If you’ve been anywhere near BookTok—or have not been living under a rock for the past years—you’ve probably heard of It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. This book has taken TikTok by storm, sparking countless videos of readers gushing—or crying—over its emotional rollercoaster of a story. Hoover’s novels, in general, have had a massive surge in popularity, but It Ends with Us is easily one of her most popular. With over a billion tags on social media, it’s fair to say this book is everywhere.
Originally published in 2016, It Ends with Us isn’t a typical romance. It dives into some pretty heavy themes like domestic abuse, trauma, and difficult relationships, making it stand out from the sea of lighter love stories. But as much as readers are raving about it, not everyone’s on the same page. Some love it, some find it a bit problematic, and a lot of bookworms are stuck somewhere in between.
So, without further delay, let’s dive into what makes this book such a big deal and explore why it got everyone talking long before the movie adaptation was even announced.
Trigger warning, this article, much like the book itself, speaks of heavy subject matters such as domestic violence and abuse.
Also, spoiler warnings for both the book and the movie.
It Ends With Us is a romance-drama novel that centers around Lily Bloom’s life—a young woman navigating a complicated love life while confronting the cycle of domestic abuse. Set in Boston, the story begins when Lily meets Ryle Kincaid, a charming and ambitious neurosurgeon who is initially committed to a no-strings-attached lifestyle. They initially decide to stay away from each other since they want completely different things. Lily goes on to use her father’s inheritance to open her own business, a flower shop. She meets and befriends Alyssa, who starts working with her. And by complete luck, Ryle happens to be her new best friend’s brother. The two reconnect, and despite their differing views on relationships, they develop a serious romance. However, cracks begin to show as Ryle’s temper and possessive behavior lead to increasingly violent outbursts.
Through flashbacks from her teenage diaries, we learn how Atlas Corrigan, a homeless teenager, was Lily’s first love, protector, and confidant during a turbulent period in her childhood. His reappearance complicates Lily’s relationship with Ryle, stirring jealousy and tension.
As Ryle’s violent behavior escalates, Lily is forced to confront her painful past, which mirrors her mother’s own experience with physical abuse. Pregnant and torn between love and safety, she realizes that staying with Ryle would perpetuate the same cycle she swore to break. The novel’s title, It Ends With Us, reflects Lily’s resolve to end the cycle of abuse for the sake of her daughter.
Ultimately, the story is about finding the strength to let go of a toxic relationship, self-empowerment, and choosing to break free from generational patterns of trauma. It’s a poignant exploration of the complexities of love, family, and resilience.
For a more in-depth summary, continue reading here!
It wouldn’t be too much to say Ends With Us has become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, especially with the rise of Booktok. It seems like everyone’s either reading it, posting about it, or discussing it with their book clubs.
Despite its enormous success, the book’s reception isn’t without some controversy. A lot of readers have praised Hoover for shining a light on the cycle of abuse, while others have been more critical. Some feel that the romance between Lily and Ryle sends mixed signals, especially in how Hoover writes Ryle—his character comes with a tragic backstory that almost makes you feel sorry for him, despite his abusive behavior. Others have also pointed out the lack of proper content warning for such a heavy topic, which some felt was needed, especially for people who may have personal experiences with abuse.
Still, none of this stopped It Ends With Us from becoming a massive success. It’s sold millions of copies, it has been translated into multiple languages, and even became the best-selling novel of 2022. Not to mention, Hoover followed it up with another story, It Starts With Us, which dives deeper into Lily and Atlas’s relationship—a part of the story that fans had been craving more of.
And if that wasn’t enough, the book was adapted into a film this year starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. While the film had mixed reviews from critics, and the press tour caused another controversy, it still drew in huge crowds at the box office.
In conclusion, one thing is clear: It Ends With Us has left an undeniable impact on the literary world, sparking countless discussions and resonating with readers worldwide. You can love it, or question parts of it, or fall somewhere in between, but it’s clear the book continues to make waves.
Colleen Hoover takes us into the emotional complexity of abusive relationships, which can be really eye-opening for those who may not have personally experienced it. You feel everything with Lily—her love, her fear, her confusion. It's raw and real.
While not everyone may love or relate with every character—looking at you, Ryle, Hoover writes characters that feel like real people with flaws and struggles. Lily, in particular, is easy to root for because of her strength and resilience, even in the face of really tough decisions.
For a deeper dive into the It Ends With Us characters, you can continue reading here!
It’s not your typical “happily-ever-after” romance. It Ends With Us explores the gray areas of love—the idea that sometimes love just isn’t enough and that leaving can be the bravest thing a person can do. It’s refreshing to read a romance novel that challenges those fairy-tale endings we’re so used to.
One of the biggest strengths of the book is its message of breaking the cycle of abuse. The title itself, It Ends With Us, hints at that decision to stop the pattern of violence, which can resonate with so many readers, especially those who have faced similar struggles in their own lives.
If you’ve read the author’s note at the end, you know how personal this book was for Hoover. Knowing that it was inspired by her mother’s real-life experience with domestic abuse adds an extra layer of emotion to the story. It’s clear Hoover wrote this book from a very personal place, which makes the story feel even more genuine.
While the emotional journey is intense, some plot points feel a bit predictable. If you’re a seasoned romance bookworm, you might see where the story is headed fairly early on. There aren’t a lot of shocking twists, which could leave some readers wanting a bit more surprise.
Colleen Hoover’s writing is straightforward, which makes the book easy to read, but for some, it can feel a little too simplistic. If you’re looking for more lyrical or complex prose, this may not be the book for you. The writing doesn’t always dive deep into character development or setting, so it can feel a bit surface-level
While Lily is fleshed out, other characters, like Ryle or even Atlas, could have been explored a bit more. Ryle’s trauma is explained, but the exploration of his character beyond his violent tendencies felt a bit shallow. Atlas, too, serves more as a symbol of Lily’s past and future rather than a fully developed character in his own right.
For a book that deals with such subjects like domestic abuse, some readers feel there should have been clear trigger warnings. Many pick this book up thinking it’s a light romance, only to find themselves in the middle of an intense, sometimes distressing, story. It’s important to know what you’re walking into, and It Ends With Us doesn’t make that super clear.
In conclusion, It Ends With Us offers a very emotional and thought-provoking story that explores love, trauma, and the strength it takes to make difficult choices. While the book has its imperfections, it also shines in its portrayal of resilience and the complexities of relationships.
You could be picking it up because of the BookTok hype, or you could simply be curious about the journey; either way, it’s a novel that leaves a lasting impression and encourages important conversations.
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The central message of It Ends with Us is breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. Colleen Hoover uses Lily’s journey to showcase the complexities and emotional struggles that come with abusive relationships. The story highlights how hard it can be to leave someone you love, even when they hurt you, and emphasizes the importance of self-worth and making tough decisions to protect yourself and those you care about.
Yes, the novel is partly inspired by Colleen Hoover’s own experiences. In her author's note, Hoover reveals that her mother suffered domestic abuse, and this deeply personal connection helped shape Lily’s story. The raw emotions and difficult decisions that Lily faces are rooted in Hoover’s desire to shed light on the reality of abuse and its impact on families.
First and foremost, Nina is a reader; she devours literature with gusto, from classic novels to contemporary poetry to graphic novels and everything in between. She believes that within each story, there's a universe waiting to be explored, and loves exploring with company. She's often found sharing her perspective on characters, plot twists, and literary themes with friends. When her friends get tired of listening to her ranting, she writes blog posts sharing her explorations with the other bookworms of the internet. In recent years she has developed an inexplicable addiction to matcha lattes, but has asked us not to talk about that.
