Book Review: Ugly Love

Introduction

So many readers have talked about Ugly Love, and I was thrilled to finally write my own review. Imagine Friends with Benefits but with real emotion—that’s the kind of story Colleen Hoover gives us. Her novels always grab my attention, and I finish them fast. This one was no different. It reminded me why I enjoy her darker storylines. Verity showed how far Hoover pushes suspense and pain.

Plot & Characters of Ugly Love

Right from the start, Ugly Love pulls you in. Tate Collins, a nursing student living with her brother, meets Miles Archer, a pilot with a quiet, mysterious vibe. Their chemistry is strong, and you can sense the tension right away.

Hoover drops small clues about Miles’ broken past. Through flashbacks, we see what made him so guarded. These moments keep the story exciting and emotional. The line between friendship and romance blurs quickly. Miles hides his pain, but readers still feel close to him.

Hoover crafts Miles with care, showing how trauma can be faced and hearts can heal. Tate agrees to a casual relationship, but emotions quickly make things messy. The side characters add balance—Cap, the friendly elevator attendant, brings humor and wisdom that make the book warmer and more human.

Initial Impressions

At first, I found the story a little cheesy. Tate’s eagerness felt awkward, and some parts seemed too perfect to be real. Yet, as the story moved forward, Hoover’s familiar writing style made it hard to stop reading.

I started to enjoy Miles and Tate’s connection, even when it got complicated. Hoover knows how to explore toxic love in a way that feels raw but relatable. The need to uncover Miles’ past becomes the heart of the story, and it pulls you along page by page.

Themes & Relationship Dynamics of Ugly Love

The story jumps between two timelines. In the present, Tate and Miles share an intense relationship built mostly on desire. In the past, Miles falls for Rachel, and their story begins sweetly but turns tragic.

Their parents start dating and later marry, which links the two families and makes them step-siblings. Rachel becomes pregnant, and their joy quickly turns into pain when a car crash kills their baby. Broken by grief, Rachel leaves, and Miles shuts himself off from love.

These events shape who he is when Tate meets him. Both relationships—Miles with Rachel and Miles with Tate—mirror each other. The first is innocent but ends in heartbreak. The second begins with passion but feels risky and secret.

Hoover also plays with visual storytelling. Hoover uses a poetic layout in some chapters to show emotion. By the end, Miles finds Rachel again, now happily married with a child. This meeting helps him heal and finally open up to Tate.

Writing Style & Comparison of Ugly Love

Some say Hoover’s writing feels dense, but I find it easy to follow. Her words are simple yet full of emotion. After finishing Ugly Love, I read Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, and the difference was huge. Aciman’s prose is poetic and slow, while Hoover’s style feels fast and emotional.

Even with its simplicity, Hoover’s storytelling connects deeply. Ugly Love might not have the beauty of Aciman’s language, but it hits hard where it matters—your heart. If you want something lighter after this emotional rollercoaster, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a great contrast. It’s breezy, warm, and full of hope.

Thematic Issues

The deeper message in Ugly Love sometimes gets lost. Tate’s patience with Miles looks brave but can also seem unhealthy. She accepts pain because she believes in his healing, and that can be uncomfortable to read.

Miles doesn’t abuse her, but he keeps hurting her emotionally. It made me wonder if the “ugly” side of love was worth the heartbreak. Some parts drag out too long, especially when his tragedy is repeated several times.

The story could have hit harder with less explanation. By the end, it feels like the mystery fades too early. Hoover relies too much on the love-at-first-sight angle. A few scenes even reminded me of Fifty Shades of Grey, which took away from the depth I wanted.

Narrative Structure

Hoover presents Tate and Miles’ stories side by side.Tate’s timeline reads like a movie script—clear and easy. Miles’ past, however, feels poetic and broken, almost like free verse. This style adds emotion and helps us see how deeply he’s been hurt.

This dual structure makes the story stronger. It shows how love and pain can exist side by side, shaping who we become.

Sexual Content

Ugly Love includes many scenes of intimacy. They aren’t written to shock but to show the bond between Miles and Tate. Still, at times, the physical moments take more space than the emotional ones.

The relationship feels like “almost love”—close, but not quite there. Hoover uses these moments to show how desire can be powerful but empty when fear holds you back.

Emotional Impact of Ugly Love

When Miles’ past is finally revealed, the story hits like a punch. I had to stop reading and breathe. The heartbreak felt real. I even cried, twice, before I could move on.

Any book that makes me feel that deeply becomes unforgettable. Ugly Love earns its place as one of my top reads for that reason alone. It shows how timing, heartbreak, and love can mix into something both painful and beautiful.

If you liked 28 Summers, you’ll feel a similar ache here. Both stories remind us that even the right person can come at the wrong time—and that truth hurts the most.

Overall Thoughts

My heart ached after finishing Ugly Love, but it also felt lighter. Colleen Hoover once again proves that she understands love’s darkest corners.

This book isn’t perfect, but it’s powerful. It made me think about forgiveness, timing, and the cost of love. Out of all Hoover’s novels I’ve read, Ugly Love easily sits near the top