especially after finding out it was originally a Twilight fanfiction. Sooo much of this book makes more sense when you frame the characters as Bella and Edward. The possessiveness, the need to be gentle with her, the lowkey sexism, them signing their lives away to one another at literally 19 years old…
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I am taking my time to read the 1 star reviews and it’s honestly very entertaining. Is Abby and Travis’s relationship toxic? Oh for sure, but that’s what most of us are here for… let’s be real!! You’re not reading a book about an underground fighter and believing that he’s gonna be the perfect guy/boyfriend. And I’m sorry, but if you are, you’re delusional. Dark and toxic romances have become increasingly popular and it’s not surprising as to why. Obviously, we would never tolerate that behavior IRL, but it’s a book… it’s not real! And despite what you think, it isn’t the author’s job to show you what a healthy relationship looks like. Her job is to write an entertaining story… not all characters are going to align with your own moral compass. Also, for those of us with trauma and daddy issues… it’s hot! I’ll admit it, I’m not ashamed. If I was in Abby’s position I would’ve folded too!
That being said, I have seen that the author has said some problematic and racist things, which I absolutely do not support. I borrowed this book from my local library, so she is not gaining anything from this.
spice level: