TW: abuse, mention of rape

Fiction

Published August 2, 2016 by Atria Books

385 Pages

TITLE & AUTHOR: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

PLOT: Lily had to work hard for the life she created for herself. As a girl growing up in Maine, Lily was forced to witness her parents' abusive marriage; a marriage that Lily promised to herself that she would never stay in, should she be in her mother's position. Lily also fell in love with a homeless boy from school, Atlas, who inhabited the abandoned house next door. Atlas was her first love and always wanted the best for her.

Fast forward to present day: it has been many years since Lily has seen or heard from Atlas. As a woman in her mid-twenties, Lily has moved to Boston from her small town in Maine and is on the move to follow her dreams. She then has a meet cute with hunky neurosurgeon Ryle. Ryle has always insisted that relationships aren't for him, but as time moves forward, things start to get pretty serious between Lily and Ryle. All seems to be going well in Lily's world: she started her own business, made a new best friend, and is head over heels for Ryle.

However, things come crashing down when Atlas reappears as the owner and chef of a local restaurant. After a tense and hostile run-in between Ryle and Atlas, the real reasons for why Ryle struggled with relationships in the past are revealed and aspects of Lily's past begin to repeat themselves.

THOUGHTS: Wow. This was a real show-stopper of a story, in my opinion. The pain and emotion that every character experiences leap off the page. I could go on and on about how much I recommend this book (and I will), but I want to share the primary thought that this story brought up for me.

I loved so much about this book, but I especially appreciated how this story hit the nail on the head in terms of the many layers of domestic violence and abuse. Many often ask how women (or men) can still love their partner and not leave them if they are in an abusive marriage or relationship. As this story highlights, it's not as easy as just leaving. Oftentimes, the reason why marital abuse hurts so much is because it is inflicted by a loved one. That common saying that those that can hurt you the most are the people that you love the most really is true. And for many, the love doesn't just go away. Of course I am not suggesting that individuals should stay in abusive relationships, but just that leaving is not always as easy as many may think.

RATING: 5/5 Stars