It creates a fierce debate

It Ends with Us

Colleen Hoover

386 pages, First published 2 August 2016

Lily stands at the podium, trying to deliver a eulogy which says five nice things about an alcoholic father who took out his anger on her mother, she cannot. Later that day, Lily sits on a rooftop reflecting on what has been and where she is now. That she is in Boston, with a good career and plenty of opportunity. Her solace is broken by an angry but drop dead gorgeous, successful neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. This meeting sets of a course of events that sets of a series of events that will make Lily question who she is and what she is willing to forgo. Especially, when Atlas, her first love reappears and complicates matters further. 

The hype about this book has been considerable and as I scanned the reviews it is pretty obvious that this book is decisive and for good reasons. Hoover has placed at the forefront of this novel domestic violence that is not fully revealed with the story pitched as a love triangle. 

When you come into the story, you learn that Lily has witnessed for years her father abusing her mother. That Lily has strong feelings about and really detests her father. The introduction of Ryle into Lily’s world, well to be honest, I found him not charismatic at all but as creepy as fuck. He is introduced have a temper tantrum and then comes onto Lily like a fly to piece of meat He is aggressive, constantly telling her how much he would like to fuck her and that is meant to be swoon worthy. Yeah, did not work, and I did not understand why Lily ruminated on him. I understand that Hoover tried to create a character where all the charisma, good looks, successful career hides a darker undertone, but Ryle was just red flags all the way. The other love interest, Atlas, I realise was meant to be a counterpoint, as to how a respectful relationship should be. However, I am going to be controversial as when they meet as teenagers, he is older than Lily, she is underage, and he ‘waits’ until they can do the deed. It kind of came across as grooming. 

Look the big issue I really had was the naming of the children. Those two kids, if real, would need years of therapy. Emerson, would be going, why did you name me after the man my father killed, which everyone thought accident but given his temper could have been deliberate? Rylee would be saying why did you name me after a man who beats women? That I found as the most cringe worthy parts of the story. That says something given the some of the dialogue. 

Writing about domestic violence is never anything to do and kudos for Hoover for broaching the topic. Hoover allows the reader to form our own opinions on how Lily should react, what she should do and how she should behave. What I did take away is that domestic violence (and it is obvious) is truly personal, Lily’s experience is not the same as her mother’s.  That you cannot compare, and you cannot make judgements as when you are in that situation seeing the reality can be difficult. 

There are issues with this book, and many have pointed them out. However, regardless of whether you are fan or not of the book, Hoover has created a conversation about domestic violence and that is the most important thing.

It Starts with Us

Colleen Hoover

323 pages, Paperback, first published 18 October 2022

It Starts With Us commences directly after the conclusion of It Ends With Us. Now the reason I am reading the sequel is because book club selected It Ends With Us and I got the wrong book, so ended up with both. Figured might as well see where this goes.

Hoover says she only wrote this book because her fan base had petitioned her to know what happens.

So, as anticipated the focus is of the novel is of Lily having to navigate being a single mother, dealing with a controlling ex-spouse, continuing to develop her business and create a relationship with Atlas.

There are no surprises, there is the inevitable happy ending and that is it.

For more on Colleen Hoover, head over to the website.