Today, we’re diving into It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, or as I like to call it, “How Not to Handle a Relationship 101.”
It’s the book everyone’s talking about because of its movie adaptation… and the questionable casting choices, plus the mean girl drama around Blake Lively.
But don’t worry, we’re here to unpack the drama, the trauma, and every questionable life choice made by these characters. Let’s get started!
Our story begins with Lily Bloom (yes, her last name is actually Bloom… subtle, right?), who’s standing on a rooftop delivering a heartfelt eulogy to her toxic relationship with… her father. Enter Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon with big biceps, bigger charm, and absolutely no anger management skills. They bond over their shared love of rooftop brooding and their mutual disdain for commitment. Sounds healthy already, doesn’t it?
Fast forward, and Lily has quit her corporate job to open a flower shop. Because, obviously, if your last name is Bloom, you have to sell flowers. Meanwhile, Ryle struts back into her life with a bouquet of red flags disguised as charm. Lily ignores the warning signs—and honestly, so does everyone else. They fall in love because… well, Colleen Hoover said so.
Enter Atlas Corrigan, Lily’s childhood love and the ultimate “what if?” He’s the guy who helped Lily escape her abusive home, left her a heart-shaped scar (literally), and then disappeared. Now he’s back, running a successful restaurant and making everyone question why Lily didn’t just wait for him.
But who has time for that when your current boyfriend’s idea of expressing frustration is throwing objects across the room? That’s right, Ryle’s anger issues escalate into full-blown abuse. Lily is torn between her love for him and her own safety. You’d think her mother’s history of abuse would have given her some clarity, but no.
Instead, Lily keeps a journal addressed to Ellen DeGeneres (yes, really), documenting her struggles. Apparently, Oprah wasn’t available.
Eventually, Lily finds out she’s pregnant with Ryle’s child, which complicates her decision to leave him. But after one final, unforgivable act of violence, she decides enough is enough. Lily leaves Ryle, raises her child as a single mom, and finally reconnects with Atlas, the human embodiment of a Pinterest board titled “Dream Guy.”
The book ends on a hopeful note, but not before emotionally exhausting you.
Now let's move on to some important parts.
First of all, Lily Bloom? Really? What’s next, a baker named Muffin Crust? We get it, she’s meant to symbolize growth, but did her name have to sound like a flower shop pun?
Ryle Kincaid… the man, the myth, the walking red flag. Ladies, if a guy tells you he doesn’t do relationships but then changes his mind for you, he’s not romantic. He’s just looking for someone to throw chairs at.
And Atlas? Oh, Atlas. He’s sweet, dependable, and… somehow a little boring? Don’t get me wrong, he’s the best choice for Lily, but he’s so perfect he’s basically a cardboard cutout of “Good Guy” with “Traumatic Backstory” scribbled on the back.
Can we talk about the journal entries to Ellen DeGeneres? In a book filled with serious themes, these letters felt like they wandered in from a completely different story. Imagine Ellen reading them: “Dear Ellen, today my boyfriend smashed a vase against the wall. PS: Love your show!”
And the flower shop? It’s every romance novel trope rolled into one: quirky small business, makeover montage, and the obligatory “found family” side characters.
It Ends With Us is a book with a powerful message about breaking the cycle of abuse, but let’s be real… it’s also a melodramatic rollercoaster with characters who make decisions that’ll have you yelling at the pages. If nothing else, it’ll make you grateful for your own boring, vase-free relationships.
That's it for today, folks! Tell us in the comments: who’s your pick—Team Ryle or Team Atlas? Or Team “Lily Deserves Better”?
See you next time!
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