- Rachel Penate
IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover
Updated: Apr 10, 2020
STARS
★★★★/ 5 (Standard)
★★★.5/ 5 (Mama Scale)
SUMMARY
A moving novel about the intensity and intricacy of relationships.
REVIEW
Oof. Wow. That’s all I’ve got for this one …
haha, just kidding … but seriously … this one gutted me a little. For one — I really need to take a break from novels about domestic abuse, totally unintentionally just read three in a row. But, for two — what a story. I have mad respect for Colleen Hoover after reading this book. Not only did she craft a plot that does incredible justice to the internal conflict that domestic abuse creates within all parties, BUT she also courageously modeled this story after her own parents experience.
This story absolutely moved me for those reasons. But, as a literary experience, there were some elements I could’ve done without — for one — I just don’t do well with sex scenes. There were a few in here that I would’ve been TOTALLY fine without. And two, Lily’s character (and her relationship w/ Ryle) at times felt a little flat to me. I wanted more personality out of her and more depth to their emotional relationship — rather than physical (however this was redeemed a little for me at the end).
Overall, a refreshing take on the power of couples to make mature decisions despite hardship.
RECOMMENDED?
Yes, if you like a non-traditional love story and want to be challenged to understand the problem of domestic abuse a little better.
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