By Suhani Lotlikar
Whether you had read Colleen Hoover’s ‘It Ends With Us’ prior to Hollywood star Blake Lively becoming the face of it or not, you’ve surely come across the drama around it by now. It’s no secret that movie adaptations of books are a risky business. Especially ones that highlight sensitive topics and controversial characters, such as Ryle Kincaid played by actor Justin Baldoni. Apart from all the drama happening between the cast, the bestselling novel is worth a read for fiction lovers.
If immersing yourselves in the exciting lives of fictional characters is your thing, join the club! From heartfelt romance, personal growth to exploring the raw complexities of relationships, here’s five books to read this weekend.
⦁ The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
This novel explores the complexities of love, timing and destiny. Following the lives of Lucy and Gabe, it delves into how their intense connection shapes their futures and the choices they make. Similar to Hoover’s work, it dives into deep emotional territory and leaves readers reflecting on love’s power and consequences.
⦁ Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Gail Honeyman’s debut novel is a poignant story of loneliness, healing and unexpected connections. Eleanor Oliphant leads a solitary life with her routine until she develops a crush on a musician and begins to open up to the possibility of change. Like It Ends With Us, this book beautifully portrays personal growth and the importance of confronting one’s past.
⦁ One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This novel explores the idea of soulmates and second chances. Emma Blair faces an unimaginable choice when her husband, presumed dead after a helicopter crash, returns after she has rebuilt her life with someone else. Reid’s narrative style and exploration of love and loss will resonate with fans of Colleen Hoover’s emotional depth.
⦁ All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
For readers who enjoyed It Ends With Us, another Colleen Hoover novel is a natural choice. All Your Perfects delves into the complexities of marriage and the challenges faced by a couple struggling with infertility. It’s a powerful story that navigates themes of love, resilience, and forgiveness, showcasing Hoover’s ability to evoke strong emotions.
⦁ Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This international bestseller tells the story of Louisa Clark, a young woman who becomes a caregiver to Will Traynor, a quadriplegic man who has lost his will to live. Their relationship evolves into a profound bond that challenges them both to reconsider their lives and choices. Like It Ends With Us, Moyes’ novel is emotionally charged and thought-provoking.