I am still on a high after watching the movie adaptation of “It Ends With Us.” I just want to share with you why this story is a must-read or must-watch.
About the book
I’ve been an avid reader of Colleen Hoover’s books since 2013 with Maybe Someday. One book led to another, and I was hooked on her writing. I was influenced by the buzz on the internet about this book of hers, “It Ends With Us,” but I didn’t read any book reviews. I just bought a copy of an ebook and read it on my iPad. I don’t normally read digitally, but at that time, it wasn’t practical for me to buy a hard copy, so I went on and read the book.
Synopsis
The book was published on August 2, 2016, with a contemporary romance genre. It’s a story of Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively) who had a traumatic past involving her family and was facing a similar situation when she fell in love with a charming neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni). However, Lily actually had a past love interest with a homeless boy who temporarily lived next door named Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar). That was actually a teenage love but a meaningful one.
To tell you more about the story, which was barely emphasized in the movie, was Lily Bloom’s fandom of Ellen DeGeneres. She wrote letters to the host but never sent them. It was like her “dear diary” but “dear Ellen.” It became Atlas and Lily’s pastime to watch the show when they were younger.
The pace of the story in the movie is quite quick, but that is expected from a film. There are many details in the book, but I won’t lie, I like the movie. I just really know that the art of film and the art of storytelling in books are two different interpretations.
Anyways, let me break down more about the story as I write here why “It Ends With Us” is a must-read or watch.
Why you need to learn about the story (Warning: Spoilers Ahead)
Exposure of the truth and awareness
The way Colleen Hoover wrote the story is through the present time with a context of past events or flashbacks in the movie. Also, in the book, Lily Bloom really expressed her emotions through her journal, which she addressed to Ellen. I think from the first part of the story, it exposes us to the truth. The truth is, not all families are perfect, and Lily’s family is quite an example. She may have a financially stable family as her dad is a politician and they live in a large house, but her mother is receiving a lot of abuse from her father. The abuse includes verbal and sexual physical abuse. I like that the author puts this story into light as it drives to the next lesson: awareness. Lily’s mother never went to the police or got out of the abusive relationship. The young Lily was powerless, too.
Kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but its value is priceless.
Lily met Atlas not in school, but she saw him going inside an abandoned house. Yes, he was homeless, but Lily, with a kind heart, tried to help him. She gave him food and sustenance, even a home whenever her parents were out. I love the kindness that Lily put out there. She may be helpless at home with her abusive dad, but she was able to help in a small way possible towards others. Their relationship grew fonder even for a short time, and their feelings were already mutual. They expressed their love for each other, but they had to end it. Atlas was leaving to sign up for the Marines, and unfortunately, Lily’s dad found them together in her room. Atlas was almost beaten to death by her father. It was painful for her, too.
Fast forward to “present time,” in the movie, the first scene was that Lily was coming home to Maine where she grew up for her father’s funeral. This is something she just had to do, but she was against it. She even walked out of the eulogy. She knew deep in her heart that she wasn’t able to forgive her father yet.
She moved to Boston because, “everything is better in Boston,” as Atlas said to her. This is where she first met Ryle, throwing a fit on the rooftop, kicking the chair, and furious. They had a bit of a moment, but days passed, and Lily opened up her dream business, a floral shop where she hired a woman named Alyssa who just happens to be Ryle’s sister. Of course, she and Ryle crossed each other’s paths again, and their attraction grew to love.
When love isn’t enough and when it is just too much.
Love. Four letters, one powerful word. It can make or break a relationship. Too much is too much, and without other values, a relationship won’t work. Okay, pause, I am not a love guru, haha! But, looking at Ryle and Lily’s story, I think they haven’t really gotten to know each other deeply.
One night, Lily brought Ryle to a restaurant named “Roots” to meet her mom. The restaurant happens to be owned by Atlas. Lily caught up with Atlas for a bit and never told Ryle about him as there was nothing really needed to expound about.
Things went downhill in their relationship first when Ryle “accidentally” shoved Lily in the kitchen where she gained a bruise under her eye. Then they went to the restaurant of Atlas again wherein Atlas noticed her bruise and found Ryle’s bandaged hand. Lily showed so much love for Ryle and even defended him to Atlas that it was “nothing.” That nothing turned out to be “something.” Ryle eventually learned about Lily’s past about Atlas and caused a scene at the restaurant. They had a quick fight. This is something I don’t remember included in the book, but I understand it is for the film.
When nothing turns into something. You should watch out.
Another incident that Lily encountered from Ryle was when they were arguing; Atlas “accidentally” pushed Lily down the stairs. She gained a wound on her forehead, and Ryle made her believe that she just “slipped.”
Ryle’s sister, Alyssa, and Lily’s best friend actually got pregnant, and months after, on the day when she had the baby, Ryle proposed to Lily in the hospital room. Yes, they got married wherein they were happy at first, but things changed again when Lily’s shop was featured on Boston’s magazine as a top-listed establishment, and on the list, it included the restaurant of Atlas. The story of Atlas about the restaurant was all about Lily and Ryle getting insecure again, but perhaps as a form of “revenge” and “assurance” that Lily rightfully chose him is that he led her into a form of abuse. Something that was quite similar to her mother. She was bitten by Ryle on her collarbone where she put a heart tattoo there because of Atlas. I think it takes immense strength for her to shove him off, and she ran for her life, leaving her husband behind. She went to Atlas and asked for help. Atlas was a gentleman; he never did anything suggestive to Lily, all care. She was brought to the hospital, and she was told she’s pregnant!
Decide what’s best for the family.
She confided in her best friend and Ryle’s sister, Alyssa. I love this line from Alyssa. It stuck with me when I was reading the book, too. She said, “As his sister, I wish you would forgive him. But as your best friend, I will never speak to you again if you go back to him.”
This line is said by Alyssa to Lily, capturing the conflict between her loyalty to her brother, Ryle, and her concern for Lily’s well-being. Here comes the lesson of loss and strength. Lily decided to ask for a divorce from Ryle. “I’m not doing what’s best for you or what’s best for us. I’m doing what’s best for me and our daughter. And right now, this is what’s best for both of us.” Here’s a quote from Lily when she asked Ryle for a divorce, where she powerfully questions him about what he would say to their daughter if she were in a similar situation: “If she came to you and told you that her husband had been hitting her, would you tell her to leave him? Because if you wouldn’t, Ryle… if you would tell her that it’s okay and that she should stay, then what kind of father does that make you? But if you would tell her to leave him… how is that any different from what I’m doing right now?” This quote captures Lily’s determination to break the cycle of abuse, not just for herself, but as an example for her daughter.
Acceptance can be painful but necessary.
This time, Ryle walked away. It was a strong realization for him as well! It wasn’t easy, but again, that’s the truth. It is painful, but that’s what’s best for their daughter. It took strength and resilience for Lily to let go of the relationship. For the love of her daughter, she knew she had to end it with Ryle. Then this is why the book is called “It Ends With Us,” the cycle of abuse ends with them.
Years after, Lily has shown resilience and healing in her own way. She received much support from her mother and Alyssa, and of course, she was healed by her love for her daughter, Eme. At the end of the story, she crossed paths with Atlas, where they both seemed to be in a seemingly good place to start again.
True to life story
“It Ends With Us” is indeed inspired by Colleen Hoover’s mother’s life. While the book is a work of fiction, the story draws heavily from the author’s personal experiences, particularly her mother’s experience with domestic violence. Hoover has shared that the character of Lily and her experiences are loosely based on her own mother’s struggles. The book is a tribute to her mother’s strength and resilience in overcoming an abusive relationship, making the story deeply personal and emotionally impactful.