by Colleen Hoover
Narrator: Deacon Lee, Elizabeth Louise, Grace Grant
Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
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.
Ugly Love is a clever, clever tale Colleen Hoover!
I was delighted to receive a copy of the audio version of Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover narrated by Deacon Lee and Grace Grant along with Elizabeth Louise. The tale Hoover weaves takes place in both the past and the present. Love isn’t always pretty, in fact sometimes it’s even ugly but it makes your heart flip all the same. I laughed, giggled and cried. Tears of joy, tears of sadness *complete with hiccups.* Ugly Love is a story you will not want to miss and one that will stay with you.
Ugly Love is told in dual perspectives. The present day affair comes from Tate Collins perspective. She is a single, registered nurse who moves into her brother’s high-rise apartment while attending school. Here she meets airline pilot Miles Archer. The two of them share a mutual attraction and soon are tumbling into bed. It is friends with benefits relationship. A complicated affair with rules that we know will get broken. The second perspective belongs to Miles, and he shares his heart-breaking, beautiful, complicated romance with Rachel that ended six years ago. It is what has shaped him, and Hoover did an excellent job of unfolding that story.
Gads. My emotions were all over the place while the story unfolded. Have you ever loved someone who is somehow broken? You know they are not good for you but somehow you are drawn to them. They are a good person, but part of them is so scarred they have built these impenetrable walls. Miles has walls. Unbelievable walls and Tate knows she should run, but somehow she sees beyond that. At times, I was furious with her and at other moments, I felt for her. Miles, oh lord. He is so broken, and his story slayed me open. Hoover was clever revealing his story; at first, I thought he was an ass. Seriously. *nods head* but the more we learned about his past the further he wedged himself into my heart.
The title Ugly Love is such a contradiction because the story inside is so beautiful. The narrators did a spectacular job of bringing forth both Tate’s and Mile’s feelings. They added a level to Hoover’s tale giving me an emotional connection that left me weepy eyed and spent. Ugly love is the story of growth, letting go, faith, love and hope. It shares the complexities of the human heart and its ability to love again. It gave me the “feels” like only Hoover can do.
If you love Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love is sure to be your favorite. If you haven’t you need to add this to your audio collection.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Naomi
Oh wow! I knew this would be a great book, but you made it sound so amazing in your review! I think I would like to meet Miles and see how his past has shaped him into the guy he is today! Beautiful review Kimberly!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Naomi, I hope you get to read it soon 🙂
Chene Sterckx
Oooh this sounds like a fab book! I have seen so much hype about it but your review is the first one I have taken time to read 🙂 Thanks for sharing it and convincing me to try CH’s work!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Chene, I really enjoy this author 🙂
Michelle
I haven’t gotten too big into contemporary romances on audio book, so I will have to give that a try. But I do know that I love Colleen Hoover and I want to read this book in some kind of format.
Great Review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t either Michelle, mostly mystery, UF and paranormal but when they offered me the audio I couldn’t resist. I am so glad I jumped at it 🙂
Ellen
Great review. I bought this audiobook also. I think I will listen to it next.
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo..I look forward to hearing what you think Ellen 🙂
Berls
Everything I see about this is sooo good! I love books that evoke a strong emotional response, especially right from the get go. I have yet to read Colleen Hoover, but I think I may start with this one. I think I saw it on Audiobook Jukebox in fact, maybe I’ll request it… Great review Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love it Berls 🙂
Red Iza
It’s already on my to-read list, but I’ll have to place it on the “next” shelf. Thanks for sharing, great review !
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, enjoy Iza 🙂
Alexa
I love Hoover’s books now. I listened to Maybe Someday and loved it and so I bought this and read it right away and I was blown away again. This story is beautiful and heartbreaking and you can’t help but fall for Miles even though he has issues. Sigh if only we could all just live in Hoover’s worlds forever they are that awesome.
Thanks for the great review, I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!
kimbacaffeinate
I bought Maybe Someday and need to read it soon Alexa 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds fantastic- I really need to check out this author. For some reason, your comments on the title makes me think of the song “Beautiful Disaster” by Kelly Clarkson.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo pretty song Lauren 🙂
Sandy
Great review! Loved this book! I wasn’t sure I was going to because of the friends with benefits/no-strings attached sex, but Colleen Hoover won me over. I shouldn’t have been surprised. I’m so glad that you loved it too!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, she always takes good care of us readers:)
Trish
I love Colleen even though she puts me through emotional hell. Can’t wait to read this soon, I might go the audio route as you gave it the thumbs up. I even have a credit screaming to be used 😀
kimbacaffeinate
sweet, now take that credit and enjoy!!!
Angela Adams
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the review, and have a great weekend!
blodeuedd
I do hear her books are good
kimbacaffeinate
Yep and this is adult..so no excuses 🙂
Nereyda
This is one of my favorite audiobooks, so brilliant! Even the ugly parts 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad you felt the same way Nereyda 🙂
Katherine
I’m intrigued by this story and glad to hear you enjoyed it. I like that there are multiple narrators since there are multiple perspectives. I may have to break my no feels rule (well guideline) and give this a try!
kimbacaffeinate
Break it, the feels are all realistic, and the story so darn touching
brandileigh2003
The emotions all over the place sounds like the kind of book I like. I’ve only read one of hers but plan to read more.
kimbacaffeinate
I really think you would like this one, and Miles will appeal to you.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I love it when a character you hate or at least dislike becomes one that gets to you. Oh you sold me and I’ve been on the fence about this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Miles will tear out your heart. I adored this one
Tanja
Oh yeah that is what Colleen does the best. She makes you cry your heart out! I’m so so happy you loved this one as it’s actually next on my TBR read list and I cannot wait to meet Miles! 🙂 Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, she gives me the feels every darn time 🙂
Michelle
I really need to find a copy of this STAT! I loved the Slammed series, and I know she’s probably grown as a writer since then so I need to pick up some of the newer ones. I’m glad you enjoyed it Kimba
kimbacaffeinate
I think she has, and love that these are adult characters.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I have this one on audio as well…I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Melissa, I cannot wait to see if you feel the same
Amber Elise
I needed you yesterday Kim! I was in the audible book store trying to use up some credits, I saw Ugly Love and decided “nah.”
HOW FOOLISH I WAS.
Can’t wait to read/listen to this one!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, I am sorry. I have become an audio book junkie, and you will be seeing more reviews.
Melliane
Oh yes I keep hearing amazing things about this author and mainly about this book and I really need to try her. You know she released a book in French and it is EVERYWHERE!!!! I need to try.
kimbacaffeinate
Cool, I am so happy the French are reading her!
Candace
I haven’t read any of her books yet but I follow her on facebook and she makes me laugh SO hard. So I know I need to read some. And all the crazy emotions? Sounds like a win!
kimbacaffeinate
What?? Candace you need to read her, I adore her. Yes she is crazy on Facebook.
Nick
I’m so glad you loved this, Kim. Miles basically destroyed me emotionally and the whole time I was reading this, I wanted to go find Colleen Hoover and beg her to stop torturing
her readers in such an emotional way! Colleen is such a brilliant writer!
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, he left me destroyed too. I had so many “feels”
Mary
Ah, those broken, troubled souls. I *am* drawn to them, which is why I’m always so careful around people — it’s hard to disentangle yourself once you’re involved, you know? I really like the title of this one! Love can be so ugly sometimes.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too, but I am a fixer, healer, comforter by nature.
Laurel-Rain Snow
Okay….that was weird. My comment disappeared, and I didn’t think you did comment moderation.
So I’m trying again.
I am tempted by your review. I have not read this author, and I’ve been noticing this one around. I like flawed, broken characters…LOL.
My choice would be the print version, since I don’t do audio. Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Not sure what happen, sometimes comments get held, but since this didn’t end up in pending comments I guess there was a hiccup. Sorry. Both comments appeared though. I love Colleen Hover, her books started in YA, but this is NA/Adult..although I would call it Adult as the characters are slightly older and working in careers.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I have been noticing this one around…and although I have never read this author, I am tempted. Of course, I would have to have the print version…I don’t do audio. LOL
Liz
I’ve not read any Colleen Hoover yet, but Christy said this book is awesome. After your review, too, I’m thinking I’d better check it out!!
kimbacaffeinate
What? You need to add her to your list. I am surprised Christy still talks to you.
Debbie Haupt
Okay after seeing all my friends up there I’m ordering the koolaide Kimba. Wow of course I’m guessing I’ll be going through and emotional wringer too. Great Review, wow I felt it!!
kimbacaffeinate
Drink Up!
Rita
Sounds like it’s an emotional read! For those of us, myself included, who like those strings pulled, it should be a good choice. Thanks for a nicely written review.
kimbacaffeinate
I love when a book wraps you up and squeezes you.
kindlemom1
I’m with Christy, I was scared you wouldn’t love this Kim and am so excited that you did!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
kimbacaffeinate
Why? This was so good, and I really loved the way it all unfolded.
kindlemom1
There were a few people I know that I thought would love it and they hated the writing style with the flashbacks. I loved it so it made me sad to see others not liking it and thinking it too weird.
Lupdilup
YAY!! I’m so thrilled that you also enjoyed this one! YAY again! How about those narrators?…LOL
Wonderful review, and I totally agree with everything you said 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I remember you loved this too. I am truly a Hoover fan, and love how she has grown as an author.
Kristin
*happy dancing all over the place* 😀 Emotional doesn’t even cover it!!! I’m so tickled you loved this!!! Happy Friday, girlie! TGIF
I’m a little sickie over here, that’s why I can’t post 🙁 migraine/sinus thingy *achoo!*
kimbacaffeinate
*grins* I loved it hard Kristin. Sorry you aren’t feeling well. Tis the season. I have a slight cough and stuffy head and hope nothing develops as I have way to much to do before the wedding 🙂
Jenea
Okay, so this has to go on my wishlist right now. Tate and Miles are two characters that I would love to get to know, they sound wonderful. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Woot..enjoy Jenea and have a wonderful weekend.
Carmel
This book has been blowing up the blogosphere as of late, but yours is the first review I’ve seen for the audiobook version which is the route I’d go if I do decide to give Hoover’s story a try. I’ve done dual narrators, but never three, so maybe I’ll let Ugly Love pop my cherry. Hehe. Happy Friday, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
The third perspective is a very small one, and linked to Miles. 99% of the book is just the two. I liked the additional perspective, and found it only enhanced the feels and understanding of the relationship.
Lauren
So many Colleen Hoover fans say this is their favorite – I wonder if it will be mine! I have a feeling my emotions are going to be all over the place too. Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Cannot wait to see if it becomes a favorite for you Lauren!
Christy
Oh thank goodness, you liked it. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to stop being friends. 😛 Seriously though, glad you liked the audio of it. I listened to samples, and did NOT like the narrators.
kimbacaffeinate
I never like the sample audios, but the narrators grow and settle on you.