Did I already say I’m a fan of Colleen Hoover? Her stories are both heart warming and heart wrenching at the same time. When I read her novels, I find myself truly engrossed in the story. So hard to let go of the book until I’ve read the last chapter. Today I’m writing a review of the most recent novel I’ve read from her, my fifth Colleen Hoover novel, It Ends With Us.
I so love this author that I even joined CoHorts, a Facebook group consisting of Colleen Hoover fans from all over the world. This is a big deal for me since I DO NOT like joining Facebook groups – saved from blogger groups since I need an avenue to promote my blog posts and connect with other bloggers. I became a CoHort after reading my very first romance novel from her, Ugly Love. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you do!
The Plot
Lily hasn’t always had t easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up – she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also a sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan – her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.
What I thought of It Ends With Us
There were kilig (romantic excitement) moments; hot love scene moments; absolute heart wrenching moments; and moments that just made me sigh out of happiness for the characters of the book.
I was already hooked right from the first chapter. I loved Ryle for Lily. Well at the start I did. What was not to love really? He’s a handsome hunk who’s also successful in his career and he exuded confidence. I felt their sizzling chemistry. Their little flirting with hints of seduction – I highly enjoyed reading those moments! Guess I have a thing for guys who are good looking flirts, huh? Ha! Ha! Okay, other than those, I loved that he wanted to be with her so much, he was willing to change for her. What commitment issues?
Their naked truth conversations, which is like a confession they do with each other also drew me in.
You want to hear a naked truth? I’ve wanted to go back to your roof on more than one occasion since that night. But I was too scared you’d be there. you make me kind of nervous.”
Lily
If only we could have naked truth conversations when it comes to relationships. There’d be no guessing game nor wondering. You’d know clearly what your next step should be. Oh well.
So yeah, I was on Team Ryle at the start. I had no issue with her only knowing him for a few months. If you know, you know right? Well, that’s how I am in real life – or how I was... Ha! Ha! Been trying a new approach to love and relationships now. The old, fast paced way only ever ended with me on the losing end aka heartbreak. The new approach is the Atlas approach. Slow and easy. He’s the other man in Lily’s life.
When I first read the title, I thought It Ends With Us simply meant Lily was just going to choose between Ryle or Atlas. A typical love triangle, you know?
Sometimes the one who loves you is the one who hurts you the most
It hit me what this line really meant in the story as I got deeper into the pages of the book. Without spoiling so much for anyone, I just have to say it was heart wrenching. Maybe Someday and Ugly Love also had their share of heart wrenching moments but It Ends With Us for me has to be the most heart wrenching of the three!
Women who are or were in an abusive relationship – I’ve heard of stories like that happening in real life and for outsiders, it’s easy to judge the women who stay in the relationship or say things like, “Kung ako yan, iniwan ko na yan, matagal na!” or “Naku. Sakin, hindi pwede yung ganun!”
But if we were ever in their shoes, would we really be able to do it as easily as we think? Would we even recognize abuse?
Lily told herself she was never going to let any guy walk all over her. She’s my favorite Colleen Hoover heroine now. So brave! I was merely a reader but did I feel every bit of her suffering and struggle.
It Ends With Us is such a powerful novel! Colleen has amazed me even more after reading this book.