It Ends With Us, Colleen Hoover

 

Although romance novels aren't my thing, I decided to give this one a chance as domestic violence is the main theme.

The story begins with the twenty three year old Lily giving an anti-eulogy at her father's funeral. Not the kind of obituary everyone expected.
Trying to get some air and find peace watching the stars and the sky she finds refuge on the rooftop of  a building where she meets Ryle. The two of them bond and eventually fall for each other. And then life happens.
Lily's first love, Atlas, appears out of nowhere and everything changes.
Hoover chooses a linear narrative for her writing mixing it with throwbacks from Lily's past when she finds and starts reading the diaries she wrote as a teenager.
It's a pretty good story, well written, stirring lots of emotions and thoughts.
The impact at the end was powerful, tremendously emotional, stimulating strong feelings.
The main question remains.
How devastating and defining is growing up in an abusive family?

When it comes to abuse, verbal or physical,  never give a second chance. As much as you love someone, find the strength to walk away. If they really loved you they would have left first.