Summary
It Ends with Us, a powerful romance novel by Colleen Hoover, took the literary world by storm upon its release in 2016. Based on the author's own family history, this New York Times bestseller explores the complex themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse, while still maintaining its status as a captivating love story.
The novel's popularity skyrocketed in 2021 when it gained traction on TikTok's #BookTok community. As a result, It Ends with Us topped sales lists in 2022 and 2023, selling over 2.7 million copies in 2022 alone. This resurgence led to the publication of a sequel, It Starts with Us, in October 2022.
A highly anticipated film adaptation of It Ends with Us was released in August 2024. Directed by Justin Baldoni, who also stars alongside Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar, the movie brought Hoover's emotional story to the big screen. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $351 million worldwide.
Plot
Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old college graduate, moves to Boston to open her own floral shop. She meets Ryle Kincaid, a charming 30-year-old neurosurgeon, and they begin a relationship despite his initial reluctance to commit. As their romance blossoms, Lily reflects on her past, including her abusive father and her first love, Atlas Corrigan, who left to join the military.
As Lily's business thrives, her relationship with Ryle intensifies. However, their seemingly perfect romance takes a dark turn when Ryle slaps Lily in a moment of anger. Though horrified, Lily accepts his apologies, believing they are different from her parents. The situation becomes more complicated when Atlas, now a successful restaurant owner, reappears in Lily's life, causing tension between her and Ryle.
Lily and Ryle impulsively marry in Vegas, but their relationship continues to deteriorate. Ryle's unresolved childhood trauma manifests in violent outbursts, culminating in a severe incident where he pushes Lily down the stairs and later attempts to rape her. Lily escapes and seeks refuge with Atlas, discovering she is pregnant with Ryle's child. She keeps the pregnancy a secret from Ryle while he is away in England for a fellowship.
Upon Ryle's return, Lily maintains a cautious distance while allowing him to be involved in her pregnancy. After giving birth to their daughter, Lily realizes she doesn't want her child to witness Ryle's aggressive behavior. She decides to end the cycle of abuse and asks Ryle for a divorce. In the epilogue, Lily, now co-parenting with Ryle, reconnects with Atlas, ready to explore a relationship with him.
Themes
Cycle of domestic abuse
Impact of childhood trauma
Strength and resilience of survivors
Complexity of love and relationships
Breaking generational patterns
Struggle between heart and mind
Journey of self-discovery and empowerment
Setting
Set in the contemporary era, It Ends with Us primarily takes place in Boston, Massachusetts. The bustling urban setting provides a stark contrast to the protagonist Lily's small-town roots in Maine, highlighting her journey of personal growth and ambition.
While Boston serves as the main backdrop, the story occasionally shifts to Lily's hometown of Plethora, Maine. These transitions between the big city and small town effectively illustrate the protagonist's internal struggle between her past and present, as well as her evolving perspective on relationships and family dynamics.
Specific locations within Boston play crucial roles in the narrative. Lily's floral shop becomes a symbol of her independence and aspirations, while the hospital where Ryle works represents his professional life and the complexities of their relationship. The restaurant owned by Atlas serves as a pivotal setting, bridging Lily's past and present while catalyzing key developments in the story.
Characters
Lily Bloom: The main protagonist, a young woman who moves to Boston to start her own floral business. She grew up in an abusive household and struggles with her past as she navigates new relationships. Lily is determined, compassionate, and resilient, often putting others' needs before her own.
Ryle Kincaid: A charming and successful neurosurgeon who becomes Lily's love interest. He is initially opposed to serious relationships due to past trauma. Ryle is complex, battling his own demons while trying to maintain a relationship with Lily.
Atlas Corrigan: Lily's first love from her teenage years who reappears in her life. He is kind, protective, and has always held a special place in Lily's heart. Atlas represents a connection to Lily's past and a potential future.
Allysa Kincaid: Ryle's sister and Lily's best friend and business partner. She is supportive, loyal, and provides comic relief throughout the story.
Marshall Bloom: Allysa's husband and Ryle's brother-in-law. He is easygoing and often serves as a mediator in tense situations.
Jenny Bloom: Lily's mother, who endured years of abuse from Lily's father. Her experiences shape Lily's perspective on relationships and domestic violence.
Andrew Bloom: Lily's abusive father, who has passed away at the beginning of the story. His actions continue to impact Lily's life and decisions.
Quick facts
The book is based on the relationship between Colleen Hoover's mother and father.
Hoover has described it as “the hardest book I've ever written” due to its personal nature.
The novel won the 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance.
It has sold over one million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 20 languages.
The book experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2021 due to TikTok's #BookTok community.
It was the best-selling novel of both 2022 and 2023.
A sequel titled It Starts with Us was published in October 2022.
A film adaptation was released in August 2024, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
The novel explores themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse.
A planned coloring book based on the novel was canceled after backlash from readers.
About the Author
Colleen Hoover is a #1 New York Times and International bestselling author known for her versatility across genres, including romance, young adult fiction, and thrillers. Born in 1979 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Hoover began her writing career in 2011 with her debut novel Slammed, which she initially self-published. Her breakthrough came in 2016 with It Ends with Us, a powerful story inspired by her personal experiences with domestic violence.
Hoover's popularity surged in 2021, largely due to the BookTok community on TikTok. By October 2022, she had sold over 20 million books, with It Ends with Us alone selling more than a million copies worldwide. Her success continued with the highly anticipated sequel, It Starts with Us, released in October 2022. The film adaptation of It Ends with Us, released in August 2024, further solidified her status as a literary phenomenon.
Beyond her writing career, Hoover is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription service and bookstore in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She is known for her innovative marketing strategies and strong connection with her readers through social media. Hoover's impact on the literary world was recognized when Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
Hoover's personal life plays a significant role in her work. She lives in Texas with her husband, Heath Hoover, whom she married in 2000, and their three sons. A graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce with a degree in social work, Hoover's background informs the depth and empathy evident in her characters and storylines. Her ability to tackle difficult subjects while maintaining a devoted readership has cemented her place as a leading figure in contemporary fiction.
