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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book.
I give Hoover the way to approach abuse and deal with it, it was well told and really showed off and made me understand why it can be hard to leave that situation.
But the romantic plot. Oh my. Girl meets fuckboy. Fuckboy tells her he only does one night stands. After a few months, fuckboy begs her for sex. They have sex one fucking time and fuckboy is ready for a relationship. A few months later they elope and get married in Vegas after joking about it once. What the heck is that?
I wasn’t able to connect with any character and it all felt so rushed I didn’t actually felt the characters had some depth or were kinda real ( except maybe for Lily and just regarding the abuse theme). Also, who in their right mind would call their baby “Emerson Dory”? Do they want their kid to be bullied at kindergarten?
I give Hoover the way to approach abuse and deal with it, it was well told and really showed off and made me understand why it can be hard to leave that situation.
But the romantic plot. Oh my. Girl meets fuckboy. Fuckboy tells her he only does one night stands. After a few months, fuckboy begs her for sex. They have sex one fucking time and fuckboy is ready for a relationship. A few months later they elope and get married in Vegas after joking about it once. What the heck is that?
I wasn’t able to connect with any character and it all felt so rushed I didn’t actually felt the characters had some depth or were kinda real ( except maybe for Lily and just regarding the abuse theme). Also, who in their right mind would call their baby “Emerson Dory”? Do they want their kid to be bullied at kindergarten?
I'm coming back to this review now with a few more thoughts. While I did only rate it as three stars, it was a relatively high three stars in a genre that I really don't read much of any more. The thing is, I'm quite conflicted about this book.
This is kind of a love triangle, but kind of not. Lily has feelings for both of the men in her life, but those feelings are firmly in 'ex-boyfriend that she never got over' and 'current boyfriend that she is dating and loves now' camps. The ex is definitely an ex while she is dating her current boyfriend. The conflict here is around Lily's current boyfriend, who she meets when she moves to Boston for a fresh start.
Ryle is where I had the issues, and I know he's definitely meant to be a character that you don't like. I spotted the issues with him straight away and was practically screaming at Lily to run away from him from the moment she met him. I'm wondering if that was the point?
The thing with this book is that it hits a bit close to home. I know someone who is currenly trying to get out of a relationship that is somewhat similar to Lily and Ryle's relationship, and it was so very difficult to get through the passages where Ryle was at his worst. And reading Lily's thoughts after everything that had happened, and how confused and conflicted she is reminded me so much of the person I know who is voicing similar things to Lily. And I think that is why I didn't really enjoy this as much as I could have done. Because romance is really not my genre right now, and because this hit too close to home for me to really enjoy. Some people may like it for that reason, but unfortunately I did not.
That's not to say that I hated the book; in some ways, it was quite a good book. I read it quickly, actually finished it, and didn't actively hate it when I finished it. Those are positive signs.
Overall, this was not a bad read at all, and it definitely made me consider picking up more Colleen Hoover books in the future, so I guess that's a win.
This is kind of a love triangle, but kind of not. Lily has feelings for both of the men in her life, but those feelings are firmly in 'ex-boyfriend that she never got over' and 'current boyfriend that she is dating and loves now' camps. The ex is definitely an ex while she is dating her current boyfriend. The conflict here is around Lily's current boyfriend, who she meets when she moves to Boston for a fresh start.
Ryle is where I had the issues, and I know he's definitely meant to be a character that you don't like. I spotted the issues with him straight away and was practically screaming at Lily to run away from him from the moment she met him. I'm wondering if that was the point?
The thing with this book is that it hits a bit close to home. I know someone who is currenly trying to get out of a relationship that is somewhat similar to Lily and Ryle's relationship, and it was so very difficult to get through the passages where Ryle was at his worst. And reading Lily's thoughts after everything that had happened, and how confused and conflicted she is reminded me so much of the person I know who is voicing similar things to Lily. And I think that is why I didn't really enjoy this as much as I could have done. Because romance is really not my genre right now, and because this hit too close to home for me to really enjoy. Some people may like it for that reason, but unfortunately I did not.
That's not to say that I hated the book; in some ways, it was quite a good book. I read it quickly, actually finished it, and didn't actively hate it when I finished it. Those are positive signs.
Overall, this was not a bad read at all, and it definitely made me consider picking up more Colleen Hoover books in the future, so I guess that's a win.
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It ends with us is a really different novel to one’s I’ve read before. Colleen isn’t scared to touch upon sensitive subjects in her books and does this with eloquence. She approaches topics with sensitivity whilst also keeping things real and raw, and I love that.
I wish I had gone into reading this with no pre expectations from bookstagram, as I felt like while reading I was looking for just a love story with Atlas. Whilst this character was important, the book was SO much more than that and I think I would’ve appreciated it differently. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m excited for “it starts with us” and how that unfolds.
I was really surprised and happy with how it ended, I was worried in that last chapter, but Lily is a really great role model and example of a grounded woman who can find the strength to lift herself up. This then made sense in the authors note at the end, which explains how Colleen told this story so well. I especially respected her acknowledgment to her father at the end, that was powerful of her.
I couldn’t decide between a 4 or 5 star for this book, I’d say I give it a 4.5 for me. I really really really liked it and would definitely read again, now I understand what the story really is.
I wish I had gone into reading this with no pre expectations from bookstagram, as I felt like while reading I was looking for just a love story with Atlas. Whilst this character was important, the book was SO much more than that and I think I would’ve appreciated it differently. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m excited for “it starts with us” and how that unfolds.
I was really surprised and happy with how it ended, I was worried in that last chapter, but Lily is a really great role model and example of a grounded woman who can find the strength to lift herself up. This then made sense in the authors note at the end, which explains how Colleen told this story so well. I especially respected her acknowledgment to her father at the end, that was powerful of her.
I couldn’t decide between a 4 or 5 star for this book, I’d say I give it a 4.5 for me. I really really really liked it and would definitely read again, now I understand what the story really is.
dark
I've decided Colleen Hoover is not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Originally this book was a flat 3 stars for me as much as I enjoyed the story I did feel it was a little bit lagging, but the ending it went upto 4 stars ok I was feeling more emotionally invested and at the end it was a straight flying 5, the pace picks up in the last part of this book leaving tye prelude for it Starts with us and it really does pull your heartstrings! I was totally invested in the story of lily and atlas where actually can we find ourselves an atlas and hated and I mean with a vengeance hated Ryle her husband... as a woman who suffered at the hands of vile like Ryle they usually have family willing to make excuses for their explicable behaviour where Allysa and Marshall didn't do this in fact she begs her as a best friend not to go back. I understand how hard his upbringing (Ryles) may have been having killed his brother as a child but Jesus it isn't an excuse for what he does to Lily! I feel really invested in this series to the point I also wanna watch the film to this book too!
massive lily and atlas fan, hope they find everlasting love in the next stage of their journey (it Starts with us)
massive lily and atlas fan, hope they find everlasting love in the next stage of their journey (it Starts with us)
“My mother went through it.
I went through it.
I’ll be damned if I allow my daughter to go through it.
I kiss her on the forehead and make her a promise. “It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
“He brings his mouth to my ear, and in a whisper, he says, “You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.”
Voy a escribir una reseña larga porque necesito desahogarme así que voy a ordenar mis ideas y después vengo
I went through it.
I’ll be damned if I allow my daughter to go through it.
I kiss her on the forehead and make her a promise. “It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
“He brings his mouth to my ear, and in a whisper, he says, “You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.”
Voy a escribir una reseña larga porque necesito desahogarme así que voy a ordenar mis ideas y después vengo
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book tugged at my heart strings. It was a realistic experience with domestic violence that feels all too familiar for some, but can be eye opening to others. I loved that it always kept me wanting to read more. The author choosing to switch back and forth between the different character’s perspectives made it enjoyable and easy to read.