It Ends/Starts With Us: the Other Side of the Hype

- a novel by Colleen Hoover

These books need little to no introduction. If you've not read them, even if you have no idea what the series is about, you have, at the very least of things, heard of it. The hype around the books, I resisted. The second wave of hype however- towards the movie adaption? I'd rather not dignify the stupid question with an answer, here I am writing my two cents about a book I have clearly read, so... I'll get straight to it.

Trigger warnings, the book does contain scenes of abuse and domestic violence.

Lily Bloom has had a rough childhood, trying to navigate adult life feeling quite isolated. That is, until she decides to open up her own flower shop with her new best friend and her hot, INSANELY hot ahem!, neurosurgeon brother Ryle. After moving past Ryle's "no dating" policy which he just couldn't cement when it comes to Lily, the two date and all is good. Until Atlas, a serious high school ex-boyfriend who shares and understands Lily and her past. Ryle shows signs of anger issues which fuels abusive tendencies. Things get complicated. Lily makes excuses and holds on to the relationship until she doesn't.

The second book, is kind of an ode to the success and love 'It Ends With Us' received. I can't give much away without spoiling the first but basically, it continues to follow the three characters after life-changing decisions and new added layers of complexities in their lives.

Now, I want to start by saying that I did have my biases against the books because which 'serious reader' reads a Colleen Hoover, right? Well I moved past that biases, unlike some of you hmm, and opened myself up to less judgement. Yup, I'm a role model! And... I liked the books. I didn't OMG love it, but I did, I liked the books. Hoover is a fantastic storyteller, to be able to write such a page-turner.

I did have a few icks though- the books were borderline cringe-worthy most of the times and the reader was spoon-fed every thought and feeling. It would've been nicer, instead, to be able to infer them on our own through the story's progression. And when you go from reading pretty well-thought out books with deep intellect behind them, it did become hard to give the books a serious thought. But that is exactly what the series is though, isn't it? The main character is into flowers and her name is Lily Bloom... Ryle is a character who gets riled up. That's how subtle the series is. But none of this is to take away the very important themes touched upon in the book and the impact of the series around them.

The thing about liking this series is that you don't go into it expecting it to go on for a Booker Prize. The book, for what is is, is a good read. It has a good story and a good use of your summer time, that is aplenty.