It Starts With Us
"Lily and Ryle have just settled into a civil co-parenting rhythm 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 a 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's and daughter's lives. Told from the perspective of Lily and Atlas, this 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 by Colleen Hoover is the internet's most anticipated sequel, and it does not disappoint. After reading It Starts With Us, many in the reading stratosphere have praised it to be something everyone should read. I could not agree more, being a survivor of domestic violence myself. Nothing in the synopsis or introduction to the novel suggests what is to come, which is exactly how abusive relationships start.
They are fickle, and love bombing may be disguised as true lust and courtship. In the first novel, Ryle's character is written beautifully to depict a real-life, in-the-flesh abuser. One that sneaks into your heart and suffocates you in its tendrils.
The Ryle of the new novel is much less daunting as Lily finds herself empowered to do what is best for her daughter. She wants a safe environement for her to grow up in, and a clear picture of what love should look like. She has that with Atlas, so adorably so.
The pure love and devotion that these two share had me coming home to my significant other a little more appreciatively. It genuinely made my heart swell to see Lily not only survive Ryle, but thrive. I felt her as she tried to shake off the gaslighting and intrusive thoughts that abusers leave you with, and I cheered her on when she finally learned to love again.
If It Ends With Us is about ending abuse cycles, then It Starts With Us is about surviving them.
I know that Colleen Hoover did not originally want to write a sequel to Lily's story, but I am so glad that she did. Overcoming abuse and learning to live in the after of it is hardly ever written about, especially by someone who has garnered such a wide platform.
I'm so happy that we got to see Lily and Atlas's happily ever after.