Today we are thrilled to welcome New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Teresa Mummert to The Book Bellas, with a review and giveaway of the enhanced version of White Trash Beautiful (Publisher: Gallery Books; Original edition, July 9, 2013)
Book Description:
Cass Daniels isn’t waiting for her knight in shining armor. She knows that girls like her don’t get a happily ever after. Not if you live in a trailer with your mom, work at a greasy spoon diner, and get leered at by old men. Maybe that’s why she puts up with Jackson—her poor excuse for a boyfriend, who treats her like dirt. Cass has learned to accept her lot in life. That is, until he walks into her diner. . . .
His name is Tucker White, and he’s different from any man Cass has ever known. Tall, tattooed, and bad-ass gorgeous, he’s the lead singer of the rock band Damaged. From the moment they meet, Tucker sees something in Cass he just can’t shake. Something beautiful. Something haunted. Something special. And he’s determined to find out what it is—if only he can get her to open up and let him in. . . .
A word-of-mouth bestseller that’s captivating readers with its honesty, grit, and headstrong heroine, White Trash Beautiful is a story for anyone who has ever felt trapped in life, cheated by love—and longed for something more . . .
Romantic Times just reviewed the book in its July issue, saying “[f]ans of the rock star genre will want to give this one a go, as this Prince Charming is a hot, tattooed musician… [I]n this story readers will meander through the dark and dangerous tunnel of Cass’ life and subsequently cheer her on when she comes out the other side.” Already a word-of-mouth indie bestseller in its original format, the enhanced version features a brand new cover and over 100 pages of never-before-seen content.
Review:
Having been on my TBR list forever, I was thrilled to read an ARC of the new edition of WHITE TRASH BEAUTIFUL, the first in a New Adult trilogy about Cass, a down-and-out waitress whose luck changes when she’s swept off her feet by aspiring rock star, Tucker.
This is a very gritty book, with not a lot of “pretty” in the story. Cass Daniels lives a very hard life with her mother and boyfriend Jax in a trailer park. She has a low-paying job in a diner, supporting both her mother and Jax. Cass stays with her long-time boyfriend him out of a very misguided sense of loyalty, and with the hope that he will return to the way he was when they first met, strong, protective and loving.
Cass feels trapped, as well as worthless, due to the near-constant emotional and physical abuse from both Jax and her mother:
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not special,” she said in a hushed tone.
I smiled as a single tear escaped my eye and trailed down my cheek. I pulled my hand free and wiped it away quickly, looking at the dingy peach-colored walls to hide my crying.
All of that changes when rocker Tucker White visits the diner. He is attracted to Cass, is very kind to her and she finally begins to feel that there might be more for her than her current grim existence.
“Ask me something. Anything.”
“Okay.” I set the glass back on the table as I tried to come up with something to ask. “What do you do for a living?”
He made a face and took another bite of food. “Ask me something else.”
I sighed and rested my head on my hand. “What’s your favorite color?”
“That’s what you want to know?”
“It’s all I could think of.” I shrugged as I crumbled his straw paper into a ball between my fingers.
He leaned forward again, his blue eyes searching mine. “Aks me why I am here. Ask me why I keep coming back.”
Cass thinks Tucker is just a distraction, but it soon becomes clear he is a genuinely good guy and that he has real feelings for her. Without giving any spoilers away, I loved reading about their alomost-monumental struggles to be together, and also loved how strong and determined Cass was. I absolutely loved Cass and Tucker as well as the story, and I look forward to learning more about Tucker in the next book!
Where to Buy:
Kindle:
Paperback:
Pre-Order WHITE TRASH DAMAGED – release date October 8, 2013
Connect with the Author
Readers can reach the author on her personal website (www.teresamummert.com), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/TeresaMummert), or through Twitter (www.twitter.com/TeresaMummert). She loves getting in touch with fans and friends!
Giveaway:
1 print copy of WHITE TRASH BEAUTIFUL by Teresa Mummert