Such an amazingly heart wrenching story!! Best line ever- just because someone hurts you, doesn’t mean you can simply stop loving them- Colleen Hoover is a MASTER!

Spectacular! CoHo at her finest.


(Apologies for the delay in review. I was unable to submit due to medical issues and am going thru a clean up of my account.)

It Ends With Is is a heart-wrenching story filled with naked truths and powerful, raw depictions of domestic violence from the perspective of the victim. Incredibly thought-provoking, with a beautiful, hopeful message, this story has stayed with me throughout the years and no doubt will continue to do so.

Normally this is where I would tell you that I was sent this book for review and OMG Colleen Hoover is a genius. While that is all true I have to tell you guys that I'm stunned into silence by this book.
I'm not really sure how I'm going to write this review but I'm going to start typing and see where it goes.
Like I said I was sent this book for review and I was incredibly excited. I adore Colleen Hoover and her books so I knew that this would be an easy read and that I'd love it.
I did love this but it was not an easy read. This book was so deep and heartbreaking that it actually has made an impact on my life.
I've read a lot of books in my 26 years but the only book I ever remember making me feel this way was The Fault in Our Stars.
I went into this book completely blind and this is partly why it's hard for me to write this review. I want so badly to tell you all about the plot and some of the things that happened but I truly think you should go into this without knowing anything about it.
I started It Ends With Us on a Tuesday night at like midnight and finished it Thursday. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and wishing I could be reading it. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and what was going to happen next. I was completely sucked into this story so much so that I actually started feeling like everything was happening to me.
The characters in this are some of the best that Colleen has ever written. Lilly our main character is simply amazing and I feel like I know her. I feel like a lot of us can see ourselves in her, in good ways and bad.
It Ends With Us is by far the best book that I've read all year and I'm confident in saying that it's my favorite of 2016.
Everyone says "Oh the feels" when they read heavy books but you guys have no idea. I can't begin to describe the range of emotions I felt while reading this.
I feel terrible because this review isn't one of my finest but I just can't find the words to tell you how stunning It Ends With Us actually is.
I 100% recommend you read this book but please please go into it without reading the plot. Just pick it up and let yourself get sucked into the story like I did.

Colleen Hoover definitely has a way with words. I also think I can officially say that Colleen is now my favorite author. As an avid reader, one of the most difficult questions to answer is who our favorite author is. Ever since I read Slammed years ago, she became one of my favorites, but after this book I know shes my favorite. IEWU has become my favorite CoHo book to date. (My thoughts today on the release day).

From the beginning I knew this book was going to be emotional. And I was right. It’s not a CoHo book if you aren’t shedding some tears at some point. From the synopsis I knew there was going to be two guys in the picture. But from the beginning, I knew who I was rooting for. Then something else happened that made me question it, and then it kept repeating until I knew who I wanted her to pick by the end. The book was definitely hard to read at some points. But one thing that I can say with absolute certainty is that Lily is one heck of a strong character. The choices that she made were admirable, especially as we got closer to the end of the book. She stood by her decisions, and it was interesting seeing her thought process when certain things were happening. Her history with Atlas was heartbreaking and emotional. But after reading more about what they both went through and what they had accomplished when they met again was a bittersweet moment. It is really hard writing this review without giving too much away. There are so many things that I want to talk about but I won’t because this is one of those books that you have to go in blind. Just read the synopsis and dive in. The story was beautiful, heartbreaking, emotional and brilliant. There is no doubt that Colleen will forever be one of my favorite authors, but at this point in my reading life, probably my favorite author. (Wrote this right after I finished the book in July)

4.5 stars from this chick. I don't think I'm just a Colleen Hoover fan anymore. I need a stronger word than a fan. Lover...aficionada...groupie...zealot...I probably qualify as one of those by now! She's one of those rare authors that you want to preorder from on Amazon. (Yes-that is huge!) This was actually a bit different for Hoover. Darker, or perhaps deeper, but still as lovely as ever. The subject matter isn't easy, but it's boldly honest. It exposes the many faces of abuse, and daringly examines why someone would stay in such a situation. LOADS of feelings from the book, unabashed fangirling from me! Loved it!

When Lily Bloom was fifteen years old she met Atlas. He was a senior in high school to her sophomore. She’s wondering what he was doing living in the abandoned house behind her own. She makes a point to talk to him and they soon strike up a friendship. It turns out that Atlas’s mother kicked him out because her new husband didn’t like him and since he was 18 she was under no obligation to let him live with her. Lily helps Atlas take showers, as well as get clothes, food and blankets to survive. Their friendship soon becomes love but then Atlas contacts his uncle in Boston and moves there so that he can have a real home.

Lilly’s own home life wasn’t fabulous either. Her father abused her mother on a regular basis and she couldn’t understand why her mom didn’t take Lily and leave. She thought of her as weak.

Fast forward to Lily at the age of 22 when she is just back in Boston – her new home – from attending her father’s funeral. She decides to watch some stars and finds an apartment building near her own that has a great roof deck. While there she unexpectedly meets Ryle. Ryle is a neurosurgeon competing his residency. They tell each other some hard truths – they call them naked truths – but when Ryle gets called away they don’t plan on seeing each other ever again. Lily wants a husband and family and Ryle thinks marriage is repulsive and wants nothing to do with children.

Six months later and Lily is opening her own flower shop like she’s always wanted. She hires Alyssa who wanders in off the street and she ends up being Ryle’s sister. Neither Ryle nor Lily can get the other off their mind. They end up together but it turns out that Ryle has some issues that cause Lily to really look at him, their relationship and their future together. When she meets Atlas again after seven years apart Lily has to face her thoughts about him and how their relationship ended.

Let me tell you it’s so very hard to write this review without giving you HUGE spoilers but I’m gonna give it a whirl.

This story was incredibly hard to read at times. The subject matter is about something that you hope, in your life, you never have to face, but Lily did. Looking at things about herself and Ryle from the inside of their relationship made her see that nothing is black and white. She assumed that if she saw the same issues in another couple that her decision would be non-negotiable but seeing things from the inside was different for her. The way that Hoover made us look at matters from a different point of view was quite heart-wrenching. While she had me smiling at different points in the book she had me crying at others.

The characters in the story are really amazingly written. I really loved them all – yes, ALL. Alyssa with her wonderful personality as well as her husband, Marshall who cracked me up whenever he was on page. Atlas had an incredible soul – even at 18 years of age and that didn’t change when he was older, either. Lily was an incredible strong girl and woman. I didn’t ever see her as weak and truly admired her. Ryle, as much as I wanted to hate him I just really couldn’t. Despite his issues I still liked him at the end of the book which is saying something, let me tell you.

I want to say that though the blurb alludes to a love triangle there isn’t really one in the book. I truly hate love triangles. I try to avoid them at all costs so went in to this book with a sense of trepidation. I was thrilled with the way that Hoover dealt with Lily, Ryle and Atlas – it was so well done! (I did hate his name, however. It threw me out of the book so many times it got a bit frustrating, I must say.)

The book was fun and funny at times. It was also painful and sad to read for a whole slew of reasons. A lot of people would stay away from it because of those reasons but you shouldn’t. It’s not a typical Hoover book but it was definitely worth reading.

Rating: 4 out of 5

3.5-4 Brave and Bold Stars

I am very conflicted on my feelings for this book.

On one hand I loved the storyline and message Colleen was trying to put out there to her readers, but then there were parts of this story that I just had a hard time swallowing.

This was a different type of love story than what we come to expect from Colleen Hoover. This was so much more than just a New Adult romance novel. This is an emotionally charged story that talks about a serious subject that many people face everyday. I thought this book was well executed and beautifully written. Like I said it was an emotional read and was a poignant story as well.

This review is going to be short, because this is a book you will want to go into blind, so I won't be talking about the storyline except what was said above.

I thought the flow and pace of the story was excellently written. I loved the characters we met in this story...all of them, and that gives me pause, because some of them I shouldn't love. I will say that Allyssa was my favorite character in this book. She is the best friend we all strive to have!! What an amazing rock for Lily.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Colleen's work, but just be prepared to read something different than what you normally read from her. Also know that some tough subjects are talked about and could be hard for some to read.

I feel about IEwU the way I do about Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. It broke my heart and I will never read it again. An epilogue or short novella so that we can "see" what happened between them would be fabulous.

One of my favorite Colleen Hoover books! I can't wait to read more!

This book. Reads your heart and then puts you back together. Raw, emotional and raw. One of the best.

Colleen's best work yet!! It Ends with Us was brilliant, unputdownable!!! Truly an amazing story. She always brings us the best of herself and this one was no different.

It Ends With Us sucked me in from page one and never let go. I was captivated by the tale of Lily and Ryle.

This is Colleen at her best. It’s so different from anything else she’d written, and I was stunned by the complexity of this story. It’s so beautifully written. In true Colleen fashion, she weaves a tale of romance that is simple, yet isn’t. Everyday life is anything but in the world of Hoover.

I think what I appreciated most about It Ends With Us is the realism and truths it invokes. This isn’t one of those perfect relationship stories. There are ups and downs, just like real life. It’s a valid look into life and I really appreciated the personal aspects, too. It’s emotionally gritty and heartbreaking in many cases. But I’d want and expect nothing less from the remarkable Colleen Hoover. My favorite part was Lily’s backstory — and Atlas. I found myself falling in love with a teenager even while Lily was falling in love with a neurosurgeon. First loves and all that.

The ending sends a powerful message to people everywhere. This book will inspire. This book will give strength. This book will tell you to never give up. This book will demand you see your worth. This book is HOPE.

This book is nothing short of real. It’s devastatingly beautiful and real and will slam into readers’ hearts.

AMAZING. Moving, inspiring, & heartbreaking. Hoover challenged me in this book, and it will be a forever favorite.

This story touched me in the way that few ever have. My heart broke all around for the characters in this story, and it has stayed with me since I read the last page.

I will carry this story in my heart forever.

I’m going to tell you straight up… I ugly cried throughout this book. This book is powerful, gut-wrenching… you’ll run the gambit of emotions from laughter, fear, confusion, relief, sadness, happiness, love and hate – completely ruined and then healed. You will be an emotional wreck and love every minute of it.

If you haven’t already heard all the buzz about this book, then don’t go looking for it. It’s best to dive into the book, knowing nothing and expecting everything. All I can say is WOW!

I can see how this title is helpful for people due to triggers within this book I couldn't finish it. Once I'm in a better place I'll pick it up again and completely read it.

When Lily Bloom was fifteen years old she met Atlas. He was a senior in high school to her sophomore. She’s wondering what he was doing living in the abandoned house behind her own. She makes a point to talk to him and they soon strike up a friendship. It turns out that Atlas’s mother kicked him out because her new husband didn’t like him and since he was 18 she was under no obligation to let him live with her. Lily helps Atlas take showers, as well as get clothes, food and blankets to survive. Their friendship soon becomes love but then Atlas contacts his uncle in Boston and moves there so that he can have a real home.

Lilly’s own home life wasn’t fabulous either. Her father abused her mother on a regular basis and she couldn’t understand why her mom didn’t take Lily and leave. She thought of her as weak.

Fast forward to Lily at the age of 22 when she is just back in Boston – her new home – from attending her father’s funeral. She decides to watch some stars and finds an apartment building near her own that has a great roof deck. While there she unexpectedly meets Ryle. Ryle is a neurosurgeon competing his residency. They tell each other some hard truths – they call them naked truths – but when Ryle gets called away they don’t plan on seeing each other ever again. Lily wants a husband and family and Ryle thinks marriage is repulsive and wants nothing to do with children.

Six months later and Lily is opening her own flower shop like she’s always wanted. She hires Alyssa who wanders in off the street and she ends up being Ryle’s sister. Neither Ryle nor Lily can get the other off their mind. They end up together but it turns out that Ryle has some issues that cause Lily to really look at him, their relationship and their future together. When she meets Atlas again after seven years apart Lily has to face her thoughts about him and how their relationship ended.

Let me tell you it’s so very hard to write this review without giving you HUGE spoilers but I’m gonna give it a whirl.

This story was incredibly hard to read at times. The subject matter is about something that you hope, in your life, you never have to face, but Lily did. Looking at things about herself and Ryle from the inside of their relationship made her see that nothing is black and white. She assumed that if she saw the same issues in another couple that her decision would be non-negotiable but seeing things from the inside was different for her. The way that Hoover made us look at matters from a different point of view was quite heart-wrenching. While she had me smiling at different points in the book she had me crying at others.

The characters in the story are really amazingly written. I really loved them all – yes, ALL. Alyssa with her wonderful personality as well as her husband, Marshall who cracked me up whenever he was on page. Atlas had an incredible soul – even at 18 years of age and that didn’t change when he was older, either. Lily was an incredible strong girl and woman. I didn’t ever see her as weak and truly admired her. Ryle, as much as I wanted to hate him I just really couldn’t. Despite his issues I still liked him at the end of the book which is saying something, let me tell you.

I want to say that though the blurb alludes to a love triangle there isn’t really one in the book. I truly hate love triangles. I try to avoid them at all costs so went in to this book with a sense of trepidation. I was thrilled with the way that Hoover dealt with Lily, Ryle and Atlas – it was so well done! (I did hate his name, however. It threw me out of the book so many times it got a bit frustrating, I must say.)

The book was fun and funny at times. It was also painful and sad to read for a whole slew of reasons. A lot of people would stay away from it because of those reasons but you shouldn’t. It’s not a typical Hoover book but it was definitely worth reading.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Colleen Hoover writes about imperfect characters caught in difficult circumstances. I never know exactly where she's going to take them and despite my worries I trust her to follow the plot she sets forth. And oh my gosh you guys! This one, THIS had me from start to finish, twisting me inside and out along the way.

Things are going swimmingly for new couple, Lily and Ryle until that exact moment when the crack suddenly appears. Their young relationship is thrust into uncharted territory with everything becoming tense and unpredictable. Hoover left me in suspense wondering where Lily and Ryle were headed; particularly Lily. It felt like there was a weight pushing down on me with each page I turned.

I'm shying away from particular details because this story needs to be personally experienced. When you do read it, I know that you will be moved by it as I have by the experience and insight of its characters. It'll unsettle you and also inspire you. Lily is an amazing protagonist - heartbroken and confused but also resilient in a way that reminds me of a few women in my life I look up to. Undoubtedly the biggest success of IEWU is that even though the story is narrated solely from Lily's perspective, Hoover manages to evoke sympathy for all parties concerned. It's a somber reminder that nothing is simple especially when you're disappointed by the one you cherish most.

I was aware of IEWU's sensitive premise and I knew that it would ask a lot of me emotionally, but I wanted to know this story and these people. It's impossible not to be overcome by a barrage of emotions but the journey is worth it! I didn't think that I could admire Colleen Hoover more than I already do, but here I am, a jumbled mess of "feels", in total awe of what she has given us straight from the heart.

"This book was really heavy. If you tear out most of the pages, it's not as heavy. But when you do that, the book just doesn't make any sense. " - Colleen Hoover

That. Just that.

But wow. Oh wow. Have you ever read a Colleen Hoover book? I'm sure you have. I'm absolutely sure you have.

She is the queen of sucker punches and this one doesn't fail that legendary status. Nonetheless, knowing what I know and what you will know after you read this book, makes it nearly impossible to review.

Let's just say it's been days since I've finished reading and I'm still reeling. And you should probably just put a straight jacket on me because my thoughts have just been... "What the? Did that? Why did? What the ever loving fuck did Colleen just do to me?"

What she did was give me a helluva read and blew my mind into a million pieces. No... this isn't a mystery and didn't blow my mind with a whodunit style. But the characters, the hope for each one, and the path she pulls all of us down is... utterly brilliant and amazing and mind boggling getting us there. I wanted it to end this way and Lily to do this and then I wanted her to go this way and do that and then... wait... no, this instead...
...and then Colleen took us over here. Damnit. Let me go gather my emotions from all over the place now.
Imma just sit here and continue picking out the pieces of insulation that is Colleen Hoover out of my mind and heart still prickling and itching me.

What a marvelous story. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to put it down. Lily and Ryle had me intrigued right from the beginning. They were easy to relate to, and I felt as though I could connect with them. I felt this book was very well written, and the characters had depth, which is one of the things I enjoy most about books. This one one you will for sure want to pick up!