Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s Reviews > It Ends with Us
It Ends with Us (It Ends with Us #1)
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Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s review
bookshelves: crunken-love, denied-the-arc, everyone-loved-it-but-me, hot-mess-express, read-in-2016, the-great-white-hype
Aug 15, 2016
bookshelves: crunken-love, denied-the-arc, everyone-loved-it-but-me, hot-mess-express, read-in-2016, the-great-white-hype
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“What a great time to have a dissenting opinion about a book written by an author with a particularly rabid fanbase!” said no one ever. In case we haven’t met and you’re seeing this review due to the new IN YO’ FACE! Goodreads format which shares reviews/updates to your feed errrrrrrrry single time one of your friends likes or comments on them, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kelly . . . .
Also, I spoil things, so back away quickly if you don’t want this one to be ruined for you.
My glaring 1 Star in a sea of 5s probably makes it pretty clear that I detested this book, but please refrain from fetching your torches and pitchforks for a moment and take note that not only did I just 5 Star a CoHo Story two weeks ago (as well as shoved it down everyone’s throats I possibly could), but also I want to make all of the sexuals with Miles Archer and will fight anyone for dibs on his imaginary lurv making. I didn’t pick this up in order to hate on it. I’m one of you . . . . sometimes. Definitely not this time, but lots of times. And this is why I don’t ever give up on Hoover novels. I never know how I’m going to react.
Allow me to explain what went wrong for me with this one . . .
Let’s start with the obvious annoyances that seem to be in nearly every NA book that drive me batshit before getting to the real nitty gritty. First, the character names. Ryle, Lily Bloom and Atlas???????
Is it against the law to not use absolutely ridiculous (™Ron2.0) names in these books????
Second . . . .
“Your lips. I love how they’re as red as your hair.”
According to Google (all hail Google) less than 2% of the world’s population has red hair, and yet 99.998% of all NA leading ladies do. Just stahp.
Third, non-existent chemistry. In this story Lily and Ryle meet by chance on a rooftop after experiencing respective miserable days. In a matter of minutes Lily goes from worrying the stranger on the roof could be a psycho killer/rapist to getting into his super sexy (NOT) pick-up lines . . .
“If you wouldn’t sleep with someone you just met . . .” His eyes meet mine again. “Exactly how far would you go?”
Ewww. She already said thanks but no thanks freakshow so STFU.
Now let’s move on to the real big issue. I took a gander at my friends’ reviews before I started typing this and noticed my buddy Chelsea was the only other naysayer in the batch. She summed it up perfectly when she talked about the massive amounts of emotional manipulation that was forced down the readers’ throats in order to make them feel all the things.
It’s a running joke with my friends/family/co-workers that I have a robot heart. And for the majority of the time it’s true. I generally experience two emotions – happiness and annoyance. But even a robot like me can be manipulated into having a feeling/crying the ugly tears like a Kardashian once in a blue moon (*cough Me Before You cough*). This time, though? It was like a flashing neon sign . . . .
To begin with, our first leading male Atlas is a homeless teenager who Lily befriends/eventually loses her virginity. In case you don’t get the writing on the wall, Atlas is being set up as the most perfect perfection that ever perfected. He’s also the way to getting the “raised in an abusive household” plotline uncovered. Like in all NA stories, Atlas and Lily are torn apart. Lily moves on with her life, graduates college, yada yada, and, as mentioned above, meet-cutessuper creeper Mr. Right 2.0 on the roof. Mr. Right 2.0 is not only another most perfect perfection that ever perfected, but he’s also rich and a neurosurgeon and very obviously husband material even though he’s never had a girlfriend (also after dating only six months), annnnnnnnd due to their mutually busy schedules not really knowing the guy.
It wasn’t too hard to see where the story was going to go (and no, I hadn’t been spoiled because I didn’t read any reviews or the synopsis, I just auto-request everything by Hoover from both NetGalley and the library). Basically this was a story about domestic abuse and making excuses not only the first time he knocks your ass down “on accident” but also the second time when you wake up after “falling” down the stairs and hearing his sob story about a superbadawful that effed him up as a kid and then agreeing on a policy where “When you’re upset, just walk away. And I’ll walk away” (because THAT’S going to fucking work) and then saying “It’s okay, Ryle. It’s okay. You were angry, it’s okay” and making sure even when you’re bleeding profusely out of your fucking skull and are concussed and have quite possibly just been raped by your own damn husband that you get taken to an emergency room in a hospital other than the one where your bastard abuser works in order to protect his ass as well as explaining “sometimes the reason women go back is simply because they’re in love” and in case all that wasn’t e-fucking-nough you add in a whoopsie baby (another NA per usual) to serve as the wake-up call that maybe it’d be a good idea to ditch this zero and eventually find you a hero, buuuuuuuuuuuut you just come to an agreement regarding visitation and whathaveyou rather than involving the court and much needed supervised interaction because you know he wouldn’t hurt the baby since it’s obvious he loves her . . . .
Nope.
I’m well aware I’m going against the grain here. I give zero fucks. Don’t bother trolling me to tell me how stupid I am (especially if you’re a teenager who has lived a privileged lifestyle and never experienced anything contained in this book for yourself). I went to the wholesale club yesterday and stocked up on big ol’ batch of . . . .
I will be using it freely.
Many thanks to the library for having nearly every book I ever want to read – especially books like these that are only approved to fangirling 5 Star reviewers prior to publication.
“What a great time to have a dissenting opinion about a book written by an author with a particularly rabid fanbase!” said no one ever. In case we haven’t met and you’re seeing this review due to the new IN YO’ FACE! Goodreads format which shares reviews/updates to your feed errrrrrrrry single time one of your friends likes or comments on them, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kelly . . . .
Also, I spoil things, so back away quickly if you don’t want this one to be ruined for you.
My glaring 1 Star in a sea of 5s probably makes it pretty clear that I detested this book, but please refrain from fetching your torches and pitchforks for a moment and take note that not only did I just 5 Star a CoHo Story two weeks ago (as well as shoved it down everyone’s throats I possibly could), but also I want to make all of the sexuals with Miles Archer and will fight anyone for dibs on his imaginary lurv making. I didn’t pick this up in order to hate on it. I’m one of you . . . . sometimes. Definitely not this time, but lots of times. And this is why I don’t ever give up on Hoover novels. I never know how I’m going to react.
Allow me to explain what went wrong for me with this one . . .
Let’s start with the obvious annoyances that seem to be in nearly every NA book that drive me batshit before getting to the real nitty gritty. First, the character names. Ryle, Lily Bloom and Atlas???????
Is it against the law to not use absolutely ridiculous (™Ron2.0) names in these books????
Second . . . .
“Your lips. I love how they’re as red as your hair.”
According to Google (all hail Google) less than 2% of the world’s population has red hair, and yet 99.998% of all NA leading ladies do. Just stahp.
Third, non-existent chemistry. In this story Lily and Ryle meet by chance on a rooftop after experiencing respective miserable days. In a matter of minutes Lily goes from worrying the stranger on the roof could be a psycho killer/rapist to getting into his super sexy (NOT) pick-up lines . . .
“If you wouldn’t sleep with someone you just met . . .” His eyes meet mine again. “Exactly how far would you go?”
Ewww. She already said thanks but no thanks freakshow so STFU.
Now let’s move on to the real big issue. I took a gander at my friends’ reviews before I started typing this and noticed my buddy Chelsea was the only other naysayer in the batch. She summed it up perfectly when she talked about the massive amounts of emotional manipulation that was forced down the readers’ throats in order to make them feel all the things.
It’s a running joke with my friends/family/co-workers that I have a robot heart. And for the majority of the time it’s true. I generally experience two emotions – happiness and annoyance. But even a robot like me can be manipulated into having a feeling/crying the ugly tears like a Kardashian once in a blue moon (*cough Me Before You cough*). This time, though? It was like a flashing neon sign . . . .
To begin with, our first leading male Atlas is a homeless teenager who Lily befriends/eventually loses her virginity. In case you don’t get the writing on the wall, Atlas is being set up as the most perfect perfection that ever perfected. He’s also the way to getting the “raised in an abusive household” plotline uncovered. Like in all NA stories, Atlas and Lily are torn apart. Lily moves on with her life, graduates college, yada yada, and, as mentioned above, meet-cutes
It wasn’t too hard to see where the story was going to go (and no, I hadn’t been spoiled because I didn’t read any reviews or the synopsis, I just auto-request everything by Hoover from both NetGalley and the library). Basically this was a story about domestic abuse and making excuses not only the first time he knocks your ass down “on accident” but also the second time when you wake up after “falling” down the stairs and hearing his sob story about a superbadawful that effed him up as a kid and then agreeing on a policy where “When you’re upset, just walk away. And I’ll walk away” (because THAT’S going to fucking work) and then saying “It’s okay, Ryle. It’s okay. You were angry, it’s okay” and making sure even when you’re bleeding profusely out of your fucking skull and are concussed and have quite possibly just been raped by your own damn husband that you get taken to an emergency room in a hospital other than the one where your bastard abuser works in order to protect his ass as well as explaining “sometimes the reason women go back is simply because they’re in love” and in case all that wasn’t e-fucking-nough you add in a whoopsie baby (another NA per usual) to serve as the wake-up call that maybe it’d be a good idea to ditch this zero and eventually find you a hero, buuuuuuuuuuuut you just come to an agreement regarding visitation and whathaveyou rather than involving the court and much needed supervised interaction because you know he wouldn’t hurt the baby since it’s obvious he loves her . . . .
Nope.
I’m well aware I’m going against the grain here. I give zero fucks. Don’t bother trolling me to tell me how stupid I am (especially if you’re a teenager who has lived a privileged lifestyle and never experienced anything contained in this book for yourself). I went to the wholesale club yesterday and stocked up on big ol’ batch of . . . .
I will be using it freely.
Many thanks to the library for having nearly every book I ever want to read – especially books like these that are only approved to fangirling 5 Star reviewers prior to publication.
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It Ends with Us.
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Reading Progress
August 15, 2016
–
Started Reading
August 15, 2016
– Shelved
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
crunken-love
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
denied-the-arc
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
everyone-loved-it-but-me
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
hot-mess-express
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
read-in-2016
August 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
the-great-white-hype
August 16, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 727 (727 new)
message 1:
by
Jeff
(new)
Aug 16, 2016 09:50AM
Props for the Taxi Gif...
reply
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Jeff wrote: "Props for the Taxi Gif..."
The magnificence of Andy Kaufman will be lost on 99.9999999% of thetrollers readers of this review ; )
The magnificence of Andy Kaufman will be lost on 99.9999999% of the
Ana {The Good Gif Fairy} wrote: "I knew it! You're way too cool to give this book a good rating LOL"
LOLOLOL ; )
LOLOLOL ; )
Jamie wrote: "HAHA!! Robot heart I love it. Wy says my heart is like an ice crystal. Great review Kelly!!"
Thanks Jamie! I read this while my husband was at work, so the only conversation we had went something like this:
HUBS: "What are you reading today?"
ME: "Colleen Hoover's newest. It's been pretty contrived so far but I'm pretty sure now that I'm into it that it's going to be about a wife beater."
HUBS: "That should end well."
Thanks Jamie! I read this while my husband was at work, so the only conversation we had went something like this:
HUBS: "What are you reading today?"
ME: "Colleen Hoover's newest. It's been pretty contrived so far but I'm pretty sure now that I'm into it that it's going to be about a wife beater."
HUBS: "That should end well."
BAHAHAHAHA I can relate to every single word in this review. Plus you're hysterical. Plus you're awesome.
I don't read NA for the reasons you stated. And the only Hoover book I've ever read was poop. Sometimes I wonder if authors even observe human behavior at all.
I don't read NA for the reasons you stated. And the only Hoover book I've ever read was poop. Sometimes I wonder if authors even observe human behavior at all.
Shelby *trains flying monkeys* wrote: "The trolls...they will be coming."
This one is going to have a zero tolerance policy.
This one is going to have a zero tolerance policy.
HFK wrote: "Great review, Kelly, as always. There was a nice punch at the end. I checked this at Amazon because my Finnish library is super uncool with the books like these. I do not recall her e-books being t..."
Thanks HFK : ) The price of her books (especially in e-format) has become absurd. Thank goodness for my library!
Thanks HFK : ) The price of her books (especially in e-format) has become absurd. Thank goodness for my library!
Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ wrote: "BAHAHAHAHA I can relate to every single word in this review. Plus you're hysterical. Plus you're awesome.
I don't read NA for the reasons you stated. And the only Hoover book I've ever read was po..."
Oooh, which one did you read??? I shall go stalk . . .
EDIT: Never Never. LOL! I 1 Starred that sumbitch too ; )
Also, you're awesome too. Thanks for building me up before the troll parade comes to beat me down ; )
I don't read NA for the reasons you stated. And the only Hoover book I've ever read was po..."
Oooh, which one did you read??? I shall go stalk . . .
EDIT: Never Never. LOL! I 1 Starred that sumbitch too ; )
Also, you're awesome too. Thanks for building me up before the troll parade comes to beat me down ; )
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Props for the Taxi Gif..."
The magnificence of Andy Kaufman will be lost on 99.9999999% of the trollers readers of this review ; )"
The magnificence of Andy Kaufman will be lost on 99.9999999% of the trollers readers of this review ; )"
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ wrote: "BAHAHAHAHA I can relate to every single word in this review. Plus you're hysterical. Plus you're awesome.
I don't read NA for the reasons you stat..."
I read that Never Never bullshit. I liked the first one, the second was ok, and said fuck you to the third. And don't feel bad about the trolls. I will fight them proudly! I just got trolled the other week for my review being too long. They are unstoppable.
PS. Taxi in general and Andy Kauffman specifically are fantastic. Man on the Moon is one of my favorite movies EVER.
I don't read NA for the reasons you stat..."
I read that Never Never bullshit. I liked the first one, the second was ok, and said fuck you to the third. And don't feel bad about the trolls. I will fight them proudly! I just got trolled the other week for my review being too long. They are unstoppable.
PS. Taxi in general and Andy Kauffman specifically are fantastic. Man on the Moon is one of my favorite movies EVER.
HFK wrote: "I wish I could thank our fabulous library for that but I can thank it for having an excellent taste. Other occasions I just thank my husband's credit card."
LOL! I'm lucky that not only do we have two library systems, but since it is a metro area they all share books yet have separate budgets so almost everything (except graphic novels grrrrrr - and self-pubbed stuff) is usually available.
LOL! I'm lucky that not only do we have two library systems, but since it is a metro area they all share books yet have separate budgets so almost everything (except graphic novels grrrrrr - and self-pubbed stuff) is usually available.
Bark's Book Nonsense wrote: "A beater and a baby?
Thanks for the heads up. I do not need this in my life."
Hehehehe. Oh I forgot yet another cringe worthy thing: The "then" segments are journal entries WRITTEN TO ELLEN DEGENERES. This book - it's the cheeeeeeeesiest!
Thanks for the heads up. I do not need this in my life."
Hehehehe. Oh I forgot yet another cringe worthy thing: The "then" segments are journal entries WRITTEN TO ELLEN DEGENERES. This book - it's the cheeeeeeeesiest!
Kelly.
I'm sorry, but you read this wrong. How can you not love this book....?
NOT! Hahahaha, Jay fucking kay, hood rat. I have no interest in this book for some reason, despite the fact that it's all over my feed. Your review makes me even less inclined to read it. Plus funny. So thank you homie-Kell! LOL
I'm sorry, but you read this wrong. How can you not love this book....?
NOT! Hahahaha, Jay fucking kay, hood rat. I have no interest in this book for some reason, despite the fact that it's all over my feed. Your review makes me even less inclined to read it. Plus funny. So thank you homie-Kell! LOL
Val ⚓️ Shameless, Bitchy & Skanky ⚓️ wrote: "Kelly.
I'm sorry, but you read this wrong. How can you not love this book....?..."
Right? So much fail I have : (
I don't normally try to dissuade someone from reading something, but I think I know you well enough that you would have a similar review to me on this one. Too Late, on the other hand??? It was kind of awesome.
I'm sorry, but you read this wrong. How can you not love this book....?..."
Right? So much fail I have : (
I don't normally try to dissuade someone from reading something, but I think I know you well enough that you would have a similar review to me on this one. Too Late, on the other hand??? It was kind of awesome.
Evan wrote: "1 star reviews are seriously my crack cocaine. Gotta have 'em."
LOLOL! I love this confession : )
LOLOL! I love this confession : )
Carol ♔ Type, Oh Queen! ♔ wrote: "Atlas??? Good God!"
I know! It's like these authors are trying to out-horrible each other's name choices.
I know! It's like these authors are trying to out-horrible each other's name choices.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: " Carol ♔ Type, Oh Queen! ♔ wrote: "Atlas??? Good God!"
I know! It's like these authors are trying to out-horrible each other's name choices."
Worst name yet. & I know parents who named their boy Toss. (when he was nine understandably he announced a change of name)
I know! It's like these authors are trying to out-horrible each other's name choices."
Worst name yet. & I know parents who named their boy Toss. (when he was nine understandably he announced a change of name)
Well, glad I waited to try this one out. Sounded like a hard pass to me. And then...
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Oh I forgot yet another cringe worthy thing: The "then" segments are journal entries WRITTEN TO ELLEN DEGENERES."
Which moved it from Hard Pass territory to FUCK NO.
Would you like to borrow my Asshole Badge image for when the trolls come a callin'?
I've found it comes in mighty handy. I use it frequently at work.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Oh I forgot yet another cringe worthy thing: The "then" segments are journal entries WRITTEN TO ELLEN DEGENERES."
Which moved it from Hard Pass territory to FUCK NO.
Would you like to borrow my Asshole Badge image for when the trolls come a callin'?
I've found it comes in mighty handy. I use it frequently at work.
Well thank FUCK I'm not alone...Also, THANKS FOR THE SHOUT OUT that made me smile lol That manipulation, though....
Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ (of BADGER and Snake) wrote: "Well thank FUCK I'm not alone...Also, THANKS FOR THE SHOUT OUT that made me smile lol That manipulation, though...."
I'm glad I have someone fun to share the "corner of shame" with : )
I'm glad I have someone fun to share the "corner of shame" with : )
Jilly wrote: "Sorry you didn't like it, Kelly! Bless your little robot heart. ;)"
LOL! I plan on nursing my wounds with my first Tara Sivec. IT BETTER BE GOOD OR I'LL MURDER EVERYONE! (not really)
LOL! I plan on nursing my wounds with my first Tara Sivec. IT BETTER BE GOOD OR I'LL MURDER EVERYONE! (not really)
Thanks for acknowledging my trademark, and yes it only became a thing after Ed continually called me out on it. Stupid Fold bullshit!
Have you finally had enough of these porny books yet?
Have you finally had enough of these porny books yet?
I should have finished that one days ago, but then I'd only be further behind on reviews, so I've been milking it.
Lol. I loved the book, but your review is hilarious. I see absolutely every point you make. You're right. It's ridiculous on so many levels, and it's so easy to make fun of, but I still loved in and just left a 5 star review. ;)
I guess I view the story as something a friend tells me. I try not to judge the characters too hard, and instead I just try to feel what they feel, and ... well, I loved it.
But your review was funny as hell, and I had to chuckle while reading it and nodding in agreement. I guess that makes me not as much of a fan-girl as I feared I might be.
Thank you!
I guess I view the story as something a friend tells me. I try not to judge the characters too hard, and instead I just try to feel what they feel, and ... well, I loved it.
But your review was funny as hell, and I had to chuckle while reading it and nodding in agreement. I guess that makes me not as much of a fan-girl as I feared I might be.
Thank you!
I actually agree with you 100% with every single issue you had with the book. BUT I still gave it 5 stars because overall it completely captured my attention and in this case, that made up for the negative things about it. I thought there was enough good in the story overall that made up for the bad things for me. But I wish I could add your review to mine to show that even though I gave it a great review and 5 stars, I still hated the same things you hated about the book too. :)
Loved the book. Still twists my heart. Regardless of our different feelings on the book, I LOVED your review!!!!
I also loved the book, but enjoyed your review. I gotta say at first I also felt annoyed and even angered that Lily kept giving Ryle more chances and making excuses. However, as stupid as it may seem, that is actually something that abused women (and men) do. It's hard to explain why and hard to understand, but it's the cycle of abuse. You love someone and so you keep forgiving and hope it will get better.... To people on the outside it looks stupid and insane. But on the inside, you can't see out of it. So in this case, I gotta say Hoover actually did a good job portraying what *too often* unfortunately happens in life.
I'm not even going to bother discussing this. Just please note that readers aren't generally stupid and do realize how the cycle of abuse works so there's no need to explain things to someone who happens to have a different opinion than you about the quality of a friggin' romance book. Also note that if an author is going to write about superbadawfuls and be so "real" she needs to follow through. God help the poor idiot who actually believes in this kind of redemption arc and that a child of an abusive relationship wouldn't ever be in danger "just because."
FINALLY, someone who saw this for what it really was. BULLSHIT. This review is gold and I honestly couldn't agree with it more.
Actually from my understanding she took moments from her own mothers relationship with her father and used those in the novel. Because her mother broke the cycle when Hoover was young, she was able to have a relationship with her Father that never would have been as good if she had grown up witnessing him abuse her Mother.
Edit: For some reason I am unable to add additional comments. So I've edited this one in response to the commment below.
My original comment wasn't made so you would change your mind. We all have different tastes. And that's fine.
Having said that, I felt the need to point out Hoovers own experience with this in response to your comment # 54. You talk about how readers aren't generally stupid about how the cycle of abuse works but then critize Hoovers choice to leave it open to the possibility that Ryle may have a good relationship with his daughter that's free from abuse. And below you bring up how that isn't the norm.
I can't say what's normal and what's not. Statistically, I have no idea. However, I do have two friends who had abusive spouses at one point in their lives but who were never abusive to their children. I believe it's a lot more realistic than you think. Which is why I brought up Hoovers own example because it sounded like you were unaware.
Edit: For some reason I am unable to add additional comments. So I've edited this one in response to the commment below.
My original comment wasn't made so you would change your mind. We all have different tastes. And that's fine.
Having said that, I felt the need to point out Hoovers own experience with this in response to your comment # 54. You talk about how readers aren't generally stupid about how the cycle of abuse works but then critize Hoovers choice to leave it open to the possibility that Ryle may have a good relationship with his daughter that's free from abuse. And below you bring up how that isn't the norm.
I can't say what's normal and what's not. Statistically, I have no idea. However, I do have two friends who had abusive spouses at one point in their lives but who were never abusive to their children. I believe it's a lot more realistic than you think. Which is why I brought up Hoovers own example because it sounded like you were unaware.
Mrsbooks wrote: "Actually from my understanding she took moments from her own mothers relationship with her father and used those in the novel. Because her mother broke the cycle when Hoover was young, she was able..."
Just because her father was only a wife-beater and not an abuser in general doesn't mean that's the norm.
Just because her father was only a wife-beater and not an abuser in general doesn't mean that's the norm.