'It Ends with Us' by Colleen Hoover

This book surprised me more than I thought I was prepared for. I found myself being able to relate to Lily throughout this story and the different places she was in. *TRIGGER WARNINGS -PHYSICAL ABUSE -SOME SEXUAL ABUSE DOES NOT GO INTO DESCRIPTIVE DETAIL BUT CAN STILL TRIGGER OLD WOUNDS. *POTENTIAL SPOILERS* When I was younger, I used to write in a journal as well. Especially to express some of the things I witnessed and experienced living within an abusive household. I will say that the fact that she wrote her journal entries specifically to Ellen Degeneres was a tad unbelievable. I understand what the author was trying to do in relation to her having an impact on Lilly, but I did find it somewhat annoying and repetitive. I also asked the same questions of my ... MoreThis book surprised me more than I thought I was prepared for. I found myself being able to relate to Lily throughout this story and the different places she was in. *TRIGGER WARNINGS -PHYSICAL ABUSE -SOME SEXUAL ABUSE DOES NOT GO INTO DESCRIPTIVE DETAIL BUT CAN STILL TRIGGER OLD WOUNDS. *POTENTIAL SPOILERS* When I was younger, I used to write in a journal as well. Especially to express some of the things I witnessed and experienced living within an abusive household. I will say that the fact that she wrote her journal entries specifically to Ellen Degeneres was a tad unbelievable. I understand what the author was trying to do in relation to her having an impact on Lilly, but I did find it somewhat annoying and repetitive. I also asked the same questions of my mother. Often, I was wondering why she didn't leave...if not for her than for us kids. Even as I experienced more than Lilly, I very much witnessed very much the same for my mother. It definitely reminded me that some "wounds" can still burn. As for Ryle, I can understand why so many fell in love with his character. A handsome, very accomplished man who endured a life changing tragedy that affected him to this day. Which offers some what of the "I can change and/or save him ," trope. Until Lilly finds herself in similar shoes that her mother wore. She tries to decipher if she's following in her mother's footsteps but also trying to fight, not comparing her husband to her father. Herself to her mother. This part of Lilly's story offers an insight from a different perspective. Without spoiling much more...I will say I enjoyed this book. I related more to this Lilly than I realized, and I commend her for her decision. Some of the plot seemed a bit rushed, and some of the characters that seem to "show up" brought reality into question. I still enjoyed the read, however.

I devoured this book in literally, no exaggeration, six hours. I spent six hours straight just eating up the fast paced content of this book. And I think it's safe to say those six hours changed my life. This book tackled the subjects of domestic abuse and gaslighting so well, and especially how hard it is to face those kinds of challenges. I highly appreciate and admire that Colleen Hoover had the courage to get up and write this novel, despite it being very personal to her and was probably extremely emotional to write. This novel helps raise awareness of exactly how people going through or have gone through this kind of trauma REALLY feel. The book really captures how hard it is to escape those kinds of situations and not only that, but how to identify whenever ... MoreI devoured this book in literally, no exaggeration, six hours. I spent six hours straight just eating up the fast paced content of this book. And I think it's safe to say those six hours changed my life. This book tackled the subjects of domestic abuse and gaslighting so well, and especially how hard it is to face those kinds of challenges. I highly appreciate and admire that Colleen Hoover had the courage to get up and write this novel, despite it being very personal to her and was probably extremely emotional to write. This novel helps raise awareness of exactly how people going through or have gone through this kind of trauma REALLY feel. The book really captures how hard it is to escape those kinds of situations and not only that, but how to identify whenever you're IN one. Colleen Hoover builds up the story so that we feel every emotion that the protagonist, Lily Bloom, feels. It Ends With Us was literally raved about everywhere, and I can definitely see why!

this was the book that got me out of a 4 year old reading slump so, i gotta give this one a bit of credit for that. - POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️ the book itself, was really accurately written. the message, the theme itself and such a accurate portrayal of what it looks like to be gaslighted and manipulated by the person you thought would be your safe space in the world. now, i will have to say, miss hoover does not have the best writing style sometimes but she did an amazing job with this book. i’ve witnessed some of the most loved women in my life to be in the same exact situation as lily and let me tell you, the way she was unaware that she was actually being emotionally and physically abused and that her denial was the very proof that she was in a domestic ... Morethis was the book that got me out of a 4 year old reading slump so, i gotta give this one a bit of credit for that. - POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️ the book itself, was really accurately written. the message, the theme itself and such a accurate portrayal of what it looks like to be gaslighted and manipulated by the person you thought would be your safe space in the world. now, i will have to say, miss hoover does not have the best writing style sometimes but she did an amazing job with this book. i’ve witnessed some of the most loved women in my life to be in the same exact situation as lily and let me tell you, the way she was unaware that she was actually being emotionally and physically abused and that her denial was the very proof that she was in a domestic abusive relationship was very similar to what i’ve witnessed so many women in my life go through. so this one was a very emotional read for me no doubt. but it was portrayed really well, which is why i gave it a 5 star. ryle’s character is portrayed so perfectly for a reason. it’s not to romanticize him but to show the audience that no matter how perfect a person can appear, you never know how they can be in a relationship. there were still some things in between that were not written in the best way, but i guess we can overlook that. this is definitely a heavy read. please read the trigger warnings before reading.

I devoured this book in less than a day, and the only reason it took that long is because I had to stop to cry. I didn’t realise what this book was about prior to reading this, so this book was quite triggering for me. Despite this, it made me feel seen and reassured me that my thoughts and feelings were normal when it comes to my experience with domestic violence, gaslighting and narcissist behaviour. I’d suggest this book to people who have a close one who has been through dv, because one of the hardest things for me was not having anyone that understood, and this book is written in a way that demonstrates a trauma bond, how quickly things can change and the reality of abuse. To those who have been through dv, it’s up to you whether you want to read it, but for me ... MoreI devoured this book in less than a day, and the only reason it took that long is because I had to stop to cry. I didn’t realise what this book was about prior to reading this, so this book was quite triggering for me. Despite this, it made me feel seen and reassured me that my thoughts and feelings were normal when it comes to my experience with domestic violence, gaslighting and narcissist behaviour. I’d suggest this book to people who have a close one who has been through dv, because one of the hardest things for me was not having anyone that understood, and this book is written in a way that demonstrates a trauma bond, how quickly things can change and the reality of abuse. To those who have been through dv, it’s up to you whether you want to read it, but for me it helped me heal. All in all, was a great book and I would definitely recommend.

TW: dv “Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most” - this book absolutely made that clear and pulled some heartstrings too. I didn’t find this book to be another predictable romance and I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. It was definitely eye opening in regard to the different perspectives of domestic violence and what women (specifically women in this story) go through and the choices they have to make not just for their own well being but for their children. This book was emotional and it had me empathizing for the characters, even Ryle (which you’ll understand why I said “even” Ryle once you read the book). Lily is a strong, strong woman and representation for only a minuscule amount of women in this world. Her character makes me question ... MoreTW: dv “Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most” - this book absolutely made that clear and pulled some heartstrings too. I didn’t find this book to be another predictable romance and I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. It was definitely eye opening in regard to the different perspectives of domestic violence and what women (specifically women in this story) go through and the choices they have to make not just for their own well being but for their children. This book was emotional and it had me empathizing for the characters, even Ryle (which you’ll understand why I said “even” Ryle once you read the book). Lily is a strong, strong woman and representation for only a minuscule amount of women in this world. Her character makes me question my own thoughts on women in situations of domestic violence and she challenges me to think differently. Definitely would recommend and definitely would read again!

A must-read

This book was truly captivating and impossible to put down. I have so much to say about it and the feelings it evokes are hard to shake even two days after finishing.However, a book review would not do it justice and would ruin the experience for others. This is why it's perfect for a book club where discussions and sharing can enhance the powerful story. Despite the numerous reviews available, it's best to go into this book with as little knowledge as possible.Domestic abuse and gender-based violence are real, and it's likely that either you or someone you know may have experienced it.This book opened my eyes to the complex emotions and feelings that victims go through – love, hate, confusion, hopelessness, forgiveness, empowerment, relapse, and pushing ... MoreThis book was truly captivating and impossible to put down. I have so much to say about it and the feelings it evokes are hard to shake even two days after finishing.However, a book review would not do it justice and would ruin the experience for others. This is why it's perfect for a book club where discussions and sharing can enhance the powerful story. Despite the numerous reviews available, it's best to go into this book with as little knowledge as possible.Domestic abuse and gender-based violence are real, and it's likely that either you or someone you know may have experienced it.This book opened my eyes to the complex emotions and feelings that victims go through – love, hate, confusion, hopelessness, forgiveness, empowerment, relapse, and pushing personal limits. It's a sad, painful, and brutally honest portrayal that sheds light on a situation many may not be familiar with. My heart ached several times as I read it, and I found myself in a mental mess, along with the protagonist. I hoped for things to be different, for the right choices to be made, for forgiveness and a happy ending, but the naked truth is not always pretty.I highly recommend this book. Give it a chance.Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A story I fell in love with

I know this book has a ton of hype around it, so I want to touch on some of its downfalls as well as its triumphs. I'll preface this by saying, I do love the book and after finishing it, have not been able to get it off my mind. I fell in love with the characters (especially Atlas) and the story and think this is absolutely worth reading for anyone even mildly interested. I think that this book was written with the intention of being digestible for all readers. It touches on a sensitive subject and aims to teach (as the author states in the author's note). For this reason, it's clear the book is intended to be easy to read. I understand this, but I think it falls short in being TOO simplistic. The writing often lacks personality as the sentences are so simply ... MoreI know this book has a ton of hype around it, so I want to touch on some of its downfalls as well as its triumphs. I'll preface this by saying, I do love the book and after finishing it, have not been able to get it off my mind. I fell in love with the characters (especially Atlas) and the story and think this is absolutely worth reading for anyone even mildly interested. I think that this book was written with the intention of being digestible for all readers. It touches on a sensitive subject and aims to teach (as the author states in the author's note). For this reason, it's clear the book is intended to be easy to read. I understand this, but I think it falls short in being TOO simplistic. The writing often lacks personality as the sentences are so simply written. The characters are also undercharacterized. We don't get alot of depth in this book, just alot of movement in the plot. Even so, I wouldn't say the plot is unheard of, but I do think it's worth experiencing. Hoover includes random bits throughout the book that are meant to come off as quirky, exhibiting a less serious approach to literature. While I understand this, I wish these bits had worked to serve the plot (ex: The Ellen letters, the onesies, etc.). As for the message itself, I've seen alot of discourse online as to how she treats the sensitive subject matter at hand. I do think this book allowed me a level of perspective on these issues I wouldn't have otherwise had. However, I see that the book's ending and the perspective the book opens the reader up to can be a dangerous one, and can even make the reader more susceptible to these situations if internalized incorrectly. This is a bit difficult to explain without spoiling and/or using trigger words. The message of the book is essentially very blurry and very controversial.

Everyone in this room is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.

I don’t get the hype over this book/author. It’s reminiscent of a teenager that only knows about romantic relationships from bad rom com movies. The inclusion of Ellen DeGeneres is so juvenile and major fangirl “I can’t stand rich people that only care about material things, oh but not you Ellen, I know you donate to charities.” Give me a break. And then the ridiculous “Just keep swimming. Remember that quote Ellen? It’s from Finding Nemo.” As if Ellen wouldn’t remember where a quote is from by a character that she voiced. There were so many cringey, immature things in this book it was hard to read and I’m pretty sure I lost brain cells. Not to mention the careers in this story with no explanation on how they happened. Oh look, she owns a flower shop with no ... MoreI don’t get the hype over this book/author. It’s reminiscent of a teenager that only knows about romantic relationships from bad rom com movies. The inclusion of Ellen DeGeneres is so juvenile and major fangirl “I can’t stand rich people that only care about material things, oh but not you Ellen, I know you donate to charities.” Give me a break. And then the ridiculous “Just keep swimming. Remember that quote Ellen? It’s from Finding Nemo.” As if Ellen wouldn’t remember where a quote is from by a character that she voiced. There were so many cringey, immature things in this book it was hard to read and I’m pretty sure I lost brain cells. Not to mention the careers in this story with no explanation on how they happened. Oh look, she owns a flower shop with no explanation on where she’s getting the flowers with no garden. Oh look, this neurosurgeon only had a year residency. Oh look, a person that’s incredibly rich wants to work here for free. And then the ridiculous promises they make to each other before getting married mere months after knowing each other, “he made me promise to vote.” With no other mention of voting or politics. There were so many “woke” talking points that had nothing to do with the storyline. So many eye rolls. Needless to say, I will not be reading the sequel, nor will I be reading anything else from this “author”.

Lady, Colleen Hoover, HAS CREATED A MASTERPIECE…

This book is truly a masterpiece! Colleen knows how to grab the readers attention and keep it there!! It has been sometime now since I’ve had such a good read as I have found in this book set of two with the starting book, “it ends with us,” AS I AM FINDING IT QUITE HARD TO KEEP MY HANDS OFF IT!! I SO DO LOOOOVE THIS BOOK!! IM already immediately roaring for Lily, then it’s Ryle…OMG-THEN ATLAS!!?? WHAT THE…..Yes! This book is AWESOME!! A purely find myself so wrapped around the writing of this author portraying the characters out, every drop of it, I find myself actually purposefully trying to not read the book TOO QUICKLY!!! I knooow THATS CRAZY!??? However, DONT JUDGE ME..LOL…I’m an AVID reader, my friend/s! I’ve read since I was 8! NOVELS!!**Anyways! I look ... MoreThis book is truly a masterpiece! Colleen knows how to grab the readers attention and keep it there!! It has been sometime now since I’ve had such a good read as I have found in this book set of two with the starting book, “it ends with us,” AS I AM FINDING IT QUITE HARD TO KEEP MY HANDS OFF IT!! I SO DO LOOOOVE THIS BOOK!! IM already immediately roaring for Lily, then it’s Ryle…OMG-THEN ATLAS!!?? WHAT THE…..Yes! This book is AWESOME!! A purely find myself so wrapped around the writing of this author portraying the characters out, every drop of it, I find myself actually purposefully trying to not read the book TOO QUICKLY!!! I knooow THATS CRAZY!??? However, DONT JUDGE ME..LOL…I’m an AVID reader, my friend/s! I’ve read since I was 8! NOVELS!!**Anyways! I look forward to getting through this book and beginning “it begins with us, “which of course we all know is the sequel to the book I’m reading now! Miss Colleen Hoover is quite a talented writer, I knew that she had talent, however, she has held on to my attention and probably will never be able to let go of it!!!!!!!!!!Awesome BOOK PICK!!!-Shannon

Not JUST for women

I picked up this book assuming a romance novel. I enjoy unrealistic exaggerated romance novels, that are a fantasy of what love actually is. And for the first several chapters that’s what I got. But it isn’t. It’s a gut wrenching, heart clenching, emotional story of the hardships of love, loss, consequences, fear, pain, anger, and impossible decisions. This story isn’t just for women, while the cover may be deceiving. This is a story for anyone that’s been in love, and anyone that’s learned or is learning the hard way of how love can hurt you. It’s also for anyone who knows love that is so deserving, respectful and kind, and as an outsider can’t understand how those that don’t receive the same kind of compassionate, kind and respectful love don’t simply leave. For ... MoreI picked up this book assuming a romance novel. I enjoy unrealistic exaggerated romance novels, that are a fantasy of what love actually is. And for the first several chapters that’s what I got. But it isn’t. It’s a gut wrenching, heart clenching, emotional story of the hardships of love, loss, consequences, fear, pain, anger, and impossible decisions. This story isn’t just for women, while the cover may be deceiving. This is a story for anyone that’s been in love, and anyone that’s learned or is learning the hard way of how love can hurt you. It’s also for anyone who knows love that is so deserving, respectful and kind, and as an outsider can’t understand how those that don’t receive the same kind of compassionate, kind and respectful love don’t simply leave. For perspective. Lastly, it’s a story for those with the desire to break the cycle, for ourselves and generations that proceed us.