Book Review: It Ends with Us, by Colleen Hoover

With the release of the film adaptation of the book “It Ends with Us,” I decided to revisit my impressions of it and ended up rereading the novel to provide a more objective assessment. I first read it back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, I had to switch to e-books since it was impossible to visit bookstores. (By the way, since then, I’ve become accustomed to the electronic format and have remained loyal to it, although the scent of real books is something you can never stop loving, as I’m sure you’ll agree).

It’s important to note that the four years since the quarantine have significantly changed both my personal outlook on life and society as a whole. For example, mentioning Ellen DeGeneres now evokes more mixed feelings than it did during my initial reading. It seems like only four years have passed, but the world is accelerating at an incredible pace each year. Thankfully, issues of domestic violence are being raised more frequently, and we are paying increasing attention to the victims who have found themselves in such unbearable life circumstances.

If, during my first reading, I focused more on the plot, this time I perceived the story through the lens of the abusive relationships in the protagonist’s life. This was influenced in no small part by the controversial situation involving the actors playing the lead roles and their different approaches to the novel’s plot.

Colleen Hoover, a bestselling author, was born on December 11, 1979, in Texas. She is known for her works that delve into intense and deep emotions such as love, anger, and hatred. Her main goal is to convey the genuine feelings of two people, revealing them in the most challenging and complex life situations. Hoover has won the Goodreads Choice Award in the “Romance” category three times, which further confirms her popularity and talent. Her works have been translated into many languages and regularly appear on bestseller lists, including The New York Times

At first glance, the synopsis of the book might suggest a classic love triangle. However, I urge you not to jump to conclusions—things are much more complex than they seem. Hoover masterfully presents unexpected plot twists, initially leaving the reader puzzled, but eventually making them realize that the story reflects the full complexity of real life. The author doesn’t manipulate her characters’ fates but merely observes them, adding a special poignancy and authenticity to the story.

The main character, Lily, is a young woman in her early twenties but already has a wealth of life experience: first passionate love, separation, conflicts with relatives, and searching for herself. Then she meets a man who seems like the ideal—handsome, wealthy, and smart. But behind the romantic facade lies something more—her complicated relationship with her father, which takes center stage. The story begins with his funeral, and it gradually becomes clear that this respected mayor was an aggressive abuser who kept his family in fear. The author describes Lily’s emotions with such remarkable insight that her experiences resonate deeply with the reader. The dynamic between Lily and her “perfect” man gradually unfolds, touching on painful and highly relevant issues.

Hoover doesn’t shy away from tackling complex and painful topics such as domestic violence and emotional abuse. She skillfully weaves these themes into the plot, showing how they can affect people’s lives and choices. This makes the book especially relevant and significant, as these issues often remain in the shadows, despite deserving broad discussion.

This novel is a prime example of modern prose that, at first glance, may seem like a light romantic story but actually addresses serious issues: domestic violence, social inequality, and difficult life choices. This book teaches us not to give up and to stay true to ourselves. It’s precisely such works that make us reflect on the complexities of human relationships and their impact on our lives.

It’s hard to say how long this book will stay with us, but I recommend reading it at least to form your own opinion—whether it’s a romance novel or a psychological story about people traumatized by violence.