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Book Review: “It Ends With Us” – Colleen Hoover

December 5, 2023

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened

Book review: It ends with us- Colleen Hanover Book review

Book Review: “ It Ends With Us ” – Colleen Hoover (Romance Books By Colleen Hoover)

Discovering “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover on BookTok was like stumbling upon a hidden literary gem. The enthusiastic recommendations and passionate discussions about the book on the platform created an irresistible allure. Intrigued by the fervor surrounding it, I couldn’t resist the temptation and decided to dive into the novel. From the very first page, I was captivated by Hoover’s storytelling prowess. The emotional depth, the raw authenticity of the characters, and the exploration of complex themes resonated with me on a profound level. It was a reading experience that went beyond expectations, leaving me utterly blown away by the power of the narrative and reaffirming the magic of stumbling upon a book that touches the soul in unexpected ways.

In “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover, the story revolves around Lily Bloom, a young woman with a traumatic past who, despite her best efforts to build a new life, finds herself entangled in a tumultuous relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. The narrative unfolds in layers, revealing Lily’s personal struggles, her resilience, and the complex dynamics of her relationship with Ryle. As the plot progresses, the novel addresses heavy themes, particularly domestic violence, shedding light on the impact of such issues on individuals. The story becomes a poignant exploration of love’s complexities, forcing Lily to confront difficult decisions and challenging her understanding of what it means to truly stand up for oneself. With unexpected twists and emotional depth, the novel takes readers on a journey that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of romance, offering a profound exploration of human resilience, personal growth, and the intricacies of love.

In “It Ends with Us,” Colleen Hoover skillfully crafts a narrative that stands out for its emotional depth. The novel delves into the intricacies of love, handling challenging subjects with a rare sensitivity and nuanced approach. One of the highlights is the significant character development, especially that of Lily Bloom, whose growth adds layers of complexity to the unfolding story. Hoover masterfully explores various types of relationships, offering a realistic portrayal of their challenges and nuances. The engaging writing style further enhances the reading experience, with Hoover’s prose drawing readers into the narrative effortlessly. The book also addresses thought-provoking themes, such as domestic violence and personal strength, prompting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Amidst all these elements, the well-paced plot emerges as a page-turner, seamlessly blending romance and personal struggles to create a compelling and unforgettable tale that captivates readers from beginning to end.

The novel grapples with weighty themes that could be distressing for certain readers, particularly due to its intense depiction of domestic violence. For those seeking a lighter reading experience, the emotional challenges presented in the narrative might prove overwhelming. While the story is undeniably engaging, some readers may find certain plot twists predictable. However, the true strength of the novel lies more in the profound emotional journey it unfolds rather than in surprising twists. The impact of the story is highly subjective, varying based on individual experiences and perspectives. Some readers may deeply resonate with the themes, connecting on a personal level, while others may find them too intense or triggering. Additionally, for those inclined towards a more traditional or lighter romance, the novel’s emphasis on emotional exploration may overshadow the romantic elements, potentially influencing their overall reading experience.

Book Review and Rating:

In conclusion, “It Ends with Us” stands out as a powerful exploration of love and personal strength. Its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of relationships contribute to a captivating narrative. While some may find the themes intense, the novel’s thought-provoking nature and engaging writing make it a worthwhile read for those seeking a contemporary romance with substance.

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It ends with us, book 1.

The title in large pink letters with broken and smashed pink lily petals spreading from a green stem.

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 8 Reviews
Kids Say 38 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Mature, uneven, steamy romance takes on tough issues.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Detailed, erotic descriptions of adults having sex mention genital and manual pe

Witnessing physical abuse throughout childhood is a strong theme. The narrator d

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--k," "dammit," "bitch," "whore," "asshole," "boobs,"

Adults occasionally drink wine and beer, not to excess but mild drunken behavior

Rare, incidental mentions of consumer products, usually to establish character.

Any Positive Content?

Breaking a familiar cycle is very difficult; it's much easier and less scary to

Lily is a model of compassion, perseverance, and empathy. She helps a schoolmate

All characters read as cisgender, heteronormative, able bodied, neurotypical, an

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Detailed, erotic descriptions of adults having sex mention genital and manual penetration, manual stimulation, thrusting, tremors, entering, pulling out, moaning, biting, tremors, jerking with release, a tongue on a breast, and detailed descriptions of kissing with tongue and caressing. Teen sex in the past is described vaguely with kissing and breathing. Characters talk and think a lot about romance and having sex. Condom use is mentioned once. Sex is used to intimidate when a man arouses a woman by penetrating her with his fingers and while doing so pulling hard on her hair, squeezing her throat, and asking her questions out of jealousy.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Witnessing physical abuse throughout childhood is a strong theme. The narrator describes her father slapping, choking, attempting to rape, and knocking her mother to the floor. She also hears him beating a friend with a baseball bat and the sound of bones breaking. In the present the narrator is pushed down stairs, head butted, bitten, nearly raped, hit, and knocked down by her husband. Blood, pain, and fear are described without being gory. Mention of past suicidal thoughts and holding a razor to a wrist. A character reveals scars on the arms from receiving cigarette burns. Past instances of children accidentally shooting and killing a sibling. Sex is used to intimidate when a man arouses a woman by penetrating her with his fingers and while doing so pulling hard on her hair, squeezing her throat, and asking her questions out of jealousy.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--k," "dammit," "bitch," "whore," "asshole," "boobs," "crap," "Jesus," "Jesus Christ," and "holy hell."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults occasionally drink wine and beer, not to excess but mild drunken behavior is shown. A few times drinking hard liquor or drinking to excess happen and result in violence. A character smokes marijuana once.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Positive messages.

Breaking a familiar cycle is very difficult; it's much easier and less scary to stay in the cycle you know, even if you know it's not a good one. Instead of wondering why women stay in abusive relationships, we should wonder why men are abusive. Character isn't the mistakes you make, because everybody makes them; character is taking your mistakes and turning them into lessons, not excuses. There's no such thing as bad people; we're all just people who sometimes do bad things.

Positive Role Models

Lily is a model of compassion , perseverance , and empathy . She helps a schoolmate who doesn't have a place to live by giving him food, clothing, and shelter and doesn't judge him by his housing situation. She understands how other people feel and becomes better and putting herself in others' shoes. She works hard to achieve her dream and doesn't give up even when it's hard. Atlas is a good model of humility and integrity . Once he becomes successful he doesn't brag or make a big deal about it, he just keeps doing what he loves. He's very patient with Lily and never pressures her or acts inappropriately when she's not romantically available.

Diverse Representations

All characters read as cisgender, heteronormative, able bodied, neurotypical, and White. One minor character is gay.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that It Ends With Us is a contemporary romance by popular author Colleen Hoover, who has attracted a lot of attention from book influencers on TikTok . This adult book (which was adapted into a movie in 2024) isn't marketed to teens, there's a lot of teen appeal here, not just in the sexy stuff but also in the extended passages from the narrator's high school diary. Sexual content includes erotic and specific descriptions of sex between adults including genital and manual penetration, manual stimulation, thrusting, tremors, entering, pulling out, jerking with release, and more. Sex in the past between teens is described vaguely mentioning only kissing and breathing. Domestic violence is a very strong theme, with the narrator remembering growing up seeing her father hit and abuse her mother many times, including almost raping her mother once. As an adult the narrator experiences abuse at the hands of her husband like being pushed down stairs, pushed or knocked against hard surfaces, and needing stitches after being head-butted. Sexual stimulation is used to intimidate by being threatening while causing sexual arousal. A past thought of suicide mentions holding a razor to a wrist. A character shows arms scarred with marks from cigarette burns. Strong language includes "s--t," "c--k," "d--k," and "f--k." A character smokes marijuana once. Adults drink beer and wine with some tipsiness shown. Excess drinking and drinking hard liquor are always followed by violence. An author's note at the end lists a resource for victims of domestic violence and a link to resources for people who are unhoused.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

Parents say (8)
Kids say (38)

Based on 8 parent reviews

Worst book I’ve ever read

What's the story.

IT ENDS WITH US tells the story of Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old who recently moved to Boston after graduating college. One night she meets Ryle, a handsome 30-year-old who's almost completed his neurosurgery residency. As Lily is getting to know Ryle and trying to figure out her feelings for him, she's also trying to understand her past and find the courage to pursue her dream by reading the diary she kept when she was 15, in high school, falling in love for the first time, and bearing witness to her father's physical abuse of her mother. When she coincidentally runs into her first love again, a lot of feelings come back to the surface. Feelings that threaten everything Lily is building with Ryle.

Is It Any Good?

The writing in this contemporary romance is a bit uneven, with corny, overused phrases and predictable cliches. Author Colleen Hoover is at her strongest, though, in the diary entries the narrator reads from when she was 15 years old. They add a lot of emotional honesty to It Ends With Us , and make narrator Lily easy to understand and root for.

Of course the sexy stuff has built-in appeal, but teens will also enjoy imaging what their own lives might become after high school. And the author's honest treatment of tough subjects like being unhoused and domestic violence will foster empathy and understanding, and add depth to what would otherwise be a pretty standard romance novel.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the sexy stuff in It Ends With Us . Is it too much? How much is OK in books and other media? Is it a big deal?

What about the violence? Domestic violence is a difficult subject. Does the author handle it well? Did you learn anything about it? Check the author's note in the back if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.

Was there anything about Atlas' housing situation as a teen that surprised you? How does being 18 and still in high school make it harder for him to find help?

How is Lily a model of compassion , perseverance , and empathy ? How is Atlas is a good model of humility and integrity ? Why are these important character strengths?

Book Details

Author : Colleen Hoover
Genre : Romance
Topics : Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , High School
Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Atria
Publication date : August 2, 2016
Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
Number of pages : 384
Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), iBooks, Kindle
Last updated : November 8, 2022

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

By Yasi Agah Posted on 9.9.21

CW: domestic abuse

Have you ever witnessed your friend or family member in a toxic relationship? Have you yourself ever been in a toxic relationship? To an outside perspective it seems impossible why anyone would ever stay in an unhealthy relationship. But to the person inside the relationship…it’s not that easy. In this story, Lily Bloom (yes, that is her adorable name) is a free-spirited Maine native with a seemingly normal life…until she meets Ryle.

After she graduates with a business degree from college, she moves to Boston and decides that she wants to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop (Yes. You read that correctly. Again – adorable). When she moves to Boston she meets a mysterious man, Ryle Kincaid, a smooth-talking neurosurgeon with a sprinkle of mystery. Lily and Ryle hit it off with a flirtatious rooftop encounter and have an immediate connection – Lily thinks that she’ll never see him again but she has no idea what’s in store. Ryle turns out to be the love of her life and she can see a future with him. However, a wrench gets thrown into her life when a past flame and her first true love, Atlas, comes back into her life. On the outside, Lily’s life seems amazing. She has a beautiful doctor boyfriend, has an incredible career and is living out her dreams. But on the inside, there’s much more to the story. Check out Colleen Hoover’s thrilling romance novel, It Ends With Us , for a story about how love doesn’t always turn out the way you think.

AH. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entireee time. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, going back and forth between the men in Lily’s life and constantly thinking – why doesn’t she leave if she isn’t happy? I won’t give away any spoilers but there is a heavy theme of domestic abuse throughout this book and helps show the internal debate that women have when they’re in a toxic relationship. It’s extremely easy to see someone in an abusive relationship and think “why doesn’t she leave already?” but it’s truly not that simple.

Based on true events from the author’s life, this book outlines the terrifying cycle of domestic abuse and the effects it can have on women for generations to come. It Ends With Us is an eye-opening and suspenseful story that shows how all consuming and catastrophic domestic abuse can become. This book showed me the insider’s perspective to a terrifying situation and the rationale that women use to stay in unhealthy relationships – it is never as easy as it seems. There were many moments throughout this book that left me teary eyed and I wouldn’t be surprised if it did the same for you. It’s a binge read that somehow breaks your heart and then puts it back together. If you know someone who has experienced domestic abuse and needs help, please check out the resources at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Here is their website https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/ and you can call 800.799.SAFE (7233).

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About the Book

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of IT STARTS WITH US and ALL YOUR PERFECTS, a “brave and heartbreaking novel that digs its claws into you and doesn’t let go, long after you’ve finished it” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author) about a workaholic with a too-good-to-be-true romance can’t stop thinking about her first love.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up --- she graduated from college, moved to Boston and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan --- her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

An honest, evocative and tender novel, IT ENDS WITH US is “a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down” ( USA TODAY ).

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Genres: Fiction , Romance , Women's Fiction
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Atria Books
ISBN-10: 1501110365
ISBN-13: 9781501110368

The Crimson Books

It Ends with Us Review (2016): Unveiling the Irresistible Impact

In this comprehensive ‘It Ends with Us’ review, we delve into the enthralling narrative crafted by Colleen Hoover. Join us as we explore the emotional depth, thought-provoking themes, and the profound impact of this remarkable novel.

‘It Ends with Us’ by Colleen Hoover has taken the literary world by storm with its poignant story and unforgettable characters. In this review, we uncover the reasons behind its widespread acclaim and its ability to resonate with readers worldwide.

One of the most striking aspects of ‘It Ends with Us’ is its ability to address sensitive topics with compassion and authenticity. Colleen Hoover masterfully navigates themes of love, loss, and personal growth, leaving readers with a profound understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

The characters in ‘It Ends with Us’ are richly developed, each with their own unique struggles and vulnerabilities. Through the protagonist’s journey, Hoover presents a thought-provoking exploration of the intricacies of domestic abuse and its impact on individuals and families.

Hoover’s writing style is both eloquent and captivating, drawing readers into the story from the very first page. The narrative unfolds with a perfect balance of heart-wrenching moments and hopeful glimpses, keeping readers emotionally invested until the very end.

‘It Ends with Us’ is not just a novel; it is a call to action. By shedding light on important social issues, Hoover encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and make a positive change. This thought-provoking book has the power to spark conversations and inspire empathy, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a transformative reading experience.

In conclusion, ‘It Ends with Us’ is a gripping and emotionally-charged novel that leaves a lasting impact on its readers. Colleen Hoover’s powerful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make it a standout work in contemporary fiction.

Whether you’re a fan of romance, drama, or thought-provoking narratives, this book is sure to captivate and resonate with you long after the final page.

It Ends with Us Buying Options:

Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, The Crimson Books may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

About the Author

Emma Thompson is a passionate bookworm with a deep appreciation for literature across various genres. With a degree in English Literature, she has a keen eye for analyzing and dissecting the intricacies of a book’s themes and writing style.

Emma has been an active reviewer for over five years, sharing her insights and recommendations with fellow readers.

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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Summary and Review – What’s this book all about?

23 Feb It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Summary and Review – What’s this book all about?

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Lily Bloom, the protagonist of “It Ends With Us,” navigates the turbulent waters of love and relationships against the backdrop of her traumatic past. Lily grows up witnessing domestic abuse in her family, which shapes her views on love and relationships. As an adult, she moves to Boston and starts her own business, a flower shop. There, she meets Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon with a strict no-dating rule. However, their intense attraction leads to a passionate relationship.

The narrative weaves between Lily’s past and present. In her teenage years, Lily forms a deep connection with Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she finds living in a vacant house next to hers. Their relationship is marked by innocence and understanding, providing Lily with a sense of hope and love.

As Lily’s relationship with Ryle intensifies, she finds herself confronting the realities of her past. Ryle’s unexpected violent outbursts reveal a pattern of behavior that mirrors the domestic abuse Lily witnessed as a child. Torn between her love for Ryle and her desire to not repeat her mother’s life, Lily faces the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave.

Characters of It Ends With Us:

Lily Bloom : Lily is a resilient and ambitious protagonist. Her journey from her troubled childhood, marked by domestic abuse, to her struggles and triumphs as an adult, encapsulates the theme of overcoming adversity. Her character’s evolution is a testament to the strength required to confront painful pasts and uncertain futures.

Ryle Kincaid : Ryle is charismatic and driven, but his complexities are gradually revealed as the story unfolds. His character embodies the nuances of a person struggling with inner demons and past traumas. Ryle’s actions and their impact on Lily are central to the novel’s exploration of the cycle of abuse.

Atlas Corrigan : Atlas is Lily’s first love and a symbol of her past. He represents a stark contrast to Ryle, embodying kindness and understanding. His role in Lily’s life is pivotal, as he is both a memory of her past struggles and a beacon of hope for a better future.

In-Depth Analysis

Strengths : Colleen Hoover’s narrative style is a key strength of the novel. Her ability to portray raw emotions and complex characters with depth makes the story engaging and thought-provoking. The novel excels in its honest portrayal of domestic abuse, avoiding romanticization and instead offering a realistic and unflinching look at its impact.

Weaknesses : Some readers might find the narrative pacing uneven, particularly in the latter half of the book. Additionally, the use of flashbacks, while effective in providing backstory, can at times disrupt the narrative flow.

Uniqueness : The book stands out for its unapologetic exploration of difficult themes. Hoover’s approach to portraying the realities of domestic violence, and the strength it takes to escape such situations, sets the novel apart from typical romance narratives.

Literary Devices : Hoover employs a first-person narrative, allowing readers to deeply connect with Lily’s emotions and thoughts. Flashbacks are used to reveal Lily’s past, juxtaposing her childhood experiences with her present-day challenges.

Relation to Broader Issues : “It Ends With Us” contributes to important conversations about domestic abuse and the often-hidden struggles victims face. It challenges societal stigmas and provides insight into the psychological complexities surrounding abusive relationships.

Book Evaluation

Potential Audience : The book is best suited for adults who appreciate emotional, character-driven stories. It’s particularly resonant for those interested in narratives about personal growth, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships.

Comparisons : The novel can be compared to works like “A Woman Is No Man” by Etaf Rum and “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty, which also explore themes of domestic violence and resilience.

Recommendations : “It Ends With Us” is highly recommended for readers seeking a powerful and emotional story that offers more than just a romantic narrative. It’s a poignant exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for strength and renewal.

Thematic Analysis

The novel’s primary themes include the cycle of abuse, resilience, and the complexity of love. Hoover skillfully illustrates how past traumas can shape individuals’ lives and relationships. The theme of resilience is prominent, as Lily’s journey demonstrates the courage required to confront painful realities and make difficult choices for one’s well-being.

Stylistic Elements

Hoover’s writing style is straightforward yet emotionally rich. She balances moments of intense drama with quieter, introspective passages, allowing readers to fully engage with Lily’s inner world. The dialogues are realistic and effectively convey the characters’ emotional states and motivations.

Bibliographic Information

Author : Colleen Hoover
Title : It Ends With Us
Publisher : Atria Books
Publication Date : August 2, 2016
ISBN : 978-1501110368
Genre : Contemporary Romance, Fiction

Questions with Answers

Answer: The primary theme is the cycle of domestic abuse and the resilience required to break free from it.
Answer: Flashbacks are used to reveal Lily’s past and provide context for her present-day decisions and emotions.
Answer: Ryle is portrayed as complex and troubled, embodying the nuances of a person with inner demons. Atlas represents kindness and hope, highlighting a contrast in Lily’s life experiences.

Other Reviews and Ratings

Goodreads Rating : 4.7/5
Amazon Rating : 4.8/5

Summary of Other Reviews : Reviews generally praise the book for its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of difficult themes. Some criticisms revolve around the pacing and the use of flashbacks.

Purchasing Links

https://bookshop.org/a/1289/9781501110368

Books in the Series

It Ends With Us It Starts With Us

About the Author

Colleen Hoover is an American author known for her bestselling novels in the contemporary romance and young adult genres. Her works often explore complex emotional themes and feature deep character development.

It Ends with Us: A Novel (1) › Customer reviews

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Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Last Updated on August 20, 2023 by Louisa

In the enthralling novel It Ends With Us, bestselling author Colleen Hoover showcases the complexities of love and highlights the profound strength required to break free from the cycles of abuse.

I was excited to read It Ends With Us after reading her highly acclaimed thriller novel, Verity, and had high expectations from page one.

With her signature style of delivering emotional depth and raw storytelling, Hoover’s It Ends With Us promises to be no different.

It immerses you in a gripping narrative that challenges societal norms and delves into the depths of human resilience.

Through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist, It Ends With Us takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring all the twists and turns of complex relationships, personal boundaries, and the power of self-love.

If you’re thinking of reading It Ends With Us but you’re not sure if it’s right for you, here is my complete and honest book review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links.

Book Review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

It ends with us by colleen hoover book review.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the complexities of love, personal identity, and the strength to break free from toxic relationships. It Ends With Us is a prime example of Colleen Hoover’s talent for crafting compelling and addictive stories that resonate with readers. The story follows Lily Bloom, a young woman who finds herself torn between two men: Ryle Kincaid, a handsome and charismatic neurosurgeon, and Atlas Corrigan, her first love and the person who knows her best. As Lily navigates the intricacies of love and relationships, she must confront her past and make difficult choices that will shape her future.

Reviewed by Louisa Smith

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that explores the devastating effects of abuse and the strength of self-love.

What I liked

Colleen Hoover’s writing style is yet again as captivating and addicting as her other novels, drawing you into Lily’s world and evoking a range of emotions as you navigate your way through the story.

The raw and emotive portrayal of Lily’s journey tugs at the heartstrings, immersing you in her joys, struggles, and heartbreaks.

I enjoyed how Hoover tackles tough topics with sensitivity, highlighting the impact of domestic violence and the importance of self-worth but in a way that doesn’t come across too upsetting.

One of the strengths of It Ends With Us lies in its realistic and relatable character development.

Lily’s growth throughout the story is both believable and inspiring, reminding you of the resilience and strength within yourself.

Hoover has successfully navigated the complexities of relationships with nuance, shining a light on the blurred lines between love, loyalty, and personal boundaries.

The novel also offers a glimpse into the challenges and pressures of college life, portraying friendships, parties, and academic stress in a believable manner.

The authenticity of these elements adds depth to the narrative and enhances the your connection to the characters’ experiences.

What could have been better

While It Ends With Us is an engaging and well-written novel, it does share some common tropes found in college romances and can be somewhat predictable in places.

The on-and-off nature of the main characters’ relationship was a bit frustrating at times, and so I don’t recommend this book for readers seeking a more stable and linear narrative.

Additionally, the book contains toxic dynamics that can be triggering for some readers, so again if you’re not into dark romance or toxic relationships, this is not the book for you.

Some of the supporting characters in the story lack the same depth and development as the central relationship, with the focus primarily centered on Lily’s journey.

However, I did find it was easier to delve deeper into the complexities of Lily’s personal growth and decision-making process by having the attention on her throughout the book.

Similar Works

If you’re not sure whether It Ends With Us is right for you, then I would say you would enjoy it if you enjoyed reading The Deal by Elle Kennedy and Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

These books also touch on themes of young love, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating relationships during college.

Related Reading: Books Like It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us Trigger Warnings

It Ends With Us contains trigger warnings of;

Spousal Abuse / Domestic violence
PTSD/depression/anxiety
Death of a family member
Sexual assault
Attempted r*pe
Explicit scenes
Implied suicide
Alcohol abuse

Romance Tropes

It Ends With Us features the following romance tropes :

Adult Romance
Contemporary Romance
Medical Romance
High School Romance / College Romance
Friends to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Strong Female Lead
Wounded Hero

Where to find it?

You can find It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover in most good bookstores. Or you can purchase a copy from any of these links.

View it on:

The Verdict: Would I Recommend It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover?

It Ends With Us is a romance novel that will have your heart feeling it all. It’s both a heartbreaking and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, personal identity, and the courage to break free from toxic relationships.

While it shares similarities with other college romances, it offers a unique and impactful perspective on these themes.

While It Ends With Us contains some trigger warnings and themes that some readers may find triggering, particularly if they are sensitive to depictions of domestic violence or abusive relationships, it has been done with sensitivity in mind.

Overall it’s yet another novel that showcases Colleen Hoover’s ability to craft compelling stories filled with raw emotions and relatable characters.

Have Your Say…

Now you know what I think, it’s time to let the Epic Book Society know what you think. Have you read It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover? Share your opinion of the book in the comments.

The Details:

Pub Date: August 2nd, 2016
ISBN: 1501110365
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Atria Books

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About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

It Ends with Us | Colleen Hoover | Book Review

“And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.” – Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us is my first Colleen Hoover book and I must say that it surpassed all the expectations that I had for it. I remember my sister reading this exact book, and her telling me that it is her favorite book. I laughed at her because I thought it was some cheesy romance tale that has nothing to hold on to.

But oh boy, if only I knew what I was getting myself into. It was such a good read that it even made it to my top 10 books of this year. It also has several strong life lessons embedded in its plot structure that will certainly teach you a thing or two.

The story as it goes

Lily is a small-town girl with big dreams who decides to leave her small-town life in Maine and move to Boston. Life has never been really easy for her, but that doesn’t matter. She has big plans for herself. She goes to college and starts her business in the big city.

Before long, Lily stumbles upon the handsome and charming Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon making the big bucks. He is smart and intelligent, though a tad arrogant, and has a strictly ‘no relationships’ policy.

But only for Lily, he seems to have let go of his rule. Even though everything is going great with Ryle, Lily seems to hang on to thoughts of Atlas, the guy who was her first love; the guy who really understood her.

And now, when Atlas seems to have magically reappeared in her life, the carefully built relationship that she has with Ryle seems threatened.

So, who will it be? Ryle or Atlas?

The writing

Coming to how the story is structured, it has everything that makes a good novel. A great one. I love everything about the characters – major and minor . They have been written so well and with a lot of thought behind every one of them. I love that we also get to see their development throughout the story.

In It Ends with Us, we started with a simple story but we ended it with so many thoughts running through our minds that we cannot come to one conclusion. We do not know whether we liked the ending or not. We just know that we cannot get enough of it no matter how many times we re-read the novel.

The topic of abuse is something that I have always wanted to educate myself more about and to learn to look at it from a lot of perspectives and not just my own. This book gave me exactly that. I was able to read and understand domestic abuse from the perspective of a mother, a daughter, and of a wife.

I have always asked myself why the victims are not willing to just get up and leave, and in a way, I judged them for their decisions even though I had no idea of what they are going through. But after reading this book, I came to realize that abuse or having an abusive partner is not just as simple as it looks.

It is a situation that can cause generational trauma and when it involves a mother and father, the case is even more complicated. Should the mother walk out on her husband even though she does not have any financial security for herself and the child? Or should the mother stay and endure the abuse if it means giving financial stability to the child?

The only response that I can conclude is that children should never be raised under such circumstances because the effects that they see in their parents will forever scar their childhood and they will carry this trauma throughout their adulthood. If domestic abuse is something that you want to go more in-depth with, this is one of the books that you need to add to your reading list.

Also, coming to the main men in It Ends with Us, are you Team Atlas or Team Ryle? I am Team Atlas all the way because he is someone that has lived up to the standards that I have set for what a life partner should be like.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Book Review

Spoilers ahead! Skip this paragraph if you don’t want to read them

Although my heart breaks for what both Ryle and Atlas had to go through in their past, I will never side with someone who resorts to abuse because of his traumatic experience. With this, I am in a dilemma between these two. They both deserve second chances, but who deserves it more? Read the book, and help me decide.

It Ends with Us is the kind of book that cannot be predictable. I was biting my nails waiting for what is going to happen next. The ending was also something that I did not see coming. I was rooting for both Atlas and Ryle so even before I reached the final page, I know that I will be okay with whatever happened.

While others may think that this book is merely a love triangle between Ryle, Atlas, and Lily, it is so much more than that. It shows us what it means to love and allow yourself to be loved even though you have been hurt time and again by the one person you trust the most. It also shows us how society is narrow-minded and superficial.

What would it mean for a woman to leave her husband? Society will jump and harass the woman for this activity because it was never a man’s fault.

Personally, if you have not started with any Colleen Hoover books, and are planning to do so, might I suggest you give this one a read? I think this is the book that will set the tone for how you read the next books by the author. Also, we are getting a sequel to this book so I am quite excited about that prospect. I have a lot to look forward to, and I hope the author does justice to the characters because I do not want to be disappointed! Let’s look forward to not being ruined and shattered by what is to come.

Some of my favourite lines from It Ends with Us, and ones that I believe have so much meaning behind them are:

“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”

“All humans make mistakes. What determines a person’s character aren’t the mistakes we make. It’s how we take those mistakes and turn them into lessons rather than excuses.”

“Just because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you can simply stop loving them. It’s not a person’s actions that hurt the most. It’s love. If there was no love attached to the action, the pain would be a little easier to bear.”

Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of It Ends with Us.

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About the Author

Enrida lakiang lyngdoh.

Hello, my fellow bookworms, I am Enrida Lakiang Lyngdoh but you can call me Enri or Enrida. I am an ardent traveller but unlike most people, I travel differently, and that is, through the pages of a book. I love walking and being one with nature while taking aesthetic bookstagram pictures. Oh! I am also one of those readers who likes to write and highlight as much as I can in any book that I read. If you are a true reader, never forget to carry a book wherever you may go. I cannot imagine the horror of waiting for someone if there is not a book to accompany me with. Until then, Happy Reading my dear loves.

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Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Book Details:

Author: Colleen Hoover Release Date: 2nd August 2016 Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction Series : Format: E-book Pages: 385 pages Publisher: Atria Books Blurb: Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is so much more than what one expects from it on the surface. Particularly the last 25% was emotionally tormenting for me, personally, to read as it covered themes of domestic abuse (something I witnessed in my own home growing up) and love intertwined in a complex web in which women often find themselves being tangled in.

This book is beyond good and I simply cannot rate it solely based on its literary merit as the message that is encased in this beautiful book is something that NEEDS to be spread in this world where women (and even men) are abused and they are either too scared or simply left with no choice to break the cycle of physical abuse.

You can also read this review on:

Published by Heena R. Pardeshi

Heena is the author of the award-winning novel Deceived. She works as the novel critic and the chief editor at a local publishing house in Pune, India. She is an animal lover as well as an animal activist. She loves books, music and wine. Travelling and learning about new cultures is an integral part of her life. She is presently learning Piano and French language. She lives in Pune, India with her beloved husband and 6 cats. View all posts by Heena R. Pardeshi

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Theresa Smith Writes

Delighting in all things bookish, book review: it ends with us by colleen hoover, it ends with us….

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up – she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, and maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan – her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

This book contains graphic scenes and very sensitive subject matter.

My Thoughts:

It Ends with Us is a novel that I read some time ago but put aside to review later. Even now, I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words, but it’s such an incredibly important novel that I feel it necessary to write up a review, even if it is only for my own benefit. I want to acknowledge how incredibly brave it was for Colleen to write a novel like this, so intensely personal to her, yet I feel that in doing so, she might have helped countless women either think about their own situations or perhaps put elements of their own history into a context that allows them a little clarity and distance.

Right from the opening dedication, you know that you are about to read a deeply confronting novel.

“For my father, who tried his very best not to be his worst. And for my mother, who make sure we never saw him at his worst.”

I cried right then. And I continued to cry at intervals throughout. While this novel stirred up so many emotions within me, many of which I had long buried in the hopes of never thinking about them again, in no way do I regret reading It Ends with Us. Suppression is not a pain relief. Colleen is not usually given to words of wisdom, but in It Ends with Us, she tells it like it is:

“Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern. Sometimes it seems easier to just keep running in the same familiar circles, rather than facing the fear of jumping and possibly not landing on your feet.”

I have long been a fan of Colleen Hoover, right back to when Slammed was self-published. She is unique, funny, hard hitting, and unafraid to use her words unflinchingly. I can’t imagine what she must feel like after a day of writing, but I personally appreciate her efforts! It Ends with Us has nudged Ugly Love off the top of my Colleen Hoover favourites list, but they both share similarities in the way she doesn’t shy away from bringing deep emotional pain to the fore:

“When his lips meet mine he fifth time, they don’t leave. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me to him. My body is tired and weak, but it remembers him. My body remembers how his body can soothe everything I’m feeling.” “When he pulls back and looks down on me, I don’t even have to say anything. Our eyes, locked together, speak more naked truths than our mouths ever have. My eyes are telling his that I can no longer stand being touched by him. His eyes are telling mine that he already knows.”

It Ends with Us shows the grey matter within relationships ruled by domestic violence. It’s so easy to look from the outside in and dictate what a person ‘should have done’. But not everything is black and white and in shading Lily’s and Ryle’s relationship with a penetrating grey, Colleen puts us, as readers, in the uncomfortable position of not really knowing what to do. Of not being able to jump up onto our soap boxes and shout: ‘What is wrong with you Lily?’, because we can see, with such awful clarity, exactly what is wrong with her and why she is so very torn. It Ends with Us is an incredible exploration of the darker side of some relationships; not only with those we choose to spend our lives with, but with our parents as well.

“My father was some of these things, too. He wasn’t very compassionate toward others, but there were times we spent together that I knew he loved me. He was smart. He was charismatic. He was driven. But I hated him so much more than I loved him. I was blinded to all the best things about him thanks to all the glimpses I got of him when he was at his worst.”

These were such defining thoughts for Lily but they are defining words for any child who has had a violent parent. I won’t lie here, this novel cut me to the quick and grated along so many raw nerves. But I’d read it again in an instant. It’s a powerful novel with a very important message.

Well done Colleen Hoover for always writing the stuff that so many people don’t even want to talk about.

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Book Review: It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover.

Genre: Fiction/ Romance novel/ Contemporary romance.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

DISCLAIMER :

TW: Sexual assault.

CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Finally, know that this book shouldn’t be read before going to bed, trust me it will prevent you from sleeping.

“There is no such thing as ‘bad people’. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”

Hello everyone and welcome back! Today's book revolves around Colleen Hoover...that’s it. Hoover is known for a variety of her books, the most popular of them being this one. Now, I've never been a fan of the Romance genre but I do enjoy books that make me bawl my eyes out. This book was definitely one of them. It Ends with Us was a success both critically & in the eyes of fans, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So, when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

I’m going to divide the review into two parts –

1-3 stars – As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a fan of Romance novels. So, my initial thoughts were that this book follows the pattern of After and 50 shades . I know they’re not the same but this is basically the storyline – A rich man and a not-so-rich woman fall in love. The woman later finds that the man has grown from a traumatic childhood that led him to be an abusive, unstable person when it comes to relationships. While reading Part One, I noticed this pattern and felt annoyed to have picked this book.

3-5 stars – It was after reading Part Two that I felt the triggers. Yet, I kept going because I had a feeling that the ending would slap my face and it did. It was the last chapter that broke me. Reading Ryle’s emotions had me *CRYING SO HARD* that I wanted Lily to take her word back. When I read “It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”, I was done. I felt a stab in my heart. Not because of what Lily decided (she made an awesome decision) but because I saw Lily and Ryle separate. Till the epilogue, I told myself “If Lily & Atlas got back together, I'd be happy” until it actually happened, and I don’t think I was up for it. This was because the epilogue kind of left me confused. I wanted a little more about it. I wanted to know how Ryle would react to this because I cannot get over Ryle and Lily (T_T) though I know how he’d possibly react because now they are divorced.

Although the characters are fictional, they have elements of realism in them –

Lily 's was the most powerful character. Her character may not be relatable to everyone, but it still managed to reach out. She was resilient and courageous. Brave and bold , just like her mother asked her to be.

Ryle was charming. A thriving neurosurgeon who’s willing to be better for Lily? YES. I honestly felt extreme sorrow for him but there’s nothing that could be done for his behaviour.

Atlas was a sweet one. He was just the perfect guy Lily deserved.

Alyssa and Marshall – God. They helped me laugh through the overwhelming moments of the story. The friendship between Lily & Alyssa was the sweetest.

I must say, the author really poured her soul into this book. I underestimated this book to be a typical romantic story but oh no, I was so wrong. Also, the author’s note left me with another wave of shock. Overall, this novel is an emotional rollercoaster that will surely leave any reader stunned.

“Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person. Fifteen seconds that we’ll never get back.”

Thank you and happy reading :)

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Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

IndieBound Bestseller

IT ENDS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 2, 2016

Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of...

Hoover’s ( November 9 , 2015, etc.) latest tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence with romantic tenderness and emotional heft.

At first glance, the couple is edgy but cute: Lily Bloom runs a flower shop for people who hate flowers; Ryle Kincaid is a surgeon who says he never wants to get married or have kids. They meet on a rooftop in Boston on the night Ryle loses a patient and Lily attends her abusive father’s funeral. The provocative opening takes a dark turn when Lily receives a warning about Ryle’s intentions from his sister, who becomes Lily’s employee and close friend. Lily swears she’ll never end up in another abusive home, but when Ryle starts to show all the same warning signs that her mother ignored, Lily learns just how hard it is to say goodbye. When Ryle is not in the throes of a jealous rage, his redeeming qualities return, and Lily can justify his behavior: “I think we needed what happened on the stairwell to happen so that I would know his past and we’d be able to work on it together,” she tells herself. Lily marries Ryle hoping the good will outweigh the bad, and the mother-daughter dynamics evolve beautifully as Lily reflects on her childhood with fresh eyes. Diary entries fancifully addressed to TV host Ellen DeGeneres serve as flashbacks to Lily’s teenage years, when she met her first love, Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she found squatting in a neighbor’s house. When Atlas turns up in Boston, now a successful chef, he begs Lily to leave Ryle. Despite the better option right in front of her, an unexpected complication forces Lily to cut ties with Atlas, confront Ryle, and try to end the cycle of abuse before it’s too late. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author’s note at the end that explains Hoover’s personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read.

Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-5011-1036-8

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Atria

Review Posted Online: May 30, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016

ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE

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More by Colleen Hoover

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by Colleen Hoover

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Dav Pilkey Had Bestselling Print Book of 2021

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LOVE AND OTHER WORDS

by Christina Lauren ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2018

With frank language and patient plotting, this gangly teen crush grows into a confident adult love affair.

Eleven years ago, he broke her heart. But he doesn’t know why she never forgave him.

Toggling between past and present, two love stories unfold simultaneously. In the first, Macy Sorensen meets and falls in love with the boy next door, Elliot Petropoulos, in the closet of her dad’s vacation home, where they hide out to discuss their favorite books. In the second, Macy is working as a doctor and engaged to a single father, and she hasn’t spoken to Elliot since their breakup. But a chance encounter forces her to confront the truth: what happened to make Macy stop speaking to Elliot? Ultimately, they’re separated not by time or physical remoteness but by emotional distance—Elliot and Macy always kept their relationship casual because they went to different schools. And as a teen, Macy has more to worry about than which girl Elliot is taking to the prom. After losing her mother at a young age, Macy is navigating her teenage years without a female role model, relying on the time-stamped notes her mother left in her father’s care for guidance. In the present day, Macy’s father is dead as well. She throws herself into her work and rarely comes up for air, not even to plan her upcoming wedding. Since Macy is still living with her fiance while grappling with her feelings for Elliot, the flashbacks offer steamy moments, tender revelations, and sweetly awkward confessions while Macy makes peace with her past and decides her future.

Pub Date: April 10, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-5011-2801-1

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018

GENERAL ROMANCE | ROMANCE | FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

More by Christina Lauren

by Christina Lauren

by Taylor Jenkins Reid ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2014

Reid’s tome on married life is as uplifting as it is brutally honest—a must-read for anyone who is in (or hopes to be in) a...

An unhappily married couple spends a year apart in Reid’s ( Forever, Interrupted , 2013) novel about second chances.

When we meet Lauren, she and her husband, Ryan, are having a meltdown trying to find their car in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium after a game. Through a series of flashbacks, Lauren reveals how the two of them went from being inseparable to being insufferable in each other’s eyes—and in desperate need of a break. Both their courtship and their fights seem so ordinary—they met in college; he doesn’t like Greek food—that the most heartbreaking part of their pending separation is deciding who will get custody of their good-natured dog. It’s not until Ryan moves out that the juicy details emerge. Lauren surreptitiously logs into his email one day, in a fit of missing him, and discovers a bunch of emails to her that he had saved but not sent. Liberated by Ryan’s candor, Lauren saves her replies for him to find, and the two of them read each other’s unfiltered thoughts as they go about their separate lives. Neither character holds anything back, which makes the healing process more complex, and more compelling, than simply getting revenge or getting one’s groove back. Meanwhile, as Lauren spends more time with her family and friends, she explores the example set for her by her parents and learns that there are many ways to be happy. It’s never clear until the final pages whether living alone will bring Lauren and Ryan back together or force them apart forever. But when the year is up, the resolution is neither sappy nor cynical; it’s arrived at after an honest assessment of what each partner can’t live with and can’t live without.

Pub Date: July 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4767-1284-0

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Washington Square/Pocket

Review Posted Online: April 9, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2014

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by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Stop Praising Colleen Hoover’s ‘It Ends With Us.’ Here’s What You’re Missing

Content warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of rape and sexual assault .

The quote on the cover of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, claims, “Every person with a heartbeat should read this book.” It was the sixth best-selling book of 2021 , BookTok is going nuts over it and USA Today called it “ the kind of book that gets handed down .” Its much-anticipated sequel, It Starts with Us, is set to be released next month.

The novel centers on the relationship between Lily and Ryle, a young newlywed couple who live in Boston. Lily is a successful entrepreneur, and Ryle is a gifted neurosurgeon. Both had traumatic childhoods: Lily grew up witnessing her father physically and sexually abuse her mother and was eventually victimized by him herself; when Ryle was 6 years old, he accidentally shot and killed his beloved older brother with a gun that should never have been accessible. Both halves of the couple are, understandably, haunted by their pasts.

Early in their marriage, Ryle begins to physically abuse Lily. Hoover offers a compelling perspective on how the violation and blurring of boundaries over time creates a dynamic in which victims lose the ability to see their situations clearly. Readers who ask, “Why would she stay with him?” may find some insight in this book.

Though cocky and manipulative from the start, Ryle is portrayed as a man who desperately wants to be good but is tormented by inner demons. This is, of course, a tired cliché that’s too often applied to abusive men. The first two incidents of abuse occur in “heat of the moment” scenarios in which Ryle loses his temper. Lily suffers cuts, bruises and a concussion severe enough to render her unconscious, but tells herself that “all humans make mistakes” and that “everyone deserves another chance.”

The third incident, however, reveals Ryle to be sadistic, pre-meditating and cruel. It is not an example of a poor tortured soul who loses control; on the contrary, it’s a chilling portrayal of a calculated and violent sexual attack.

Ryle discovers Lily has kept a small gift—a refrigerator magnet—given to her by her high school boyfriend. This enrages him with jealousy, and when she returns home that evening, he is waiting for her in the dark, holding the magnet. He initiates a sexual encounter with Lily, and while digitally penetrating her with one hand and pulling her hair to the point of pain with the other, demands she tell him who gave her the magnet. She asks him to stop because he is hurting her, and he responds by choking her and forcing himself upon her. He then pauses and directs her to take her shirt off and read aloud to him a recent newspaper article about the ex-boyfriend’s current success; this is frightening and humiliating for Lily, but she is too afraid to disobey. What follows is a rape attempt that results in multiple physical injuries including a scream-inducing bite and a head-butt that knocks Lily unconscious. Throughout the attack, Ryle is “disturbingly calm.”

During the time Lily is unconscious, Ryle “snaps out of it,” then expresses remorse. But there’s a logic problem here: Ryle never “snapped into it.” He planned this attack. He set it up, waited for Lily, then carried it out almost methodically. He even claims, during the rape attempt, he is doing it because “I haven’t proved to you how much I love you.” This is not a good guy with a bad temper—this is a monster. And now, there’s a complicating factor.

While being treated in the ER for her injuries after the attack, Lily learns she is pregnant. She enters another cycle of agonizing over what to do, whether there’s any hope for their family, how to reconcile the fact that she still loves Ryle with the knowledge he will turn on her. Ultimately, Lily remains strong and decides to divorce Ryle, to break the cycle (thus, “it ends with us”). If the book ended there, we could cheer her survival and courage.

But at the end of the novel, which takes place a year later and which Hoover clearly intends to be a redemption scene, we see Lily and Ryle, amicably divorced and co-parenting their daughter. In that scene, Ryle, who is a violent sex offender, is picking up the baby for “his days with her.”

Lily can’t be given a pass for not understanding the danger of this situation. She even asks, “What kind of mother would I be if a small part of me doesn’t have concern in regard to your temper?” Ultimately, she reasons that “despite what has happened between us in the past, he’s still this baby’s father. He has the legal right to be a father, no matter how I feel about it.”

This isn’t necessarily accurate. Section 31A of the Massachusetts state legislature notes that where physical or sexual violence has occurred between parents, any form of unsupervised visitation or custody with the abusive parent is considered “ contrary to the best interest of the child ” and generally not permitted. The fact that Lily doesn’t press charges doesn’t change the reality of what happened; it just means reality isn’t documented.

Lily ultimately decides that “parents have to work through their differences and bring a level of maturity into a situation in order to do what’s best for their child.” But Ryle is not a guy who simply “has differences” with his child’s mother—a disagreement about allotted screen time or number of hours spent in daycare. He’s a dangerous criminal with a history of manipulating and victimizing women.

One reviewer described this book as “ raw, honest, inspiring, and profoundly beautiful .” It could have been—it maybe almost was. But like too many books and movies, It Ends With Us feeds into the very structures of toxic masculinity that it purports to combat. It romanticizes red flags and glorifies a charismatic-but-dangerous man ( he’s complicated! he’s damaged!) and it ultimately delivers a decidedly anti-feminist message.

Lily’s decision to co-parent with Ryle is not redemptive; it’s a blatant shirking of the barest parental responsibility—the responsibility to protect her daughter. Colleen Hoover has no moral or ethical obligation to write role models, and we don’t need to agree with the actions of a fictional heroine. But the scope of Hoover’s platform and the age of her readers renders her books fair game for honest critique, and for reasons I still don’t understand, It Ends With Us keeps getting a pass.

U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For 50 years, Ms . has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms . today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you . For as little as $5 each month , you’ll receive the print magazine along with our e-newsletters, action alerts, and invitations to Ms . Studios events and podcasts . We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity .

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What Is Cinema?

It Ends With Us: The 5 Biggest Changes From Book to Movie

After taking #BookTok by storm and reigning as the number one best-selling novel of 2022 and 2023—even outperforming the Bible — It Ends With Us has finally arrived on the big screen. Based on Colleen Hoover ’s 2016 novel, the movie follows oh-so-conveniently-named flower shop owner Lily Blossom Bloom (played by Blake Lively ) as she falls for charming but controlling neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid ( Justin Baldoni, who also directs)—just as her childhood love, Atlas Corrigan ( Brandon Sklenar ), reenters her life after years of estrangement.

Like Hoover’s book, the film version of It Ends With Us delves into how patterns of physical abuse from Lily’s childhood, when her father ( Kevin McKidd ) assaulted her mother ( Amy Morton ), get repeated in her own romantic relationships as an adult. Hoover previously told Today ’s Jenna Bush Hager that she partly based her most popular book off the violence that her mother faced. “One of my earliest memories was him throwing a TV at her,” she said of her biological father. “There were no resources for women to leave situations like that.” Hoover said that her mother divorced her father when she was two. “She was able to get out of that relationship. And then from then on, I just remember growing up with a mother who was so strong and independent.”

Despite the embrace of It Ends With Us, the book has also drawn extensive backlash from those who believe that it romanticizes domestic violence. The first portion of the narrative follows the swoony courtship of Ryle and Lily; the story also blames his abusive tendencies on his traumatic past. Others have taken issue with the way that the novel is framed, shelved in the romance section of bookstores or marketed as a love triangle story. (A hastily scrapped coloring book version of It Ends With Us didn’t help matters.)

“I don’t expect everyone to like my books, so if someone doesn’t, it isn’t my job to deal with them,” Hoover told Glamour in February 2022. “That is their right, and I respect that. I put 100% of the focus into the people who do enjoy my books, and I do my very best to make those people happy.”

Despite—or perhaps because of—the discourse, those involved with the “very faithful” adaptation of Hoover’s book relied on fan input to try to get the movie right. Screenwriter Christy Hall told Entertainment Weekly that “20 mega-fans that had to sign an NDA” were given access to an early draft of the script, where they weighed in on proposed changes—and even convinced Hall to put an iconic line back in the movie. Here, a guide to some of the most notable changes from page to screen.

In the book, Lily is 23 and Ryle is 30—significantly younger than Lively, 36, and Baldoni, 40. Hoover told Today that when she wrote the novel, the new adult genre was particularly popular. So she made her characters young—though she wishes now that she hadn’t gone quite that young. “As an author, we make mistakes,” she said. “There’s no 28-year-old neurosurgeons, you know? You go to school for 15 years. And so to make corrections to what I messed up in the book, we aged the characters up somewhat.”

In the same interview, Hoover addressed some of Lily’s more outlandish costumes, a few of which came from Lively’s own closet . “You’ve seen a couple of outfits that are completely out of context,” the author said of early set photos. “I’m not worried about it.” She continued, “When I wrote the book, it wasn’t about the age of the characters. It wasn’t about what they were wearing. I don’t even think I described any clothing in the book. It was about the message that I wanted to get across.”

After years apart, Lily reconnects with Atlas when she dines at his restaurant. In the book, the establishment is called Bib’s, an acronym for “Better in Boston.” In the film, it’s called Root—a name that, like Bib’s, pays homage to a major moment from Atlas and Lily’s adolescent romance. “It stood for something in the book that became a big thing for Lily to show how much she meant to him,” Hoover explained to E! News . “So that changed to Root in the movie, because we didn’t have as much time to put in all of the things that happened in the book”—like Atlas giving Lily a refrigerator magnet that reads “better in Boston” before he moves to the city and away from her. But according to Hoover, “changing it to Root went back to a conversation they had as kids in the film [from which] you get the same feels that you got in the book.”

“I’m an unreliable narrator,” Lily says in her rooftop meet-cute with Ryle, which Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds apparently had a hand in writing . That disclosure comes to bear once Ryle becomes violent towards Lily—first pushing her out of the way of a hot stove, then shoving her down a flight of stairs, before assaulting and attempting to rape her during another argument about Atlas. Camera angles and editing choices initially present these scenes as purposefully ambiguous—with Lily excusing the first two bouts of violence as mere accidents. It is not until later in the film, once Lily herself comes to terms with the true nature of their relationship, that the abuse is shown again in its full context.

The 47 Best Feel-Good Movies to Boost Your Mood

But in the book, both readers and Lily herself acknowledge Ryle’s violence from the start. The first time Ryle physically assaults Lily in the kitchen, Hoover writes from her heroine’s POV: “So much gravity, pushing down on my emotions. Everything shatters. My tears, my heart, my laughter, my soul. Shattered like broken glass, raining down around me.”

The film adaptation of It Ends With Us scraps Lily’s flower shop employees outside of her sister-in-law, Allysa ( Jenny Slate ), including Lucy, Lily’s former roommate, and Devin, a gay character who exists solely to pose as Lily’s date to a party in order to make Ryle jealous. Another major character who is wisely cut from the movie? Ellen DeGeneres —yes, really. She is a full-fledged character in the book, at least in the eyes of SparkNotes .

Image may contain Jenny Slate Adult Person Wedding Cup Art Painting Head Face Dining Table Furniture and Table

In Hoover’s novel, a young Lily (played by Isabela Ferrer in the movie) and Atlas ( Alex Neustaedter ) fall in love while watching Ellen and Finding Nemo after school. DeGeneres is such a comforting figure in Lily’s life that she addresses entries in her childhood diary to the comedian, and later gives her daughter the middle name Dory, after DeGeneres’s forgetful animated fish. Atlas is equally enamored—at one point, he gives Lily a signed copy of DeGeneres’s memoir as a sign of his love and tells her upon rekindling their romance: “You can stop swimming now , Lily. We finally reached the shore.”

It was shrewd to cut this whole subplot, strange and superfluous as it is—not to mention the fact that the toxic workplace allegations that have emerged against DeGeneres since the book’s publication have chipped away at the comedian’s feel-good effect. But the movie still nods to this element of the novel: In one scene, Atlas and Lily watch Ellen together while speaking about the future, and a stuffed Finding Nemo toy can be spotted in her daughter’s nursery.

In both the novel and film, Lily tells Ryle she plans to divorce him while he cradles their newborn daughter, Emerson—named for the older brother that Ryle accidentally shot and killed while playing with a gun as children. They agree that if their daughter were ever in the same situation as Ryle has placed Lily, he would also want her to leave her partner. The movie also ends with a domestic violence resource hotline. Lily and Ryle’s rocky relationship as co-parents (an arrangement some have also criticized ) plays out in Hoover’s 2022 sequel, It Starts With Us.

But according to screenwriter Christy Hall, the moment in the hospital after Ryle leaves—when Lily tells her daughter, “It ends with us”—was originally omitted from the script. “As a screenwriter, a big no-no is you don’t want any character to ever say the title of the film,” Hall told Entertainment Weekly . ( The Idea of You would beg to differ .) “So in my initial draft…I had her say the line, ‘It stops here, between you and me,’ blah, blah, blah. I didn’t have her say, ‘It ends with us.’”

The group of fans invited to read the early draft were unanimously opposed. “That was a really funny moment,” said Hall, “because sometimes they’d be split on things, but that one was resounding, 100 percent out of 100 percent were like, ‘How dare you?!’’ and I was like, ‘I’m so sorry. I must be absolved of this sin.’”

Savannah Walsh

Staff writer.

'It Ends With Us' Ending Explained: Does Lily End Up With Atlas?

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Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for It Ends with Us and discusses the topic of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Book-to-movie adaptations often bring in a large crowd due to the pre-established success of the book, and It Ends with Us is no exception. The movie, which is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover ’s novel of the same name, stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the lead roles of Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid and has been quite a hot topic since its release. With behind-the-scenes drama reportedly plaguing the cast , and awful marketing causing flack online , the movie has been subject to its fair share of criticism . On the flip side, audiences have given it a lot of love, and its box office numbers are no slouch , making it a bonafide success. But a lot happened in It Ends with Us ’s final act, so let’s break it all down, shall we?

What Is ‘It Ends With Us’ About?

It Ends with Us follows Lily Bloom, who moves to Boston to chase her dream of opening her own flower shop. There she bumps into a handsome and charming man named Ryle, a hot-headed neurosurgeon who immediately sweeps her off her feet. Their love story is juxtaposed by flashbacks of a teenaged Lily ( Isabela Ferrer ) and a boy named Atlas ( Alex Neustaedter ), who we come to learn is her first love. Also plaguing Lily’s flashbacks is her father, Andrew ( Kevin McKidd ) , who was physically abusive towards her mother. This is reflected in the present day when Ryle begins showing a darker side of himself that Lily has never seen before. There are several incidents where Lily is injured, with Ryle explaining them away as accidents.

Around the same time, Lily and Atlas (now played by Brandon Sklenar ) bump into each other at his restaurant, and it's obvious their love for each other has never fully gone away . After Lily and Ryle get married, she starts to realize the severity of the issues in her and Ryle’s relationship and that her injuries may not be as accidental as he claims them to be . With Atlas’s help, Lily manages to leave Ryle once and for all, but this all takes place in a pretty heavy and packed final act.

Does Lily Leave Ryle In ‘It Ends With Us’?

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni kissing on a rooftop.

Before Lily and Ryle marry, Atlas gives Lily his phone number in case she ever needs his help. This comes after a heated confrontation between Atlas and Ryle when Atlas sees Lily with a black eye . She tucks the piece of paper with his number inside her phone case for safekeeping. But one night, he discovers it after he drops her phone. He reveals to her that he called the number and discovered that it belongs to Atlas. This sparks an argument, as Ryle is extremely insecure when it comes to Atlas and doesn’t trust Lily when she tells him that nothing is going on between them. As she follows him out of their apartment during their argument, she ends up falling down the stairs, and the scene abruptly fades to black before we can properly see what happened . Still, we, the audience, know that Ryle purposefully pushed her. When she wakes up, Ryle is stitching a gnarly cut on her forehead and is softly trying to calm her as she begins to panic. He tells her that in the heat of the moment, she fell, and he tried to catch her to no avail. She accepts this as a fact since she hit her head and isn’t able to recall the contrary, though we as the viewers know the truth.

it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-justin-baldoni

'It Ends With Us' Was Right to Age Up Its Characters

The adaptation of 'It Ends With Us' ages the characters up by over a decade.

This is a major event for Lily, but it isn’t until a little while later that she gets the courage to leave. Lily is over the moon when she discovers that her flower shop is featured in a local magazine of the 10 Best Businesses . She goes home that night and is excited to celebrate the achievement with Ryle, but he turns the focus to Atlas, whose restaurant, Root, has been given the number one spot. In the magazine interview, Atlas reveals that he named the restaurant after a girl who he carved a heart into a hollow tree for. Ryle immediately clocks this as being Lily and forces her to read it aloud to him. He then asks her if she still loves Atlas, to which she says she doesn’t know. Furious, Ryle forces himself on Lily, leaves a painful bite mark around the tattoo she got for Atlas, and attempts to rape her.

Thankfully, she manages to fight him and gets away before he can hurt her further, but it’s a terrifying moment nonetheless. It’s during this particular attack that Lily begins to reframe all of Ryle’s past outbursts in her mind and sees them for what they really were, and not the accidents he led her to believe. She drives to Atlas’s restaurant, and he drops everything to take her to the hospital, staying with her throughout the entire ordeal. But Lily’s night is far from over because the nurse taking care of her drops a final bombshell on her: Lily is pregnant with Ryle’s baby.

Lily Takes Back Her Power In ‘It Ends With Us’

After discovering she’s pregnant, Lily stays with Atlas for a few days, during which he informs her that she saved his life when they were teenagers and that if she decides to keep the baby he knows she will be an amazing mother. She also meets up with Allysa ( Jenny Slate ), Ryle’s sister and Lily’s best friend and co-worker, who gives her an emotional talk in what is one of the movie’s most emotional moments . She explains to Lily the truth about their other sibling, something that Ryle has been extremely secretive about. When Ryle was six years old, he got hold of their father’s gun, thinking it was a toy, and accidentally shot and killed their brother Emerson. As much as she loves her brother, she knows the kind of person he is and that he needs to get help before he can be the kind of man Lily or her daughter needs, something she tells Lily as bluntly as she can: "As his sister, I wish more than anything that you find a way to forgive him. But as your best friend, I have to tell you that if you take him back, I will never speak to you again."

From this moment on, Lily takes her power back and goes on with her pregnancy by herself. We get a sweet montage of her putting together baby furniture with her mom, painting the nursery, and finding out that she’s having a girl. But then Ryle shows up, and we learn that she has invited him over so he can be at least partially involved. He helps Lily build the crib and is about to leave afterward when Lily asks him if he would like to feel the baby kick. He, of course, says yes and then begs Lily to give him another chance, promising that he’s going to seek help for his anger issues and that he will never hurt her again. But she stands her ground and declines his requests for her to come home.

Still, Ryle is by Lily's side when she gives birth. After the baby is born, she tells him that she would like to name her after his brother, Emerson and that they can call her “Emmy” for short. She then tells him that she wants a divorce , which catches Ryle off guard, but she doesn’t even give him a second to argue before she doubles down on her request, refusing to take no for an answer. She then asks him a question that changes everything and makes him understand where she’s coming from.

“What if one day she came to you and said ‘my boyfriend hit me’, what would you say to her? What if she said ‘Daddy my husband pushed me down the stairs, but he said it was an accident, so it’s fine’? What if she said her husband held her down and she begged him to stop, but he swore he’d never do it again. What would you tell her?”

Ryle says that he would beg her to leave him and that he’d beg her never to go back. Finally, it clicks for him and he understands what he has put Lily through, never wanting his daughter to experience the same thing he’s inflicted. He leaves, and Lily is left cradling their daughter, whispering to her, “It stops right here, with you and me. It ends with us.”

‘It Ends With Us’ Movie Tweaks the Book Ending

Blake Lively as Lily Bloom walking into a boutique store in It Ends With Us.

The movie ends with a flash forward of Lily, her mother, and Emmy visiting Lily’s father’s grave, where she introduces her father to his granddaughter and leaves the blank list from her eulogy on his tombstone. Months later, the three are at a farmer’s market when Lily and Atlas unexpectedly bump into each other once again. He asks her if she’s still with Ryle, but she confirms that it’s just her and Emmy. She then asks him if he has anyone special in his life, to which he replies, “No. Not yet.” And the credits roll.

This ending is slightly different from that of the book . Both still end with Lily and Atlas finding one another again and rekindling their romance, but unlike the movie where it is only heavily implied, the book makes it known that they are getting back together. In the book, she bumps into Atlas and tells him that she is ready to be loved by him again . He then kisses the heart tattoo on her collarbone and tells her, “You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.” The change for the movie is likely to build intrigue for a sequel, but also because the book had Lily and Ryle co-parenting Emerson. The movie instead focuses on Lily taking her power back and leaving Ryle once and for all, so in a way, this change allowed Lily's happy ending to be more about her breaking the pattern than who she ends up with romantically.

It Ends With Us

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Dear Ellen, I Can't Stop Thinking About These 17 Brutally Honest "It Ends With Us" Reviews

"I would 100,000% give this movie five stars if it wasn’t made by Colleen Hoover."

BuzzFeed Staff

Since It Ends With Us was recently released in theaters, the book adaptation has garnered a lot of attention for the way it was marketed to audiences , as well as the alleged drama that unfolded between the cast and the film's director . But while a lot of people have opinions about these above topics, what about the movie itself? Well, let's just say people have a lot of thoughts. Below, we rounded up some of the most opinionated Letterboxd reviews of It Ends With Us:

A bouquet of purple tulips with green stems lies against a solid background

1. This person said this film is like going to the dentist...

A review by Lucia on 14 Aug 2024: "This movie is the equivalent of when you go to the dentist while being thirsty and they pour some water into your mouth just so they can suck it back with that wicked little tube." The review has 909 likes

2. However, this movie watcher wanted to unwatch the film.

Review by user 'julia': "it ends with us wanting to unwatch this film." Received 2,392 likes. Dated 11 Aug 2024 with a 1.5-star rating

3. This person only had two feelings about this movie.

A review by jeaba on 08 Aug 2024 with a ½ star rating. The review states feeling uncomfortable and grateful to have never read a Colleen Hoover book. 2,207 likes

4. This person makes a good point about romanticizing abuse.

A social media post by "joe" on 08 Aug 2024 with 20 comments, criticizing a movie for romanticizing abuse. Ratings: 1.5 stars for Blake Lively and Jenny Slate's performances

5. This reviewer also says the domestic abuse was handled so poorly.

A review by Belle Forger dated 13 Aug 2024 critiques a film's ending, domestic abuse portrayal, and ADR quality, calling the film trash cinema

6. It seems a lot of people did not like Blake's outfits.

A review written by user hugeasmammoth on August 9, 2024, says, "why did they dress blake lively like the pigeon lady in home alone 2" with 465 likes

7. Seriously, they did not like her fashion choices for the film.

A review by BERT on 11 Aug 2024 critiques a film starring Blake Lively. The first half was a chore, but Blake's charisma improved the second half, earning 152 likes

8. This person shared their thoughts about Blake and Jenny.

A review by Kylo from August 11, 2024, with 277 likes. It mentions Lily Bloom hiring the woman who voiced Marcel the Shell, despite disliking flowers

9. And this person clearly loved the film.

A movie review post by emmgem on August 9, 2024, with the heading "here are the 5 things i love about this movie:" followed by a numbered list from 1 to 5

10. Unfortunately, the chemistry between Blake and Justin did not work for this person.

Film review dated August 18, 2024, highlights disappointment in actors Blake and Justin's lack of chemistry, though praises the overall quality of the film

11. Even though they didn't expect to watch this movie, they ended up liking it.

A review on Letterboxd by Ethel Cain dated August 9, 2024: expressing surprise at a movie opening with strangers, enjoyment of the movie, and 257 likes

12. This person believes everyone should watch this movie at least once.

A review by jess from August 12, 2024, giving a movie five stars, highly praising it for its emotional impact and recommending everyone to watch it

13. Even though the pacing was off, they appreciated what the movie was trying to share.

A review by Bruno from 11 Aug 2024, describing a theatrical performance as initially unappealing but ultimately bittersweet and intense, with complex characters and domestic violence themes

14. Another consensus: the writing wasn't good, but Blake's performance was decent.

A user named Joana reviewed a film, stating they didn't initially hate it despite mixed expectations. They found the acting and trauma themes well-executed but had issues with its romantic focus

15. While the trailer wasn't good, the movie was pleasantly enjoyable for this movie-goer.

A movie review by Buddy dated August 11, 2024, mentions enjoying the film despite low expectations. Praised Blake Lively and Jenny Slate's performances

16. This person felt a lot of emotions after watching the film.

A review by a user named Jack on a film adaptation of "romanticised d.v." Jack shares mixed feelings and reactions, critiques cast choice, and discusses character motivations

17. However, this person believed they left out a lot of the abusive qualities of Ryle's character.

A review by Goin2theMoovies from August 7, 2024, discusses the film "It Ends with Us," focusing on its handling of domestic abuse and breaking generational trauma compared to the book

Have you seen It Ends With Us? Tell us what you thought about the film in the comments below.

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It Ends With Us Book Review (2024)

Colleen hoover.

Margaret Colleen Fennel, known professionally as Colleen Hoover, was born on the 11 th of December, 19179, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, United States of America. Colleen has thus far authored 11 novels and 5 novellas, most works falling into the New Adult or Young Adult genres.

Additionally, Colleen has been frequently featured on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

It Ends With Us Book

Colleen was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, to father Eddie Fennel and mother VannoyFite. Hoover was raised in Saltillo, Texas, graduating in 1998 from the Saltillo High School. Just two years later, in the year 2000, she married Heath Hoover; the couple has so far had three children, all of which were boys.

Colleen received her degree in Social Work from Texas A&M-Commerce. She took up several different jobs, mostly teaching and social work, prior to starting her writing career fulltime. It was in November of 2011 that Colleen started writing the first of her eleven novels, Slammed. Colleen never intended of publishing the book, though upon receiving words of praise, she thought it might be a good idea.

The novel is famous for utilizing the lyrics of The Avett Brothers throughout its story. In just a little while, no more than a couple of months, Colleen’s novel was reviewed by Maryse Black, a book blogger, and received a five-star rating. This prompted the book sales to go through the roof. And just like that Colleen Hoover became the famous author she is today.

Pretty Famous

She has made an appearance on talk-shows like ABC News Nightline, CBS This Morning, and the like. Hoover has also been the recipient of the UtopYA Con Award. With that covered, we can now move onto our book review. This is probably the quintessential Collen Hoover novel. It truly is one of the authoress’ best works, and that’s saying something. It was published in the year of 2016.

The novel’s story begins with one of the two main characters, Lily Bloom. Lily is a fairly young girl, freshly having graduated from college. She now lives in Boston, and is, at the present moment, sitting on a rooftop attempting to clear her head after the funeral service of her dad. It is here that she first comes by the neurosurgeon known as Ryle Kincaid.

Can’t Stay Away

It doesn’t take long for the two of them to hit it off, but it also doesn’t long for them to see that they might not be what’s best for each other. Ryle, on one hand, seems to be interested only in a temporary affair, just an adventure of sorts, while Lily wants to be in a relationship. Seeing how they’re at a crossroads, the two of them split up and that’s that. That’s that until six months into the future, where they meet once more.

It’s a superb thing that Hoover has done with the characters. In only a little while we see how their own dynamics aren’t suitable, even though they seem to have perfect chemistry in all other aspects.

They meet by chance as Lily offers Allysa, Ryle’s sister, a job at her own flower shop. Seeing each other frequently now, the two’s interest in each other only multiplies each day, so Ryle actually gives in and tries out the relationship with Lily, in spite of his unwillingness before.

Who Is Lily Inside?

Lily isn’t just the run of the mill girl looking for a boyfriend to settle down with, though. She has her own demons, as she’s trying to come to terms with the loss of her dad, even though he wasn’t the nicest person to her or her mother.

She comes by a journal she’d written when she was only fifteen, and it chronicles a relationship she’d had with a homeless eighteen-year-old named Atlas. Just like that, Lily begins to question whether or not she wants closure from Atlas, too.

Blooming Relationship

Ryle and Lily’s relationship, though, seems to be blooming. They look like the perfect couple, but there’s more to it all than what meets the eye. One day it happens that Lily and Atlas meet, but there’s no spark there, as Lily points out, and the two of them part ways as soon as she assumes that closure has been achieved.

In a few days, on a fairly calm evening, Lily and Ryle get into an argument that ends with Ryle hurting Lily. He snaps out of it and tries to comfort her, which Lily accepts, but we can see that something isn’t as it seems. Lily is left baffled at what happened; it doesn’t take much for her to see Ryle as her dead dad, and she threatens to leave if that ever repeats.

The following day, Ryle has his hand bandaged, while Lily’s eye has a bit of a bruise on it. They’re at a restaurant when Atlas, out of the blue, comes by and by way of deduction concludes that Ryle has hurt Lily. If you enjoy books like this one, that is not only about a sweet romance , you must read ourarticle about the romance thriller books .

Turmoil is what follows as Lily, urged on by Atlas, comes to see herself as her mother as she was abused once. Ryle, on his own account, has demons, too. For instance, his younger brother died by way of accident with Ryle being at the forefront of it all.

More and More Suspicious

Ryle begins to be all the more suspicious of Lily and Atlas, to the point where he repeatedly hurts Lily. Lily, on the other hand, is pregnant. Having no other recourse, she confides to Allysa and her mother, as Ryle gets ready to leave for England. He stays there for three months, and upon his return learns of the pregnancy.

Wonderful Story

Lily makes the right choice in picking Atlas over Ryle, as the two meet and finally decide to try their hand at a real relationship. The story is markedly harrowing, heart-wrecking, and wonderful. Truly one of the best Colleen Hoover novels. And with this concludes our book review of It Ends with Us. Maybe Someday, Verity , and Hopeless are a few other treats from Hoover which are also superb.

Alissa Wynn

Alissa is an avid reader, blogger, and wannabe writer. (She's a much better cook than a writer actually). Alissa is married, has one human, one feline, and two canine kids. She always looks a mess and never meets a deadline.

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The movie 'It Ends With Us' faces criticism for glamorizing domestic abuse

This photo shows two actresses from the movie

Critics have said the promotional materials for the film It Ends With Us glamorize domestic violence. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel It Ends With Us has been adapted into a star-studded film, starring the likes of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. But the much-talked-about film is facing criticism for appearing to glamorize its depiction of domestic abuse.

The film, which draws from Hoover's own parents' relationship, tells the story of florist Lily Bloom, who falls in love with a neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid.

During their courtship, Kincaid goes from charming and charismatic to physically and emotionally abusive. Bloom eventually ends the relationship, telling her daughter that the cycle of violence "ends with us," reflecting the film's title.

Based on promotional materials for the film, however, some critics say the message about abuse might not come across to viewers.

"The trailer does a disservice to the fact that this could really raise awareness," said activist and domestic violence survivor Ashley Bendiksen. "But it seems to just be glossing over what the movie's actually about."

In one trailer — set to the song "Strangers" by Ethel Cain, which includes the lyrics "don’t talk to strangers or you might fall in love" — the movie seems to hit all the right notes of a typical romance movie.

Viewers see the two main characters — played by Lively and Baldoni — launch into a romantic relationship. You're teased with the potential of a love triangle, down to a fistfight between the two male suitors. And there's a brief bout of rage from Kincaid as he breaks a piece of furniture in his apartment.

But the full story is much darker. The abuse Bloom suffers at the hands of Kincaid in the film includes being pushed down a flight of stairs and attempted rape.

"When we use trauma as entertainment, it can feel really exploitative, and just irresponsible, and, in many ways, tone-deaf to the actual issue," Bendiksen said.

Fan blowback

The film, which was released on Aug. 9, has earned a respectable $242 million worldwide. But despite its success at the box office, criticisms have been scathing.

In one promotional video posted on Instagram , a smiling Lively sits alongside the novel's author, Hoover, and encourages the audience to "grab your friends, wear your florals and head out to see it." Florals in this context are a reference to her character, Bloom, owning a flower shop in the film.

Comments on the video criticized Lively's upbeat tone and attempts to promote the movie as a lighthearted love story.

"As someone who lived through DV as a child, 'grab your friends, wear your florals' is a terrible phrase to use about a film of this nature," one commenter wrote.

"You had an opportunity to turn this into a beautiful thing for women who suffer every day. Shame on you and your PR team for turning a blind eye," another said.

Many of the comments praised Baldoni, however, for his style in promoting the story.

In one interview posted to the star's Instagram page , Baldoni says his message for viewers is to always have hope.

"Everybody has the ability to end a cycle that they didn't ask for. We can all say, 'It ends with us' in our life," Baldoni said.

Baldoni directed the film, and Lively is one of its producers.

"Thank you so much for being the ONLY person on this cast promoting the actual point of this film," one commenter wrote in response.

"It's funny to me how the person that is portraying the offender is the only one making the point of the actual story."

Brandon Sklenar, who plays Baldoni's romantic rival in the film, said that he and his fellow cast-mates understood the gravity of telling a story about domestic abuse.

"Trust me when I tell you, there isn't a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma - domestic abuse - or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see," Sklenar wrote in a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram account.

"This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their sh-t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions."

Comments on the statement were turned off, but comments on unrelated posts took the cast to task over the way the film was being promoted.

"Your most recent post is just perpetuating how TONE DEAF this whole cast is (besides Justin). We don't want to hear you all defend each other. How about apologize and change the way you're all promoting the movie and talk about the issue – [domestic violence]," wrote one frustrated commenter.

Hoover, in a separate interview with Lively, said she felt that the film had been "faithful" to the story she wrote.

"Trigger warning"

Obbie West, a spoken-word artist and advocate for victims of domestic abuse, said that the framing of the film could wind up being triggering for abuse victims.

"Prior to presentations or prior to trainings, I give trigger warnings, and the trigger warning lets anyone in the room know that this content is going to be very sensitive in nature. That way, if any of it aligns with something they've been through and they feel triggered, we identify who are the people in the room that's qualified to help you," West said.

Trailers for the film do not include any sort of trigger warnings for content.

"So when you present this movie as a love movie without that precursor, then you have a theater full of people who aren't aware that they may potentially be triggered."

West said that in framing the movie as a love story, it could be damaging, particularly to young people who don't have a healthy frame of reference for love and aren't as easily able to recognize signs of abuse.

"If this is common practice and we're constantly presenting love in this way, then for those children who are still developing, it normalizes it and desensitizes them to abuse," West said.

Shippensburg University

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Print Edition

“It Ends with Us” movie review

Given that my review of the book “It Ends with Us” was among the first articles I posted, it was only appropriate that I also review the adapted movie.

My opinions on the book were quite positive, contrary to others’ thoughts on it. I expressed that the book gave some surface-level insight on the difficulties of being in and navigating a domestic abuse relationship. This is especially true for people who previously thought that exiting a relationship like this was as easy as getting up and leaving.

To begin, I was disappointed with the casting of Blake Lively playing the role of Lily. Lily Bloom was the protagonist and was portrayed as a naïve 23-year-old. However, Blake Lively is much older than that and did not quite fit the role. Furthermore, Lily was described to be a redhead.

I wish they had casted a younger actress with red hair, which would have given them the opportunity to make a name for themself, rather than casting a blonde and dying her hair red. Aside from that, I thought the other actors were casted well for their role.

There were times while I was watching the movie where I felt like I only knew what was going on because I had read the book. I watched the movie with a friend who was unfamiliar with the book and found myself having to explain some things that were not depicted clearly. Additionally, I noticed many scenes from the book completely skipped over in the movie.

I understand that a good chunk of scenes are removed in most adaptations of books, but considering that the duration of the movie was well over two hours long, I’d expect most scenes to appear in the movie. Removing that many scenes made the movie seem like it was rushed to produced, which is not a good look considering they began developing the movie in 2019.

Finally, the marketing of this film has been controversial. Blake Lively and author Colleen Hoover, have been receiving backlash and have been under scrutiny for the way they have marketed the film. After the great success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” last summer, it seemed like they were trying to recreate similar vibes and tried making it the ‘movie of the summer,’ which backfired considering the seriousness of this subject.

We can observe Blake Lively’s frivolity and carelessness to the subject by the way she told viewers watching the movie to “wear your florals” as if it was a rom-com film, in addition to discussing trivial things in interviews like the costuming, which were questionable. It appears that this was just no more than a quick money grab for her. In addition, it is unfortunate that the drama taking place amongst the cast has been receiving more attention than the movie itself.

Overall, the movie was not terrible, but it also was not as good as I had anticipated. This movie had the potential to be sensational and educate people, but instead most of the attention has been shifted to the bad marketing and the drama between the cast.

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Film Review: It Ends With Us

Did you know Colleen Hoover is a social worker?

by SaraKay Smullens

It Ends With Us

Director Justin Baldoni

Production Company Columbia Pictures , Wayfarer

Genre Drama , Movie

Writer Christy Hall

Cast Brandon Sklenat , Jenny Slate , Blake Lively , Justin Baldoni

Release Date August 9, 2024

Duration 130 minutes

VITAL TOPICS: SOCIAL WORK & FILM

by SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, CGP, CFLE, BCD

“I want people to devour my books in one sitting because the storyline and dialogue are too gripping to put down. I don’t try to write heavy books that educate, inform, and impress. My only goal is to entertain, and hopefully that’s what I’m doing.” Colleen Hoover

What follows is a review of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, It Ends With Us , which addresses domestic violence. It is not a review of the book the film is based on, which I have not read. Hoover has fully endorsed all aspects of the film, describing herself as “extremely happy“ with its completion, and á la Hitchcock, is seen in a fleeting scene.

After an introduction to Hoover, a remarkable social media genius with a strong presence on BookTok, I will discuss the film in detail. Its positives— all discussion of domestic violence leading to societal and personal awareness is meaningful. Plus, the acting and set/costume design of the film, even when in contradiction to the character portrayed, provides a gifted ensemble and A-plus entertainment/diversion until, as the drama unfolds, discomfort sets in. The film’s dangers— it presents an over-simplification of the complex topic of domestic (or intimate partner) violence, where the circumstances of the woman abused and her path to peaceful resolve offered in the film are pure fantasy.

Colleen Hoover has seen domestic violence up close. Her earliest memory is being awakened at age two by screaming as she witnessed her dad throwing a television set at her mom, who subsequently divorced him. Hoover’s followers are aware of her respect for, devotion to, and cherishment of her mom, echoed by their matching heart shaped tattoos inside their wrists.

Colleen Hoover got her start through self-publishing while living in a (long gone) trailer with her husband, her high school sweetheart, a long-distance trucker on the road much of every month, and their three young sons, bought by a loan (long ago repaid) from her stepfather. Hoover refused to acquiesce to the well-established limited brand that has defined her Young Adult market. In its place, she established the inclusive Colleen Hoover Brand for romance, psychological thrillers, a ghost story, and characters who endure homelessness and helplessness, each book brimming with enormously satisfying sex, intense drama, surprise twists and turns, and a promised happy ending.

An adored cult figure to millions of readers worldwide, who call themselves CoHorts, Hoover’s has been a singular achievement. She holds book contracts with several publishing houses and often retains e-book rights. She authored eight of the 25 best-selling 2022 U.S. print titles. The following year, It Ends With Us and its sequel, It Starts With Us, became blockbuster titles, selling more books than the Bible. For the reigning Queen of best seller lists, the period of August 4 through August 10 marked week 133 that It Ends With Us held the New York Times coveted Number 1 slot for print and e-book fiction.

What most do not know is that Colleen Hoover is also a social worker . She received a BA in social work from Texas A & M-Commerce, whose stated mission is to educate professionals to “lead, innovate, and transform,” and subsequently spent years learning and absorbing in various community and social work settings, including a child’s advocacy center, a home heath hospice, and finally a state agency center offering nutrition counseling. Surely, her course work; her committed, invested professors and supervisors; and her on-the-job experience, coupled with both tragedy and grit familiar in her formative years, contributed to Hoover’s abilities to flesh out characters determined to overcome obstacles, leaving readers breathlessly turning pages.

Please note: To concentrate on the film itself, SPOILERS will follow.

On the plus side, It Ends With Us opens the door to frank examination of domestic abuse, which can open one’s eyes to the epidemic of physical, sexual, and emotional violation. Further, the film presents an accurate picture of an abuser’s skilled use of charm bombardment, referred to as “love bombing,” as well as the “honeymoon periods” following each violent episode, when a woman is usually empathetic and nurturing to an abusive partner, who through excuses and empty promises, has perfected an entrenched baby-bully façade to cover a violent nature. It also documents the unraveling of a doomed relationship and reveals how past life events can morph into this threatening dance.

My main concern about the film is that it presents an inaccurate depiction of the real lives of those abused, and modeling its resolve can be both dangerous and life threatening. Plus, its guide to resources does not appear until after the credits, when many have left the theater.

This said, it is important to remember that Colleen Hoover’s openly stated goal is an entertaining read leading to a happily-ever-after resolve, which screen writer Christy Hall provides. Keeping with Hoover’s vision, Hall offers an integration of Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz, with the film Gaslight thrown in, offering a Joseph Cotton Rescuer, Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar). The film’s central character, Lily Blossom Bloom (played by Blake Lively), a marvel with plants and flowers, has grown up watching her dad, Mayor of their town, beat his wife mercilessly, abuse that extends to her as her mom lives in denial. Predictably, Lily falls in love with another abuser, neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni, also the film’s director). Lily’s spunky Fairy Godmother, Allysa (Jenny Slate), married to a wealthy man she loves (Allysa also happens to be Ryle’s sister), comes to Lily’s rescue, joining her to create “Lily’s Blooms,” the Victorian flower shop that is her dream come true. Following a horrific attempted rape, Allysa steadfastly remains at Lily’s side. In this most unusual choice, rare in the real world, blood is in no way thicker than water.

Hall translates Hoover’s novel with titillating sexual foreplay and expression and financially secure lovers. In strong contrast to the common experiences of domestic violence survivors, domestic violence professionals, and social workers, Lily is blessed with financial security and a rock-solid support system, which includes her first love, who remains devoted to her. Intimate violence is resolved amicably after one conversation with her abuser. Subsequent moving forward is devoid of depression, economic deprivation, homelessness, fear for safety, stalking, harassment, violence, restraining orders, relentless PTSD, and endless custody cases. Plus, terror about “the next time” is non-existent.

A primary difficulty with It Ends With Us is that it is at odds with itself: Is the film a serious examination of domestic violence in which, during their lifetimes, 1 in 3 women, about 736 million, endure physical or sexual violence, a large proportion killed, as are their children trying to protect them? Or is it a romantic thriller in which violence is compartmentalized, and focus is on a beautiful, fashionable, strong creative woman coming into her own?

This confusion has been intensified by examples of online promotional material that presents the film in a lighthearted way. Survivors have been unsettled about a lack of trigger warnings about physical and sexual violence, including the trauma of sexual assault and a rape attempt, with no indicated resources offered. This lapse has been exacerbated by Blake Lively’s press tour where, in addition to promoting her hair and drink products, on noted occasions she has not appeared in touch with the seriousness of domestic violence, stating during a BBC interview that while Lily is a survivor and a victim, “These are not her identity.” One domestic violence survivor shared in an interview that she entered the theater expecting a romantic comedy after hearing Lively’s pitch, “Grab your florals, grab your friends.”

Coverage and quotes from principals in the film indicate that discord reigned on the set. And continues. Various reasons have been disclosed, some denied; but careful reading indicates that in interviews, director Justin Baldoni stressed the film’s emphasis on understanding the life-threatening escalation of domestic violence and the importance of leaving an abuser, while through her statements, Lively views Lily’s abuse as a compartmentalized backburner issue, depicting her as a brave, highly fashionable, creative force central in a romantic thriller, in which viewers root for her escape.

This leaves viewers with both questions and contradiction. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse overwhelm all aspects of a woman’s life and can only be compartmentalized for brief periods, such as when, desperate for financial survival, a woman wills herself to work. This reality begs the questions: Does Blake Lively understand the woman she portrays? Is she forcing Lily to be someone she is not ready to be? Further, is Blake Lively portraying Lily, or is she showcasing herself? I wish Lively, a beautiful, gifted actor—surely without need to gild her Lily—could have emphasized substance and shown the horrific struggle made by a violated, terrified woman to will herself out of bed, wash her face, brush her teeth, dress in anything she can find to somehow, someway face her day.

Plus, Hoover has described It Ends With Us as the hardest book she has ever written. Shifting from her focus on pure entertainment, she has said that the intent of this book has been to advocate for domestic violence victims. I wish she had insisted on a film script that emphasized informing and educating by stating the film’s focus and intent before the film began and noting how many women and children die yearly as a result of intimate partner violence, offering available resources before the credits. I wish she had supported a script showing how, for myriad reasons, first attempts to leave a batterer are unsuccessful, and calling attention to the necessity to carefully plan an exit to a safe harbor. I wish she had pointed out that a woman must never, with a child in her arms or even present, tell an abuser that she is leaving him and pointed to the dangers of co-parenting with a batterer who has unsupervised visits with a child. With regularity, these oversights lead to death of mother and child.

I wish Colleen Hoover had done this because she is not only a writer. She is a social worker .

SaraKay Smullens' (MSW, LCSW, BCD) best selling book Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work, Edition 2 (NASW Press, 2021) grew from her researched award winning article in The New Social Worker , “ What I Wish I Had Known .” SaraKay has worked with women enduring domestic violence for more than 30 years, which led to her identification of invisible cycles of emotional abuse, always part of sexual and physical violence, but deserving their own codification. In 1995, with the support of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, she initiated the Sabbath of Domestic Peace Coalition, a diverse, multicultural bonding of religious leaders, the domestic violence community, social workers, physicians, attorneys, volunteers, and law enforcement officials who identified clergy as "a missing link" in addressing the complexities of the virulent epidemic of domestic violence, which prayer alone could not solve. The Coalition held trainings for clergy and parishioners throughout Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Its yearly non-denominational prayer service was attended by hundreds. After several years, the SDP Coalition was able to disband as individual faith communities and houses of worship incorporated their mission.

All material published on this website Copyright 1994-2023 White Hat Communications. All rights reserved. Please contact the publisher for permission to reproduce or reprint any materials on this site. Opinions expressed on this site are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

COMMENTS

IT ENDS WITH US
While the love story is the book's focus, the subplot involving Maisie's illness is equally well-developed, and the link between Beckett and the twins is heartfelt and sincere. A thoughtful and pensive tale with intelligent characters and a satisfying romance. 592. Pub Date: Feb. 26, 2019. ISBN: 978-1-64063-533-3.
Book Review: "It Ends With Us"
4/5. Writing: 5/5. Plot and Themes: 4.5/5. Overall: 4.5/5. In conclusion, "It Ends with Us" stands out as a powerful exploration of love and personal strength. Its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of relationships contribute to a captivating narrative.
It Ends with Us (It Ends with Us, #1) by Colleen Hoover
Winner for Best Romance (2016) Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business.
It Ends With Us Review: Interesting Take on Colleen Hoover's Book
Conclusion. This It Ends With Us review of the book by author Colleen Hoover detailed the pros and cons of this bestselling book. In summary, it's worth reading if you like fast-paced, immersive, sexually graphic, and emotional contemporary romance novels in which the main characters face very difficult situations.
It Ends With Us, Book 1 Book Review
Our review: Parents say (8 ): Kids say (38 ): The writing in this contemporary romance is a bit uneven, with corny, overused phrases and predictable cliches. Author Colleen Hoover is at her strongest, though, in the diary entries the narrator reads from when she was 15 years old. They add a lot of emotional honesty to It Ends With Us, and make ...
Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Review. AH. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entireee time. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, going back and forth between the men in Lily's life and constantly thinking - why doesn't she leave if she isn't happy? I won't give away any spoilers but there is a heavy theme of domestic abuse throughout this book and helps ...
It Ends with Us
It Ends with Us. by Colleen Hoover. Publication Date: August 2, 2016. Genres: Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction. Paperback: 384 pages. Publisher: Atria Books. ISBN-10: 1501110365. ISBN-13: 9781501110368. Lily has come a long way from the small town where she grew up.
It Ends with Us Review (2016): Unveiling the Irresistible Impact
In conclusion, 'It Ends with Us' is a gripping and emotionally-charged novel that leaves a lasting impact on its readers. Colleen Hoover's powerful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make it a standout work in contemporary fiction. Whether you're a fan of romance, drama, or thought-provoking narratives, this book is sure to ...
In-Depth Book Review: "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover
Summary. Lily Bloom, the protagonist of "It Ends With Us," navigates the turbulent waters of love and relationships against the backdrop of her traumatic past. Lily grows up witnessing domestic abuse in her family, which shapes her views on love and relationships. As an adult, she moves to Boston and starts her own business, a flower shop.
It Ends with Us Series by Colleen Hoover
Book 1. It Ends with Us. by Colleen Hoover. 4.15 · 3,764,980 Ratings · 275,276 Reviews · published 2016 · 188 editions. Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts yo…. Want to Read. Rate it:
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: It Ends with Us: A Novel (1)
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for It Ends with Us: A Novel (1) at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. ... Colleen's author's note at the end of the book touched me deeply, bringing both sorrow and relief in knowing that others have overcome abuse. Ryle's words, "good people do bad things ...
Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
While It Ends With Us is an engaging and well-written novel, it does share some common tropes found in college romances and can be somewhat predictable in places. The on-and-off nature of the main characters' relationship was a bit frustrating at times, and so I don't recommend this book for readers seeking a more stable and linear narrative.
It Ends with Us
PLOT AND NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE: 4/5. LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE: 4/5. OVERALL RATING: 4/5. GENRE/THEME: New Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance. "And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.". - Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us. It Ends with Us is my first Colleen Hoover book and I must say that it ...
Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Review. Rating: 5 out of 5. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is so much more than what one expects from it on the surface. Particularly the last 25% was emotionally tormenting for me, personally, to read as it covered themes of domestic abuse (something I witnessed in my own home growing up) and love intertwined in a complex web in which women ...
Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price. This book contains graphic scenes and very sensitive subject matter.
Book Review: It Ends With Us
Book Review: It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover. Genre: Fiction/ Romance novel/ Contemporary romance. Rating: 5/5 stars. DISCLAIMER : TW: Sexual assault. CONTAINS SPOILERS. Finally, know that this book shouldn't be read before going to bed, trust me it will prevent you from sleeping. "There is no such thing as 'bad people'.
IT ENDS WITH US
The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author's note at the end that explains Hoover's personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read. Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors.
It Ends with Us
It Ends with Us is a romance novel by Colleen Hoover, published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016. Based on the relationship between her mother and father, Hoover described it as "the hardest book I've ever written". It explores themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse.. As of 2019, the novel had sold over one million copies worldwide and been translated into over twenty languages.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover: It's Worth the Hype
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover was released in 2016, so I am late to the party reading it.. All the hype, and its place on the bestseller lists years later, finally made me cave and I'm so glad I did. Check out my book review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover to see why I believe it's worth all of the hype. *Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.
Stop Praising Colleen Hoover's 'It Ends With Us.' Here's What You're
Content warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of rape and sexual assault.. The quote on the cover of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, claims, "Every person with a heartbeat should read this book." It was the sixth best-selling book of 2021, BookTok is going nuts over it and USA Today called it "the kind of book that gets handed down."
It Ends With Us: The 5 Biggest Changes From Book to Movie
Atlas's Restaurant. After years apart, Lily reconnects with Atlas when she dines at his restaurant. In the book, the establishment is called Bib's, an acronym for "Better in Boston.". In ...
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
*Spoilers start at 5:30* Pain. So much pain. What did y'all think of This Ends with Us?! And if you've read more of her, what is your favorite Colleen Hoover...
'It Ends With Us' Ending Explained: Does Lily End Up With Atlas?
Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for It Ends with Us and discusses the topic of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Book-to-movie adaptations often bring in a large crowd due to the ...
Review: It Ends With Us
If Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us could be summarized in one word, it would be "polarizing." The novel, which explores the whirlwind-turned-abusive relationship between flower shop owner ...
"It Ends With Us" Letterboxd Reviews
Since It Ends With Us was recently released in theaters, the book adaptation has garnered a lot of attention for the way it was marketed to audiences, as well as the alleged drama that unfolded ...
It Ends With Us Book Review (2024)
It Ends With Us Book Review (2024) Colleen Hoover. Margaret Colleen Fennel, known professionally as Colleen Hoover, was born on the 11 th of December, 19179, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, United States of America. Colleen has thus far authored 11 novels and 5 novellas, most works falling into the New Adult or Young Adult genres.
It Ends With Us Sequel Spoilers: What Happens In The Second Book
Spoilers are ahead for It Ends with Us (2024) and Colleen Hoover's novel It Starts with Us. This article contains discussions of potentially triggering topics found in both the books and movie ...
The movie 'It Ends With Us' faces criticism for glamorizing ...
Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel It Ends With Us has been adapted into a star-studded film, starring the likes of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. But the much-talked-about film is facing ...
"It Ends with Us" movie review
Given that my review of the book "It Ends with Us" was among the first articles I posted, it was only appropriate that I also review the adapted movie. My opinions on the book were quite positive, contrary to others' thoughts on it. I expressed that the book gave some surface-level insight on the difficulties of being in and navigating a ...
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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Summary and Review – What’s this book all about?

23 Feb It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Summary and Review – What’s this book all about?

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