I was sure I was going to read a sexy romance when I read the blurb to “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover. Little did I know this book was going to embody the subject I write about most, which is healing from abuse. Sorry, spoiler alert! (I also didn’t make the connection with the movie, which I hadn’t seen.)
I feel I do need to give a warning, for we get into Lily’s head as she experiences the relationships, and if you’re still triggered by abuse, then this book probably isn’t for you.
If however, you wish to learn why smart women could get involved with an abuser, much less stay with one, then this is probably a good one for you to read. I found it well written in a way that imparts truths and wisdom without getting preachy or maudlin. It is a story based on the author’s childhood and her own mother’s experiences.
I laughed and cried with the main character Lily’s experiences. I hung in until the end, because I wanted to see how she would handle the events and see how her life turned out. The epilogue at the end was helpful to see that the author was writing from lived experience, and as she said, her and her mother’s experiences in no way reflect or encompass all abusive relationships.
“Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.”
Spice level: 2
While the sexy scenes aren’t as tame as in the movie “Mama Mia!” when Donna wrote in her diary “…” (dot, dot, dot!) when things progressed beyond kissing, there is a little more detail, but it stops short of being extremely descriptive. For those who want complete tameness, you could probable skip forward, and for those who need a much spicier book, you’ll feel disappointed.
Overall, I feel I got more from the book than what I was expecting, I really enjoyed this book.
Here’s some helpful posts:
- Need to start over in life, or need to make life-altering changes, but don’t know how?
- Life will continue to go on… choose the direction you wish to go
- 13 Signs of Serious Anger Issues (you may not think yours are all that bad!)
- What is the purpose of an Anger Journal, and why you need one!
- Why we’re so attracted to people who end up abusing us
- “Boys don’t cry” – a big lie that hurts men deeply
- Teaching ourselves to like, even to love ourselves is the best gift we can give ourselves!
- Awakening is not changing who you are, but discarding who you are not.
- Could you be a “Co-dependent” and not know it?
- 19 signs of a healthy relationship
- Love is NOT all you need!
- The dandelion does not stop growing because it is told it is a weed!
- Love is not what you say. Love is what you do.
- Setting “Boundaries with consequences”
- Is Love Enough to Help Someone Kick a Drug Habit?
- “What kind of love do I allow in my life?”
- Generational curses: are they breakable?
- Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Blessings!
Thank you for liking, sharing this post and for following me!
Tamara
I hope you’ll poke around my Archived Posts Main page divided up into 3 sub-pages: Mental Health and Rewiring the Brain || Healing and Developing Ourselves || Positive thoughts and Affirmations to find a wonderful trove of supportive and encouraging posts!
https://tamarakulish.com/
My books: Now available through Walmart.com!
Developing Happiness When You Can’t Find It and How to Heal Your Life on a Deep Heart Level are available in paperback and Kindle. Audiobooks are available for the busy person!
Guided Journals help you work on a particular issue by answering questions to help see patterns and to find solutions:
Removing Inner Blocks || Anger Journal || Guided Anxiety Journal || Joy & Mindfulness Journal || My Boundaries Journal || My Inner Thoughts Journal
Thanks for buying my books on Amazon!
#writing #InspirationalWriting #art #creativity #strength #mentor #teacher #HappinessGuru #love #growth #healing #life, #inspiration, #quotes #happiness #joy #PersonalGrowth #pain #depression #anxiety #SelfEsteem, #LifeSkills #empowerment #encouragement #support #intuition #journal #consciousness #mind #learn #God #universe #angels #spiritual #spirit #awareness #journal #boundaries #emotionalhealth #mentalhealth #emotions
Discover more from Tamara Kulish
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tamara Kulish 
refined! Major Sports League Expands to New Cities 2025 ideal
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just started reading this book a couple of days ago. Books like this one can be difficult for those that have experienced abuse but at the same time it’s so important to share stories because abuse should not be normalised.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree with you. I put a trigger warning up top, I know it can be difficult. For those who have healed and need to see more stories this can help as we see the characters inner thoughts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Appreciated, Tamara. Do abused women recognize the misogynists and abuse perpetrators among some cabinet members and Supreme Court justices? Are they impacted by that awareness? Your department more than mine.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good question Dr. Stein. Some do and some don’t. Recognition of patterns and denial of patterns is all across the board, in all areas. We’re all a work in progress!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like a book with many layers and some lessons too. Thank you for sharing, Tamara. 📖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Michele, yes, there are many lessons and wisdom from the heart in those pages. Thanks so much for your observation!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Tamara and a lovely day to you! 🌼
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much! You too, I hope you have a wonderful week!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! 😎
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure! 😉🤩
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the review, Tamara. Sad to say, such stories are too triggering for me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can well understand that Rosaliene, that’s why I put in the trigger warning. Thanks so much for your feedback!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Always a pleasure, Tamara 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
☺️🤩
LikeLiked by 2 people
Interesting book. Thanks for the review, Tamara!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Wynne! I appreciate your support!
LikeLike
I enjoyed this book too, particularly her reasoning for the decisions she made.
Also interesting are the subsequent, real-life accusations between the 2 main characters of the film – Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which you are no doubt aware of. I don’t want to go into detail here as who knows what really occurred apart from them. But I do wonder if they are still playing out their roles to some extent?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hmmm, good question! I suppose no one knows what truly happened except for them. I struggle to get informed about Hollywood drama after how the accusations against Johnny Depp turned out. Real life can have more twists and turns than a novel.
LikeLiked by 1 person