Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Published by Atria Books on 2 August 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Purchase
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.
Yeah. It most definitely should end with them. It Ends with Us is a bit different from CoHo’s other stories with more mature characters. There are quite a few things that are similar too, though: the amazing writing, the character-driven story, and my tears…
It Ends With Us is a very strong and necessary story. It deals with some pretty heavy subject matters, and I have actually already used it as an example of something important with a young woman I know… Lily Bloom is a very strong woman, and she has built so many walls around herself and her heart that she might have been completely impenetrable, but she wasn’t. The story itself starts with some chance encounters, and it has one part of the action happening in the present, and another part in the past, where Lily reads through her old journals to try to make peace with her past and the people in it.
Having empathy and understanding for other people and their problems is something I think is really important. And It Ends With Us truly made me walk a few miles in someone else’s shoes, and it definitely put some things in perspective for me. I had some pre-conceived notions about some kinds of relationships, and I really don’t think I do anymore – so kudos to CoHo for managing to really make me see things from a different point of view.
Most of the story in It Ends With Us is from Lily’s point of view, and as I said above, there are parts set in the present and other parts set in the past. There is definitely a lot of heartache, but I didn’t feel completely overwhelmed by sadness until the end. The range of emotions I felt was complete, though, and I think this is one of CoHo’s strong suits. She manages to so fully make me believe in her characters, that seem so real because they’re flawed, that I immediately want their life to be the best it can be. If you haven’t picked up this book yet, you should just put down everything you’re doing right now and go grab it! And start reading it!
Other than the incessant singing, she’s pretty tolerable. She’s clean and she’s gone a lot. Two of the most important qualities in a roommate.
I did notice he laughed at all the right times. I think good comedic timing is one of the most important things about a person’s personality.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: lattenightsbook
It wasn’t until half of the book that I started to feel that emotional pull, especially with the author’s note. I didn’t love this, unfortunately. I think it was good but that was it. I wish I had been hooked right from the start. Great review!
I’ve seen quite a few people who didn’t love this one, Gen, and I’m sorry you’re one of them… I just thought that the overall message was really good, and I have been able to actually use some examples with someone I love very much.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
While not my thing, I am glad that you loved it. 🙂 Great review!
I know contemporary isn’t your cup of tea, Stormi… but this story *sighs* it was SO good!
I downloaded this one last week, and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Great review.
Twitter: kbaby81
I have about 20% more to read of Ugly Love, but I’m not a fan of CoHo yet. Despite the rave reviews, I just don’t like it. I’ve read the same rave reviews for this one, so I’m crossing my fingers that I like it. Great review!
Thank you for staying spoiler free. But I’m also so curious by all the vague hints on various reviews of what the storyline is about. I need to go buy it ASAP. I love CoHo and am glad you found this one so profound.
I’m so glad you loved this one! I’ve enjoyed several of her books. Just realized I need to write the reviews. Might have to set aside a month just to share them! LOL
Great review! I cannot believe the vast amount of RAVE reviews I’m seeing for this book — sounds like I really must read it! Glad it worked for you
Very well put, Lexxie! I agree will all of it. I think her stories are getting stronger with more complex characters and situations.
This is one of my favorite books of 2016 by one of my favorite authors. I would strongly urge everyone to pick up this book. It was amazing.
Twitter: limabean74
You make me so curious, I am hit or miss with Contemp books but I might have to give this one a try.
Awesome review!!!