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I really wanted to like this book.
When I picked up Beautiful Ugly, the premise immediately pulled me in. It sounded like one of those psychological thrillers that would linger in your head—unsettling, layered, and a little unsettling in a smart way. And honestly? The idea is good. I don’t regret reading it, and I can see why it works for some readers.
But for me, it landed at about a 2 out of 5.
Here’s why.
What I Expected
Based on the setup and the author’s reputation, I expected a tense, character-driven thriller where the psychology mattered as much as the twists. I was ready for morally gray characters, but I still expected to feel invested in the narrator—even if I didn’t agree with them.
The Reality
My biggest issue was simple but hard to overcome: I did not like the main character.
And I don’t mean “they’re flawed but fascinating.” I mean I actively disliked being inside their head. Since the story is driven by that narrator, it made the entire reading experience harder for me to enjoy. I kept wanting emotional distance from a character I couldn’t escape.
That said, the book wasn’t bad. The premise stayed interesting, and I was genuinely surprised by the twist at the end. It made me pause and think—which I always appreciate. But by that point, the main character had already left a bad taste in my mouth, and it colored how I felt about everything else.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those books where I can say:
- I don’t regret reading it
- I understand why others might enjoy it
- But it just didn’t work for me
If you tend to enjoy unlikable narrators and don’t need to emotionally connect with the main character, you might have a very different experience. For me, that connection matters—and without it, the story never fully clicked.
My rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
Interesting premise. Surprising twist. But the narrator ultimately ruined the experience for me.
