BOOK REVIEW: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

28 September 2014

Ugly Love
by Colleen Hoover
Published by Atria Books on August 5th, 2014
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult
Edition: eBook
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ADD TO GOODREADS
When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t 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.


Tate Collins And Miles Archer aren't lovers. They aren't even friends. But they surely can't deny the mutual attraction going on between them. No strings attached, no feelings, no falling in love, which is great. He doesn't want love, she doesn't have time for love. But Miles has his own particular set of rules for Tate. Number one, never ask about the past. And number two, don't expect a future. Easy peasy, Tate can handle it, can't she?

This book destroyed me. A perfect paradox. BEAUTIFULLY UGLY.

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

This is the first time I've read a Colleen Hoover novel, and suffice to say, I was not expecting to get highly emotional with this read. In fact, through the first few pages, I did not expect to enjoy reading it after some time; I should have given Ms. Colleen Hoover the benefit of the doubt. 

Reading this began from a "read along" with Tika, Mallory and Jennie, a couple of book bloggers that I've become good friends with. A four day read that turned into weeks due to waiting up for each other was probably one of the factors that got me wanting to finish this book due to its consistent cliffhangers at every end of every chapter. I've never read a book with lots of cliffhangers like this one. In fact, the crime and mystery novels I've read didn't have much cliffhangers compared to this book. Needless to say, I was itching to finish this book.

Ugly Love is written in first person narrative, a chapter each for Tate and Miles. Tate narrates the present day, meanwhile, Miles narrates a flashback to six years ago back in his high school days as a senior.

A registered nurse studying a few extra courses, Tate Collins decides to live with her brother, Corbin, in order to be closer to campus. Imagine her surprise when she sees a drunk guy passed out in front of her brother's door on the day she moves in and later on realizes that the drunkard is her brother's best friend. First impressions always matter. And her first impression on Miles Archer wasn't close to okay. 

Miles Archer comes off as a depressed individual, for certain reasons. He doesn't talk about his past and often keeps to himself. He basically comes off as mysterious, stoic and reserved, barely smiling. He works as an airline pilot and lives right across the hall from Corbin. Being attracted to Tate was something he least expected but that can be arranged, since the feeling is obviously mutual. 

"I suppose if a man lived through the ugliest side of love, he might never want to experience it again."

They both want each other, but Miles doesn't want to inflict a sense of promise. He's got two rules: no asking about his past, and no expecting for a future. Simple as that.

As this book has made me want to crumple up in a corner, I still could not give it the complete 5 stars. Why? Miles Archer, that's what. Miles Archer RUINED me. I have mixed feelings regarding his character, whether I should love him or not. Reading about him, especially in flashback to six years ago with his high school sweetheart, Rachel, was like an emotional roller coaster. He's basically a bipolar character towards Tate, ranging from sweet to a total jerk. But he brings the ache and pain in the story. He did, however, go through one of the most greatest character development I've ever read.

"And I realized... just now... that God gives us the ugliness so we don't take the beautiful things in life for granted."

Despite my previous commentary, I loved the rest of the characters of the realistic manner they were written in. Tate was a truly relatable, as any normal girl should be, in terms of life and relationships, however, in some scenarios, she comes off as frustrating to read, just like Miles. The secondary characters actually served a purpose and weren't just added in the story for the sake of content. 

This book is definitely placed in my favorite New Adult reads shelf, let's say if I did have one. A highly recommended read. 


5 comments

  1. Girl YASSSSSSSSSS ! You're so making me want to go back and edit some things in, but I'm not lmao. I like how your quotes tie into what you were saying about the characters, I know you had a ton of quotes because I had like 30 highlighted lol. It was so hard picking and choosing which ones I wanted to use. I def agree that Miles had some character development, I wish it wasn't as late as it was, but never late than never right? We must have another read- along. I'm already thinking about what book we should have one to. What about a good murder mystery!? We'll talk later about it. lol But great review blessie boo !

    I'm so proud of all of us for some reason lmao

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    1. Thank youuuuu! Girl, I had a lot of quotes highlighted and even quoted on Twitter, really hard to pick only a few. I'm also so proud of us for being able to go through this read along successfully, even if we didn't follow the supposed schedule. I'm excited for another read along with you and the girls! *cough*FIENDFIENDFIEND*cough* or better yet *cough*JAMESGAMES*cough* Lol

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  2. I've never read anything by Colleen Hoover. A lot of my friends are recommending her books. I'm more of a YA reader but I've read a few NA (as long as it doesn't involve insta-love and insta-lust). Anyway, based on your review, I think i should give this author a try. :) Btw, heard that she will be visiting the country around September this year (no exact date yet).

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    1. Omg, they say "Slammed" kind of has insta-love but I'm not so sure because I haven't read it. I'm not a big fan of insta-love either... and love triangles. Insta-lust is always good for me, haha! And yessss, you should try this book. It made me "Ugly Cry", haha! And omg, hopefully she comes here! I would love to meet her!!!

      Thanks for stopping by, Danna! :)

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    2. Here's a link to her blog. Philippines is listed there :)
      http://colleenhoover.com/schedule/
      I wonder who'll organize the event (NBS or Fullybooked)?

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