Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

2977 reviews

karalyndawn's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I finally got around to listening to this CoHo mainly because it’s going to be a movie. I’ve read other CoHo books and she certainly has a specific writing style. If you read Maybe Someday, This Ends with Us gave the same vibes just a different plot. But even the endings felt the same. Anyways, overall it was a good book and I enjoyed listening to the audio version. It touched on a difficult subject and I feel for all the women who experience abuse. I do think that out of all the CoHo books there are others that would make for a better movie. I’ll still watch it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Rape

mirandasmall's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

magerosenburg's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexism, Pregnancy, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Body shaming

mollysteiny's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Suicide, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Firstly—I’m well aware that Hoover’s work is debated due to the graphic nature of her stories. However, I do my best to read books that are heavily debated/discussed regardless of how I feel about an author. I think leaving our comfort zones allows us to contribute meaningfully to popular discussions, especially with books. 

*PLEASE NOTE: Due to the content warnings above, this review will contain some spoilers. There is no way to talk about the content of this book without revealing some details*

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is filled with heavy topics boiled down to their rawest form. We are placed inside the head of a victim, and I think this book accurately depicts the way abusive relationships can manipulate anyone’s mind, even someone who is guarded against it. For me, I particularly liked Alysa’s character, because I felt like her hands were tied due to her relationships, but she still did her best to honor those complicated feelings from different perspectives. The novel progresses in a way that feels true to life, because it depicts multifaceted emotions from different angles. We get to see significant character growth and complicated plot lines that feel true to life (because life is messy and unpredictable), but also, a look at a brighter future. I think that stories surrounding abusive relationships can be really hard to read and digest, and reading the complicated back and forth Lily has in her own head was hard as a reader. Psychologically though, these complicated emotions can be true for victims. I know one of the big critiques of this novel is that it seems to glorify the relationship between Ryle and Lily, but I actually don’t think it does. It breaks down the psychological component of abuse and allows us to see Lily work through them with lots of support. That being said, the depictions are graphic and troubling, so I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who would find the content triggering. Overall, I think this book addresses the cycle of abuse well, and how the cycle needs to be broken.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Pregnancy, Drug use, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

pixie94's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

nikrib's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Read this in anticipation for the movie coming out this year starring Blake Lively. Wife and I hope the cast will elevate this story on screen because this book was not written well (reads more like a YA). However, I do understand the themes & concur that awareness & support should be spread for this matter. I thought it was nice that the author included resources in the appendix.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Alcohol

kaitlynrose04's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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? No

4.75

This book shows the harsh reality of love and abuse, very moving.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Rape

rnbhargava's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Is it the greatest writing? No, it isn’t. However, the characters are well rounded and the storyline is propulsive. Frankly, I think I’ll read the sequel too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Rape, Child abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical trauma, Sexism, and Sexual assault

This whole book is ultimately about domestic violence and why one wouldn’t give up on the other person immediately. Keep that in mind.

katahercog's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Pregnancy