It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover | Book Review

Originally published on February 27, 2024 | Last updated on April 1, 2024

It Ends with Us was the first novel by Colleen Hoover I read. I received it as a present from a family member on my birthday, but didn’t get around to reading it until months later. I had heard about the huge hype surrounding the novel (it’s a #1 New York Times bestseller with over 4 million copies sold), so I was quite curious to give it a read myself.

Plot

It Ends With Us follows Lily Bloom, a girl in her early twenties who hasn’t had the easiest of upbringings. Lily has recently moved to Boston and started a flower shop. She’s dealing with the death of her father, who she often witnessed abusing her mother as she grew up. In Boston, she meets Ryle Kincaid, a handsome neurosurgeon, and they hit it off straight away.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn and a little arrogant. He also has a sensitive side. Even though Ryle has a “no relationships” rule, he falls for Lily. But, she can’t help but wonder what made him this way. As they grow closer, Lily questions her new relationship and starts thinking about her first love, Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy who supported her during the times when her father abused her mother.

When Atlas suddenly reappears in Lily’s life, her relationship with Ryle begins to go downhill very quickly.

Review

It Ends With Us is a heartbreaking, emotional tale. I found it to be very easy to read with a strong plot. Some parts of it were incredibly gripping, and left me wanting to keep reading more and more.

Although it’s placed in the “contemporary romance” category, it delves into the darker side of the genre. When Lily first falls for Ryle, the novel has all of the components of a typical romance: first kisses, love, and passionate sex (note: there is a lot of “spicy” content). However, it soon portrays the issue of domestic violence in a very real, raw way. Some parts of it are very shocking and graphic, and will leave you feeling a whole bunch of emotions. It explores why victims of domestic violence may stay, and I liked the fact that it offers hope to survivors in breaking the cycle of generational domestic violence.

Lily is a very likeable and relatable main character. I thought her strength throughout the book was very admirable, and did find myself rooting for her as I read the story. I also really liked Atlas, who is a very kind, humble and protective character.

Although I really liked the novel, there were some aspects I didn’t like as much. Firstly, I’m not sure that it should be put under the “romance” category due to its dark themes. I also found some of the dialogue to be a little cringe-worthy at times. But all in all, it’s a great read.

It Ends with Us Rating: 4/5

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Overall, this is a heartbreaking story conveying how “sometimes the one who loves you is the one who hurts you the most.” It portrays the issue of domestic violence in a very real, raw way, and tackles the topic with sensitivity. An emotionally gripping tale that is definitely worth reading. I am currently reading the sequel, It Starts With Us, so stay tuned if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts on it!

If you do decide to read It Ends With Us yourself, due to some of its dark themes, please look up the trigger warnings first.

Have you read any books by Colleen Hoover?