Introduction
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover is the highly anticipated sequel to the emotional powerhouse It Ends With Us. This novel picks up where the previous one left off, offering fans closure while diving deeper into the lives of Lily Bloom, Atlas Corrigan, and Ryle Kincaid. Hoover masterfully balances the themes of healing, forgiveness, and new beginnings, creating a narrative that feels both comforting and poignant. While It Ends With Us dealt with the pain of breaking toxic cycles, It Starts With Us focuses on the journey toward healing and finding love again, making it an essential read for fans of the first book.
Plot Overview
The story begins with Lily Bloom navigating life as a single mother to her daughter, Emerson, while managing her complex relationship with Ryle, her ex-husband. As she works to create a peaceful environment for her daughter, she is also reunited with her first love, Atlas Corrigan, whose presence brings both comfort and challenges to her life.
Atlas, now a successful restaurant owner, is finally in a position where he can build a future with Lily. However, the shadows of their pasts continue to affect their present. The novel alternates between Lily and Atlas’s perspectives, giving readers a richer understanding of their inner worlds. Atlas is dealing with family complications of his own, including the reappearance of his estranged younger brother.
As Lily and Atlas attempt to rebuild their relationship, they must also face Ryle’s lingering presence in their lives. While Ryle wants to be a good father to Emerson, his jealousy over Lily’s new relationship threatens the delicate balance she’s tried so hard to maintain. This book is a heartfelt exploration of second chances, forgiveness, and the effort required to heal after trauma.
Themes
Healing and New Beginnings
While It Ends With Us focused on breaking free from the cycle of abuse, It Starts With Us emphasizes healing and starting over. Hoover explores how love can flourish even after deep emotional scars, and she takes care to portray the ups and downs of that process with honesty and sensitivity. Lily’s journey toward finding peace is slow but rewarding, showcasing the strength it takes to rebuild after trauma. Atlas represents a new chapter for Lily—one filled with kindness, patience, and mutual respect.
The Complexity of Co-Parenting
Ryle’s character in It Starts With Us continues to be complex. While his abusive behavior is not excused, Hoover delves deeper into the challenges Lily faces in trying to co-parent with him. This dynamic adds tension to the story, as Lily must navigate her desire to protect her daughter while ensuring Ryle’s involvement as a father. The novel portrays the difficulty of maintaining boundaries in a co-parenting relationship with someone who has caused harm, and this nuanced take adds layers of emotional depth to the story.
Forgiveness and Self-Worth
One of the most powerful themes in the book is forgiveness—not only forgiving others but also oneself. Lily grapples with guilt over her past with Ryle and the decisions she had to make to protect herself and her daughter. Through her relationship with Atlas, she begins to realize her own worth and allows herself the possibility of a love that doesn’t come with emotional scars. Atlas, too, is on his own journey of self-forgiveness, especially as he reconnects with his estranged brother. Both characters show that healing is a process, not a destination, and that love, when built on mutual respect, can be a powerful force for growth.
Character Analysis
Lily Bloom
Lily’s character continues to be a beacon of strength and resilience. In It Starts With Us, she is more grounded and certain of her decisions. Her protective instincts as a mother are central to her arc, and Hoover beautifully portrays her determination to ensure Emerson never experiences the trauma Lily herself endured. Lily’s inner thoughts reveal a woman still struggling to trust fully, but her growth from the first book is evident as she opens her heart to Atlas.
Atlas Corrigan
Atlas is the epitome of a second-chance love. He is patient, understanding, and supportive of Lily’s boundaries with Ryle, while also making it clear that his feelings for her have never wavered. His storyline is enriched by the introduction of his brother, adding depth to his character and showing that even seemingly stable people have their own emotional struggles. Atlas’s approach to love contrasts sharply with Ryle’s, offering Lily (and readers) a model of what healthy, respectful love looks like.
Ryle Kincaid
Ryle remains a divisive character in this sequel. While his violent tendencies are not downplayed, Hoover makes it clear that Ryle’s struggle is with his own demons. His role in the novel is more subdued compared to It Ends With Us, but his presence still looms over Lily and Atlas’s relationship. The tension between Ryle’s desire to be a good father and his unresolved jealousy creates much of the novel’s conflict. Hoover’s portrayal of Ryle is complex—he is not wholly villainous, but neither is he redeemed.
Writing Style
Colleen Hoover’s writing continues to shine with its emotional honesty and simplicity. She writes in a straightforward, approachable style that allows the reader to fully engage with the characters’ emotions without being bogged down by unnecessary details. The alternating perspectives between Lily and Atlas provide a deeper understanding of their thoughts and feelings, allowing readers to connect with both characters on a more intimate level. Hoover’s pacing is well-executed, as she balances moments of tension with softer, more reflective scenes, making the novel a smooth and engaging read.
Critique
While It Starts With Us delivers on emotional impact, some readers may feel that the book lacks the intensity and rawness of It Ends With Us. The sequel is more about closure and healing than high-stakes drama, which could leave those expecting a similar level of tension slightly underwhelmed. Additionally, Ryle’s character, while still significant, does not undergo much development, which may feel like a missed opportunity for a more satisfying narrative arc.
Conclusion
It Starts With Us is a beautiful continuation of Lily and Atlas’s story, offering fans the closure and hope they longed for after It Ends With Us. Colleen Hoover crafts a tender, emotionally rich novel that focuses on healing, second chances, and the power of self-worth. Though less intense than its predecessor, this sequel is a rewarding read for anyone invested in Lily’s journey. Hoover once again proves her ability to handle sensitive topics with care while delivering a heartwarming love story that readers will carry with them long after finishing the final page.
Rating: 4/5
This novel is a must-read for fans of the first book and anyone who enjoys romance with emotional depth and real-life challenges. It’s a story about finding love again—on your terms and with the strength to embrace new beginnings.
