Book Title: It Ends With Us
ISBN: 9781471156267
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Year: August 2, 2016
Price: RM69.90
“Sometimes the one who loves you is the one who hurts you the most,” Colleen Hoover
I recently watched the Netflix adaptation of ‘It Ends With Us’, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
The movie was an emotionally powerful experience, and it left such a deep impact on me that I decided to read the book.
While the film did a great job of bringing the story to life, the novel offers a far richer and more intense exploration of its themes. Hoover’s writing is compelling, and she masterfully conveys a range of emotions through her characters.
Written by Colleen Hoover and published in 2016, ‘It Ends With Us’ is a contemporary romance novel that goes far beyond the typical love story.
It explores complex and painful themes such as domestic violence, trauma, and resilience. Inspired by Hoover’s personal experiences, the book provides a raw and deeply moving portrayal of abusive relationships and the courage it takes to break free from them.
The story follows Lily Bloom, a young woman who has worked hard to build a life she can be proud of. She hasn’t had the easiest upbringing, but she refuses to let her past define her.
Determined to follow her dreams, she leaves her small hometown in Maine, moves to Boston, and opens her own flower shop. Just when her life seems to be falling into place, she meets Ryle Kincaid, a charming and ambitious neurosurgeon. Ryle is everything Lily could have hoped for — he is intelligent, confident, and deeply passionate about his work. However, he is also emotionally guarded and reluctant to commit to a serious relationship.
Despite his initial hesitation, the two of them fall into a whirlwind romance that seems almost too perfect. But as their relationship deepens, Lily starts to see another side of Ryle — one that is unpredictable, violent and deeply troubling.
As Lily struggles to make sense of her relationship, her past resurfaces in the form of Atlas Corrigan, her first love. Atlas was once her protector, the boy who gave her hope when she needed it most.
His sudden reappearance forces Lily to confront painful memories and reconsider the choices she has made.
As she finds herself caught between her past and present, Lily faces the most difficult decision of her life — one that will determine her future and that of those around her. One of the most striking elements of ‘It Ends With Us’ is its unflinching portrayal of domestic abuse.
Hoover does not romanticise toxic relationships but instead presents them with brutal honesty.
The novel emphasises the heartbreaking truth captured in the phrase: “Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.”
This is not just a fictional concept—it is a harsh reality in many communities, where victims of domestic violence struggle to seek help due to fear, shame or love for their abuser.
Through Lily’s journey, the book sheds light on the complexities of abuse, particularly how difficult it can be for victims to leave.
Many people assume that walking away from an abusive relationship should be easy, but ‘It Ends With Us’ challenges this assumption. Lily’s internal conflict is palpable — she loves Ryle and sees the good in him, yet she knows that his violent tendencies cannot be ignored.
The novel also explores the theme of resilience.
Despite the overwhelming pain and fear she experiences, Lily finds the strength to break the cycle of abuse. She refuses to let history repeat itself, making the difficult decision to put her well-being above her love for Ryle.
This makes her one of the strongest heroines I have ever read about. She doesn’t just survive — she takes control of her own story, ensuring that her daughter will never grow up in the same environment that she did.
Lily is a deeply relatable and welldeveloped character.
She is strong, independent, and determined to build a better life for herself. However, she is also vulnerable, and her struggles feel painfully real.
Before reading ‘It Ends With Us’, I often judged women who stayed in abusive relationships, but seeing Lily’s journey through her own eyes changed my perspective.
It made me realise how complicated these situations can be and how much courage it takes to walk away. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional authenticity.
Hoover’s writing is raw and deeply moving, making it impossible not to empathise with Lily’s struggles.
The way she weaves together past and present — through journal entries and flashbacks — adds depth to the story and helps readers understand the roots of Lily’s trauma. ‘It Ends With Us’ is a heartbreaking yet hopeful novel that sheds light on the realities of domestic abuse.
It is not just a love story —i t is a story about strength, survival and breaking generational cycles of violence.
Colleen Hoover masterfully tells a tale that is both painful and inspiring, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotionally charged narratives. While the book is difficult to read at times, its message is crucial: love should never hurt and breaking free from an unhealthy relationship is an act of bravery.
