ARC Review of Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2)

By: Jamie McGuire

Review by: Kaede

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 448

Format: e-ARC

Source: NetGalley (Thank you, Atria Books!)

Other Titles in the Series: Beautiful Disaster (#1)

Can you love someone too much? 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.

**The following review includes spoilers - which are marked accordingly in white color, instead of the black you're reading right now. To recognize where they are, they are usually located in the weird wide space between two sentences. To see them, highlight the words using your cursor.**

Example: Hi! How are you? This was simple right?

Now with your mouse cursor, highlight the space next to "Example:", and you should see a message from me. (:

--

EVERY STORY HAS TWO SIDES. 

ABBY ABERNATHY HAD HER CHANCE. 

NOW IT'S THE BAD BOY'S TURN.

--

Even if I don't want to admit it, it's possible that a small part of me had hopes for Walking Disaster. When I was informed by a email from NetGalley, of which content held advertisement for McGuire's upcoming release, I was curious. Because the notice informed me that not only was Walking Disaster available for review, but the first 250 readers to request would be a granted an automatic Read Now. 

Maybe what propelled me to click that request button was simply curiosity. So many friends of mine had disliked Abby's story, that maybe I just wanted to see why it was so bad. 

Excuse after excuse I can give you, but really, none of it makes a difference. Because the truth of the matter is I requested it on my own free will and was - much to my surprise - accepted. And because I was the one who requested it, I owed it to the publisher to read and review it. 

Although I'm not happy. 

I'm not happy at all. 

Travis Maddox is confident. With a high life full of women and fighting, Travis is certain he has it all. But that was before he met Abby Abernathy. That was before he realized there was something he never had.

Love. 

Hold up there! Because I'll be honest with you: I sincerely doubt Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox knows what love is. His infatuation - if you can even call it that - with Abby isn't love, it borderlines on obsession. And I'm not screwing around here. This boy displays serious signs of potential domestic abuse.YOU CANNOT, and I repeat, YOU CANNOT BARGE INTO A WOMAN'S APARTMENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND AGAINST HER WILL.

When I number my problems down with Walking Disaster, unsurprisingly enough, I often come back to our dearest Travis. His side comments, direct remarks, ridiculous jealousy, and overwhelming need to dominant leaves me just: 


Which, I'll point out, Travis does some form of in the story. Tearing down his apartment, that is, when Abby leaves him. 

I actually had a lot of issues with the characters in this story. Now I've never read Beautiful Disaster, so Abby is the only one who gets somewhat of a pardon because I haven't seen her side of the story, and why she made the decisions she did.

BUT TRAVIS. Travis had no excuse for his behavior. Loving Obsessing over a girl doesn't give you the right to put her in harms way. Which he clearly does. Example: When he just has to have Abby at his last fight, even though she got assaulted at the last one. Travis also has this problem where he realizes that he's about to do, or wants to do, something completely selfish and self-centered, but HE GOES ABOUT DOING IT ANYWAY. Dude, are you serious? Are you serious? 



And, I don't know if you knew this or what, but you can't go around punching and beating the crap out of every guy who talks to the girl you like obsess over.

"If you don't back away from my girl, I'll rip out your fucking throat. Right here on the dance floor." 

Uhm, hello? Violence alert? RED FLAGS SHOULD BE GOING UP LIKE PRONTO. That is a freaking threat that should be taken to authority or even the police, because that should not be tolerated in fear. And once again, WOMEN ARE NOT PERSONAL PROPERTY TO BE CLAIMED. WHY THE FUCK DO YOU NOT GET THAT, TRAVIS? WHY? And fun fact: YOU. ARE. NOT. EVEN. DATING. HER. ANYMORE. Where the hell did you get the right to call her "my girl"? 

And my God, STOP FUCKING PUNCHING OR TRYING TO KILL EVERY GUY THAT EVEN LOOKS AT ABBY. A guy offers Abby a drink? Tries to kill him. Parker goes out with Abby. Convinced Abby is just trying to make him jealous but still tries to mess with Parker. Guy dances with Abby. Threatens to rip out their throat. 

He throws Abby over his shoulder WITHOUT her consent at a party, basically kidnapping her, and shoving her into a car with him where he threatens the driver to take them to his apartment or he'll put his fist through the back of their head. 

AND THE TEMPER TANTRUMS. HOW OLD ARE YOU, TRAVIS, TWO? Abby breaks up with you and moves to America's dorm room, and what do you fucking do? FOLLOW THEM. But that's not it because you lie to get in to look for Abby, find the room, and then PROCEED to HARASS America's roommate to let you in. And when she refuses, YOU FORCE THE DOOR OPEN. And when you can't find Abby, you then result to, well, a temper tantrum. When Abby doesn't show up to class, what do you do, Travis? YOU THROW TWO DESKS OVER and get kicked out of class. Which I'll add, is one of the very, very few consequences Travis suffers for his actions. Because can somebody explain to me how he can beat somebody to the point where you can see blood IN SCHOOL, and not be expelled? HOW?

And overall, Travis has some serious jealousy issues, controlling problems, violent tendencies and just lots of problems all together. But Abby, Abby wasn't much better. 

There's a small portion of me that manages to feel sorry for Abby. She's trapped in a haunting memory that is her past, and all she wants to do is escape the world she comes from. But that doesn't make up for the fact that she loves Travis and doesn't call out his bullshit as often as she should. And when she does, when she finally leaves him, do you know what she does? SHE GOES RIGHT BACK TO HIM.

And I couldn't stand the slut-shaming. I'm usually not one to get too severely offended by slut-shaming, but I'll be damned if it didn't drive me insane in Walking Disaster. And uhm, Abby, just asking but, why were you having sex with Travis when you were with Parker? Travis has a lot of one night stands, but never two girls at the same time, you know. Or at least I think there was never two girls at the same time. Oh and Travis, WHO gives YOU the right to determine what Abby can wear? I just couldn't stand that - especially because Travis wasn't her parent and therefore did not have the authority to tell Abby to go change because he doesn't want her to be "too sexy."

But it is always cool to see a girl own unsuspecting males at poker. It's pretty boss, if I do say so myself. 

I liked Shepley and I did like America most of the time. The main, and only, problem I had with America was that she was very two sided. She's like that girl who's best friends with two other girls. And then one day those two other girls get in a fight, and that one girl is stuck in the middle, being pressured to choose a side. What that girl stuck in the middle decides to do though is not to stay neutral, not even to side with one friend, but instead tries to go with both friends. 

Basically, what I mean is this: 

Friend A and Friend B are in a fight. Friend C is stuck in the middle. 

Friend A to Friend C: "Oh em gee! Did you know what Friend B did to me! *shrieks dramatically* SHE SAID THAT PINK WAS NOT MY COLOR! HOW COULD PINK NOT BE MY COLOR!?! RIGHT?" 

Friend C: "Of course! I don't know what she was thinking! Pink isso your color." 

Later, Friend B and Friend C meet up in the library or something.

Friend B to Friend C: "Oh em gee! Did you hear what Friend A did to me? *stomps feet dramatically* SHE SAID THAT BLACK WAS SO NOT MY COLOR! HOW COULD BLACK NOT BE MY COLOR? BLACK GOES WITH EVERYTHING! RIGHT? RIGHT?" 

Friend C: "Of course! I don't know what she was thinking. Some people are just a bit cray-cray, you know?" 

Friend B: "Definitely!" *sighs* "It's so nice having someone that understands you." 

The point I'm trying to get across is this: America is all for Abby&Travis4eva one second and the next she's screaming at Travis never to touch Abby again. I don't know, even after finishing this book, what America really wanted from Travis and Abby's relationship. But America's relationship with Shepley, I didn't have problems with. Maybe mainly because I was already too irritated and occupied with one relationship to pay too close attention to anything else that wasn't blowing up in my face. 

I also, surprisingly, had a soft spot for Travis's family. Totally unexpected, because I have everything but for Travis. I really liked Travis's brothers, because as far as I could tell, they weren't obsessive or creepily possessive or easily jealous. I also really liked Jim, Travis's father. 

And contrary to 99% of my review, Walking Disaster wasn't completely unlikable. There were moments where I was not agitated, characters I did like, and overall the story is quite addictive. 

I'll bet (get it? get it?) that a lot of you will manage to finish this book in no time. I kept flipping the pages to find out what happens, even though a part of me didn't really want to. There are some cheesy lines (most of which come from Travis) and scenes, but I don't think I wasted my time reading this. Because for one, I didn't spend much time on it. And also because it was interesting, after hearing so much about Beautiful Disaster, to be able to form my own opinion. But unlike most of you, who are curious to see what was going on in Travis's head, I'm the exact opposite. 

I am legitimately deciding - I'm not kidding - on whether or not I want to pick up Beautiful Disaster. Why? Why would I want to do that when I obviously wasn't a fan of the story? Because I want to know what propelled Abby to fall in love with Travis Maddox. And more so than that, what magic was worked so that she would stay with him. Have you guys read Beautiful Disasteror Walking Disaster? Were you a fan of it, were you not? Is New Adult something you like to read? If you've read Beautiful Disaster or Walking Disaster, what did you think of that ending? I'd love to hear some opinions! 

--

Bonus! 

--

**The following will include direct quotes or passages from the advance readers copy I received of Walking Disaster. They are subjected to be revised or changed in the final edition**.

Okay, guys. So if you guys want to see, since I've gotten a few comments asking, what I though of particular scenes in the story, I've decided to include exactly that. I'll copy a passage from the advance copy, and then I'll write down my reactions at the time. Sound fun? Although I might be a bit snarky, so if you don't like that, than don't read on. Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, if you haven't concluded that yet. I AM COPYING PASSAGES FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE MIDDLE TO THE END OF THE BOOK! Oh, and, I'm sorry I don't know the exact pages for the quotes, because I read an e-ARC and my Kindle shows locations in thousands instead of pages. 

"You're going to have to tone down the jealous boyfriend thing, Travis. I didn't do anything wrong."

"I walk up here, and some guy is buying you a drink!" 

OH MY GOD. ABBY JUST COMMITTED THE WORST SIN EVER. SHE LET A GUY BUY HER A DRINK. 

Just kill me now, before I go and kill this jealous obsessive and possessive boyfriend. 

I leaned against the door with my hip. "You can't leave."

Um, yes she can. It's something call free will, babe.

"You hit that guy because you were pissed at me! What should that tell me? Because red flags are going up all over the place right now!" 

You just noticed those bright red flags? I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU SINCE DAY ONE. WE ARE CURRENTLY HALFWAY INTO THE STORY, AND I GUARANTEE TO YOU TRAVIS WASN'T A PURE-HEARTED GENTLEMAN FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE BOOK THAT SUDDENLY TURNED VIOLENT AND EVIL. 

She closed her eyes. "We are dysfunctional, Travis. I think you're just obsessed with the thought of owning me more than anything else."

"That's not true. I love you more than my life Pigeon."

"That's exactly what I mean. That's crazy talk."

"It's not crazy. It's the truth." 

AHA! SHE ADMITS IT TOO. I KNEW I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS TRAVIS HAS A POSSESSION PROBLEM. And please, Travis. Stop if you know what's good for you. You are starting to sound like one of those much detested wimpy heroines who can't live without their love interests. 

"OHHHH PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME, BABY! I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU! LET'S MAKE OUT!"

...add a "While the world outside dies" and that can be applied to many female protagonists of young adult dystopians, who seem to prioritize boys over life. 

Unable to restrain myself, I reached out for Abby, wrapped her small frame in my arms, and planted my lips on hers. Her mouth was cold and stiff, so I cradled her face in my hands, kissing her harder, desperate to get a reaction.

"Kiss me," I begged.

Abby's kept her mouth taut, but her body was lifeless. If I let her go, she would have fallen.

"Kiss me!" I pleaded. "Please, Pigeon! I told him no!"

Abby shoved me away. "Leave me alone, Travis!" She shouldered passed me, but I grabbed her wrist. 

ANNNND I'm pretty sure that's sexual harassment. Any further and it could have been rape. YOU CAN FORCE SOMEONE TO KISS YOU. THAT'S JUST MESSED UP. AND YOU CAN'T STOP THEM FROM LEAVING YOU EITHER. FREE WILL, PEOPLE. FREE WILL. 

"I need you to take us to my apartment," I said as I got in beside her.

"Travis...I don't think..."

"Do it, Donnie, or I'll shove my first trough the back of your head, I swear to God."

Donnie immediately put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb. Abby lunged for the door handle. "I'm not going to your apartment!"

I grabbed one of her wrists, and then the other. 

That, my friend, is just messed up. Threats, violence, and holding somebody against their will, equals MESSED UP. 

My need to be around Abby Abernathy overruled any rational thought." 

No, I think there's quite a rational logic behind that need. *cough* Obsession. *cough*

...how fucking selfish I was being, requiring her presence in a place where I knew she could be in danger. 

Then the obvious, human choice would be to tell HER NOT TO GO. But NOOOO, you NEED her there. even though she WAS ASSAULTED the last time she went to one of your freaking fights, Travis. 

Complete concentration was needed to win this fight, and that depended on two things: Abby's presence, and Abby's safety. 

Does anybody else realize how contradictory that is? So you need Abby's presence to win a fight? Okayyyy, how about all those times you won fights when you NEVER KNEW ABBY. And do you honestly think she'll be safe in a place, which I repeat, WHERE SHE WAS ASSAULTED BEFORE. 

"What the fuck, Trent?" I asked, seeing his name on the display. "I called you hours ago. It's not like you're productive at work or anything."

"It hasn't been hours, and I'm sorry. I've been at Cami's." 

Travis, were you ever taught how to properly how to ask a favor? Do you have any manners ingrained in you? You're a nice brother aren't you? MAYBE TRENT ACTUALLY HAS A LIFE AND DOESN'T STAND AROUND 24/7 WAITING FOR YOU TO CALL HIM AT ANY TIME. That line just really, really annoyed me personally. 

And Trent - DON'T APOLOGIZE TO HIM. You didn't do anything wrong!

1 and ½ coffee cups!

**An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. However, all opinions remain honest and my own.**

~♥~

Contact Kaede: 

Email: kimberlyho75@yahoo.com
Goodreads: Kaede
Twitter: Kami178xx