You saw this coming, didn’t you? Actually, quite a few asked me for this list, and I just couldn’t put it off any longer. I’ve finally amassed an impressive collection of worthy suggestions for you (and most are truly comparable, at least *feeling* wise to Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster). I think you’ll be delighted!
“Ok so Beautiful Disaster is now my favorite book and I wanted to know what you think would be equal to it?”
“You should have an “after BD page” like you do for Twilight…”
“Beautiful Disaster really did me in that I haven’t been able to find another book that is even close to it.”
We all went so Travis-crazy, and I was intent on keeping us in that reading “frenzy”. But you know how it is… even though a book has a “bad-boy” character (and an angsty premise), it doesn’t mean it’s going to affect us like Travis did. Am I right? So I read and we read, and we *squee’d* and we “meh’d” over over so many books, together since July.
But we lucked out on quite a few didn’t we?!! Some that gave us that *almost Travis* feeling, and a few that gave it to us in spades, but all are worthy of making my “What to read after Travis” list. ‘Cause let’s be real. We just want that feeling over and over again. That on the edge of your seat, heart racing, adrenaline pumping, tears occasionally flowing, so sad and so happy elation. We want bad boys with a kick! Not just hot looks and steamy scenes but actual, real feelings, angst, game-playing and heartache, romantic moments and angsty moments, prolonged… in detail. Nice and slow, each detail exposed, every hesitant moment played out, torturing (and titillating) our very souls until we hit “The End”. The books that make us pine for ’em. Those that don’t just “give” it to us right off the bat. We love the thrill of the chase.
Famous rock stars, actors, messed-up millionaires or even that hot tattoo artist, their unattainable hearts and don’t-mess-with-me attitudes have us swooning. What makes them even more fun? They may give *some* things away (over and over again), but they keep their hearts out of it until we… I mean she comes along 😉 Then it’s all uphill and downhill from there. Why do we love these books so much? Well aside from the obvious, they allow us “play with them”, bond with them, without getting burned. Oh sure, we feel it all, but it’s only temporary (safe… yes, but it’s easy to forget the “safe” part when we’re in the midst of all that drama). Of course we miss ’em when we’re done, but all we need is another intense bad-boy book to sway our attention, right? And we’re good to go! Us? Fickle? Nahhhhhhh! Tee hee!!!
So what do I recommend for those looking for that “feeling” again after Beautiful Disaster? After Travis? This was actually an EASY list to compile, because I DID get 
that “Travis-rush” with these. These are the books that had me feeling (infuriated, elated, heartbroken and nervous), had me staying up late into the night, had me talking about them for days. They are not necessarily in order of my favorites – some are equal to me in awesomeness, and I will keep adding to this list as I find more.
Oh yeah!! Check out my review (check out the original cover ——->). I’m keeping the old “mouth” book cover for nostalgia’s sake.
THE LIST
Walking Disaster: A Novel by Jamie McGuire <— THE OBVIOUS “What to read after Beautiful Disaster” choice is the full-length book in Travis’s perspective!! It’ll be out on April 2nd 2013 (and I’m reading a review copy now and let me tell you. I LOVE HIM!!!!!) LOVE!!! I won’t say anymore ’cause i’m saving it for my review, but THANK YOU Jamie for this treat!!! The perfect compliment to one of my all-time favorite books ever!!! And it stands perfectly on it’s own.
Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines NEW Update as of February 2013
While “Rush” may not be a cage fighter, he is every bit the bad boy we love. Girls-a-plenty, on his couch (and everywhere else) and he makes no apologies for who sees him in action. But there is that one girl that he’s trying so very hard to resist. ‘Cause you see, he’s got a secret that will tear them apart before they ever really get it together. And just like every bad boy who’s SO into that one girl, his protective side comes out in it’s full glory around her, and his heart does, too. I LOVED it!! Check out my review.
Bad Rep by A. Meredith Walters NEW Update as of February 2013
While at times, the heroine’s drama (and personal self-doubt) was a little over-the-top, the hero… well, without giving away any spoilers, he really fits the theme of this list. Gorgeous, coveted by all women, self-assured and stumbles all over himself when he meets her. And when it really counted, OMG he totally made me swoon, and my heart break. Some very emotional, heartbreaking scenes in this one that were reminiscent of that Beautiful Disaster feel. Check out my review.
NEW Update as of August 23rd 2012 Fall From Grace by Christine Zolendz WHOA!! This was an GREAT mix of Beautiful Disaster & Thoughtless/Effortless all in one! Local (but kind of famous) singer of a rock band (total player w/ lots of groupies) finds himself intrigued by the one girl that just won’t give in to him. That’s okay. He likes just being friends. 😉 So he keeps telling her. But she has a secret that he might not understand, and she is looking for someone that she once knew. Her soul mate. Buuutt… Shane’s bad-boy behavior/hotness has her both leery yet tempted. Will she give in to her attraction, or will she continue on her quest for her one true love? An emotional angsty ride for sure, with a paranormal twist! Check out my review here.
NEW Update as of May 27th 2012 – Easy by Tammara Webber!! College based, has that “Beautiful Disaster” feel (sororities, parties, sitting near the hot guy in class, best friends who stand by you when you need it…) But the best part is the gorgeous, brooding, tattooed and pierced loner and his focus on the new girl, who just got dumped by her hot rich boyfriend. And while Lucas doesn’t go off the handle like Travis does, he does share some very similar qualities. Loved it. He doesn’t take Travis’s place for me (Travis’s intensity is hard to beat) but he is DEFINITELY one hot and worthy hero in my book. In fact, he’s simply perfect. Read my review here.
UPDATE as of March 2012 – I MUST add this book (Sempre (Forever) by JM Darhower to THIS list!! I LOVED this book and it gave me the intensity and the excitement that I was looking for in another great, 5 star read. We can’t stop talking about it on my Facebook page:
Maryse’s Book Blog: this book will surely be in my top 2012 (I was hooked for 3 days).
Sandra: okay how much romance is in this? I know mystery….
Maryse’s Book Blog: Lots! Just no detailed “steamy” scenes. Except for one…but again not very detailed. but it doesn’t shy away from bad-boy behavior and words and such. But along with the life issues and struggles, the romance is intense, even in it’s tame way. I’d like to even add… romantically indulgent. I was satisfied and read quite a few parts in slow motion (not on purpose.. it just affected me that way).. everything just slows down every once in awhile and took my breath away. In fact, I’d say Carmine sort of reminds me of Travis.
Jamie: You guys have got to put down whatever you are reading and start this book. It has everything…..well…not a lot of steamy sex but you still get butterflies in your stomach during some of the intimate stuff. Loving it!
Maryse’s Book Blog: So – I just realized, I MUST add this to my “What to Read After Beautiful Disaster” page. MUST. I mean, didn’t Carmine’s bad-boy behavior and his intensity remind you of Travis? I would say he is the closest thing to Travis I’ve read so far.
Gitte: Yes definitely Maryse…that’s how I felt reading it!!!
Yanira: I’m 25% in and YES Maryse, for me is already up in that category of Fifty and Thoughtless. I’m in total love with these characters and my poor heart…♥♥♥♥♥ it
Intrigued, aren’t you? Check out my review here.
UPDATE as of April 2012:
Slammed
“Will” may not be a bad boy, but the romantic angst and intensity is strong in this one. HUGE HUGE emotional connection to this book with a somewhat taboo subject. Lots of angst, lots of “family/friends” feel, and a slap in the face that will shock you (and thrill you!!). ‘Cause once it happens you know you’re going to be in for some serious fun and drama.
Oh. And tears. YES. I cried and cried. Because the romantic angst isn’t the only issue…
ALSO once you’re done, you’re going to want to immediately move onto book #2 Point of Retreat (Slammed series #2) (which some say is even better). I LOVED ’em both, but I always enjoy a real shock in a book, and #1 gave it to me.
Read my review for Slammed.
Read my review for Point of Retreat
Next I want to recommend TWO Trilogies (actually, at the time I’ve written this list, each trilogy is only two books deep so far, but more to come). I’m starting us off with trilogies ’cause it extends our time with these particular characters. The longer, the better right? Well that’s my motto, anyway. BOOKS people. Books!! Sheeeesh *blush*
Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy
Now I don’t know if it is because I just finished book #1 & 2 of this series that it has made it to the top of my list right now, but OMG, this book tried to kill me with anxiety, and book #2 totally did! And I will admit… this “premise” or the underlying “intimacy issues” of this book had me frowning a bit at first. It was recommended, there were tons of positive reviews, and still, I hesitated. I didn’t see how I could possibly like this one as much as Beautiful Disaster (even though I was told, that I might end up measuring up heroes to the one in this book, instead of Travis!) Whaaaaa? NO WAY!! YES WAY!!!! Christian Grey is now my new favorite. Wait WAIT!!! I still heart Travis to death, but this guy. You. Just. Wait. And. See. Oh yes, you are going to resist his “master ways” (LOL! Yup, I just got ya with that one, didn’t I?) Tee hee! Believe me. It’s not necessarily all about that, and not what you might “expect” one of “those” books to be. I promise. IT IS SO SO DEEP. Check out my review.
Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two of the Fifty Shades Trilogy
Book #2 of the Christian’s “Fifty Shades” and this one… WOW. LOVED it even more than book #1. I didn’t think it could be possible at first, but then something happened that totally made me FREAK out, and then it didn’t stop wowing me after that.
Like I said to my Facebook readers:
“You’re going to hit something BIG!!! at some point – you’ll know what it is when you get there…”
And boy did you guys ever hit that spot!! Loved the comments!
My Facebook friend Yanira said: “Finally finished Darker, I didn’t think it was possible to love Fifty more, oh I was so wrong. I loved these books so much, it had everything, I was angry I was sad, I was angsty, in love, and also LOL with the Internal Goddess and the emails”
My thoughts exactly, Yanira! These books had EVERYTHING! Check out my review.
Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
This one is the closest I’ve found in terms of that angsty, promiscuous bad-boy, college feel. But it’s got a serious kick! A twist that is very different from Beautiful Disaster. While Abby “dated” someone lightly while hanging with Travis (so there was a touch of a “love triangle”), Keira (the character from this book) was deeply involved with her boyfriend when she met Kellan, the rock star. Her boyfriend’s best friend. This one sends you on an emotional roller coaster that doesn’t let up. We were all in a frenzied state the entire time. In fact, despite LOVING this book to death, I needed to wait a couple of days before starting book #2, so that I could catch up on sleep, and emotional rationality.
Jessica told me:
“I was up until 3:30 again last night and finished Thoughtless. You were right Maryse, so so good and Kellan is very “Travis” like. I am so tired but can not go to bed without at least starting Effortless. I am very nervous for them.”
Also available in print (the paper back version is on Amazon here)
Check out my review
Effortless by S.C. Stephens is book#2 in this S.C. Stephens series, and also holds a special spot on this list. I won’t tell you why 😉 because you’ll need to get to end of book #1 first. BUT you’ll be dying to read it once you finish Thoughtless.
Yvette posted this one my Facebook page:
“I was up and down those books had me on the edge of my seat!!!!!!”
Check out my review
Love Unscripted by Tina Reber
Ryan Christensen may not be a “bad-boy” but he’s an “it” boy and he’s 100% unattainable. A famous actor, gorgeous, and pretty much… perfect. A good mix of good boy charm, strong family support and yet part of the Hollywood limelight. Every woman wants him (actresses and fans alike), and all he wants is a bit of his old, comfortable life back.
Stalked and chased into a local pub, he get’s a taste of just that when the pub owner helps “hide” him, and now he can’t get this pretty “normal” girl off of his mind. And of course, Taryn can’t stop thinking about him either – THE Ryan Christensen, so laid back and sweet, and he’s calling her!! A fairytale for sure, but reality sure smacks them in the head a few times! Oh you delicious angst, how I love thee!!
A sweet slow friendship and tentative love progression, perfectly paced to keep you craving and waiting and anticipating… And then!! Probably the BEST kiss, and do I dare add “love scene” to melt you into that couch your reading on. OH yes!! There are only a few “firsts” that have burned themselves into my memory, and this is one of them. But it’s not all candy and flowers. Not. At. All. Which made this wild ride all that much more exciting!
As I mentioned to my friend: “Lump in my throat throughout…. I completely feel her though. Where she is coming from, her fears. All legit – I would be exactly like her in the same situation.”
Check out my review
Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn
Ahhh this one keeps making all of my lists, doesn’t it? Okay, maybe he’s moved down my “top hero” list a bit… hrmmm. Wait a minute! I’m second guessing here, and I still want him to be at the “close-to-the-top” status. He, without a doubt, remains in my top three hot, steamy, emotionally addicting heroes of all my bad-boy books. He may not be rich and famous, but he looks and acts like a rock star, and his tattoos and devil-may-care attitude had me from the get go. This hero was perfect in that non-perfect way. He had a few commitment issues, but then… well. Maybe things change ya know? *sigh* Brian… Enough said 😉
Oh! Except Michele had this to say:
“I LOVE Brian. He is up there with my Kellan & Travis!!!”
Hey! Those are MY top three… oh wait. Christian Grey is at the top too, now. Whoa! So glad these guys are just fictional 😉
Check out my review
Hearts In Darkness by Laura Kaye
This one’s a shorter story but very poignant. It’s effective despite the “done in a few hours” read. Two people get stuck in a dark elevator together. They can’t see each other, but bond in the long, stressful and stifling hours. This is when two people, without knowing what the other looks like, simply let go and let the “chemistry” between them do all the work. And when the lights come on? Yippee!! Hot tattooed pierced guy and pretty red-head! But where do they go from here?
It’s one thing to be alone and vulnerable, forced together in an awkward situation. Once the real world comes back to life, does that chemistry sizzle or fizzle?
Check out my review
How to Kill a Rock Star by Tiffanie DeBartolo
This one has already made one of my top lists too, but there is NO denying this book!!! He is not Travis, no not at all. BUT! He’s a rock star bad boy for sure (you know what that means… groupies, and revenge sex!). But at the same time, he’s a hopeless romantic that didn’t realize he had that in him. The artistic, kind of a weirdo type. But I adored him! And better yet, I adored the angst and drama the main couple put me through. And BETTER YET STILL. I cried my eyes out. Sobbed. Like a baby. Other than “The Host” I have NEVER cried so much while reading. Was it a good kind of crying? Heck NO!!! It tore me apart, made me blubber and I made an internet public nuisance of myself.
But was it worth it. OH YES!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK’S GUTS (I’d say “pancreas” but you’ve got to read it to get that analogy 😉 ) So GUTS it is!
Kelli emailed me this:
“You are so right about How to Kill a Rock Star! I have not stopped since I started last night…. OHMYGOD!!!! What a great book, I was so tired of the predictable love angst and this is refreshing torture.”
Yup!! Anything that makes me feel that strongly has to make my MUST READ list. And here’s the thing. I read this one AFTER I read Beautiful Disaster (when I was still struggling to find a book that would make me feel like Travis did). And this one, in a slightly different way, TOTALLY did. This one’s deep and intense folks!
Hehee. SO SO good, so heartbreaking, and so intense!!!
Check out my review
Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) by J.R. Ward
I’m taking a paranormal twist here. THIS book is still one of my all time favorites, and THIS hero ranks above all for me. Yes, Sherry. I know you’re just sitting there biding your time, waiting for one of these human heroes to take his place. I know you ain’t touching MY vampire!! 
Tee hee!!! *hug* 
Most of you have read it, but maybe some of you are new to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. “Z” (aka Zsadist) is the ultimate in tortured heroes. He is angry, crass, rude, and practically obnoxious if a woman (strike that… ANYONE) dares look at him. Plain old SCARY! He is gorgeous beyond belief (after all, he IS a vampire, the ultimate predator) however, he is horribly scarred, due to a horrific past. Tattooes (forced upon him), physical scars, and worse yet, emotional scars have fractured his very existence. Volatile, and always on the edge, nobody messes with him. Not even those closest to him. Not even the other warriors. All women are warned. NEVER be alone with him.
Pooooor Z. Horribly misunderstood. Even HE doesn’t “get” him. As scarred as he is, as damaged as he will be forever, the only thing that could possibly… MAYBE heal him would be the love of a woman of worth. Someone that could handle his insecurities, his aggressive demeanor, his hatred of life. Someone strong enough to show him that love is worth living for, and that he deserves it more than anyone. Z may be scary, but in love, his angst, his hesitation, his fears (and he fears NOTHING) makes him real. Tactile. The one vampire that no other vampire can beat (well at least for me 😉 )
But here’s the catch (and it’s a GOOD catch). You MUST read the first two books in the series (Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) and Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 2), before reading his. His character is eased into the series before his book comes to life, and at the end of book #2, his appearance in it will scald you! You will be dying to read his book. And once you’re done with him, you may as well consider yourself an honorary Black Dagger Brotherhood addict, and read the rest, cause it is almost guaranteed, you’ll be hooked 😉 And… ’cause you still got “V” (Vishous) to get to (and I hearted him too!!). Tee hee!!! By the way. Zsadist would eat Travis for lunch. Not that I’d want him to. Just sayin’ 😉
Check out my review
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts) by Stacia Kane
All the books in Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series, especially #2 (Unholy Magic ) & 3 (City of Ghosts). Wow. These had me on the edge of my seat, with a hero so NOT hero-like but totally and utterly… WOW. “Terrible” (yup, that’s his name) is not so terrible at all… if you’re on his good side, that is. Not what I expected to fall for, but OMG did I ever! A paranormal series (the heroine is a witch and evil ghosts lurk everywhere) but the hero (actually… two heroes) are all-human, right down to the core. The flaws, the insecurities, the rough around the edges lifestyle. Bad boys taken to a whole new level, as they are essentially the thugs of a new society. But. Whoa. Talk about deception, heartbreak, and payback… Exhilarating and devastating but oh so good!!
Check out my review
And an “honorable mention” that is on the super-steamy side and all about fun…
Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour) by Olivia Cunning
I’m going to end off (for now… I’m on a never-ending quest to keep us in a “book-frenzy” and will add to this list) with this very sexy, steamy, kind of somewhat sexually obnoxious 100% guilty pleasure. This one is raunchy (and sometimes corny), but the underlying romantic tension, and hero had my heart (and that of many of it’s readers).
Another hugely famous rock star guitarist named “Brian”, (hey! I can’t stop at just one, ya know 😉 ). He’s a bit of a player but also a hopeless romantic. But Brian’s got a fantasy-chaser on his hands, and even though he’s falling for her, she’s just not sure where she’s going with this. What!!? I know right!? He wants her, and she’s all… whatever. Sorta. Anyway, get ready for a few “tear-your-heart-out” moments (along with alllll that steamy stuff. Oh and there is TONS of that). Still though, this was my first foray out of the paranormal world and into the bad-boy world, and it got me good! Maybe re-reading it would change my mind now, but when thinking back, I remember how I felt, and while it may not have been Travis-intense, it was certainly something I talked about for days.
Check out my review
NOW…. I want to know… Have you read any MUST-READS, that you think I might have missed? This is an important call to all of you out there! I’m dying for more “Travis-like” material (or really – anything that is impossible to put down). I’m looking for my next frenzy-inducer! Can you help me?
Here are some other suggestions from my readers – stuff they’ve read since Beautiful Disaster, and they highly recommend (which means, I have a LOT of reading to do!!) – If you’ve read any of these, chime in!
Perfect Chemistry (and the books following it in the series) – these look promising!!
Forever Mine (The Moreno Brothers 1)
Meh… I read this one. Not my cup of tea (a bit young for me) but I hear #2 (Always Been Mine (The Moreno Brothers 2) is full on adult (his older brother and supposedly GOOD!)
Across The Hall (I was just contemplating this one yesterday and already it’s been recommended by a reader!) I know what’s next on my list!!
Laid Bare Lauren Dane’s Brown Siblings series (rock stars and bad boys a-plenty in this series). I’m halfway through book #1. Good, but not Travis good (for me yet). I hear they get better?
Oh and if you’re new to Beautiful Disaster and don’t know, yet, what all the fuss is about… check out my review.
Check out my other “favorites” lists:
I’ve been following you on all of these crazy angst filled trips…especially Christian! So,if you are still craving more of Fifty-esque material definitely read Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard. It was recommended to me and at 2 am I still can’t put it down!
What a great list, just reading “To Kill a Rock Star” (and loving it) but I must recommend “Please Don’t Stop The Music” by Jane Lovering, it was a great read.
Thank’s Jennifer!! I just bought it!
How could I missed Backstage Pass??? Guess what I am smiling that beep eating grin because I am fixin to get my read on!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Perfect Chemistry was good but if you thought forever mine was young then you might feel the same; however Perfect Chemistry was the first book I got my 17 yr. Old daughter to read and I can’t even get her to read the directions on the back of boxs?
my to read list on goodreads is getting longer and longer…i love this blog!
Thank you Mary Jo and Jennifer!! I will definitely look into both of those. I’m getting mixed reviews about Inferno, but looking at it’s high-star ratings on Amazon, I’m intrigued…
I’ve never even heard of “Please Don’t Stop the Music” so I can’t wait to look that up!!
Patricia – have fun with Backstage Pass- it’s pure candy fluff!!! But it still managed to get me and make me sigh…
Really liked Laid Bare. Have most of the rest on my kindle or wish list to read.
I can’t wait til next week when my girls are on fall break and they’re dad is on vaction. Reading time for me!!!!!!!!
You guys should see my “wish list” – everytime I see a book that I want to read, and don’t want to forget, I stick it in there… it’s my second TBR list, and it’s HUGE.
I’ve read almost all these books on the list just by coming across them in Amazon. I LOVED BD. The fact that you have Z’s book from the BDB series is freaking awesome. By far one of my most favorite books. Thanks for this list!
I think that the title of this thread should be “What to read after Fifty Shades…”
Is it sad that I have a crush on Fifty? What a great series. I am totally hooked.
I am so glad I found your blog. My world of reading keeps expanding, and my TBR list is growing. Thanks so much for all you do 🙂
I know Becky!! I think my favorite “human” hero right now would be Christian Grey too… Book #1 makes it hard to crush… well for awhile, anyway 😉 But we just can’t help ourselves!
Ok I put the cotton candy back in the bag..(backstage pass) and started reading reason to breathe…………..I have strayed from YA but I couldn’t put this down. I felt a lot of things while reading this book no steaminess in this book but intense yes frustrating yes at times I wanted to smack a lot of people even slung some snot at the end………..needless to say not Travis or Christain like but it did leave me speechless and couldn’t stop reading…………be careful…its emotional
Reason to Breathe has been recommended, and most of the reviews say awesome, but I hear the ending is …. well I don’t know exactly what the ending is (and I don’t want to know so when I read it I’ll be surprised) but I think I’m going to wait for book#2 to be released and then do them both in a row.
I don’t handle “iffy” endings well 😉
Now I am gonna go eat some “fluff”……
Fluff is sometimes yummy between books. It’s like a break for your brain!
Maryse,
Like you, I am INLOVE with the angst!! A devoted seeker of it from way back! I have read evey book on your list and quite a few that aren’t. I actually found you during one of my late night searches for something… anything good to read that I hadn’t already read. That’s when I followed your suggestion and read Beautiful disaster (3 X in a row)! I love the paranormal too but I have a fewsuggestions(for bad boys) in sub-genre’s you may not have tried. #1. NAVY SEALS- HOT alpha males!(Suzanne Brockmann’s Tall Dark & Dangerous series is sooo good) I think Prince Joe the 1st book in the series is my fave! #2. (pls. believe me on this… Medieval Romance. There aren’t a lot of them out there but believe me these males are the original Alpha bad boys! Warriors that conquer and possess and eventually are conquered and possessed! These are the men that set my tone for the Hero’s I adore! They were my first and I look everywhere for the same type! So please give it a try…A few of my faves are Nicole Jordan’s The Warrior, Kathleen Woodiwiss’s The Wolf and the Dove, (Wulfgar…will always be my first love) and Brenda Joyce’s The Conquerer (Angst X 100)! Let me know if you like any of these, I can suggest more! Thanks for your reviews and your suggestions! It’s good to know I am not the only one! 🙂 Kelly Conway
Thank you Kelly for all of these suggestions! This one in particular intrigues me:
Brenda Joyce’s The Conquerer (Angst X 100)
1.) Cause I hear good things about her books in general
2.) angst x 100???!! SOLD!
Another series that I’m not sure if you have read or not is by Lora Leigh, the breed series. STEAMY!!
If you really like the sexy stuff from 50 shades, The Masters of the Shadowlands series by Cherise Sinclair is filled with romance and LOTS of “kinky f&*kery”. Never thought I’d get into books like that, but after Grey I wanted more. Believe me, this is more, but still has romance. Each book features a different Dom and I’ve read 3 in the last 2 days and they keep getting better. If you like those tortured alpha males, these books have them in spades!
Ivie. I just read shadowlands 1 and loved it!! I have to catch up and write some reviews though, so I can read more. I think I just might be hooked.
Yes! Brenda Joyce is definitely an Author that writes the type of books we love and in my opinion never gets the reviews she deserves! I’ve read everything she’s had published. Check out her Masters of Time series too. Extremely Hot time travelling Highland Warriors. All her books have the Alpha male and the angst! The Conquerer in particular had my stomach in knots.
When does the Reason To Breathe #2 come out?????
LOVE your list Maryse! All my favs too….
Just finished Across the Hall, have to say I REALLY enjoyed it! It was a straight through read (couldn’t put down), a lot better than I anticipated!
If you don’t like ‘iffy’ endings definitely wait for sequel to Reason to Breathe! Wish I had of done that, the wait is absolutely KILLING me…..
Shreya, I heard she had an original fall deadline but it has been pushed back to hopefully December (reason to breathe 2) She has a goodreads page and also a website.
I just finished fifty shades…. Wow! What can I say that hasn’t already been said… Love Mr Grey! Z, Travis, Kellan and Brain… The list is growing. As for Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction and Chain Reaction I thought they were really good, definitely YA but worth the read. Kelly was right about Suzanne Brockmann’s Tall, Dark and Dangerous series… Really good! Now I dont think I have seen this one mentioned but The Nauti series by Lora Leigh is Awesome.. one of my favorites!
“Rock Me” was my absolute favorite of the summer reads you suggested. I read Beautiful Disaster, too, but reread Rock Me right after!
You’all are making it very hard for me to NOT read 50 shaeds. Ive had it for weeks now and am too much of a wimp to start it in case Im dissapointed. Maybe I should take a weekend away from the fam cos Ive heard these books consume the reader!
I quite liked Perfect Chemistry too.
Disappointed – no. I doubt that. You’ll be wanting to match them once you’ve finished them 😉 But they will consume you fully, so make sure you have all of your personal i’s dotted and t’s crossed before starting!
Maryse,
Thank you so much for the list! I have read most of these after having you mention them in other reviews…Thank you again! BD is my favorite book (and Author Jamie M is my hero) and I am so happy to be able to find some suggestions from someone who seems to have the same taste ansme and my sister! 🙂
Happy reading!
-Deanna
All the Wrong Reasons by JL Paul
LOVE that you did a list to get me over BD!!! Buahahahahaha!
I just finished Thoughtless and I’m part way through Effortless. Love them both, and it really has prolonged the BD experience for me!!
🙂
Em! So glad I could help 😉 Have you read Rock Me yet?
Thank GOD you made this list!!! Oh trevor :} By the way, the perfect chemistry books are AMAZING. I lent them to all my friends, we all fell in love with the guys!
whoops… i meant travis, not trevor :’)
LOL Rhiannon!! I almost hissed at you when I saw that 😉 Nice save!!
Hi Maryse!
I bought is from Amazon yesterday!! It’s my next read for sure!! I’ll let you know what I think when I’m done. BTW I freaking love fifty shades. I read the prepublish fanfiction verson and hung off every word. I think it’s the best fic I’ve ever read. Truely amazing!! GAH!! It stays with you for a long time.
Love, love, love this blog!!
Em
Maryse. Wow!!!! It’s YOU on the new cover!! That’s soooo cooool! Congratulations!!!
Oh, btw, I just bought the book tonight, on my iPad 2 on the iBook for $ 3.99!!
(Cheaper than Amazon!!)
The reason I’m letting you know, it’s because I read quite a few other bloggers saying only “Kindle” sold it in ebook format. NO MORE! iPad users…all J. McGuire books are there!! Including BD with new “Butterfly” cover…
Maryse, if you can, pass the word about BD being on iBooks (and cheaper than Amazon). A lot of people dont know that.
Thank you, my fellow book addict friend…heeheheee.
Maryse. Who’s Kellan???? God, now I’m behind on this one too??
No way…I’m reading BD starting tonight…so I know now who’s Travis..* sighs*, but now I need to discover who’s KELLAN!!!
please, helpppp!
Thank you!!
Bia: Kellan is my absolute favorite of our recent fav crushes you may have read about here. You can find him in Thoughtless & Effortless by SC Stephens. I loved these books! Just finished How to Kill a Rockstar, another good one but not in league with old school BDB, Fifty, Kellan, Travis,& Brian (he’s right up there with Kellan & Z for me)! oops, almost forgot Ryan, shame on me!
Thank you for the list! I’ve read everything on it and am starting Downside Ghosts tonight. I have a great recommendation. The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred…AMAZING STORY. Not really the bad boy type but I haven’t gotten that emotional over a book in a long time! It’s one of those laugh to tears and cry your eyes out type stories that kept me up til 4 am. Thank you again for all of your recommendations and great reviews!!
Hi Melissa!!
Oh I SO agree with you on that book. I just read it a couple of days ago, and LOVED it. Planning on reviewing it within the next day or so. The only thing… Nick KILLED me when his true “reveal” came to light. BROKE MY HEART… cause, well… you know. When you truly reflect upon his choice, *shakes head* – still though. Fantastic book.
I started Downside Ghosts last week, and I can’t get into it! I hate when that happens. I am starting to realize that the Urban Fantasies that are further from our reality are much harder for me to get into. I think I prefer when the paranormal live amongst the normal with nobody being the wiser. Though there are a few exceptions to this rule, I am definitely seeing a pattern in the ones I give up on.
I feel ya, Ivie. I noticed that I prefer paranormals that fall for humans, vs. books that contain strictly paranormal characters.
THIS, however is the reason I loved Downside Ghosts so much, and you are not *there* yet:
Terrible, Lex and Chess. Their “triangle” is quite QUITE intense and heartbreaking, and boy oh boy the hate and the love and the passion are all riding on a very thin line. And the author keeps it up from book #2 alll the way into book #3, so you get to indulge in the angsty romantic tension issues for a long while.
I will admit though. I did find her “magic intense” scenes a bit boring, but Terrible kept me going.
Lets talk character look a likes again. I’m reading BD and trying to picture Travis. And how about Fifty?
Okay I’ll play!!
Here was my Christian Grey:
(both of these are the same guy)
and then my Travis:
BUT my friend Tina had a real cute one not too long ago for Travis (she posted it on Jamie’s Facebook)… but I can’t find it now 🙁
Oh very pretty! What a perfect Fifty. And a very good Travis.
Christian Grey will always be Robert Pattinson to me!! So freaking HAWT in a suit….GAH!!!
What do you ladies think??
Em 🙂
Em!
He’s gorgeous in these, but I read the books not knowing the “origin”, so I found myself a “copper-haired” hottie, and there was my beautiful rugby player! Look at that intense stare! Just look at it!
He certainly has the perfect j.f. hair but he’ll always be a vampire to me. I have to say that I like rugby boy. Any thoughts on Travis?
Stephanie 😉 *sigh* Rugby boy is quite something. So what do you think of my Travis? I need to have Tina post her Travis cause he came pretty darn close to a perfect one. But still, mine looks rough and like a fighter, and I think he’ll always fit my version of Travis.
Maryse, agreed! Nick killed me and the heartbreaking middle of the story had me so upset I wanted to throw the kindle across the room! I loved them as kids, I thought Alix was the greatest kid ever. I have another recommendation if you want one…Liberating Lacy…whoa. Younger man in uniform meets newly divorced (slightly older) upper class lady. Kind of a “How Stella Got her Groove back” But much better. It pulls you in from the very beginning…and very hot and steamy 😉 Nothing like Sweet Gum Tree but another that will keep you up! Thanks to you and goodreads my reading obsession is out of control 😉
Melissa. LOVED Sweet Gum Tree to death. Alix was amazingly sweet and smart and quirky. I loved their relationship from the getgo. When she ran up to Nick before the anticipated school fight with the bully – all scared and freaking out, and said that thing about now they probably won’t get married (cause she thought she was gonna die that day). Awwwwww.
And then after he rescued her, he told her “You didn’t think I was going to let you out of marrying me that easy, did you?”
OMG I LOVED THEM!!!!
Oh and!! I stuck Liberating Lacy in my wish list 😉 I shall be reading it soon!
Maryse, that was my favorite part! Such a great book I may have to re-read soon! I have one last reccomendation. Strangers by Barbara Elsborg. I just finished five minutes ago and what an amazing story. Sexy, angsty, so incredibly emotional and plenty of reveals that make your heart pound and try to race through the book. It’s fantastic. Put ahead of liberating lacy ( even tho that was great too) this book almost rivals our 50 but I won’t go that far 😉
…oh and it’s so funny with great dialogue. I only say it’s not better than 50 because I don’t think any book will take it’s place lol. But really I can’t say enough good things about it!
I have another 2 books to add to the list!! I just read Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles and am part way through the sequel Return to Paradise. Amazing read!! Alternating POV for each chapter.
Love, love, loved it!!!
Leaving Paradise Summary;
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.
After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as “criminal” and “freak.” Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
BD fans. you should definitely read “A rose to the fallen” by April Bostic because that’s were Jamie got her inspiration to write her Beautiful Disaster story, which really is a wonderful book.
check this out 🙂
https://aprilbostic.com/new_site/2011/11/01/a-rose-to-the-fallen-inspired-a-book/
Hi!
I’m in the mood for more bad boys!! Anyone read any good mafia/mob/organised crime books?? Hot men toting guns anyone?? Hehehehe!
Em
Oh!! I know. Read the series many of us are reading right now:
https://www.maryse.net/reading-order-guide/kristen-ashley-colorado-mountain-series-reading-order.html (Super Alpha males – and I MEAN SUPER!!) Book #2 (is a Bounty Hunter – Tate – who ranks as one of my #1 heroes now – and there is a serial killer on the loose) and #3 which is my next read is about a guy hell-bent on revenge (wrongful imprisonment). Ty is bad ass!
And then another series (awesome) by the same author – more of a cop/serial killer thing – but #2 is tied to the mafia 😉
https://www.maryse.net/reading-order-guide/kristen-ashley-crime-the-burg-series-reading-order-guide.html
YAY!!!! Thanks! I’ll check then out now!!
Em
Hehehehehe!! Thanks!
I now have Sweet Dreams on my trusty kindle…
Em
Maryse, Beautiful Disaster sort of reminded me the Hush Hush series which i loved (*sigh* Patch). Both also reminded me of the Fallen Series by Lauren Kate. Its a YA book but a compelling story with great characters. I like to stick to the heavier stuff like Black Dagger Brotherhood (<3) but the Fallen series also had something all its own. I hadn't seen it on your site so i figured id make a suggestion for your TBR pile.
Love your site~ Keep the swooning coming!! 😉
Love this list, Maryse 🙂 I think I’ve read most of these and Christian from Fifty Shades is by far my favorite. That series is unbelievable and is easily my favorite, which says a lot considering I read a lot. Have you read Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout? I think you’d LOVE it. Daemon, the main character, is all kinds of arrogant and all kinds of hot. 🙂
thanks for this…i read beautiful disaster in one day LOVED IT I have since downloaded several from this list..unholy ghost I think I will start tonight
I really like Reason to breathe! It kind of remind me of Heart on a chain, Im waiting for the sequel though. Totally recommend it.
I just finished Reason to Breathe and LOVED it. I laughed, I cried and I could NOT put it down. The story is one that leaves you unable to stop thinking about it when you’re done and that, to me, is a sign of a good book. I wanted to re-read it when I was done. You can’t help but feel like you’re right there watching it all unfold. The characters are believable and lovable and while this is YA, there is definite tension. I highly recommend it and would love to see a review.
I know some people have an issue with the ending, but I get why the author did it this way and I very much look forward to a sequel is due in May 2012…
I’m dying to read it, but I am one who will likely wait for #2 to be out first. Very excited to get to it though!!
Seriously what am I suppose to read after the 50 Shades Triology, who is going to compare to Christian Grey???
Buahahahahaha!!! IKR!?!? We really need one of those lists…
Have yu read Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts?? I can see that Caleb is going to suck me in like fifty!! Can’t wait for the next book!!!
Yes please make a list “what to read after readin 50 shades of grey”
That would be amazing!
Hi Maryse,
Have you heard about the book poughkeepsie by debra anastasia? I have ready 50 shades and beautiful disaster and I must say I’m Grey all they way ; ) but I loved Travis too- he’s so intense- anyway Poughkeepsie had me so involved emotionally from the first that i was tearing up at one of the first scene’s. I don’t want to give too much away but a stunningly beautiful and broken Blake who is homeless and this ordinary girl who just smiles at him when she sees him like she does everyone else, but he counts her smiles every day and waits for one every night at the train station on her way home from work…. published by the same people who published Gabriel’s Inferno. I highly recommend this book. It really exposes your emotions. Would love to know your thoughts… Kat. Ps Thanks for recommending 50 shades they are my new favorite books of ALL TIME. Well non paranormal ones anyway lol…
Hi Kat! I have read (and reviewed) Poughkeepsie and pretty much loved it. I preferred the first half to the second (as I was mostly interested in the original couple in the series) but overall, a great read. Here is my review if you’re interested. It made my best of 2011 list:
https://www.maryse.net/books/miscellaneous/book-review-poughkeepsie-by-debra-anastasia.html
Loved Reason to Breathe. Nothing like Beautiful Disaster or Fifty but well written YA. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel for nearly a year. So glad to see a release date of May 2012. Definitely a darker and deeper read. Can’t wait to read your review!
I read and liked “In the Bad Boys Bed” by Sophia Ryan. Quick, light read i would recommend. Mature YA with an emphasis on mature. Some parallel themes to Thoughtless. Nick shares similarities with Kellen as the sexy bad boy. Anyone else read and like?
If you love SC Stephens, you will also love Michelle Michiter’s “Evelyn Vine: Please be Mine.” In my own opinion, this is even better than Beautiful Disaster and I’ve read both books. Incidentally, I read Evelyn Vine and Thoughtless at fictionpress even before Thoughtless made it big. I hope Michelle Micheter can turn her her book into something like Thoughtless. She has her own website by the way and the only way to read her book is by becoming a member. Evelyn Vine is hot,hot, hot, the characters relatable and the plot is absolutely good. Hope you can read this book as well.
Yep I’m looking into it too!! Thanks for letting us know about it Lana!
and yes, the book (Evelyn Vine) is complete.
Thanks Lana, I do appreciate it. I’m a diehard fan of anything remotely like Beautiful Disaster and will treasure this one as well.
I would have never read Beautiful Disaster if not for this blog. My friend accidentally found it after we were looking for something to read after Fifty Shades. I loved Travis and Abby. The story was so intense for me in parts and cried like when Edward left Bella in Twilight. Thanks so much!
Hi Lana! Just finished Evelyn Vine! I enjoyed it! Thanks for the rec!
Em, so how WAS it? spill the beans lol. Im planning to read it this weekend and NO ONE must interupt me – theyve been warned here at home
Hi Em, glad you enjoyed it!
OMG! i loved Beautiful Disaster! whenever i get bored i reread all my favorite parts. I read it a few months ago and it is still stuck in my head. The sad part is i have read a lot of the books on that list so now i have nothing as good to read 🙁
Julia… have you read Sempre yet? Or Slammed!! Definitely read Slammed. In fact I need to put that series on this list ASAP!
Perfect Chemistry was ok, a good hero, but a littlebit of a young read. I completely agree with Love Unscripted and Reason to Breath was amazing in a totally different way, love, devotion, anger(on our parts), pain and sadness but the end, if you read it right isn’t iffy at all. Yes, I had to read twice to get it but I read it fast the first time and it was really only the last paragraph where you understand what happens. Plus, there is a sequel, especially if you read the description. Just be prepared for crying.
I found a book called Breaking Sin by Teresa Mummert it’s about a girl Sinthia who wants to escape college unscathed and move on with her plans for a perfect life, but an unlikely friendship with Collin, the resident bad-boy, makes her rethink what she wants. I am on,y a couple pages in and I thinking its very similar to Beautiful disaster! I am so excited I decided to share because I loved loved loved beautiful disaster! So I must recommend you check it out ASAP!
Maryse and everyone else, have you heard about “Bared to You” by Sylvia Day?? if not, just go and grab that book IMMEDIATELY!!!
This one gives Fifty a run for his money and it seems like it is going to be a trilogy as well. It is a more adult read and it simply fantastic Maryse. I just finished and cannot wait for the next one.
Arwen… reading it as we speak, and at 50% and loving it, too!
First of can i say how happy i am to have found your website?!!! I am OBSESSED (Let alone with the books) i have read quite a few that you have reviewed … but there is hundreds that i have not! That said my sony ereader had been broke for quite awhile and i just stuck to a good paperback but coming across your website there is sooo many i NEED to read that i ran out and got it fixed and started downloading! Now i was in a spin what to start… having loved Beautiful Disaster then followed with the Grey trilogy (OH MY!) never have books made me feel the way these do!! I have read hundreds all genres over the years! So i was keen to start others like it! i decided on S C Stephens ‘Thoughtless’ and well……. im disappointed ! I do not get anywhere near the feelings i got reading BD and Grey!! Actually the first 100 pages i found to be so boring and a struggle to get through! Nothing was keeping me reading, other than your reviews of other books that I loved and you loved in the same way also! well i am now on page 208 (just before halfway) and im still not loving it any better! I’m not intrigued or intimated or obsessed with Kellen, I pity Denny and it’s not a hard choice for me at all (previous love triangle books i changed my mind every other page) and well Kiera….. where do i start?!!! Anyways I’m so happy to have found your web site and will stick this book out to the finish and just maybe i will want to start the 2nd!!! But i look forward to reading many more of your recommendations! Brill website!!!
Ok so i finished Thoughtless and loved it!!!!!!! but……… i’m scared to start the second having read your review and others im kinda torn! i want to read more about the beautiful Kellen but i dont want to read all about Kiera being paranoid of the seperation!! So I dont know what to do! plus because of your website i have now a list of about 40 books i am dying to read!!!! so i dont know if they worth putitng off for Effortless! Decisions Decisions! p.s i cant sopr reading the blog let alone think about another book! Brilliant Website!!!
P.S waiting on my 3rd Fifty book being delivered (released here tomorrow in UK on paperback) its killing me! and i know i will not want it to end!!!!!
To Elizabeth. I LOVED BOTH Toughtless And Effortless. Yes, give it a shot…Honestly I LOVED Effortless as much as Thoughtless and is definetely worth it. There’s a lot of KELLAN on the second book, and Keira’s better on the second one. Go for it ..:)
Thanks Bia…. im a little obsessed with books (tend to dedicate a whole day, rather than read over a few days) so i believe i prob would not have started another without trying Effortless! (and there is a 3rd also which has been constant in my head) so i think i will go for it at the weekend when i can spend all day saturday to read! thanks!
Welcome Elizabeth! Now, which 3rd is on ur mind? I’ve been following Maryse’s blog over a year, and I’m still a little behind all of the others because I read every night (after kids are asleep so I can savor it..hehe). I started Sempre, but then the new “BDB” came out, and Thor’s book or any BDB book is priority..lol..so I read the BDB, and then now I’m reading “Bared to you” and LOVING IT! Oh, and I will go back to SEMPRE right after I finish Bared..phew!
Hope we like the same books too!!…:)
Thanks, the third in the Thoughless and Effortless books, Maryse say’s above its going to be a trilogy. So i know that with there being even another book that i would def prob give in and read effortless (even though i am put off). i have not read any of the BDB books (even though i do actually own first 3 on paperback for few years now- just never got round to them) but im keen to start them now after the comments and reviews on this site. So i think i will finish Effortless then the 3rd book in the Fifty Shades trilogy then make a start on the BDB! Can’t wait!!
I highly recommend you all read The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher. It is soooo good.
Holy Crap!! I am sure you posted this and I missed it but I was just on Jamie McGuire’s website and saw that Travis’ point of view of Beautiful Disaster will be coming out (hopefully!!) sometime later this year!!! That made my day/week/month! ;o) Yay!!!!!! Can’t wait! 😀
I’ve been devouring two or three books a week since reading Fifty Shades, many of them on your list. I really enjoyed Beautiful Disaster. Followed it with the Slammed Series and loved those. I just finished the first two from the Breathing Series. They were by far the best books I have read in such a long time. Can’t wait for the third installment. I highly recommend them.
Hi, I loved Beautiful Disaster and have been looking for books that are similar since then so your list is really helpfull, I loved it.
I have read Strangers by Barbara Elsborg and I agree it was really good, angsty and everything lol. Also An Ordinary Girl by her is great as well.
Bared To You was really great and I can’t wait to read the next one.
I have had Slammed on my TBR list for a while but now I will definitly give it a go. 🙂
Travis’s POV is comming out OMG! that would be awesome to read
Read Unlovable by Sherry Gammon! Macho man, abusive mother, AMAZING!
Ok ok ok. I finished BD today and it was a bitter sweet moment. I was so happy with the way the book ended, but I was so upset that it did end. I cried a little, laughed a lot, and got butterflies while I read. This is by far the best book I have ever read, but I’m scared to read another book because I’m still hooked on these two love birds. I looked at your review on SEMPRE because you said it was the closest to BD that you have read. Well I’m not into mystery and books that make me think too much. Should I take the leap of faith and buy it or should I go with fifty shades instead???
I finished reading BD a couple of day ago. I have been telling all my friends how surprised I was about this book. It is truly one of my favorites. I am actually reading it again because I was having Travis withdrawals. I loved a lot of his quotes, However the tatoo with the Hebrew quote was my favorite, “I belong to my beloved, and my beloved is mine”. Glad I came across your website.
I can’t wait for the next one from Jamie McGuire to come out!! It’s Beautiful Disaster but from Travis’s POV! Yay!!
Yay, i’ve read BD twice, would love to hear it from Travis’ pov, im hoping that happens with 50 shades too!!!
I don’t think I could be any more obsessed with your site. Your book suggestions are spot on. I absolutely LOVED Beautiful Disaster. I read it twice in 48 hours, and still wanted to read it again. I’m so glad you suggested I read it. I am so indebted to you for that, I might even name my first born after you. Haha. Anyways, I also loved Thoughtless, Effortless, Backstage Pass, and How to Kill a Rock Star. I felt like my heart was torn in half while reading How to Kill a Rock Star. Tears were streaming down my face, and I couldn’t stop them. I loved it though.
BTW, I can’t come up with a top three for my guys. I love Travis, Kellan, Christian, Brian, and Paul/Will. Travis is my #1 though … well maybe Kellan is. Dang. So good.
I’m new to this reading malarky 🙂 I loved the Twilight series and re-read them maybe 5-6 times :O and then I heard about 50 shades and loved those so figured I like the romance type books as it’s the romance in the stories that I love rather than the raunchy bits… so then I read Thoughtless/Effortless which were brilliant and Kellan is my favourite hero so far aside Edward ;). I’ve just finished BD and loved that too, Travis is brill but Abby annoyed me somewhat… now I’m not sure what to read… so many suggestions.. If you get time would you mind letting me know which one out of your top picks fulfils the angst, romance and happy ending plots I’m growing accustomed to lol 😀 thank you!! stief xx
Eeeek just finished Easy in 2 days… I’m getting terrible withdrawal symptoms when a book ends :(( Thank you for your list though as I’m working my way through them! – always hesitant if I’m going to like them as much as the previous and so far all brill in their own way 🙂 thank you x
There’s one called “Playing For Keeps: A Neighbor From Hell” by RL Mathewson, which reminded me a LOT of Abby & Travis.
I have to say that I am not impressed with Beautiful Disaster. Although I loved Travis, I did not like Abby at all. I can’t stand when a woman is so wishy washer and goes back and forth on whether she wants to be with the guy or not. Very annoying!
Just finished Beautiful Disaster and just love love loved it! Read it straight after all 3 50 shades and the first crossfire novel, so it was nice to read something sweet and funny without anything too sinsiter lurking around! Love your review and totally agree about not reading any reviews until you had finished it (twice, lol!) as I had such an emotional reaction to this book – it just made me happy , dont want to overthink it and end up questioning myself.
Love your blog and will definately be foolowing up with your ‘what to read next’ suggestions. Keep up good work!
I loved BD in a way I never thought I would. Couldn’t put the damn thing down! And I loved that I found this website to help with this empty feeling I was having with out another good book to follow! Thanks for the list already working my way through it!
THANK YOU for your list! I stumbled on your blog when searching for what to read after BD… holy smokes did I need something to get my mind off Travis. I then read Thoughtless and Effortless. Kellen sure did take my mind off of Travis. I love them both! Im now using your list as a guide as to what to read next. LOL! I never leave comments, but I wanted to thank you for this! Youve helped me get back in to reading, now I cant stop! 🙂
I’m so pleased and very happy to help, Tori! 😉
THANK you so much Maryse for ALL your reviews and suggestions! I am so glad that I came across your blog after reading Fifty and needing something that would occupy my mind….I read Bared to You and LOVED it, and then I read Beautiful Disaster which I LOVED!!! That book had my emotions all over the place. I cannot wait for Walking Disaster to be released. I’m now going to move on to Thoughtless…..
Thanks again!!!!
I know this is response to a comment is really old but @Brittany…try Dex…he might make your top as well. “experiment in terror” … really really good!
I would like to Suggest Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. It has the same feel of Beautiful Disaster. Also, Crash by Nicole Williams. Granted no one is quite like Travis.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for this list.
I just finished BD yesterday and I feel miserable. I miss it, you know?
Never thought books like BD, Fifty or Bared to You could captivate my heart so much. It’s almost falling in love with someone and then losing him once you are done reading the book. Which is why I have to get another book. So, I am very grateful for the suggestions mentioned here.
Thanks @Brittani. I will have to check it out.
The book @Brittani recommended is a free download on amazon just in case anyone is interested. 🙂
Thanks for all of your suggestions – I just found this blog thru Colleen Hoover’s blog. Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing (the 2nd in the series) are both fantastic! After you read them you will NOT be able to stop thinking about them. These stories feature a high school girl and the struggles of her daily life. The hero is not really a bad boy, but there are other factors at play. Well worth reading!
LOVE UNSCRIPTED , another I could not put down and the great news is the sequel is out on Aug 31st!!!
Tiffany Snow has two books out now that are must reads. Turn To Me and No Turning Back. They are filled with two men fighting over one girl. One man is a wealthy lawyer and one is a tattoo’ed bad boy. Loved these books.
Taking chances by Molly McAdams! When i started this i thought it was very similar to Beautiful disaster, it does have a twist and different ending that will shock you but a fantastic read! I loved it!!
Definitely think crash and clash by Nicole Williams should make the list!!
Im loving your page! Im on a steamy reading kick and I just cant stop. Beautiful Disaster started it all. And your page is just what Ive been dying to find! THANK YOU! I did just read “The Marriage Bargain” Didnt see it on your list but I thought it was great, Very quick read but worth it, you just cant put it down, its that steamy sexual tension/love story we all crave!
Also “Smooth Talking stranger” The description doesnt do it any justice, Its super steamy, with a man who makes Christian Grey forgettable (If i dare say that) It pulls at your heart strings and adds a suspensful storyline. I really believe Jack will be added to your list of favorite men. These two books are a definate must read for our tastes!
You need to read Taking Chances by Molly McAdams…IT was amazing!
Yep I did. I reviewed it, too here: https://www.maryse.net/books/book-review-taking-chances-by-molly-mcadams.html
🙂
Hi Maryse and thank you for this blog! I just finished Beautiful Disaster and looking for a good read. I think I’ll check out either Slammed, Fall from Grace, or Inescapable. I’ve become obsessed with these books since Twilight, lol. Read the 50 shades over the summer as well. I’m excited for your blog and will be reading your recommendations!
Hi Maryse, not sure if you have read it but “My Favorite Mistake” by Chelsea M. Cameron. It just came out and it is Fantastic , reminded me so much of Beautiful Disaster!! Hunter is sooooo much like Travis!!! They even have a bet!
new to your website… i totally love that u created a list to read after books… when i find a book i love i keep reading and reading until I’m done! because i wanna know what happeneds next and I’m hooked on it.. but when its done I’m sad! i have nothing to read next!!! thanks!! also the crossfire series by slivya day is amazing!!!!!!!
If you haven’t read the Breathe Series by Rebecca Donovan, you HAVE TOO!!! It will grab you on the first page! This book will take you through every emotion you have. One minute you will be laughing and happy the next you will be ready to jump through the book to hit someone. You will laugh, cry sti on the ede of your seat. Her third one called Out of Breathe will be out in June of 2013. These are not your normal books, she will take you through a story that can be so real to some and happens everyday. A Must Read! Book # 1 is called Reason to Breathe, Book #2 is Reason to Breathe. And let me tell you Evan is a dream!!!!
CROW’S ROW needs to be on this list! Actually on the top of it!
I just wanted to add Wallbanger to list. I read this in a day and I loved it!!! Funny, lots of chemistry between the two and a great ending!! Give it a try!
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
Ladies the ONLY thing to read after beautiful disaster is walking disaster. Travis’s version of events!! I’m so excited. Coming early 2013. Also a new trilogy starting with Release Me by J Kenner is hot!!(aka JK Beck). It’s fresh because Nikki is the more damaged one but still in the tradition of our alpaca faves: Travis Gideon and the one and only CHRISTIAN GREY *sigh*. Book 2 is claim me out in July. Can’t wait!!! Happy reading all. Xoxox
Thanks for the suggestion, Kat!
Sorry ALPHA not ALPACA.
How about the books by Sylvia Day, Bared to You and Reflected in You. 3rd book comes out spring of 2013 (I have heard april and may so not sure what month yet).
I just finished an amazing book and have to add this to your list for people that loved Beautiful Disaster. Read “sometimes never” by Cheryl McIntyre, you will love their story!
Rocked Under by Cora Hawkes and Rule by Jay Crownover, 2 amazing books I’ve just read!!! Must Reads!!!!
Hi, I’m new to your website. I just read beautiful disaster so I am thrilled I stumbled apom your suggestions, not sure if you have read, the coincidence of callie and kayden, OR the secret of Ella and micha, both by Jessica Sorenson, but I def recommend them!
Bad Rep by A. Meredith Walters, (loved it!)
Chasing after Infinity by L. Jayne (Fantastic read, High school player falls in love with the girl!)
Impossible by Komal Lewis, The guy in the story is in a band and has tats……
Someone to love by Addison Moore
Wanted by Kelly Elliott
All of these books I LOVED!! and were great to read after BD:)
Rule would be another good one to add to this list.
Perfect Chemistry was a great read!
Exquisite and Entice by Ella Frank
Collide by Gail McHugh
All In Series by Raine Miller
Release Me (Stark Trilogy) by J. Kenner
Fade Into You Trilogy by Kate Dawes
The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Always You by Kirsty Moseley
These are just a few of my favorites but I would recommend these for sure! Love reading your blog :o)
Beautiful disaster has a sequel coming out! It is basically the same book, but from Travis’s point of view. Also if you like the bad boys I recommend rock chick series by Kristen Ashley. If you like 50 shades I recommend shadowlands series by Cherise Sinclair, and the Brie series( all .99 each!) by Red Phoenix.
I just want to thank you for introducing me to Kiera and Kellan. I read the three books in two days and am upset that their story is over.
Your blog is excellent and I use it frequently when trying to find new books.
Hey,
I just stumbled upon your blog…and was wondering what “Beautiful Disaster ” was about, so i clicked on it. It took me to Amazon…I am Not trying to be rude or mean, but your ‘book list’ of what to read After this one…well Amazon has at least Half of your list…I just wanted to say that you are really good a picking these books…cause they are what the readers would pick:) Again, I was Very Impressed:) Nice Job:)…Keep it up….
Jacquie
I just read Leave Me Breathless by Cherrie Lynn and that sent me over the edge. Seth Warren is just divine, tattooed, pierced bad boy who is totally not what you expect when you get to know him. He sweeps our heroine Macy (and us) right off her feet! It follows on from Rock Me so the characters from that are all intertwined. I couldn’t put this book down and I can safely say that Seth is right up there in my book boyfriends list with Travis and Kellan… Get reading ladies!
After BD… Perfect Chemistry is awesome…. Alejandro…. YUMMY!!!!!
Wait For You by J. Lynn…BEST I after Beautiful Disaster! Closest I have found. Cam and Avery are amazing if you love this genre. Great story… I HIGHLY reccommend it!
I’ve just finished reading Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay – highly recommended. Beautifully written, full of intelligent angst and characters with depth. Not cheesy in the slightest – read it! You won’t be disappointed.
Finished SEMPRE and just dont know….. what to read after that story.. Think I need some time for healing …..
I have just read Bullet by Jade C. Jamison… wow! Long story because it covers a lot of time (years) and a lot of stuff happens but very detailed and I certainly felt all the emotions. This book was a mix of the Thoughtless series, Beautiful Disaster and even a little bit of the Sinners On Tour series. Definitely recommend 🙂 Described as an EPIC Rock Star Novel and I have to say I kind of agree.
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
I think Real should be added to this list 🙂
Real by Katy Evans definitely gave me the same feeling that I got from reading Beautiful Disaster. I loved Remy. He was so possessive, tortured, and just plain sweet. This book should definitely be read after Beautiful Disaster.
My suggestion could have been a better comment to go under “after twilight” or “paranormal romances”. But I was having such trouble after I read beautiful disaster to find a good enough book to read next, and became just as overwhelmed with what I found. The Tigers Curse series by Colleen Houck blew me away. A must read for any paranormal romance lover looking for a story line that leaves you on edge until its over.
I just finished reading a book called Tangled by Emma Chase, it’s similar in the intensity and the fact he’s an absolute chauvinistic pig in the beginning. I highly recommend this book, couldn’t put it down.
I have fallen in LOVE with Travis…
I cant wait to start reading Walking Disaster need a Maddox fix
Just read a book Bully by Penelope Douglas. wow it is really a great surprise 🙂 Couldn’t put my ereader down
I read Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing and just finished Out of Breath. It’s a wonderful story that kept me hanging on through the entire trilogy. It’s almost too much for one character to take but that’s why you fall in love with Evan. It’s a good time to read them now that they are all out. I had to wait on book three and was devastated when I finished book two that I couldn’t continue the story immediately.
I finished Fallen Too Far in 3.5 hours last night! It was so good and I couldn’t get enough. I ordered Never Too Far the second I was finished….great suggestion! I also LOVE Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster! Travis Maddox is my favorite fictional guy as if late. I’m convince that it’s one if the best books I’ve read yet.
I became really frustrated trying to find another book that was sort of like Beautiful Disaster, until I read Breathe by Abbi Glines was really good and I love it just as much as Beautiful Disaster! Breathe is a MUST READ!
I recently found a book by accident. “beautiful disaster (the bet)”. It is not your usual book with a happily ever after I won’t tell you all much more except it is a great love story and a must read. There are 3 books so far, not sure if he will be writing any more and it sort of spans out over about 20 years not just one section in someone’s life. It is definitely in my top 5 must reads.
So I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry reading your lists cause as I’m going down all I keep thinking is read read and read lol I need something new to read lol
Yep I have to update this one. But I’m getting pickier in my “What to Read After Beautiful Disaster” choices… there are lots of options now, but I want to find absolute stand-out favorites for this list. Over time, I think I’ve come to love “Beautiful Disaster” even more….
Have you read Fading by e.k. Blair (loved!!!!!)
Remember when by t torrest
Wanted by Kelly Elliott
I think you may really like these.
So glad I’ve discovered your site.
I literally just finished Damien by Jessica Wood and that was really good. He’s basically a self-proclaimed man whore who’s allergic to commitment until he meets a small town girl who’s just moved into his apartment block.
I love your reading lists! I’ve read Taking Chances by Molly McAdams twice, and I keep on comparing it to Beautiful Disaster, it is nearly there, but this book made me cry more. I think you might like it 🙂
Hi! Like all of you, I have been scouring the BOOK-dom for something like Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster. That’s how I found this website in in the first place. You guys may want to take a look at Wait for You ( girl’s POV) and Trust in Me (guy’s POV) by J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout’s pen name for her NA set of books). It’s a good set of books to read after BD, too!
BTW, Maryse, do you have an idea when Trent Maddox’s book will come out/available?
As per the author’s recent Facebook update, chapter one has just been finished. 😉 Meaning, it might be awhile as she is currently writing it. YAY US!!!
Hey you should try Crossfire series as well. If you liked Fifty Shades then you would definetly like it as well.
I loved Trust Me (TAT: A Rocker Romance) by Melanie Walker <3!!
I just read the Thin Line by Alicia Kobisher…totally had the BD feel
Agreeing with bubblie Crossfire series by Sylvia day is a must read!!! Gideon Cross is one of my top five heros. Has the deep plot like fifty but with a few twists. I’ve got to admit that I may love him more than fifty and I Do love Ava morethan I do Anastasia.
I put your site in my bookmarks. You definitely need to add Collide by Gail McHugh. OMG such a good book. He’s the good boy… Innocent girl/perfect man. I’ve read 40+ books in the last 6 months and this one stands out. Would love to see your opinion! (Book 2 is Pulsed)
It’s been awhile and a lot of books later and I’m still thinking about Gavin. Lol
Thanks for all the recommendations. Although Beautiful Disaster will have no equal, may I also suggest readers to try indulging in Penelope Douglas’ “Bully” & “Until you.”
You should update this list to add “The Fixed Trilogy”! Great reads, and hands down one the best reads out right now.
Hey Maryse! Jamie’s since had a new series of novellas come out and I just love them so much. If you haven’t already try looking up her Happenstance Part 1 & 2, do it! Also, Trent’s book is pure hot! Trent and Cami are my fave Maddox pair yet…and mean yet because who i’m really waiting for it the mysterious Thomas.. mmm.
Must read after BD (one of my all time favorites and I am a book addict!!!!!) ……Fallen Crest High Series.
Mason – sigh….. 🙂
BTW: Love, love, love what you have done here Maryse, I have been led to many wonderful books because of your site, Many thanks!!!!!!
YAY!!! Thank you so much Ann, for that awesome comment. You made my day! *hug*
I recently read an Indie book called This Love by Samantha Victoria. Really enjoyed it. If you liked the angsty romance in beautiful disaster, you would like this too.
If you want to get over TRAVIS you have to read Fallen too far . Then you’ll fall in love with Rush
Love Travis and Abby, and felt a sense of loss when I finished their story, but rejoiced once I discovered the other Maddox brothers’ stories as well in the series. I would have to recommend the ‘After’ series by Anna Todd – After, After We Collided, After We Fell and After Ever Happy. This is Travis and Abby, only darker. I read the 4 books in 3 days – couldn’t put them down. Another recommendation high on my list is the ‘Beautiful Bastard’ series by Christina Lauren – hot, steamy and wild. And a special mention for Sylvia Day’s ‘Crossfire’ – Gideon and Eva’s story – a 5 book series with the last instalment coming out later this year. Love your work, Maryse, and I look forward to discovering your suggested readings above 🙂
I just finished Beautiful Disaster and I LOVED it. Of course!! If I could change one thing, I really craved more sex scenes between them! Yea I know.. I’m a perv. Lol what can I say? I love the romance but need the sex..
So I’m wondering, out of all the ones on your list, besides Fifty shades, which ones have the more graphic sex scenes? Because I have read a few, Thoughtless, and they were great also, but still very tame in that aspect..
I absolutely love your Blog! I have been following it for a couple years and get all the books I read from your reviews or other followers. One of your followers suggested the After series by Anna Todd! I’m into the 3rd book and I’m hooked! Highly recommended for angst lovers!
YAY!! Thank you for the recommendation, Michelle!!! 😀
Trying to decide between Thoughtless, Fallen Too Far and Slammed? Looking for something just as good as Beautiful Disaster that I won’t be able to put down and could finish in 4 days! Not a huge reader but I LOVED Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster, I finished both in 2 days! Which would you suggest?
Thoughtless!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 OH MY. You are in for some stomach aches!!!
Hi Maryse! Any new recommendations for die hard Beautiful Disaster fans? Thank you
How am I not seeing the After series in your reviews?!? Talk about life changing. I was a causal reader, usually only picking up books for the summer to bring by the beach or pool. That has all changed. I have read more books in the last 60 days then the last 6 years- no kidding!
The after series about Hardin and Tessa completely and utterly swept me away. It’s a reality I never want to leave which is how I stumbled on your website and found beautiful disaster. Beautiful and after series are soo similar however after is a little more steamy. Working on the other reads you mentioned. Not sure which one to start with, feel like I’m still feeling the loss of Travis and Hardin, but I am ordering several on your list and hoping they bring me back to life.
THOUGHTLESS!!! Go with Thoughtless Jennifer!!!! 😀
Eeek, ORDERED! Thanks girl ☺️
*claps with glee*