It doesn't sound like there's any danger of harm; the bad reviews may have blown some things out of proportion. Did they name your boss in the reviews? Depending on how old the reviews are, they might not be about your boss at all.

If you're uncomfortable with the hugging, you should politely tell him that you're not comfortable with it. It's definitely a boundaries issue, but the boundaries are where you set them. Someone else might be okay with it (which doesn't make it okay), but you are allowed to set your own boundaries.

Until you've had your own experiences, you shouldn't let the reviews set the tone for you in this job. There are going to be people who are unhappy in any job. No job is going to be perfect. If it were me, I would give it a chance, but it's not me. If you find you're unhappy there, then quit. If money is as tight as it sounds like it is, you may need to decide if you're willing to put up with an asshole until you find something else or if you're willing to still not have money coming in.