Ugly Love
Here's what we found in Ugly Love. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Ugly Love
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover is a contemporary romance novel categorized under New Adult fiction. The story centers on Tate Collins, a nursing student, and Miles Archer, an airline pilot, who enter into a purely physical relationship. Their arrangement is bound by two rules: never inquire about Miles's past and never expect a future, as Miles is emotionally unavailable due to a profound trauma. The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives, exploring the intense physical attraction between Tate and Miles while gradually revealing the heartbreaking secrets of Miles's past. This book is intended for mature readers, focusing on themes of complicated love, grief, healing, and the challenging journey of overcoming emotional scars. It delves into the messy realities of relationships, the duality of pleasure and pain, and the complexities of vulnerability, making it a compelling yet emotionally intense read.
Things to Consider
Violence
The book contains strong thematic elements of past violence and trauma, central to one of the main character's emotional struggles. This includes descriptions of a tragic car accident and the resultant deaths.
Miles Archer's past is characterized by a devastating car accident that led to the death of his infant child, Clayton, and his then-partner Rachel's parent. The story reveals a traumatic event from Miles's past that involved severe injuries, blood, and a drowning incident.
Romance and Sexual Content
The novel features frequent and explicit sexual content. The central relationship begins as a 'friends-with-benefits' arrangement, with detailed descriptions of intimate acts and suggestive language. The content is described as 'smutty' and 'R-rated' by some reviewers.
Scary & Intense Content
The novel features significant emotional intensity and explores themes of deep grief, trauma, and psychological distress, stemming from a tragic past event involving the death of a child and parent. This content can be highly impactful and upsetting.
Would these 3 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
18+ due to explicit sexual content, mature themes surrounding trauma and grief, and the depiction of unhealthy coping mechanisms and a toxic relationship dynamic.
Good to Know
Parents should be aware that 'Ugly Love' delves deeply into adult relationships marked by significant emotional baggage and trauma. The novel contains graphic sexual content and explores potentially unhealthy relationship dynamics. The plot's emotional intensity and the focus on unresolved grief and psychological struggles may be overwhelming for younger or less mature readers. The book is considered New Adult fiction, typically targeting readers aged 18-30.
What are you reading next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families