It Starts with Us
The highly anticipated sequel to IT ENDS WITH US
📘 About This Book
Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Multi-million copy bestselling author Colleen Hoover tells fan favourite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the #1 Sunday Times bestseller It Ends with Us Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil co-parenting 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 bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Experience the romantic and satisfying conclusion to Colleen Hoover's powerful global bestselling novel, It Ends with Us.
📖 Summary
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover is the highly anticipated contemporary fiction sequel to the multi-million copy bestseller It Ends with Us. Spanning 271 pages and published in 2022, the novel shifts its narrative lens to give fan-favorite character Atlas Corrigan his own voice, while exploring the next chapter in the emotional journey of Lily Bloom. In the first book, readers witnessed Lily navigate a deeply challenging relationship marked by domestic abuse with her ex-husband, Ryle, and her eventual courageous decision to end the marriage for the safety and well-being of herself and her infant daughter, Emerson. As this sequel begins, Lily and Ryle have managed to settle into a relatively civil co-parenting rhythm, trying their best to manage the complexities of raising a child apart. The narrative truly takes off when Lily unexpectedly bumps into Atlas, her first love and a steady source of comfort from her turbulent youth. After nearly two years of being separated by life circumstances, the timing finally seems to be on their side. When Atlas summons the courage to ask Lily on a date, she feels a rush of elation and immediately accepts, eager to explore the potential of a future together with the man who has always held a special place in her heart. However, Lily's excitement is quickly tempered by the harsh reality of her ongoing situation. Even though she is no longer married to Ryle, he remains a permanent fixture in her life due to their shared custody of Emerson. Ryle's volatile nature casts a long shadow over Lily's newfound happiness, and Atlas Corrigan happens to be the one man on earth that Ryle despises above all others. By alternating perspectives between Lily and Atlas, the novel delves deep into the lingering trauma of domestic abuse, the delicate navigation of co-parenting with a difficult ex-partner, and the patience required to rebuild a romance from the past. Atlas must grapple with his own painful history and protect the woman he loves, while Lily must balance her maternal responsibilities with her desire for personal healing and romantic fulfillment. Hoover crafts an intimate portrait of resilience, showing that moving forward requires bravery, boundaries, and the unwavering support of those who truly care. The book captures the sweetness of second chances alongside the very real anxieties of blending a complicated past with a hopeful future. Fans of the original story will find closure, emotional depth, and a thorough exploration of what happens after the hard choices are made.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Gives fan-favorite character Atlas Corrigan his own perspective and voice.
Provides emotional closure and a hopeful continuation for Lily's story.
Deals realistically with the ongoing challenges of co-parenting with an abusive ex.
Delivers a deeply satisfying and heartwarming romance arc for readers of the first book.
⚠️ Cons
May feel a bit lighter on heavy dramatic conflict compared to the intense emotional stakes of the first book.
Relies heavily on having read the prequel to fully appreciate the character dynamics.
✍️ About the Author
Colleen Hoover (b. 1979) is an American author who became a publishing phenomenon with emotionally intense contemporary romance novels such as 'It Ends with Us' and 'Verity'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of It Starts with Us? +
The book was written by multi-million copy bestselling author Colleen Hoover.
Is It Starts with Us a sequel? +
Yes, it is the long-anticipated sequel to the bestselling novel It Ends with Us.
Whose perspective is featured in this book? +
The novel switches between the perspectives of Lily Bloom and her first love, Atlas Corrigan.
What is the main conflict in the story? +
Lily and Atlas try to pursue a relationship, but they must contend with the lingering presence and hatred of Lily's abusive ex-husband, Ryle.
How many pages long is the book? +
The novel contains 271 pages.
