Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Jamais Plus

Firstly—I’m well aware that Hoover’s work is debated due to the graphic nature of her stories. However, I do my best to read books that are heavily debated/discussed regardless of how I feel about an author. I think leaving our comfort zones allows us to contribute meaningfully to popular discussions, especially with books.

*PLEASE NOTE: Due to the content warnings above, this review will contain some spoilers. There is no way to talk about the content of this book without revealing some details*

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is filled with heavy topics boiled down to their rawest form. We are placed inside the head of a victim, and I think this book accurately depicts the way abusive relationships can manipulate anyone’s mind, even someone who is guarded against it. For me, I particularly liked Alysa’s character, because I felt like her hands were tied due to her relationships, but she still did her best to honor those complicated feelings from different perspectives. The novel progresses in a way that feels true to life, because it depicts multifaceted emotions from different angles. We get to see significant character growth and complicated plot lines that feel true to life (because life is messy and unpredictable), but also, a look at a brighter future. I think that stories surrounding abusive relationships can be really hard to read and digest, and reading the complicated back and forth Lily has in her own head was hard as a reader. Psychologically though, these complicated emotions can be true for victims. I know one of the big critiques of this novel is that it seems to glorify the relationship between Ryle and Lily, but I actually don’t think it does. It breaks down the psychological component of abuse and allows us to see Lily work through them with lots of support. That being said, the depictions are graphic and troubling, so I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who would find the content triggering. Overall, I think this book addresses the cycle of abuse well, and how the cycle needs to be broken.

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rnbhargava's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Is it the greatest writing? No, it isn’t. However, the characters are well rounded and the storyline is propulsive. Frankly, I think I’ll read the sequel too.

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kkellymsu's review against another edition

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emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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kaylee_kale's review against another edition

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1.0

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renreadsbooks's review against another edition

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sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I don’t know what I expected from this? I guess I just wanted to see what the hype was. and yeah, it has a poorly written, immature, repetitive, cornball essence that mimics fanfiction. I did appreciate the fast pace, and the character Atlas. but that’s it. don’t even get me started on the

pregnancy trope

jesus. let’s make a bad situation worse shall we?

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