Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 28/07/2023
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781508212690
Cover:
The shattered lilies provide a great visual representation of the story and characters. However, I think the pink colour scheme is misleading and downplays the complexity of the tale.
Writing:
The simple, emotive writing flows beautifully with vivid details that enrich the raw storyline. Besides this, transitions between past and present events are smoothly executed without affecting the controlled pace of the story.
Naked truths aren’t always pretty.
Storyline:
What begins as a mediocre love story gradually becomes a compelling and thought-provoking tale that explores complex themes like abuse, generational cycles and homelessness. However, I thought the subplot regarding Lily’s first love was unnecessary and detracted from the overall impact of the storyline.
Main character:
Lily is a sweet and kind protagonist who is initially given some depth through her relationship with her parents and then through her relationship issues. Her character is also easy to connect with and root for since her emotions, with all its complexity and authenticity, are constantly presented.
People spend so much time wondering why the women don’t leave. Where are all the people who wonder why the men are even abusive?
Secondary characters:
Out of the small cast of secondary characters, Ryle and Atlas are the only two who are given some depth and help drive the central themes. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of both characters since they had violent outbursts and moments that made me uncomfortable.
Romance:
With the questionable nature of Lily’s new relationship and its quick progression, I could not get invested in it. By contrast, Lily’s first love is nicely shown and developed, but I thought it was unnecessary.
Narration & Audio:
I really enjoyed the narration by Olivia Song as she manages different voices for the characters and alters her vocal pace and inflexion to bring the story to life.
All in all, ‘It Ends With Us’ surprised me by being more than a simple romance story. It is a powerful read that puts complex themes in a pretty, engaging package. Another compelling read to check out if you enjoyed this is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. For those who have read this and want to discuss it, here are a few questions (contains spoilers!!):
Q: What did you expect before reading this book? Did it live up to your expectations?
My answer: I expected a soft, cute romance story, so this book was far more moving and powerful than I expected. It really got me thinking about the various themes explored.
Q: What did you think of how Colleen Hoover explores abuse and domestic violence?
My answer: I thought she did it well! I especially loved that this topic was handled with empathy for the victim rather than judgement.
Q: Was there anything you did not like about this book?
My answer: The romance. 🙈 From the start, Ryle’s manipulation made it hard for me to like his character and relationship with Lily. On the other hand, I stopped liking Atlas as soon he attacked Ryle, and I wished Lily could have been supported by another woman instead of him.
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