A review by imaginefishes
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

emotional 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

The first half of the book reads as an average YA fiction book, with the female protagonist lamenting her past and who is now being swept off her feet by the quintessential cool, suave asshole. Besides that, certain life events which happen to Lily feel a little too optimistic or unrealistic
(like the immediate success of her business, which she could afford to start, the fact Alyssa decided to walk in and employ herself while also happening to be Ryle's sister, and the fact that Atlas has become a successful restaurant chef and business owner).

But by the second half of the book, the portrayal of the domestic abuse scenes gain greater severity, and showcases the flawed thinking Lily had held towards domestic abuse. Yet, it also shows a flawed portrayal of domestic abuse, and flawed reasoning behind causes and effects of domestic abuse
(people don't often stay in domestic relationships because they love their partner too much)
. I find the relationship between Lily and Atlas to be the best part of the book (although sometimes cheesy and YA-like).

This book was not bad , but it was short of the spectacle as praised by BookTok. The language felt flat, the tone immature, and it's themes underdeveloped. Also, there are wayyyy too many mentions of sex. But it was still semi-enjoyable to read.
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