BOOK REVIEW: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Title: Ugly Love

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 5th, 2014

Publisher: Atria Books

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★★★★★

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with a new heart-wrenching love story.

** WARNING: Contains Spoilers **

Although I don’t relate to a lot of the subjects discussed throughout this novel, this book means so much to me. After a four year book slump, this was the first book I picked up (and dare I say, binge read). I purchased this book intending to read it throughout my winter break, but quickly became obsessed with Tate and Miles’s story. I hadn’t even read the synopsis prior to picking up this novel. I jumped straight in, and god am I ever thankful!

If your not hooked during the first few pages, its likely that this book just won’t work for you. How could you not be intrigued by a mysterious, drunk hottie leaning again the door you need to get into?! That first interaction could’ve gone so many different ways, but Colleen Hoover wrote it in a way that would later lead to Tate and Miles starting off on the right foot. I initially did not like the idea of a “friends with benefits” relationship between the two characters, as their love was evident during each sex scene. But, I had a feeling that the two characters would work out in the end.

One of the main things that kept me hooked throughout the novel was the dual POVs. Ok, don’t get me wrong, I’m not usually one for books with multiple POVs. I find that they can mess too much with the storyline, making it more complicated than it needs to be. However, Hoover wrote this one SO WELL! Switching between the perspectives of present day Tate and past Miles provides so much context regarding Miles and Tate’s relationship and the reason Miles cannot commit to a relationship. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of Miles and Rachel’s relationship, I saw how it was needed for this storyline. Without it, we would truly be left in the dark unless Miles revealed his past upfront to Tate. Which come on, that was likely never going to happen.

I also really loved the fact that the main male characters in this novel were pilots. I don’t think I have ever read a book with pilots?! Corbin, Miles and Ian were kind of (not gonna lie) a dynamic trio in this novel. They had this “bro-mance” to them that I haven’t seen in a lot of books. And each of their relationships with Tate were super protective in a different way. Let’s start with Corbin, Tate’s brother. Corbin was the classic, protective older brother who felt responsible for making sure Tate made good choices while she stayed with him. Miles on the other had had a protective demeanor that resulted from a romantic interest in Tate. Although we did not see much of Ian throughout the novel, he played a great role as Miles’s best friend!

And on the topic of characters, I can’t help but give an honorable mention to Cap. I’m not gonna lie, but I was really uneasy about his character at first. He seemed like a good man, but also seemed a little suspicious. I mean, who just sits in front of an elevator 24/7? But, the conversations between Tate and Cap were some of the best in the novel. He was a hugely grounding figure in Tate’s life, and helped her find her place living with Corbin. And holy crap that ending. I did not expect Cap to be related to Miles at all, but I absolutely love that Colleen Hoover wrote that into the plot. It truly does make Cap’s character make so much more sense!

Now, with a name like “Ugly Love,” what would you truly expect from this novel? This novel has one of the most fitting titles, as it truly is filled with ugly love. Very ugly love. Miles and Tate’s relationship was rocky from their first interaction. With Miles not wanting to commit to a relationship and each sex session bringing them closer to marriage, it was hard to tell if things would ever work out for the two characters. But hey, it was either going to work out or it wouldn’t. And thank the book gods, Miles and Tate worked things through. This novel ended in the best way possible, and the epilogue was *magnifico*.

Overall, this book was an intense, rollercoaster-of-a-ride that had me wanting so much more. Although I would really love a sequel to see where Miles’s and Tate’s life go, I am super satisfied with how this one ended and cannot wait to dive into more Colleen Hoover novels! Let me know your thoughts on Ugly Love in the comments section!

Buy Ugly Love at the following retailers:

Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

Happy Reading!