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Audiobook Review: ‘Beautiful Disaster’ by Jamie McGuire

Gabrielle Bondi

I’ve heard about Beautiful Disaster. The main thing being said is that it’s like a tamer version of 50 Shades of Grey, which isn’t exactly a selling point for me. I’ve read the 50 Shades novels and thought the drama in them was laughable. But I can’t deny that there is something captivating about the characters. I mean, otherwise, how did I manage to get through all three books? The same can be said about Beautiful Disaster. There’s a TON of drama; it’s exhausting. But there is something about the soap-opera-like story that is irresistible. I couldn’t stop listening, even when Abby and Travis were at the height of getting on my nerves.

Beautiful Disaster (aptly titled) is about Abby Abernathy, a college freshman. One night, she goes to an underground fighting match with her friend, America, and America’s boyfriend, Shepley. It’s there that she meets fighting champion, Travis Maddox. Travis is a good-looking, smart, and womanizing bad boy. Because of two of those qualities, Abby refuses to be another girl to fall for his charms. But Travis is Shepley’s roommate, and circumstances bring Abby and Travis together as friends and eventually morphing into something more.

The audiobook is narrated by Emma Galvin, who gives Abby a great voice. In particular, during the many very emotional scenes, Galvin was able to convey what Abby and the other characters were feeling. That was really one of the reasons why I kept listening. Frankly, about three fourths into the novel, I was pretty fed up with Abby and Travis. When I read (or listen to) a romance novel, I want to root for the couple. In the beginning, I was totally rooting for Travis and Abby. But, by God, after all that melodrama, I actually began thinking they were better apart. If it wasn’t so clear that this novel’s intention wasn’t for them break up, then that would’ve been fine. Alas, it wasn’t. Hence we had to ride through this tumultuous rollercoaster of emotions that made up their relationship.

Another thing that didn’t sit well with me is the way college life was depicted. It felt more like high school than college. The scenes that took place in the school cafeteria really gave off the high school vibe. Whenever Travis walked in or did something out of character during lunch, the whole room would stare at him. Plus, all the gossip about him and Abby reeked of high school melodrama. I understand that the college they attend is a small one. I attended a very small university. Trust me; no one gave a crap about who slept with whom for anyone outside their own clique.

Even with some of these problems, I did finish Beautiful Disaster. The end surprisingly managed to be satisfying. That, along with Galvin’s narration, stopped me from disliking the book. If I were to recommend it, I would say to definitely consider the audiobook format. And finally, if you like 50 Shades of Grey, Beautiful Disaster is an ideal follow-up.

Rating: 6/10 ★★★★★★

Beautiful Disaster is now available in audiobook format. You can purchase it at our TYF Store, powered by Amazon.

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