Author: Jamie Maguire
Publisher: Simon and
Schuster (originally self-published)
Date: Available now
Source: purchased
My grade: A+
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 needs—and wants—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. (cover and description from www.goodreads.com)
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 needs—and wants—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. (cover and description from www.goodreads.com)
Initial reaction
I’m confused by some of the negative reviews of this
book. Did they read the same book I just
read?
Cover story
I love the title and cover of this book. The title sums up
everything and the cover is gorgeous.
This is a book that I would pull out and read in public places without
feeling like people were staring.
What’s the Story?
I. Loved. This. Book.
Now I see what all the fuss was about. Well, sort of. I see why people were raving about how great
this book was. I still don’t understand
the people who talk about Travis being controlling and abusive. Not sure where that is coming from, but I’ll
get to that later.
This is one of those intense stories that will keep you
attached to the book until you finish.
Even now, days after I finished reading the book, I’m still thinking
about it. Yes, this is one of those
types of books.
It’s hard for me to say that I loved the characters in this
book. I really didn’t, but I loved the
story. I honestly felt more sympathy for
Travis, but he could be a real jerk at times.
I think that is where people are getting this whole “abusive”
thing. To those people I say: Dude, there is a difference between being
abusive and just being an asshole!
Sometimes, Travis was a jealous asshole with a temper. But Abby was a total tease who played lots of
mind games. So in many ways, these two deserved
each other!
This was not a book about an abusive relationship, but it
was a book about an unhealthy one. Both
Abby and Travis have issues and in some ways that makes them perfect for one
another, but it also brings up many problems in the relationship. Sometimes Travis is to blame, but sometimes
Abby is to blame. I think they each
shoulder half the responsibility for the problems in the relationship. If you’ve read this book, I’d love to know
how you feel and why.
I think the issue with this book is really that people who
are too young to read it are the ones reading it. It is NOT a YA book and even though the
characters would probably place it in new adult, I think that as a reader, you
need a certain amount of maturity to understand that relationships have
problems, some people have tempers or insecurities that will cause those
problems and in the real world, people have to learn to deal with those. Travis is not the first man to have some
issues with his temper, but he doesn’t abuse Abby in any way. Abby has some real commitment issues and she
does jerk Travis around a lot, but in the end, she comes around. This is the messy stuff of relationships in
the real world. This is not a shining
example of a wonderful relationship, but it sure as hell is an example of a
real one.
I loved this book and I really foresee myself reading it
again at some point in time. It’s one of
the best I’ve read this year.
Soundtrack
As you can see, this book inspired me musically. I may have gotten a little carried away
here. I would apologize, but I’m not
really sorry. : )
Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson
Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
Brand New Day by Joshua Radin
If I’m Honest by Missy Higgins
Hot and Cold by Katy Perry (This song is just perfect for
Abby.)
Where I Stood by Missy Higgins
Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz
Goodbye My Lover by
James Blunt
The Final Grade
My grade for this book is an A+. This was a captivating story about 2 broken
people and their real world relationship.
It kept me turning pages late into the night. At times, it left me aching for 2 broken
people, but it also gave me hope and left me with that totally satisfied
feeling when I turned the last page.
