It Ends With Us/It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
Gripping, Emotional, Intriguing
Genres: Contemporary Fiction/Romance/Relationships/Themes of Domestic Abuse
‘It Starts With Us’/’It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover 
Lily Blossom Bloom is opening her own business (a florists, what else?), the premises for which, she is showing her mother, when a woman bursts through the door asking for a job. The woman, Alyssa turns out to be the sister of the man Lily had met six months previously. She is inevitably re-introduced to the man who had in parting, taken her picture on the roof top terrace of his building. However, Ryle is hiding a dark secret. One caused by an incident in his past, neither of which he has communicated to Lily. An issue that is revealed to her in the worst possible way.
Atlas is from Lily’s past and the main influence in moving to Boston, to see for herself if indeed ‘everything is better’. Although she is not initially aware of his whereabouts and neither is he aware of her presence in the town that he moved to when he was seventeen. Both parties have never forgotten each other. Atlas has even thought of Lily when planning every detail of his life since they last saw each other, so that it would be good enough to have her in when they are finally reunited. When his past and present lives, which are vastly different, suddenly impact on each other, how will he cope with the intrusion of a parent who was never there when he needed them, and coming face to face with the person he used to be?
Ryle is aware of Atlas, but only what Lily has chosen to tell him. When he uncovers how much of her life was wrapped up in her teenage soul mate and the two worlds collide, Lily has to make a choice and not just for herself.
So I actually learnt of these two books from a clinician who came to visit me at home but it was a while until I got round to reading them, prompted by the launch of the film of the first book ‘It Ends With Us’ which I haven’t seen. The format of the first book are all chapters from Lily’s perspective. The second book’s format is alternative chapters from Lily and Atlas’s perspective. It seems strange to me now that there are none from Ryle’s perspective, as he is very much a part of the first book. Perhaps they would have been too hard to write. The chapters are a good length, the book very easy to read and the narrative extremely gripping. Once I picked it up, I read for hours at a time. I knew the premise of the film and a lot of, particularly the first novel, was difficult to read, especially the chapters of Lily as a teenager living with her parents. It brought back a lot of memories from my own childhood. Hence why I have put a trigger warning on this review. Although the books don’t contain trigger warnings there are signs within the synopsis of its dark nature. It was a very clever tactic to use Lily’s letters to a television personality to explain what had happened in her past, just as people use journals and diaries. I know that this personality, is now a controversial one, so this book may not sit well with every reader. These letters worked well as a component to communicate, not only the betrayal Ryle feels when he locates the hidden items that Lily has deliberately kept from him concerning her teenage years, but also to relay past feelings between Lily and Atlas.
Not ever having been a victim of abuse, it is difficult for me to comment on the contents in the book as I know a few people who have found themselves in that situation and I know that they may well read this review. Yes, it’s frustrating that Lily gives Ryle so many chances, but we know that that happens, and we know why. The only comment I would make regarding this, is that whilst Ryle explained that his excessive bouts of anger had been triggered by an event early on in his life, it must be very very hard to not want to give that person chance after chance, if you know that the way they act has been caused by something…..or even probably, if you don’t. However, it still remains that a person should be able to control their temper and it certainly shouldn’t get beyond a certain point. I found my feelings about Ryle torn as to whether to feel sympathy or anger and as such, how it must be to be related to a person who does those things. Alyssa is in the unenviable situation of being related to Ryle, but at the same time being best friends with her sister-in-law as her and Lily met without the knowledge of the mutual association with Ryle. The way she handles this complicated friendship triangle is admirable and she was a strong yet fun character that I really admired. I thought Alyssa and Marshall were a terrific partnership and managed to juggle their equal supportive roles with Ryle and Lily valiantly.
Instead of growing up with anger issues and revenge seeking, Atlas is forgiving, generous, thoughtful and loves Lily with all that he is. It is because of this that, even after reading both books it still surprises me the way in which he reacted when he first realised what might be happening between Lily and her husband, as he acts very differently when he subsequently meets with Ryle in book two, which is the most satisfying and brilliant scene, it leaves Ryle no where to go and I loved it. There is something of this uncharacteristic behaviour exhibited once again when he returns Josh to Sutton, so maybe this side of him, is unleashed when he feels he needs to protect someone less able to defend themselves or towards someone who has exhibited antagonistic behaviour.
I went into book two, with the same reservations and feelings as Lily was having, which assured me that I was identifying with, and on the same page as the character. I am, at that point wondering why she is willing to take such a risk, but I know the reason. Atlas is her soul mate, the man she is destined to be with, which I think is a feeling that I can relate to. I was also intrigued as to what the fallout of her decision would look like. I was very emotionally invested in the characters of Atlas and Lily by the stage.
I loved the scenes with Atlas and Hugo, and the idea that Atlas looked to him for advice. The way he teases Atlas throughout the two novels about the things he has, and still says to Lily, was a great addition to their dynamic. Likewise, the relationship between Atlas and Josh, and the way Atlas makes it possible for Josh to see Tim but discreetly, verbally gives him the tools to make the decision that Atlas feels is best, and even though he has berated Josh in the past for using cuss words, allows him one last retaliation against his assailant.
The final showdown between Ryle and Lily with Alyssa and Marshall in attendance was the result I wanted for Lily. I love that Alyssa and Marshall manage to remain impartial whilst really batting for Lily, although Marshall is always there for his life long buddy. The ending is sickeningly perfect, but you have to smile. It’s just sad that that can’t be the ending for everyone.
This made me angry, tear up, laugh victoriously on behalf of Lily and throughout, I had a clear mental image of all characters involved, except maybe Ryle, although he brought to mind, George Clooney in Friends, because Lily loved him dressed in scrubs. The casting of the film, apart from the part of Atlas, doesn’t measure up for me. I’m not sure if I will make a point of watching it in the future.
I will be checking out other books of Colleen Hoover.
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