Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love
Written by Colleen Hoover
New Adult, Romance
Published in Australia August 2014
336 Pages
Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

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. 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 has just moved to the city, staying with her brother until she lands a job while studying as a registered nurse. But before she can even enter her brother's apartment, she makes friends with the eighty year old elevator operator called Captain, a married pervert and the seemingly drunken unconscious young guy blocking the doorway. Miles isn't usually so irresponsible, but it just so happens the one time he makes an exception, he meets his new neighbour and best friend's sister, Tate. Both share an instant attraction, but Miles is irrevocably broken, he isn't capable and won't allow himself to fall in love.

Like Tate's brother, father and grandfather, Miles too is a pilot and has worked incredibly hard to get where he is today. But it isn't long until the attraction becomes too much, and both give into desire. Tate wants a career and Miles doesn't want to become involved, so the two enter a physical agreement. Keep it sexual, keep it simple. While Miles has two rules, don't ask about his past and don't hope for a future, because he isn't sharing either. But it seems that even Miles can't abide by his own rules.

My Thoughts


I was incredibly excited to begin Ugly Love, I'm a big fan of Colleen Hoover and have rated all seven books so far incredibly high. I loved the underlying storyline, the broken Miles who won't allow himself to love again, and Tate who believes their arrangement will be nothing more than a physical relationship that they can both enjoy... Yet it seems neither are have been prepared for what's to come. 

Tate becomes emotionally attached, and although Miles insists that he isn't giving her false hope of anything more, his actions speak louder than words. Told in dual points of view, Tate's thoughts are of the present from the moment she arrives at her new home with her brother, whereas Miles' tells the story of the past and what has led him to become the closed and private person he is today. I felt incredibly sorry for Tate, she knows that he's infection is slowly destroying her, but sex is the only way she can relate to him and will take what she can get. Even stating herself that she allows him to use her, because she just doesn't know how to stay away. Her actions seemed that of a girl with little or no confidence and although the term love was never used, she is far more involved beyond the physical relationship. 

Miles may have outlined what he wanted from the arrangement, but he too is more involved that he claims. Through intimate details of their relationship, thoughtful gestures and seemingly looking for an excuse to spend time with Tate all translate to false hope. He comes across an very emotionally immature, but as the reader doesn't have the same insight into his private thoughts as we do Tate's, and you'll find yourself either dismissing or trying to justify his behavior, much the same as Tate does. But his indecision comes across as cruelty at times, and I found it hard to sympathise with his situation. But Colleen Hoover weaves through an incredibly emotional storyline that allows the reader to see why Miles can't get involved. I didn't see it coming. I went from strongly disliking his behavior towards Tate, to tears. 

I couldn't put it down and ended up reading until my blurry eyes filled with tears. 

Miles can be seen as cruel and Tate allowed herself to be used. It's not as engaging as the Slammed or Hopeless series, which I both adored, but it's by far her most emotional. I cried, and not often does a book reduce me to tears.


26 comments

  1. I've heard about how this book was full of sexy times (wink wink nudge nudge) but I didn't realize it carried a huge emotional impact as well. I'm surprised and definitely intrigued. I'm not really an NA reader but I'm willing to try Colleen Hoover's work just because you seem to love them. Fantastic review, Kelly. You made me seriously consider reading this one. :D

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    1. It certainly is, some of the extremely hot. But in true Colleen Hoover style, she entwines an incredibly emotional storyline throughout. Defiantly grab the tissues for this one Sarah, it left me a mess of tears.

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  2. I'm still not sure about this, since I'm not really a CoHo fan, and this honestly doesn't seem like my type of book. But I do love crying over books, so I'll still consider reading this. Awesome review, Kelly! And I love the new blog design. <3

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    1. If you're looking for an emotional read, this will definitely bring on the water works. But it is a little heavy on the sex, so I'm hoping no one picks this one up assuming it's similar to her young adult series. Personally, I prefer when she doesn't stray too far from young adult, but this one is still worth the read.

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  3. It seems every Colleen Hoover book is full of stuff that would leave the reader a sobbing mess. I'm so unsure whether or not I want to read this. For one, it seems too intense for my tastes. I feel like I wouldn't be able to take all the drama and intrigue and stuff (I'm a wussy for angst galore). I think I need to take a more milder book of hers first!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Start with her earlier Slammed series Faye, it's not the typical heartbreaking ugly tears storylines that she's now known for, and pretty mild in comparison. Losing Hope has been my favourite so far, absolutely incredible. This one is a little raunchy even by Colleen Hoover standards.

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  4. Love the change in your design, Kelly! Unfortunately, I didn't like this one. As in I-was-ready-to-chuck-this-book-across-the-room kind of feeling :( The main protagonist just has no self-respect, I thought. And the writing..... But but but I am not here to rant on your review haha which I actually just did! I totally understand your tears. This book was too poignant and painful on my accounts too. Poor, Miles who've suffered for 6 years!! Dayum. And Tate who has to shoulder Miles' coldness :( But atleast, there's closure and everything! Great review, Kelly! :D

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    1. Thanks Abby. I think this design is a little easier on the eyes, especially since I tend to write all my reviews in the early mornings.

      I felt the same way about Tate and her situation with Miles. She allowed herself to be used and he came across as a complete asshole. Regardless of whether he was hurting, he was playing with her emotions and I just couldn't connect to him at all. I invest too much and the tears came anyway. I completely agree, it's not her strongest work. I much prefer her young adult novels.

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  5. Oh no. Not sure I can handle this one as I have no doubt it'll cause ugly tears! But it sounds amazing and up to the high standard I've come to expect from Colleen Hoover. Great review, Kelly!

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    1. Most Colleen Hoover fans will suck this one right up.
      See what I did there? Hoover?

      Grab the tissues Kate. I was so adamant throughout that I wouldn't cry, I had issues with Miles and not liking his character. But I still cried. Damn you Colleen Hoover.

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  6. I can't wait to read this - as an established Colleen Hoover fan I definitely look forward to reading everything she writes. She certainly has a way with words and the talent to weave a plot which leaves such an emotional impact. I've learnt to keep tissues handy when reading her books, and this one will be no exception!

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    1. Compared to her other series, this one was a very mature read. I'm not sure I was quite ready for the raunch. She can definitely spin a story though can't she. I'm a big fan and she's always on my automatic buy list.

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  7. I've been a big fan of Colleen Hoover and her works, I cried a lot over the Slammed series, and I just loved and adored. all her other books. This one looks so good as well. Ermergerd, I think I'm gonna love this as well. I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

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    1. I think you'll adore this one too Jules. It's more mature than her previous series, but just as heart wrenching.

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  8. I am a Hoover fan, too. *high five* But I have not bought this book yet. The kindle price is unreasonable :P And I think I will love this, too. XD

    ~ Dre @ Sporadic Reads

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    1. Is it really expensive? There really needs to be a limit put on how much eBooks cost. Yes, it's easy and convenient, but you're not actually getting a physical product and already had the outlay of buying the eBook reader. I've seen some eBooks that have been more expensive than the paperback editions, when they should be at least half the cost.

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  9. I haven't read anything by Collen Hoover (*hides*) but all her books sound really intriguing even as someone who doesn't typically read straightforward romance or NA. This sounds like SUCH an emotional roller-coaster, and I can't wait to try it out for myself. The romance sounds wonderful, and I can't wait to have my feels destroyed by this book. (I know, it's weird...but I love books that make me cry / feel different emotions because that means the author has done something right, you know?)

    Thanks for sharing Kelly, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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    1. Thanks Zoe. Nothing at all? Zoe Zoe Zoe, grab a copy of Losing Hope firstly. It's absolutely phenomenal, her best series so far. Couldn't agree more, if you loathe a character, cry, want to throw the book across the room, then the author has done their job. You've invested in the storyline and FEEL something.

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  10. I haven't read anything by Colleen Hover. IS THIS BAD?! Yes. I probably just need to read one of her books just at least... to say that I have. (Still bad, but whatever. Don't judge me.) OMG THOUGH. YOUR BLOG HAS CHANGED. It's beautiful! I like it a lot! And I'm sorry I haven't been commenting this week. :( I'm sooo behind. I've been blogging Super Slackly, I even have a cape to prove my Super Slack status.

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    1. Course not, but now you know you're out of the group.

      I'm super behind too and have been commenting for hours tonight. It was the better option to watching Collingwood lose... Again.

      You don't think it's too pink? I feel like a bit of a cupcake in here now. Look, even my avatar to the left is pink now too.

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  11. Like Zoe, I haven't read anything by Colleen Hoover--would you say it's appropriate for me to read at my age? I have no clue so yeah but I will definitely read her books one day because they all seem to be fabulous!

    Lovely review, Kels <33

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    1. The Slammed series is, it's young adult but the romance is completely teen friendly. I think each book seems to have matured from there, but this one is strictly new adult. I think you'd enjoy the Slammed series, even Losing Hope which is a much more emotional read. Can't wait to see to what you think of them.

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  12. I've been a huge fan of Colleen Hoover for years so i was beyond excited to start reading this one. It ended up being Collen Hoovers most mature read yet but i enjoyed it all the same. I ended up giving it four stars too but this one happened to be the one Colleen Hoover book that didn't make me cry. It broke my heart but i think since the alternating chapters explained Miles backstory i felt that built a wall for me :(
    I'm glad you ended up loving this ome though and that you ugly cried LOL

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    1. Me too Lily, but I just feel that her young adult work is far superior. The abundance of sex and the destructive arrangement the two had fell into the new adult trope too often for me. I really hope she doesn't go down that road or she may lose quite a few fans.

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  13. Hhhhmm... I have a feeling that I won't like Tate too much. But it's really good to know that beforehand! Makes me feel a lot better before going into it. Hopefully, I'll still devour it!

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  14. I've always had an issue with Colleen Hoover's books. I never feel the emotion and it makes me feel heartless but, I think I'm going to give this a try. It sounds really good.

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