Title: It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

Pages: 323

Genres: romance, contemporary fiction

Publisher: Atria Books (Oct. 18th, 2022)

Summary

Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.

But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.

Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts with Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “gripping, pulse-pounding” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of Perfect Neighbors) bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband, it proves that “no one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author).

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What can I say about It Starts with Us? I know a lot of people have a love-hate relationship with Colleen Hoover. I know she’s done some problematic things. I know a lot of people say this book was a cash grab because of her recent surge in popularity on BookTok. I know all these things might be true, but despite all that I just loved this book!

It Starts with Us was everything I hoped for in a sequel for It Ends with Us and more! I loved seeing Lily and Atlas navigate a budding relationship together. Their growth and development from the first book was so good. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t say much but I loved how we got to see Atlas grow in so many different ways and through so many different relationships in this book as well.

While It Ends with Us was about Lily learning her worth, It Starts with Us is about Lily knowing her worth and embracing her strength. While this is, obviously, a romance book, it is so much more than that. I also loved how this book was not nearly as heavy as the first one. While I understand the heaviness was needed, I appreciate the fact that Lily gets to have some actual joy without pain this time around!

I could gush about this book all day (I’m pretty sure my best friend and I did after we both finished it 😂). Colleen Hoover books are fast and addicting reads and this one was no different. I enjoyed every second of it. I actually need a third one ASAP. If you are a CoHo or romance fan then this book is one you cannot miss!

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