This book surprised me more than I thought I was prepared for. I found myself being able to relate to Lily throughout this story and the different places she was in. *TRIGGER WARNINGS -PHYSICAL ABUSE -SOME SEXUAL ABUSE DOES NOT GO INTO DESCRIPTIVE DETAIL BUT CAN STILL TRIGGER OLD WOUNDS. *POTENTIAL SPOILERS* When I was younger, I used to write in a journal as well. Especially to express some of the things I witnessed and experienced living within an abusive household. I will say that the fact that she wrote her journal entries specifically to Ellen Degeneres was a tad unbelievable. I understand what the author was trying to do in relation to her having an impact on Lilly, but I did find it somewhat annoying and repetitive. I also asked the same questions of my mother. Often, I was wondering why she didn't leave...if not for her than for us kids. Even as I experienced more than Lilly, I very much witnessed very much the same for my mother. It definitely reminded me that some "wounds" can still burn. As for Ryle, I can understand why so many fell in love with his character. A handsome, very accomplished man who endured a life changing tragedy that affected him to this day. Which offers some what of the "I can change and/or save him ," trope. Until Lilly finds herself in similar shoes that her mother wore. She tries to decipher if she's following in her mother's footsteps but also trying to fight, not comparing her husband to her father. Herself to her mother. This part of Lilly's story offers an insight from a different perspective. Without spoiling much more...I will say I enjoyed this book. I related more to this Lilly than I realized, and I commend her for her decision. Some of the plot seemed a bit rushed, and some of the characters that seem to "show up" brought reality into question. I still enjoyed the read, however.

This book was truly captivating and impossible to put down. I have so much to say about it and the feelings it evokes are hard to shake even two days after finishing.

However, a book review would not do it justice and would ruin the experience for others. This is why it's perfect for a book club where discussions and sharing can enhance the powerful story. Despite the numerous reviews available, it's best to go into this book with as little knowledge as possible.

Domestic abuse and gender-based violence are real, and it's likely that either you or someone you know may have experienced it.

This book opened my eyes to the complex emotions and feelings that victims go through – love, hate, confusion, hopelessness, forgiveness, empowerment, relapse, and pushing personal limits. It's a sad, painful, and brutally honest portrayal that sheds light on a situation many may not be familiar with. My heart ached several times as I read it, and I found myself in a mental mess, along with the protagonist. I hoped for things to be different, for the right choices to be made, for forgiveness and a happy ending, but the naked truth is not always pretty.

I highly recommend this book. Give it a chance.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I know this book has a ton of hype around it, so I want to touch on some of its downfalls as well as its triumphs. I'll preface this by saying, I do love the book and after finishing it, have not been able to get it off my mind. I fell in love with the characters (especially Atlas) and the story and think this is absolutely worth reading for anyone even mildly interested. I think that this book was written with the intention of being digestible for all readers. It touches on a sensitive subject and aims to teach (as the author states in the author's note). For this reason, it's clear the book is intended to be easy to read. I understand this, but I think it falls short in being TOO simplistic. The writing often lacks personality as the sentences are so simply written. The characters are also undercharacterized. We don't get alot of depth in this book, just alot of movement in the plot. Even so, I wouldn't say the plot is unheard of, but I do think it's worth experiencing. Hoover includes random bits throughout the book that are meant to come off as quirky, exhibiting a less serious approach to literature. While I understand this, I wish these bits had worked to serve the plot (ex: The Ellen letters, the onesies, etc.). As for the message itself, I've seen alot of discourse online as to how she treats the sensitive subject matter at hand. I do think this book allowed me a level of perspective on these issues I wouldn't have otherwise had. However, I see that the book's ending and the perspective the book opens the reader up to can be a dangerous one, and can even make the reader more susceptible to these situations if internalized incorrectly. This is a bit difficult to explain without spoiling and/or using trigger words. The message of the book is essentially very blurry and very controversial.

These are my first novels of Coollen Hoover and with these books, she's my new fave author! Thank you Martin Bookstore for offering these kinds of novels at an affordable price! It may just be a reprint but the quality is exceptional. Plus, I get to have free bookmarks! Expect more others from me🌸🌸🌸Beautifully written, highly recommend!The emotional rollercoaster had me in tears! Tip: Buy the bundle as these novels are directly related to each other. Read the \"It Ends With Us\" first.