From One Non-Reader to Another

Written by Anamaria Popovska | Designed by Sofia Marin | Graphics by Tamar Ponte

“BookTok” Introduced Me to Colleen Hoover’s Novel “It Ends with Us,” and Now I’m Obsessed. Here’s Why.

When I was growing up, my parents always reminded me of the importance of reading. I would have to read for at least 20 minutes every day because, as my dad would constantly tell me, "reading makes you smarter." But for some reason, I was never able to find a book that I liked.

Now that I'm in college, I honestly can't remember the last book I read in its entirety. During winter break, after scrolling through TikTok and stumbling upon my 13-yearold cousin's "BookTok" account, I discovered "It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover. Everyone on TikTok was raving about it.

In just a few days, I managed to finish the whole book. It was a monumental event and honestly, it was all because of Hoover's fantastic writing. The range of emotions I felt while reading the book was crazy. One moment I was happy, the next angry, then suddenly I was bawling my eyes out.

Lily—the main character of the novel— has two love interests: Ryle and Atlas. How Hoover wrote this love story makes readers question Lily's actions, and I found myself constantly asking why Lily did what she did.

The answer is obvious, isn't it? There was one man who was caring and compassionate, and another who was stubborn and arrogant. One man who was her first love, and another whom she met on a rooftop one night. Hoover presenting Lily with two different love interests was infuriating, because as the characters developed, readers became passionate about which person was the “right” one for Lily.

Another reason why Hoover's work is so popular is how realistically it is written. The characters definitely aren't perfect, and Hoover wrote them to feel like real people with real problems. Lily struggles with her childhood and past, and Hoover reminds readers that the protagonist doesn't have "the perfect life."

Of course, there will be haters. If romance, heartbreak, trauma, and awkward conversations aren't your thing, I would recommend skipping this one. However, Hoover has many other fantastic romance novels. "Ugly Love" is another book that lacks a sappy love story.

If you enjoyed "It Ends with Us," be on the lookout for "It Starts With Us," the novel's sequel set to release on October 18, 2022!