it ends with us book review quora

Get the Reddit app

This is a moderated subreddit. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage in-depth discussion about all things related to books, authors, genres, or publishing in a safe, supportive environment. If you're looking for help with a personal book recommendation, consult our Weekly Recommendation Thread, Suggested Reading page, or ask in r/suggestmeabook.

Book Review: It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover.

Genre: Fiction/ Romance novel/ Contemporary romance.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

DISCLAIMER :

TW: Sexual assault.

CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Finally, know that this book shouldn’t be read before going to bed, trust me it will prevent you from sleeping.

“There is no such thing as ‘bad people’. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”

Hello everyone and welcome back! Today's book revolves around Colleen Hoover...that’s it. Hoover is known for a variety of her books, the most popular of them being this one. Now, I've never been a fan of the Romance genre but I do enjoy books that make me bawl my eyes out. This book was definitely one of them. It Ends with Us was a success both critically & in the eyes of fans, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance.

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. 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.

I’m going to divide the review into two parts –

1-3 stars – As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a fan of Romance novels. So, my initial thoughts were that this book follows the pattern of After and 50 shades . I know they’re not the same but this is basically the storyline – A rich man and a not-so-rich woman fall in love. The woman later finds that the man has grown from a traumatic childhood that led him to be an abusive, unstable person when it comes to relationships. While reading Part One, I noticed this pattern and felt annoyed to have picked this book.

3-5 stars – It was after reading Part Two that I felt the triggers. Yet, I kept going because I had a feeling that the ending would slap my face and it did. It was the last chapter that broke me. Reading Ryle’s emotions had me *CRYING SO HARD* that I wanted Lily to take her word back. When I read “It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”, I was done. I felt a stab in my heart. Not because of what Lily decided (she made an awesome decision) but because I saw Lily and Ryle separate. Till the epilogue, I told myself “If Lily & Atlas got back together, I'd be happy” until it actually happened, and I don’t think I was up for it. This was because the epilogue kind of left me confused. I wanted a little more about it. I wanted to know how Ryle would react to this because I cannot get over Ryle and Lily (T_T) though I know how he’d possibly react because now they are divorced.

Although the characters are fictional, they have elements of realism in them –

Lily 's was the most powerful character. Her character may not be relatable to everyone, but it still managed to reach out. She was resilient and courageous. Brave and bold , just like her mother asked her to be.

Ryle was charming. A thriving neurosurgeon who’s willing to be better for Lily? YES. I honestly felt extreme sorrow for him but there’s nothing that could be done for his behaviour.

Atlas was a sweet one. He was just the perfect guy Lily deserved.

Alyssa and Marshall – God. They helped me laugh through the overwhelming moments of the story. The friendship between Lily & Alyssa was the sweetest.

I must say, the author really poured her soul into this book. I underestimated this book to be a typical romantic story but oh no, I was so wrong. Also, the author’s note left me with another wave of shock. Overall, this novel is an emotional rollercoaster that will surely leave any reader stunned.

“Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person. Fifteen seconds that we’ll never get back.”

Thank you and happy reading :)

Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

By Yasi Agah Posted on 9.9.21

CW: domestic abuse

Have you ever witnessed your friend or family member in a toxic relationship? Have you yourself ever been in a toxic relationship? To an outside perspective it seems impossible why anyone would ever stay in an unhealthy relationship. But to the person inside the relationship…it’s not that easy. In this story, Lily Bloom (yes, that is her adorable name) is a free-spirited Maine native with a seemingly normal life…until she meets Ryle. 

After she graduates with a business degree from college, she moves to Boston and decides that she wants to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop (Yes. You read that correctly. Again – adorable). When she moves to Boston she meets a mysterious man, Ryle Kincaid, a smooth-talking neurosurgeon with a sprinkle of mystery. Lily and Ryle hit it off with a flirtatious rooftop encounter and have an immediate connection – Lily thinks that she’ll never see him again but she has no idea what’s in store. Ryle turns out to be the love of her life and she can see a future with him. However, a wrench gets thrown into her life when a past flame and her first true love, Atlas, comes back into her life. On the outside, Lily’s life seems amazing. She has a beautiful doctor boyfriend, has an incredible career and is living out her dreams. But on the inside, there’s much more to the story. Check out Colleen Hoover’s thrilling romance novel, It Ends With Us , for a story about how love doesn’t always turn out the way you think.

AH. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entireee time. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, going back and forth between the men in Lily’s life and constantly thinking – why doesn’t she leave if she isn’t happy? I won’t give away any spoilers but there is a heavy theme of domestic abuse throughout this book and helps show the internal debate that women have when they’re in a toxic relationship. It’s extremely easy to see someone in an abusive relationship and think “why doesn’t she leave already?” but it’s truly not that simple.

Based on true events from the author’s life, this book outlines the terrifying cycle of domestic abuse and the effects it can have on women for generations to come. It Ends With Us is an eye-opening and suspenseful story that shows how all consuming and catastrophic domestic abuse can become. This book showed me the insider’s perspective to a terrifying situation and the rationale that women use to stay in unhealthy relationships – it is never as easy as it seems. There were many moments throughout this book that left me teary eyed and I wouldn’t be surprised if it did the same for you. It’s a binge read that somehow breaks your heart and then puts it back together.  If you know someone who has experienced domestic abuse and needs help, please check out the resources at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Here is their website https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/ and you can call 800.799.SAFE (7233).

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the Latest on IG

Follow us on instagram @yourfeministbookclub

Get into the loop

Want to get a heads up on the book of the month before anyone else? Want to be on the VIP list for special offers and deals? Well, get on the list and you’ll be officially in the FBC loop!

Website by FirstTracks

• ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

IndieBound Bestseller

IT ENDS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 2, 2016

Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of...

Hoover’s ( November 9 , 2015, etc.) latest tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence with romantic tenderness and emotional heft.

At first glance, the couple is edgy but cute: Lily Bloom runs a flower shop for people who hate flowers; Ryle Kincaid is a surgeon who says he never wants to get married or have kids. They meet on a rooftop in Boston on the night Ryle loses a patient and Lily attends her abusive father’s funeral. The provocative opening takes a dark turn when Lily receives a warning about Ryle’s intentions from his sister, who becomes Lily’s employee and close friend. Lily swears she’ll never end up in another abusive home, but when Ryle starts to show all the same warning signs that her mother ignored, Lily learns just how hard it is to say goodbye. When Ryle is not in the throes of a jealous rage, his redeeming qualities return, and Lily can justify his behavior: “I think we needed what happened on the stairwell to happen so that I would know his past and we’d be able to work on it together,” she tells herself. Lily marries Ryle hoping the good will outweigh the bad, and the mother-daughter dynamics evolve beautifully as Lily reflects on her childhood with fresh eyes. Diary entries fancifully addressed to TV host Ellen DeGeneres serve as flashbacks to Lily’s teenage years, when she met her first love, Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she found squatting in a neighbor’s house. When Atlas turns up in Boston, now a successful chef, he begs Lily to leave Ryle. Despite the better option right in front of her, an unexpected complication forces Lily to cut ties with Atlas, confront Ryle, and try to end the cycle of abuse before it’s too late. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author’s note at the end that explains Hoover’s personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read.

Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-5011-1036-8

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Atria

Review Posted Online: May 30, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016

ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE

Share your opinion of this book

More by Colleen Hoover

BOOK REVIEW

by Colleen Hoover

More About This Book

SEEN & HEARD

LOVE AND OTHER WORDS

by Christina Lauren ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2018

With frank language and patient plotting, this gangly teen crush grows into a confident adult love affair.

Eleven years ago, he broke her heart. But he doesn’t know why she never forgave him.

Toggling between past and present, two love stories unfold simultaneously. In the first, Macy Sorensen meets and falls in love with the boy next door, Elliot Petropoulos, in the closet of her dad’s vacation home, where they hide out to discuss their favorite books. In the second, Macy is working as a doctor and engaged to a single father, and she hasn’t spoken to Elliot since their breakup. But a chance encounter forces her to confront the truth: what happened to make Macy stop speaking to Elliot? Ultimately, they’re separated not by time or physical remoteness but by emotional distance—Elliot and Macy always kept their relationship casual because they went to different schools. And as a teen, Macy has more to worry about than which girl Elliot is taking to the prom. After losing her mother at a young age, Macy is navigating her teenage years without a female role model, relying on the time-stamped notes her mother left in her father’s care for guidance. In the present day, Macy’s father is dead as well. She throws herself into her work and rarely comes up for air, not even to plan her upcoming wedding. Since Macy is still living with her fiance while grappling with her feelings for Elliot, the flashbacks offer steamy moments, tender revelations, and sweetly awkward confessions while Macy makes peace with her past and decides her future.

Pub Date: April 10, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-5011-2801-1

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018

GENERAL ROMANCE | ROMANCE | FAMILY LIFE & FRIENDSHIP | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

More by Christina Lauren

by Christina Lauren

THE FRIEND ZONE

by Abby Jimenez ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2019

An excellent debut that combines wit, humor, and emotional intensity.

A woman refuses to be with her soul mate, but life intervenes, making her choice harder and more heartbreaking.

Josh meets Kristen with a bang, literally, when she slams on her brakes and he runs into her. There's minimal damage, so she disappears. Minutes later they discover that their best friends are engaged to each other and they were slated to meet that day at the fire station where Brandon and Josh work. Josh is immediately smitten, but Kristen has a boyfriend, Tyler, who’s deployed overseas. Counting down the days until he gets home for good, Kristen adamantly puts Josh in the friend zone, refusing to acknowledge their growing closeness and her spiking attraction. Then Tyler reenlists, effectively breaking up with her. Kristen and Josh sleep together, but she slams the door on his hope for a real relationship, telling him it will never be more than a friends-with-benefits situation. Josh thinks Kristen is mourning the end of her relationship with Tyler, but really, Kristen realizes Josh is her perfect match. Unfortunately she also knows Josh wants children, which would be nearly impossible for them due to her malfunctioning reproductive system. The two reach a painful impasse, but when tragedy strikes, they find themselves reevaluating their relationship. Josh knows he’ll never be happy without Kristen, but he’ll have to think outside the box to convince her to take a chance on them. Jimenez tackles a myriad of issues in her debut and hits each one with depth and sensitivity. Kristen’s take-no-prisoners attitude is smart and sassy and perfectly balanced by Josh’s easygoing resourcefulness, though at times her lack of transparency while jerking him around makes her seem more immature than self-sacrificing .

Pub Date: July 9, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-5387-1560-4

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Forever

Review Posted Online: April 27, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2019

GENERAL ROMANCE | ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

More by Abby Jimenez

by Abby Jimenez

• Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
• News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
• Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
• Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
• Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
• More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
• About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

• Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Contact us: 1-800-316-9361 or email [email protected].

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

It Ends with Us Review (2016): Unveiling the Irresistible Impact

• Emma Thompson

In this comprehensive ‘It Ends with Us’ review, we delve into the enthralling narrative crafted by Colleen Hoover. Join us as we explore the emotional depth, thought-provoking themes, and the profound impact of this remarkable novel.

‘It Ends with Us’ by Colleen Hoover has taken the literary world by storm with its poignant story and unforgettable characters. In this review, we uncover the reasons behind its widespread acclaim and its ability to resonate with readers worldwide.

One of the most striking aspects of ‘It Ends with Us’ is its ability to address sensitive topics with compassion and authenticity. Colleen Hoover masterfully navigates themes of love, loss, and personal growth, leaving readers with a profound understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

The characters in ‘It Ends with Us’ are richly developed, each with their own unique struggles and vulnerabilities. Through the protagonist’s journey, Hoover presents a thought-provoking exploration of the intricacies of domestic abuse and its impact on individuals and families.

Hoover’s writing style is both eloquent and captivating, drawing readers into the story from the very first page. The narrative unfolds with a perfect balance of heart-wrenching moments and hopeful glimpses, keeping readers emotionally invested until the very end.

‘It Ends with Us’ is not just a novel; it is a call to action. By shedding light on important social issues, Hoover encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and make a positive change. This thought-provoking book has the power to spark conversations and inspire empathy, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a transformative reading experience.

In conclusion, ‘It Ends with Us’ is a gripping and emotionally-charged novel that leaves a lasting impact on its readers. Colleen Hoover’s powerful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make it a standout work in contemporary fiction.

Whether you’re a fan of romance, drama, or thought-provoking narratives, this book is sure to captivate and resonate with you long after the final page.

It Ends with Us Buying Options:

Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, The Crimson Books may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

About the Author

Emma Thompson is a passionate bookworm with a deep appreciation for literature across various genres. With a degree in English Literature, she has a keen eye for analyzing and dissecting the intricacies of a book’s themes and writing style.

Emma has been an active reviewer for over five years, sharing her insights and recommendations with fellow readers.

Related Posts

The Housemaid’s Secret: Don’t Look Behind Closed Doors

• Book Reviews

Forever Never by Lucy Score

In a Badger Way (The Honey Badger Chronicles Book # 2)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

The Literary Vault

Book Reviews, Recommendations and so much more

Book Review: “It Ends With Us” – Colleen Hoover

December 5, 2023

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 where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems 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

Book Review: “ It Ends With Us ” – Colleen Hoover (Romance Books By Colleen Hoover)

Discovering “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover on BookTok was like stumbling upon a hidden literary gem. The enthusiastic recommendations and passionate discussions about the book on the platform created an irresistible allure. Intrigued by the fervor surrounding it, I couldn’t resist the temptation and decided to dive into the novel. From the very first page, I was captivated by Hoover’s storytelling prowess. The emotional depth, the raw authenticity of the characters, and the exploration of complex themes resonated with me on a profound level. It was a reading experience that went beyond expectations, leaving me utterly blown away by the power of the narrative and reaffirming the magic of stumbling upon a book that touches the soul in unexpected ways.

In “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover, the story revolves around Lily Bloom, a young woman with a traumatic past who, despite her best efforts to build a new life, finds herself entangled in a tumultuous relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. The narrative unfolds in layers, revealing Lily’s personal struggles, her resilience, and the complex dynamics of her relationship with Ryle. As the plot progresses, the novel addresses heavy themes, particularly domestic violence, shedding light on the impact of such issues on individuals. The story becomes a poignant exploration of love’s complexities, forcing Lily to confront difficult decisions and challenging her understanding of what it means to truly stand up for oneself. With unexpected twists and emotional depth, the novel takes readers on a journey that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of romance, offering a profound exploration of human resilience, personal growth, and the intricacies of love.

In “It Ends with Us,” Colleen Hoover skillfully crafts a narrative that stands out for its emotional depth. The novel delves into the intricacies of love, handling challenging subjects with a rare sensitivity and nuanced approach. One of the highlights is the significant character development, especially that of Lily Bloom, whose growth adds layers of complexity to the unfolding story. Hoover masterfully explores various types of relationships, offering a realistic portrayal of their challenges and nuances. The engaging writing style further enhances the reading experience, with Hoover’s prose drawing readers into the narrative effortlessly. The book also addresses thought-provoking themes, such as domestic violence and personal strength, prompting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Amidst all these elements, the well-paced plot emerges as a page-turner, seamlessly blending romance and personal struggles to create a compelling and unforgettable tale that captivates readers from beginning to end.

The novel grapples with weighty themes that could be distressing for certain readers, particularly due to its intense depiction of domestic violence. For those seeking a lighter reading experience, the emotional challenges presented in the narrative might prove overwhelming. While the story is undeniably engaging, some readers may find certain plot twists predictable. However, the true strength of the novel lies more in the profound emotional journey it unfolds rather than in surprising twists. The impact of the story is highly subjective, varying based on individual experiences and perspectives. Some readers may deeply resonate with the themes, connecting on a personal level, while others may find them too intense or triggering. Additionally, for those inclined towards a more traditional or lighter romance, the novel’s emphasis on emotional exploration may overshadow the romantic elements, potentially influencing their overall reading experience.

Book Review and Rating:

In conclusion, “It Ends with Us” stands out as a powerful exploration of love and personal strength. Its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of relationships contribute to a captivating narrative. While some may find the themes intense, the novel’s thought-provoking nature and engaging writing make it a worthwhile read for those seeking a contemporary romance with substance.

If you enjoyed reading this book review, please like, comment, follow, and share. Subscribe to my newsletter to stay tuned for more book review s and Young Adult Book Recommendations .

A Reader Lives a Thousand Lives Before He Dies. The Man Who Never Reads Lives Only One.

What am i currently reading.

As Featured In

So Many Books So Little Time

Get the next review straight to your mailbox.

Copyright © 2024 The Literary Vault

• Bookreporter
• ReadingGroupGuides
• AuthorsOnTheWeb

The Book Report Network

Sign up for our newsletters!

Regular Features

Author spotlights, "bookreporter talks to" videos & podcasts, "bookaccino live: a lively talk about books", favorite monthly lists & picks, seasonal features, book festivals, sports features, bookshelves.

• Coming Soon

Newsletters

• Weekly Update
• On Sale This Week
• Summer Reading
• Spring Preview
• Winter Reading
• Holiday Cheer
• Fall Preview

Word of Mouth

Submitting a book for review, write the editor, you are here:, it ends with us.

• About the Book

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of IT STARTS WITH US and ALL YOUR PERFECTS, a “brave and heartbreaking novel that digs its claws into you and doesn’t let go, long after you’ve finished it” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author) about a workaholic with a too-good-to-be-true romance can’t stop thinking about her first love.

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 where she grew up --- she graduated from college, moved to Boston and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems 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.

An honest, evocative and tender novel, IT ENDS WITH US is “a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down” ( USA TODAY ).

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

• Publication Date: August 2, 2016
• Genres: Fiction , Romance , Women's Fiction
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books
• ISBN-10: 1501110365
• ISBN-13: 9781501110368

• Member Login
• Library Patron Login

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR

FREE NEWSLETTERS

Search: Title Author Article Search String:

It Ends with Us : Book summary and reviews of It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Summary | Reviews | More Information | More Books

It Ends with Us

by Colleen Hoover

Readers' rating:

Published Aug 2016 384 pages Genre: Literary Fiction Publication Information

Rate this book

About this book

Book summary.

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.

• "Beyond the Book" articles
• Free books to read and review (US only)
• Find books by time period, setting & theme
• Read-alike suggestions by book and author
• Book club discussions
• and much more!
• Just $45 for 12 months or $15 for 3 months.
• More about membership!

Media Reviews

Reader reviews.

"Best-selling Hoover's latest valiant and compelling…novel packs her trademark emotional punch… The power and pain of the relationship will stay with readers even as Hoover offers hope." - Booklist "Starred Review. Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors." - Kirkus Reviews "What a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down." - USA Today "Tackles tough subject matter with a deft and confident hand." - Huffington Post "Starred Review. It Ends with Us is a perfect example of the author's writing chops and her ability to weave together uplifting, romantic and somber plotlines. No matter your level of fandom, readers will love and respect protagonist Lily and learn something from her struggles." - RT Book Review "Colleen Hoover reminds readers that love is a fragile thing, built from courage, hope, and tears. Every person with a heartbeat should read this book." - Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author " It Ends with Us isn't an ordinary love story. It will break your heart while filling you with hope,and by the end of this gripping, pulse-pounding novel, you'll be smiling through your tears." - Sarah Pekkanen, International bestselling author of Perfect Neighbors "It Ends With Us is a brave and heartbreaking novel that digs its claws into you and doesn't let go, long after you've finished it. No one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover." - Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the After series

...17 more reader reviews

Author Information

Colleen hoover.

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed , This Girl , Point of Retreat , Hopeless , Losing Hope , Finding Cinderella , Maybe Someday , Ugly Love , Maybe Not , and Confess . She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys.

More Author Information

More Recommendations

Readers also browsed . . ..

• Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Exhibit by R O. Kwon
• The Witches of Bellinas by J. Nicole Jones
• Change by Edouard Louis
• Fruit of the Dead by Rachel Lyon
• Long Island by Colm Toibin
• Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
• Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru
• Leaving by Roxana Robinson
• Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski

more literary fiction...

Support BookBrowse

Join our inner reading circle, go ad-free and get way more!

Find out more

BookBrowse Book Club

Members Recommend

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

An immersive, masterful story of a family born on the wrong side of history.

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood

An unlikely duo ventures through France and Italy to solve the mystery of a child’s fate.

Win This Book

Bright and Tender Dark by Joanna Pearson

A beautifully written, wire-taut debut novel about a murder on a college campus and its aftermath twenty years later.

Solve this clue:

R is a D B S C

and be entered to win..

Your guide to exceptional           books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email.

Free Weekly Newsletters

Keep up with what's happening in the world of books: reviews, previews, interviews and more.

Spam Free : Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time.

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Screen-Free Activities for Kids and Teens to Enjoy Over the Summer

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

It ends with us, book 1, common sense media reviewers.

Mature, uneven, steamy romance takes on tough issues.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Breaking a familiar cycle is very difficult; it's

Lily is a model of compassion, perseverance, and e

All characters read as cisgender, heteronormative,

Witnessing physical abuse throughout childhood is

Detailed, erotic descriptions of adults having sex

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--k," "dammit," "bitch,"

Rare, incidental mentions of consumer products, us

Adults occasionally drink wine and beer, not to ex

Parents need to know that It Ends With Us is a contemporary romance by popular author Colleen Hoover, who has attracted a lot of attention from book influencers on TikTok. This adult book is not marketed to teens, there's a lot of teen appeal here, not just in the sexy stuff but also in the extended passages…

Positive Messages

Breaking a familiar cycle is very difficult; it's much easier and less scary to stay in the cycle you know, even if you know it's not a good one. Instead of wondering why women stay in abusive relationships, we should wonder why men are abusive. Character isn't the mistakes you make, because everybody makes them; character is taking your mistakes and turning them into lessons, not excuses. There's no such thing as bad people; we're all just people who sometimes do bad things.

Positive Role Models

Lily is a model of compassion , perseverance , and empathy . She helps a schoolmate who doesn't have a place to live by giving him food, clothing, and shelter and doesn't judge him by his housing situation. She understands how other people feel and becomes better and putting herself in others' shoes. She works hard to achieve her dream and doesn't give up even when it's hard. Atlas is a good model of humility and integrity . Once he becomes successful he doesn't brag or make a big deal about it, he just keeps doing what he loves. He's very patient with Lily and never pressures her or acts inappropriately when she's not romantically available.

Diverse Representations

All characters read as cisgender, heteronormative, able bodied, neurotypical, and White. One minor character is gay.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Witnessing physical abuse throughout childhood is a strong theme. The narrator describes her father slapping, choking, attempting to rape, and knocking her mother to the floor. She also hears him beating a friend with a baseball bat and the sound of bones breaking. In the present the narrator is pushed down stairs, head butted, bitten, nearly raped, hit, and knocked down by her husband. Blood, pain, and fear are described without being gory. Mention of past suicidal thoughts and holding a razor to a wrist. A character reveals scars on the arms from receiving cigarette burns. Past instances of children accidentally shooting and killing a sibling. Sex is used to intimidate when a man arouses a woman by penetrating her with his fingers and while doing so pulling hard on her hair, squeezing her throat, and asking her questions out of jealousy.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Detailed, erotic descriptions of adults having sex mention genital and manual penetration, manual stimulation, thrusting, tremors, entering, pulling out, moaning, biting, tremors, jerking with release, a tongue on a breast, and detailed descriptions of kissing with tongue and caressing. Teen sex in the past is described vaguely with kissing and breathing. Characters talk and think a lot about romance and having sex. Condom use is mentioned once. Sex is used to intimidate when a man arouses a woman by penetrating her with his fingers and while doing so pulling hard on her hair, squeezing her throat, and asking her questions out of jealousy.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--k," "dammit," "bitch," "whore," "asshole," "boobs," "crap," "Jesus," "Jesus Christ," and "holy hell."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Rare, incidental mentions of consumer products, usually to establish character.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults occasionally drink wine and beer, not to excess but mild drunken behavior is shown. A few times drinking hard liquor or drinking to excess happen and result in violence. A character smokes marijuana once.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that It Ends With Us is a contemporary romance by popular author Colleen Hoover, who has attracted a lot of attention from book influencers on TikTok . This adult book is not marketed to teens, there's a lot of teen appeal here, not just in the sexy stuff but also in the extended passages from the narrator's high school diary. Sexual content includes erotic and specific descriptions of sex between adults including genital and manual penetration, manual stimulation, thrusting, tremors, entering, pulling out, jerking with release, and more. Sex in the past between teens is described vaguely mentioning only kissing and breathing. Domestic violence is a very strong theme, with the narrator remembering growing up seeing her father hit and abuse her mother many times, including almost raping her mother once. As an adult the narrator experiences abuse at the hands of her husband like being pushed down stairs, pushed or knocked against hard surfaces, and needing stitches after being head-butted. Sexual stimulation is used to intimidate by being threatening while causing sexual arousal. A past thought of suicide mentions holding a razor to a wrist. A character shows arms scarred with marks from cigarette burns. Strong language includes "s--t," "c--k," "d--k," and "f--k." A character smokes marijuana once. Adults drink beer and wine with some tipsiness shown. Excess drinking and drinking hard liquor are always followed by violence. An author's note at the end lists a resource for victims of domestic violence and a link to resources for people who are unhoused.

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say (6)
• Kids say (35)

Based on 6 parent reviews

Worst book I’ve ever read

What's the story.

IT ENDS WITH US tells the story of Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old who recently moved to Boston after graduating college. One night she meets Ryle, a handsome 30-year-old who's almost completed his neurosurgery residency. As Lily is getting to know Ryle and trying to figure out her feelings for him, she's also trying to understand her past and find the courage to pursue her dream by reading the diary she kept when she was 15, in high school, falling in love for the first time, and bearing witness to her father's physical abuse of her mother. When she coincidentally runs into her first love again, a lot of feelings come back to the surface. Feelings that threaten everything Lily is building with Ryle.

Is It Any Good?

The writing in this contemporary romance is a bit uneven, with corny, overused phrases and predictable cliches. Author Colleen Hoover is at her strongest, though, in the diary entries the narrator reads from when she was 15 years old. They add a lot of emotional honesty to It Ends With Us , and make narrator Lily easy to understand and root for.

Of course the sexy stuff has built-in appeal, but teens will also enjoy imaging what their own lives might become after high school. And the author's honest treatment of tough subjects like being unhoused and domestic violence will foster empathy and understanding, and add depth to what would otherwise be a pretty standard romance novel.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the sexy stuff in It Ends With Us . Is it too much? How much is OK in books and other media? Is it a big deal?

What about the violence? Domestic violence is a difficult subject. Does the author handle it well? Did you learn anything about it? Check the author's note in the back if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.

Was there anything about Atlas' housing situation as a teen that surprised you? How does being 18 and still in high school make it harder for him to find help?

How is Lily a model of compassion , perseverance , and empathy ? How is Atlas is a good model of humility and integrity ? Why are these important character strengths?

Book Details

• Author : Colleen Hoover
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , High School
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Atria
• Publication date : August 2, 2016
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
• Number of pages : 384
• Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), iBooks, Kindle
• Last updated : November 8, 2022

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe

The Moon and More

Eleanor & Park

Teen books trending on #booktok, books to help teens understand the importance of consent, related topics.

• Perseverance
• Great Boy Role Models
• Great Girl Role Models
• High School

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Theresa Smith Writes

Delighting in all things bookish, book review: it ends with us by colleen hoover, it ends with us….

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE 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, and maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

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. It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

This book contains graphic scenes and very sensitive subject matter.

My Thoughts:

It Ends with Us is a novel that I read some time ago but put aside to review later. Even now, I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words, but it’s such an incredibly important novel that I feel it necessary to write up a review, even if it is only for my own benefit. I want to acknowledge how incredibly brave it was for Colleen to write a novel like this, so intensely personal to her, yet I feel that in doing so, she might have helped countless women either think about their own situations or perhaps put elements of their own history into a context that allows them a little clarity and distance.

Right from the opening dedication, you know that you are about to read a deeply confronting novel.

“For my father, who tried his very best not to be his worst. And for my mother, who make sure we never saw him at his worst.”

I cried right then. And I continued to cry at intervals throughout. While this novel stirred up so many emotions within me, many of which I had long buried in the hopes of never thinking about them again, in no way do I regret reading It Ends with Us. Suppression is not a pain relief. Colleen is not usually given to words of wisdom, but in It Ends with Us, she tells it like it is:

“Cycles exist because they 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 not landing on your feet.”

I have long been a fan of Colleen Hoover, right back to when Slammed was self-published. She is unique, funny, hard hitting, and unafraid to use her words unflinchingly. I can’t imagine what she must feel like after a day of writing, but I personally appreciate her efforts! It Ends with Us has nudged Ugly Love off the top of my Colleen Hoover favourites list, but they both share similarities in the way she doesn’t shy away from bringing deep emotional pain to the fore:

“When his lips meet mine he fifth time, they don’t leave. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me to him. My body is tired and weak, but it remembers him. My body remembers how his body can soothe everything I’m feeling.” “When he pulls back and looks down on me, I don’t even have to say anything. Our eyes, locked together, speak more naked truths than our mouths ever have. My eyes are telling his that I can no longer stand being touched by him. His eyes are telling mine that he already knows.”

It Ends with Us shows the grey matter within relationships ruled by domestic violence. It’s so easy to look from the outside in and dictate what a person ‘should have done’. But not everything is black and white and in shading Lily’s and Ryle’s relationship with a penetrating grey, Colleen puts us, as readers, in the uncomfortable position of not really knowing what to do. Of not being able to jump up onto our soap boxes and shout: ‘What is wrong with you Lily?’, because we can see, with such awful clarity, exactly what is wrong with her and why she is so very torn. It Ends with Us is an incredible exploration of the darker side of some relationships; not only with those we choose to spend our lives with, but with our parents as well.

“My father was some of these things, too. He wasn’t very compassionate toward others, but there were times we spent together that I knew he loved me. He was smart. He was charismatic. He was driven. But I hated him so much more than I loved him. I was blinded to all the best things about him thanks to all the glimpses I got of him when he was at his worst.”

These were such defining thoughts for Lily but they are defining words for any child who has had a violent parent. I won’t lie here, this novel cut me to the quick and grated along so many raw nerves. But I’d read it again in an instant. It’s a powerful novel with a very important message.

Well done Colleen Hoover for always writing the stuff that so many people don’t even want to talk about.

Share this:

3 thoughts on “ book review: it ends with us by colleen hoover ”.

It sounds like both reading this book and writing a review was hard for this one. I think you did a very good job. I have had this one on my ipad to read for some time now. I’m feeling like I should give it a go after your review. Thanks for drawing my attention again to this novel and author I am yet to try.

Like Liked by 1 person

You’re right on both counts with hard level! But I recommended this to my bookclub and one member read it and thought it was excellent, a very intelligent and realistic portrayal of domestic violence. (There’s only three in our bookclub, including myself!) Just keep some tissues handy! But I usually do with any novel by Colleen! 😉

Pingback: it ends with us | Result Videos books download game songs gana vlog

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

It Ends With Us: A Review

It Ends with Us

I’m going to do my best to keep this portion of the review without spoilers (though I make no promises when answering “Is It Ends With Us based on a true story?” below).

The novel is expertly crafted in telling the story of the main character Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old spirited young woman living in Boston.

She meets Ryle Kincaid, a 30-year-old gorgeous neurosurgeon one night when hanging out on a rooftop of a random building. The chance encounter sticks in both their minds.

They reconnect quickly when they meet again months later when she is opening her own business (a flowers shop- with a name like Lilly Bloom, it was always fated).

Their reconnection is swift, all-consuming, and a little scary in its intensity.

But that’s young love, right?

Parallel to this story is the one Lily tells via diary entries of her first love Atlas, a young homeless boy she met in high school who she helped out.

Her abusive father often came after her mother, and Atlas returned that helped her on more than one occasion (and in a lot of different ways). 

These two love stories go through some massive arcs as Hoover winds them around and through each other, making you fall in love with all the characters in a way that invests you fully in their lives.

As in life, their circumstances and choices sometimes leave them without any pain-free options, and it stings.

“ Preventing your heart from forgiving someone you love is actually a hell of a lot harder than simply forgiving them. “ – Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us

Without giving too much away, I will say that Lily has to reckon with the choices her mother made about Lily’s abusive father when she was faced with similar circumstances.

As sad as the situations described sometimes are, they are told with Hoover’s trademark candor (or to use a term coined in the book, by telling naked truths).

Despite the heart-wrenching story, to me, the book is a hopeful one of breaking cycles, finding your true love story, and recognizing that just because things look different than you planned, it doesn’t mean they can’t be wonderful. 

Overall this is an emotional read of a romance novel with a strong message. If you’re a fan of Colleen Hoover’s novels, or if you are even just a fan of sadder love stories, It Ends With Us won’t disappoint. 

Once you’ve finished the book, make sure you check out these It Ends With Us book club questions to discuss the novel with your reading group!

Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Last Updated on August 20, 2023 by Louisa

In the enthralling novel It Ends With Us, bestselling author Colleen Hoover showcases the complexities of love and highlights the profound strength required to break free from the cycles of abuse.

I was excited to read It Ends With Us after reading her highly acclaimed thriller novel, Verity, and had high expectations from page one.

With her signature style of delivering emotional depth and raw storytelling, Hoover’s It Ends With Us promises to be no different.

It immerses you in a gripping narrative that challenges societal norms and delves into the depths of human resilience.

Through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist, It Ends With Us takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring all the twists and turns of complex relationships, personal boundaries, and the power of self-love.

If you’re thinking of reading It Ends With Us but you’re not sure if it’s right for you, here is my complete and honest book review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links. 

Book Review of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

It ends with us by colleen hoover book review.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that delves deep into the complexities of love, personal identity, and the strength to break free from toxic relationships. It Ends With Us is a prime example of Colleen Hoover’s talent for crafting compelling and addictive stories that resonate with readers. The story follows Lily Bloom, a young woman who finds herself torn between two men: Ryle Kincaid, a handsome and charismatic neurosurgeon, and Atlas Corrigan, her first love and the person who knows her best. As Lily navigates the intricacies of love and relationships, she must confront her past and make difficult choices that will shape her future.

Reviewed by Louisa Smith

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that explores the devastating effects of abuse and the strength of self-love.

What I liked

Colleen Hoover’s writing style is yet again as captivating and addicting as her other novels, drawing you into Lily’s world and evoking a range of emotions as you navigate your way through the story.

The raw and emotive portrayal of Lily’s journey tugs at the heartstrings, immersing you in her joys, struggles, and heartbreaks.

I enjoyed how Hoover tackles tough topics with sensitivity, highlighting the impact of domestic violence and the importance of self-worth but in a way that doesn’t come across too upsetting.

One of the strengths of It Ends With Us lies in its realistic and relatable character development.

Lily’s growth throughout the story is both believable and inspiring, reminding you of the resilience and strength within yourself.

Hoover has successfully navigated the complexities of relationships with nuance, shining a light on the blurred lines between love, loyalty, and personal boundaries.

The novel also offers a glimpse into the challenges and pressures of college life, portraying friendships, parties, and academic stress in a believable manner.

The authenticity of these elements adds depth to the narrative and enhances the your connection to the characters’ experiences.

What could have been better

While It Ends With Us is an engaging and well-written novel, it does share some common tropes found in college romances and can be somewhat predictable in places.

The on-and-off nature of the main characters’ relationship was a bit frustrating at times, and so I don’t recommend this book for readers seeking a more stable and linear narrative.

Additionally, the book contains toxic dynamics that can be triggering for some readers, so again if you’re not into dark romance or toxic relationships, this is not the book for you.

Some of the supporting characters in the story lack the same depth and development as the central relationship, with the focus primarily centered on Lily’s journey.

However, I did find it was easier to delve deeper into the complexities of Lily’s personal growth and decision-making process by having the attention on her throughout the book.

Similar Works

If you’re not sure whether It Ends With Us is right for you, then I would say you would enjoy it if you enjoyed reading The Deal by Elle Kennedy and Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

These books also touch on themes of young love, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating relationships during college.

Related Reading: Books Like It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us Trigger Warnings

It Ends With Us contains trigger warnings of;

• Spousal Abuse / Domestic violence
• PTSD/depression/anxiety
• Death of a family member
• Sexual assault
• Attempted r*pe
• Explicit scenes
• Implied suicide
• Alcohol abuse

Romance Tropes

It Ends With Us features the following romance tropes :

• Adult Romance
• Contemporary Romance
• Medical Romance
• High School Romance / College Romance
• Friends to Lovers
• Second Chance Romance
• Strong Female Lead
• Wounded Hero

Where to find it?

You can find It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover in most good bookstores. Or you can purchase a copy from any of these links.

View it on:

The Verdict: Would I Recommend It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover?

It Ends With Us is a romance novel that will have your heart feeling it all. It’s both a heartbreaking and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, personal identity, and the courage to break free from toxic relationships.

While it shares similarities with other college romances, it offers a unique and impactful perspective on these themes.

While It Ends With Us contains some trigger warnings and themes that some readers may find triggering, particularly if they are sensitive to depictions of domestic violence or abusive relationships, it has been done with sensitivity in mind.

Overall it’s yet another novel that showcases Colleen Hoover’s ability to craft compelling stories filled with raw emotions and relatable characters.

Have Your Say…

Now you know what I think, it’s time to let the Epic Book Society know what you think. Have you read It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover? Share your opinion of the book in the comments.

The Details:

• Pub Date:  August 2nd, 2016
• ISBN:  1501110365
• Page Count:  384
• Publisher:  Atria Books

Save it on Pinterest

Like this post? Don’t forget to save it on Pinterest.

About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Site Navigation

Affiliate Disclosure : This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission through purchases made through this site at no extra cost to you. Epic Book Society is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program Affiliate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Join the Society!

Want to connect with other bookworms?

We've created a place where book lovers can come together and share recommendations and ideas with each other. There will be no spam from us, that's a promise .

Click the button below to join our exclusive Facebook group.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Follow our socials:

© 2023 Epic Book Society • Built with  GeneratePress

It Ends with Us

Colleen hoover, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Ryle Kincaid Quotes in It Ends with Us

“I feel like everyone fakes who they really are, when deep down we’re all equal amounts of screwed up. Some of us are just better at hiding than others.”

[…] “I don’t think it’s being a little guarded is a negative thing,” I say. “Naked truths aren’t always pretty.”

He stares at me for a moment. “ Naked truths ,” he repeats. “I like that. […] Tell me a naked truth, Lily.”

“Pertaining to what?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Something you aren’t proud of. Something that will make me feel a little less screwed up on the inside.”

“My father was abusive. […] Sometimes he would buy me stuff because he knew I hated it when they fought. When I was a kid, I found myself looking forward to the nights they would fight. Because I knew if he hit her, the two weeks that followed would be great. […] When I got older I realized that not doing something about it made me just as guilty. I spent most of my life hating him for being such a bad person, but I’m not so sure I’m much better. Maybe we’re both bad people.”

Ryle looks over at me with a thoughtful expression. “Lily,” he says pointedly. “There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who do bad things.”

I open my mouth to respond, but his words strike me silent.

“Someone once told me that there is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things. That stuck with me, because it’s so true. We’ve all got a little bit of good and evil in us. I want to make that our theme. Instead of painting the walls a putrid sweet color, we paint them dark purple with black accents. And instead of only putting out the usual pastel displays of flowers in boring crystal vases that make people think about life, we go edgy. Brave and bold.”

“I will say…I kind of wish this could have happened a year ago.”

I wince at his words, trying not to let them penetrate […]

I didn’t expect to feel this much hurt after seeing him.

But it’s good. This happened for a reason. My heart needed closure so I can give it to Ryle, but maybe I couldn’t do that until this happened.

“Mom, he was trying to rape you!”

[…] “It’s not like that, Lily. We’re married, and sometimes marriage is just…you’re too young to understand it.”

It got really quiet for a minute, and I said. “I hope to hell I never do.”

[…] When she finished crying, I looked around the room and Atlas had left [...] She never did say anything about him being there. Not one thing. I waited for her to tell me I was grounded, but she never did. I realized that maybe she didn’t acknowledge it because that’s what she does. Things that hurt her just get swept under the rug, never to be brought up again.”

I run inside the store and grab the steampunk flowers and run them back to their car. Her face lights up when I hand them to her.

“I’m happy you’re pregnant but that’s not why I’m giving you these flowers. I just want you to have them. Because you’re my best friend.”

Allysa squeezes me and whispers in my ear. “I hope he marries you someday. We’ll be even better sisters.”

She climbs inside the car and they leave, and I just stand there watching them because I don’t know that I’ve ever had a friend like her in my whole life. Maybe it’s the wine. I don’t know, but I love today.

“You don’t put pressure on me to be something I’m incapable of being. You accept me exactly how I am.”

I smile. “Well, in fairness, you’re a little different from when I first met you. You aren’t so anti-girlfriend anymore.”

“That’s because you make it easy,” he says, sliding a hand inside the back of my shirt. “It’s easy being with you. I can still have the career I’ve always wanted, but you make it ten times better with the way you support me. When I’m with you, I feel like I get to have my cake and eat it, too.”

I start shaking my head, wanting the last fifteen seconds to go away. Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person.

Fifteen seconds that we’ll never get back.

He pulls me against him and starts kissing the top of my head. “I’m so sorry. I just…I burned my hand. I panicked. You were laughing and…I’m so sorry, it all happened so fast. I didn’t mean to push you, Lily, I’m sorry.”

I don’t hear Ryle’s voice this time. All I hear is my father’s voice […]

I just want him away from me. I use every ounce of strength I have in both my hands and legs and I force him the fuck away from me.

He’s not like my father. He can’t be. He’s nothing like that uncaring bastard.

We’re both upset and kissing and confused and sad. I’ve never felt anything like this moment—so ugly and painful. But somehow the only thing that eases the hurt just caused by this man is this man […]

I’m hurting so much on the inside, yet my body craves his apology in the form of his mouth and hands on me. I want to lash out at him and react like I wish my mother would have reacted when my father hurt her, but deep down I want to believe that it really was an accident.

“I wanted to apologize for saying that you sounded like your mother. That was hurtful. And I’m sorry.”

I don’t know why I always feel like crying when I’m around him. When I think about him. When I read about him. It’s like my emotions are still tethered to him somehow and I can’t figure out how to cut the strings […]

He writes something down on the sticky note and then proceeds to pull my phone apart. He slips the case off and puts the sticky note between the care and the phone, then slides the cover back over it […]

“It’s my cell phone number. Keep it hidden there in case you ever need it.”

I wince at the gesture. The unnecessary gesture. “I won’t need it.”

“I hope not.”

He holds up my phone and just looks at me like I should know what’s happening. When I shake my head in confusion, he holds up a piece of paper. “Funny thing,” he says, setting my phone on the coffee table in front of him. “I dropped your phone by accident. Cover pops off. I find this number hidden in the back of it.”

No, no, no.

He crumbles the number in his fist. “I thought, Huh. That’s weird. Lily doesn’t hide things from me […] He chunks my phone clear across the room and it crashes against the wall, shattering to the floor.

There’s a three-second pause where I think this could go one of two ways.

He’s going to leave me.

Or he’s going to hurt me.

“I shot him, Lily. My best friend. My big brother. I was only six years old. I didn’t even know I was holding a real gun.”

[…] “I was trying to put everything back inside his head. I thought I could fix him, Lily.”

[…] “Allysa wanted me to tell you all of this because since that happened, there are things I can’t control. I get angry. I black out. I’ve been in therapy since I was six years old. But it’s not my excuse. It is my reality…I don’t remember the moment I pushed you. But I know I did…You’re my wife. I’m supposed to be the one who protects you from the monsters. I’m not supposed to be one.”

[…] It breaks me. It rips me apart from the inside out. All my heart wants to do is wrap tightly around his.

It’s been almost a mother since the incident on the stairs. Even with everything Ryle told me about his childhood, the forgiveness was still hard to come by.

I know Ryle has a temper. I saw it the first night we met, before we ever even spoke a word to each other. I saw it that awful night in my kitchen. I saw it when he found the phone number in my phone case.

Bur I also see the difference between Ryle and my father.

Ryle is compassionate. He does things my father never would have done. He donates to charity, he cares about other people, he puts me before everything […]

I am a strong woman. I’ve been around abusive situations my whole life. I will never become my mother, I believe that a hundred percent. And Ryle will never become my father.

His arm comes around my waist from behind. He slides a hand up my stomach and takes a firm hold of one of my breasts. His other hand feathers my shoulder as he moves the hair away from my neck.

I squeeze my eyes shut, just as fingers begin to trace across my skin, up to my shoulder. He slowly runs his finger over the heart and a shudder runs through my whole body. His lip meets my skin, right over the tattoo, and then he sinks his teeth into me so hard, I scream […]

He’s really angry now. “He’s in everything . The magnet on the fridge. The journal in the box I found in our closet. The fucking tattoo on your body that used to be my favorite goddamn part of you!”

I wipe the tears from my eyes and then begin dialing Atlas’s number.

I hate myself more in this moment that I ever have in my entire life.

I hate myself, because the day Ryle found Atlas’s number in my phone, I lied and said I had forgotten it was there.

I hate myself, because the day Atlas placed his number in my phone, I opened it and looked at it.

I hate myself, because deep down inside, I knew there was a chance that I might one day need it. So I memorized.

“Hello?...Lily?”

[…] I hate myself, because he knows the tears are mine.

I don’t even know where to start. I know you don’t know anything about my current life or my husband, Ryle. But there’s this thing we do where one of us says “naked truth,” and then we’re forced to be brutally honest and say what we’re really thinking.

So…naked truth.

Brace yourself.

I am in love with a man who physically hurts me. Of all people, I have no idea how I let myself get to this point.

There were many times growing up I wondered what was going through my mother’s head in the days after my father had hurt her […]

I hate that I can empathize with her now.

People on the outside of situations like these often wonder why the woman goes back to the abuser. I read somewhere once that 85 percent of women return to abusive situations. That was before I realized I was in one, and when I heard that statistic, I thought it was because the women were stupid.

[…] I love my husband, Ellen […] Preventing your heart from forgiving someone you love is actually a hell of a lot harder than simply forgiving them [...]

The things I’ve thought about women like me are now what others would think of me if they knew my current situation […]

I’m sad that those are the first thoughts that run through our minds when someone is abused. Shouldn’t there be more distaste in our mouths for abusers than for those who continue to love their abusers?

“Why did you never come back for me?”

[…] “Why did you lie about having a girlfriend?”

He rubs a hand over his face and I can already see the regret before I even hear it in his voice. “I said that because…you looked happy that night. When I saw you telling him goodbye, it hurt like hell, but at the same time I was relieved that you seemed to be in a really good place. I didn’t want you to worry about me. And I don’t know…maybe I was a little jealous. I don’t know, Lily. I regretted lying to you as soon as I did it.”

[…] I instantly start thinking about the what-ifs. What if he would have been honest with me? Told me how he’d felt? Where would we be now?

I want to ask him why he did it. Why he didn’t fight for me.

“My brother loves you, Lily. He loves you so much. You have changed his entire life and have made him someone that I never thought he could be. As his sister, I wish more than anything that you find a way to forgive him. But as your best friend, I have to tell you that if you take him back, I will never speak to you again.”

It takes a moment for her words to register, but when they do, I start sobbing.

She starts sobbing.

She wraps her arms around me and we cry over the mutual love we have for Ryle. We cry over how much we hate him right now.

His hand wraps in my hair and in an instant, I’m transferred back to that night.

I’m in the kitchen, and his hand is tugging my hair so hard it hurts.

He brushes the hair from my face and in an instant, I’m transferred back to that night.

I’m standing in the doorway, and his hand is trailing across my shoulder, right before he bites into me with all the strength in his jaw.

His forehead rests gently against mine and in an instant, I’m transferred back to that night.

I’m on this same bed beneath him when he slams his head against mine so hard I have to get six stitches.

My body becomes unresponsive to his […]

When he pulls back and looks down on me, I don’t even have to say anything. Our eyes, locked together, speak more naked truths than our mouths ever have.

She grabs my hands and holds them while I cry. “Don’t be like me, Lily. I know that you believe that he loves you, and I’m sure that he does. But he’s not loving you the right way. He doesn’t love you the way you deserve to be loved. If Ryle truly loves you, he wouldn’t allow you to take him back. He would make the decision to leave you himself so that he knows for a fact he can never hurt you again. That’s the kind of love a woman deserves, Lily.”

[…] I thought I would have to defend myself to her when I came over here. Not once did I think I would come over here and learn from her. I should know better. I thought my mother was weak in the past, but she’s actually one of the strongest women I know.

I decided to go with a nature theme. The bedding set is tan and green with pictures of plants and trees all over it. It matches the curtains and will eventually match a mural I plan to paint on the wall at some point [...]

As I stare back at him, I think about how easy it is for humans to make judgements when we’re standing on the outside of a situation. I spent years judging my mother’s situation.

It’s easy when we’re on the outside to believe that we would walk away without a second thought if a person mistreated us. It’s easy to say we couldn’t continue to love someone who mistreats us when we aren’t the ones feeling the love of that person.

“‘He held me down while I begged him to stop. But he swears he’ll never do it again. What should I do, Daddy?’”

He’s kissing her forehead, over and over, tears spilling down his face.

“What would you say to her, Ryle? Tell me. I need to know what you would say to our daughter if the man she loves with all her heart ever hurts her.”

A sob breaks from his check. He leans toward me and wraps an arm around me. “I would beg her to leave him…I would tell her that she is worth so much more. And I would beg her not to go back, no matter how much he loves her.”

[…] We hold each other. We hold our daughter. And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.

It Ends With Us Ending, Summary & Spoilers from the Book, Explained

This is a look into the spoilers for Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us ahead of its film release starring Blake Lively.

In January 2023, Blake Lively was cast as Lily Bloom, with Justin Baldoni set to direct and Christy Hall adapting the script. Baldoni will play Ryle Kincaid and Brandon Sklenar was cast to play the role of Atlas Corrigan.

The first trailer was recently released by Sony Pictures , teasing a theatrical-exclusive release on August 9, 2024.

The first footage from the film teased Lily's journey of opening her own business, navigating an intense relationship with Ryle, and facing the return of her first love, Atlas, leading her to confront difficult choices about her future.

For those looking for a spoiler-filled summary of It Ends with Us, here's a recap and ending explanation.

It Ends with Us Book Summary

At the beginning of It Ends with Us , Lily Bloom finds herself on a Boston rooftop contemplating her father's funeral and the domestic violence that plagued her childhood. 

This is when she meets Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgery resident, and the two quickly spark a connection despite conflicting long-term goals. 

Their relationship intertwines with Lily's aspirations of opening a floral shop and her rekindled friendship with childhood friend Atlas Corrigan as they grapple with unresolved emotions.

As Lily and Ryle navigate their evolving relationship, Lily revisits her turbulent past through her childhood diaries, recounting her deepening bond with Atlas and the traumas they endured. 

Despite Lily's commitment to Ryle, their relationship faces turmoil when Ryle's violent tendencies surface, leading Lily to re-evaluate their connection and confront the cycle of abuse she endured. 

Encounters with Atlas further complicate matters, prompting Lily to reassess her feelings and confront the complexities of love and forgiveness.

In the wake of Ryle's promise to change, Lily holds her ground, ultimately deciding to divorce Ryle to protect herself and her daughter, Emmy, from the cycle of abuse. 

Who Does Lily End up With?

During the epilogue 11 months later, Lily encounters Atlas again while pushing Emmy in a stroller. They share a brief moment, but their interaction is interrupted by a text from Ryle. 

Lily clarifies to Atlas that she isn't with Ryle and they only share custody of Emmy. Lily then drops off Emmy with Ryle and runs after Atlas. 

She shares with him that Emmy's middle name is Dory (after the Finding Nemo character), symbolizing the significance of Atlas in her life, as Dory represents a source of comfort and support for both of them.

Atlas embraces Lily, expressing his readiness to be with her whenever she's ready. 

Lily reciprocates, signaling her desire to move forward with him. Atlas assures her that she can stop swimming now, indicating the end of her struggles and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives together.

By opening her heart to Atlas, Lily chooses a partner who consistently shows her kindness and respect, marking a significant step toward her healing and happiness.

In the end, Lily and Atlas end the story together, hopefully signaling a brighter future as a couple.

It Ends with Us opens in theaters on August 9.

LATEST NEWS

• Cast & crew

It Ends with Us

Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of ... Read all Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship. Adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, Lily overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life. A chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship.

• Justin Baldoni
• Christy Hall
• Colleen Hoover
• Blake Lively
• Jenny Slate

• Ryle Kincaid

• Atlas Corrigan

• Young Atlas Corrigan

• Young Lily Bloom

• Female Waiter

• (uncredited)

• Spring Pedestrian
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

The Big List of Summer Movies

More like this

Technical specs

Related news, contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.