Author: Colleen Hoover
Genres: Romance, Domestic Fiction
Published: 2016
Number of Pages: 376 (paperback edition)
“This is not a story of love, this is a story of how to save yourself from love.” That’s the quote featured on the cover of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. The book went viral on TikTok, catching the attention of thousands of readers with its striking cover — and like many others, I was intrigued. I picked it up to see what all the fuss was about.
This It Ends With Us review is based on my personal perspective, so don’t judge me too harshly when I say that I expected more from this popular novel.
I have no doubt that if I had read It Ends With Us when I was 20 or 22, I would have liked it more. Having immersed myself in classic literature over the years, this book felt modern and reminded me of an American romance movie. You know the type: the one you’ll watch once, maybe twice, but probably not more. However, I have to admit that the book did capture my attention, and I found myself eager to finish it quickly just to see if the main character ultimately made the right choice.
That being said, I do not say I didn’t enjoy the book at all. I would recommend it to readers in their early twenties, particularly fans of authors like Emma Scott, Nicholas Sparks, or even Colleen Hoover’s other works.
It ends with us summary, review, and analysis
The novel centers around Lily Bloom and a handsom neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid, whom she meets shortly after her father’s death. They first meet on the rooftop of a Boston building, where both of them seek some time alone after a hard day.
At first we are introduced to two parallel stories: one about Lily and Ryle, and another about a young Lily and her first love, Atlas. We basically read through Lily’s diary, which are written as letters addressed to Ellen DeGeneres, the famous American comedian and talk show host. By using Lily’s diaries as flashbacks, Hoover helps us understand Lily’s past while keeping the reader engaged with the present. We also learn from her notes that Lily’s mother suffered from domestic violence, which deeply affected Lily’s childhood. Although I still struggle to understand why women don’t leave their abusers, this book does offer insight into the complex justifications these women make. Hoover attempts to present their point of view, which is important to understand if we want to help.
Even though I mentioned earlier that I’d recommend this book to those in their early 20s, I have to admit that I was still engaged with the story and curious to see how it would end. It’s quite fascinating how a girl who once blamed her own mother for staying with an abuser doesn’t realize that her husband, Ryle, is just like her father.
At first, I loved Ryle. He seemed perfect—he’s a handsome, well-built doctor, and the way he pursued Lily was charming. He even went out of his way to buy flowers from her shop just to win her over. But now that I’m in my 30s, I realize that sometimes “perfect” men can be a red flag. It’s hard to explain, but I do not believe that there are perfect men, lol.
As for Atlas, we first learn about him through Lily’s diary entries, but he reappears later in the story when Lily is already in love with Ryle. They are meeting her mother to announce their relationship when Atlas—once a homeless boy—shows up as a successful restaurant owner. He still remembers Lily fondly.
After Lily and Ryle get married, she begins to experience the same domestic abuse that her mother endured. At first, she tries to justify his actions, convincing herself that it was an accident. She thinks, “I could have accidentally burned myself,” or “I just hit my head.” But as things escalate, Lily eventually realizes that she needs to leave. She seeks refuge with Atlas and stays at his house for a few days, which is when she discovers she’s pregnant.
How does It ends with us end?
At the end of “It Ends With Us,” Lily makes the difficult decision to leave her husband, Ryle. After giving birth to their daughter, she decides that she doesn’t want her child to grow up in an abusive environment, just like she did. The book ends with Lily reuniting with her first love, Atlas. While the ending suggests the possibility of a future for Lily and Atlas, the focus is on Lily’s journey of strength, healing, and self-love.
The moral of It ends with us is that Lily ultimately doesn’t repeat her mother’s mistakes. She decides to leave Ryle, regardless of their history or the challenges of co-parenting their daughter. Lily recognizes that she has to protect both herself and her child.
The ending, which sees Lily and Atlas reunited, suggests that it’s possible to heal, grow, and even find love again. It reminds readers that you don’t have to remain in an unhealthy relationship, and that being open to love can lead to new possibilities.
In my It ends with us review I have to say that Colleen Hoover earned my respect for courageously sharing her personal story through these fictional characters. If people in their 20s connect with this book, it means that Lily’s and her mother’s journey will inspire them to make better choices in their own lives
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT IT ENDS WITH US
In the end of my article I would like to cover a few frequently asked questions by the book lovers.
What is the book it ends with us about?
“It Ends With Us” is about distinguishing between healthy love and unhealthy, abusive relationships. Its message is about understanding the experiences of women who endure domestic abuse, making the right choices, and staying open and optimistic about what life can bring in the future.
Who wrote It ends with us?
“It Ends With Us” was written by Colleen Hoover, a best selling American author known for her romance and contemporary fiction novels.
Why did Colleen Hoover write it ends with us?
Colleen Hoover wrote “It Ends With Us” as a deeply personal story inspired by her own life experiences, particularly her parents’ relationship. Hoover has shared that the book was a tribute to her mother, who endured domestic abuse, and her father, who struggled with controlling his worst side. The novel allowed Hoover to explore the complexities of abusive relationships and the difficult decisions that victims face. Through fictional characters like Lily and Ryle, she aimed to raise awareness about domestic abuse and share a message of strength, self-respect, and making healthy choices.
Why is It ends with us so popular?
The book gained significant attention on TikTok’s BookTok community, where readers shared emotional reviews and reactions.
When was It ends with us published?
“It Ends With Us” was published on August 2, 2016 by Atria Books.
Is It ends with us based on a true story?
“It Ends With Us” is partially based on a true story. Colleen Hoover has revealed that the novel was inspired by her own personal experiences, particularly her parents’ relationship. Her mother endured domestic abuse, and the novel is a tribute to both her mother, who protected her children from seeing the worst of their father, and her father, who struggled with his darker side.
What genre is It ends with us by Colleen Hoover
“It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover is primarily classified as a contemporary romance novel.
How many chapters are in It ends with us?
“It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover has 39 chapters, along with an epilogue at the end.
If you liked “It ends with us” by Colleen Hoover you will also like:
- A thousand boy kisses by Tilly Coil
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
