With Love, Thelms

I think reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and it’s a healthy hobby for the mind. My favorite pastime is reading. I’ve always loved escaping into a new novel and becoming one with the characters. From the moment you start reading to the moment you finish reading, you are engaged in a world unlike your own. I don’t know about you, but that’s exciting to me. I have loved reading since I was little and that’s a love that will never die. I remember being so anxious to finish my homework in elementary school, just so my mom would let me read Junie B. Jones novels after. I think everyone should take up a good book every once in a while because it’s good for your health. Reading is a nice way to calm down the mind and relax. I use reading as a way to relieve stress and you should too! My good girlfriend and I have this unofficial book club running, so we’re always finding new books to read. Today I want to share with you guys my book of the month for January. I know it’s only the 13th of January, but I’m a fast reader!

What have I been reading this month? This month I decided to pick up a two-part book series by Jamie McGuire. The first book in the series titled “Beautiful Disaster” is a story of love and life in the most unique way, told by the main character Abby Abernathy. The second and final book in the series is titled “Walking Disaster” as told from the other significant character of both novels, Travis “Mad Dog” Maddox.

She’s always been someone who is very independent and yet like most people have a trouble passed. Travis “Mad Dog” Maddox is also someone who comes from a dark past, but they find a way to connect. Their connection proves to be challenging because they start off as just friends and those feelings develop into something much more concrete than either could have expected. Abby and Travis are two young strong people who defy all odds and fall deeply in love with one another.

Initially they meet at an underground fight club that Travis is a part of and in fact known as the fighter to beat. Abby is dragged by her best friend, America and when she meets Travis they are both intrigued. Abby hides her interest while Travis makes it as plain as day what his intentions are. Abby is one of the first people Travis encounters who isn’t remotely interested in dating him, let alone getting in his bed. That makes Travis intent on making her a friend and it happens, neither of them having the intention of falling in love. Without, giving too much away this story evolves into how Travis and Abby chase their dark secrets of the past away together. They grow together and learn to trust in each other as they journey through the trials of their past. The second book in the series tells the story from Travis’ perspective. I know, I know. You think it’s going to be like reading the first book all over again, it’s NOT! I promise. Trust me I thought the same thing, but I’m telling you it’s not. Both books offer two VERY different perspectives on how each saw their situation. I personally just enjoyed feeling like for once I was able to understand what goes through guy’s head when they’re in certain positions. I mean because girls when do we ever get the opportunity to get into their heads? You get to see how Travis views something in comparison to the first book, where Abby viewed the same situation totally different.

Travis gives an authentic recounting of how everything started and blossomed through his eyes. It honestly felt like reading a new book. I’m telling you it did. Jamie McGuire does a fantastic job of transitioning storylines in both books between Abby and Travis, all while keeping the base of the book genuine.

It’s rating time! I’d gladly give this two book series a solid 4.8/5.0! It’s not the full five out of five because there were just the tiniest bit of details I would have expanded on. However, overall this book was so awesome! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for romance, drama, and the intent of learning something. Feel free to let me know what you guys are reading because I’m always looking for something new. I’m into all kinds of books!

Barnes & Noble