New Adult Book Review: Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
Title: Beautiful Oblivion
Series: Maddox Brothers #1
Author: Jamie McGuire
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Age Group: NEW ADULT
Genre Type: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 2014
Pages: 337
Format: Kindle
Source: Bought
Publisher: Atria Books
SUMMARY:
Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.
Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt.
Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red.
As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.
Three words are all that is needed to explain serious swoon-worthiness:
The Maddox Brothers
Beautiful Oblivion is Jamie McGuire's newest series introducing the Maddox Brothers, a spin-off from her popular Beautiful Disaster books. Once again I was caught up in a story and romance that had my heart-pounding, with giggles and grins on my face. Jamie has a knack for making you feel, no matter your age, like your experiencing that first love, with all of its rush of intense emotions that seemed to be amplified ten-fold. It's completely heady, addicting, and serious swoon-worthy! Perfect for New Adult and Jamie McGuire fans.
Texting, Tattoos, Tamed Tempers and Tantalizing Trenton
Trenton is completely swoon-worthy. Like his famous predecessor, his brother Travis, this guy knows what he wants in his girl, and he's not afraid to go after her 110%. He's completely charming, persistent, and at times vulnerable. A tragic accident involving someone close has left its mark on Trenton. But, despite this fact he remains resilient. I had such fun, (grins and giggles) through his texting Cami. So sweet and cute. There's some interesting events at the Tattoo Shop, Skin Deep, that Cami's ends up working at as a secondary job. It just happens to be the same shop Trenton is a tattoo artist at, and there's tons of sensual tension brewing between these two who are supposed to be *just friends* with each other.
Let's Hear It For The Boys
Cami is the baby sister to four, very rowdy brothers giving the readers a sneak peek into some serious possible Maddox Boys competition. There was one scene at the Red Door (the famous bar that Cami works at and is featured prominently in the Beautiful Disaster series) that was like the Hatfield–McCoy's had come out to play. A small standoff between the Maddox boys and Cami's brothers reminds the reader these boys are fierce and protective. I'm happy to say Trenton, while just as fierce and protective as his brother Travis, is more mature and able to keep his cool easier.
Smart, Independent, Tough and Hardworking, Cami's an Heroine Easily Liked and Relatable
Cami immediately come across as likeable character. This girl can multi task. She's going to school and studying, she has her own apartment, and ends up working two jobs in order to help her brother out of a bad situation. Although her family life suffers from some dysfunctional dynamics, she's completely loyal to her brothers, which I really liked. She's hardworking, and very independent. When one of the famous Maddox brothers come around, Cami is determined to be only friends. She's in a relationship already, although long distance one, and doesn't want to be just another brokenhearted girl left in the wake of a Maddox boy. Boy, did I feel for her as young Trenton brought on the irresistible charm!
More Swoon Less Angst
Beautiful Oblivion has the trademark swoony-romance that I so love in New Adult, YET, it managed not to have as much angst that sometimes makes you want to smack your head and roll your eyes. Trenton, while determined when pursuing/wooing Cami, does so with a finer finesse, easing from friendship into something more.
Surprise Twist and a Well Satisfied Ending
The ending of Beautiful Oblivion left me well satisfied, without cliffhanger or huge dramatics. I will say it had a twist in it that did surprise me. A perfect read for fans of Jamie McGuire and a treat for new readers as well. I can't wait to meet the rest of the boys, and the girls they lose their hearts to!
My Rating: 4 stars. I really liked it!
