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A review by heyitsjude
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
I’ve heard many things about Colleen Hoover’s work. I’ve seen people praise it like it’s the most incredible piece of literature, but I’ve also seen people absolutely roast Hoover’s work. When reading It Ends With Us I tried really hard to remain unbiased and see what her work was like for myself.
I acknowledge and respect the fact that this book comes from a place of personal experience. That is something I can commend her for as being vulnerable within your craft is hard. I think Hoover tried her best to write with what she knew and drew from experience, but when writing about something as serious as abuse sometimes more is needed. While reading It Ends With Us I was never sure how to feel about it. It clearly wasn’t a romance novel. It’s a story about domestic abuse, but the way in which Hoover writes presents the story as a love triangle. Reducing the severity of the book’s content to a lovers quarrel. Though this may not have been the author’s intention.
// ‼️ Spoilers Ahead ‼️ //
As for the characters, I disliked Ryle. Aside from the obvious fact that he is an abuser. As a character he felt one dimensional. Aside from the trauma he experiences that build the foundation of his character there’s nothing behind that. As for his relationship/beginning romance with Lily it also felt one dimensional. The concept of “naked truths” felt like something you’d see in a YA novel like TFIOS. It felt like a way to rush these characters into a deep and meaningful relationship without the build-up.
Something I really have to mention though is the Ellen Diaries. At first, I couldn’t take the concept of the Ellen Diaries seriously. Especially since I don’t think it aged well considering the fact The Ellen Show is now non-existent. But despite that, I found the journal entries to be one of the most interesting parts of the book. I liked seeing the relationship between past Lily and Atlas unfold.
The best part about the book is its resolution and how impactful those final few paragraphs were. Especially the moment when Lily finally decides to leave Ryle as Ryle and Lily both look down at their newborn child.
“What would you say to her, Ryle? Tell me. I need to know what you would say to our daughter if the man she loves with all her heart ever hurts her.”
A sob breaks from his chest. He leans toward me and wraps an arm around me. “I would beg her to leave him,” he says through his tears.”
I found this whole scene to be the most emotional part of the whole book. It was this scene where I really felt everything from this book. After reading It Ends With Us I can see why people both like and dislike Colleen Hoover’s writing. I’d say I stand somewhere in the middle. I would have to read more to see how I feel about her work, but overall I think her books are easy and accessible to read in terms of writing style while still covering hard topics such as abuse. Though I don’t think she captured the nuance and severity that comes with this topic I can see she tried her best and wrote with sincerity judging from what I read in the authors note. 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I acknowledge and respect the fact that this book comes from a place of personal experience. That is something I can commend her for as being vulnerable within your craft is hard. I think Hoover tried her best to write with what she knew and drew from experience, but when writing about something as serious as abuse sometimes more is needed. While reading It Ends With Us I was never sure how to feel about it. It clearly wasn’t a romance novel. It’s a story about domestic abuse, but the way in which Hoover writes presents the story as a love triangle. Reducing the severity of the book’s content to a lovers quarrel. Though this may not have been the author’s intention.
// ‼️ Spoilers Ahead ‼️ //
As for the characters, I disliked Ryle. Aside from the obvious fact that he is an abuser. As a character he felt one dimensional. Aside from the trauma he experiences that build the foundation of his character there’s nothing behind that. As for his relationship/beginning romance with Lily it also felt one dimensional. The concept of “naked truths” felt like something you’d see in a YA novel like TFIOS. It felt like a way to rush these characters into a deep and meaningful relationship without the build-up.
Something I really have to mention though is the Ellen Diaries. At first, I couldn’t take the concept of the Ellen Diaries seriously. Especially since I don’t think it aged well considering the fact The Ellen Show is now non-existent. But despite that, I found the journal entries to be one of the most interesting parts of the book. I liked seeing the relationship between past Lily and Atlas unfold.
The best part about the book is its resolution and how impactful those final few paragraphs were. Especially the moment when Lily finally decides to leave Ryle as Ryle and Lily both look down at their newborn child.
“What would you say to her, Ryle? Tell me. I need to know what you would say to our daughter if the man she loves with all her heart ever hurts her.”
A sob breaks from his chest. He leans toward me and wraps an arm around me. “I would beg her to leave him,” he says through his tears.”
I found this whole scene to be the most emotional part of the whole book. It was this scene where I really felt everything from this book. After reading It Ends With Us I can see why people both like and dislike Colleen Hoover’s writing. I’d say I stand somewhere in the middle. I would have to read more to see how I feel about her work, but overall I think her books are easy and accessible to read in terms of writing style while still covering hard topics such as abuse. Though I don’t think she captured the nuance and severity that comes with this topic I can see she tried her best and wrote with sincerity judging from what I read in the authors note. 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️