Ugly Love Review
REVIEWS
Yashita Manghnani
5/30/20252 min read
Let’s not sugarcoat it—this book was a mess. It felt like it was written in one long, wine-fueled sitting with no real sense of connection, love, or logic. I finished it not with tears, not with joy, but with one burning question: why did I read this?
Characters:
Tate is, frankly, one of the most frustrating protagonists I’ve ever read. She knows she’s being treated like an emotional punching bag and still keeps coming back because... what, he’s hot and emotionally unavailable? Girl, this is a walking red flag parade.
Miles—I get that he’s been through trauma, but his entire emotional arc reads like: “I’ll treat you like garbage until I decide I’m ready to be nice.” His healing depends not on his own growth, but on what his ex is doing with her life?? That’s not deep. That’s immature.
The side characters barely exist, and when they do, they’re either awkward or delivering lines that made me cringe ("huge balls"? really?).
Plot:
There isn’t really a plot—just a weird, unbalanced situationship where Tate agrees to a no-strings-attached deal with Miles... and then falls for him anyway while getting hurt over and over. The book jumps between present-day steamy encounters and a tragic past that’s supposed to explain Miles’ behavior, but instead just makes him look emotionally stunted and irresponsible. The pacing is off, the structure is messy, and the emotional payoff never comes.
Emotions:
If rage and secondhand embarrassment count as emotions, then sure, this book delivers. Otherwise? Flat. The love is not believable, the heartbreak is forced, and the chemistry feels manufactured. It’s like Hoover tried to write Fifty Shades of Sad Boys but forgot to add the reason to care.
Ending:
The ending is supposed to be redeeming, but by the time you get there, you’re too annoyed to care. It wraps up with a bow like everything’s fine now—but nothing was earned. It’s not emotional. It’s just... done, thankfully.
Final Thoughts:
Who should read this? Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe if you enjoy yelling at fictional characters for their bad life choices? Otherwise, skip this one. It’s not worth your time, energy, or brain cells.
🚫 Do not recommend. At all.