Everything started out so perfect, then quickly it was ruined, but there were still glimmering moments of hope. This made the message even more powerful because there was a relatable story to go along with it.įor a romance novel, I found it to be very real in terms of depicting the highs and lows of a relationship. It combines romance and an important message as a way to connect with people.

Not all of this novel is dark and dreary, there are a lot of happy portions too. It allows the reader to be educated and influenced by someone who has seen this go on first-hand.īut although this book has a deeper meaning, it is not all heavy reading, and much of it is similar to a typical romance novel. This makes the story very realistic, and does not sugarcoat what many experience. The author, Colleen Hoover, drew inspiration from her own experiences when it comes to domestic violence. Same with Lily’s dad, although he is a background character, he is still a major part in the story because of his relationship with Lily.

For example, although Alyssa, one of the main characters' sisters, is not a main character, she still has a storyline that adds context and emotion to the overall story. I liked this because although some of them were background characters, they still served a purpose. Every character in the story serves a direct purpose and gives readers the full picture of Lily’s life. The author's writing is so good that readers have no trouble sympathizing with the characters. Unlike other books, It Ends With Us portrays domestic violence realistically, allowing readers to understand that it is often harder to leave than they may expect. It is important for young people to realize the cycles of domestic violence, and it portrays the feelings of being stuck very well. The story is important to read because it is eye-opening in regards to domestic violence. While I wanted to hate the antagonist so badly, I could not, in just the way that the main character, Lily, could not. It leaves the reader not knowing how to feel, and it is that confusion that is most captivating. It is eye-opening to the ways that sometimes the people we love the most end up hurting us the most. The story itself is heartbreaking and inspiring, sad and happy, romantic and painful. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover will have you feeling every emotion within the span of 376 pages.

It ends with us ending