A review by ajohnson895
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I should start by saying that I did not enjoy this book. I despised every single moment of time I spent reading it. This is time I will never get back, and I’m really mad. Be prepared for the rant. 

Positives? I have a few, maybe? 

I didn’t have any major qualms about CoHo’s writing style. I was kind of worried I would, but in the end, I didn’t mind it. Tropes don’t bother me; I come to romance FOR the tropes. 

The characters are… well-developed, I guess? The only ones I really liked were Aleesa (ignore my spelling, I listened to the audiobook), Marshall, and Atlas. But we can get onto that later. And I am proud of Lily for the decision she FINALLY makes. 

And here’s where things get rough. 

Because I don’t like Lily. I don’t like Ryle. But I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to. Especially Ryle. I’m a hundred percent positive that I’m supposed to despise the situation that Lily and Ryle end up in. But that doesn’t make this ANY easier to read. 

I get it. The cycle of abuse is hard to escape. I grew up in that cycle. I don’t need to read books about people making excuses for abusers. Too many times during this book, CoHo made excuses for Ryle’s behavior, and I… cannot accept that. “But there’s no such thing as bad people, Amy.” Yes, yes there are. And Ryle is one. I do not care what trauma you endured during your like (I mean I do, and I obviously take that into consideration); what matters most is where you GO from there. 

I can’t side with Ryle, and I’m pissed off that Lily continuously forgave him. Continuously. 

the only thing that made this book worth it was Atlas. That absolute cinnamon roll never did a single freaking thing wrong. He deserves the world. 

End of rant. 
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