BOOK REVIEW: “It Starts With Us”
by Colleen Hoover

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ABOUT THE BOOKS (from Amazon):

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).

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This summer after reading Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends with Us,” I immediately had to read its sequel, “It Starts With Us” to find out the rest of the story. While I didn’t quite like “It Starts With Us” as much as “It Ends With Us,” I still thought it was a great read. Here’s my review:

The Love Story Continues: So, we’re back with Lily and Atlas. Their chemistry? Still off the charts. Hoover knows how to write a romance that feels real and touching. If you’re here for the love story, you won’t be disappointed.

But, Here’s the Thing: While I was all in for more Lily and Atlas, the story in this book felt a bit… stretched. It’s like we’re revisiting them just to get that ‘happily ever after’ moment, which is sweet, but it doesn’t have the same impact as the first book.

Still Worth the Read: Don’t get me wrong, Hoover’s writing is as engaging as ever, and “It Starts With Us” wraps up the story in a comforting way. It’s the book you curl up with when you need some closure from “It Ends with Us.”

In short, while it’s not quite the rollercoaster of its predecessor, “It Starts With Us” is a cozy read for those of us who weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to Lily and Atlas. It’s heartwarming, it’s sweet, but it doesn’t quite hit the same emotional highs as the first book.

Check out my full thoughts on “It Ends with Us” here to get the full picture.