If books had alternate endings, how different would our favorite stories be? Explore shocking twists in It Starts with Us, You’ve Reached Sam, Verity, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and The Silent Patient in this deep dive into unexpected literary possibilities.
The Fascination of “What If” in Literature
Some book endings feel perfect, others leave us heartbroken, and some make us question everything. But what if they had ended differently? Let’s explore if books had alternate endings, imagining unexpected twists that could have changed everything.
1. It Starts with Us – What If Lily Chose Ryle Instead of Atlas?
Colleen Hoover’s It Starts with Us gave fans closure, but what if Lily had made a different choice?
Alternate Ending Possibility:
Instead of choosing Atlas, Lily tries again with Ryle, believing he can truly change. At first, things seem good. Ryle goes to therapy, takes parenting seriously, and convinces her he’s different. But then, the small signs return—anger, jealousy, control. One night, Ryle loses control again, and Lily is forced to escape with Emerson, realizing she made the same mistake twice.
Why It Changes Everything:
This ending would turn It Starts with Us into a warning about the cycle of abuse, making it even more heartbreaking and real.
2. You’ve Reached Sam – What If Sam’s Calls Were a Hallucination?
Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam is about grief and second chances, but what if the phone calls weren’t real?
Alternate Ending Possibility:
Instead of actually talking to Sam, Julie is experiencing grief-induced auditory hallucinations. Her subconscious creates the calls as a way to cope, but as she begins to heal, the “calls” start fading. When she finally lets go, she realizes the truth: Sam was never really on the other end of the line—it was her mind giving her the closure she needed.
Why It Changes Everything:
This twist would make You’ve Reached Sam an even deeper psychological exploration of grief, showing how the mind protects itself from unbearable loss.
3. Verity – What If Lowen Was the Real Villain?
Colleen Hoover’s Verity is built on manipulation, but what if everything we believed was a lie?
Alternate Ending Possibility:
Instead of Verity being the true mastermind, Lowen is revealed as the real villain. She fakes Verity’s manuscript, plants clues to frame her, and manipulates Jeremy into believing his wife is a monster. The final scene? Jeremy stumbles upon a hidden letter from Verity, exposing Lowen’s deception—but by then, it’s too late.
Why It Changes Everything:
This would shift Verity into a true psychological horror, where the narrator we trusted was the most dangerous character all along.
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – What If Harry Became the New Dark Lord?
The Harry Potter series is about good triumphing over evil, but what if Harry’s fate was different?
Alternate Ending Possibility:
Instead of destroying the Elder Wand, Harry keeps it. He sees the Ministry’s corruption and realizes he must take control to prevent future dark wizards. At first, his leadership seems just, but soon, power consumes him. The book ends with Hermione and Ron forced to go into hiding, planning a rebellion against their former best friend.
Why It Changes Everything:
This would turn Harry Potter into a story about power’s ability to corrupt even the purest heart, adding a whole new layer of complexity.
5. The Silent Patient – What If Alicia Wasn’t the Killer?
Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient delivers a shocking twist, but what if the truth was even darker?
Alternate Ending Possibility:
Instead of Alicia being the killer, the real murderer is hidden in the background—someone we never suspected. The final twist? Theo was right about Alicia being innocent all along, but his obsession with solving her case made him rewrite her memories through therapy, pushing her into madness.
Why It Changes Everything:
This would turn The Silent Patient into a story about manipulation, gaslighting, and the terrifying power of psychological influence.
Final Thought: If Books Had Alternate Endings, Would They Still Feel the Same?
The best books leave us wondering what if? But if books had alternate endings, would they still hold the same impact? Maybe the real magic isn’t in the ending itself—but in how it makes us feel long after the final page.
