A fresh start, a bad boy, a Vegas mob, and an enduring love. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire has it all, and is by far one of the most compelling novels I have had the pleasure of reading. The main character, Abby Abernathy has just started college looking for a fresh start. The opposite of what she needs is the distraction of Travis Maddox, a notorious player and underground fighter who follows mercilessly after Abby or, as he calls her, “Pigeon.” The transition of these dysfunctional friends into soul mates is both reckless and utterly beautiful.

Losing a bet, Abby is forced to move in with Travis for a month, and by the end of her sentence I was mentally cursing the pair for being so oblivious to each other’s affection. However, once they take the leap of faith, it is obvious that they were meant to be together. The complete disregard for consequences as Abby and Travis acknowledge their love for each other is astonishing, nothing short of what most would consider naivety. Being a hopeless romantic, I found it inspiring.

There is an endless quantity of astonishing twists and turns, as Travis’ involvement in illegal fighting causes a rift in his relationship with Abby. Abby’s past comes back to haunt her in deadly ways. The couple’s love for each other is tested with conflicts that they may not be able to overcome.

Without giving too much away, the end of the book was nothing less than satisfying and I was desperate to read more. Fortunately, the sequel Walking Disaster tells the love story from the perspective of Travis rather than Abby. Oh, how excited I am to dig into it and discover the secrets of a boy in love.

I would recommend this book to young adults 17 and older, as there are some adult themes involved, and anyone who appreciates a good romance novel. A pigeon, an underground fighter, and a compelling story. Beautiful Disaster is an adventure that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing.