Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

I recently found out that Colleen Hoover is a prolific writer of New York Times bestsellers. I’d never read anything by her, so I bought one book, not realizing that she writes romance. (The title should have been a dead giveaway, but somehow I didn’t notice.) I used to read lots of romance when I was younger, but stopped a couple of decades ago, because, really, it’s pornography for women.

If you don’t want to get all hot and bothered, this is not the book for you.

That said, Ugly Love is very well-written, with fully developed characters, an engaging storyline, and a big secret that kept me reading. (Also, lots of graphic sex scenes.)

Tate has moved to San Francisco where she is studying (not sure exactly what, but it seems to be healthcare related) and working part time (in a hospital, doing something unspecified but which involves weekend rotations). Her brother Corbin says she can live with him until she can get her own place, but on the night when she arrives, the apartment door is blocked by a drunk guy trying to get in. Tate calls Corbin (who is a pilot and won’t be home until the morning), and it turns out this drunk is a neighbor and friend of Corbin’s, and he asks her to let him in, promising that he’s harmless.

The drunk guy is Miles, and after he sobers up, Miles and Tate discover they are very attracted to each other. Except Tate is way too busy for a relationship. And so is Miles, who is also a pilot, and often away from home for multiple days at a time. Miles’ personality is also an obstacle—he’s closed off and emotionally distant.

A few months later, Corbin invites Miles to travel to San Diego with him and Tate to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family. During the weekend, both Tate and Miles are painfully aware of their attraction. Miles insists he doesn’t want to date, doesn’t want to like anyone, certainly doesn’t want to fall in love. They come up with a compromise—they’ll have sex, but Miles makes Tate promise never to ask about his past or to think that they have a future together.  

The book is structured with chapters narrated in the present from Tate’s point of view, alternating with chapters narrated from Miles’ viewpoint six years ago. Little by little, we learn about the trauma Miles suffered that makes him incapable of commitment. Actually, when I finally knew his whole backstory, I didn’t think there could be a happy ending for these two. There are too many tragic interchanges, too many barriers to a healthy relationship.

However, there is a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming—and that’s all I’ll say, because I don’t want to spoil it for you.

The Atlas of Beauty: women of the world in 500 portraits by Mihaela Noroc

A friend of mine showed me breathtaking photographs on the Facebook page called The Atlas of Beauty. When I saw that there was a book of these photos, I checked it out, expecting it to be very expensive. It turns out the price is quite reasonable, so I bought it.

Noroc is a multilingual resident of Bucharest, Romania. She spent four years traveling through 50 countries to put together this project.

The photos are gorgeously composed and the subjects are diverse. Some of the women are supermodel beautiful; others exemplify inner beauty. Many wear traditional ethnic costumes.

The layouts are interesting as well, with satisfying juxtapositions. Some photos are accompanied with a story about the woman pictured; others with just the location.

Whether you love looking at attractive women or appreciate excellent portrait photography, you will enjoy this book.