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The Beautiful Mess #1
Toxic Temptation
Travis
Life for my friends and I has never been easy. Doing whatever we can to keep the lights on for our broke parents, scamming our way through high school, and causing general chaos were our norms. But when my mama decides I’m no longer useful to her, the itch to get out of the trailer park we grew up in turns into a need.
Fast forward past some shadiness and we find ourselves in a ritzy, glamorous town where we stick out like sore thumbs. I try my best to adapt and make a life for myself, but for people like us, things never go our way. Now I’m stuck trying to figure out how to outrun my past, while holding on to the life I built.
Then comes Nathaniel.
He’s everything I despise. Born with a silver spoon in his infuriating mouth, I’m forced to come to terms with just how little worth I have. But there’s something about him that’s different from his preppy friends. Something I can poke and prod at and…
Well, I’m nothing if not toxic.
Toxic Temptation is an MM dislike-to-love HEA romance and the first book in The Beautiful Mess series. With some rough-around-the-edges characters, stolen lawn furniture, an affinity for showers, and a few fires, it's nothing but chaos. Content Guide can be found inside, past the blurb.
Life for my friends and I has never been easy. Doing whatever we can to keep the lights on for our broke parents, scamming our way through high school, and causing general chaos were our norms. But when my mama decides I’m no longer useful to her, the itch to get out of the trailer park we grew up in turns into a need.
Fast forward past some shadiness and we find ourselves in a ritzy, glamorous town where we stick out like sore thumbs. I try my best to adapt and make a life for myself, but for people like us, things never go our way. Now I’m stuck trying to figure out how to outrun my past, while holding on to the life I built.
Then comes Nathaniel.
He’s everything I despise. Born with a silver spoon in his infuriating mouth, I’m forced to come to terms with just how little worth I have. But there’s something about him that’s different from his preppy friends. Something I can poke and prod at and…
Well, I’m nothing if not toxic.
Toxic Temptation is an MM dislike-to-love HEA romance and the first book in The Beautiful Mess series. With some rough-around-the-edges characters, stolen lawn furniture, an affinity for showers, and a few fires, it's nothing but chaos. Content Guide can be found inside, past the blurb.
354 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2026
“One of my fantasies has already come true today. No matter what happens now—holding hands with Travis Usher—has made me happy.”
Toxic Temptation is the first book in The Beautiful Mess series and it was an entertaining read, with plenty of chemistry, strong relationships and spicy times.
It wasn’t quite as dark or toxic as I was expecting from the title, but I enjoyed the MC's relationship and the side characters were hilarious, whilst also pulling at the heart strings.
What To Expect:
🖤 MM romance
🖤 Dislike to love
🖤 Dark themes
🖤 Dual POV
🖤 Found family
🖤 Hurt/comfort
🖤 Possessive MC
🖤 All the spice
🖤 HEA
3.75 rounded up to 4 ⭐
Toxic Temptation is the first book in The Beautiful Mess series and it was an entertaining read, with plenty of chemistry, strong relationships and spicy times.
It wasn’t quite as dark or toxic as I was expecting from the title, but I enjoyed the MC's relationship and the side characters were hilarious, whilst also pulling at the heart strings.
What To Expect:
🖤 MM romance
🖤 Dislike to love
🖤 Dark themes
🖤 Dual POV
🖤 Found family
🖤 Hurt/comfort
🖤 Possessive MC
🖤 All the spice
🖤 HEA
3.75 rounded up to 4 ⭐
September 28, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
This new series features troubling families, finding a way through life, and friends that are family. Travis’ mother is abusive and there never is any money and, when his mother draws blood yet again, his friends decide it’s time for them all to leave. There is a large group of friends here and it seems that they all have a story. At times, I felt they detracted more than added to Travis’ story and they are a large crew that all have issues.
There were parts of this book that didn’t fully come together for me, but I liked Travis and Nathaniel together and the found family Travis and his crew cultivated.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
This new series features troubling families, finding a way through life, and friends that are family. Travis’ mother is abusive and there never is any money and, when his mother draws blood yet again, his friends decide it’s time for them all to leave. There is a large group of friends here and it seems that they all have a story. At times, I felt they detracted more than added to Travis’ story and they are a large crew that all have issues.
There were parts of this book that didn’t fully come together for me, but I liked Travis and Nathaniel together and the found family Travis and his crew cultivated.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
September 3, 2026
✨May contain spoilers✨
I loved Nathaniel and Travis so much. They were so perfect for each other. Trailer boy meets rich boy. Enemies to lovers is also one of my favorite tropes to read.
The spice scenes were so steamy and don’t even get me started on the dirty talk. I also loved that their first time was together.
Travis was just a broken boy that just wanted to be loved and man, when his emotions were out of control, he just became angry. So happy he had Nathaniel or as Travis liked to call him, Nate. And Nathaniel just wanted to feel loved and appreciated by his parents.
The ending was everything for me. And the found family was amazing. Have to say I loved it when Dallas stood up to Nathaniel at a certain part. That’s when I knew the found family in this book was going to be so epic.
I will say that the “I love you” scene had me in tears. I was not expecting to cry. This is when I realized that Travis was my favorite.
I loved the whole dynamic of how Travis and his friends are surviving. Freaking beautiful.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series because it’s going to be a good time.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I loved Nathaniel and Travis so much. They were so perfect for each other. Trailer boy meets rich boy. Enemies to lovers is also one of my favorite tropes to read.
The spice scenes were so steamy and don’t even get me started on the dirty talk. I also loved that their first time was together.
Travis was just a broken boy that just wanted to be loved and man, when his emotions were out of control, he just became angry. So happy he had Nathaniel or as Travis liked to call him, Nate. And Nathaniel just wanted to feel loved and appreciated by his parents.
The ending was everything for me. And the found family was amazing. Have to say I loved it when Dallas stood up to Nathaniel at a certain part. That’s when I knew the found family in this book was going to be so epic.
I will say that the “I love you” scene had me in tears. I was not expecting to cry. This is when I realized that Travis was my favorite.
I loved the whole dynamic of how Travis and his friends are surviving. Freaking beautiful.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series because it’s going to be a good time.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
September 15, 2026
This story has been waiting for me for a few days now—I could barely contain myself, but I wanted to wait a little longer so I could post my review closer to the release date!
And what can I say—I really, really love it! All these tropes are exactly my thing, and they are executed so, so well!
The found family aspect, in particular, really moved me 🫂. But the spice was also just incredibly good 🔥🌶️!
Travis is perfectly imperfect—I fell for him pretty quickly. The way he unconditionally stands up for his friends is impressive, and everyone wishes they had someone like that in their life. Despite his anger and impulsiveness, which sometimes get the better of him, he simply has the biggest heart ever ❤️❤️❤️!
Nathaniel also has such a sunny, kind soul—you just have to love him, too!
The two of them together were something truly special. Yes, sometimes toxic, but also powerful—the chemistry between the two is unbeatable! If you’re curious, go read this story and see for yourself!
And what can I say—I really, really love it! All these tropes are exactly my thing, and they are executed so, so well!
The found family aspect, in particular, really moved me 🫂. But the spice was also just incredibly good 🔥🌶️!
Travis is perfectly imperfect—I fell for him pretty quickly. The way he unconditionally stands up for his friends is impressive, and everyone wishes they had someone like that in their life. Despite his anger and impulsiveness, which sometimes get the better of him, he simply has the biggest heart ever ❤️❤️❤️!
Nathaniel also has such a sunny, kind soul—you just have to love him, too!
The two of them together were something truly special. Yes, sometimes toxic, but also powerful—the chemistry between the two is unbeatable! If you’re curious, go read this story and see for yourself!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so good! I was completely hooked on their dynamic, and the steamy scenes, especially the dirty talk, were incredibly hot.
Travis was my favorite part though. He’s such a complicated, layered character, and I related to him a lot. The way he lashes out when he’s feeling insecure, his struggle to accept that he deserves better and isn’t inferior to anyone, plus that pride of his… it all felt so real.
I’m glad he found someone who understands him and had the patience to deal with him. Even though it took some effort from both of them to get there.
Their friend group is also hilarious! I liked all of them, especially Dallas.
Highly recommend!
Travis was my favorite part though. He’s such a complicated, layered character, and I related to him a lot. The way he lashes out when he’s feeling insecure, his struggle to accept that he deserves better and isn’t inferior to anyone, plus that pride of his… it all felt so real.
I’m glad he found someone who understands him and had the patience to deal with him. Even though it took some effort from both of them to get there.
Their friend group is also hilarious! I liked all of them, especially Dallas.
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ate this book up, even as a proof reader/beta reader. I absolutely adore Travis, Nathaniel, and all of their friends! This book did not shy away from the hard topics of coming from a rough life or from the hard topics of coming from a rich life. This opposites attract couple had two possessive af men and I ate every single moment of it up.
I will be eagerly awaiting more from these crazy bands of misfits 😍
I will be eagerly awaiting more from these crazy bands of misfits 😍
August 21, 2026
Travis + Nathaniel
-mm romance
-opposites attract
-dislike to lovers
-found family
-hurt/comfort
-junkyard dog trailer trash x rich preppy boy
yeah this one put me into a craving slump again yall… & now i need more junkyard dog trailer park trash boys being rescued & healed by a rich preppy, cutie patootie billionaire!!😩😩😩
-mm romance
-opposites attract
-dislike to lovers
-found family
-hurt/comfort
-junkyard dog trailer trash x rich preppy boy
yeah this one put me into a craving slump again yall… & now i need more junkyard dog trailer park trash boys being rescued & healed by a rich preppy, cutie patootie billionaire!!😩😩😩
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was really good! I loved the relationship dynamics of all the characters and the story had me hooked! Seriously can’t wait for the next book! This is already one of those series that has me wanting to devour everything about all the characters i can!
August 25, 2026
ARC
It was so good to get back into a new Addison Beck book. And it did not disappoint!
It was so good to get back into a new Addison Beck book. And it did not disappoint!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**RtC**
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews