A review by ballousclues
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

emotional 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

3.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - The plot hit home for me, but the writing felt incredibly weak - like a fanfiction. 

This is the second Colleen Hoover book that I've read. Verity was the first. It Ends With Us was not at all what I expected the book to be about. I loved how the book sought to highlight the struggles of being in an abusive relationship and how it truly isn't a black or white issue. I loved how Hoover showed that Ryle had very admirable sides to him as well as very evil sides of him. I truly felt for Lilly that, despite her upbringing, she still found herself in a similar situation as her parents.

This book could have easily been a 5-star read for me, but it just never stuck the landing. I may give another Colleen Hoover book a read, but I think it boils down to me not liking her writing style. I just wish it were a bit stronger. Lilly was supposed to be a 23/24/25 year old girl in this book, but the writing made me think she was 16. The journal entries made me think she was around 12 or 13. I loved the content of the book, but couldn't get past the writing.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to better understand the complexities of abuse. Not everyone has the resources that Lilly had, or a husband who is willing to let them go, but the essence of the book is still good.
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