REVIEW- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

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 the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

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.

BFF Duo Review BFF A & BFF K

A’s initial reaction:

Have you heard the song “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Bryce?

“I don’t dance, But here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It Ain’t my style, but I don’t care
I’d do anything with you anywhere
Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand
Cause, I don’t dance”

This lyrics fit perfectly with this book, because I don’t cry. Well, I do cry, just not when I read. I have never been one to have tears running down my face when a book is in my hand. BFF K is sure I have a heart of stone because books we both read, she will be sobbing. Me on the other hand, maybe misty eyed or a single tear, but that’s it…until, Ugly Love beautifully written by Colleen Hoover. She wrote this book, had me in the palm of her hand and I cried. No, I sobbed.

Hearing the title Ugly Love, I thought, how can love be ugly? Isn’t love supposed to be wonderful? Full of hearts, cupid, romance, and lust? Ugly Love is absolutely perfect because it describes the most gut wrenching kind of love. Love that is mean, it hurts, it’s scary, it will rip your heart to shreds, but in the end, put it all back together, deepest kind of love. Colleen has a way of pulling you in, completely immersing you in the story to the point I didn’t care what my family was doing, or the fact that I stayed up most of the night to finish it in one day- what a book hangover that was!

K’s initial reaction:

If you’re like me and you’re scared to read this, don’t worry…You’ve got this!

I read so many reviews and comments about how much this book tore people’s hearts out. But, what they all forgot to say is that it is so beautifully written and lovely that it glues the pieces back together tighter than ever. It’s amazing and lovely and actually full of hope and wonderful-ness.

Are you like me and you’ve been a big chicken to start (or finish) this book? Get over yourself. Stop being a baby. Do it. Start now and don’t stop until the absolutely perfect, amazing, phenomenal conclusion.

This is the kind of book that will make you want to shout from the rooftops (and EVERY social media platform) to make sure no one misses out on this story.

Colleen Hoover is a freaking genius.

More About the Author:

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest.
Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting.
Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, released August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she’s losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

BFF K’s Review

Slammed is another Colleen Hoover masterpiece! I was pulled through the book from one angst filled situation to another. The book literally gave me butterflies, like the High School crush kind of butterflies, from beginning to end. Will and Lake are one of my very favorite book couples. Their devotion to their families was inspiring and my heart was heavy at the burdens they both shouldered from such a young age. But, all of those things make them rich and wonderful characters and you will care desperately about how their story ends!

More About the Author:

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

REVIEW – Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher

When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat…and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free.

BFF Duo Review BFF A & BFF K

K’s Initial Reaction:

Have you ever been at a restaurant, taken a bite of your meal and then said, ‘you’ve got to taste this’? You probably do this if the dish is amazing, or horrible, or indescribable. That’s how I feel after finishing Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher. I think I love it, but I’m not sure, and you’ve GOT to try it! I’ve described it as similar to Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, but more gut wrenching. I spent so much of the book trying to figure out who kidnapped Senna and Isaac and when that mystery was solved I sailed through the rest too quickly. I just had to know how it ended. And then I was traumatized, but in the way that only the very best books can make your heart hurt! In my opinion, grab the tissues, the ending is a tear jerker.

A’s Initial Reaction:

The plot had my mind racing from beginning to end. I flipped through each page, trying to think one step ahead and figure out the mystery only to be blown away when it was all uncovered. I was exhausted after reading Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher and needed to take a vacation. Partially because the plot wore me out, partially because I stayed up way past my bedtime to continue reading. Once I recovered from this book’s hangover, it was quickly added to my all time Bestie list.

The story is complex, the characters are beautifully written and the story sucks you in from beginning to end. It’s the kind of story that will have you insisting your family eat pop tarts for lunch and drink CapriSun (because they can get those things themselves without your help!)

Honestly, we had put off starting this book, but when Colleen Hoover makes a recommendation, you just have to go with it. We’re so happy that we put it on the TBR list. And, be sure to check out the soul stirring play list on Spotify!

When it was all over, here’s what K sent to A:

K to A: I don’t know if that was one of the best books I’ve ever read or one of the worst.

We may be conflicted, but it is still a 5 overall!

More About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher is cooler than you, but not one to rub it in your face. She sleeps little, reads a lot and is an emotional slave to Starbucks. She is a lover of human nature and tells stories in which the darkest parts of human nature reside. Her heart is dark, but she loves you with it. Currently she lives in Washington with her family.

visit her website at http://www.tarrynfisher.com

Or she’s on Instagram and Facebook @Tarrynfisher!