Ugly Love: a book review
If you read just one book this year, just one, make sure it is Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. I've said it once, and I'll say it again but Mrs. Hoover truly outdoes herself. Just when I thought November 9 was my absolute favorite, Ugly Love comes out of nowhere and rips my heart into shreds. I really don't know why I constantly throw myself on this emotional rollercoaster time and time again, but at least I can say it's worth it. Without further ado, here is my spoiler-free review of Ugly Love:
From page 1, the story of Tate and Miles has you hooked. Tate, the female protagonist, is looking for a fresh start and the best way for her to get one is to move in with her brother. But when Tate arrives to her new home, she finds a drunk, sad, lonely stranger hanging around. Enter Miles Archer stage left. Tate has no desire to find out what this Miles character is doing sprawled out and blocking her entryway. And she definitely does not anticipate a relationship with the said stranger. But it wouldn't be a true Hoover novel without a little romance, right?
When the two of them meet again, this time sober, there is no denying the attraction they have to one another. But Miles is a pilot and doesn't do relationships. No, in fact, he simply doesn't do feelings or love. So how could these two make things work without feelings getting involved? Friends with benefits seems to be the only reasonable solution. And Miles' rules are clear: "Don't ask about my past. And never expect a future."
The story, told in both Miles and Tate's point of views, allows the read to get a glimpse inside each of their lives, their thoughts, their feelings and their past. The more the two characters learn about each other and the more time spent with one another, the blurrier the lines of their friendship/relationship gets. And, with differing viewpoints, we're able to collect little breadcrumbs that help you connect with the characters and start to put the story line together little by little.
I can truthfully say I never saw these twists and turns coming! Some books you can figure out the ending before it happens, but this one I was in utter shock! We quickly learn Tate wants more than just the benefits. She wants to change Miles into a man that she'll love for years. She wants commitment. But, Miles wants no part of that. Miles has been burned before and he refuses to get hurt again. He doesn't want to love anyone. But love always wins, doesn't it?
Maybe not in this case.
I can honestly say that since reading this book, I have had a hard time finding a character's backstory that completely shattered my heart like Miles' did. I had to close the book and take a lap around the house because my chest was so heavy and tears were streaming down my face. I simply could not read the pages!
You have to read this book to find out where Tate and Miles end up! You will laugh, you will throw the book across the room and I guarantee, you will ugly cry. I promise you an emotional journey. There aren't many books in my adult life that I can say I read within 48 hours but I simply could not put this one down. You know while reading that there is so much more to the story and with each page turned you get a new piece to the 1000+ piece puzzle. Why is Miles so afraid of commitment and love? You won't figure him out until the final pages. And if you love characters with painful pasts that blossom over the span of a book, then you will absolutely fall head over heels in love with Miles. We all know someone who has been crushed by love and is unwilling to move on, but rarely do we find someone who has no desire to love again. The love story between Tate and Miles is heartwrenching and you do not want to miss out!
I think I officially need to go take a nap now. I feel so emotionally drained, but don't let that stop you. Like all Colleen Hoover novels, the ending is a beautiful one for both characters and the closure you will get near the end is worth every tear shed (and believe me there are a lot of tears!) Only a love like this could make you feel this way. It's pure, beautiful ugly love.