Review: It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"It's easy when we're on the outside to believe that we would walk away without a second thought if a person mistreated us. It's easy to say we couldn't continue to love someone who mistreats us when we aren't the ones feeling the love of that person. When you experience it firsthand, it isn't so easy to hate the person who mistreats you when most of the time they're your godsend. "


So much thoughts going on in my mind right now I fear I might not give an organised review to this book. First thing first, CoHo has certainly outdone herself. She wrote something so impactful I don't think I can get over it at least for a few days. Damn her when all I asked for was a happy-tearjerking romance novel and she gave me a domestic abuse handbook. Not until the last page of this book I felt the urge to hug CoHo and tell her I'm so proud of her of every words she's written and inspired.

This is an important book for all women especially. I feel the need to tell everyone to read it. No, I am not under any circumstances experience any kind of abuse but I felt into the trap. I was in truth madly in love with Ryle and hence, I'd fallen into the massive trap. The moment when my subconscious quietly whispering behind my mind, telling Lily that she should forgive Ryle was the point when I knew I'd fallen into this goddamn deception. I couldn't deny how wrong this idea could be. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind, Lily shouldn't EVER go back to Ryle. But love can do you wrong. Crazy as it seems, I should put a stop on Ryle in the first casserole incident but I chose to forgive as Lily did. At this point, I don't think I'm making any sense because I'm speaking as if I'm Lily. But, I guess at various different points, many women are in Lily's shoes - they're Lily or worst, Lily's mum.

That's why I think this is an important book. It sure as hell isn't like one of CoHo's usuals. For the first time ever, I didn't like her books for her romance but the message she's bringing.

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Regarding 'insta-love'

Many readers hate the idea of 'insta-love' in the plot of a book. It's unbelievable, superficial and annoyingly retarded. Well, how can someone fall 'deeply' in love with someone right when they met each other. This concept of 'insta-love' also reportedly known as 'love at first sight'. Despite the strong hatred against the whole idea of insta-love, I beg to differ and let me recount you on my perspectives.

Yes, I agree that it's highly superficial and unbelievable to read about insta-love in a book, especially romance and contemporary. Every readers could hardly accept the idea of falling in love at first sight because it's deem to be 'lust' instead of 'love'. Writing this post shows that I'm on the other side of the fence. Firstly, I am a believer of 'love at first sight'. My belief has nothing to do with the magical power of "imprint" like one mentioned in Twilight. I believe in 'first impression'. One is attracted to another, higher chance is, due to their appearances. (Don't start bashing me in the comment section. Let me explain further.)

Every's perspective regarding anyone is different. In other words, everyone has totally different taste. Some may think she is pretty and some do not. This explain the 'insta-love' in the story. People hate to read about the main character being unaware of her beauty or what not. Having the hottest male in the line falling heads over heels for her is annoyingly out of the world - superficial. Or, having a main character who's flawed but the hottest male character falling for her deems unbelievable. Truth is, that's how first impression works. It can be said that the main guy has strongly different taste in a particular female. He might like it non-model-like. Society's views of beauty does not represent everyone's view.

Despite having said everything above, I do want to add that, a well-structured/written book would be able to articulate a seemingly-believable insta-love story. It may hide the fact that there's the existence of an 'insta-love' but not outrageously 'eye-rolling'.

Nonetheless, I want to stress again that the plot line of 'insta-love' isn't as bad as most readers think it is. It's driven by perspectives and first impressions. I think you're pretty, let's hang out, get to know each other and be a couple. It's usually how every plot line plays out.

Disclaimer: everything mentioned above are my ideas and please don't feel offended or what not but I do welcome different ideology.