It Ends With Us

My Review 

"It Ends with Us" is an exceptional piece of contemporary romance that captivated me from start to finish. My relationship with Hoover's work has always been mixed, with some books falling flat and others striking a chord. This novel, however, is a standout—it absolutely stole my heart.

What sets this book apart is its refusal to fall into repetitive romantic clichés. Instead of a predictable love story, Hoover delves into challenging themes like domestic abuse and abandonment. The powerful and impactful message within the book is both unexpected and deeply moving. By addressing these tough issues, Hoover sheds light on the grey areas of human experience, emphasizing that life is rarely black and white. Her portrayal of these themes is both heart-wrenching and enlightening, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

At the center of this novel is Lily Bloom, whose strength and resilience are truly inspiring. The story is told entirely from her perspective, allowing readers to experience her emotions and struggles firsthand. This narrative approach makes the book intensely emotional and relatable, making you laugh, cry, and feel angry along with Lily.

Spoiler Alert: From this point the review may have spoilers ⚠️

The novel begins with Lily Bloom sitting on a rooftop in Boston, reflecting on her father's abusive behavior after his funeral. A man joins her on the roof and starts angrily kicking a patio chair. The man turns out to be Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon, and the two begin to flirt and tell each other increasingly intimate “naked truths.” Even though they are very different types of people, they still share a connection on that rooftop. Unfortunately, that night is abruptly interrupted.

Six months later, Lily invests her inheritance in a flower shop, where she meets Allysa, who soon becomes a close friend. Unexpectedly, Allysa turns out to be Ryle's sister. Still, Lily and Ryle decide they need to stay away from each other because they want completely different things from life and neither one of them wants to budge.

As Lily recovers from an injury, she revisits her teenage journals, written as letters to Ellen DeGeneres. These entries recount her relationship with Atlas, a homeless boy she befriended and fell in love with. Atlas provided solace and protection during her father's violent outbursts, but he eventually left to seek stability in Boston, promising to come for Lily when he felt his life was good enough for her.

Back in the present, Ryle starts to pursue Lily and finally admits he has feelings for her. They quickly start falling for each other. After they have been dating for a bit, they go to a fancy new restaurant where Lily meets Atlas. With a couple of words, they catch up and both seem to be happy without the other, going their separate ways.

Going forward, Lily and Ryle's relationship faces numerous challenges. Their initial romance is passionate, but it soon becomes clear that Ryle has a darker side. His jealousy and temper lead to physical violence, mirroring the abuse Lily witnessed in her parents' marriage. Despite Ryle's apologies and Lily's initial forgiveness, the cycle continues, and after each incident, Lily is more and more concerned.

"It Ends with Us" is a gut-wrenching, beautifully written story that explores the complexities of love, abuse, and resilience. Colleen Hoover has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also profoundly thought-provoking. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect deeply on the nature of relationships and personal strength, For anyone seeking a romance novel with depth and substance, "It Ends with Us" is an absolute must-read.