Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Titel: Walking Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: Beautiful #2
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 488
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Source: ARC

Earlier in the series: Beautiful Disaster



Walking Disaster is Travis' POV.

How much is too much to love?

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. Just when he thought he was invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

***

Did you happen to read my review of Beautiful Disaster? If you did, you'll know I was far from happy about it. But still, I decided to dive into the story of Travis to see if he was really the jerk I thought he was.

Travis doesn't really apologies for his actions throughout the book which shows that he is very determined and stands by his actions - even when they are stupid and unbelievable. I think the prologue was supposed to make Travis look like a broken child and somehow excuse his actions toward Abby and even though I get that he is hurting, he's still mostly just a jerk. He still comes off as deeply unstable and unpleasant.

Since the story is mostly the same as the previous one, it's kind of boring at times. New stuff does happen (like watching when Travis is throwing a tantrum because Abby left after sex - I was looking forward to reading that part from his POV and it was so disappointing). The ending of the book is different as well, because it continues after Beautiful Disaster ends. I liked the ending, even if I did find it completely unrealistic and I still loathe Abby. 

I do love Jamie McGuires writing so much and I wish she wrote different kinds of books - I'm sure I would read all of them! 

I liked Walking Disaster better than Beautiful Disaster because I would much rather read about Travis than Abby. At least he shows some depth were as Abby's transformation from strong protagonist to push-over is both boring and frustrating.

Read this book if you liked Beautiful Disaster or if you, like me, just can't get enough of yelling at stupid characters and smashing your head into your book!

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Titel: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: Beautiful #1
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 437
Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Source: Bought for Kindle





The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, 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 ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, 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’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

***

Warning: This is not a review as much as me ranting on about stuff!

Never in my time as a reader have I had so much trouble rating a book. I thought this was a cute love story, but it turned out to be something entirely different.

Abby is supposed to be this good girl, but aside from a pink cardigan in the beginning of the story I just don't see it. She obviously knows how to drink already! I really liked her in the beginning; she talks back, believes in herself, shows strength and seems so smart. But the more she got involved with Travis, the less I liked her. She puts up with too much and all of a sudden she doesn't know how to say no (although she did say it a lot in the beginning). Some of the things he asks of her are seriously weird and not okay! Half the time Abby tries to convince herself, and everybody else, that she is not in love with Travis and that they don't belong together (I agree on that last part!). The other half she spends trying to be with him and making him jealous. She makes excuses for him, puts up with his insane behavior and is certain that she is the problem - this just screams abusive and unhealthy relationship! How did this book ever get a reputation as romantic and how is Travis anybody’s dream guy?!?

Yeah, let's talk about Travis. He is a jerk at first, but he gets better on some notes throughout the book. Unfortunately, he has some issues I can't stand! He is so violent, jealous and possessive which is a very bad mix. He beats up every guy who tries to get close to or touch Abby (and at one point she actually tells Travis to teach a guy some manners - so he beats the crap out of him). He even tells her to change her cloth when they go out because she's wearing something that shows off a little skin. This is sick! I can't stand the way he treats her (and other people). He's such a douchebag! Every once in a blue moon he shows some good quality and then I really like him, but most of the time he is waaaaay to much of an asshole. Still, by the end of the book, I like him better than Abby which tells a lot about Abby.

I liked America and Shep at the beginning, but America turns out to be the worst friend EVER:

"Travis is a fucking wreck! He won't talk to us, he's trashed the apartment, threw the stereo across the room (...) He took a swing at Shep when he found out we helped you leave (...) He's gone fucking nuts! I heard him call your name, and then he stomped all over the apartment looking for you. (...) He ripped his sheets off the bed, and threw them away, threw his pillows away, shattered his mirror with his fist, kicked his door ... broke it from the hinges! It was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life! (...) You have to call him."

Seriously?! Did she just tell her friend to call a guy who acts like that? What the hell is wrong with her? This is NOT acceptable behavior. Kara, Abby's roommate, is the only one who sees how wrong their relationship is, but frankly she is portrayed as somewhat of a bitch and her opinion doesn't count.

I LOATHE the ending! Really, loathe it! Obviously, I can't tell you why, but it's idiotic and stupid and urgh!!! I hate it!

I do love the writing though! It captivated me from the very first page and I had a hard time putting the book aside. It made me so frustrated and it annoyed me, but it also made me smile and I loved it a couple of times. I have never had such a hard time rating a book and my rating primarily shows my issues with Travis' extreme behavior and the amount of violence in the book

"I know we're fucked up, all right? I'm impulsive and hot-tempered, and you get under my skin like no one else. You act like you hate me one minute, and then you need me the next. I never get anything right, and I don't deserve you ... but I fucking love you, Abby. I love you more than I've loved anyone or anything, ever. When you're around, I don't need booze or money or the fighting or the one-night stands ... all I need is you. You're all I think about. You're all I dream about. You're all I want."

Mini spoiler

Oh yeah, and by the way: You do not buy someone a dog as a present unless it's a wish and you do not get your girlfriend's/boyfriend's name tattooed on you! IDIOTIC!

Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry

Titel: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 397
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Source: Free Kindle Read






No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

***

I've read tons of great reviews so my expectations before starting this book were through the roof. Besides, I think most books about teens with problems are either shallow or lecturing and I hoped for something better. Thankfully Pushing the Limits was amazing.

Echo is an incredible protagonist. She's sensitive, loving, broken, confined and strong. She doubts herself a lot without ever being annoying - it actually makes sense that she feels like that. She is easy to like and her struggle to recover her lost memory is so riveting.

I'm not a big fan of Noah. The part of the story about him and his brothers makes him seem so callous and very self-centered. And he just seems so dumb at times, like when it comes to doing drugs. Noah is a teenager which means he thinks about sex ALL the time and it gets boring, just like constantly being told how great Echo smells and how perfect she is - I'm not stupid, quiet repeating. But thankfully Noah changes around Echo and when he changes, I like him! Suddenly he is the perfect guy and I enjoyed reading about him.

I LOVE Mrs. Collins. She is awesome and I adored her sense of humor. She tries to be hip and smart which is so funny and at the same time she shows patience and trust and she understands. Every teen should have a Mrs. Collins in their life.

The POV changes between Noah and Echo which works great most of the time. Unfortunately, some of the chapters end with some sort of a cliffhanger and the next chapter starts up with a different POV at a later time and just get a short explanation of what happened. It annoyed me - I want the story when it happens. (That sounds weird; I really hope you understand what I mean).

Pushing the Limits is very well written and feelings just pouring out of the pages. No insta-love, but a beautiful, believable and heartbreaking love story filled with hope, beauty and courage.

The Holders - Julianna Scott

Titel: The Holders
Author: Julianna Scott
Series: Holders #1
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Pages: 320
Publication Date: March 5, 2013

17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland.

What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart. However, certain destinies may not be as clear cut as everyone has always believed them to be.

Becca is lost, but found at the same time. Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?

***

You know those books who stay with you long after you've read the last page? The kind of book you want to re-read the second you finish it. The Holders is that book for me. I adored it from the very beginning. It's almost a mix of X-men and Ireland which is just perfect!

The writing is amazing and I had a hard time putting the book down (sleep and food is overrated, right?). Even though the story has a slow pace at times, it's still riveting and filled with Irish myths and life on a boarding school.

I loved Becca. She is an awesome protagonist. She is so much fun and very sarcastic, but she is also friendly and hardheaded. Becca is very smart and I loved finally reading about a protagonist, who dares to speak her mind and who doesn't depend on anybody. I adored the chemistry between Becca and Alex - they are so funny together and their friendship develops slowly and realistically. Their relationship is predictable, but I stilled loved being on the side watching them getting to know each other and falling in love. Their conversations and inside jokes are fantastic.

Almost all the people in this book have depth and individuality and I cared for most of them. My favorites were Min, Mr. Reid and Mr. Anderson - I loved their bickering and weirdness.

My only real problem with this book was the cover - It just doesn't do anything for me. Had I seen it in a book store I probably would have ignored it and that's such a shame - guess I need to stop judging the books by their covers, huh? Anyway, read this book - you won’t regret it!

Blaze (or Love in the time of Supervillains) - Laurie Boyle Crompton

Titel: Blaze (or Love in the time of Supervillains)
Author: Laurie Boyle Crompton
Series: -
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 322
Publication Date: 2013
Source: ARC from publisher





Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She's desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark's feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her "sext" photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now...

***

I can’t quite decide what I think about Blaze (the character, not the entire book). She is incredibly naïve and doesn’t listen to anybody, even if those people only want what’s good for her. She doesn’t know how to say no to Mark and she lets him cross her lines over and over again. I just don’t get it! But then again – she is a teen trying to find her boundaries and she has been an outsider forever and suddenly a very hot guy gives her a lot of attention – she is probably bound to be confused. I just get a little tired of her jumping through hoops for him and suspecting nothing.

I HATE Blaze's friends. Well, I hate Amanda and dislike Terri. Amanda is absolutely awful! She doesn’t care for anyone but herself and she is so mean toward Blaze (Seriously, who takes a picture of a friend in sexy lingerie and send it to that persons crush? That should end a friendship!) I don’t really care for Blaze's mom either. She is so immature and she shouldn’t be blaming Blaze for her husband leaving her. I’m very glad she isn’t a bigger part of the story!

I adore Josh and his friends, the soccer cretins. They are so much fun and typical young teenage boys. They are partly the reason for the last star. The other part of the reason is the humor. This book is so much fun! The comic book references fit perfectly and Blaze, Josh and the soccer cretins are hilarious.

Blaze grows a lot through the book, but it takes a long time. It isn’t till the end that she learns something. The book is about trusting yourself and knowing your identity but it is also about bullying both online and in person. It was a great read and I’m sure I will enjoy more books from Laurie Boyle Crompton in the future!
I read an ARC and therefor didn’t have the pleasure of seeing the drawings which will be in the finished copy. I did see some of them on other blogs and they were great!