Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - It Ends with Us

I feel like a big misconception about this book is that it romanticises violence - it didn’t feel that way to me. It felt like we were inside Lily’s head, and she was confused, and eventually brave, when faced with a horrible situation.

So to pals who aren’t familiar with it at all, I’d say there are two things to know going in:
1) it covers domestic violence
2) it also shows hope and a way out

Strengths

I read this book in one sitting. I just finished watching the movie, which made it really easy to jump in, especially as it hit so many of the same beats.

Where I think this book is really strong is in understanding some of the complexities of deciding to leave an abusive relationship.

Lily is privileged in a lot of ways. Financially, she can afford to leave this situation, which changes everything. But even then, her decision to leave is difficult, and as a reader, we watch her struggle with it on the page.

Weaknesses

To me, it reads like a first draft of the movie - I think they made cuts in all the right places.

Writing to Ellen Degeneres is a wild choice of plot device and was totally distracting.

The naming of the characters was also wild - Lily Blossom Bloom? Ryle? Atlas? Bffr

Content Warnings

cha_len_novels's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

“In the future . . . if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me.”
― Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us

I kinda get it, but also not amazed by it. Might read sequel..or not.

**bonus quote**
"For better, for worse?
Fuck.
That
Shit."
― Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us

Content Warnings

larajed's review

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emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

fkshg8465's review against another edition

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emotional informative sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I hated most of this book, but I let out the breath I was holding when the book was over, and I felt hopeful for all of the characters. Loved the supporting characters most - the sister and brother-in-law and the mother made the rest of the characters fuller. I really, really walked to hate Ryle all the way through the end, and I think I always will. Author gave him an out from the start that he didn’t deserve and which many women would’ve used as excuses and these same men would use as permission.

Expected very little from this book. Verity was very popular, but I’d really, really disliked it. Thought this would end up the same way. Glad I was proved wrong.

Content Warnings

gentlenaturegirl's review

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emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

morganismic's review

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I do not like Colleen Hoover, but I read this book because of my family. I wish there would've been a trigger warning for this book because I DID NOT realize what I was getting myself into, I thought this book was a rom-com. I grew to like the characters, but I still don't like Hoover's writing. I also do not like Blake Lively.

Content Warnings

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