A review by michellemaas
It Ends with Us, by Colleen Hoover
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Other than the annoying names (I mean, Lily Bloom? Atlas? Ryle? Just no . . .), the fact that the book started very slow, and the , it was a really good book. I was not expecting much since I'm more of a fantasy reader than a contemporary romance reader but I wanted to give It Ends With Us a shot anyway and I was not disappointed.
I'm going to issue a big old trigger warning since this book's main theme is (domestic) abuse. It is not often that a romance book leaves me thinking, but that's exactly what It Ends With Us did. I was fortunate enough to come from a fairly stable home, and like addressed in the book, I always wondered "why doesn't she just leave him?" when domestic abuse came up. Reading about things from Lily's point of view gave me some insight into abusive relationships. It's not something that is talked about nearly enough, and that avoidance causes ignorance. I would have never thought about it the way Lily explained had I not read this book since the solution always seemed so "simple" from an outsider's perspective. I did not cry about this book as many others did but knowing that people live through this (especially knowing Colleen Hoover went through this) was also such a reality check. We are all so groomed to hunt for "true love" that we are willing to put up with horrendous situations to get it.
I have thought about this topic so much since finishing this book but don't seem to have any coherent thoughts to share with you guys so I guess I'll just recommend you read it and see for yourself. Thank you to Colleen Hoover for spreading the awareness. Domestic abuse is one of those silent killers, and like most things, talking about it can feel so empowering for so many and hopefully improve many people's situations.
Spoiler
always-annoying yet ever-present pregnancy tropeI'm going to issue a big old trigger warning since this book's main theme is (domestic) abuse. It is not often that a romance book leaves me thinking, but that's exactly what It Ends With Us did. I was fortunate enough to come from a fairly stable home, and like addressed in the book, I always wondered "why doesn't she just leave him?" when domestic abuse came up. Reading about things from Lily's point of view gave me some insight into abusive relationships. It's not something that is talked about nearly enough, and that avoidance causes ignorance. I would have never thought about it the way Lily explained had I not read this book since the solution always seemed so "simple" from an outsider's perspective. I did not cry about this book as many others did but knowing that people live through this (especially knowing Colleen Hoover went through this) was also such a reality check. We are all so groomed to hunt for "true love" that we are willing to put up with horrendous situations to get it.
I have thought about this topic so much since finishing this book but don't seem to have any coherent thoughts to share with you guys so I guess I'll just recommend you read it and see for yourself. Thank you to Colleen Hoover for spreading the awareness. Domestic abuse is one of those silent killers, and like most things, talking about it can feel so empowering for so many and hopefully improve many people's situations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Infertility