Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: Drama, Romance
Page Count: 384 pages
Rating: ❤❤❤❤
Backstory
Hi friends. I'm back with another hot take on the latest books I've read. This one I read a while back and have been meaning to do a quick review on it. I bet you're shocked. This isn't a murder, murder kill kill book. I know that's all you thought I read. Well HA! In your face. I do read other genres. If any of you are booktok fans or have been in any bookstore recently, you would have most likely seen an entire section devoted to Colleen Hoover.
It Ends With Us is one of the many titles you'll see. I stumbled on this one after reading Verity. It Ends With Us was the 2nd book I had read by Mrs. Hoover after reeling for a few days from reading Verity. If you've read it, you'll know what I mean. The girlies in the Black Girls Read Books Too group on Facebook said this one was a little hard to get through because it could be triggering. So naturally, I was like "Let me check it out." because what's reading without a little ✨emotional damage✨ to make things interesting?
So yes, I grabbed this book and yes, it actually was a little triggering for me because I had been in a similar situation back during my undergraduate years in college. I didn't regret reading this though. It gave the happy ending that doesn't always come from these scenarios. More often than not, they usually end tragically. Knowing this, I think it was a little comforting for me to see things end on a good note. Is that weird? It might be. Anyway, let's get into it.
My Mother went through it. I went through it. I'll be damned if I allow my daughter to go through it. I kiss her forehead and make her a promise. "It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us."
Synopsis
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
My Thoughts
Let me tell you one thing I've learned recently. If something seems too good to be true, that usually means it is. Now, not to be a negative Nancy or anything, but sometimes situations are not as sunshine and sprinkles as people make it seem. Social media is a good example of that. We smile for the pictures and like all the posts, but in reality we are unhappy. It's more common than you think. Those relationships you envy may actually be miserable behind closed doors. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side because their grass is fake. Okay enough preaching. Let's break down what I liked and didn't like about this book.
What I Liked About the Book
It was honest. Without giving away too much of what happened in the book, the relationship was not wrapped up in a pretty little bow and presented as if no damage had been done. I think I would have been the most upset about that if it had been done that way. I was so thankful it wasn't. It was realistic without being depressing.
Even with everything, it still managed to be heart warming and a feel good story about loving yourself enough to say enough is enough. Even when you love the other person. That was a huge lesson I had to learn when I was in a relationship that was damaging to my health and emotional wellbeing. No matter how much I loved him at the time, I had to love ME more and learn when to let go. That is an incredibly important lesson. The earlier you learn it, the better off you'll be.
What I Didn't Like About the Book
I'm sensing the pattern that Colleen writes about a lot of toxicity in relationships. Especially with the male characters. While reading I was happy the book ended on a positive note, but I wasn't so happy with the redemption arc part. I do believe people deserve second chances, but when you burn through those chances then you have to deal with the consequences. Plain and simple.
Recommend or Nah?
If you can handle the talk of domestic abuse, then sure. It's a quick read. Colleen's books work (for the most part) if you want to pick up something quick about a toxic situation that has the fairytale ending. Except for Layla. I'm sorry Colleen, please don't hate me. Every book isn't for every person and that's okay. As for It Ends With Us, it is 100% Booky Babe Approved! Go snatch this one and add it to your TBR list if you haven't already. If you don't want to take my word for it, the countless reviews and pictures and tik toks surrounding this story on all forms of social media will help convince you, I'm sure. If you decide to read it, you can grab it off Amazon here:
The Booky Babe is an Amazon Affiliate. Any books purchased using the links provided on the website offers us the chance to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Every little bit helps in making sure we are able to bring the book related content you enjoy. Thanks in Advance!
So there you have it folks. Add this one to the top of your TBR list, just in time for the release of the prequel. If you decide to read it, when you're done make sure you come back and tell me what you thought of it. Did it trigger you? Were you happy with the way it ended? Are you excited to read the prequel? I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Join me here, on Facebook, or on Instagram to participate in the conversation. See you there! Until then,
Happy Reading Babes! ❤