Title: It Starts With Us
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Atria Books
Here’s the blurb for y’all to update your TBR list:
Lily and Ryle have just settled into a civil co-parenting with their daughter, Emerson, when Lily suddenly runs into Atlas nearly two years after they last spoke. Elated that the timing finally seems to be right to give what they have together a real chance, Atlas asks Lily on a date.
But Lily’s excitement is almost immediately replaced by dread and anxiety when Lily remembers that Ryle, though no longer her husband, is still very much part of her life. And though Ryle would dislike Lily dating anyone but him, Atlas Corrigan is the one man he absolutely will not stand having in his ex-wife and daughter’s lives.
Told from the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts With Us gives readers a deeper look into Atlas’s past as he and Lily reconnect and rekindle the love they shared as teenagers while navigating a volatile ex-husband who believes Atlas to be one of the reasons his marriage with Lily ended.
It Starts With Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “glorious and touching” (USA Today) It Ends With Us left off, giving readers the exhilarating sequel to Colleen’s bestselling phenomenon they have been begging for.
Gosh, I loved this sequel! I wouldn’t lie here that sometimes I felt that Ryle is being too harsh, or should I say out of character, at some places, but HE WAS BEING RYLE. I mean idk how to say it, but while reading, I had a thought, why the heck is he being too caring and loving towards his daughter when in the time of pregnancy phase, all he did was being ignorant to Lily- for positive reasons only tho, to give her much needed space.
But anyway, coming to the couple part, there were moments which were missed, and it all made me feel giddy and smiley smiley as well. Trauma and child(brother) parenting by both characters were well-written and connected, though! And yeah, loved ‘their’ moment 😉 But Ryle’s character was really infuriating throughout. It was just his manipulation and gaslighting, which was trying to save their marriage earlier, and the fact that he never truly realised his mistake was truly criminal behaviour!! Having rich privilege saved him a lot, but the connections that Lily made were supportive despite being with Ryle for years, which says a lot.
(My review sounds more like a Ryle hater, and I proudly hate him, and oof, can’t hide it.) Also, Lily’s strong stances made me very much in love with her and Atlas calm attitude when Ryle barged into his office was a turning point in their life.
I gotta rate this 4/5- kind of more stretched wrt Ryle and Lily’s relationship and some repetitive stuff about their past was….. boring?!
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