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A Beautiful Disaster
After being betrayed and abused by an ex-lover, Sean trusts no one--but he can't help wishing he could trust gentle-hearted tattoo artist Riordan. When these two vulnerable men, scarred inside and out, find each other, neither is willing or able to walk away.
Both starved for touch and lonely in his self-imposed exile, Sean can't help wanting Riordan both body and soul and in his bed, and Riordan is captivated by the sweet nature and the beauty he can still see beneath Sean's scars. Yet despite his hunger for affection, Sean can't break free of a cycle of shame and despair, not even as Riordan's falling in love with his beautiful disaster.
Will Sean be able to break through the barriers he's built around himself and let Riordan in--and will Riordan find the key to unlock Sean's frozen heart?
Both starved for touch and lonely in his self-imposed exile, Sean can't help wanting Riordan both body and soul and in his bed, and Riordan is captivated by the sweet nature and the beauty he can still see beneath Sean's scars. Yet despite his hunger for affection, Sean can't break free of a cycle of shame and despair, not even as Riordan's falling in love with his beautiful disaster.
Will Sean be able to break through the barriers he's built around himself and let Riordan in--and will Riordan find the key to unlock Sean's frozen heart?
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2013
1 person is currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Willa Okati
218 books219 followersWill Okati is made of many things: imagination, coffee, stray cat hairs, daydreams, more coffee, kitchen experimentation, a passion for winter weather, a little more coffee, a whole lot of flowering plants and a lifelong love of storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 22, 2016
Re-read Jan. 2016
I didn't feel the initial fuss I felt when I first read this one, but I loved it all over again regardless. My 5 stars stand! Great, sweet, hot healing/comfort.
Don't you just love it when you start a new book and about two chapters or so in a realize that you are reading a monumental (to you personally) piece of work? One that is going to fuck with your top-10-of-all-time list? And you just never saw it coming, at all? The last time that happened to me was when I was reading Point of No Return and had a nice, tidy top 10 shelf here at GoodReads. When I was finished reading if, I threw that top 10 shelf out the window and created a fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf because I just couldn't limit my number to 10 anymore. And here we are, four months later, and my fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf has 26 titles on it. By the time I was done with the second chapter of A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati I knew my list would now be up to 27.
A Beautiful Disaster is the story of lost and damaged souls Sean and Rio and how they find and help each other. Their journey is incredibly emotional, powerful, beautiful and stands out in my mind as the Mack Daddy in the genre of healing/comfort books, which is a current personal favorite of mine. It is not graphic or gratuitous, but it is heartbreaking to hear Sean talk about what he suffered and to see his physical and emotional reactions to what he suffered. But our damaged boys get a wonderful HEA and a glorious epilogue that literally had me weeping.
If you like your M/M romance where the boys have to REALLY work for their HEA, healing/comfort, awkward (at first) rough sex, tattoos and can handle some tears then I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND A Beautiful Disaster to you.
I didn't feel the initial fuss I felt when I first read this one, but I loved it all over again regardless. My 5 stars stand! Great, sweet, hot healing/comfort.
Don't you just love it when you start a new book and about two chapters or so in a realize that you are reading a monumental (to you personally) piece of work? One that is going to fuck with your top-10-of-all-time list? And you just never saw it coming, at all? The last time that happened to me was when I was reading Point of No Return and had a nice, tidy top 10 shelf here at GoodReads. When I was finished reading if, I threw that top 10 shelf out the window and created a fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf because I just couldn't limit my number to 10 anymore. And here we are, four months later, and my fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf has 26 titles on it. By the time I was done with the second chapter of A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati I knew my list would now be up to 27.
A Beautiful Disaster is the story of lost and damaged souls Sean and Rio and how they find and help each other. Their journey is incredibly emotional, powerful, beautiful and stands out in my mind as the Mack Daddy in the genre of healing/comfort books, which is a current personal favorite of mine. It is not graphic or gratuitous, but it is heartbreaking to hear Sean talk about what he suffered and to see his physical and emotional reactions to what he suffered. But our damaged boys get a wonderful HEA and a glorious epilogue that literally had me weeping.
If you like your M/M romance where the boys have to REALLY work for their HEA, healing/comfort, awkward (at first) rough sex, tattoos and can handle some tears then I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND A Beautiful Disaster to you.
March 30, 2013
This is a book about second chances, how to trust somebody again and how to let the past go.
I really liked the whole idea of the story. Sean being abused, trying to escape and almost dying, meets Riordan, nurse who has a tattoo shop and makes art out of people scars.
From the first moment they had eye contact, Riordan can see how big pain and sadness is in Sean's eyes. He wants to help him and to heal his soul and step by step Sean gives him and himself a try. Sean is pretty dark and rough between the sheets but Riordan somehow drags out the gentle side of him.
I loved the characters, I really did but all the time I felt like something is missing in the story. I didn't focus on chemistry between characters because this is more of a story how to heal someone's heart, how to survive and take that second chance that is offered to you.
The characters and the story weren't overly dramatic, although sometimes you have a feeling like drama could happen anytime.
Considering the content of this book, i am just surprised it ended up... well... a bit sweet.
I am in dilemma how to rate this book. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't that good. I can't say I liked it that much but I also can't say I didn't like it.
I would rate it somewhere between 2 and 3 stars but GR doesn't allow me that so I'll round it up at 3 stars :)
I really liked the whole idea of the story. Sean being abused, trying to escape and almost dying, meets Riordan, nurse who has a tattoo shop and makes art out of people scars.
From the first moment they had eye contact, Riordan can see how big pain and sadness is in Sean's eyes. He wants to help him and to heal his soul and step by step Sean gives him and himself a try. Sean is pretty dark and rough between the sheets but Riordan somehow drags out the gentle side of him.
I loved the characters, I really did but all the time I felt like something is missing in the story. I didn't focus on chemistry between characters because this is more of a story how to heal someone's heart, how to survive and take that second chance that is offered to you.
The characters and the story weren't overly dramatic, although sometimes you have a feeling like drama could happen anytime.
Considering the content of this book, i am just surprised it ended up... well... a bit sweet.
I am in dilemma how to rate this book. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't that good. I can't say I liked it that much but I also can't say I didn't like it.
I would rate it somewhere between 2 and 3 stars but GR doesn't allow me that so I'll round it up at 3 stars :)
April 6, 2013
More a 1.5
When I was reading the prologue I was sure this was going to be a good fit for me, sadly the prologue was the only bit that fit me.
Throughout the whole book I struggled with the flowery wordiness. The conversations were a confusing mess for me and I never felt any romantic connection between Riordan and Sean.
There was not enough back story to satisfy me regarding Sean.
I must agree with Candice Riordan’s scar was not on the same level and yet he acted like it was a big deal because he hadn’t shown it to Sean.
As for Jae, he came across as rather a cold fish where Sean was concerned.
Overall a complete lack of emotional connection for me.
When I was reading the prologue I was sure this was going to be a good fit for me, sadly the prologue was the only bit that fit me.
Throughout the whole book I struggled with the flowery wordiness. The conversations were a confusing mess for me and I never felt any romantic connection between Riordan and Sean.
There was not enough back story to satisfy me regarding Sean.
I must agree with Candice Riordan’s scar was not on the same level and yet he acted like it was a big deal because he hadn’t shown it to Sean.
As for Jae, he came across as rather a cold fish where Sean was concerned.
Overall a complete lack of emotional connection for me.
April 3, 2013
The plot of 'A Beautiful Disaster' was promising. I love stories where tortured souls get a second chance and find their soulmates. But this story felt emotionally flat to me. Something important was missing. I couldn't connect to the characters and feel their pain and their growing love. It didn't touch me at all.
March 30, 2013
As a matter of personal taste, I found the writing too florid. Underneath the avalanche of adjective-heavy description is a hurt/comfort story that will probably appeal to many readers.
April 6, 2013
After reading the blurb, I was interested in the whole concept of this story, getting a second chance at life and learning to trust again. Unfortunately, the story just did not work for me and how the characters acted just did not seem realistic. I could understand Sean and how he was such an emotional wreck even without the author going into the past and describing his life with Leo, he was damaged, both physically and emotionally. I didn't quite understand the same about Riordan and yes he had scars, but it was no where near on the same level and he acted like it was. My impression of Riordan was yes he was a nice guy who helped people with scars through his tattoos, but felt his whole interest was to fix Sean. He did not act towards Sean the way I felt someone who had just basically picked him up in a bar would. I would have found it more realistic if they had known each other previously and just recently met again. But the way Riordan acted with just meeting him and then Sean's complete change a little later in the book just didn't work for me.
April 5, 2013
This started off with a bang, but sort of deflated as it went on. I loved the idea of this, with poor Sean being abused and scarred, and Riordan, who is also a bit scarred after a close call with a drive by shooting.
They both are lucky to be alive, though Sean is having a bit more trouble trying to live again. Riordan just happens to be a nurse and tattoo artist, who designs and tattoos specializing in reconstructive work with people covering their scars.
Seemed like a perfect match, but it was missing something for me. Cannot put my finger on it, but I just wasn't feeling a very deep emotional connection with them. So, while I enjoyed the story, it didn't wow me as I had hoped.
They both are lucky to be alive, though Sean is having a bit more trouble trying to live again. Riordan just happens to be a nurse and tattoo artist, who designs and tattoos specializing in reconstructive work with people covering their scars.
Seemed like a perfect match, but it was missing something for me. Cannot put my finger on it, but I just wasn't feeling a very deep emotional connection with them. So, while I enjoyed the story, it didn't wow me as I had hoped.
February 10, 2017
Awful, awful book.
Strange writing.
Unlikable characters.
Weird dialogue.
Unrealistic events.
Not a lot of comfort in this hurt/comfort book.
I can go on, but I will just leave it at that.
Strange writing.
Unlikable characters.
Weird dialogue.
Unrealistic events.
Not a lot of comfort in this hurt/comfort book.
I can go on, but I will just leave it at that.
October 17, 2014
I wanted to love this book as much as I've loved others by this author, but it just felt rushed. After literally 3 face to face meetings, two of which involved some kind of sex, Sean is leaving behind his emergency run away backpack and planning a future with Riordan.
To get to the plot- Sean has been with an abusive guy, Leo, for quite some time. In the prologue, Sean is planning to run away, but Leo finds out and runs Sean down with his car, leaving him very scarred and disabled. Cut to a year later, and Sean is living alone, no friends, no family, he can't work so he collects disability. He meets Riordan, who was a GREAT guy, and they fall into things REALLY quickly. Sean initially gives some problems, but it just felt they were resolved WAY too quickly, all things considered.
I also didn't like that we knew next to nothing about Sean. He was abused, he ran, he got hurt, that's it. We don't know his age, where he's from, if he has any family or where they are. I just wish the author had told us more about the characters, and spent more time developing the relationship.
To get to the plot- Sean has been with an abusive guy, Leo, for quite some time. In the prologue, Sean is planning to run away, but Leo finds out and runs Sean down with his car, leaving him very scarred and disabled. Cut to a year later, and Sean is living alone, no friends, no family, he can't work so he collects disability. He meets Riordan, who was a GREAT guy, and they fall into things REALLY quickly. Sean initially gives some problems, but it just felt they were resolved WAY too quickly, all things considered.
I also didn't like that we knew next to nothing about Sean. He was abused, he ran, he got hurt, that's it. We don't know his age, where he's from, if he has any family or where they are. I just wish the author had told us more about the characters, and spent more time developing the relationship.
April 8, 2013
I don't think this was a story. It was a poem. Think of that statement what you wish. :)
April 18, 2013
I read books like these a lot. This is normally a story I would rave about and I thought I would like it. I couldn't say I even liked this book and okay was the kindest word I could use. When I read a romance it's because I want the characters to fall in love. Sadly, in this I can't say that they did.
I could tell you about the abuse and the reasons the two characters came together. I won't. I didn't feel the characters connect and I didn't feel the attraction. Others might have felt the connection but it was missing for me. To be honest the only thing I really felt was fear in the prologue.
The abuse was not actually shown, but some of the damage was described. Maybe the story would have benefited from it actually appearing in a scene. Even the actual event was skimmed and that is not something I like in a non YA book.
The story itself was short enough. I would say it was too short for the type of story being told. Having said that it was long enough considering the direction it took. Everyone has different tastes and maybe some would have been happy for it to go on, my brain would not have taken any longer though.
One of the main reasons I read romance is to have at least one scene in a stand alone where we hear the words "I love you" it was missing from this and that is the second book in two days where this has happened to em and it's getting on my nerves.
There was one thing I liked and that was how tattoo's were used in the story. I thought it was a beautiful way of describing them and I agreed with Riordan. It is a way of healing for some people and a way of taking back your body.
Sadly I cannot give this book any more than two stars. In no way should anyone not try it because of this review, but I would be wary of the missing feeling. Maybe someone else will find what I was looking for in this book.
I could tell you about the abuse and the reasons the two characters came together. I won't. I didn't feel the characters connect and I didn't feel the attraction. Others might have felt the connection but it was missing for me. To be honest the only thing I really felt was fear in the prologue.
The abuse was not actually shown, but some of the damage was described. Maybe the story would have benefited from it actually appearing in a scene. Even the actual event was skimmed and that is not something I like in a non YA book.
The story itself was short enough. I would say it was too short for the type of story being told. Having said that it was long enough considering the direction it took. Everyone has different tastes and maybe some would have been happy for it to go on, my brain would not have taken any longer though.
One of the main reasons I read romance is to have at least one scene in a stand alone where we hear the words "I love you" it was missing from this and that is the second book in two days where this has happened to em and it's getting on my nerves.
There was one thing I liked and that was how tattoo's were used in the story. I thought it was a beautiful way of describing them and I agreed with Riordan. It is a way of healing for some people and a way of taking back your body.
Sadly I cannot give this book any more than two stars. In no way should anyone not try it because of this review, but I would be wary of the missing feeling. Maybe someone else will find what I was looking for in this book.
April 2, 2013
This was a long journey for both characters. Each had been hurt in the past, though the way for both of them was different.
This is a book about healing. About finding your place in the world, with someone who can guide you. I've read several things by Willa Okati, and this was probably the most cathartic book by her I've seen.
This is a book about healing. About finding your place in the world, with someone who can guide you. I've read several things by Willa Okati, and this was probably the most cathartic book by her I've seen.
March 10, 2016
The story and the way it was told was ok, it just didn't touch me.
June 18, 2013
I always think of Willa Okati books as easy reading, sort of romance light. The writing is ethereal and tends to lack a real connection with the drama presented. I knew this going in so I wasn’t disappointed with the book. However, I didn’t always particularly like it. The concept is good but like other books by this author, any attempt to add depth is superficial at best. This reads like magical sex cures deep-seated emotional and physical trauma. Sean is entirely different by the end with the love of a good man and some hot sex. That’s a nice thought and the problem isn’t that it’s unrealistic, this is romance after all, but that the story does very little to sell the change to the reader. There’s nothing that makes you want to believe in the transformative powers of sex.
The plot is basic and familiar with Sean, recovering from a horrific car accident that left him scarred in all ways. He’s convinced his scars make him a monster and that no one will ever be able to stand to look at him again. Enter Riordan, a nurse and a tattoo artist who specializes in tattooing scars. He takes one look at Sean and decides that he wants the man. Although Sean is skittish and scared, Riordan knows he can tame the man.
To open the book, Sean is trying to run away from an abusive lover in the prologue but instead gets run over by said lover’s car. This is the best part of the story. The raw emotion and fear are palpable and I connected with Sean almost immediately. I felt for him and wanted to know more. When the story abruptly shifts to an opening scene between Jae and Riordan, I was thrown. I kept wondering if one of them was Sean in disguise/hiding. I couldn’t focus on the scene because I wanted to know why it was such an abrupt shift and what happened to Sean. When we finally see Sean again he’s constantly described as a feral cat. I can’t help but wonder what happened to make him this way? Sure he was in an abusive relationship but with no details and no further explanation it’s hard to understand the level of wary fear Sean displays.
Likewise Riordan has his own scars, which supposedly make him more able to understand Sean. However I never could get a clear understanding of this character. First he’s a nurse, but I’m not sure why this was added. Riordan only works in the tattoo shop for the duration of the story and other than a few minor references to his physical therapy for some unknown ailment of his hand – I think from his gunshot wound but it’s not clear – there’s no need to include the nursing reference at all. Riordan exists as a white knight, ready to save Sean from the world and himself with the powerful force of sex and I guess love, though it’s never mentioned.
This isn’t a bad book, all things considered, and the writing is light and easy. It’s not especially descriptive or moving, though I think the tattooing descriptions and scenes are by far the best. However there’s a distance between the characters and subject matter that never quite connects. Sometimes I couldn’t tell who was speaking and who’s POV was the narrator. These were minor but it led to an overall feeling of discontent. I couldn’t sink into the story and enjoy it. Instead I forced myself to turn the pages and liked it well enough without ever engaging with the characters or their emotions. I think this ranks about the middle of WO books and maybe not one I’d recommend.
The plot is basic and familiar with Sean, recovering from a horrific car accident that left him scarred in all ways. He’s convinced his scars make him a monster and that no one will ever be able to stand to look at him again. Enter Riordan, a nurse and a tattoo artist who specializes in tattooing scars. He takes one look at Sean and decides that he wants the man. Although Sean is skittish and scared, Riordan knows he can tame the man.
To open the book, Sean is trying to run away from an abusive lover in the prologue but instead gets run over by said lover’s car. This is the best part of the story. The raw emotion and fear are palpable and I connected with Sean almost immediately. I felt for him and wanted to know more. When the story abruptly shifts to an opening scene between Jae and Riordan, I was thrown. I kept wondering if one of them was Sean in disguise/hiding. I couldn’t focus on the scene because I wanted to know why it was such an abrupt shift and what happened to Sean. When we finally see Sean again he’s constantly described as a feral cat. I can’t help but wonder what happened to make him this way? Sure he was in an abusive relationship but with no details and no further explanation it’s hard to understand the level of wary fear Sean displays.
Likewise Riordan has his own scars, which supposedly make him more able to understand Sean. However I never could get a clear understanding of this character. First he’s a nurse, but I’m not sure why this was added. Riordan only works in the tattoo shop for the duration of the story and other than a few minor references to his physical therapy for some unknown ailment of his hand – I think from his gunshot wound but it’s not clear – there’s no need to include the nursing reference at all. Riordan exists as a white knight, ready to save Sean from the world and himself with the powerful force of sex and I guess love, though it’s never mentioned.
This isn’t a bad book, all things considered, and the writing is light and easy. It’s not especially descriptive or moving, though I think the tattooing descriptions and scenes are by far the best. However there’s a distance between the characters and subject matter that never quite connects. Sometimes I couldn’t tell who was speaking and who’s POV was the narrator. These were minor but it led to an overall feeling of discontent. I couldn’t sink into the story and enjoy it. Instead I forced myself to turn the pages and liked it well enough without ever engaging with the characters or their emotions. I think this ranks about the middle of WO books and maybe not one I’d recommend.
July 23, 2013
4.5 stars
Riordan, a victim of a drive by shooting, spends each and every day moving between his nursing job and his co-owned passion, the tattoo parlor. The place where he takes broken bodies and shattered spirits and creates a masterpiece with his ink--not to cover up their scars, no, rather to afford them the beauty of seeing them be a part of something magnificent.
He does not want to "save" others, rather, he wants to show them that there is life and a way of living even after something has been taken from you--something that has come so close to breaking your spirit once and for all. Then he meets Sean...
Sean is not only broken, he is barely clinging to what can hardly be called a life. He sees in Riordan what he desperately hopes is not pity but truly salvation...for he needs saving so very badly.
Now I get it--this novel made me see very clearly what Oakti fans adore this author for and what they flock to read. Characters so broken yet so alive. Passion that slowly burns and builds, much like a normal relationship would. Hope in the midst of great sadness and loss. And a compelling story that swoops in and grabs your heart and refuses to give it back until it has wrung every bit of emotion from you and you sigh in complete satisfaction at the end.
A Beautiful Disaster is not just a novel about second chances or finding that one person who can make you feel complete. It is about how we choose to deal with loss and how we find the well of strength deep within ourselves to push on, pick ourselves up and live another day despite the crushing weight of our sadness.
For such a short novel, A Beautiful Disaster, packs an incredible amount of living into its pages. And for each moment when the author suspends us over the very real idea that these two men may not make it--may not fall in love, may not ever really heal; she gives us an equal amount of time immersed in their passion for each other and their journey to becoming whole.
Riordan, a victim of a drive by shooting, spends each and every day moving between his nursing job and his co-owned passion, the tattoo parlor. The place where he takes broken bodies and shattered spirits and creates a masterpiece with his ink--not to cover up their scars, no, rather to afford them the beauty of seeing them be a part of something magnificent.
He does not want to "save" others, rather, he wants to show them that there is life and a way of living even after something has been taken from you--something that has come so close to breaking your spirit once and for all. Then he meets Sean...
Sean is not only broken, he is barely clinging to what can hardly be called a life. He sees in Riordan what he desperately hopes is not pity but truly salvation...for he needs saving so very badly.
Now I get it--this novel made me see very clearly what Oakti fans adore this author for and what they flock to read. Characters so broken yet so alive. Passion that slowly burns and builds, much like a normal relationship would. Hope in the midst of great sadness and loss. And a compelling story that swoops in and grabs your heart and refuses to give it back until it has wrung every bit of emotion from you and you sigh in complete satisfaction at the end.
A Beautiful Disaster is not just a novel about second chances or finding that one person who can make you feel complete. It is about how we choose to deal with loss and how we find the well of strength deep within ourselves to push on, pick ourselves up and live another day despite the crushing weight of our sadness.
For such a short novel, A Beautiful Disaster, packs an incredible amount of living into its pages. And for each moment when the author suspends us over the very real idea that these two men may not make it--may not fall in love, may not ever really heal; she gives us an equal amount of time immersed in their passion for each other and their journey to becoming whole.
March 7, 2015
A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati is one emotionally charged read I will never forget. Sean has been through so much. His ex boyfriend not only did a number on his body, but on his heart as well. He thinks no one will want him now. Then he meets a man he cannot get out of his head. Riordan. Riordan is a nurse and tattoo artist. His love and caring really made me fall in love with him too. He is perfect for Sean, a person who knows how to push but quietly. Sean really needs that in his life. Riordan is willing to show him how to take his life back, all Sean has to do is remember how to trust again.
Ms. Okati does an amazing job of handling how someone would feel after being a victim of domestic violence. Her handling of this touchy subject was just perfect. The pace of the story made it believable and gritty. I really loved this story for its heart wrenching moments and those of pure light and love. This story is not for everyone, Sean’s story is gritty, rough, and emotional. If you like a gritty love story with a beautiful ending you will love this one as much as I do.
Five shooting stars and a star dust award
Ms. Okati does an amazing job of handling how someone would feel after being a victim of domestic violence. Her handling of this touchy subject was just perfect. The pace of the story made it believable and gritty. I really loved this story for its heart wrenching moments and those of pure light and love. This story is not for everyone, Sean’s story is gritty, rough, and emotional. If you like a gritty love story with a beautiful ending you will love this one as much as I do.
Five shooting stars and a star dust award
March 28, 2013
Really good book. Sometimes almost hard to read, but in a good way. I really liked Rio, and Id love Jae's story. I liked their relationship a lot. Sean was so damaged but I liked him so much. I wanted a bit more romance, but it wouldn't have been believable. I'd love to hear more from them tho, since I think they have more to learn.
August 26, 2013
While I appreciated the delicacy of the subject matter (domestic abuse), I just couldn't get into the flowery prose and the speed with which the two MC's came together. It seemed too fast to me, like within a few days they were intimate. I did like the way that Sean was learning to see a future for himself beyond his scars, I thought that was very well done.
March 10, 2015
I'm not a hug tat fan, but in this story, they represent so much goodness. Reclaiming healing after injury, making beauty from pain. It's beautiful.
I love the author's writing style in this story. Although it deals with harsh subject matter (survival and abuse and healing), there is so much joy and sweetness, and the gorgeous turns of phrase sometimes took my breath away. <3
I love the author's writing style in this story. Although it deals with harsh subject matter (survival and abuse and healing), there is so much joy and sweetness, and the gorgeous turns of phrase sometimes took my breath away. <3
October 19, 2013
This started out with possible excellence but I didn't feel like I knew either one of these guys enough to be truly invested in their pain. And I wanted to know them so much better. Really a lost opportunity with unbelievable potential.
i-dont-think-so
April 3, 2013Because LA told me not to
April 15, 2013
See Lucky's 5 sweet pea review on April 16, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
dnf
April 10, 2016These characters, this story, the awkward writing style...none of it is working for me. I'm putting it on hold for now. 60%
November 18, 2013
Love
Review to come
Review to come
October 8, 2017
3.75 stars
April 18, 2013
3 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Sean has trust in no one anymore. Abused, betrayed and then nearly killed it has taken everything in him just to live again, trusting another human being is next to impossible, but when he meets Riordan he begins to have a yearning for touch and comfort. The second Riordan sees Sean he is drawn by something in him, beneath the scars, the pain and the betrayal Riordan knows that there is a strong soul just looking back at him, a warm loving person that needs to be nurtured back to humanity and Riordan is determined to be the man that does it.
This is a very touching story that is filled with a wealth of pain and survival, of determination and beginning to live again. Riordan is a nurse and a tattoo artist he combines both careers to help those who have lasting scars, creating beauty in a show of strength. Sean used to be an artist, it is no longer an option but he is still drawn to the beauty of art and it is really all he has left. When Riordan and Sean meet, Sean has issues controlling the hurt and anger still dwelling inside him but Riordan’s gentle coaxing begins to ease his heart. Riordan can’t explain what about Sean draws him in, Sean’s wall is drawn tight around him but Riordan wants to pull it down.
Both Riordan and Sean have faced death, Riordan from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and Sean because of a betrayal that led the man he was trying to run from straight to him. Both men are scarred but Sean’s scars are far deeper, delving into his emotions and destroying his trust. I found both men to be vastly interesting and the trauma each man has suffered through was touching, the connection both men found in the other was unique and although it was hard to pin point it was something special between them.
Although I was happy with how the relationship progressed between them, I found other things dissatisfying, Sean should have been in heavy therapy to help him work through everything that had happened to him, to get over the disappointment of the police failing him, to forgive the act of betrayal that led to him being nearly killed and for the loss of his life as he knew it. Riordan might have had experience with external scars and emotional hurt, but he just didn’t have the experience to deal with Sean’s baggage.
I will recommend this story to those who love emotional damaged men, overcoming fears, finding love and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Sean has trust in no one anymore. Abused, betrayed and then nearly killed it has taken everything in him just to live again, trusting another human being is next to impossible, but when he meets Riordan he begins to have a yearning for touch and comfort. The second Riordan sees Sean he is drawn by something in him, beneath the scars, the pain and the betrayal Riordan knows that there is a strong soul just looking back at him, a warm loving person that needs to be nurtured back to humanity and Riordan is determined to be the man that does it.
This is a very touching story that is filled with a wealth of pain and survival, of determination and beginning to live again. Riordan is a nurse and a tattoo artist he combines both careers to help those who have lasting scars, creating beauty in a show of strength. Sean used to be an artist, it is no longer an option but he is still drawn to the beauty of art and it is really all he has left. When Riordan and Sean meet, Sean has issues controlling the hurt and anger still dwelling inside him but Riordan’s gentle coaxing begins to ease his heart. Riordan can’t explain what about Sean draws him in, Sean’s wall is drawn tight around him but Riordan wants to pull it down.
Both Riordan and Sean have faced death, Riordan from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and Sean because of a betrayal that led the man he was trying to run from straight to him. Both men are scarred but Sean’s scars are far deeper, delving into his emotions and destroying his trust. I found both men to be vastly interesting and the trauma each man has suffered through was touching, the connection both men found in the other was unique and although it was hard to pin point it was something special between them.
Although I was happy with how the relationship progressed between them, I found other things dissatisfying, Sean should have been in heavy therapy to help him work through everything that had happened to him, to get over the disappointment of the police failing him, to forgive the act of betrayal that led to him being nearly killed and for the loss of his life as he knew it. Riordan might have had experience with external scars and emotional hurt, but he just didn’t have the experience to deal with Sean’s baggage.
I will recommend this story to those who love emotional damaged men, overcoming fears, finding love and a happy ending.
May 17, 2013
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER isn't an easy book with its depictions of abuse survival but its lovely intensity and stellar characters captivated me.
Sean barely survived his ex-lover and abuser and he's not about to risk his heart or body to another. But tattoo artist Riordan's gentle pursuit and acceptance of Sean and his history make Sean want to try.
Sean made my heart bleed, not just because of the abuse he suffered but for his strength to rebuild. I loved his character and couldn't help but root for him to open his heart and life to Riordan. Some readers may think Sean took too long in denying gentle Riordan but I thought the novella captured the powerful conflict between Sean's hope and ingrained mistrust.
Riordan gently pursues Sean but I love that he doesn't crowd Sean. Riordan has an innate understanding that if he grasps at Sean, he'll lose him quickly, so Riordan woos Sean into bed and his life. This is a complicated romance that some readers may not have the patience for but I adored it for its refusal to gloss over a dark romance.
Riordan's life as a tattoo artist and nurse is well integrated into the story and offered a little levity to this dark novella. His best friend is the only other character in the novella and I liked him a lot and hope we'll get to read about him in a future book. The specter of Sean's ex-lover is chilling and will have readers thinking about the reality of partner abuse. Again, maybe this novella will push too many readers' buttons but I loved it for its complexity.
My one slight quibble with this novella is that I wanted a tad more resolution at novella's end. I see why the author ended the novella where she did but the romance lover in me couldn't help but hope for just a little more emotional closure.
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is one of those dark romances that I couldn't get out of my head. I thought about these complicated characters long after the final page and think other MM readers looking for something different may feel the same way.
*Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews*
*Review copy from publisher*
Sean barely survived his ex-lover and abuser and he's not about to risk his heart or body to another. But tattoo artist Riordan's gentle pursuit and acceptance of Sean and his history make Sean want to try.
Sean made my heart bleed, not just because of the abuse he suffered but for his strength to rebuild. I loved his character and couldn't help but root for him to open his heart and life to Riordan. Some readers may think Sean took too long in denying gentle Riordan but I thought the novella captured the powerful conflict between Sean's hope and ingrained mistrust.
Riordan gently pursues Sean but I love that he doesn't crowd Sean. Riordan has an innate understanding that if he grasps at Sean, he'll lose him quickly, so Riordan woos Sean into bed and his life. This is a complicated romance that some readers may not have the patience for but I adored it for its refusal to gloss over a dark romance.
Riordan's life as a tattoo artist and nurse is well integrated into the story and offered a little levity to this dark novella. His best friend is the only other character in the novella and I liked him a lot and hope we'll get to read about him in a future book. The specter of Sean's ex-lover is chilling and will have readers thinking about the reality of partner abuse. Again, maybe this novella will push too many readers' buttons but I loved it for its complexity.
My one slight quibble with this novella is that I wanted a tad more resolution at novella's end. I see why the author ended the novella where she did but the romance lover in me couldn't help but hope for just a little more emotional closure.
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is one of those dark romances that I couldn't get out of my head. I thought about these complicated characters long after the final page and think other MM readers looking for something different may feel the same way.
*Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews*
*Review copy from publisher*
July 8, 2013
4.5 Kisses
A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati is a dramatic and lovely romance between two characters who find salvation within each other’s arms. I really liked this story and enjoyed the roller-coaster ride of angst, hope and romance.
What I liked about this book was how different, yet alike these two heroes are. Both have survived something tragic in their past, and because of it, it has changed both of their lives forever. Riodan has paid it forward since his accident. He’s a RN and a tattoo artist who puts his amazing artwork on clients who has suffered and has the scars to show it. When he spots Sean, he’s immediately drawn to him and instinctively wants to help him. With Riodan’s support and guidance, Sean begins to learn how to let go of his past haunts and starts to live again.
Sean has been through a lot. He’s experienced a lot of physical and mental trauma, and because of it, he lives a solitary, lonely life. When he meets Riodan, he’s confused by his need to be with him, as well as, his attraction to him. I enjoyed watching Sean grow and start to trust Riodan and I found myself hoping he’d really allow himself to let go of all of his anger and hurt and reach for happiness again.
Sean is a very damaged character. I really felt sorry for him and I loved how Riodan seemed to ‘get’ him. I will admit there were times I wondered if Sean would be able to work through his issues and be with Riodan. There were also times; I thought Riodan was a sheer saint because he was able to put up with Sean’s behavior, and I was glad to see them truly start to begin heal together.
I hated to see this book come to an end. Just when things were beginning to be smoother for the couple, it ended. I hope Ms. Okati will revisit this couple again one day, because I’d love to see how everything turns out between them. I thought the story itself was very fast-paced and ended up really caring for all of the characters.
If you’re in the mood for a romance that has damaged heroes who, together, are able to start the process of healing through love and acceptance, then A Beautiful Disaster is definitely the book for you.
A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati is a dramatic and lovely romance between two characters who find salvation within each other’s arms. I really liked this story and enjoyed the roller-coaster ride of angst, hope and romance.
What I liked about this book was how different, yet alike these two heroes are. Both have survived something tragic in their past, and because of it, it has changed both of their lives forever. Riodan has paid it forward since his accident. He’s a RN and a tattoo artist who puts his amazing artwork on clients who has suffered and has the scars to show it. When he spots Sean, he’s immediately drawn to him and instinctively wants to help him. With Riodan’s support and guidance, Sean begins to learn how to let go of his past haunts and starts to live again.
Sean has been through a lot. He’s experienced a lot of physical and mental trauma, and because of it, he lives a solitary, lonely life. When he meets Riodan, he’s confused by his need to be with him, as well as, his attraction to him. I enjoyed watching Sean grow and start to trust Riodan and I found myself hoping he’d really allow himself to let go of all of his anger and hurt and reach for happiness again.
Sean is a very damaged character. I really felt sorry for him and I loved how Riodan seemed to ‘get’ him. I will admit there were times I wondered if Sean would be able to work through his issues and be with Riodan. There were also times; I thought Riodan was a sheer saint because he was able to put up with Sean’s behavior, and I was glad to see them truly start to begin heal together.
I hated to see this book come to an end. Just when things were beginning to be smoother for the couple, it ended. I hope Ms. Okati will revisit this couple again one day, because I’d love to see how everything turns out between them. I thought the story itself was very fast-paced and ended up really caring for all of the characters.
If you’re in the mood for a romance that has damaged heroes who, together, are able to start the process of healing through love and acceptance, then A Beautiful Disaster is definitely the book for you.
March 30, 2013
3.5 Besides them being nurses, I loved the idea of what Riordan and Jae do – they use their skills at tattooing to help people deal with the aftermath of scarring. Whether it be an accident or surgery, there are scars left behind and so often you become someone you don’t recognize. They help people take back that piece of themselves. That in itself made both of them worth caring about, in my eyes. They are best friends and business partners.
Sean is an abuse victim who lives his life in fear of having to run (always carrying his belongings with him in a backpack), never talking to people and hiding behind a façade of wanting pain, tired of the staring from his terrible scars and lonely beyond all measure. He is a truly damaged soul. His meeting with Riordan doesn’t begin well, wanting Rio to hurt him though Rio won’t.
It is with patience that Rio gentles the timid animal that is Sean. Even Jae at times wonders if the “blue ruin” that is Sean will ever be salvageable, he is just so damaged. Rio has faith, though, he sees something in Sean that calls to him, makes him want more for Sean. There were times I wondered why Rio was putting in all the effort, as he wasn’t getting any return connection. Jae, who is much less emotional than Rio, isn’t critical of Sean but isn’t for him with Rio either.
One thing I loved was when Sean is looking at Rio’s scar and he is outraged that whoever shot him had “hurt Riordan’s heart. Whoever they were, they’d dared to hurt his heart.” That’s how Rio comes across- with a big heart.
I did have some questions about things. Sean’s abuser was in prison (not for running him over but for tax evasion), so why is Sean always on the ready to run? Was there someone else looking for him (maybe that idiot who betrayed him in the first place?). Where was he between then and meeting Rio?
Sean puts a lot of trust in Rio eventually and the foxgloves were a good way to end it. And maybe wear short sleeves one day.
Sean is an abuse victim who lives his life in fear of having to run (always carrying his belongings with him in a backpack), never talking to people and hiding behind a façade of wanting pain, tired of the staring from his terrible scars and lonely beyond all measure. He is a truly damaged soul. His meeting with Riordan doesn’t begin well, wanting Rio to hurt him though Rio won’t.
It is with patience that Rio gentles the timid animal that is Sean. Even Jae at times wonders if the “blue ruin” that is Sean will ever be salvageable, he is just so damaged. Rio has faith, though, he sees something in Sean that calls to him, makes him want more for Sean. There were times I wondered why Rio was putting in all the effort, as he wasn’t getting any return connection. Jae, who is much less emotional than Rio, isn’t critical of Sean but isn’t for him with Rio either.
One thing I loved was when Sean is looking at Rio’s scar and he is outraged that whoever shot him had “hurt Riordan’s heart. Whoever they were, they’d dared to hurt his heart.” That’s how Rio comes across- with a big heart.
I did have some questions about things. Sean’s abuser was in prison (not for running him over but for tax evasion), so why is Sean always on the ready to run? Was there someone else looking for him (maybe that idiot who betrayed him in the first place?). Where was he between then and meeting Rio?
Sean puts a lot of trust in Rio eventually and the foxgloves were a good way to end it. And maybe wear short sleeves one day.
April 15, 2014
LOVED the prologue. I thought this was going to be oh, so good. I love books about someone who was abused only to bounce back and find love again, even if it's a long, rough journey.
Then we get into the story and I am confused. No, really. Confused. I had to re-read so much of this that I basically ended up reading the book twice in one sitting, without even meaning to.
Here we have Sean, who was abused (for how long?) by his "boyfriend". He finally works the nerve to leave him, but it doesn't quite work out how he expected it to.
I would have liked to see his "healing" process. How long was he in the hospital? Did anyone visit him? Leo?
There are SO many questions that were answered.
Then there's Riordan. I don't know. It's like he's known Sean for so long and knows exactly how he's going to act. Sean and Riordan both describe Sean as a feral cat. Really? I liked him though, don't get me wrong, but I think I could have used him messing up more rather than be "perfect" all the time. Knowing the right things to say and do at all times. Then Sean goes and says Riordan knows him. Really? Because they've barely spoke unless it's about sex or being a project. It was just weird.
Their first encounter. I did NOT understand that at all. Seriously. WTF was that?
Overall, I was hoping for something a little different. :(
Then we get into the story and I am confused. No, really. Confused. I had to re-read so much of this that I basically ended up reading the book twice in one sitting, without even meaning to.
Here we have Sean, who was abused (for how long?) by his "boyfriend". He finally works the nerve to leave him, but it doesn't quite work out how he expected it to.
I would have liked to see his "healing" process. How long was he in the hospital? Did anyone visit him? Leo?
There are SO many questions that were answered.
Then there's Riordan. I don't know. It's like he's known Sean for so long and knows exactly how he's going to act. Sean and Riordan both describe Sean as a feral cat. Really? I liked him though, don't get me wrong, but I think I could have used him messing up more rather than be "perfect" all the time. Knowing the right things to say and do at all times. Then Sean goes and says Riordan knows him. Really? Because they've barely spoke unless it's about sex or being a project. It was just weird.
Their first encounter. I did NOT understand that at all. Seriously. WTF was that?
Overall, I was hoping for something a little different. :(
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