Colleen Hoover has been on top of the bestsellers lists recently. Every book is recommended, or posted about somewhere - after a quick search this seems to be due to her savvy use of social media. Hoover has 3.9 million followers across platforms and posts goofy, self-deprecating videos, which has helped grow her audience. So did timing: While she built a strong fan base early in her career, her sales soared during the pandemic, when her books became a sensation on TikTok.
As an avid reader, I had to give Hoover a shot, and might as well start with her biggest hit, It Ends With Us, which was published in 2016. PS. I get most of my books from the library, even though this book is 7 years old, I had to wait MONTHS to get it. Expectations are HIGH.
A quick summary *no spoilers ahead*: It's a story of love, heartache, betrayal and personal decisions, It Ends With Us follows a young woman named Lily. When Lily meets Ryle, a successful surgeon, she thinks that her dreams have come true. In a life far away from her small-town upbringing, Lily knows the tides have changed in her favour. However, Lily soon discovers that Ryle isn’t the perfect man. Despite the fact that Ryle is charming and clever, he has a difficult time with relationships. This unsettles Lily and she find that her thoughts are occupied by her old love, Atlas. When Lily gets the chance to reconnect with Atlas, her new life with Ryle is under threat. What life will Lily choose?
Let me preface that I am usually a mystery reader but I definitely do enjoy the once in a while romance novel. This book took me a WHILE to read. When I like a book, I can't put it down. This one was slowwww - lots of build up, explaining past relationships and circumstances - to get to the present day. ALSO - everything was predictable. The whole story had absolutely no surprises and goes EXACTLY as you would expect. To me, that is boring. It is a classic tale, told with different characters, different locations, and different occupations.
Was it touching? Sure. Did I tear up? Yes. Can I relate? Mmhmm. There are parts of it I think we all can, which most likely has made the book a success. I will point out the parts for me - *possible spoilers ahead*
"Yet somehow, in the midst of all my hatred there are waves of reasoning that flow through me."
"People on the outside of situations like these often wonder why the woman goes back to the abuser. I thought it was because they were stupid. I thought it was because they were weak."
"He doesn't love you the way you deserve to be loved. If Ryle truly loves you, he wouldn't allow you to take him back. "
I was not in an abusive relationship, but I was in one where I was not being treated the way I deserved. I would start to reason arguments, understand it, so it was okay because there were just so many good parts to give up for the bad that came sometimes. AND I was one of those people, just like Lily who used to think of others when I was on the outside, listening to their relationships, like you are stupid and weak and just leave! It's not that easy when you are in it.
I do admire how strong Lily becomes when she tells Ryle off - yes, she kept mementos from Atlas - and ultimately tells him she needs a divorce to make sure her new born does not have the same life she has had.
PSS. I tried searching if Ellen has responded to the book - nothing from what I can find.
I would PASS on this book: 2.5/5
Sorry Hoover, It Ends With This Book For Us.
Kenny
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