Book Details
Coleen Hoover writing as Colleen Hoover presented It Ends with Us, which is a heartbreaking contemporary romance novel with dramatic layers and emotional intensity, issues with love and trauma and rise of resilience. It is set in Boston and is the story of a young woman, Lily Bloom, who opens up a shop that sells flowers and has to deal with a complicated relationship with the neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid. As their relationship intensifies, Lily is challenged by the maddening similarities to her traumatic childhood experiences, and must reach agonizing decisions. The prose of Hoover is raw and quite touching, her examination of domestic violence trim and concise as expected.
The story of Lily is influenced by her past as she records it in a journal to a homeless boy who was her first love Atlas Corrigan. The depth and intensely emotional character development of the novel is an exploration of how abuse is perpetuated, how one can achieve strong and independent personhood and how courage overcomes fear. Due to its enormous popularity hype, powered by BookTok, it became a cultural phenomenon that has secured Hoover as a current established writer in fiction.
- Author: Colleen Hoover, American author known for emotional, bestselling romances.
- Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, New Adult.
- Word Count: ~96,000 (standalone novel).
- Global Sales: Over 8 million copies sold, translated into 20+ languages.
Book Overview (U.S. paperback edition):
| Title | Year | Pages | Key Plot Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Ends with Us | 2016 | 384 | Lily navigates love and trauma in a complex romance. |
A standalone, the novel is expected to receive a sequel in 2023 (*It Starts with Us*), which is also based on the Goodreads Choice Award, becoming a BookTok sensation, due to its rich emotional content and insightful tackling of serious themes.
Adaptation Details
The 2024 film,It Ends with Us directed by Justin Baldoni (who also stars as Ryle Kincaid), is a tear-jerking drama adaptation of the same-titled novel. Starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan, it brings out the highs and lows of the novel with Boston beauty and a musical backdrop whose hits include Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. It was shot in New Jersey, and uses bright flower stores sets and close cinematography to offset the darker side of the narrative. The adaptation tries to respect the message of the novel at the same time as attracting as wide an audience as possible by having Hoover as a collaborator.
The movie traces the steps of Lily as she launches her flower shop, meets Ryle and fights with his dark side with the entry of Atlas to make things even worst. It preserves the emotional heart of the novel, but it toned down some of the graphic content to sell better in the mainstream.
- Director: Justin Baldoni.
- Studio: Sony Pictures, Wayfarer Studios.
- Release Date: August 9, 2024.
- Runtime: 130 minutes.
Key Cast:
| Character | Actor/Actress | Role Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lily Bloom | Blake Lively | Resilient florist facing love and trauma. |
| Ryle Kincaid | Justin Baldoni | Charismatic neurosurgeon with a dark side. |
| Atlas Corrigan | Brandon Sklenar | Lily’s first love, tied to her past. |
| Alyssa Kincaid | Jenny Slate | Ryle’s sister and Lily’s friend. |
Reception: The movie earned a $350 million worldwide against the $25 million budget and 58 percent in Rotten tomatoes. Those that left negative reviews commended Lively and the emotional integrity of the movie, but criticized the pacing and sanitized themes. Production: New Jersey was the filming destination where sensitivity consultants helped to ensure that domestic abuse was handled with sensitivity
Comparisons
Spoiler Warning: Minor plot hints below.
The 2024 film adapts the emotionality at the center of the book and its romantic drama but simplifies the novel and tonalizes darker aspects to be more conventional cinema friendly.
Similarities:
- Main Core: Basically the love story of Lily and Ryle, the appearance of Atlas and the issue of trauma faced by Lily are all there.
- Characters: The resilience of such characters as Lily, the complexity of Ryle and the warmth of Atlas are in keeping with the book.
- Themes: Remain the same with love, domestic violence, and personal strength.
Differences:
-
- Book:The symbolism of the inner thoughts of Lily through journal entries; more explicit abuse; excruciating pace.
- Film:Reduces some journal entries, softens violence in order to achieve PG-13 rating, lays focus on visual romance, and more rapid pacing.
- Tone: Book is raw and introspective; film leans into romantic drama with polished visuals.
Why It Works: The effulgent scenery and Lively’s emotions fuel of the film make Lily’s story feel real to fans despite the toned down details. Those who are purists in their appreciation of literature and book lovers might feel the loss of the stark intensity, but the adaptation is made more accessible to the bulk viewership.
Trivia And Resource
Trivia:
- Colleen Hoover made a cameo in the film and served as an executive producer.
- The film’s flower shop set was inspired by real Boston florists, with input from Hoover.
- “BookTok” campaigns drove the film’s buzz, with fans praising Lively’s casting.
- Resources:
- Buy the book on Amazon.
- Stream the film on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
