I've heard multiple proverbs and phrases throughout my whole life - one in particular that goes, "Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." That quote solidifies what Colleen Hoover portrays in It Ends with Us. Never have I read a book that showed harrowing and heartbreaking situations with such realism. Lily is not a perfect protagonist, just like Ryle is not a perfect love interest. I've always applauded Colleen on her ability to write flawed, yet beautifully developed characters, and this story is no different. 
 It Ends with Us is in-itself a survival story. Lily Bloom (yes, that is her name) has had struggles in life, but she's never let them get the best of her ambition. She meets Ryle Kincaid one night and is instantly smitten. They have very different outlooks on love and relationships, but despite those differences, they make it work. However, this is not a typical romance. Enter Atlas Corrigan - Lily's "blast from the past" and first love who throws a wrench into her seemingly perfect romance, causing Lily to question everything she thought she knew about Ryle and their relationship. 
 Going into this story, I had no idea how personal of a subject it was to Colleen Hoover. Right from the beginning, I could feel the emotions dripping off the pages as if Colleen herself was raining on me. That being said, this is in no way a light, contemporary read. Be forewarned, you will feel like you've never felt before. Like with Colleen's previous books, I cannot with a good conscious give this book anything less than five stars. It would be unfair to me, Colleen, and every person reading this review to not rate it as highly as I can. 
 I will post a more detailed, spoiler-filled continuation of this review on its release date in August. Thanks so much, again, to Ariele Fredman from Simon & Schuster for sending me this ARC and allowing me to experience a piece of Colleen Hoover's soul.