Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

354 reviews

thelibraryofanolive's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

really good book i just think it got kind of repetitive and colleen hoover makes me want to rip my eyes out

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Cursing, Child death, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Incest, Sexual violence, Blood, Cancer, Sexism, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Violence

itsmeyseniab's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I had been interested in picking up a Colleen Hoover novel for a few years simply due to her polarizing popularity, and I will say that I’m glad that I chose this one as my first foray into her writing. While it wasn’t the most groundbreaking romance that I’ve ever read, I did enjoy my time with it. I think this is the case because I didn’t find this one as outwardly offensive and controversial as some of her other works are described as being.

We follow our main characters Tate and Miles as they navigate a “friends with benefits” relationship, which I think is very realistic and relatable (especially in this day and age). I didn’t find this dynamic “toxic,” as it was a consensual relationship and Miles was upfront about his expectations from the moment they discussed having any type of physical relationship. I will say I didn’t love the “woman tries to ‘fix’ the man and erase his dark, traumatic past” trope, and that turned out to be the toxicity in the relationship at times. 

The story was told in dual POVs and alternate timelines, with Tate’s being present day and Miles’ being six years prior (and surrounding his previous relationship). I liked this format, but I do wish Miles’ chapters were longer, and not written in a verse-like style.

Miles’ previous relationship with Rachel was the main aspect that I didn’t enjoy. Their dynamic was just weird and VERY unnecessary

them being step siblings added NOTHING to the story - they could’ve just been classmates and their traumatic event would’ve had the same impact in my opinion

. I also wish that Tate found out about Miles’ past a little bit earlier in the story, because although they were f**k buddies, their romance felt a little too insta-lovey for my liking.

Ultimately, I would recommend this to anyone new to the new adult romance genre who is looking for a quick, steamy and emotional love story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Grief

Minor: Child death, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Death of parent

laheath's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I finally decided to see why everyone was talking about this author and just chose the first audiobook available from my library. It's one of her older ones, though, so it may not show much about her current writing style. Although the cast of characters was brief, I felt they were pretty well-developed and intricate. The premise of the story sounds shallow, but it quickly becomes apparent that the male lead is hiding a past in which he suffered a life-altering pain so severe that he believes he'll never be healed. That secret is so heartbreaking, but he finally manages to see past the pain with the help of those closest to him. Told in alternating chapters by Tate (female lead, present time) and Miles (male lead, six years ago), this book takes the reader through all the emotions. Keep the tissues handy! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Sexual content

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Child death

Minor: Alcohol

jaderw23's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Child death, and Sexual content

pazb85's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy

worldofv33's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Cursing

chooper454's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Sexual content, Grief, Child death, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Pregnancy

Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death

foreveralicexox's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I found myself absolutely drawn to this book in a way I haven't been for a while. I was trying to read even a couple of pages on my phone every opportunity I had, five minute toilet breaks from work, I was so hooked! The two timelines syncing up and drawing to a climax in conjunction with one another made the story so gripping and I absolutely didn't want it to end. I feel that I felt every emotion throughout my reading experience and has quickly become one of those stories I feel sad I won't be able to experience for the first time again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Grief and Sexual content

luxxltyd's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Grief, and Sexual content

meaghanslibrary's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.75

Like a hallmark movie in book form, predictable yet somewhat entertaining. The writing style leaves lots to be desired.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship