ugly love essay

Ugly Love Summary, Review, Themes, Quotes and Characters

“Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover is a contemporary romance novel that delves into the complexities of love, pain, and the past, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Tate Collins and Miles Archer.

Quick summary : Tate Collins moves to San Francisco, meeting brooding pilot Miles Archer. Their tumultuous relationship is overshadowed by Miles’s tragic past with love, Rachel. As Miles confronts his pain, he finds a chance at love with Tate, leading to their eventual reconciliation and family.

Ugly Love Full Summary

This is a story about a girl named Tate who moves from San Diego to San Francisco to study nursing and work in an ER. She moves in with her older brother Corbin, who is an airline pilot, in his fancy apartment.

When she gets there, Corbin is away for work, but she meets Cap, the elevator guy, who becomes her bestie.

She also meets this creepy married dude named Dillon in the elevator who tries to hit on her.

As she’s trying to get into her bro’s apartment, she finds this guy, Miles, drunk and crying in the hallway. It turns out Miles is a friend of Corbin’s. She calls her brother, who trusts Miles enough to let her let him into the apartment. Miles is super emotional and keeps saying the name “Rachel.”

The next day, Miles is all paranoid, thinking they “hooked up,” but Tate assures him nothing happened. They help her move her stuff in, and then it’s Thanksgiving.

During the holiday, Miles cuts his hand, Tate stitches it up, and they share a kiss. They make a deal to have a casual relationship, but Tate shouldn’t expect anything more.

The story switches to show Miles’ past, where he fell in love with a girl named Rachel back in high school. They had a baby, but due to a tragic car accident, the baby died. Rachel couldn’t handle it and left him, and he’s been messed up ever since.

So, Tate and Miles keep their casual relationship going, but it’s kinda rocky. Tate starts to feel hurt because Miles is super hot and cold with her, like one minute he’s all caring and the next he shuts her out. Miles gets super jealous when he sees Tate with a male friend, but still won’t commit to her.

Eventually, Tate can’t handle it anymore and tells Miles her feelings. He still says he’s not down for a relationship. So Tate moves out and her brother, who had found out about their “thing,” is mad but eventually gets over it.

Two weeks after she moves out, Miles shows up at her door. He had visited Rachel, who’s moved on and is married with a kid. Rachel tells Miles he should move on too. So, Miles decides to go after Tate, tells her about his painful past and how much he loves her.

Fast forward six months, Miles takes Tate and Cap on a plane ride. After the ride, he gives her a key to his place and proposes. She says yes. In the end, they have a baby girl named Sam, and it turns out Miles can actually love again and be happy.

And they all live happily ever after.

Sort of.

Elizabeth Tate Collins : The primary female character, a registered nurse in her early 20s pursuing her master’s degree in nursing.
Miles Mikel Archer : The primary male character, an airline pilot in his mid-20s.
Corbin : Tate’s older brother, also an airline pilot, with whom Tate plans to live in his luxury apartment in San Francisco.
Cap : The outgoing elevator attendant in Corbin’s apartment building, who becomes Tate’s best friend.
Dillon : A sleazy married man who shows interest in Tate.
Rachel : A girl from Miles’s past, significant to his backstory.
Ian : Miles’s friend, mentioned in context with his high school years.
Lisa : Rachel’s mother, who becomes involved with Miles’s father.
Clayton : The name of Miles and Rachel’s baby, named after their English teacher.
Brad : The man whom Rachel later marries.
Claire : Rachel and Brad’s baby girl.
Sam (Samuel) : Cap’s real name and the name of Tate and Miles’s baby girl.

Alright, folks, let’s dive into Colleen Hoover’s “Ugly Love,” a book that’s got the internet buzzing like a bee in a bonnet.

Now, I’ve had my share of Hoover experiences – “November 9” was a wild ride, and “Maybe Not” surprisingly knocked my socks off. But “Ugly Love”?

It’s like a rollercoaster that I’m not sure if I loved or just tolerated. Let’s unpack this, shall we?

First up, the pros: Hoover’s writing is like sliding into a warm bath – easy, comforting, and you don’t want to get out. I zoomed through the last three-quarters of this book in one go.

It’s the perfect pick-me-up for those days when you’re feeling a bit blah and need a story that doesn’t make you overthink. The plot’s got this magnetism, even when it dips into the realm of the ridiculous.

Miles and Tate’s story is… well, it’s something. Imagine a love affair with more baggage than a cross-country flight.

Hoover throws us into the deep end of their complicated, often doomed, arrangement. The flashbacks to Miles’s past are like watching a car crash in slow motion – you can’t look away.

And the verse-style prose?

It’s a bold move, not everyone’s cup of tea, but hey, it shakes things up.

But let’s chat about Tate, our leading lady.

Honestly, she’s as exciting as watching paint dry. She’s meant to be this everywoman character, but she comes off more like a placeholder than a person.

Her narrative voice feels like it’s stuck in a teenage diary, which is a bit jarring when you’re reading scenes that are definitely not for the high school crowd.

It’s New Adult but with a strong YA aftertaste – like a cocktail that can’t decide if it’s for grown-ups or not.

Now, Miles, our leading man, he’s not the bad boy I was bracing for. He’s more ice than fire – a bit clueless, but not the toxic heartthrob I was expecting.

And that’s a good thing. He’s upfront about what this whole thing is, which is more than I can say for a lot of romance novel heroes.

The latter part of the book gives us a peek into Miles’s head, and honestly, those bits shine.

Maybe it’s Hoover’s knack for writing male POVs, but those chapters added some much-needed depth.

So, why pick up “Ugly Love”?

If you’re in the mood for a book that’s like a gossip session with your best friend – easy to get into and hard to put down – this is it. The flashbacks add layers to the story, and while the ending didn’t have me reaching for the tissues, it’s got a punch that might hit you right in the feels.

But, a heads up: if you’re expecting Shakespeare, you might want to keep looking. The characters can be a tad dim, and the writing sometimes feels more high school than young adult .

It’s a mix of heavy themes and light, almost cutesy prose that’s a bit of an odd duck in the New Adult pond.

But hey, that might just be what makes it stick in your mind longer than your average romance novel.

In short, “Ugly Love” is a bit like that weird flavor of ice cream you try on a whim – not everyone’s going to love it, but it’s definitely an experience.

1. The Power of Emotional Healing and Confronting the Past

The character development of Miles showcases how imperative it is for an individual to face their traumas and past instead of running from them or suppressing them.

Miles’s inability to discuss his pain surrounding the loss of his child and Rachel’s departure leads him to build emotional walls, shutting himself from potential happiness and love. It is only when he confronts his past, meeting Rachel again, that he starts to genuinely heal.

This is a significant lesson on the importance of addressing and processing emotional traumas. Ignoring or suppressing them doesn’t make them go away; instead, it can lead to emotional and psychological distress.

Confronting and working through past pain, possibly with therapy or counseling, can bring about healing, allowing individuals to move forward and embrace life and relationships more fully.

2. Communication is the Foundation of Relationships

Throughout the book, Tate and Miles’s relationship goes through several ups and downs, primarily due to their lack of clear communication .

Their agreement to have a physical relationship without discussing emotions or the past eventually leads to emotional turmoil. This underlines the fact that even in the most casual relationships, communication is essential.

By setting clear boundaries, understanding each other’s expectations, and frequently checking in on each other’s emotions and thoughts, relationships can navigate the challenges and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and heartaches.

Clear communication leads to trust, understanding, and a stronger bond between partners.

3. The Transformational Power of Love and Support

Cap’s role as a supportive figure for Tate and the eventual support Miles receives from Tate shows how pivotal love and support can be in a person’s life.

Their bond helps them navigate through the challenges and uncertainties of life. Cap’s unconditional friendship for Tate, and later Miles’s realization of Tate’s unwavering love for him, showcases how love and support can be transformative.

It acts as a reminder that everyone needs a support system – whether it’s friends, family, or significant others.

Having someone to lean on, confide in, or simply share life’s moments with can make the journey easier, more meaningful, and provide the strength needed to overcome challenges.

“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.”
“God gives us the ugliness so we don’t take the beautiful things in life for granted.”
“When life gives you lemons, make sure you know whose eyes you need to squeeze them in.”
“I didn’t fall in love with you… I flew.”
“Sometimes not speaking says more than all the words in the world.”
“Ugly love becomes you. Consumes you. Makes you hate it all. Makes you realize that all the beautiful parts aren’t even worth it. Without the beautiful, you’ll never risk feeling the ugly. So you give it all up. You give it all up. You never want love again, no matter what kind it is, because no type of love will ever be worth living through the ugly love again.”
“It’s the beautiful moments like this that make up for the ugly love.”
“The pain will always be there. So will the fear. But the pain and fear are no longer my life. They’re only moments.”
“But the second she opened her eyes and looked at me, I knew. She was either going to be the death of me… or she was going to be the one who finally brought me back to life.”
“If I were capable of loving someone… it would be you.”

Final Thoughts

“Ugly Love” masterfully weaves a tale of love, pain, and healing. Colleen Hoover’s storytelling captivates readers as she delves deep into the emotional journey of two individuals overcoming their past. The story serves as a testament to the power of love and its ability to heal even the deepest wounds.

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‘Ugly Love’ is Kind of Ugly

For a novel that was recommended by 92% of Google users, I expected that “Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover would absolutely blow me away. My efforts to get back into reading brought me to Barnes & Noble ambitiously searching for this novel that was recommended to me by the app TikTok.

Unfortunately, throughout the novel I was grasping at straws, trying to desperately paint a background for characters that were poorly set up. Although the story was told from two different first-hand perspectives, the plot lacked depth.

Tate is a college student, hoping to achieve her master’s degree in nursing. She recently moved in with her older and overprotective brother, Corbin, in San Francisco, California. Upon meeting her brother’s friend, Miles Archer, she is instantly infatuated and consumed by him.

The novel starts with Miles drunkenly sprawled outside Corbin’s, apartment, right as Tate is moving in for the first time. Even though Tate is terrified of the stranger, her brother expects her to help him because they are friends, as if moving to a new city isn’t intimidating enough. This scene is the first red flag in Miles’ character, but it is overlooked and the novel continues as if this night never happened. This scene is the first indicator that Tate’s feelings will go ignored throughout the novel.

When Miles goes home with Tate and her brother for Thanksgiving they share a kiss secretly late at night. Their connection only seems to be built off the fact that they are both conventionally attractive. Tate feels herself growing feelings for Miles at a rapid rate but he is unable to provide what she truly wants: a romantic relationship. They decide their relationship will be purely physical, but Miles sets two rules in place, which are never asking about his past and that she should not expect a future.

Nothing is inherently wrong with their arrangement until Miles starts breaking his “rules” but is angered at Tate for doing the same. A scene in the book involves Miles telling Tate something along the line of, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you at work,” and Tate responds with “So did you miss me?” Her response infuriates him and he yells at her for breaking the guidelines of their relationship.

To set rules for any situation and only enforce them on one person is a sign of emotional abuse that should not be labeled as “romance.” Throughout the novel, it is evident that Miles only values his own feelings and expects Tate to follow aimlessly. What Miles needed was a therapist, not a little fling where he dumps his baggage onto another person.

A major aspect of the novel is that Miles has experienced past trauma that keeps him from loving someone. Throughout the novel, he calls Tate his past lover’s name more than once. His past is very tragic and heartbreaking but Tate exists in the novel to purely fix him and excuse his belittling ways.

“Ugly Love” portrays the idea that having trauma is a valid excuse to hurt other people. Throughout the novel, Tate is complacent with his harsh behavior. She never receives an apology or explanation at the end of the novel either. Miles shows extreme jealousy when Tate is hanging out with another man. Although he consistently tells her he does not want a relationship, he tries to shut her out from other people too. Miles uses his power over Tate to control her.

Miles’ past was written very poorly. His perspective goes into his past life and why his character is currently closed off and traumatized. The way Hoover addresses certain topics about Miles’ past is quite strange and uncomfortable.

Although Miles had his past story laid out for the audience, little detail about Tate’s past was given. The author included that Corbin didn’t approve of her dating in the past. The novel focused on her passion for nursing which she was primarily focused on until Miles came into her life.

With “Ugly Love” taking place in San Francisco, there were so many opportunities to paint a beautiful background picture, but the novel lacked descriptive imagery. Such a beautiful setting went to waste with no descriptions of the city.

Even if Tate was just not that interesting, her character’s only prevailing trait of loving Miles felt like we were going back to the 1950s. It portrayed the wrong message to Hoover’s audience, due to the genre being labeled “romance.” Topics of emotional abuse should be written about but labeled as what they are.

Hoover is one of the largest authors at the moment having multiple New York Times Bestsellers. Her novels are growing in popularity every day thanks to social media and “Book-Tok.” Offering a second opinion to her novel will not stop its inevitable popularity, but critiquing “Ugly Love” is vital in offering a different perspective. As her readers become younger and younger (thanks to TikTok, not Hoover) it is important that the nuance of the toxicity of her novels does not go unaddressed or normalized.

Ugly Love to Hopeless: a Critical Analysis

Categories: Gender Discrimination Romantic Era Women in Sports

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"Ugly Love" Summary

By Colleen Hoover

romance | 337 pages | Published in 2014

Estimated read time: 5 min read

One Sentence Summary

A young woman navigates a complicated love affair with a pilot who is haunted by his past.

Introduction, brief synopsis, main characters, story points over chapters, main events, themes and insights, reader's takeaway.

"Ugly Love" by Colleen Hoover is a compelling and emotional contemporary romance novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness. The story delves into the lives of two main characters, Tate and Miles, as they navigate their past traumas and present desires. Set in present-day San Francisco, the novel intricately weaves together themes of heartbreak, healing, and the transformative power of love.

The plot follows Tate Collins, a young nursing student who moves in with her brother in San Francisco to pursue her dreams. She meets Miles Archer, a pilot and her brother's best friend, and they are instantly drawn to each other. However, Miles has a rule: no questions about the past, no expectations for the future. As their relationship deepens, they both confront their emotional baggage and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

The story predominantly takes place in San Francisco, a city known for its iconic landmarks, diverse culture, and vibrant atmosphere. The shifting backdrop of the city mirrors the characters' emotional journey, from the bustling streets to the serene landscapes, adding depth to the narrative.

The novel primarily revolves around two main characters:

Tate Collins

A determined and compassionate nursing student who moves to San Francisco to pursue her career aspirations. Tate is empathetic, resilient, and fiercely independent. She finds herself entangled in a complicated relationship with Miles, and her journey is one of self-discovery and healing.

Miles Archer

A brooding and enigmatic airline pilot with a haunting past. Miles is emotionally guarded and harbors deep-seated pain. His internal struggles and complex personality shape the dynamics of his relationship with Tate, as they navigate the delicate balance between passion and emotional barriers.

The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives, shedding light on both Tate and Miles' inner turmoil and evolving relationship. Here is a breakdown of the key story points over the chapters:

The novel encompasses several significant events that shape the trajectory of Tate and Miles' relationship:

The First Meeting : Tate and Miles' initial encounter sparks a magnetic connection, setting the stage for their tumultuous journey.
The No-Strings Arrangement : Tate and Miles agree to a casual relationship devoid of emotional entanglements, leading to a complex dynamic between them.
Revelations and Flashbacks : As the story unfolds, revelations about Miles' past and emotional trauma shed light on his guarded nature and fear of intimacy.
Confrontation and Healing : Tate confronts Miles about his emotional barriers, prompting a pivotal moment of introspection and potential healing for both characters.
Emotional Turmoil : The complexity of their relationship comes to a head, testing their emotional resilience and capacity for love as they navigate a poignant journey of self-discovery.
Emotional Baggage : The novel delves into the impact of past traumas and emotional baggage on individuals' capacity to love and form meaningful connections.
Healing and Redemption : Through the characters' journeys, the narrative explores themes of healing, redemption, and the transformative power of love in overcoming personal struggles.
Vulnerability and Trust : The themes of vulnerability and trust are central to the story, as Tate and Miles navigate the delicate balance between opening up emotionally and protecting themselves from further pain.
Unconventional Love : The novel challenges conventional notions of love and relationships, examining the complexities of unconventional connections and the depth of human emotions.

The narrative offers poignant insights into the complexities of human emotions and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. It delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope in the face of emotional turmoil.

"Ugly Love" offers readers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the intricate layers of human emotions. The compelling narrative, rich character development, and evocative themes resonate with readers on a profound level, inviting them to contemplate the transformative nature of love and the resilience of the human heart.

In conclusion, "Ugly Love" by Colleen Hoover is a captivating and poignant novel that delves into the complexities of love, healing, and the profound impact of past traumas on the human psyche. Through the intertwined journeys of Tate and Miles, the novel offers a compelling exploration of emotional resilience, vulnerability, and the enduring power of love in the face of adversity. With its evocative storytelling and raw, emotional depth, "Ugly Love" leaves a lasting impression on readers, inviting them to contemplate the redemptive nature of love and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

Ugly Love FAQ

What is 'ugly love' about.

Ugly Love is a novel by Colleen Hoover that follows the story of Tate and Miles. Tate is a nursing student who moves in with her brother and his roommate, Miles. As their friendship develops into something more, they both struggle with their pasts and secrets.

Is 'Ugly Love' a romance novel?

Yes, 'Ugly Love' is primarily a romance novel that delves into the complexities of relationships, love, and personal struggles.

What are the themes in 'Ugly Love'?

The novel explores themes of love, loss, healing, and the impact of past experiences on present relationships. It also delves into the idea of emotional vulnerability and the complexity of human connections.

Is 'Ugly Love' part of a series?

No, 'Ugly Love' is a standalone novel and is not part of a series.

Who would enjoy reading 'Ugly Love'?

Readers who enjoy contemporary romance novels with emotionally rich storytelling and complex characters would likely enjoy 'Ugly Love'. It may also appeal to those interested in stories of personal growth and overcoming past traumas.

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Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover: My Review and Summary of this Epic Romance

Wonder if Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover is a book for you? I’ll help you decide with this Ugly Love summary and Ugly Love review to determine if this neighbors-to-lovers romance is a book worth reading.

* Disclosure : This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly love summary:.

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s 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 one thing.

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 Awards: 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Ugly Love Age Rating: Mature 17+

Ugly Love Genre: Contemporary Romance

Ugly Love Main Characters: Tate Collins and Miles Archer

Ugly Love Quotes : Check out the best Ugly Love quotes !

Ugly Love Review

Ugly Love is vintage Colleen Hoover – a book that pulls you in with characters you must know everything about. They are characters that you completely fall for as they fall for each other and boy does your heart go through the wringer with this one.

But no fear, Colleen Hoover patches it up again in the best way making this one of the best Colleen Hoover books !

In Ugly Love , Tate moves in with her brother and meets Miles, a pilot who lives in the same apartment complex. But Miles is a man a few words, going through the motions, and you know it’s because he’s harboring something huge – something significant.

Yet Tate is drawn to him and soon they’re making a pact – a sort of friends-with-benefits pact – with two unwavering rules: Don’t ask about Miles’ past and don’t expect a future .

Tate is quick to agree and comply, but soon her heart gets tangled up with the man.

Colleen Hoover weaves such a beautiful story because she alternates between Tate’s present point of view with Miles’ past point of view and I loved both.

From the present you see his hurt and her love growing, but from the past you come to understand the cause of his hurt and it’s brutal.

This is definitely one of my favorite Colleen Hoover books. I loved it. And I bawled. Boy did I bawl for this man and for the past he endured, and for the future he was scared to accept.

The way Colleen Hoover wrote Miles, you can’t help but want to reach in and hug this man and never let go. It’s why he made my list of heroes with wounded hearts . But I’ll leave Tate to heal him.

Who Will Love Ugly Love ?

Ugly Love will make you ugly cry, but it is so worth it. Readers who love books with heroes with wounded hearts , neighbors to lovers stories, slow burn romances , and brother’s best friend romances will want to pick up Ugly Love .

Of course, if you’re a fan of Colleen Hoover books , this is one not to miss. It has all the feels like It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us and it will tug on you like Reminders of Him .

Or, if you are new to Colleen Hoover books , definitely pick up Ugly Love as it’s a great representation of her incredible writing, her storytelling abilities, and her craft at character development.

This is a standalone novel, so give it a read and then check out all the Colleen Hoover books series next.

That’s my Ugly Love review but what did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

More Colleen Hoover Book Reviews:

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Related Book Lists:

Colleen Hoover Books in Order: The Ultimate Guide
Best Colleen Hoover Books Ranked
Colleen Hoover Book Series: The Ultimate Guide
Authors Like Colleen Hoover You Need to Read
The Best Ugly Love Quotes from Colleen Hoover
Romance Heroes With Wounded Hearts
The Best Brother’s Best Friend Books
The Best Slow Burn Romance Books

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Hoover’s ‘Ugly Love’: An Exploration of Love and Traumas

Krisha Prasai

March 11, 2024

Book Title : Ugly Love Author: Colleen Hoover Publisher: Simon & Schuster Published: August 5th, 2014 Pages : 352

“Ugly Love” by Colleen Hoover is a compelling exploration of the complexities of love and the enduring impact of past traumas. The author invites readers into a world where love is not only a source of joy but also a profound force that can unravel the deepest wounds of the human heart.

The story revolves around Tate Collins, a determined college student aspiring to become a nurse, and Miles Archer, a pilot haunted by his painful past. As the pages unfold, the non-linear storytelling method reveals layers of emotion, secrets, and the transformative power of love. When these two souls meet, their connection is undeniable. However, Miles is a broken man and he cannot offer Tate anything other than a physical relationship. Emotionally, Miles is distant and he makes it clear that he does not want to discuss his future plans with anyone. Miles is reeling from his past, a story that he wants to keep hidden from Tate. As Tate and Miles draw closer, their emotions run wild. Can they both stick to the rules and keep things casual?

The character development is a standout feature of the novel. Tate is a relatable and strong willed protagonist, while Miles is a complex character burdened by a tragic past. The exploration of themes such as grief, forgiveness, and the healing power of love adds depth and resonance to the narrative.

The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with a perfect balance of suspenseful moments and introspective reflection. The incorporation of poetry throughout the story adds a poetic dimension to the narrative, enhancing the overall literary experience.

While “Ugly Love” falls within the romance genre, it transcends clichés and stereotypes, offering a nuanced portrayal of the intricacies of human relationships. The plot twists are unexpected and contribute to the novel’s emotional impact, keeping readers engaged until the final page.

One of the strongest aspects of “Ugly Love” lies in Colleen Hoover’s ability to create deeply nuanced and authentic characters. The novel excels in portraying the emotional complexity of its protagonists, Tate Collins and Miles Archer. Each character is meticulously crafted, carrying their own burdens and scars, which adds layers of authenticity to the story.

One of the things that make Ugly Love such a compelling read is its raw and honest portrayal of love and loss. Colleen Hoover doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of love, exploring the pain and heartbreak that can come with it. But she also shows us the beauty and joy that love can bring, even in the face of adversity.

Additionally, the non-linear storytelling technique employed by Hoover is a notable strength. By revealing key events in a fragmented order, the author creates a sense of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers engaged and invested in the unfolding narrative. This structure adds a layer of complexity to the storytelling, allowing for a more immersive and impactful reading experience.

Some of the very heartbreaking lines of the novel that still has an impact on me are:

“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.”
“The only thing I’ve ever wanted is to stand right in front of me. But if I don’t find a way to make her believe in me, to make her see that I’m all in, then I’ll spend the rest of my life loving a woman who will never fully believe she deserves it.”
“Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.”
“You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.”
“It’s easy to stop caring when things don’t matter. It’s hard to stop caring when they do.”

These lines encapsulates the novel’s theme of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. They hold deep and saddening truth of life, love and loss which, when thought profoundly, always gives tears to my eyes.

I also encountered some aspects in the novel that I was not entirely fond of, and I believe could be improved upon. If these points can be considered, the book can move on to the next level and can get more attention and love than it already is getting:

Certain chapters felt repetitive and draggy. A tighter editing process could enhance pacing and keep readers engaged throughout.
Although both main characters have deep backstories which reveal their struggles and vulnerabilities, further exploration of these aspects would add depth to them.
The final chapter might feel rushed compared to the rest of book due its abruptness.
The unrealistic story line of Tate being such an ignorant of the way Miles was treating her and the novel really showed that love is blind, which in reality is not true to that extent.
The novel contains a very thoroughly explained physical intimacy which makes it difficult for people under the age of 16 to read it.

In conclusion, ‘Ugly Love’ by Coolen Hoover is a book that contains some heavy themes and triggers with very sensitive lines making it upsetting to read. This love story is so dark and twisted that at times, you feel disgusted by the scenes in front of you, but most times, you will cry in pain because of the chaotic and turbulent lives that our dear characters have had to live through.

Themes such as resilience, forgiveness, acceptance of imperfections, and the importance of loving ourselves can all be learned from the novel. Ultimately it teaches us that true beauty comes not only from physical appearance but from embracing our humanity flaws included. The most important message in the whole novel I believe would be “We cannot stop ourselves from being happy because we believe our past actions made us undeserving to love and be loved. But we must learn to let go of all that was and be ready to accept all that will be.”

Colleen Hoover’s skill in storytelling shines brightly, crafting a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally charged. Whether it’s the memorable lines that linger in the reader’s thoughts or the unexpected plot twists that maintain suspense, the book makes an enduring impression. “Ugly Love” goes beyond being a mere romance; it serves as a profound exploration of human experiences, prompting readers to contemplate the transformative power of love and its capacity to mend even the deepest wounds.

The most interesting and heart wrenching part comes when the tragedy of Miles’s past unravels making it all sensible for the book cover to be drops of water. The detailing Hoover provides in each smallest thing has always surprised me and more so when during the end of her every book the cover page always ends up making sense.

To sum it up, if you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between, Ugly Love is a perfect choice.

(Krisha Prasai is a first year student at Kathmandu University School of Management)

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Ugly Love - Chapters 1 - 7 Summary & Analysis

(approx. 6 pages at 400 words per page)

Chapter 1 is narrated by Tate. It takes place in the present. Tate is surprised when Samuel, who calls himself Cap, already knows her name even though she is just moving into her brother’s apartment. Cap is an elderly man who is employed to push the elevator call button for residents. He refers to himself as a flight captain because he sends people up into the air. Tate smiles at his reference because her brother and father are both pilots.

Tate is disturbed when a married man who tries to flirt with her on the elevator also knows her name. Things appear to be even worse when she discovers a drunk man asleep against the door to her brother’s apartment. Tate struggles with the man to get into the apartment. Once she is inside with the door locked, she realizes she left...

(read more from the Chapters 1 - 7 Summary)

(approx. 6 pages at 400 words per page)

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'Ugly': A Memoir Of Childhood, Deformity And Learning To Love A Distinctive Face

A writer by profession, Robert Hoge was the first member of his family to go to college. Matthew Warrell/Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers hide caption

A writer by profession, Robert Hoge was the first member of his family to go to college.

Robert Hoge's new memoir is about his childhood — his first day of school, making friends and learning to ride a bike. But it's also about getting called "cripple," having multiple reconstructive surgeries and teaching himself how to play sports with two artificial limbs.

Hoge was born with deformed legs and a giant tumor between his eyes. "The tumor formed really early during my development," he tells NPR's Rachel Martin. "So it subsumed my nose and pushed my eyes to the side of my head, like a fish, and made a mess of my face, as you'd expect."

Hoge lives in Brisbane, Australia, with his wife and two daughters. His new book, for readers age 8 and up, is called Ugly .

Interview Highlights

On how his mother reacted when she learned about his deformities

I was born in the early 1970s, so before prenatal scans were commonplace, and I'm the youngest of five children. And my parents had four healthy kids before me. I'm not going to call my brothers and sisters normal, but they were certainly healthy. And so I think, you know, my parents had every right to expect the healthy, normal child they thought they were owed. But I turned up without any warning, with these deformities. And my mother didn't even see me before I was taken away to intensive care, and she knew something was wrong because it was a difficult labor. ...

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And so I went away to the nursery for a week and then eventually one of the doctors convinced her to come and see me, and when she saw me, she looked down the cot and decided that she couldn't take me home. And so she went back to her bed in the hospital and thought about that a bit more and talked to every person possible she thought may help her not bring me home: She talked to her sister, she talked to her [general practitioner], she talked to her priest, she talked to her local politician, she talked to the doctors there. But she was pretty adamant that she wasn't going to bring me home. And I genuinely think that she was in a form of shock. ...

Eventually, she processed it a bit better and she was really worried about what impact bringing me home would have on my brothers and sisters. So, the quick story is they decided to have a family discussion and they sat down one Saturday morning and talked through all of my problems and whether I should come home. And my parents one by one asked my brothers and sisters, "Should we bring Robert home?" And one by one they all, thankfully, said yes. My sister Catherine, who was only 4 at the time, reckons the only reason she said yes was because everyone else said yes before her, so maybe peer pressure is a good thing.

On how he learned the story of his birth

The reason I know all of that was because one of the doctors at the time encouraged my mother to keep a diary. And she kept this lovely blue diary with beautiful handwriting in it and that was never hidden away from me. It would sit on the couch beside her, or it would be on her bedside table. ... And every now and then I'd ask mum to read me a bit from her book. And so she was really open and honest in that book about her feelings about me, and she was really open and honest with me from a very young age about her feelings. And I think I had a few times where I was a bit concerned and a bit worried and couldn't quite understand, but I think then it just clicked one day that it was like a movie that has some sad parts in the middle but has a happy ending. I was finding all of that out after knowing that my parents had decided to bring me home. And that kind of honesty and that openness was really important to me growing up and I think has really enabled me to be pretty open and honest about all of my feelings in the book.

On how he explained his deformities to other kids growing up

Normally with one quick and short answer. So, you know, kids would ask me, "Why have you got bumps on your head?" or "Why have you got a squished nose?" or "Why don't you have any legs?" And I would simply say, "I was born that way." And probably nine times out of 10, the questions wouldn't go much further than that. ... That satisfied them, and it certainly satisfied me.

On deciding not to have a major reconstructive surgery that would diminish the appearance of the birth defects

I made that decision when I was 14. By then, I'd had 24 different operations, some quite small and some very, very large. And my parents ... they said, "Well, Robert, you're almost an adult so you get to choose." Pretty tough. Big choice for a dumb 14-year-old boy, too, I can tell you. ...

We ended up talking about some of the potential side effects of the operation, and because they were moving my eyes a little bit closer again, there was a chance — and a not insignificant chance — that I might go blind. And my brother, when he heard that, piped up and said, "Well, what use is it looking pretty if he can't even see himself?" So right then and there I decided no, I'm not going to have this operation.

But certainly, you know, when you ask a girl out and she says no, and you're thinking how terribly lonely life's going to be when you're 16 years old, you know, you have moments where you kick yourself and think, "I should have had that operation," or "Maybe I can still have it."

On going against his doctors' advice when he decided to opt out of the surgery

I have genuine love and affection for the massive changes all of the doctors and nurses who worked on me made to my life. But doctors are tinkerers. They're always in the back shed thinking, "If we moved that nose up half an inch, it'd look so much better." But I think, you know, thinking about it now, I'm never going to look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney, so I think I should just stick with my rather distinctive face and go from there.

Children's Health

How Prentice Penny docuseries charts the good, the bad and the ugly of Black Twitter

A man dressed in black sits on a block of wood for a portrait.

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You’ve probably heard or read these phrases somewhere: “Oscars So White,” “Me Too,” “Say Her Name,” “Black Girl Magic,” “Black Lives Matter.” They’ve all become part of the national lexicon. What you may not know, or have forgotten, is that they originated on an area of social media that included smart, informed reactions from Black celebrities, authors, journalists and just about anyone with a voice. It was called Black Twitter.

Now that Twitter is called X and has lost its luster (plus many of its users), former “Insecure” showrunner Prentice Penny and Wired writer Jason Parham have teamed up as executive producers to document those times in Hulu’s three-part docuseries “Black Twitter: A People’s History.” Like a time capsule of sorts, the series looks back at what it meant to those coining phrases and having discussions in 140 characters or less. For Penny, it’s the first project in a deal with Hulu’s Onyx Collective brand, and a whole new direction for him.

“It was really wanting something, a few things,” Penny says: “One, it was me wanting whatever I did next not to be compared to ‘Insecure.’ I felt I had just done something really special and kind of hit a peak of a mountain, and I didn’t want whatever I did next to actually be like, ‘Oh, well, that’s not “Insecure.”’ And I also wanted to break creatively. I’ve been doing scripted television, specifically in the half-hour space, since [2004]. So I’d been doing it at that point for 17 years. And I want to be scared again. And that’s how ‘Insecure’ made me feel. It made me feel creatively inspired again. And I wanted whatever I did next to come from that place.”

Penny cut his teeth as a writer-in-training on the UPN series “Girlfriends.” Other shows he worked on before “Insecure” include “The Hustle” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” He’d also been a co-producer on “Scrubs.” At 50, he was ready to make a change.

The inspiration to switch to documentary was inspired by his idol, veteran filmmaker Spike Lee. “You know, watching him diversify his own [work], not just being a narrative filmmaker but having done documentary film, stuff like ‘When the Levees Broke’ and ‘4 Little Girls.’ It felt like a really good line of demarcation for me of one phase of my career to another. And I’m a big fan of Black Twitter. I engage in it. I love it.”

A man sits on a bench with a bicycle nearby in "Black Twitter: A People's History."

The angle of Parham’s three-part article was how much the internet changes. By the time Parham and Penny teamed up to do the docuseries, things had changed again. “He was referencing things like Vine and Friendster and spaces like that,” Penny says. “He was like, ‘This felt like the right time to document what we had done on the platform.’ And obviously, we didn’t know how prophetic it would be that while we were making it, Elon [Musk] would buy the platform and so many things would change as a result, but that’s really what was inspirational to me, to be like, ‘Yeah, we should be telling this story.’”

Among the Black Twitter regulars featured in the docuseries are actor-comedian Amanda Seales, New York Times contributor and author Roxane Gay, Emmy-winning sports journalist Jemele Hill, comedian W. Kamau Bell (“We Need to Talk About Cosby”), creative consultant April Reign (#OscarsSoWhite), TV producer Baratunde Thurston (“The Daily Show With Trevor Noah”) and vlogger Kid Fury.

Yet the series has been criticized by some on social media who say celebrities and well-known artists are not part of mainstream Black Twitter.

“When you’re marketing a doc, you’re marketing the names that people know, but that’s not all we have,” Penny says. “That was one of the things that was super important to me. Black Twitter is obviously made up of famous people, but so many things that happened in the time of Black Twitter were just people commenting on something, like CaShawn Thompson, who came up with the tag ‘Black Girl Magic.’

“If you saw her you wouldn’t know, ‘Oh, that’s the woman that started ‘Black Girl Magic.’ And she wasn’t starting it to start a hashtag. She was just responding to all the criticism that Black women were getting online about their physical appearance. She [said], ‘I don’t know what they’re talking about, but Black girls are magic,’ and that’s where it came from. So, for me, having people like that in the doc is just as important as anybody else.”

The free jazz ensemble known as Black Twitter, and how it became the subject of a new docuseries

May 10, 2024

Black Twitter: A People's History -- Based on Jason Parham's WIRED article "A People's History of Black Twitter," this three-part docuseries charts the rise, the movements, the voices and the memes that made Black Twitter an influential and dominant force in nearly every aspect of American political and cultural life. Jason Parham, shown. (Disney)

‘Black Twitter: A People’s History’ tells how humor and hashtags fostered a subculture

May 9, 2024

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Brian Wallach in "For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign" on Prime Video.

‘For Love & Life’ tracks one man’s journey from ALS diagnosis to big-time fundraiser

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‘Love on the Spectrum’ explores romance among neurodivergent participants

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49 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-20

Chapters 21-25

Chapters 26-30

Chapters 31-39

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Chapters 1-5 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 summary: “tate”.

Tate Collins moves from San Diego to San Francisco to attend graduate school. In San Francisco, she plans to stay with her older brother, Corbin, while she looks for a job as a registered nurse (RN). Corbin, an airline pilot, is away for the weekend when she arrives, and she meets the friendly elevator attendant, Cap. Cap looks at Tate’s birthmark and remarks, “Somebody stabbed you in the neck, young lady” (1). He shares his grandfather’s wisdom and explains that people’s birthmarks indicate how they died in a previous life. Tate regards the elderly man as harmless and makes polite small talk with him before getting in the elevator. A married man named Dillon enters the elevator. He tries to flirt with Tate, but she is leery of his advances.

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