Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Atria Paperback (Simon & Schuster)
Pages
376
Description
"The newest, highly anticipated novel from beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author, Colleen Hoover. Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up--she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn't hurt. Lily can't get him out of her head. But Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his "no dating" rule, she can't help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan--her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price"--… (more)
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018
Physical description
376 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1501110365 / 9781501110368
Other editions
It Ends with Us (It Ends with Us, #1) by Colleen Hoover (Paperback)
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Media reviews
KY Stores
Such an amazing book. Colleen Hoover never disappoints. It Ends With Us is a story of abuse. So many have fallen victims of their spouses abusing them physically. We all wonder why they never leave. Colleen Hoover tells us in It Ends With Us and also that we do not have to suffer because of love.
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We all deserve much more. Read the book to know how and why people should leave abusive homes even when we are already deep in love. Thanks to the author. Such a book to make your day. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
I just finished It Ends With Us and I am absolutely gutted. The writing here is raw and powerful and heartwrenching. While I love Colleen Hoover's books, I think she went just a step beyond with this story.
Lily comes from the small town of Plethora, Maine. The book starts with Lily having just left
Meanwhile, Lily starts reading her teenage diaries where she wrote about her love affair with the Ellen DeGeneres show and the homeless boy, Atlas, that she meets and tries to help. The plot is woven primarily between Lily and Ryle with Atlas often an unknowing catalyst in their relationship.
This is a hard book to read. All of the main characters are finely drawn and it's easy for the reader to fall in love with Lily, Ryle, and Atlas as well as the minor characters, Alyssa and Marshall. The anguish they all go through can be hard to read, but there's also much joy and love here.
Ultimately, this is a story about forgiveness and strength. The book ends the way it must though that ending brought me to tears. There's a lot to think about here and I'm sure it will haunt me for some time to come.
Lily comes from the small town of Plethora, Maine. The book starts with Lily having just left
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her father's funeral. He abused her mother and Lily is emotionally depleted by having to provide the eulogy. Back in Boston where she currently lives, she meets Ryle, a handsome neurosurgeon, who only believes in one-night stands. Lily doesn't so they part before the obvious attraction between them can become anything stronger.Meanwhile, Lily starts reading her teenage diaries where she wrote about her love affair with the Ellen DeGeneres show and the homeless boy, Atlas, that she meets and tries to help. The plot is woven primarily between Lily and Ryle with Atlas often an unknowing catalyst in their relationship.
This is a hard book to read. All of the main characters are finely drawn and it's easy for the reader to fall in love with Lily, Ryle, and Atlas as well as the minor characters, Alyssa and Marshall. The anguish they all go through can be hard to read, but there's also much joy and love here.
Ultimately, this is a story about forgiveness and strength. The book ends the way it must though that ending brought me to tears. There's a lot to think about here and I'm sure it will haunt me for some time to come.
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LibraryThing member Vinjii
It Ends With Us is brilliant. It's a bit out of my comfort zone, since I'm mostly a science fiction and fantasy reader, but every now and then I like to dive into the contemporary section and dabble in a bit of romance (and no, this book is not romance, despite its marketing, however there's
Don't read up on this. Don't spoil yourself. If you don't mind a bit of romance, like contemporary and strong female characters, pick this one up and dive right in without knowing anything.
Trust me.
It has amazing, well developed characters. The plotting is tight, the pacing quick and the prose is very enjoyable. Lily is such an approachable protagonist. She's hardworking and ambitious and she's got a whole bunch of emotional baggage she's dragging around. I loved reading about her.
This is a powerful story and a smart one, one that knocked me down and made me cry, and if you want to know why, look it up on Goodreads. Plenty of reviewers talk about what this book is about, and I know not everyone likes to go in blind, and that is okay.
At the end of the novel there is a personal message from the author which explains the motivation for writing this book. Read it after you're done with the book, and you'll get knocked down a second time.
I hope writing this was cathartic for Collen Hoover. I've never read her before, but I admire her a lot for writing this book.
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romance in this book.)Don't read up on this. Don't spoil yourself. If you don't mind a bit of romance, like contemporary and strong female characters, pick this one up and dive right in without knowing anything.
Trust me.
It has amazing, well developed characters. The plotting is tight, the pacing quick and the prose is very enjoyable. Lily is such an approachable protagonist. She's hardworking and ambitious and she's got a whole bunch of emotional baggage she's dragging around. I loved reading about her.
This is a powerful story and a smart one, one that knocked me down and made me cry, and if you want to know why, look it up on Goodreads. Plenty of reviewers talk about what this book is about, and I know not everyone likes to go in blind, and that is okay.
At the end of the novel there is a personal message from the author which explains the motivation for writing this book. Read it after you're done with the book, and you'll get knocked down a second time.
I hope writing this was cathartic for Collen Hoover. I've never read her before, but I admire her a lot for writing this book.
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LibraryThing member Spymer
WOW
my mind was blown , this is my first time reading anything by Colleen , and man i loved it.
words can't describe how much i'm in love with this piece of art , i LOVE this book.
i knew there was a huge hype about this book but i tried not getting it spoiled
i picked it up without even reading the
so every event that occurred left me shocked , i didn't know where the story was heading but that made me enjoy it even more.
Colleen is a gift to earth , i will read more of her books now , i wasn't expecting it to be this good
I'm trying to give my opinion about the book without spoiling anything , but oh man , i loved Ryle so much. all the characters were so well done
warning : if you do read this book , you will cry a lot
my mind was blown , this is my first time reading anything by Colleen , and man i loved it.
words can't describe how much i'm in love with this piece of art , i LOVE this book.
i knew there was a huge hype about this book but i tried not getting it spoiled
i picked it up without even reading the
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descriptionso every event that occurred left me shocked , i didn't know where the story was heading but that made me enjoy it even more.
Colleen is a gift to earth , i will read more of her books now , i wasn't expecting it to be this good
I'm trying to give my opinion about the book without spoiling anything , but oh man , i loved Ryle so much. all the characters were so well done
warning : if you do read this book , you will cry a lot
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LibraryThing member dawnlovesbooks
This was an awesome romance, two good love stories, a heart-wrenching story. Lily came from a household where her father was abusive to her mother. She swore to herself she would never be in a relationship like her parents. Imagine her horror when her husband begins to show an angry dark side. We
"Imagine all the people you meet in your life. There are so many. They come in like waves, trickling in and out with the tide. Some waves are much bigger and make more of an impact than others. Sometimes the waves bring with them things from deep in the bottom of the sea and they leave those things tossed onto the shore. Imprints against the grains of sand that prove the waves had once been there, long after the tide recedes.
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also learn about a love from Lily's past, Atlas, who also resurfaces later in the novel. This book had a lot to say about domestic violence. It really gives you an up close and personal look inside an abusive relationship. How many times can you forgive someone you love for hurting you? What can be forgiven and what can't? "Imagine all the people you meet in your life. There are so many. They come in like waves, trickling in and out with the tide. Some waves are much bigger and make more of an impact than others. Sometimes the waves bring with them things from deep in the bottom of the sea and they leave those things tossed onto the shore. Imprints against the grains of sand that prove the waves had once been there, long after the tide recedes.
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LibraryThing member BooksForTheLiving
It has taken me a while to write a review for this book. In the simplest of terms, this book destroyed me. I went in knowing very little about the plot and theme. I think that was a good thing, but probably contributed to why I was so destroyed by it. I wasn’t expecting an emotionally heavy book,
I’m not sure I’ve felt this much anxiety while reading a book before. I read it fast. When I’d force myself to take a break and put it down, my hands, arms, and shoulders were actually sore from me being so tense. That should indicate just how attached and emotionally invested I get to characters and their stories.
The description on Goodreads, as well as the one on the back on the book are quite deceiving. They make it out like it is a love triangle. I wouldn’t classify it as such. Lily’s relationships with Ryle and Atlas happen separately from each other. I’m not giving anything away here when I say that Atlas does come back into Lily’s life unexpectedly, but it doesn’t quite happen in the way one might think or expect. It certainly doesn’t progress the way I thought it might. So no, this isn’t a love triangle.
Like I said above, I didn’t know a lot about this book when I decided to read it. I knew there was a lot of hype surrounding it’s release, but that’s about it. I’m not going to say much more that is specific to the plot, except that it is not a “light read.” It deals with emotionally heavy topics. If you’re one to look for ‘trigger warnings’ you may want to look at other reviews for those warnings. I don’t want to say much for those who don’t want to know.
This book did have sweet moments, funny moments, lovely moments, but it was also heartbreaking, sad, and at times really tough to read. Thinking more on it, one reason why this book destroyed me so much is because I found myself thinking like Lily. Making excuses, saying ‘if only.’ If I reacted like this to characters in a book, what would I do if I was in Lily’s position in real life? That scared me.
Lastly, I’m not sure I’d personally categorize this as a romance. Yes, it is about love and relationships at the core. Yes there’s some sex, but it is definitely not your typical romance book. That said, I would say this definition I read about romance novels does apply to it:
“Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.”
(It just might not end in the way you expect it to.)
Colleen Hoover wrote a novel that affected me in a way I didn’t expect. The message that you will find within these pages is deeply important. It had me evaluating myself, my thoughts, and what my “limit” would be. I think it’ll make you think about things in a different light as well.
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but that is what this is.I’m not sure I’ve felt this much anxiety while reading a book before. I read it fast. When I’d force myself to take a break and put it down, my hands, arms, and shoulders were actually sore from me being so tense. That should indicate just how attached and emotionally invested I get to characters and their stories.
The description on Goodreads, as well as the one on the back on the book are quite deceiving. They make it out like it is a love triangle. I wouldn’t classify it as such. Lily’s relationships with Ryle and Atlas happen separately from each other. I’m not giving anything away here when I say that Atlas does come back into Lily’s life unexpectedly, but it doesn’t quite happen in the way one might think or expect. It certainly doesn’t progress the way I thought it might. So no, this isn’t a love triangle.
Like I said above, I didn’t know a lot about this book when I decided to read it. I knew there was a lot of hype surrounding it’s release, but that’s about it. I’m not going to say much more that is specific to the plot, except that it is not a “light read.” It deals with emotionally heavy topics. If you’re one to look for ‘trigger warnings’ you may want to look at other reviews for those warnings. I don’t want to say much for those who don’t want to know.
This book did have sweet moments, funny moments, lovely moments, but it was also heartbreaking, sad, and at times really tough to read. Thinking more on it, one reason why this book destroyed me so much is because I found myself thinking like Lily. Making excuses, saying ‘if only.’ If I reacted like this to characters in a book, what would I do if I was in Lily’s position in real life? That scared me.
Lastly, I’m not sure I’d personally categorize this as a romance. Yes, it is about love and relationships at the core. Yes there’s some sex, but it is definitely not your typical romance book. That said, I would say this definition I read about romance novels does apply to it:
“Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.”
(It just might not end in the way you expect it to.)
Colleen Hoover wrote a novel that affected me in a way I didn’t expect. The message that you will find within these pages is deeply important. It had me evaluating myself, my thoughts, and what my “limit” would be. I think it’ll make you think about things in a different light as well.
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LibraryThing member Banoczi_Henrietta
I was not prepared. I expected this to be a light, fluffy read. Well, it certainly was not light or fluffy. This book is heavy and disturbing and emotional and extremely important. It made me feel everything; I was laughing one minute, then my jaw was on the floor, then I was crying; by the last
I definitely did not expect it to hit me so hard.
All I can say is that this book is a masterpiece and I would urge everyone to read it.
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chapters I had such conflicting feelings I didn't even know how I wanted it to end.I definitely did not expect it to hit me so hard.
All I can say is that this book is a masterpiece and I would urge everyone to read it.
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LibraryThing member KeriLynneD
This is the first book I've read by Colleen Hoover but I've heard that her books usually involve some heartbreak and that is true. It was so difficult to hate Ryle even though he did some horrible things. I always root for a happy ending and this one does have a great ending but it is still sad.
LibraryThing member miyurose
This book fell solidly into the “eh, it was okay” category for me. I’m not familiar with Colleen Hoover, but she appears to have quite a following. If you look around, you’ll see a LOT of 5 star reviews for this book. But it just didn’t do it for me.
First, the male lead’s name kept
We won’t even discuss the ridiculousness of Lily Bloom who wants to open a flower shop. Insert appropriate eye-roll here.
This is essentially a romance with some unhealthy parental relationships, homelessness, and domestic abuse tossed in. It’s a lot. There are a lot of coincidences throwing people together and a lot of problems telegraphed, making the author’s hand feel very heavy. And the ending was too pat by several magnitudes. Though I guess Lily makes the right decision in the end.
I don’t mind picking up a New Adult book from time to time, but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to get more of Hoover’s.
First, the male lead’s name kept
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pulling me out of the story. Ryle. Is it pronounced “ry-lee”? Or like “kyle”? Either way, my brain went back and forth every time I read the name and completely distracted me.We won’t even discuss the ridiculousness of Lily Bloom who wants to open a flower shop. Insert appropriate eye-roll here.
This is essentially a romance with some unhealthy parental relationships, homelessness, and domestic abuse tossed in. It’s a lot. There are a lot of coincidences throwing people together and a lot of problems telegraphed, making the author’s hand feel very heavy. And the ending was too pat by several magnitudes. Though I guess Lily makes the right decision in the end.
I don’t mind picking up a New Adult book from time to time, but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to get more of Hoover’s.
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LibraryThing member Kristymk18
Wow. This is such an amazing, powerful read. I read it in one sitting then stayed up all night ruminating. I want to sit and write a long review and discuss all my thoughts, all my feels, but I'm so glad that other reviewers kept me in the dark about this book and I want to do the same for other
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readers. This books is definitely best read with no prior knowledge of what happens or spoilers. I can say I've never read anything quite like this and I wish there were more books out there similar to it. Show Less
LibraryThing member LariHeldenlama
Wer Colleen Hoover kennt, wird wissen, dass ihn keine seichte vor sich hin plätschernde Liebesgeschichte erwartet sondern eine tolle Story mit fantastischen Charakteren und Tiefgang die lange nachwirkt und genauso war es hier auch.
Ich habe mir 8 Seiten Notizen gemacht aber ich glaube ich könnte
Lily ist in einem Elternhaus voller Gewalt aufgewachsen, sie musste nahezu täglich mitansehen wie ihr betrunkener Vater ihre Mutter verprügelt und gedemütigt hat. Sie hat ihre Mutter nie verstanden, die immer die Wunden versteckt hat und die Situation versucht hat abzuschwächen und ihren Vater in Schutz zu nehmen.
Als Lily selbst in eine vergleichbare Situation kommt sieht sie wie schnell man in die Opferrolle rutscht und wie schwer es ist jemandem den man liebt etwas nachzutragen.
Ich bin nun wirklich am Ende, bin komplett zerstört und habe sooo furchtbar geweint. In den 5 Tagen die ich brauchte für das Buch habe ich eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt durchlebt. Ich habe mit Lily mitgelitten, habe mit ihr geweint und sie in den Arm genommen, ich habe geschimpft und war richtig wütend, habe verständnislos mit dem Kopf geschüttelt und vor Rührung und Freude geweint, war genauso erschrocken und entsetzt wie Lily und ich weiss nicht ob ich so mutig und stark gewesen wäre wie sie sich am Ende präsentiert hat!
Die richtigen Worte dafür zu finden – Lest bitte (UNBEDINGT am ENDE ) das Nachwort! – fällt mir sehr schwer – ich schreibe die komplette Rezi nun nochmal neu weil ich das Gefühl habe, dass meine Worte dem Inhalt nicht gerecht werden, dass ich nie transportieren kann was sie bewirkt haben, wie toll sie ausformuliert waren und was sie alles in mir bewegt haben.
Das ist mein 5tes Buch in diesem Jahr und ich bezweifle schon jetzt dass ich noch eins finde welches dieses hier vom „Jahreshighlights-Thron“ schubsen kann. Ich bleibe kaputt und tief beeindruckt zurück!
Ich habe mir 8 Seiten Notizen gemacht aber ich glaube ich könnte
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das ganze Buch wortwörtlich wiedergeben so sehr ist es mir hängengeblieben.Lily ist in einem Elternhaus voller Gewalt aufgewachsen, sie musste nahezu täglich mitansehen wie ihr betrunkener Vater ihre Mutter verprügelt und gedemütigt hat. Sie hat ihre Mutter nie verstanden, die immer die Wunden versteckt hat und die Situation versucht hat abzuschwächen und ihren Vater in Schutz zu nehmen.
Als Lily selbst in eine vergleichbare Situation kommt sieht sie wie schnell man in die Opferrolle rutscht und wie schwer es ist jemandem den man liebt etwas nachzutragen.
Ich bin nun wirklich am Ende, bin komplett zerstört und habe sooo furchtbar geweint. In den 5 Tagen die ich brauchte für das Buch habe ich eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt durchlebt. Ich habe mit Lily mitgelitten, habe mit ihr geweint und sie in den Arm genommen, ich habe geschimpft und war richtig wütend, habe verständnislos mit dem Kopf geschüttelt und vor Rührung und Freude geweint, war genauso erschrocken und entsetzt wie Lily und ich weiss nicht ob ich so mutig und stark gewesen wäre wie sie sich am Ende präsentiert hat!
Die richtigen Worte dafür zu finden – Lest bitte (UNBEDINGT am ENDE ) das Nachwort! – fällt mir sehr schwer – ich schreibe die komplette Rezi nun nochmal neu weil ich das Gefühl habe, dass meine Worte dem Inhalt nicht gerecht werden, dass ich nie transportieren kann was sie bewirkt haben, wie toll sie ausformuliert waren und was sie alles in mir bewegt haben.
Das ist mein 5tes Buch in diesem Jahr und ich bezweifle schon jetzt dass ich noch eins finde welches dieses hier vom „Jahreshighlights-Thron“ schubsen kann. Ich bleibe kaputt und tief beeindruckt zurück!
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LibraryThing member debbiesbooknook
As soon as I started reading this novel, I knew it was a winner. It was suspense with a sprinkle of romance. This is the second book I have read from Hoover, but definitely not my last. I find her writing captivating and unique. If you have not read any of her novels, I encourage and recommend you
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do because she's g-o-o-d! Show Less
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
This is one of those great books that really makes you think. No matter which side of the equation you fall, you can see from someone else's point of view. I've had experience with the issue in this book, but I've never really thought about it from all sides. At the end, it says something about
As for the actual story, it really sucked me in. For me, if I get really into how it will turn out or if it draws my emotions out, it's a winner. It Ends with Us did both.
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stopping the cycle. I think about my mother, grandmother and myself. Then I think of my daughter. That is a major message. As for the actual story, it really sucked me in. For me, if I get really into how it will turn out or if it draws my emotions out, it's a winner. It Ends with Us did both.
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LibraryThing member itchyfeetreader
novel of two halves – one half predictable, cliché ridden romance with a hint of love triangle. The second half emotionally rich with real depth and heart covering important topics with maturity.
Plot in a Nutshell
Less is probably more here. A story following the unfortunately named Lily Bloom
Thoughts
I found myself frustrated by this book from the get go. All the characters are written with a depth that I was not expecting from this author based on her earlier New Adult novels. Lily, Ryle and Alyssa are all well defined characters and we see them grow and evolve as the story progresses. Eschewing the dual point of view I was expecting the whole story is told from Lily’s point of view and she is an honest and engaging narrator. As she makes friends with Alyssa the reader does to, as she connects with Ryle we also get to see the emerging relationship and how it impacts both parties.
To offset all this great character and world building there are some elements that I found it difficult to get past. One – the names. Lily Bloom was distracting and the idea of the poor homeless boy from Lily’s part who had been suffering alone until he met Lily being called Atlas had me snorting aloud. Two – the jobs. Lily is a florist. Yup- Lily Bloom is a florist. Alyssa’s husband is a multi-millionaire. Ryle is not just a doctor but a neurosurgeon. This all felt a little silly and distracting.
Then just when I was in danger of giving up altogether along comes the conflict and the emotional impact of seeing these well developed characters struggle to deal pulled me right back in. Where initially we had cliché after cliché Lily, Ryle and Alyssa’s responses were nuanced and challenged me to think and respond as well.
So in conclusion glad I read it and would recommend others do so given the honesty with which Ms Hoover writes the latter half of the novel but you do need to watch out for the first part.
Plot in a Nutshell
Less is probably more here. A story following the unfortunately named Lily Bloom
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as she settles in a new city, makes friends starts her own business and falls in love. Her relationship with Ryle is threatened when an old face from her past reappears. Thoughts
I found myself frustrated by this book from the get go. All the characters are written with a depth that I was not expecting from this author based on her earlier New Adult novels. Lily, Ryle and Alyssa are all well defined characters and we see them grow and evolve as the story progresses. Eschewing the dual point of view I was expecting the whole story is told from Lily’s point of view and she is an honest and engaging narrator. As she makes friends with Alyssa the reader does to, as she connects with Ryle we also get to see the emerging relationship and how it impacts both parties.
To offset all this great character and world building there are some elements that I found it difficult to get past. One – the names. Lily Bloom was distracting and the idea of the poor homeless boy from Lily’s part who had been suffering alone until he met Lily being called Atlas had me snorting aloud. Two – the jobs. Lily is a florist. Yup- Lily Bloom is a florist. Alyssa’s husband is a multi-millionaire. Ryle is not just a doctor but a neurosurgeon. This all felt a little silly and distracting.
Then just when I was in danger of giving up altogether along comes the conflict and the emotional impact of seeing these well developed characters struggle to deal pulled me right back in. Where initially we had cliché after cliché Lily, Ryle and Alyssa’s responses were nuanced and challenged me to think and respond as well.
So in conclusion glad I read it and would recommend others do so given the honesty with which Ms Hoover writes the latter half of the novel but you do need to watch out for the first part.
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LibraryThing member karenvg3
I have loved all the CoHo books I have read but this one really surpassed all her others. I'm not sure if it is because it hit so close to home with my personal life and my experience of being in an abusive marriage or if she just stepped up her game. This book digs deep into the struggles both
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physically and mentally in an abusive relationship and she tackles the tough subject far better than many. Show Less
LibraryThing member courtneygiraldo
All the feels this week guys, all the feels. So I blindly chose this read to fulfill my reading challenge prompt of “A Goodreads choice awards winner”. I perused Goodreads lists, as one would, and the cover caught my eye. I saw that it was a romance, which I don’t tend to gravitate towards
It was not what I was expecting AT. ALL. In all the best/worst ways.
Lily Bloom grew up watching her father beat her mother. She hated him for it and even hated her mother at times for staying all those years. She finds a kindred spirit in Atlas Corrigan, abused and hurt by his own family and now living in the abandoned house behind Lilys. The two connect over their shared history of violence and soon develop a deep and unwavering bond, her first love, until Lilys dad almost kills him.
Lily finishes highschool, then college, and settles herself into a life in Boston, Atlas left firmly in the past. Her father has since died, and on the night of his funeral, meets a handsome neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid, fighting his own inner demons. Through chance and circumstance, the two finds themselves embroiled in a steamy romance. When things are stable things with Ryle are great, Lily runs into Atlas again in Boston, opening a floodgate of emotions.
Ok, so let me just say, this is not your typical romance. Or maybe it is? I don’t know, I don’t read much of it, but it was not what I was expecting at all. Here I was thinking it would be a “who’s-she-gonna-choose-insert-steamy-love-scenes-swoon-the-end” type of book. While yes, there are some great love scenes (let me emphasize the GREAT) there was a depth and heaviness to the book that left me shook. There are some graphic depictions of domestic violence and rape which while unsettling was neither overly done nor gratuitous. It was necessary and raw. It was a well written insight into the mind and emotions of victims of domestic violence which really gave me such a better understanding of the cycle.
5 star rating for It Ends With Us- don’t let its categorization of “romance” scare you away, it was so much more, and so much deeper than I was thinking it would be!
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regularly (my experience with romance novels consists of 50 Shades of Grey) but it obviously was well liked being a Goodreads winner and all so I just went with it. It was not what I was expecting AT. ALL. In all the best/worst ways.
Lily Bloom grew up watching her father beat her mother. She hated him for it and even hated her mother at times for staying all those years. She finds a kindred spirit in Atlas Corrigan, abused and hurt by his own family and now living in the abandoned house behind Lilys. The two connect over their shared history of violence and soon develop a deep and unwavering bond, her first love, until Lilys dad almost kills him.
Lily finishes highschool, then college, and settles herself into a life in Boston, Atlas left firmly in the past. Her father has since died, and on the night of his funeral, meets a handsome neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid, fighting his own inner demons. Through chance and circumstance, the two finds themselves embroiled in a steamy romance. When things are stable things with Ryle are great, Lily runs into Atlas again in Boston, opening a floodgate of emotions.
Ok, so let me just say, this is not your typical romance. Or maybe it is? I don’t know, I don’t read much of it, but it was not what I was expecting at all. Here I was thinking it would be a “who’s-she-gonna-choose-insert-steamy-love-scenes-swoon-the-end” type of book. While yes, there are some great love scenes (let me emphasize the GREAT) there was a depth and heaviness to the book that left me shook. There are some graphic depictions of domestic violence and rape which while unsettling was neither overly done nor gratuitous. It was necessary and raw. It was a well written insight into the mind and emotions of victims of domestic violence which really gave me such a better understanding of the cycle.
5 star rating for It Ends With Us- don’t let its categorization of “romance” scare you away, it was so much more, and so much deeper than I was thinking it would be!
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LibraryThing member SimplyKelina
** spoiler alert ** 4.5
CH did it again! From the first paragraph until the last, it just pulls you in. This book deals with so many issues: infertility, love, loss, DV, substance abuse, and more.
I loved Ryle at first and was sad when his character changed so drastically. I work with domestic
I enjoyed this even more after reading that this was partly a true story of what CH experienced herself as a child.
Some people may not like these issues involving domestic violence or the reality of what happens when someone does not leave those situations, but again I think this book did a great job describing what so many go through and why they make the decisions to stay.
I personally did not like the Ellen parts and thought the journal entries could have done without the talking to Ellen. They could have still referenced Ellen and "just keep swimming" could still have been a important message between Atlas and Lily.
Otherwise, another great read by CH and one you won't regret reading. It really is a story about survival and breaking the cycle of violence.
CH did it again! From the first paragraph until the last, it just pulls you in. This book deals with so many issues: infertility, love, loss, DV, substance abuse, and more.
I loved Ryle at first and was sad when his character changed so drastically. I work with domestic
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violence and feel CH did a great job describing issues I see everyday between abusers and victims. I enjoyed this even more after reading that this was partly a true story of what CH experienced herself as a child.
Some people may not like these issues involving domestic violence or the reality of what happens when someone does not leave those situations, but again I think this book did a great job describing what so many go through and why they make the decisions to stay.
I personally did not like the Ellen parts and thought the journal entries could have done without the talking to Ellen. They could have still referenced Ellen and "just keep swimming" could still have been a important message between Atlas and Lily.
Otherwise, another great read by CH and one you won't regret reading. It really is a story about survival and breaking the cycle of violence.
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LibraryThing member xhollishx
This is a great story! It has your hard hitting topics and addresses them well. The characters are likeable and all have qualities that make you care for them. The story has a lot going on, but it's easy to keep up with. I flew through this one, I read it in a few hours. I do feel like I knew what
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was going to happen at the end, but it didn't bother me. I wanted to see how it got there. Great book! Show Less
LibraryThing member LoriKBoyd
When I started this book, I expected a romance, but got so much more. Subject matter can be tough for some, but unfortunately this life is too common for too many women. Abuse happens to people in all walks of life. I've been fortunate to never have been in this situation and I applauded the writer
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for shedding light on this. Show Less
LibraryThing member gakgakg
Definitely 2 1/2 stars for me... The writing is very good and Colleen Hoover can weave a story together in a coherent way that keeps a reader's interest and keeps the story moving. [Prescript: I hope that my review is taken with a grain of salt - I'm feeling irritated today and I'm taking it out on
I think I've done it again with choosing to read a novel like this - not knowing it was "chick lit" but ready to call the Lifetime Movie producers by the end of the second page. Was this set in Boston or Clichesville? Why oh why does he have to be a gorgeous neurosurgeon? How oh how do these twenty-somethings open such incredibly successful businesses in a major metropolitan area? Where oh where do I find perky and talented best friends who are actually millionaires but want to work for me for $10/hour (fake cries into fist)? The people in this book are all too good-looking!!
And of course, ((SPOILER ALERT)) we have here the ultimate feminist lesson of Clichesville -- that as women, there is really only one way to find knowledge and direction. It's not about creating an amazing business, or learning about ourselves and coming to terms with childhood struggles, or helping the less fortunate, or growing into independent women that can give us the perspective we need on how to move forward in life. No, all of those things are good, but there's only one thing that can move your spirit into a place of progress and purpose: THE MAGICAL REDEMPTIVE VAGINA! You spit out a baby and boom - your MRV kicks in and you suddenly know what to do with yourself! Life has meaning. You are a real person. Thank you, MRV! Life was empty before and getting beat up really wasn't that unbearable, but my MRV made it easy to see the light.
Please, stop perpetuating the myth that the secret to life is a mystical parting of the nethercurtains... wish it would End with Us.
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this book.]I think I've done it again with choosing to read a novel like this - not knowing it was "chick lit" but ready to call the Lifetime Movie producers by the end of the second page. Was this set in Boston or Clichesville? Why oh why does he have to be a gorgeous neurosurgeon? How oh how do these twenty-somethings open such incredibly successful businesses in a major metropolitan area? Where oh where do I find perky and talented best friends who are actually millionaires but want to work for me for $10/hour (fake cries into fist)? The people in this book are all too good-looking!!
And of course, ((SPOILER ALERT)) we have here the ultimate feminist lesson of Clichesville -- that as women, there is really only one way to find knowledge and direction. It's not about creating an amazing business, or learning about ourselves and coming to terms with childhood struggles, or helping the less fortunate, or growing into independent women that can give us the perspective we need on how to move forward in life. No, all of those things are good, but there's only one thing that can move your spirit into a place of progress and purpose: THE MAGICAL REDEMPTIVE VAGINA! You spit out a baby and boom - your MRV kicks in and you suddenly know what to do with yourself! Life has meaning. You are a real person. Thank you, MRV! Life was empty before and getting beat up really wasn't that unbearable, but my MRV made it easy to see the light.
Please, stop perpetuating the myth that the secret to life is a mystical parting of the nethercurtains... wish it would End with Us.
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LibraryThing member samnreader
The audiobook did not add anything for me; I finished with text. The ending was great-and I like the clever way the past and the present were interwoven. It was great for empathy building - the idea of chipping away at limits, but it was not a game-changer for me.
LibraryThing member CarrieWuj
3.5 At first this seems like a typical hip chick-lit book with hunky love interest in a meet-cute scenario: building rooftop as each seeks solace from a horrible day. Lily Bloom has just buried her despised, abusive father. Ryle Kincaid has just lost a child patient to a gunshot wound to the head
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and his stellar neurosurgery skills couldn't save him. His reaction to the day is explosive anger (kicking around deck chairs); hers is melancholy and reflection. He comes across as cocky and asks her to sleep with him; she has some scruples and though attracted has the good sense to look out for herself. But some surprises ensue -- they go separate ways and don't see each other again for months. Lily opens a florist shop with her inheritance -- a lifelong goal-- and befriends Alyssa who wanders into the store looking for a job, though she is so filthy rich she doesn't need it. Turns out Alyssa is Ryle's sister. They meet again and fall hard. Other surprise: we get all the back-story of Lily's life through a journal-letter she wrote to Ellen DeGeneres. She was a pretty lonely kid and isolated by her abusive household, so the Ellen show was a source of comfort and stability. Through the journals, Lily's first love, Atlas is revealed. He was a homeless teen living in a foreclosed house on her block. It was a sweet story of love and mutual respect and mutual help in tough times. Atlas left for Boston, then the military with the promise to return for Lily someday. As far as she knows, he never did. Her new floral shop is in Boston, so that's the set-up for his re-entry into her life. She first sees him as a waiter at the restaurant where she is introducing Ryle to her mother for the first time. Fast-forward a couple years to where Lily and Ryle are married, he turns out to be abusive and Atlas is her rock again. She has some tough decisions to make about her life -- there are other issues and complications that are best left to surprise. But in many ways Lily can't seem to escape her past. Hoover wrote this as a reflection of her own childhood and as a way to show the many facets of spousal abuse (the cycle of violence, the perspective of both the abuser and victim and the fact that as hard a subject as it is, there are lots of gray areas) "Cycles exist because the are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern. Sometimes it seems easier to just keep running in the same familiar circles, rather than facing the fear of jumping and possibly landing on your feet." (360) Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Pandemic read. Recommended by several reading friends I know from online exchanges. This is a very thoughtful, and insightful book about a truly horrific problem far too many women face. I will read more by this author.
LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC
This is one of those great books that really makes you think. No matter which side of the equation you fall, you can see from someone else's point of view. I've had experience with the issue in this book, but I've never really thought about it from all sides. At the end, it says something about
As for the actual story, it really sucked me in. For me, if I get really into how it will turn out or if it draws my emotions out, it's a winner. It Ends with Us did both.
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stopping the cycle. I think about my mother, grandmother and myself. Then I think of my daughter. That is a major message. As for the actual story, it really sucked me in. For me, if I get really into how it will turn out or if it draws my emotions out, it's a winner. It Ends with Us did both.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
First of all, wow. I went into this book expecting a typically romance novel and for the first third/half of the book, things proceeded as I anticipated. Then, I slowly began to realize I was reading a very different kind of book, about a different kind of relationship. That being said, I feel I
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learned a lot from this book and I will likely look at abusive relationships differently from now on. This book is well worth the read, even for those who typically wouldn't pick up a book like this. Show Less
LibraryThing member leahlo89
All of the stars. I can't describe what this book did to me.
Full review to come closer to the release date.
Full review to come closer to the release date.
Awards
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2016)
Call number
FIC K Hoo