Colleen Hoover's novel "It Ends With Us" tells the story of Lily Bloom and her relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. Lily struggles with intimacy due to her past witnessing domestic abuse of her mother by her father. Though attracted to Ryle, Lily fears commitment. Their relationship takes a turn when Ryle becomes physically abusive towards Lily. She is torn between leaving Ryle and wanting to help him overcome his own history of trauma. The book explores the complexities and impacts of domestic violence, including the cycle of abuse and difficulties in breaking intergenerational patterns.

1. A Book Review on
It Ends with Us
Submitted by:
Arianne Niel U. Liad
Grade 11 ABM - Weber
Submitted to:
RHEAROSE Q. CONDE
SHST – II
Table of Contents
Bibliographical Information……………………………....…….1
The Author………………………………….………………..…….2
The Story: Synopsis…………………………………………..…...4
The Characters…………….…………………………………...….6
My Reviews……..………….………………………………….…..8
References…………….…………………………………..……..13
Rubric………………………………………………..…………….14

2. Bibliographical Information
Title: It Ends With Us
Author/s: Colleen Hoover
Place of Publication: New York
Publisher: Atria Books
Date of Publication: August 2, 2016
The
Author

3. Colleen Hoover
bestselling American author known for her romance and young
adult fiction. While Hoover is primarily known for writing
romance novels, "It Ends With Us" is a departure from her usual
genre and tackles more serious themes such as domestic abuse
and the cycle of violence.
Hoover's writing has been praised by both readers and critics
alike, and she has won numerous awards for her work, including
the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in 2014, 2015,
and 2016. Additionally, Hoover has a large following on social
media and is known for her transparency and honesty with her
readers.
As for influences that may have affected Hoover's point of view,
the author has been open about her own experiences with
domestic violence and abuse. In interviews, Hoover has discussed
how her personal experiences with domestic abuse inspired her
to write "It Ends With Us" as a way to raise awareness about the
issue and to provide a voice for survivors. Hoover has also stated
that she was influenced by real-life stories of domestic abuse and
the ways in which it can impact generations of families. Through
her writing, Hoover aims to challenge the cultural norms and
beliefs that often perpetuate abuse and to encourage readers to
have difficult but important conversations about this important
issue.
Overall, the writing of "It Ends With Us" was inspired by Hoover's
own experiences and her desire to bring attention to the issue of
domestic abuse. Through her writing, Hoover has become a voice
for survivors and an advocate for change.

4. The Story: Synopsis
The story begins with Lily Bloom, who has just opened
her own flower shop in Boston. She meets Ryle Kincaid, a
successful neurosurgeon, who is in Boston for a medical
conference. They are immediately attracted to each other and
start a romantic relationship. However, Lily is hesitant to get too
involved with Ryle because of her past experience with her
father's abuse towards her mother. Nevertheless, she finds
herself falling in love with Ryle and is hopeful that their
relationship will be different.
As their relationship progresses, Lily discovers that Ryle
has a fear of intimacy and commitment, which makes it difficult
for her to feel secure in their relationship. She also learns that
Ryle has a history of violence and aggression towards women.
Despite this, she decides to continue her relationship with him,
believing that he can change. However, their relationship takes a
turn for the worse when Ryle becomes physically abusive towards
Lily. She is devastated by his behavior and struggles to come to
terms with the fact that the man she loves is capable of such
violence. She also faces pressure from her mother and her best
friend, Allysa, to leave Ryle and to protect herself from his
abusive behavior.
In the midst of her turmoil, Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, her first
love and childhood friend. Atlas is back in Boston after years of
traveling and playing music. He and Lily rekindle their friendship,
and she confides in him about Ryle's abuse. Atlas encourages her
to leave Ryle and offers to help her in any way he can. Lily is torn

5. between her love for Ryle and her desire to protect herself from
his violent behavior. The story takes a surprising turn when Lily
discovers that Ryle's violent behavior is rooted in his own
childhood trauma. She realizes that he is a victim of abuse himself
and has been trying to control his anger and aggression for years.
She is torn between her love for Ryle and her desire to protect
herself from his violent behavior.
As Lily struggles to make a decision about her future with Ryle,
she is forced to confront her own past and the abusive
relationship between her parents. She realizes that she has been
repeating the same patterns in her own relationships and that
she needs to break the cycle of abuse.
The Characters
Lily Bloom
Independent woman who runs her own business and falls in love
with a neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid.
Ryle Kincaid
A successful and charming neurosurgeon who falls in love with
Lily. However, he has a troubled past and struggles with anger
management issues.
Atlas Corrigan
A renowned chef and Lily’s first love. As a teenager, Atlas was
homeless, living in the abandoned house near Lily after he got
kicked out of his abusive home. He is Protective, calm, and loving,
Andrew Bloom
Lily’s abusive father and the mayor of Plethora, Maine. He is self-
absorbed, and self-aggrandizing, Andrew feeds his position of
power in the town with displays of violence and by hiding that
he abuses his family.
Allyssa Kincaid
Lily’s best friend and Ryle’s sister. She is Lily’s staunch supporter.
Independently wealthy, and she works at the flower shop for fun.
Marshall
Allysa’s husband, and a work-from-home millionaire. He loves
Allysa and football.
Jenny Bloom

6. Lily’s mother and a survivor of a lifetime of abuse from her
husband. Jenny is supportive and loving to her daughter.
Ellen DeGeneres
TV personality, comedian, and the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo.
Lily addresses her teenage journal to Ellen because she is a huge
fan of her show.
Lucy
Lily’s roommate, who moves out to live with her boyfriend. Lucy
eventually ends up working at Lily’s flower shop.
Rylee
Allysa and Marshall’s daughter. Rylee is named after Ryle.
Emerson (Ryle and Allysa’s brother)
Ryle and Allysa’s brother whom Ryle accidentally kills by gunshot
when Emerson is seven years old.
My Review
"It Ends with Us" is a novel by Colleen Hoover that tells
the story of Lily Bloom, a young woman who faces a challenging
past that shapes her present life. The book explores themes of
love, loss, family, abuse, and the complexity of relationships. It
was published in 2016 and has since become a bestseller,
receiving critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of domestic
violence and its impact on victims. This essay will review the
book, focusing on its main themes, contribution to the field, plot,
characters, societal issues, and ending.
The main theme of "It Ends with Us" is domestic violence
and its impact on victims. The book explores how the cycle of
abuse can begin in childhood and continue into adulthood,
affecting the victim's self-esteem, relationships, and sense of
self-worth. The novel highlights the importance of recognizing
the signs of abuse, breaking the cycle, and seeking help. The
story also emphasizes that abuse is not limited to physical
violence but can take many forms, including emotional and
verbal abuse. The purpose of the book is to raise awareness
about domestic violence and provide support for victims. The
author, Colleen Hoover, has achieved this purpose through her
realistic portrayal of the impact of abuse on victims and their
families. The book encourages readers to speak out against
abuse, seek help, and break the cycle of violence. Hoover has also

7. provided resources for readers who may be experiencing abuse,
ensuring that the book is not just entertainment but a tool for
social change. "It Ends with Us" has made a significant
contribution to the field of domestic violence awareness. The
book provides a relatable and honest account of the impact of
abuse on victims and their families. Hoover's portrayal of the
complexity of relationships and the cycle of abuse is accurate and
informative, providing readers with a deeper understanding of
the issue. The book has also opened up discussions about
domestic violence, encouraging readers to speak out against
abuse and support victims.
The story's plot is commendable, with a well-crafted
narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The story is divided into
three parts, each building upon the previous one, leading to a
dramatic and emotional conclusion. The pacing of the story is
well-balanced, with the right mix of action and reflection. The
plot also explores the past and present lives of the characters,
providing insight into their motivations and behavior. All the
characters in "It Ends with Us" are well-crafted and relatable. Lily,
the protagonist, is a complex character who struggles with her
past and present. The other characters, including Ryle, Atlas, and
Lily's family, are also well-developed and add depth to the story.
The character development throughout the story is evident, with
each character experiencing growth and change as the story
progresses. The book raises several issues and topics for
discussion, including domestic violence, the cycle of abuse, and
the impact of abuse on victims and their families. The story also
explores the complexities of relationships and the importance of
self-worth and self-care. These issues are relevant and important,
sparking discussions and encouraging readers to examine their
own lives and relationships.
There are several hidden societal issues embedded within the
story, including the normalization of abuse, victim blaming, and
the societal expectations of gender roles. The story highlights
how abuse can become normalized, and victims may not
recognize the signs or seek help. The book also explores the idea
of victim blaming, where the victim is held responsible for the
abuse they experience. The societal expectations of gender roles
are also evident in the story, with Lily expected to conform to
traditional gender roles. The author highlights the fact that self-

8. love is not always easy, and it often requires making difficult
decisions and standing up for oneself. As for me, the book "It
Ends With Us" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that
raises important questions about love, abuse, and self-
empowerment. Through her characters' struggles and triumphs,
Colleen Hoover delivers a powerful message about the
importance of recognizing and breaking the cycle of abuse. This
book is highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring
the complexities of abusive relationships and the importance of
self-love and empowerment.
Throughout the novel, Lily finds herself in a difficult and
confusing situation as she falls in love with a man who reminds
her of her abusive father. As she navigates her relationship with
this man, she begins to realize that breaking the cycle of abuse
is not as simple as just leaving the abuser. She also discovers that
forgiveness and understanding can be important tools in the
healing process. The conclusion of the story is powerful and
unexpected, leaving readers with a sense of hope and a renewed
appreciation for the strength and resilience of survivors of
domestic violence. The author's ability to sensitively and
realistically portray the complexities of this issue is commendable
and the book serves as an important reminder of the importance
of empathy, understanding, and support for survivors.
Overall, I highly recommend "It Ends With Us" to anyone
who is interested in exploring the issue of domestic violence and
its impact on individuals and society. The novel is well-written,
engaging, and thought-provoking, and is sure to leave a lasting
impression on readers.
REFERENCES
Litcharts. (n.d.). It Ends with Us Summary.