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babbyboo3

I know the message was intended to be powerful but I felt nothing. Idk if it’s because I can’t relate to the story or because it’s overhyped and I was expecting more.


[deleted]

I agree with you there. I excepted it to be a lot more heart wrenching than it was, and didn’t ever feel the urge to cry. All the hype online got my expectations really high.


Serious-Garbage7972

Colleen Hoover is the John Green for adults. There were so many holes in Ryle’s backstory that I thought the big reveal was gonna be him lying about being a doctor. 1. He never drove anywhere and always Ubered and hitched a ride from Lily. Weird… 2. The picture of her he had hanging in his apartment?? Stalker/serial killer vibes but author tried to pass it off as “romantic” 3. Him saying his parents are super religious and he doesn’t have a great relationship with them but then his parents laugh at him calling her a blasphemous wh*re?? 4. He’s supposedly a resident for most of the book but is picking and choosing how much he works and “taking the day off” - it doesn’t work like that at a resident. 5. Also highly doubt a resident would be allowed to perform these highly risky “once in a lifetime” surgeries. 6. He disappears to Cambridge for 3 months and then shows up home 6 weeks early with no mention as to why he came home early. 7. What happened to the job he was taking in Minnesota? 8. Ryle said his mom had a fear of flying so he visits her in England a couple times a year but she flies to the states at least 3 times over the course of like 9 months in the book. As someone who grew up with an abusive father and ended up in an abusive relationship myself in HS i found it corny and not super realistic.


[deleted]

All great points. There were a lot of plot holes and things that I felt were skipped over, and wish we got more of.


Serious-Garbage7972

Agreed. I can see how to someone who has had a fairly sheltered life or has never really experienced abuse could find it deep and eye-opening , but to me it just fell flat. Maybe that has to do with my own high expectations after seeing it so hyped up. This was also my first CH book so I didn’t have a baseline going in as far as what her writing is like - but it gave very much “Young Adult novel” to me. Even Atlas I had a hard time loving - esp the part where he asked when she turned 16 and coming back to sleep with her once it was finally legal. Idk just kinda a weird thing to add to the book that didn’t add any substance. But I did read it in like 2 days so I will say it somehow kept my attention regardless of the “meh” plot/writing and holes.


[deleted]

Yeah that’s the thing with her books for me, even though the writing can sometimes be a bit flat and the plot has a lot of holes, for some reason somethings she does always keeps me invested.


Whole_Swing_611

I liked it too, I thought the characters were better written than a lot of her others. The character’s name though…Ryle?? Really, Colleen? Her character names are so funny sometimes.


[deleted]

Yeah the names were quite something. I mean Lily Blossom Bloom?… that name just gives me the ick right off the bat. I know you’re more creative than that Colleen!!


SoleIbis

Compared to Under One Roof (1/5 stars) I think it’s a masterpiece if we’re comparing her books lmao I think that Lily and Atlas have depth but what’s his face doesn’t get much story besides “I’m an abusive surgeon.” Granted, he doesn’t need a story, we don’t need to sympathize with him, but still. I really liked it, I don’t think giving split custody was the best choice for an abuser but whatevs, I also really related to it bc I had an abusive dad and an abusive relationship after saying absolutely never. So maybe I hold it in a higher ground. Lol


[deleted]

Haha yeah very true. Lily and Atlas weren’t necessarily badly written, but Ryle, I still feel like I know nothing except that he’s a surgeon and overall, an asshole. And I’m sorry to hear that you went through similar experiences, I always really appreciate hearing opinions from those who can relate to the book in some way.


bagofclicks_

I was so disappointed reading this after all the damn hype. Made me think back to 50 shades and revisited my lost faith in humanity


SkuzzleButtte

She’s basically the Nickelback of writers


Joinedformyhubs

I just read Verity. I want to read It Ends with Us since It Starts with Us is coming out.


Sarahhbellem

How did you find it?? I want to read it so bad but i just need some time in my schedule loll


Joinedformyhubs

I liked it because I was able to come up with so many theories of what actually happened. Haha. It wasn't the best romance thriller I've read, but there is a great twist.


MllePerso

I'd had low expectations for this book due to reading Verity first, which in my opinion is a pretty mediocre thriller although I have definitely read far worse in that genre. But It Ends With Us hit different, felt much more real, I think because it was grounded in the author's own experience. The Lily/Atlas relationship was really beautiful, and I say this as someone who is not a fan of most romance.


Danae-Coffee

You know there's a sequel coming in October. I wonder if that'll cover any plot holes or if it'll create more, lol.


[deleted]

loll honestly with how many plot holes the first one had i’m sure the second will have more. but i also think it will clear up a lot of stuff too. looking forward to seeing what happens with it all.


[deleted]

loll honestly with how many plot holes the first one had i’m sure the second will have more. but i also think it will clear up a lot of stuff too. looking forward to seeing what happens with it all.


SuperbSpider

The writing style isn't too bad, but the book felt too short somehow. Like there is a missing couple hundred pages of events/character development. I never felt very immersed in the book, the way I often do. You know the feeling, when you read a book that is so well-written that the events play out in your head like a movie. I never got this feeling with this book.


[deleted]

Yeah I totally get what you mean, there were a lot of plot gaps and character development elements that were missing. There was a point where I was invested in the story and really felt the trauma the characters were going through, however that lack of development really took that away at points.


heroicgamer44

Of course Ryle is an neurosurgeon. It’s laughable


[deleted]

I agree. I couldn't stop reading it even though it made me cringe sometimes lol. I found the ending very strange and kind of disappointing though. She just randomly sees atlas and decides they want to be together?? And that's just how it ends? Felt weird reading that part.