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.