It Ends with Us

If you’ve ever wondered how a girl could find herself in an abusive relationship, read this book. I’ll admit this begins like a love story, but doesn’t most domestic violence?

Don’t let the first few chapters fool you; this is so much more than sheer romance. Hoover delves into abuse and relationships in her eloquent writing style and makes you fall in love with her characters—even the not-so-nice ones at first. But isn’t that the way life is? And how domestic violence begins? Loving a person you know little about?

Although this is fiction, there is something so realistic about… show more.

This book. This Book. THIS BOOK.

I love the character development, the drama, and the romance that make up this story.

This book taught me about love and loss; I will forever be grateful for this masterpiece. It gave me a better understanding of the difficult situations people face, and the strength of these characters will always stand as a reminder not to be afraid to ask for help.

It saddens me to think that there are many people across the globe who can relate to the character Lily. She has been through the emotional roller coaster of life,… show more.

This book isn’t a romance. It’s too real – and too devastating – for that. It’s part of a series and I read this book first and the prequel story afterward so if you’re planning to read this one, I recommend reading the first one too, and in advance. There are some references I feel I’d have understood better if I’d read the books in order.

The main characters are all relatable in that they’re flawed and not always aware of it. The protagonist seems the most aware, but I think that’s just because we get the whole story from… show more.

It’s difficult to discuss this book without revealing certain plot points, but I will say it’s a prime example of what I love and respect in a romance novel: characters enduring and then persevering through trauma. We are taken from Lily’s first doubts and fears about her new love, through a complex and escalating set of circumstances. Hoover guides us through her heroine’s emotions—all her pain and fear, her love and joy, her doubt and self-loathing—with precise, engaging prose. It’s an expertly mapped, masterful journey from A to Z, with no aspect left untouched, until finally, Lily comes to an… show more.