“There’s no such thing as truly bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes make bad choices.”
I finished this book at 11:54 PM on January 23rd, 2025, my tears long dried up after countless sobs.
Honestly, I lost count of how many times I cried while reading. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that you might never want to get off.
Having lived through this book once, I know I won’t have the energy to go through it again. But it absolutely deserves at least one read. You have to experience it at least once—it feels like an emotional cleansing from the inside.
Colleen Hoover writes in a way that makes everything feel so real, like you’re living the story right alongside the characters. Even the most mundane moments are captured so beautifully. She dives deep into emotions we often don’t talk about—whether it’s empathy, dark thoughts, excitement, or even the unsettling feelings we try to push away—and she hits you at exactly the right moment. Even the inanimate objects in the story have depth, a backstory, and a purpose that shape the present in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Her approach to exploring the past is unique. Lily reads through her old diary entries, and through that, we journey back into her history, understanding the roots of the story.
It’s kind of like Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka, where the entire love story unfolds through the letters exchanged between the characters.
At its heart, the book revolves around three main characters: Lily Bloom, who carries the weight of a traumatic childhood; Atlas Corrigan, who grew up feeling like an orphan; and Ryle Kincaid, whose own past trauma leads him to make some disturbing actions.
From the moment Lily and Ryle meet, their conversations are deep and raw. They talk about hard truths—things that are difficult to voice—and how patience is key in keeping a relationship real and strong.
Atlas, Lily’s first love, remains her protector and confidant, always on her mind as she is on his. Meanwhile, Ryle is Lily’s present—he loves her deeply, and she loves him just as much. They share a passionate connection, and they decide to take things to the next level. But then Atlas reappears in their lives, and though he never intends to interfere, his presence creates turmoil. It shakes the bond that Lily and Ryle share, even though none of them ever had bad intentions.
“Love is not supposed to be this hard. And it shouldn’t hurt like this. If it’s right, it should be easy.”
The collision of the past and future, the misunderstandings that unfold, and the chaos that follows feel so natural that it almost seems like it couldn’t have happened any other way. There’s so much confusion, but as you read, you’re swept away in a whirlwind of emotions that shake you to your core.
The emotions are real, raw, and relatable. You can’t help but feel like you’re Lily, Ryle, or Atlas. You’ll be left questioning who the true hero is—Atlas, Ryle, or Lily. You’ll have to read it yourself to find out.
This book is for anyone who wants to experience the full spectrum of human emotions and see how they shape and transform us. It’s a heart-wrenching, unforgettable story—a must-read for anyone who loves complex, powerful love stories.
I’ll leave you with this thought-provoking quote:
“You can’t heal in the same environment in which you got sick.”
AS: Happy Reading! 😊
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