Emily May's Reviews > It Ends with Us
It Ends with Us (It Ends with Us #1)
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4 1/2 stars. Holy crap, what a book. This is unlike anything Hoover has written before. I have so many emotions right now that it's hard to know where to start, but I think everyone should read this book. That's right: everyone.
I could easily give everything away. I could, but I won't. If you go looking for lots of reviews, it won't be hard to work out what It Ends with Us is about. And if you do, you should still read it, but I think it's better if you don't. I think you should go into this book knowing as little as possible. Just realize that this is something very different from Hoover's usual new adult romances (that I admittedly have had all kinds of problems with).
So I don't want to say too much, but this is an extremely powerful story and it's not what most people will be expecting. It gets its power from the singular first person narrative (I'm honestly not a big fan of the alternating male/female POV romances) and we experience everything through Lily's eyes. When she falls in love, we fall in love; when her heart is broken, our heart is broken; when she gets it all wrong, so do we.
I cannot stress how important and damn smart this book is. There is no black and white characterization - it's much deeper and more complex than that, and therefore, far more emotional.
It peels back the layers of characters and relationships to do something that so many other authors have tried and failed to do - to make you understand a situation that for most people makes no sense. It's very sad, painful and exceptionally honest. My heart hurt while reading it and I almost cried several times.
As well as all this emotion and sadness that I'm being coy about, Hoover also brings out some of her very best writing. Little gems of honesty about human nature and relationships that are all the more painful because of their resounding truth. It's such a quotable book, but unfortunately most of the quotes are spoilers, so I shall refrain from posting them.
There's so many great things to mention, but I keep getting distracted by my feelings. The narrative is interspersed with letters that Lily wrote as a teenager and they are addressed to Ellen Degeneres - a strange touch that ends up being absolutely perfect. Shit, just writing this review and remembering the story is an emotional experience.
And then there's the absolutely fantastic female friendship. I want Allysa to be my best friend. Hoover clearly knows her audience of 16-25 year old women, creating characters with their quirks and habits - Allysa, for example, is a self-confessed "Pinterest whore", which made me laugh. But seriously, she is the best friend ever and she says one of the most perfect lines in this book.
Anyway, I'm just going to start rambling soon because I read this book in a whirlwind of emotions throughout a single day. I've been up since a ridiculous time and I need to go sleep now. But really, give this book a chance. I thought it was excellent.
Trigger Warnings: (view spoiler)
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![4622890](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705854088p2/4622890.jpg)
Preventing your heart from forgiving someone you love is actually a hell of a lot harder than simply forgiving them.
4 1/2 stars. Holy crap, what a book. This is unlike anything Hoover has written before. I have so many emotions right now that it's hard to know where to start, but I think everyone should read this book. That's right: everyone.
I could easily give everything away. I could, but I won't. If you go looking for lots of reviews, it won't be hard to work out what It Ends with Us is about. And if you do, you should still read it, but I think it's better if you don't. I think you should go into this book knowing as little as possible. Just realize that this is something very different from Hoover's usual new adult romances (that I admittedly have had all kinds of problems with).
So I don't want to say too much, but this is an extremely powerful story and it's not what most people will be expecting. It gets its power from the singular first person narrative (I'm honestly not a big fan of the alternating male/female POV romances) and we experience everything through Lily's eyes. When she falls in love, we fall in love; when her heart is broken, our heart is broken; when she gets it all wrong, so do we.
I cannot stress how important and damn smart this book is. There is no black and white characterization - it's much deeper and more complex than that, and therefore, far more emotional.
It peels back the layers of characters and relationships to do something that so many other authors have tried and failed to do - to make you understand a situation that for most people makes no sense. It's very sad, painful and exceptionally honest. My heart hurt while reading it and I almost cried several times.
As well as all this emotion and sadness that I'm being coy about, Hoover also brings out some of her very best writing. Little gems of honesty about human nature and relationships that are all the more painful because of their resounding truth. It's such a quotable book, but unfortunately most of the quotes are spoilers, so I shall refrain from posting them.
There's so many great things to mention, but I keep getting distracted by my feelings. The narrative is interspersed with letters that Lily wrote as a teenager and they are addressed to Ellen Degeneres - a strange touch that ends up being absolutely perfect. Shit, just writing this review and remembering the story is an emotional experience.
And then there's the absolutely fantastic female friendship. I want Allysa to be my best friend. Hoover clearly knows her audience of 16-25 year old women, creating characters with their quirks and habits - Allysa, for example, is a self-confessed "Pinterest whore", which made me laugh. But seriously, she is the best friend ever and she says one of the most perfect lines in this book.
Anyway, I'm just going to start rambling soon because I read this book in a whirlwind of emotions throughout a single day. I've been up since a ridiculous time and I need to go sleep now. But really, give this book a chance. I thought it was excellent.
Trigger Warnings: (view spoiler)
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Reading Progress
August 1, 2016
–
Started Reading
August 1, 2016
– Shelved
August 2, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 108 (108 new)
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Luke
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Aug 02, 2016 09:59AM
![Luke Reynolds](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1652308730p1/25979809.jpg)
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![Emily May](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705854088p1/4622890.jpg)
This is a very different kind of book. I don't want to speak too soon, but I think I might like it :)
![Radhive](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1560739120p1/4001984.jpg)
Beautiful review Emily. I've just finished it too today and naked truth: I'm in a total emotional mess right now because this book is really haunting. I think the story will stick with us for some time. T_T
![Emily May](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705854088p1/4622890.jpg)
Thank you, Louise. I just hope readers aren't put off because they expect standard romance from Hoover.
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![Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1613162122p1/31461418.jpg)
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I really wanted to read this because Hoover, but the other reviews I've read made me back out. However, your review alone is strong enough to make me think twice. Thanks, Emily! Will definitely give this book a chance!
![Sophie](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1337226233p1/1180957.jpg)
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I'm glad you liked it, I've been waiting for your review
![Sara](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1714863139p1/57589645.jpg)
Thanks for the review, I have found a book I really enjoyed reading an won't forget anytime soon! And possibly a new author to add to my "favorites" list...I look forward to checking out the rest of her work, even if it is different. :)
![Melissa Sullivan](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1456784575p1/7158136.jpg)
Damn.
Ps. Don't read this if you have PMS unless you totally want to rid yourself of water weight through your eyeballs!
![Katerina](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1523893682p1/45826136.jpg)