Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us.
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).
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover is the second book in her wildly popular It Ends With Us series. It was also one of my most anticipated books of 2022 and it was worth the wait! I listened to this audiobook and loved every second of it.
Story Recap: It Starts With Us is a sequel to It Ends With Us and follows the lives of Lily, Lily’s ex-husband, Ryle, and Atlas. It tells the story of Lily, and her co-parenting agreement with Ryle, after the tumultuous end of their marriage, and the birth of their baby girl, Emmie. Lily has set boundaries with Ryle, and so far, they have a fairly amenable relationship.
When Lily runs into her first boyfriend, Atlas, sparks fly. Atlas knows about some of the horrors of Lily’s marriage and knows about the domestic abuse she suffered, but he doesn’t know everything. Lily worries, that her more peaceful relationship with Ryle will explode once again if she starts to date Atlas. Ryle knows that Atlas was her first love and his jealousy could explode all over again. Can Lily and Atlas find a way to form a new relationship without Ryle ruining it with his jealousy and rage?
My Thoughts: I was so happy to continue Lily’s and Atlas’s story. I want them to have a happily ever after, but there is so much in their way. Lily has to start to heal from the years of abuse at her husband’s hand, and Atlas knows he must wait for her to be ready and he still has to deal with his neglectful mother. And although Ryle and Lily are now divorced, they share a child, and while, Ryle has admitted his abuse, he still hasn’t done much to change his ways.
As I did in the first book, I loved both Lily and Atlas. In this book, I love how they have grown and started the healing process from their individual traumas. Now that Lily has a daughter, she has turned into a fierce mama bear and I loved that about her. I loved seeing her heal, get stronger, and find the happiness she deserves.
It Starts With Us did not have that emotional punch that It Ends With Us had and I’m glad. I don’t think I could have witnessed these characters going through much more than they already had. That’s not to say that this book is not emotional, because it is. And Lily and Atlas still have a lot of emotional issues they have to deal with both together and individually. It’s just not the kind of emotional story that left me on the floor in a puddle, as It Ends With Us did.
Narration:
It Starts With Us is narrated by Colin Donnell and Olivia Song. I enjoyed both narrators and appreciated having one narrator for each POV. Both narrators had good inflection and I felt like I was listening to the actual characters.
Recommendation: I highly recommend It Starts With Us to anyone who enjoys emotional fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty two novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller.
Colleen Hoover is published by Montlake Romance and Atria Books. Colleen also has several indie titles, including her psychological thriller, Verity.
In 2015, Colleen’s novel CONFESS won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. That was followed up in 2016 with her latest title, It Ends With Us, also winning the Choice Award for Best Romance. In 2017, her title WITHOUT MERIT won best romance.
Her novel CONFESS has been filmed as a series by Awestruck and is available on Prime Video via Amazon and iTunes. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper star in the series.
Colleen founded The Bookworm Box, a charity subscription service and bookstore, with her family in 2015. The Bookworm Box is a subscription service that provides readers with an exciting opportunity to receive signed novels in the mail each month from authors all over the world. All profits from the subscription service are donated to various charities each month. To date, The Bookworm Box has donated over $1,000,000 to help those in need.
I loved the first one, and am so excited she did this sequel! I’ve listened to most of my Colleen Hoover books in the past, but it’s been a while. Not sure if I’ll read or listen to this one. Great review!
I need to start with a new audiobook somewhere over the weekend and think I might just start with It Ends with Us. There’s been so much hype around this series, I think it’s time to check it out.
And then of course I’ll probably want to read It Starts with Us immediately….
I am an emotional wimp so I’ve not ventured into Colleen Hoover’s books, but I’m glad you got a satisfying second half to the story after watching them fight hard for their happiness.
I haven’t read the first book and I don’t want to be spoiled so I didn’t actually read your review. I saw the 5 pinecones, though. I’m glad it held up to your expectations. 😀 And, WOW, that was fast!
While Hoover’s books are always emotional, I’m glad to hear that ISWU doesn’t have the same emotional gut punch that IEWU did. I can’t wait to return to Lily and Atlas and Ryle!
This book is a social media gem right now. I’m glad to hear it is worth all the hype. I’m very intrigued by all the love I see for it and your review just adds some concrete reasons for it. Excellent post!
Wonderful review Wendy. I’m so excited to get to be with Atlas and Lily once again. I’m kind of afraid to read this one as It Ends With Us just shredded me for days!😥 Anyway I have this one and I’m sure I will be reading it within days!🤗📚🍁💜
I loved the first one, and am so excited she did this sequel! I’ve listened to most of my Colleen Hoover books in the past, but it’s been a while. Not sure if I’ll read or listen to this one. Great review!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, wonderful review. I have read a few of CH books but not this series, it’s on my wish list.
I have seen this book everywhere! I am glad that you enjoyed it.
I really need to read this series as I’ve been seeing nothing but love for it everywhere!
I need to start with a new audiobook somewhere over the weekend and think I might just start with It Ends with Us. There’s been so much hype around this series, I think it’s time to check it out.
And then of course I’ll probably want to read It Starts with Us immediately….
Lovely review as always Wendy!
That’s the best way! Read them both back to back. I hope you enjoy the series, it’s one of my all time favorites.
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on this Wendy🙂 I’ve heard a lot about Hoover but yet to try any of her books.
I enjoy her books. They are very emotional and a bit steamy too.
I’ve heard good things about this book and series. Glad you liked it!
Thank you, Lydia.
Glad you enjoyed this, I seem to hear a lot about this author, great review 😊
Thank you, Jenny!
I am an emotional wimp so I’ve not ventured into Colleen Hoover’s books, but I’m glad you got a satisfying second half to the story after watching them fight hard for their happiness.
Thank you, Sophia!
I haven’t read any by this author, but they sound like emotional powerhouses.
They really are emotional.
Love your review. I am planning to listen after the holiday season.
Oh good. I hope you enjoy it, Kimberly.
I haven’t read the first book and I don’t want to be spoiled so I didn’t actually read your review. I saw the 5 pinecones, though. I’m glad it held up to your expectations. 😀 And, WOW, that was fast!
I really think you’d enjoy this series, Jenni. These characters have been through so much, and the books are both very emotional and inspiring.
I’ve seen this book all over the place this week, and it looks like the author had a fabulous release. Glad it lived up to your expectations, Wendy!
This author knows her audience and knows how to handle social media really well. Plus she writes good books! 🙂
Great review, Wendy!
Thank you, Cindy
While Hoover’s books are always emotional, I’m glad to hear that ISWU doesn’t have the same emotional gut punch that IEWU did. I can’t wait to return to Lily and Atlas and Ryle!
It’s a much more positive story. But, it still has it’s moments!
Great review Wendy! I always expect and emotional deluge with CoHo.
Yep! She’s good at that emotional stuff.
I haven’t read this author, she seems very popular.
She is really popular. Her books are very emotional.
Great review!! My physical copy is in the mail and I can’t wait to read it!!
I hope you enjoy it too!
I am looking forward to reading this one. I am glad to know it was a good read.
I hope you also enjoy it, Nadene!
I love when you find amazing reads like this one! They can leave you smiling for days. 😀
Yes, this one sure did! I still have a book hangover. 🙂
I see a lot of great reviews for Colleen Hoover books. I’m glad you liked this one so much.
Thank you, I’ve liked most of her books, and she gets better ad better.
Great review! We hope they get their HEA!
Thank you!
This book is a social media gem right now. I’m glad to hear it is worth all the hype. I’m very intrigued by all the love I see for it and your review just adds some concrete reasons for it. Excellent post!
Thank you, Tessa. I think it’s all over SM right now because the first book was very emotional and very good.
Great review Wendy! I’m glad it’s not quite as emotional as It Ends With Us and look forward to listening to this book in the next few weeks.
Yes, it’s a lot more hopeful and less emotional, but it still has it’s moments!
Wonderful review Wendy. I’m so excited to get to be with Atlas and Lily once again. I’m kind of afraid to read this one as It Ends With Us just shredded me for days!😥 Anyway I have this one and I’m sure I will be reading it within days!🤗📚🍁💜
This was quite a bit less emotional than It Ends With Us, but just as satisfying IMO. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Susan.