Alright, book lovers and movie buffs – let’s talk about It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover! I’m aware of how late I am writing about this considering the film came out last August, but as a lot of you may know, there’s also been plenty of controversy since then! In this post, we will discuss the good and bad points in Colleen Hoover’s book, the differences in the movie, and the controversies outside both medias. Let’s dive in!
The Breakdown of the Good and Bad Aspects of the Book ‘It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover
The Good: Why People Love It
The book tackles heavy topics like domestic abuse in a deeply personal way, making it an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with many readers.
Lily is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, Ryle is charming but flawed, and Atlas is the ultimate ‘what could have been’ love interest. Their complexities make them feel real.
It shines a light on the difficult choices victims of abuse face, breaking the ‘why don’t they just leave?’ myth with a heartbreaking but realistic perspective. Colleen Hoover has admitted she has been through abuse herself, so she could put her mind and real life experience to use when discussing this topic.
Hoover’s writing style is super easy to devour, making it a book you can binge in one sitting.
Although some people disagree, the book doesn’t romanticise toxic relationships and instead delivers an empowering message about breaking cycles of abuse. People feel the inclusion of another love interest (Atlas) takes away from the message, but I don’t think so!
The Not-So-Good: Why Some Readers Criticise It
Some aspects of the romance feel formulaic, especially the “insta-love” between Lily and Ryle, which is one of my most hated tropes!
While the book does a great job portraying domestic abuse, some readers feel like other themes (like Lily’s career or friendships) don’t get enough development.
Some readers feel like the story gives Ryle too many chances, making it harder to root for Lily’s ultimate decision. However, as discussed above, Hoover shed the light on difficult choices made by abuse victims and how difficult it can be for them to leave abusive partners and break that cycle.
While Atlas is meant to represent a safe and healthy relationship, some critics think he’s a little too perfect, making the choice between him and Ryle feel one-sided.
Hoover’s writing is accessible, but some readers find it a bit basic or lacking in literary depth.
The Biggest Differences Between It Ends With Us – Book vs. Movie
If you’re as obsessed with the film adaptation as me, you’ve probably been wondering just how different the movie adaptation of It Ends With Us is to the book and I hope to convince you to give it a read – or vice versa if you’ve only read the book! Well, I’m here to break it all down for you. Spoiler alert: There are definitely some changes (because, you know, Hollywood). I will also put my two-penneth in of course!
1. The Opening Scene
In the book, we meet Lily Bloom chilling on a rooftop in Boston right after her dad’s funeral – where she has that fateful first encounter with Ryle Kincaid. But in the movie? We start at Lily’s childhood home, watching her prepare for the funeral instead. It’s a small change, but it shifts the vibe, making her backstory feel more front and center from the get-go.
2. The Funeral & The Eulogy Moment
Lily and her dad? Yeah, not a great relationship, which you learn more about throughout the book. In the book, she tries to give a eulogy but ends up getting interrupted after saying not-so-great things about him. The movie takes a more symbolic route – Lily just stands there, holding a blank napkin before walking away (ouch) . It’s subtle but seriously powerful.
3. Character Ages Got a Glow-Up
In the book, Lily is 23, Ryle is 30, and Atlas is just a little older than Lily. But in the movie, they’re all aged up a bit. Why? Well, it turns out making Ryle a super-successful neurosurgeon in his 20s felt kinda unrealistic (fair point). Personally, the ages of the actors in the film kept irking me while watching because I was so used to picturing younger people while reading the book. Colleen Hoover backed this change to their ages though, so I guess we can roll with it.
4. When Lily Opens Up About Her Past
In the book, Lily spills the tea about her family’s history of abuse super early – like, the first night she meets Ryle. But in the movie? They hold off on that moment, giving their relationship a little more time to develop before things get real. It changes the pacing a bit, but I think this makes it hit even harder. Plus, in the book, we read everything through Lily’s POV and her thoughts, but this needs to be outwardly portrayed. Let’s face it, in real life, I don’t often trauma dump on a stranger even if they agree to have a deep chat.
5. No Roomie for Lily
Book Lily has a roommate, but movie Lily? Nope, she’s flying solo. Honestly, this probably just keeps the focus on her relationships with Ryle and Atlas, which makes sense for the big screen. A small detail, but a good choice, especially because she was aged up in the film.
6. Atlas’s Backstory Play Out Differently
We love Atlas, right? In the book, we get all the details of his past through Lily’s journal entries, which is super emotional. The movie handles this differently, using flashbacks and dialogue instead. However, I’m not sure they do him justice in the film!
7. Ryle’s Personality (Or Lack Thereof)
Ryle’s character arc is a big deal in the book. At first, he seems like Prince Charming, but then his true colours start showing. I was hoping the movie kept that slow, unsettling transformation, but they tweaked his character for cinematic impact. Unfortunately, I think this was not for the better because everything has to be sped up and compact the book into one film, so Ryle’s personality feels very flat to me.
8. The Ending (Cue the Tears)
The book’s ending is gut-wrenching in the best way, making Lily’s final decision the most powerful moment. I was happy to see that the movie stayed true to the book in this way and didn’t mess it up with added Hollywood flair.
Final Thoughts on the Book vs. Film
Look, adaptations are always a mixed bag – some fans will love the changes, others… not so much. But at the end of the day, as long as the movie keeps the heart of It Ends With Us intact (love, resilience, and breaking toxic cycles), I think it was certainly an emotional ride.
The Ongoing Drama Surrounding It Ends With Us: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle
This part of the blog post is for fellow drama enthusiasts! Grab your popcorn because the off-screen saga of It Ends With Us is juicier than any plot twist. Let’s dive into the whirlwind of controversies surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni since the release of the film.
A Rocky Start: Casting and Costume Critiques
From the get-go, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller faced scrutiny. Fans debated Blake Lively’s casting as Lily Bloom, questioning if she fit the character’s image. The chatter intensified when paparazzi snapped Blake in some, let’s say, ‘unique’ outfits on set, leading to a fashion frenzy online.
Press Tour Tensions: Where’s the Chemistry?
As the premiere approached, eagle-eyed fans noticed something off. The cast seemed to sidestep Justin Baldoni during interviews and red carpet events. Rumors swirled about behind-the-scenes rifts, especially with whispers that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, her hubby, were a tad too hands-on with the film’s direction.
Allegations Fly: Lively vs. Baldoni
The drama escalated when Blake slapped Justin with a lawsuit, accusing him of sexual harassment and tarnishing her reputation. She claimed he improvised intimate scenes and pushed for unscripted content without proper protocols. Justin fired back with his own defamation suit, seeking a whopping $400 million in damages – sheesh.
Media Mayhem: Baldoni vs. The New York Times
Adding fuel to the fire, Justin took legal action against The New York Times too, alleging they colluded with Blake to smear his name. He argued that the publication’s coverage was biased and damaging, which, to be fair, is kind of true!
Cast and Crew Caught in the Crossfire
Other cast members, like Jenny Slate, found themselves entangled in the mess. Reports surfaced that she filed HR complaints during filming, but she’s keeping quiet, focusing on her current projects instead of answering any questions the press throw at her.
Looking Ahead: Courtroom Showdown
With court dates looming in March 2026, this real-life drama is far from over. Fans and critics alike are on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how this legal thriller unfolds.
Conclusion: A Story That Sparks Conversation
Whether you loved It Ends With Us, had mixed feelings, or found yourself deep in the controversy surrounding its film adaptation, one thing is clear – this story has made an impact. Colleen Hoover’s novel opened up important discussions about love, trauma, and resilience, and while the movie may take creative liberties (and stir up its fair share of drama), it’s still keeping people talking.
At the end of the day, every book will have its fans and critics and every film has the same! Some will embrace the changes, while others will stick to the book’s original magic. And as for the behind-the-scenes chaos? Well, Hollywood never fails to bring the drama both on and off the screen.
Overall, I enjoyed It Ends With Us and its sequel when reading it a couple of years back and my opinion did not change when I reread it. I also enjoyed the film and bawled my eyes out near the end. I tried to ignore the fact that the film was an adaptation of the book because I struggle with the classic ‘the book was better’ thoughts! As for outside the book and film… I might like drama, but I hate that all this controversy between the leads is distracting from the message portrayed from the book and film. So, where do you stand?
Stay tuned, folks – this saga promises more twists than the Hollywood blockbuster itself!
PS. Read another blog post on the website! There is a book review of the Slammed series by Colleen Hoover which goes into that to continue down the rabbit hole of her literary works!
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