Colleen Hoover’s blockbuster novel It Ends With Us, about a workaholic in a too-good-to-be-true romance who can’t stop thinking about her first love, hits theaters this week with such anticipation that advance ticket sales have shattered records.
And BookTrib was able to get an insider’s take!
The story follows Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), who leaves her small town for Boston to start her own business as a florist. When she meets and falls in love with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, their relationship seems picture-perfect… until it isn’t. This sobering tale is delivered in Hoover’s signature style, laced with raw honesty and emotional depth, yet flush with danger as Lily and Ryle’s relationship takes a turn for the worse.
But does the film stay true to the book? Does Hollywood keep the heartstring-tugging moments that fans adore?
New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines joined a packed house for the first-ever screening at Book Bonanza along with Hoover, Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar. BookTrib had the opportunity to ask Abbi some burning questions about the event that she graciously answers in this BookTrib exclusive.
Q: How did the film adaptation compare to your expectations based on the book?
A: I mentally prepare myself before I see a movie adaptation of one of my favorite books. I don’t want to be let down, so I go into it knowing things won’t be exactly like the book. That being said, the changes that were made for the movie adaptation only enhanced the story. The fact Blake Lively has always been one of my absolute favs, dating back to my Gossip Girl era, had me excited to see her take on Lily. She nailed it. But don’t get me started on how completely drool-worthy Brandon Sklenar is in the role of Atlas. I could keep going but you get the point.
Q: How did the film handle the emotional and thematic elements/messages of the story? Did it resonate with you as much as the book did?
A: I’m not a crier when I watch anything. When I read, I get more emotional. However, there were very few dry eyes in the theater. I even got choked up. The story itself brings out so many emotions that no matter if you read it or watch it, they are equally as strong. Seeing Lily’s strength play out on screen gave me chills. It was powerful. So, yes, it absolutely resonated with me the way the book did.
Q: Were there any significant differences between the book and the film that stood out to you?
A: I think the biggest difference is the age of the characters. They are older than in the book, and I know readers/fans aren’t all happy about that. However, it works. It works so well. You don’t even think about the ages while watching it. Those concerned can rest assured that the age difference won’t hinder their experience at all.
There is also the name change of Atlas’s restaurant. Yes, in the book it meant something… but in the movie, the new name also means something. It works. Trust me. I may have teared up a tad.
Q: How did the movie’s ending compare to your expectations from the book?
A: It is similar. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away. I will say that the scene in the last chapter before the epilogue is superb. I wanted to kiss Blake Lively’s face for it. She was fantastic. It is a moment you want to stand up and fist pump the air… while laughing and crying at the same time. The epilogue is in there… and I do believe readers will be happy with it, but saying anything more is too much of a spoiler.
Q: How was the experience of watching the movie in an advance screening among friends?
A: It was a night none of us will ever forget. Sitting there, while Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar stood beside one of our OGs from the year that we started self-publishing in 2011, might have been when I truly choked up. Colleen is genuine, funny, down to earth, would literally give the shirt off her back to someone who needed it (trust me she’s probably done this), and she’s a fabulous storyteller. She has made sure that a book that means so much to her personally, and the world fell in love with, will shine on the big screen. Even though I got to see it early, I still bought my ticket for August 9th, and I will be there with the rest of the masses ready to see it again.
Check out the trailer for It Ends With Us here!
