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A review by isabelthearcher
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 Stars
TW: abuse and domestic violence.
Kicking myself for not reading this sooner. Wow! What a beautiful book. One that definitely lived up to my expectations and the hype it has received.
But no matter how different the substance of a love might be at different ages in a person’s life, I know that love still has to weigh the same.”
I went into this book having heard some bad reviews about Hoover’s writing style and the Spoiler spoiler that Ryle hits Lily and there’s some sort of love triangle with Atlas however I didn’t know the ramifications of those spoilers. I also think, selfishly, those spoilers were good to know coming in, as the former is a trigger warning that everyone should look up when deciding to read the book!
All of my issues with the book lay in Hoover’s writing style. It is very ‘he said, she said’ and the use of italics all the time drove me a little up the wall. However, as I got more invested into the story these little issues slowly went away, as with any book that I end up enjoying. But, I do think with a reread, these hiccups would irritate me more as I wouldn't just be reading for the plot.
That’s the end of the issues I had with the book, folks. It was outstanding and what made it stand out for me was that the book had ‘ulterior motives’ rather than just being a sweet romance novel.
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?
Lily’s (sometimes cheesy) quotes and insights moved me and allowed me to see a different perspective into scenarios I would have never envisioned.
The highlights of the book for me would be Spoiler Lily’s diary entries to Ellen: they really allowed us to be transported into a different time and world. When they stopped I would have completely forgotten that we were actually following Lily in the present day. Which is partly why I am SO excited for ‘It Starts with Us’.
Another highlight was the side characters, especially Spoiler Lily’s mother and their relationship throughout the novel. I just adore mother and daughter duos and showing the reality of those relationships adds to the brutal honesty of this book.
“You were the only one in my life who ever stood up for me. You were strong when I was scared.” A tear falls from her eye when she says, “Be that girl, Lily. Brave and bold.
I personally really wasn’t that bothered by Spoiler Marshall and Alyssa and by extension Rylee. It felt like apart from the brief comment by Alyssa that she and Marshall couldn’t get pregnant, they were just two-dimensional characters in the story for the purpose of Lily and Ryle. After Rylee was born, there really weren't any interactions between Lily and Alyssa/Marshall, except when Ryle was around.
My penultimate highlight was Spoiler the relationship between Ryle and Lily. It was so raw and intimate.
“You are my wife. I’m supposed to be the one who protects you from the monsters. I’m not supposed to be one.”
Sometimes I felt kind of felt awkward reading Lily’s thoughts. Naked truths? So sweet. However, unpopular opinion? I didn’t feel bad for Ryle at all LMFAO. Even during the story about his brother, it made me cry because I was sad and I have a brother and a sister and couldn’t imagine something like that. I also understand the very important reason that the plot reveals: to give you conflicting views about the abuser. Yet I acknowledged and appreciated that, by that point I just wanted Atlas and not some rich neurosurgeon who just needed therapy.
That leads me into my favorite part of the entire book: Spoiler Atlas mf Corrigan. The love of my life. The diary entries coupled with the unexpected encounters in the present day mixed with jealousy and protection made me feel sick with butterflies. He is the perfect man. And the epilogue!!!?!?!?!? I think also what made me like Atlas even more was the deep emotional connection that he and Lily shared. Maybe that is just an extension of your first love, however I never felt that Ryle and Lily had anything that even came close to that type of bond. At one point, when Lily was staying at Atlas’ house, I felt as though Atlas could be that baby’s father. Atlas and Lily are soulmates. Sue me.
“In the future… if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again… fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You’re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”
It Ends with Us, as in Spoiler it ends with Emmerson and Lily. A mother and baby’s bond, not a romantic relationship.
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”
But that wasn’t even the most impactful and important part of this book.
A Note from the Author completely and utterly destroyed me. However it also gave me hope that from this book we can be more empathetic and understanding to people in these situations. Again, this is what sets this book apart from others.
You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.
TW: abuse and domestic violence.
Kicking myself for not reading this sooner. Wow! What a beautiful book. One that definitely lived up to my expectations and the hype it has received.
But no matter how different the substance of a love might be at different ages in a person’s life, I know that love still has to weigh the same.”
I went into this book having heard some bad reviews about Hoover’s writing style and the Spoiler spoiler that Ryle hits Lily and there’s some sort of love triangle with Atlas however I didn’t know the ramifications of those spoilers. I also think, selfishly, those spoilers were good to know coming in, as the former is a trigger warning that everyone should look up when deciding to read the book!
All of my issues with the book lay in Hoover’s writing style. It is very ‘he said, she said’ and the use of italics all the time drove me a little up the wall. However, as I got more invested into the story these little issues slowly went away, as with any book that I end up enjoying. But, I do think with a reread, these hiccups would irritate me more as I wouldn't just be reading for the plot.
That’s the end of the issues I had with the book, folks. It was outstanding and what made it stand out for me was that the book had ‘ulterior motives’ rather than just being a sweet romance novel.
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?
Lily’s (sometimes cheesy) quotes and insights moved me and allowed me to see a different perspective into scenarios I would have never envisioned.
The highlights of the book for me would be Spoiler Lily’s diary entries to Ellen: they really allowed us to be transported into a different time and world. When they stopped I would have completely forgotten that we were actually following Lily in the present day. Which is partly why I am SO excited for ‘It Starts with Us’.
Another highlight was the side characters, especially Spoiler Lily’s mother and their relationship throughout the novel. I just adore mother and daughter duos and showing the reality of those relationships adds to the brutal honesty of this book.
“You were the only one in my life who ever stood up for me. You were strong when I was scared.” A tear falls from her eye when she says, “Be that girl, Lily. Brave and bold.
I personally really wasn’t that bothered by Spoiler Marshall and Alyssa and by extension Rylee. It felt like apart from the brief comment by Alyssa that she and Marshall couldn’t get pregnant, they were just two-dimensional characters in the story for the purpose of Lily and Ryle. After Rylee was born, there really weren't any interactions between Lily and Alyssa/Marshall, except when Ryle was around.
My penultimate highlight was Spoiler the relationship between Ryle and Lily. It was so raw and intimate.
“You are my wife. I’m supposed to be the one who protects you from the monsters. I’m not supposed to be one.”
Sometimes I felt kind of felt awkward reading Lily’s thoughts. Naked truths? So sweet. However, unpopular opinion? I didn’t feel bad for Ryle at all LMFAO. Even during the story about his brother, it made me cry because I was sad and I have a brother and a sister and couldn’t imagine something like that. I also understand the very important reason that the plot reveals: to give you conflicting views about the abuser. Yet I acknowledged and appreciated that, by that point I just wanted Atlas and not some rich neurosurgeon who just needed therapy.
That leads me into my favorite part of the entire book: Spoiler Atlas mf Corrigan. The love of my life. The diary entries coupled with the unexpected encounters in the present day mixed with jealousy and protection made me feel sick with butterflies. He is the perfect man. And the epilogue!!!?!?!?!? I think also what made me like Atlas even more was the deep emotional connection that he and Lily shared. Maybe that is just an extension of your first love, however I never felt that Ryle and Lily had anything that even came close to that type of bond. At one point, when Lily was staying at Atlas’ house, I felt as though Atlas could be that baby’s father. Atlas and Lily are soulmates. Sue me.
“In the future… if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again… fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You’re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”
It Ends with Us, as in Spoiler it ends with Emmerson and Lily. A mother and baby’s bond, not a romantic relationship.
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”
But that wasn’t even the most impactful and important part of this book.
A Note from the Author completely and utterly destroyed me. However it also gave me hope that from this book we can be more empathetic and understanding to people in these situations. Again, this is what sets this book apart from others.
You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse