I can’t remember why I started reading this book in the first place. Perhaps the title gives a sense of closure, and my mood at that moment wanted some kind of closure; or perhaps the author’s name seemed familiar. I haven’t read many of Colleen Hoover’s books, but it seems she has written a lot about love and youth. I read the English original of this book at the beginning of the year, and because the language is simple and the plot is easy to understand, it wasn’t difficult to read.

Spoiler alert:

The protagonist Lily, in her numb state at her father’s funeral, is led to the rooftop where she meets and falls in love with Ryle (for reasons unclear). Unexpectedly, Atlas, the boy from her past, makes a strong return (indicating that the storyline will change; otherwise, there would be no need for him to come back, you know what I mean). The ending is about strong divorce and re-embracing first love on a street corner. Super melodramatic, isn’t it? Real life is mostly not so dramatic, or even more dramatic. There are a few scenes I remember: the conversation on the rooftop, the reunion after many years, similar scenes can also be found in many TV shows and movies. I follow the principle of reading is good, and record a few thoughts below.

Does love happen in an instant?

The answer will always be controversial, because one of the least debated topics in this world is: “the world is full of wonders”. We cannot see all the world has to offer, so we cannot generalise, there will always be someone who comes to prove you wrong. I try to say it quietly, because maybe someone is rushing to prove me wrong right now.

I have experienced love at first sight, and also the instant of embrace after a long friendship… there are myriad states of this world. The disillusionment of love triggered by the recent popular drama “Lost in the Stars” is actually a marketing frenzy triggered by an unsolvable topic. We don’t have to strive for perfection, nor should we be too pessimistic. Everyone has their own encounters. It’s good to be all-in during experiences, and to keep things clear when observing.

The script others get, you might also get – if there’s an evil person destined to destroy you, how would you escape? Isn’t trying to escape fate even more scary? I recently watched a movie called “The Age of Adaline“, the female lead is immortal, but she has to keep running away, which is the price she has to pay. The grey hair in the last scene might make you understand that everything that happens in this world is equivalent exchange, and there’s no need to force yourself to fight or flee.

Welcoming, bidding farewell – there is a beginning and an end to a story, and so it is with a person’s life.

Why do we love others?

What is so special about the female lead, Lily? What makes two men obsessed with her? Is it beauty? It varies from person to person. One person loving another is not predetermined, it is just our choice to fall in love at a certain point and choose to ignore other options. Fortunately, in life, everyone does not have many options, which makes the choice simpler. Whether it’s relationships or work, people eventually compromise.

The people we meet and live in the same circle with us, the people we encounter are very limited. Those who wait for destined love are mostly disillusioned at an older age, or choose to stubbornly wait for an event with no answer. Love is manipulation in human genes. Believe and it will exist, you can also choose not to believe, but you have to live this life, and some emotional twists and turns are better than none. Therefore, there are many people obsessed with love, and many melodramatic love dramas. People are just feeding their own emptiness and desires, which is not a problem. Otherwise, what are we living for? It’s too far away.

The occurrence and destruction of love seem to happen in an instant, but they are actually formed by long-standing habits. The moment we love someone – because of the aesthetics and values we have cultivated over the years, he looks different from others. The moment we stop loving someone is also because the accumulated emotions have reached a level of destruction. Ryle’s unwarranted control over Lily in the story seems frightening, but only Lily knows that some suspicions are not unreasonable.

The initial and final love do not exist

I have always believed that a person will love many people in his lifetime. Those who love each other for a hundred years are not necessarily really tireless. Boredom is an emotion carved in the bones. Those who choose to remove it from their bones are just putting time and energy in different places, there’s no need to despise those who change their allegiance frequently. People who experience extreme emotions are not necessarily living easier than those who try hard to control themselves. We can’t avoid hurting others without hurting ourselves. Having the freedom to choose how to experience life: that’s why there’s news, stories, and many different shades and differences. Someone will definitely say, I just want to live a safe and smooth life, and grow old with one person. You can, just find someone with the same worldview, and each maintain it. No one is stopping you from living the life you want to live! NO ONE!

What is the best arrangement?

The union of Lily and Ryle has many beautiful aspects, and the appearance of Atlas brings more stories. There has never been the best arrangement from beginning to end, the present is the best arrangement. If Ryle is not obsessed with Lily’s past love, not obsessed with the future ownership, they are still a loving couple, will have children and grey hair. If Atlas doesn’t live in the sad memory of his childhood, perhaps no matter which city he lives in can be happy. You don’t necessarily have to go to Boston, and the right person is definitely not just Lily.

Those in the game can’t see clearly, people’s lives are always in conflict with their own obsessions, so they can’t live easily – it’s a bit sad, but it’s also part of existence, otherwise it’s easy to fall into the void of philosophy.

Conclusion

Everyone wants to be loved mindlessly, people love Mary Sue for a reason, everyone spends their life looking for something to depend on – whether it’s a person, an object, or a thought. In life, although no one has fallen in love with you at first sight, but every story needs someone to take the initiative. You go and love first, if love is your dependance!