“God gives us the ugliness so we don’t take the beautiful things in life for granted.”
Ugly Love is a 2014 contemporary romance book by acclaimed bestseller Colleen Hoover. It follows the story of Tate Collins and airline pilot Miles Archer, both are aware of the undeniable chemistry between them. At first, they appear to have found themselves an ideal set-up – he doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for it, leaving a no-strings-attached fling with just two rules: don’t ask about the past, and don’t expect a future. They both think they can handle it that way, but soon discover how wrong they are. If you love stories filled with gripping emotion, relatable characters and intense connections, join us at What We Reading for the best romance books like Ugly Love. These reads promise to deliver the perfect balance of passion, drama and romance, with just the right amount of laughs thrown in for good measure.
After The Rain – Renee Carlino
First up on our list of the best books like Ugly Love is After the Rain, a 2014 new adult romance novel by acclaimed author Renee Carlino. The bestselling author of Nowhere But Here and Sweet Thing introduces readers to Avelina Belo, a young woman who falls for a handsome cowboy under the lights of a rodeo show. She moves in with her new lover and settles for a new life in northern California but, after a freak accident, her hopes for the future are brought crashing down.
In the present, Nate Myers was a graduate of UCLA Medical School at the top of his class. However, following a malpractice suit, he retreats to his uncle’s Montana cattle ranch to rediscover himself. There, he encounters a woman named Avelina who begins to educate him on all things to do with the heart. After the Rain is a profound contemporary tale of second chances and the dreams of youth, perfect for any fans of Ugly Love.
Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1) – Lucy Score
Lucy Score’s Knockemout series kicks off with her 2022 romance book, Things We Never Got Over. Naomi is a runaway bride, desperate to escape her evil twin sister, Tina, and the town of Knockemout, Virginia, a town where disagreements are settled the old-fashioned way. She had only returned to help her sister out, only to be left stranded in the town with no car, no job, no plan and a smart-mouthed niece she never knew she had.
Bearded bad-boy Knox is not the type to get involved with high-maintenance women or complicated romances. But, when Naomi’s life implodes right in front of him, the very least he can do is help her get out of the mess she’s found herself in. At least, that’s the plan. That is until this mess turns into real danger. Like Ugly Love, Things We Never Got Over is a contemporary romance tale where a relationship built from chance and coincidence leads to something so much more.
After Perfect – Maan Gabriel
Just as her Filipino mother had always instructed, thirty-six-year-old Gabriella Stevens lives a quaint life as the dedicated housewife to Simon when, after sixteen years of marriage, he announces that he wants a divorce.
Despite the pair being best friends since childhood, Gabriella is determined to forge a new life for herself in New York City. And things begin to look up when she strikes up a connection with Colt, a creative writing professor seven years her junior with a past. Colt may be incapable of love, and Gabriella soon finds herself on a rollercoaster of emotions attempting to navigate the mysteries of his past and the complexities of their relationship together. If you love the secrets held by Miles in a book like Ugly Love, Maan Gabriel’s After Perfect is an absolute must-read!
The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners #1) – Christina Lauren
Set against the stunning backdrop of Maui, Hawaii, The Unhoneymooners is a vibrant 2019 romantic-comedy book by Christina Lauren. Offering a fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers trope through a fake relationship that winds up feeling real and authentic, it is the perfect book for any fans of Ugly Love.
Olive and Ethan are the two members of Olive’s sister’s wedding party who aren’t on the receiving end of a nasty bout of food poisoning, meaning they are the only ones able to make use of the all-expenses-paid honeymoon to Hawaii. They decide to put their mutual hatred for one another aside for the sake of a free holiday. But, after a chance encounter with Olive’s new boss, the pair are forced to masquerade as happy newlyweds, fresh from the altar and madly in love. Soon, however, pretending doesn’t seem to be so bad for either of them.
Archer’s Voice (Where Love Meets Destiny #1) – Mia Sheridan
Bree Prescott is in desperate need of some peace. She arrives in the sleepy lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, and feels like it could be the place she has been searching for. The first resident she bumps into is Archer Hale, a recluse with many secrets. When he was seven years old, a tragic accident left his voice box damaged.
Determined to break through the man’s barriers on the back of their initial meeting, Bree and Archer soon develop a close friendship. It’s a connection that soon leads to more intense feelings for Bree’s part. Like Ugly Love, Mia Sheridan’s book, Archer’s Voice, is a story of transformation, fate and a man with many secrets to uncover.
You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty – Akwaeke Emezi
It’s been five years since a tragic accident claimed the love of Feyi Adekola’s life, and she is determined to learn how to live again. Sharing an apartment with her best friend Joy, she is an artist with her studio and takes her first step back into the dating world at a rooftop party. This encounter leads to a whirlwind summer romance filled with celebrity chefs and tropical islands.
Yet, this romance is complicated by the forbidden figure in the house that Feyi cannot take her eyes off. Delivered with vivid and passionate storytelling, Akwaeke Emezi’s You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is an exploration of identity, honouring grief whilst embracing the future and how far individuals are willing to go for a second chance at love, perfect for any fans of Ugly Love.
The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception #1) – Elena Armas
The Spanish Love Deception is the Goodreads Choice Award-winning 2021 novel by Elena Armas. Catalina Martin desperately needs a date for her sister’s wedding. She has promised her family that her hotshot American boyfriend will be attending. The only problem is that he doesn’t exist.
With only four weeks to go until she crosses the Atlantic for the big day, Aaron Blackford, her tall, handsome and belittling colleague, surprisingly volunteers to step in for her. She’d rather refuse, but she has no choice but to accept. Gradually, however, she soon discovers that Aaron might not be as insufferable outside of the office as he is inside it. Like Ugly Love, The Spanish Love Deception aims how attraction can come from unexpected dimensions and is the perfect follow-up to Hoover’s book if you’re looking for something a bit more cutesy.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Spanish Love Deception
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
