SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST
As a reader, you make it easy for friends and family when it comes to gifts—get you a book, and you’re perfectly content. You always feel grateful for that. It Ends With Us was one of those memorable gifts. I distinctly recall it being 3 a.m. when I finished reading the author’s note, and though I hate to admit it, I found myself getting emotional… Throughout the book, there are a variety of emotions to be experienced: love, pain, heartache, betrayal, jealousy, etc.
It Ends with Us is a novel by Colleen Hoover, published on August 2, 2016. Drawing inspiration from her parents’ relationship, Hoover described it as “the hardest book I’ve ever written.” The novel delves into themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. This is the first Colleen Hoover book I’ve read, and I could feel the hopelessness of Lily, the story’s Female protagonist.
Synopsis of it Ends with us
Lily is just another face in the crowd, carrying the weight of a bitter past but holding on to hope for the future. She was fifteen when she met Atlas, an 18-year-old homeless boy. Lily was drawn to Atlas by the shared experience of their parents’ turbulent relationships, forging a bond through similar struggles. Still, luck was not with them and Atlas had to leave everything behind. He always thought he was not worthy of her and because he didn’t give her hope, she had no choice but to move on, but Altas was always there in her subconscious or conscious mind. Hoover cleverly divulges to her audience how our minds play games with us. She successfully conveyed how much we say we have forgotten them, but they remain part of our lives and affect our decisions, and the same happened with Colleen’s protagonist.
At 21, Lily set out for Boston, her mind brimming with aspirations of a successful career in marketing and a future business of her own. But life, as it often does, had its surprises in store, allowing Lily to meet a neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid. They both sensed an immediate connection, but neither dared acknowledge it, wary of the failed relationships they had witnessed up close. Lily was always upset with her mother that, despite experiencing so much physical and mental abuse in her marriage, she did not leave her abusive husband.
As a result, Lily was not comfortable with the idea of getting into a relationship. She always thought she would immediately leave him if things ever got to this extent with her, but the grass is always greener on the other side. It’s not as easy as it looks, even for Lily, as she gives Ryle a chance even after being confronted with his aggressive behaviour. Still, she is unaware that she is gradually becoming like her mother. The story turns fascinating when Atlas returns to the scene, testing Lily and Ryle’s marriage. Lily started seeing her father in Ryle little by little. It is worth our time to read and to know how, after several chances, Lily ended the pattern before it ended her.
The Ending...
When we find ourselves in such situations, we often assume that these things are typical in a relationship and believe we know how it will all unfold. But Colleen takes us by surprise. Ultimately, there’s neither a happy nor tragic outcome—just a right conclusion.
My thoughts
We all, like Lily, share this common aspect. We often believe that certain situations can’t happen to us. We’ll set an example but inevitably become part of the pattern without realising it. The thing I like the most about Lily’s character is her self-assessment. After every ugly encounter with Ryle, she questions herself, which reveals her internal struggles. But what truly resonates is Lily’s battle with her inner self, a poignant and relatable struggle. We’ve all seen failed relationships in our circles, and I often wonder how those involved handle the pressure because whenever Ryle is around, the suffocation is palpable; he is intelligent, good-looking, and a workaholic.
I like his honesty when he says, “If you don’t want to be with me…. Please tell me right now, Lily. Because I saw you with him…that hurt. I never want to feel that again. And if it hurts this much now, I’m terrified to think of what it could do to me a year from now.” Throughout the story, I couldn’t help but wonder if Lily and Atlas had tried harder, would Ryle have still married Lily? He always blamed Atlas, but then I remembered that they weren’t married, the fire hadn’t hit Lily, and Atlas wasn’t even in the picture. I wouldn’t say the story is perfect, but I like reading it because I can relate. One question that always troubles me is, who gave husbands the right to do whatever they want in the name of marriage? Like Lily said, “You still would not have the right to lay a hand on me.”
Trigger warning
The story contains strong language and themes that may be disturbing or triggering, particularly for mental health. Readers are advised to proceed with caution and read at their own risk.
Bonus Point
In July 2019, Justin Baldoni optioned the novel for a film adaptation. Blake Lively was cast in the role of Lily Bloom. Baldoni, who plays Ryle Kincaid, and Brandon Sklenar were cast to play the role of Atlas. The film was theatrically released on August 9, 2024. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a box-office success.
An exceptional and emotionally gripping read with unforgettable characters—one of my favorites.
