It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us is a romance novel by Colleen Hoover, published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016. Based on the relationship between her mother and father, Hoover described it as "the hardest book I've ever written." As of 2019, the novel had sold over one million copies worldwide and been translated into over twenty languages. A sequel titled It Starts with Us was published in October 2022. Plot College graduate Lily Bloom moves to Boston with hopes of opening her own floral shop. She has recently given the eulogy at her father's funeral, in her hometown of Plethora, Maine. Her father was abusive towards her mother, who kept the abuse a secret, leading Lily to resent both of them. She reads through her old childhood diaries and remembers her first love Atlas Corrigan, who left to join the military, but promised to return to her. While wrestling with her feelings, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. They are mutually attracted to one another, but do not pursue a relationship as Lily is looking for commitment while Ryle is only interested in a casual fling. However, once Lily successfully starts her business, they continue to meet, and start a relationship.