by Colleen Hoover
I am so glad that I didn’t really know much about this book going in. I knew it was extremely hyped up, but I didn’t know the details of the story. This was my first book by Colleen Hoover. It won’t be my last. And what a first book to read by her. Apparently, this is the book of her heart, the one that was the most personal, emotional, difficult, and rewarding to write. Again, I did not know that going in and I’m kind of glad. Although I think if you do know all that, there’s no way it would ruin it for you. It was just fascinating to have it all be a surprise.
This book takes on a very difficult subject—domestic abuse. It is thought-provoking and leaves you frustrated, angry, hopeful, and certainly provokes lots of questions. Why do people stay in abusive relationships? Does the cycle of abuse continue into the next generation and how do you break it? What type of support does it take to leave an abusive relationship? And on and on.
Some will call this book a love story. Some will call this an abuse story. Some will call this a story of survival. Depending on the characters, it’s all of those. There are two romantic love stories at the core of this book. But there’s also the love story between parent and child, and the love of oneself. It left me thinking and pondering for sure.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel! I know that it brings in a new point of view, and I am definitely curious to hear that character’s story, along with the continuation of Lily’s story.
