By Book Club Team 
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover is an emotional contemporary romance that follows Lily Bloom, a determined young woman who starts a new life in Boston and falls for the charming yet troubled neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. Their passionate romance soon turns dark as Lily uncovers Ryle’s violent tendencies, forcing her to confront painful memories of her past. When her first love, Atlas Corrigan, reappears, she must make a heartbreaking choice between love, loyalty, and breaking the cycle of abuse. Inspired by real-life events, this powerful novel explores resilience, trauma, and the true meaning of strength.
| Author | Colleen Hoover |
| Publication date | August 2, 2016 |
| Goodreads Rating | 373 pages |
| Page count | 4,12 |
| Genres | Fiction, Contemporary, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Abuse, Chick Lit, Young Adult, Love |
It Ends with Us Summary
Lily Bloom has always worked hard to build the life she wants. After growing up in an abusive household with a father who hurt her mother, she is determined to create a future that is nothing like her past. Following her father’s funeral, Lily moves to Boston, where she pursues her dream of opening a floral shop. One night, she climbs onto a rooftop to clear her head and meets Ryle Kincaid, a handsome and confident neurosurgeon. They share an instant attraction, but Ryle makes it clear he doesn’t do serious relationships—only casual hookups. Despite their chemistry, Lily doesn’t pursue anything with him at the time.
Lily’s Past with Atlas Corrigan
As Lily’s story unfolds, she reflects on her teenage years through diary entries she wrote to Ellen DeGeneres (yes, the talk show host). These diary entries introduce Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy who lived in an abandoned house behind Lily’s childhood home. When Lily found out Atlas was struggling to survive, she secretly helped him by giving him food, warm clothes, and a place to shower. Over time, they became each other’s safe haven, and their friendship blossomed into love. However, when Atlas left town to join the military, Lily was devastated.
Years later, Lily still remembers the pain of losing Atlas, but she tells herself it’s in the past. She focuses on her new life in Boston.
Falling for Ryle
Months after their first rooftop encounter, Lily and Ryle cross paths again, and this time, Ryle seems interested in something more than just a casual relationship. He slowly lets his guard down, and they begin dating. Ryle is everything Lily thought she wanted—ambitious, passionate, and successful. She falls deeply in love with him, believing she has finally found the kind of relationship she always dreamed of.
But things take a dark turn. One evening, Ryle has an angry outburst and accidentally pushes Lily, causing her to hit her head. He immediately apologizes, swearing it was a mistake. Lily, remembering how her mother stayed with her abusive father, is torn. She convinces herself it was a one-time incident, and they move forward.
The Cycle of Abuse Begins
Ryle’s violent tendencies don’t stop. His anger flares up again, and he physically hurts Lily more than once. Each time, he apologizes and promises it won’t happen again, but Lily starts recognizing the same patterns she saw in her parents’ marriage. She realizes she’s in a dangerous situation, but she struggles with the love she still feels for Ryle.
Things become even more complicated when Atlas comes back into her life. Now a successful chef, Atlas is shocked to see Lily with bruises and immediately realizes what’s happening. He offers her support, but Lily isn’t ready to leave Ryle yet. When Ryle finds out about Lily and Atlas’s past, his jealousy and anger explode, making things worse.
Lily’s Breaking Point
Lily soon discovers she is pregnant with Ryle’s child. This becomes her turning point—she refuses to raise her baby in an abusive home. With newfound strength, she finally decides to leave Ryle. She tells him, “It ends with us,” breaking the cycle of violence that plagued her childhood. She chooses to be a mother who protects her child rather than a woman who stays for love.
The Ending
Months later, Lily gives birth to her daughter, Emerson (Emmy) Kincaid, named after Ryle’s brother. When Ryle comes to visit, Lily lets him hold their baby and then delivers the final blow—she is divorcing him for good. Ryle is devastated but ultimately accepts her decision.
In the final moments of the book, Lily runs into Atlas, and for the first time, she allows herself to hope for a future with him. The book ends on a hopeful note, showing Lily’s strength and resilience.
Themes & Takeaways
- Breaking the Cycle of Abuse – Lily refuses to stay in an abusive relationship, ensuring her daughter never experiences what she did as a child.
- Love vs. Safety – The novel explores the heartbreaking reality that love is not always enough to sustain a relationship.
- Resilience & Self-Worth – Lily’s journey is one of finding her strength and choosing herself over an unhealthy relationship.
This book is raw, emotional, and deeply personal, drawing inspiration from Colleen Hoover’s own mother’s experiences. It’s a story that stays with you, making you think about the complexities of love, forgiveness, and knowing when to walk away.
It Ends with Us Book Trigger Warning
This novel deals with heavy and sensitive topics, so readers should be aware of potential triggering content before diving in. Here’s what to expect:
💔 Domestic Abuse & Intimate Partner Violence – The book depicts physical, emotional, and psychological abuse within a romantic relationship. There are graphic scenes of violence and manipulation, which may be distressing for some readers.
😢 Childhood Abuse & Trauma – Lily grows up in a household where her father abuses her mother. Flashbacks describe witnessing domestic violence as a child and its long-term impact on her.
🩹 Sexual Assault & Coercion – Some scenes involve non-consensual physical aggression in a romantic context, including moments where the protagonist is pressured or physically overpowered.
🏚️ Homelessness & Neglect – Atlas’s storyline involves youth homelessness, neglect, and extreme poverty, including descriptions of living without food, shelter, or support as a teenager.
⚠️ Toxic Relationships & Emotional Manipulation – The novel explores the emotional and psychological complexities of abusive relationships, including how love and abuse can coexist, making it difficult for the victim to leave.
🩺 Injury & Medical Trauma – Some scenes include physical injuries caused by domestic violence, hospital visits, and medical treatment.
It Ends with Us is an emotional and intense read, but it also offers an empowering message about breaking the cycle of abuse and choosing self-worth over toxic love. If you’re sensitive to these topics, it’s okay to take breaks or skip certain scenes as needed
It Ends with Us Characters
- Lily Bloom – The protagonist, a determined and independent woman who moves to Boston to start her own floral shop. She grew up witnessing domestic violence in her parents’ marriage and finds herself facing similar struggles in her own relationship. Lily’s journey is about self-love, resilience, and breaking the cycle of abuse.
- Ryle Kincaid – A skilled and charismatic neurosurgeon who initially appears to be the perfect partner. Despite his intelligence and charm, he has anger issues and violent tendencies, making him a dangerous love interest. His character highlights the complexity of abusive relationships—he loves Lily, but love isn’t enough to change his behavior.
- Atlas Corrigan – Lily’s first love and childhood protector, who was homeless as a teenager. He and Lily shared a deep bond when they were younger, and when he reappears in her life as a successful chef, he becomes a symbol of true, safe, and unconditional love. He contrasts sharply with Ryle.
- Alyssa Kincaid – Ryle’s sister and Lily’s best friend, who works with her at the floral shop. Alyssa is a caring and supportive friend, caught in the difficult position of loving her brother but not excusing his actions.
- Emerson “Emmy” Kincaid – Lily and Ryle’s daughter, born at the end of the book. Her arrival gives Lily the strength to walk away from Ryle and break the cycle of abuse.
- Marshall Kincaid – Alyssa’s fun-loving and easygoing husband, who serves as a stark contrast to Ryle. He and Alyssa represent a healthy, happy marriage, providing hope for Lily.
- Lily’s Mother – A survivor of domestic abuse, she endured years of mistreatment from Lily’s father. She supports Lily’s decision to leave Ryle and helps her see the importance of breaking generational cycles.
- Lily’s Father – Though deceased at the start of the novel, his legacy of abuse has a lasting impact on Lily. His presence is felt through flashbacks that show how his behavior shaped Lily’s fears and decisions.
It Ends with Us Review
An emotional, powerful, and deeply personal read that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
Overall Thoughts
It Ends with Us is more than just a romance novel—it’s a heart-wrenching exploration of love, trauma, and the difficult choices we make for ourselves and our future. Colleen Hoover delivers a deeply personal story inspired by real-life events, making it an emotionally raw and realistic portrayal of domestic abuse and the cycle of violence.
This book isn’t a lighthearted love story; it’s an intense, thought-provoking, and at times, devastating read that forces the reader to rethink how abuse can exist in even the most passionate relationships. It’s not about a simple love triangle—it’s about choosing self-worth over toxic love.
✅ Pros
- Deep & Emotional Storytelling – Hoover’s writing hits hard. The emotions feel raw and real, making this book incredibly impactful.
- Important & Realistic Themes – The novel shines a light on domestic abuse and the complexity of leaving an abusive relationship, making it an important read. It doesn’t just tell a story—it sends a message.
- Lily’s Character Growth – Lily’s journey from victim to survivor is powerful. Her decision to break the cycle of abuse makes her one of Hoover’s most inspiring heroines.
- Atlas Corrigan = Book Boyfriend Goals – Atlas represents kindness, patience, and unconditional love, making him the perfect contrast to Ryle. His presence adds warmth and hope to the story.
- Colleen Hoover’s Writing Style – The diary entries to Ellen DeGeneres and flashbacks to Lily’s past add depth, making the storytelling engaging and unique.
❌ Cons
- Not a Traditional Romance – If you’re expecting a lighthearted love story, this book is not it. It’s heavy, painful, and emotionally intense, which might not be for everyone.
- Rushed Ending – While the emotional impact is strong, some readers feel that the ending is too abrupt and could have explored Lily’s healing process more.
- One-Dimensional Side Characters – Alyssa and Marshall are fun and supportive, but they mostly serve as plot devices rather than fully developed characters.
- Lack of Atlas & Lily’s Romance Development – Since the book focuses on Lily’s journey (not the romance), Atlas’s role feels secondary, and some readers wished there was more time spent on their relationship.
- Triggering Content – This book is not for everyone. The graphic domestic violence scenes can be very disturbing, and some readers might find them too intense or overwhelming.
Final Verdict: Should You Read It?
✅ YES, if…
- You want a book that is raw, emotional, and thought-provoking.
- You appreciate strong female protagonists and stories of resilience.
- You’re okay with heavy themes and realistic portrayals of domestic abuse.
❌ NO, if…
- You’re looking for a feel-good romance with a happy ending.
- You find domestic abuse and trauma triggering.
- You prefer fast-paced, plot-driven books over emotional journeys.
Final Thought: It Ends with Us is not just a book—it’s an experience. It’s heartbreaking, beautiful, and incredibly important. Just be prepared to cry, reflect, and feel deeply.