Book Review: "It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover

"Breaking the Chains of a Painful Past and Finding Freedom in the Present."

 

It Ends with Us is a 2016 romance novel by Colleen Hoover that tells the story of Lily Bloom,  a 23-year-old college graduate from Maine, who is in the midst of turning over a new leaf  in Boston, where she meets Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon.

The story traces her past history growing up in an abusive home, her fall into an abusive relationship and her escape from that relationship. The title suggests that the responsibility for ending the cycle of violence lies with the individual, and that it is upto each person to end the cycle of violence in their own lives. 

Introduction 

Book’s Name -It Ends With Us

Author’s Name - College Hoover

Genre - Fiction, Romance

Language - English

About the Author

Colleen Hoover (born Margaret Colleen Fennell; December 11, 1979) is an American author who primarily writes novels in the romance and young adult fiction genres. She is best known for her 2016 romance novel It Ends with Us. Many of her works were self-published before being picked up by a publishing house. 

As of October 2022, Hoover has sold approximately 20 million books. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023. Hoover's novel It Ends with Us was published in 2016 and was written with the intention of advocating for domestic violence victims.

Synopsis 

Spoiler Alert!!

The novel begins with Lily, a young college graduate living in Boston, reflecting on her father's funeral on a rooftop. There, she meets Ryle Kincaid, a surgeon who happens to reside there. While they have chemistry, it becomes clear that they have different intentions when it comes to relationships. 

They part ways but meet again six months later when Lily hires Ryle's sister, Allysa to work at her flower shop. Their attraction to each other grows, and Ryle decides to explore a relationship with Lily, despite his initial reluctance. 

Throughout this time, Lily also revisits her past and reads old journals she wrote when she was 15, which recount her encounter with Atlas Corrigan, a homeless 18-year-old boy. 

As a teenager, Lily helped Atlas when he was without a home and family, and they became close as he supported her through witnessing her father's abuse towards her mother. In the present day, Lily wonders if she is also seeking closure with Atlas. 

The romance between Lily and Ryle continues to grow, however, one night Lily runs into Atlas, whom she hasn't seen in nine years. Although she is happy to see him doing well, she feels a sense of hurt and distance between them.

One evening, Ryle lashes out in a rage causing harm to Lily. Afterward, Ryle apologises and Lily allows him to comfort her, feeling confused. Lily threatens to leave him if it happens again but convinces herself that Ryle is not like her father.

The next day, during a dine out, at the restaurant where Lily had seen Atlas, they both confront again in the restroom. Furious, Atlas compares Lily to her mother, whom he had seen as a victim of domestic abuse. Ryle finds the two talking, and Atlas attacked him, eventually throwing him out of the restaurant. The next day, Atlas visits Lily's shop, apologises and leaves his phone number in case of an emergency. However, Lily knows that her future is with Ryle. 

They meet each other's parents, and Lily and Ryle decide to get married. One night, Ryle discovers Atlas's number in Lily's phone, which makes him jealous and he pushes her down the stairs. Initially, Ryle refuses to take responsibility for his actions and only asks Lily to assure him that she isn't being unfaithful. Lily explains that Atlas came to her shop and throws Ryle out of her apartment. 

Ryle then reveals to Lily the story of how his brother died when he accidentally shot him at the age of six, which caused him to suffer from rage issues. Lily is torn between her feelings for Ryle and the similarities between her situation and the abusive relationship between her parents. She tells Ryle that she is willing to help him. 

After the incident, Ryle was apparently improving, but one night he again confronts Lily over her relationship with Atlas, almost raping her, and hurting her when she tries to defend herself. Lily then calls Atlas and they left for the hospital, where she discovers that she is pregnant. 

Distraught, Lily goes to stay with Atlas for several days where Atlas admits that he did look for her after he finished his first tour, but found her  happy already and didn't think he was fit for her then and eventually confesses he has feelings for her. He makes it clear that he understands that she has a lot on her plate and only hopes that someday she might fall in love with him again.

Despite Ryle being Allysa’s brother, she urges Lily to leave him. Eventually Lily lets Ryle participate as a father, helping her during the final months of the pregnancy. After Lily gives birth to a girl, she decides that she will divorce Ryle to break the pattern of domestic violence. Eleven months later, she confronts Atlas and indicates that she is ready to have a relationship with him.

Self Analysis and Bottom line

The novel is an exemplification of literary excellence. Its plot takes the reader on a tumultuous expedition through intricate themes such as affection, bereavement and maltreatment. 

As the liaison between Lily and Ryle evolves, it comes to light that there are hidden shadows regarding Ryle which could jeopardise their joint aspirations. 

In following Lily's voyage of self-discovery, one is compelled to ponder complex inquiries about love in general; how trauma can transmute our worldview into a cascade rife with setbacks and hardships -yet still have us striving for solace amidst said turmoil- as well we reflect upon exploring what measures someone may undertake when guarding those they cherish most.

The personas are intricately fashioned with multifarious motives that are both rationalised yet fallible, thus rendering their trials even more captivating as the readers become enmeshed in their domain and attached to their conclusions.The book titled "It Ends With Us" is a literary masterpiece that one cannot afford to overlook. 

Here are some of my personal favourite quotes from the book:

• "There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things."   ~Ryle Kincaid

• "It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us." ~Lily Bloom

• "In the future… if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again… fall in love with me." ~Atlas Corrigan

My ratings for the book is 4.5/5.

Get your own copy from Amazon-

"It Ends With Us": It Ends With Us Noveller By Colleen Hoover httpTimzn.eu/d/gyYudyW

Written by - Sneha Kumari