My first thought was.. I'm guna hate you book. Then I read some more. I'm not guna hate you book. In fact I'm guna love you book.
Well, here it is. This momMy first thought was.. I'm guna hate you book. Then I read some more. I'm not guna hate you book. In fact I'm guna love you book.
Well, here it is. This moment is huge. This will mark A) my favorite Colleen Hoover book to date and B) My first absolutely without-a-doubt 5 star rating for one of her stories. This is by far the most nervous I've been going into a CoHo book and undoubtedly the most controversial story and writing style by her ever....and whadya know-I loved it. I've always had this quirky side to me that goes along the path less traveled by and more often than not, this off the wall style of mine shines through the most when reading Hoover's works. Everyone tends to call Hoover their 'go-to author' or the author they don't believe can ever write a bad book or they believe she writes beautiful stories with heart-wrenching messages that teach us something about ourselves-well, not me. I haven't loved any one of her books like everyone else does. They are good, sure. But they don't move me. They never have. But with Ugly? I adored it. I don't know if it was because it wasn't trying to be so perfect or if it's because of the amazing, broken Miles, but this one worked for me where her others didn't.
A kiss is so much easier than what we're doing. When you kiss, you can close your eyes. You can kiss away the thoughts. You can kiss away the pain, the doubt, the shame. When you close your eyes and kiss, you protect yourself from the vulnerability. This isn't us protecting ourselves.
Miles. Miles Miles Miles. Miles was this story. Miles is this story. I adored Miles. From his quiet persona to his broken past I l-o-v-e-d him. He wasn't your typical moody, broody lead, he didn't promise Tate a future, he was completely up front about the fact he could never love Tate, and he made so many mistakes I can't even count. Or did he? I think he got a little victimized because he clearly, clearly was falling for Tate early on, but yet wouldn't admit he loved her and continued to treat them as a casual thing...but he was very up front about that from day one and never deterred. But day after day his barrier would crack-he was never not kind and he always treated her so sweetly...but then she'd say something or look at him with love in her eyes as if he was the world, then the clouded look in his eyes and his icy persona would resurface and he would close down again into that quiet, impenetrable and unreadable Miles...The Miles I fell in love with.
It's as if pieces of the guy he used to be bleed over into the guy he's trying to be.
Tate. Sorry-but I loved her. That's not a popular opinion, but it doesn't make it any less true for me. I think that many people viewed her as a doormat, but in so many ways, from when she first meets Miles to their first kiss, I see so much of myself in her. So many phrases and thoughts and admissions go through her head that are quite familiar to me and my justification of things. In one moment, I felt so like her it was uncanny: I wad it up in my hands and throw it toward the kitchen, completely pissed off. I'm pissed because I already know I'll be going with him. I don't know how not to. I LOVED this quote/moment because it felt like one I've lived through numerous times. It happens. We fall for people that don't want the same things as us and I found that relatable too. Way too relatable. The only thing Tate is guilty of is being a little naive and falling for someone forbidden to her way of life-it's common, it's tough, and it's extremely hard to get past. So, all in all? I loved Tate. She was as strong as she could be and, sure, she had some corny inner monologue at times, but it never bothered me. She was flawed, just like Miles, and she made mistakes (just like the rest of us), just like Miles.
I love being with him but hate myself more and more with each new lie that passes my lips.
More than just the characters, though-It was HOT. It was SEXY. It was STEAMY. I could. Not. Get. Enough. of the sex and the intimate moments Tate and Miles shared. Every kiss effected me, every stolen moment was tantalizing. One thing I have always been able to give Hoover credit for were her steamy scenes-but, and this is a HUGE but, this is by far her hottest, most intense sex-filled book to date and it reached me deeper than any of her other works have. I could feel each sexual encounter to the bottom of my core and when I put the book down it was all I thought about-this book may have centered quite a bit around the physical aspects of their relationship, but it also viewed the subtle moments where they were connecting on a deeper emotional level and finding themselves falling for one another during every day activities-and it worked. I never once rolled my eyes and I still found myself daydreaming about Miles all day while I attempted to work.
It's a race. It's Miles and me against everything else. Were racing our consciences, our pride, our respect, the truth. He's trying to get inside me before any of the rest of that stuff catches up to us. As soon as he's back on the bed, he's over me, against me, then inside me. We win.
There are so many things I want to say about this story, but I think I'll start with the writing. So many people disliked the writing in this one and I can see where people might feel the flow was fractured by the choppy sentencing and poetic style of paragraphs, but hasn't Hoover always had an odd way of presenting her stories to us? In fact, one of the reasons I've NEVER liked her writing all that much is because of the focus on songs and poems and various other forms of art....but in this one? I don't know, it kind of went with the story and what was going on. It helped drag us through what was in the past and what was in the present. It was clear to me, as a reader, that when I got to Miles' chapters, they were going to be in the past and it was going to be written differently. I actually started to enjoy it-it's like it helped differentiate what was happening and what had already happened-there was no room to mistake we were in Mile's troubled past, and I liked that distinction. But I do get why people didn't quite respond to it.
He tightens his grip on my neck...and then he kills me. Or he kisses me. I can't tell which, since I'm pretty sure they would feel the same. His lips against mine feel like everything. Like living and dying and being reborn, all at the same time. Good Lord. He's kissing me.
One of the other problems people had was the lack of side story (Love you, Tris)-But, see, I loved that. I loved that it focused on these two. Maybe that's why I didn't like her other books as much-maybe for Hoover and I to work, that overly dramatic main story and extra (also) overly dramatic side story need to take a seat in the back...because nine times out of ten, they make me cringe. It's just too much. So, when I realized there wasn't an extra load of drama on the side, I got really excited. Apparently, when it comes to CoHo's writing, less is more, and this story delivered-there wasn't near as much drama and there was just the right amount of angst....and I can't stop thinking about it.
...I have no idea how I manage to concentrate, because the only thing I can think about is the look that crossed Mile's face right before he closed the door. I could tell I hurt him. That makes us even now, I guess.
The one and only thing that annoyed me was Rachel. I can't say why. I can't say how. But at a certain point in the story, she royally pissed me off. Thank GOD it didn't sway my love for the book...but it was close. If you want to know why, it's in the spoiler-(view spoiler)[-There is a certain chapter that switches to her POV near the end of the story. It not only pissed me off, it disgusted me. She blame(ed)s Miles FOR EVERYTHING. She is the reason he is so broken. She is the reason he won't let love in. She is the reason he cries and feels so alone-she ruined him. She destroyed him. (hide spoiler)] And it makes me hurt. Makes me hurt FOR him. So, when I had to read (view spoiler)[a chapter about her forgiveness, it made me see red. (hide spoiler)] That's all I will say about THAT.
I love the way he groans when our bodies join together. Guys usually tend to hold back their sounds more than girls do. Not Miles. Miles wants me, and he wants me to know it, and I love that. God, I love that.
So....I'm pleased to say I am the black sheep on this one (not at all surprising these days, it seems). I loved this book that is wholly controversial. I loved that Miles was a jealous, possessive, closed off ass. I loved Tate with her fragile heart and their stolen moments. I loved it all. So, if one singular plot is enough for you, if you don't mind a completely crazy way of writing, if you can keep an open mind long enough to fall for the beautiful, fractured Miles, then give this one a shot-you will NOT regret it.
*It's funny how time makes you forget how important a book is to you. I've never forgotten my darling St. Clair, but I did forget how deeply I loved t*It's funny how time makes you forget how important a book is to you. I've never forgotten my darling St. Clair, but I did forget how deeply I loved this story. And I'm not saying it's perfect-it's not-but, for whatever reason, this still remains one of my absolute favorite books of all time. I don't know why the other two didn't do it for me, but I will always owe Ms. Perkins EVERYTHING for writing such a beautiful story that captured my heart from the beginning. Anna is the BEST. And St. Clair?? Well...I think we all know how I feel about my baby. I already can't wait to read this again. ♥
'I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.'
Wow. Well that, my absolutely beautiful friends, was YA at it's finest. Gorgeous storytelling, undeniably addictive characters, and falling in love in the city of light? What could possibly be wrong with this story? Let me tell you what was wrong with this book: Nothing. Not one thing. I, for the first time in a LONG time, have nothing negative to say about a book. I loved it. I devoured it. I longed for it when I put it down, and I picked it back up to re-read my favorite parts (turns out? There were a lot of favorite parts) even after I'd finished. Is that a little crazy? Maybe. Does it make me a little obsessed? Kind of. But, in all fairness, I've never claimed I was sane, especially when I find a book that touches me as deeply as Anna and the French Kiss did.
The grapes are smaller than I'm used to, and the skin is slightly textured. Is that dirt? I dip my napkin in water and dab at the tiny purple globes. It helps, but they're still sort of rough. Hmm. St. Clair and Meredith stop talking. I glance up to find them staring at me in matching bemusement. "What?" "Nothing," he says. "Continue your grape bath." "They were dirty."
Ya know, I often repeat myself in different reviews, and it doesn't escape my attention that I do. But, if it's not broken, why fix it?? There are so many things in this book that should have turned me off-for instance, traveling to Paris. Hey, I hate traveling books. I do. But, from page one on, she was already there. Thank God. The main character's love interest wasn't fully American. Now, this one's a gray area. I really don't like characters with accents for whatever reason, and I think it stems from my lack of conjuring up a dude who matches the accent in my head. I'm so so so bad at that. But, St. Clair was amazing, and I never once faltered because he was an adorable British speaking French American. And that's what I loved so much about this book-I loved it because of those qualities. How the hell does that happen???
Alone. I don't understand why he couldn't send me to Australia or Ireland or anywhere else where English is the native language. The only French word I know is oui, which means "yes," and only recently did I learn it's spelled o-u-i and not w-e-e.
Now, Anna? She's like my soul sister. Okay, okay. Not my soul sister, you know, because she makes fun of St. Clair and his love for the bookies, and it's not nice to make fun of people who read books. But she's damn close. She loves the movies (um, not enough people do, thank you)-she goes like...every night to see a film! I would SO do that if I could or had the time. Even all her mannerisms remind me of how I'd be in a foreign city where I know absolutely no one and am confused by the language. It was adorable to see her stuttering about and trying to figure out how to order food. The funniest thing is how her friends St. Clair heckles her about it. It's so adorable. She literally barely ate because she didn't want to butcher the menu item she was ordering, and that is totally something I'd do-I get so flustered and embarrassed and stop trying to do what I'm doing if I feel I'm making a spectacle. Oh, and she loves St. Clair. Hey! Me too!
"Merci," I say. "De rien. You're welcome. And I 'ope you don't skeep meals to avoid me anymore!" He places his hand on his chest, as if brokenhearted. I smile and shake my head no. I can do this. I can do this. I can- "NOW THAT WASN'T SO TERRIBLE, WAS IT, ANNA?" St. Clair hollers from the other side of the cafeteria. I spin around and give him the finger down low, hoping Monsieur Boutin can't see. St. Clair responds by grinning and giving me the British version, the V-sign with his first two fingers. Monsieur Boutin tuts behind me with good nature. I pay for the meal and take the seat next to St. Clair. "Thanks. I forgot how to flip off the English. I'll use the correct hand gesture next time." "My pleasure. Always happy to educate."
Er. Mah. Gherd. St. Clair. What do I say about him?? He was my absolute favorite character. He was funny, sweet, loyal, charismatic, kind, swoony, and head over heels for Anna. It was adorable when he would flirt with her in classes or when they were all hanging out. It was butterfly inducing when he got jealous as a guy showed Anna any special attention or when she reminisced about the guy back home she had a crush on. He defends her when anyone even looks at her funny, but never ceases to tease her himself-Subtle little signs showed how they felt about one another, even more him than her. They quickly become best friends who know more about each other than anyone else possibly could, making them the closest of the group. But we all know how that goes when love takes a back seat to 'best friendship'....*squeals in delight*
What am I going to do? I'm in love with my new best friend.
Oh....but the only problem is, he has a girlfriend. What would you do if you met the love of your life and he was with someone else? How would that make you feel? How would you handle it? I really thought, despite the fact that I do not condone cheating, that this scenario was written beautifully. Or perhaps it was more...strategic. However you interpreted it, it doesn't change how amazing it made me feel. It wasn't skeevy, it wasn't icky, and it was done so tastefully. Hell, I really don't even need to defend anything because nothing happened. Though...there was this sexy, sexy club scene that made me fifty kinds of excited....Enough happened that, had I been his girlfriend, I'd have seen red-let's say it that way.
Focus. "Do you like it?" I whisper. He pauses. "The film?" I'm thankful the shadows hide my blush. "I like it very much," he says. I risk a glance, and St. Clair stares back. Deeply. He has not looked at me like this before. I turn away first, then feel him turn a few beats later. I know he is smiling, and my heart races.
I saw that some people got annoyed at how she talked about her guy back home quite a bit and it put them off, but I don't understand why. I mean, duh she's in love with St. Clair, we know this, but, as I said before-he's taken. No amount of flirting will change that. I think my point is, isn't it good that, while she secretly pines for St. Clair, she tries to keep her head steady by thinking of good 'ol Sideburns? I dunno. I thought this just added another intricate layer to an already adorable story.
"No one special?" Matt smiles and glances at me through the rearview mirror. I'm not sure why, but I forgot he has brown eyes. Why do they make some people look amazing and others completely average? It's the same with brown hair. Statistically speaking, St. Clair and Matt are quite similar. Eyes: Brown. Hair: Brown. Race: Caucasian. There's a significant difference in height, but still. It's like comparing a gourmet truffle to a Mr. Goodbar. I think about the gourmet truffle. And his girlfriend. "Not exactly."
I'm sitting here writing this review and I can hardly think of anything to say. Even now I'm giddy, breathless, excited and all kinds of wound up. I wish I could just curl up in a ball and re-read this immediately and seclude myself in the backroom at my house...but my obsession needs to fizzle and even out, because this fangirldom is a bit much more than even I, myself, can take.
I fantasize about their breakup. How he could hurt her, and she could hurt him, and all of the ways I could hurt her back. I want to grab her Parisian-styled hair and yank it so hard it rips from her skull. I want to sink my claws into her eyeballs and scrape. It turns out I am not a nice person. (Lmao, I love this quote. Turns out? I'm not that nice either. You go, Anna :P)
Well, I wish I could list all my favorite parts, but I won't. It would ruin all the little surprises and I want people to love this book because of the little gems it randomly and sufficiently produces. But, I have to say one: (view spoiler)[He was wishing for her every time. Every. Single. Time.-if you read, you know what I'm talking about. (hide spoiler)] Ugh. And his pinky nail and thumb nail chewing. Sigh. So cute.
Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place? Bridgette used to be home to me. Maybe St. Clair is my new home.
I put this book off for years. Flippin' YEARS. All because of that blurb, combined with the foreign element, combined with that god-awful cover (I know, sue me). Don't make the same mistake. This book is light as air, fresh, funny, sweet, and so so worth it. Don't waste another minute skipping over it-I almost missed out on one of my new favorites that I know I'll read over and over and over again, no matter my age, what's going on in my life, and what my current reading preferences are-it's that kind of book for me.
Chelsea ✨Arielle’s Nebular Ally and Team Acrux✨
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