Description: 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 wants-and needs-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. ~Amazon
Author: Jamie McGuire
Release date: May 26, 2012
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 432
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Reading level: I keep seeing this book listed as Young Adult, so I am just going to say it contains a lot of illegal gambling and fighting, sex, bad language, underage drinking, and lots of violence.
Teaser Sentence: '"You should know by now that it takes patience and a forgiving attitude to be friends with Travis. He's his own universe."'
My thoughts: This book is not going to be for everyone. Travis, the hunky, tattooed guy of this story, is quite possessive and violent. Not to mention, some what of a man-slut. He does have some scenes where you wonder what the hell Abby is thinking when she forgives him. I read up on some other reviewers perspective of this and what I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is that Abby is not the innocent, sweet, blinded by love protagonist like in most young romance novels. She has a dark past, even though she is trying to escape it, that involves everything from illegal gambling to knowing members of the mob. They both have bad flaws that they are trying to overcome. Neither one of them is really good for each other and that is why their friendship starts out as such a disaster.
I personally enjoyed this book. Yes, it has some questionable scenes, but then there are chapters like the one that take place on Thanksgiving. I have to give kudos to Jamie McQuire, because those chapters, to me, where heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I love books that make me feel strong emotions, that's why we read books right? And this book was not stingy with the emotions. There was everything from love, to being down right pissed off, to laughing. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but I personally really liked it.
Rating:
I liked this book a lot! I hope I'll write a review for it soon.
ReplyDeleteI still can't understand the reviewers who are so revolved that the book features a dysfunctional relationship and that Travis treats Abby in the most horrible way. Based on those reviews, on every page I expected Travis to hit her or something... which didn't happen. Ok, so he was jealous and possessive, but Abby was not perfect either. She sure wasn't the "good girl" type.
I agree this is not a book for everyone, but I also think the reader's past experiences matter a lot. To me, Travis' attitude towards Abby was not that outrageous, but to others things may be different.
I want to read one for so long, I suppose I should put this one up in the line!
ReplyDeleteNice review, I like following your blog :)
btw I have nominated you for Liebster Blog Awards (don't know if it much sense but someone nominated me so I just pass the word around ;) )
http://tsbookshelves.blogspot.com/p/liebster-blog-award.html
Hi Sycho,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog earlier. I'm a huge fan of Travis myself even if I've wanted to punch him a few times during my reading... But I can't wait to put my hands on the sequel...