Genre: Romance, Woman’s Fiction
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 336
Release Date: October 18, 2022
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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It Starts with Us picks up immediately after It Ends with Us with Lily recovering from her unexpected encounter with Atlas. I loved that there wasn’t a time jump between the books, so that readers get to experience every messy detail of Lily and Atlas’ relationship as they try to navigate their own intense feelings as well as Ryle’s.
It Starts with Us is told from two perspectives: Lily and Atlas. As much as I love Lily, I loved Atlas’ chapters a bit more. I loved the insight into who he is, how much he loves Lily, and his perspective on their past interactions. I also thoroughly enjoyed the other person who is introduced later in the novel who has a big impact on Atlas and the story.
Breaking the cycle of abuse still remains a central theme as Lily continues to deal with Ryle and Atlas begins his own fight to break the cycle.
I know there is a lot of disagreement about which genre to classify It Ends with Us. Romance versus woman’s fiction. I will say, in my opinion, It Starts with Us falls more under the romance genre as Lily and Atlas’ happy ever after is one of the central focuses of the novel.
Overall, It Starts with Us continues with the theme of breaking the cycle but gives readers more romance elements to sink their teeth into.
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Have you read It Starts with Us? What did you think?
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