“Love isn’t always pretty. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it’ll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you’re back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way.”
― Colleen Hoover
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover is a romance novel that truly resonates with your emotions. It tells the story of Tate Collins and Miles Archer, two people who agree to a no-strings-attached relationship—but things get messy when feelings start to grow. This book isn’t your regular love story.
It’s about pain, healing, and learning to open your heart again. Colleen Hoover is known for writing emotionally charged stories, and Ugly Love is one of her most popular books. It’s told differently, shifting between the present and the past to illustrate why Miles is so closed off.
If you enjoy romance or want something real and emotional, this book might be for you. In this post, I’ll walk you through the story, share my honest thoughts, discuss what readers have to say, and recommend similar books you might enjoy.
Plot Summary
Characters and Storyline
The story of Ugly Love begins when Tate Collins moves in with her brother, Corbin, a pilot. That’s where she meets Miles Archer—Corbin’s quiet and serious friend, who’s also a pilot. From the start, there’s a strong pull between them. But Miles makes it clear: he doesn’t want Love, and he won’t talk about his past.
Tate agrees to a “no strings attached” relationship, thinking she can handle it. They both want something simple, but feelings don’t always stay simple for long.
Plot Progression
The story jumps between two timelines. One follows Tate and Miles in the present as they attempt to keep things casual, yet struggle with genuine emotions. The other timeline shows parts of Miles’ past, explaining why he’s so closed off. As the story progresses, we learn more about his pain and what transformed him.
My Review
Personal Thoughts on the Book
Reading Ugly Love made me feel a lot of things. It wasn’t just a love story—it was also about pain, hurt, and learning to trust again. Some parts were really sad and made me stop to think. I felt like I was right there with the characters.
Miles is quiet, serious, and seems cold at first, but as the story goes on, you can tell he’s been through something really hard. That made me want to understand him even more. Tate was someone I could relate to. She tried to stay strong, even when things didn’t make sense. Sometimes, her choices made me upset, but I could still understand why she made them.
The book didn’t just tell a story—it made me feel like I was part of it. And that’s why I think it’s worth reading, especially if you’re looking for something emotional and relatable.
Things I Liked and Didn’t Like
What I Liked:
- The emotions in the book felt real. It didn’t feel fake or forced.
- I liked how Miles’ past wasn’t told all at once. It came out little by little, which made me curious.
- The parts written from Miles’ point of view had a soft, thoughtful feel. They gave us a look into how much he was hurting.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Some lines were said too many times. It felt like the book was repeating itself a bit.
- A few scenes felt like they were trying too hard to evoke emotion, rather than letting it happen naturally.
- I figured out some parts before they happened, so they didn’t feel like big surprises.
Spoiler Alert – Big Reveal Ahead
Miles went through something really sad in his past. He lost someone he loved a lot in a terrible accident. This is the reason he doesn’t let anyone get close. He thinks if he doesn’t feel Love again, he won’t feel pain again either.
But in the end, after trying to stay away from Love, he finally lets himself feel again. He opens up to Tate and tells her everything. They both decide to stop hiding and face things together. And yes, they do end up happy, stronger because of everything they went through.
Ratings and Reviews from Readers
“God gives us the ugliness so we don’t take the beautiful things in life for granted.”
― Colleen Hoover
Goodreads Rating and Number of Ratings
On Goodreads, Ugly Love has a rating of 4.01 out of 5, based on over 2.1 million ratings and 140,000 reviews.
Goodreads Reviews
Readers on Goodreads have shared different thoughts:
- One reader mentioned, “Wow!! Ugly Love is amazing!!”
- Another said, “I have a love/hate relationship with Colleen Hoover, and this one unfortunately falls squarely in the hate category.”
These reviews demonstrate how the book can evoke strong emotions—some readers love it deeply, while others don’t connect with it as much.
Amazon Reviews
On Amazon, Ugly Love holds a 4.6-star rating out of 5, with over 158,000 ratings.
Readers praised the book for its emotional pull and writing style:
- “Colleen Hoover’s Ugly Love is an emotional rollercoaster that left me breathless from start to finish.”
- “Hoover masterfully crafts a story about love, loss, and the complexities of relationships that resonate deeply with readers.”
How Ugly Love Sets Itself Apart?
Ugly Love stands out because of its two-part timeline. It flips between the present (Tate and Miles’ current situation) and the past (Miles’ heartbreak). This setup keeps you thinking and slowly shows what caused his emotional walls.
Colleen Hoover’s way of writing—full of strong feelings and character-focused moments—makes this book hit hard in all the right ways.
What Authors and Reviewers Say About Ugly Love?
Although there aren’t many direct quotes from fellow authors about Ugly Love, the book has garnered considerable attention and praise from reviewers and readers. Here’s what some have said:
- “What an amazing emotional ride. Colleen Hoover is great at writing stories full of strong feelings and romance. If you love your romances with a side of tissues, and like stories that are fresh and clever, then I can’t recommend Ugly Love highly enough.”
— All About Romance author - “Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover is without a doubt my favorite book so far in 2022 and probably one of my favorite ever.”
— Life According to Jamie - “Colleen Hoover’s Ugly Love is an emotional rollercoaster that left me out of breath from start to finish.”
— Christina, All Day
These reviews highlight the strong emotions and compelling storytelling that Colleen Hoover brings to Ugly Love. The novel’s unique structure, which alternates between present and past events, adds depth to the characters and keeps readers engaged. If you’re looking for a romance that shows deep emotions and real relationships, Ugly Love is a strong pick.
Is Reading Ugly Love Worth It?
“When life gives you lemons, make sure you know whose eyes you need to squeeze them in.”
― Colleen Hoover
Good Things About the Book Readers Will Enjoy
- Emotional depth: The story goes deep into Love, loss, and healing.
- Soft, thoughtful writing: Especially in Miles’ chapters, the words feel like poetry.
- Pain and healing: You slowly learn why Miles is so closed off, and watching him get better is moving.
- Real feelings: The characters navigate heartbreak and confusion in ways that feel deeply relatable.
Where the Book Was Lacking?
- Emotionally heavy: Some readers felt that the book tried a little too hard to evoke tears.
- Not all characters are fully developed: a few side characters lack depth.
- The ending may not work for everyone: Some readers felt it was a little rushed or too neat.
Final Thoughts
If you like romance books that are more serious and full of emotion, Ugly Love might be a good pick for you. This book doesn’t follow the usual love story path. It focuses on how hard Love can be when someone is carrying pain they haven’t let go of. It doesn’t give you a perfect couple from the start—it shows you the work it takes to heal and trust again.
Miles and Tate’s story is full of ups and downs, but that’s what makes it feel real. You watch two people grow, both on their own and together. If you’re someone who likes books that show real struggles, honest mistakes, and Love that takes time, this one is worth your time.
Similar Books if You Enjoyed This Book
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – Another emotionally complex romance from the same author.
- Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan – Quiet, brooding male lead with a heartbreaking past.
- November 9 by Colleen Hoover – Romance with non-linear storytelling and emotional ups and downs.
- The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay – Emotional healing through Love and friendship.
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo – Deep, reflective romance that explores fate and timing.
