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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Many, many years ago, I picked up a Colleen Hoover novel because she was all the rage and I wanted to find out why. I enjoyed the first part, the friendship between the main characters, but not the rest (I can't even remember the title of that novel). So I gave up on Colleen Hoover.
Several years later, she's still there ! I tried reading Verity because it was a mystery/thriller and absolutely loved it, so I gave her another try.
I know there was a debate about "It ends with us" because of the subject and the way it was treated, so I'll state this first : it is *A* story, it does not reflect all the stories about all the women that are abused. I treated it as such. As I researched a little, I saw that Colleen Hoover had her own parents in mind when she wrote this, so again, it is about one story, it's not universal. I also have a small background with women abuse : my mother worked in a home for abused children and women, we work with such a shelter at my library and sadly, I had a friend who was abused by her husband (it didn't resolve quickly, long story, but she finally, finally left him, phew !). I'm not saying I'm a specialist, just that I heard several real life stories and yes, people don't always react the way they are supposed to, it's human and there are circumstances that outsiders don't even think about. To all the people who think "Why didn't they leave that man ?", there are books about that, please inform yourself. If you don't, well, then read this novel at least. As Lily says : "People spend so much time wondering why the women don't leave. Where are all the people who wonder why the men are even abusive ? Isn't that where the only blame should be placed ?"
To be honest, I wouldn't have fallen for Ryle (the abusive husband) in the first place, too assertive, sad background or not. But hey, I'm old and Lily was young, I guess he had his charm and people are not perfect. Which is part of why I loved this book : it's practically realistic. What Lily felt, others have felt. "He only hit me once, he was overwhelmed at the moment, he won't do it again, he has reasons that I understand even if I don't approve", all that stuff. To be in love and to be mistreated by that person that you love more than anyone else, repeating your parents' history even if you swore yourself you wouldn't, it has to be a shock. Please read the afterword by the author, you will understand the angle she has chosen - considering the children and parenthood. By the way, this novel felt more like a woman's fiction than a New Adult book. I loved the way Lily's strength grew... and bloomed (sorry !).
I loved this book so much that I picked "It starts with us", even if I usually don't read the same story by another point of view. I'm just curious, I didn't read much about it, I'm going in blind. It's on my physical TBR pile.
Several years later, she's still there ! I tried reading Verity because it was a mystery/thriller and absolutely loved it, so I gave her another try.
I know there was a debate about "It ends with us" because of the subject and the way it was treated, so I'll state this first : it is *A* story, it does not reflect all the stories about all the women that are abused. I treated it as such. As I researched a little, I saw that Colleen Hoover had her own parents in mind when she wrote this, so again, it is about one story, it's not universal. I also have a small background with women abuse : my mother worked in a home for abused children and women, we work with such a shelter at my library and sadly, I had a friend who was abused by her husband (it didn't resolve quickly, long story, but she finally, finally left him, phew !). I'm not saying I'm a specialist, just that I heard several real life stories and yes, people don't always react the way they are supposed to, it's human and there are circumstances that outsiders don't even think about. To all the people who think "Why didn't they leave that man ?", there are books about that, please inform yourself. If you don't, well, then read this novel at least. As Lily says : "People spend so much time wondering why the women don't leave. Where are all the people who wonder why the men are even abusive ? Isn't that where the only blame should be placed ?"
To be honest, I wouldn't have fallen for Ryle (the abusive husband) in the first place, too assertive, sad background or not. But hey, I'm old and Lily was young, I guess he had his charm and people are not perfect. Which is part of why I loved this book : it's practically realistic. What Lily felt, others have felt. "He only hit me once, he was overwhelmed at the moment, he won't do it again, he has reasons that I understand even if I don't approve", all that stuff. To be in love and to be mistreated by that person that you love more than anyone else, repeating your parents' history even if you swore yourself you wouldn't, it has to be a shock. Please read the afterword by the author, you will understand the angle she has chosen - considering the children and parenthood. By the way, this novel felt more like a woman's fiction than a New Adult book. I loved the way Lily's strength grew... and bloomed (sorry !).
I loved this book so much that I picked "It starts with us", even if I usually don't read the same story by another point of view. I'm just curious, I didn't read much about it, I'm going in blind. It's on my physical TBR pile.
I hated every second of this book. I felt no connection to any of the characters. I should have felt sad in parts but the way it was written I couldn't get into it. I felt this book was full of cringe, poor characters, terrible writing and bad editing. Why the characters can't have actual people names I have no clue.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Colleen Hoover book…. I really liked it!! Was not expecting this roller coaster of emotions and the ending
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this is the first and last colleen hoover book i have ever read.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The chapter where Lily and her mom get to talk about their experiences is my favorite. It's so hard seeing a mother being vulnerable and truthful with their child, and here we have two mothers sticking up for themselves and their family. They both are in the journey of healing and be better for them and their family.
Awful. The last 100 pages are the only redeeming part of this book, which is depressing considering the topic is one that is so worth reading about and delving deeper into the inner workings of. I would genuinely rate the first 3/4ths of the book as 1 star, and then rate the last quarter as 5 stars. The ending tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel so connected to the main character. The first third is just badly written romance novel. Tedious and drawn out.