It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is a huge success, so much so that it's being adapted into a movie starring Blake Lively! As much as I couldn't put this down, there are some heavy topics in this book. Here is a list of It Ends With Us trigger warnings.
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It Ends With Us is another one of Colleen Hoover's books that made the New York Times Best Seller list. It is a wildly successful book, winning the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romance Novel. It's also being made into a movie starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar.
It Ends With Us Summary
It Ends With Us follows Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old entrepreneur who just moved to Boston and ends up falling for Ryle Kincaid, a gorgeous neurosurgeon. It follows Lily's life through her current day and flashbacks to her first love Atlas Corrigan. Lily herself comes from a home of domestic abuse, and she finds herself in a new relationship that soon follows in the footsteps of her traumatic past.
The story is told moving between Lily's current relationship with Ryle, which starts as a whirlwind but soon turns into a cycle of abuse. Lily hired Ryle's sister to work at her flower shop, which is how Ryle and Lily are re-introduced.
Meanwhile, you get flashback chapters giving you insight into Lily's life growing up in an abusive household in a small town. You are quickly introduced to Atlas, Lily's high school boyfriend and first love. Atlas is a kindred spirit who comes from a troubled home, and Lily has a total soft spot for him. Their friendship son turns into a love story that tragically ends.
Lily ends up finding Atlas by complete chance, but she also ends up pregnant with Ryle's baby. Things turn into a toxic love triangle and the last half of the book is reading Lily's character growth.
This is a romance novel that so delicately balances the vicious cycle of physical and emotional abuse with the complex dynamic of romantic relationships.
It Ends With Us Trigger Warnings
This Colleen Hoover book, similar to her other books, does cover some heavy and sensitive topics. If you want to suggest this for a book club read, you may want to provide your club with the list of these content warnings.
- Abusive Relationships. From Lily's abusive father to Lily and Ryle's relationship, both Lily and her mom are victims of domestic violence and the abusive behavior could be very triggering for some.
- Child Abuse. Spoiler alert! Lily's dad finds out that Atlas has been sleeping in Lily's room and beats him up until he lands in the hospital.
- Sexual Assault. Along with the physical abuse, there are instances where sexual violence is written.
- Sexual Content. There are some spicy, consensual scenes that aren't sexual abuse, but they are very mature.
- Suicidal Thoughts. This is not a huge theme, there was a brief mention.
- Gun Violence.
- Death of Parent.
- Homelessness.
- Gaslighting.
- Death of Sibling.
It Ends With Us Ending
If you like happy endings, you may like this book. Lily Bloom's character development is admirable, and there's a reason why the title is "It Ends With Us." Plus, the end of the book goes right into the start of "It Starts With Us."
It Ends With Us Sequal
"It Starts With Us" was released in October 2022 and it starts right where It Ends With Us ended. This book takes you between the thoughts of Atlas Corrigan and Lily Bloom. It follows these two love interests through finding their way in their new relationship, Atlas discovering family secrets, and dealing with Ryle's toxic, abusive behavior.
List of Books similar to It Ends With Us
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino
- Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang
FAQs
Is It Ends With Us appropriate for a 13-year-old?
I would not recommend a 13-year-old reads this book. I would recommend this book for adults.
Should I read It Ends With Us or It Starts With Us first?
It is totally backward, but you need to read It Ends With Us first.
Does It Ends With Us have inappropriate scenes?
Yes, it does. I recommend reading through the trigger warnings.
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