The Pleasure of Reading Today: Book Tour: Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cole

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Book Tour: Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cole

Title: Beautiful Failure

Author: Mariah Cole

Genre: New Adult

Publication Date:December 17, 2013

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

If you're looking for a heartwarming story about a girl who falls deeply in love with a troubled boy who changes her life--a sob story with pretty metaphors and a million ways that'll tell you how "broken" she is, STOP. Don't read another word of this.

I'm not that type of girl.

My name is Emerald Anderson and I'm not going to bullshit you: I flunked out of college after my sophomore year, I've been fired from every job I've ever taken, and I've never had a fully functioning relationship in my life.

I wish I could say that I had a cheerleader in my corner, someone who says, "No, Emerald--You're great and you are good at something!" but I don't. My grandparents are completely oblivious to my life, and my mother's dying words to me were "You're going to end up just like me one day. A beautiful nothing."

She was right.

As I decide to start my life over and take two jobs that will forever change me--one from the inside, and one from the outside, I keep my mother's words close to my heart so I can keep the sexy and mysterious Carter Black away.

He's the first man who's ever pursued me, the first man who seems bent on finding out why I am the way I am, but he's wasting his time.

I'm not broken. I don't need to be fixed. I'm perfectly fine being a beautiful failure...

Emerald has had a tough life. Raised by a young mother who is an escort, she had to grow up fast. Her mom treated her as an equal, more like a friend than her daughter. “Beauty wins over brains every time. Your body will always be your most important asset. Remember that.” her mom told her on more than one occasion. And Emerald is gorgeous, with long black hair and piercing green eyes she is stunning. Growing up with advice like that though, it is easy to see how Emerald is jaded and a little rough around the edges.

After a tragedy brings her from New Jersey to Alabama to live with her grandparents, Emerald is in culture shock. Finishing up high school and leaving college after a disastrous 3 semesters, Emerald needs a job. She is fired…again. She has had several jobs in just a couple months’ time, usually getting fired for her rudeness and general lack of caring about the job she is doing. Emerald gets another employment opportunity when a friend of her grandmothers offers her a position at Starbucks. Learning how to make the sometimes difficult concoctions is nothing compared to her inability to be polite AND friendly to the customers. On her first day her skills are put to the test. She turns to give the customer his coffee and is surprised to see the smiling handsome man awaiting the beverage. With tousled blond hair and blue eyes, he is incredibly handsome. She averts her eyes and walks away, after handing him his order. Carter Black continues to come in for the next several days until Emerald’s lack of people skills eventually get her fired again. Needing money so she can be able to move back to New Jersey, she asks a former co-worker how she is able to buy high end watches and purses on a Starbucks salary. She gives her a phone number to call and tells her little about the world she is introducing Emerald to only that it is a strip club.

Emerald calls the number and is given directions to an establishment the next county over from where she lives, about 2 hours away. A security guard tries to intimidate her upon her arrival, but with the bravado she has fine-tuned her whole life, she informs him she has an interview. Led into the small building, it becomes apparent this is a high-end strip club, and not the normal seedy kind of place you see in the movies. Emerald soon discovers she is really good at something. She is good at dancing and moving in a way that makes men want her. Making and saving money while being pursued by Carter, Emerald is truly happy and has a boyfriend for the first time in her life. She has gotten almost everything she has ever wanted, but at what expense. Is she truly doing what is right for her?

The story took an unexpected turn, where the reader will find themselves yelling “NO!” The book ends with a slight cliff-hanger, with hopefully the next book bringing the reader the conclusion and answers they are dying for. I loved this book. Emerald is a smart mouthed girl, who doesn’t take shit from anyone. She tells it like it is and the reader understands from the brilliant writing why she is the way she is. Her transformation and her "growing up" as a person is beautiful, and then you have Carter...dreamy but mysterious Carter. Can't wait to get more from him. 4.5 stars out of 5!!

Review by Karen