Walking Disaster (Beautiful, #2)

by Jamie McGuire

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I did like Beautiful Disaster, but not because Travis was “OMG so sexy and romantic!!!” He’s not. I liked it because it was a hugely entertaining dramafest. I was excited to discover Walking Disaster, because of course I want to get into Travis “Mad Dog” Maddox’s head! There’s got to be more to him than the violent, womanizing, obsessive, bad boy. Right? Not really.

I immediately disliked Travis. I mean, I already knew he was an ass, but I figured it was a case of misunderstood bad boy syndrome. Nope. He really is an ass. Walking Disaster starts off with Travis remembering the night his mother died, but that doesn’t excuse the way he talks about women once the current story begins. He claims to live by one rule: respect. But he has no respect for the women he brings back to his apartment. He says that’s their fault though. I don’t think that just because a woman doesn’t appear to respect herself, excuses anyone from disrespecting her. Somehow it’s acceptable for him to have sex with whoever he wants, but those women he has sex with are sluts? I don’t think so. I honestly don’t believe that having sex with multiple people means you don’t respect yourself. People like sex. That’s fine. That’s normal. It’s not bad. Travis you are a [insert insult of choice]!

He also repeatedly calls Abby a cranky bitch. Now, I never liked Abby that much, but I didn’t think she was a bitch…most of the time. Travis also gets super possessive way early on and talks about how she’s basically not allowed to have a life without him. Besides just being straight up crazy, I also didn’t understand his attraction/obsession with her. Abby has no personality what so ever in Walking Disaster. It felt like the author decided not to develop her at all, since we already got to know her in Beautiful Disaster. But what if someone picks this one up before reading the first book? Then they’re stuck with a cardboard cut out of a love interest.

However, much like the first book, Walking Disaster is highly entertaining and I enjoyed reading it. Sure I wanted to punch Travis in the throat for some of the thoughts going through his head, but I did find him realistic. Would I want to date him? Hell no, but guys like him do exist. Unfortunately. I was hoping to actually see Travis change as his relationship with Abby continues, but it doesn’t. He may have appeared to change from Abby’s perspective, but he hasn’t. And what was that epilogue?! I thought I was starting a whole new book, because it felt so out of place. I honestly cannot believe that their future would end up that way. No way.

Basically Walking Disaster has a lot wrong with it, but as far as entertaining reading goes, it’s satisfying. The characters are frustrating as heck, but I knew that going in. I was just hoping for some development and growth, which didn’t happen. It was still interesting to get into Travis’ head, even if it made me like him even less.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.