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It Ends with Us
First edition cover
AuthorColleen Hoover
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreRomance
Set inBoston
PublisherAtria Books
Publication date
August 2, 2016
Media typePrint (paperback)
Pages376
ISBN978-1-5011-1036-8 (First edition)
OCLC928481387
813/.6
LC ClassPS3608.O623 I84 2016
Followed byIt Starts with Us 

It Ends with Us is a romance novel by Colleen Hoover, published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016. Based on the relationship between her mother and father, Hoover described it as "the hardest book I've ever written."

As of 2019, the novel had sold over one million copies worldwide and been translated into over twenty languages. A sequel titled It Starts with Us was published in October 2022.

Plot

College graduate Lily Bloom moves to Boston with hopes of opening her own floral shop. She has recently given a eulogy at her father's funeral in her hometown of Plethora, Maine. Her father abused her mother, who kept the abuse a secret, leading Lily to resent both of them.

Lily reads through her old childhood diaries and remembers her first love Atlas Corrigan, who left to join the military, but promised to return to her. While wrestling with her feelings for Atlas, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. They are mutually attracted to one another, but do not pursue a relationship as Lily is looking for commitment while Ryle is only interested in casual sex. However, once Lily successfully starts her business, they continue to meet, and eventually begin a relationship.

One night, Lily laughs when Ryle accidentally drops a casserole, and he angrily pushes her before frantically apologizing. Lily is reminded of her father's treatment of her mother; while horrified, she decides they are different from her parents and accepts his apologies, but warns him that she will leave if he hurts her again.

While dining at a restaurant where Atlas works, Lily reconnects with him, making Ryle instantly jealous despite her insistence that Atlas is only a friend. Suspecting that Ryle may be abusing Lily after noticing her injuries, Atlas secretly gives her his phone number.

One night, Lily and Ryle impulsively get married in Vegas, and have a stable marriage until he finds Atlas' number and pushes her down the stairs. He then confesses that he accidentally shot and killed his brother Emerson as a child, resulting in trauma that causes him to have rage-filled episodes. Lily forgives him, but he later finds and reads her childhood diaries; believing she is having an affair with Atlas, he attempts to rape her, knocking her unconscious when she tries to defend herself.

Lily wakes up, escapes the house, and calls Atlas. He takes her to the hospital, where she discovers she is pregnant with Ryle's child, which she opts to keep a secret from him. She stays with Atlas for a few days while Ryle leaves the country for a fellowship, and eventually moves back home while Ryle is still out of the country. Atlas admits he still has feelings for Lily but has suppressed them because of Ryle. Finally understanding what her mother went through, Lily confides in her about the abuse.

When Ryle returns, Lily forms a tentative truce with him and allows him to help her through the final few months of her pregnancy, but remains emotionally distant from him. Lily later gives birth to a daughter, whom she names after Ryle's late brother. After giving birth, Lily realizes she does not want her daughter to grow up witnessing Ryle's aggressive outbursts, and tells him she wants a divorce. He tearfully begs her to reconsider, but finally understands her perspective and agrees to separate after she asks him how he would react if their daughter told him she was being abused by her partner. Lily hopes she has finally ended the cycle of abuse in her family, telling her daughter, "It ends with us."

In the epilogue, Lily, who is co-parenting with Ryle, finds Atlas and tells him that she is ready to restart her relationship with him.

Background and publication

It Ends with Us was published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016.[1] Based on the relationship between her mother and father,[2] Hoover described it as "the hardest book I've ever written."[3]

Reception

Critical response

In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews wrote, "The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty" and concluded that the novel "powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors".[4] Romantic Times wrote, "It Ends with Us is a perfect example of the author's writing chops and her ability to weave together uplifting, romantic and somber plotlines. No matter your level of fandom, readers will love and respect protagonist Lily and learn something from her struggles."[5]

Sales

As of 2019, the novel had sold over one million copies worldwide and been translated into over twenty languages.[6]

In 2021, the novel–and Hoover's works overall–experienced a surge in popularity due to attention from the #BookTok community on TikTok.[7][8] In January 2022, It Ends with Us debuted at #1 on The New York Times best sellers list.[9] It was #1 on the Publishers Weekly adult list and #1 overall in the first six months of 2022, selling a total of 925,221 units.[10] It was also #1 on the Publisher Weekly annual list, selling a total of 2,729,007 copies.[11] It was the best-selling novel of 2023 too, with a total of 1,292,733 copies.[12] It Ends With Us has over one billion tags on TikTok.[13]

Accolades

The novel won the 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance.[14]

Sequel

Main article: It Starts with Us

In February 2022, it was announced that Atria Books would publish a sequel to It Ends with Us in October 2022.[15] The follow-up, titled It Starts with Us, was published on October 18, 2022.[16][17] The sequel continues from where It Ends with Us ended and centers on the relationship between Lily and Atlas.[18]

Film adaptation

Main article: It Ends with Us (film)

In July 2019, Justin Baldoni optioned the novel for a film adaptation, produced through his Wayfarer Entertainment company.[6] In January 2023, Blake Lively was cast in the role of Lily Bloom. Baldoni, who will play Ryle Kincaid, is set to direct and Christy Hall will adapt the script.[19][20] In April 2023, Brandon Sklenar was cast to play the role of Atlas.[21] Filming began in Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 5, 2023.[22] The film is scheduled to be theatrically released on June 21, 2024.[23]

References

  1. ^ "It Ends with Us". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  2. ^ Kayle, Hilary S. (June 3, 2017). "BookCon 2017: Colleen Hoover: Different Endings". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  3. ^ White, Mara (August 3, 2016). "New Adult author Colleen Hoover releases novel 'It Ends with Us'". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover". Kirkus Reviews. May 31, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Carr, Tricia. "IT ENDS WITH US | RT Book Reviews". Romantic Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  6. ^ a b McNary, Dave (July 15, 2019). "Justin Baldoni Developing 'It Ends With Us' Romance Movie". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Italie, Hillel (September 16, 2021). "Author Colleen Hoover's word-of-mouth success". Associated Press. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Merry, Stephanie (January 20, 2022). "On TikTok, crying is encouraged. Colleen Hoover's books get the job done". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  9. ^ "Combined Print & E-Book Fiction - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Maher, John (July 8, 2022). "The Bestselling Books of 2022 (So Far)". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Milliot, Jim. "Colleen Hoover Was Queen of 2022's Bestseller List". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Milliot, Jim (January 8, 2024). "Women Ruled the 2023 Bestseller List". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Buono, Jules (August 23, 2022). "Best Colleen Hoover Books Ranked". The Literary Lifestyle. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Dilworth, Dianna (December 6, 2016). "2016 Goodreads Choice Awards Winners Revealed". Adweek. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  15. ^ "Atria Books to Publish Colleen Hoover's Sequel to Viral BookTok Novel, It Ends With Us in October 2022". simonandschuster.biz. February 11, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  16. ^ Comerford, Ruth (October 17, 2022). "New Colleen Hoover becomes S&S's most pre-ordered title to date as campaign unveiled". The Bookseller. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  17. ^ "Atria to Publish Colleen Hoover's 'It Starts with Us' in October". Publishers Weekly. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  18. ^ Haupt, Angela (October 12, 2022). "Why We Can't Stop Reading Colleen Hoover's Trauma-Filled Novels". Time. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  19. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 26, 2023). "Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni To Star In 'It Ends With Us'; Baldoni Also Directing Sony And Wayfarer Studios' Adaptation Of Colleen Hoover Novel". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  20. ^ Zhan, Jennifer (January 26, 2023). "The It Ends With Us Movie Ends Up Casting Blake Lively". Vulture. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  21. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 20, 2023). "'1923' Breakout Brandon Sklenar To Play Atlas Corrigan In Sony And Wayfarer's Adaptation Of 'It Ends With Us' Starring Blake Lively". Deadline. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  22. ^ Campano, Leah; Oh, Hannah (May 16, 2023) [January 27, 2023]. "Everything We Know About the Film Adaptation of Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us"". Seventeen. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 10, 2024). "Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Movie Colleen Hoover's 'It Ends With Us' Heads To Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Ends_with_Us

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