It Ends With Us
Colleen Hoover
2016
Atria
pp. 376
This book is a romantic fictional tale of aspiring young adults and their attempts at finding the balance between work and love. In the midst of all this, they somehow grow up and find themselves living adult lives. The book is fairly fast paced, a quick read and it will keep you gripped. Against popular opinion, I do not recommend this book to teenagers. The rest of the review has spoilers so read on with caution.
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The story of Lily and Ryle is filled with passion and you would want to believe that the title of the book is meant for them. That is till Atlas comes into the picture and then you suddenly find yourself rooting for him. There are some obvious twists but that can be left aside. The treatment of the emotions in the book is so beautiful. You would feel as confused as Lily is probably feeling throughout the events. The passion, the successes and each of the relationships, parent-child, siblings, friends, lovers, has been depicted beautifully. The conflicting emotions that Lily goes through when the relationship with Ryle turns sour has been presented with great nuance and finesse. There is a great deal of honesty in the relationships in the book and I think if relationships in real life were as real, half the problems wouldn’t arise. I think Hoover has brought out thoughts and emotions that would resonate with a lot of people. But, I also think that most people are not as honest or even aware about themselves as this story would have us believe. It is not easy to come face to face with and acknowledge one’s own problems, which in many ways is the first step towards changing for the better. This is vital in all abusive relationships. Ryle and probably Lily’s father knew that they were wrong but couldn’t control themselves. Most would not even admit that what they are doing is wrong. In some ways, this book is an important lesson for all those who are in abusive relationships. The cycle has to end somewhere. While perpetrators need help, you could help them from a distance without your continuing to be their victim. Irrespective of which gender you are from, or the nature of abuse you are facing (physical, psychological, emotional, financial…), or the nature of your relationship (family, lovers, friends…), if you are in an abusive relationship, get out while you are still sane. If you are a perpetrator of abuse, and you are reading this while you are in a better moment of recognising the damage your behaviour inflicts on your loved ones, move away and get help.