Atlas is so angry, but this is an anger I’m not afraid of. I realize the significance of this moment. I’m alone with an angry man in my apartment, but I’m not in fear for my life, because he isn’t angry at me.” Am I the only person in this entire universe wanting Colleen Hoover to write an amazing queer rep romance?!

Starts With Us’ takes readers through the pain of Review: ‘It Starts With Us’ takes readers through the pain of

Thank you for being the most comforting part of my life right now. Thank you for always being the beacon I need every time I feel lost. Whether you mean to shine on me or not. I am grateful for you. I’ve missed you. I absolutely should have kissed you.” a b c Swain, Marianka (October 17, 2022). "BookTok superstar Colleen Hoover has sold 20 million novels – but does she glamourise trauma?". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022 . Retrieved October 18, 2022. I understand that it would be very hard for Lily to win over Ryle in court, and the ending was probably more realistic with him still being involved; but if that’s the case, it doesn’t “end” with you and your daughter! If Ryle doesn’t have Lily in his life to abuse, guess who his next victim is going to be? It ends with us - A must-read, it is so good. Broken men are not any girl's responsibility to fix or tolerate or live with. I like the way how Colleen has written such a sensitive topic which is personal to her into a really good book. I appreciate her for this. I also realized it's okay to leave men who can't be fixed. I noticed opportunities for improvement in my life and hope Starts With Us can become a community for anyone looking to create change in theirs.”This seems to start up about 18 months or so after Emerson’s birth and Rile & Lily are divorced. I’m disappointed to learn that Lily didn’t speak about her abuse and therefore she doesn’t have total/ solo parenting rights but I think I sorta get where her head is on this. Haupt, Angela (October 12, 2022). "Why We Can't Stop Reading Colleen Hoover's Trauma-Filled Novels". Time . Retrieved October 18, 2022.

Starts with Us - Goodreads It Starts with Us - Goodreads

Unique among sequels, the story didn’t feel dragged out: “It Starts With Us” has enough action and driving themes to make it its own individual story. While not a standalone, the plotlines reflected in this novel feel fresh and separated from “It Ends With Us,” developing the story in a tasteful way. My loyalty is to the people who bring positivity into my life. My loyalty is to the people who want to build me up and see me happy. Those are the people I’m going to make decisions about my life for.” Atlas has always been book boyfriend material but this book really cemented him as one of the good guys, and if not one of the top 10 book boyfriend’s in existence. I was not expecting this to get 5 stars from me, my favorite book by Colleen Hoover is Reminders of Him but this really deserves five stars for how thoughtful, realistic and just downright beautiful this was. Maybe the idea of love ending being a negative thing is simply a matter of perspective. Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.”Theo making fun of Atlas was funny, I actually loved that because THE KEEP SWIMMING LINE WAS CORNY AS SHIT I DON’T CARE i hated everything about lily’s personality when it came to ryle and what he did to her and i felt like she was being too nice to him. We don’t focus too much on what isn’t working out in our lives. We focus on what is, and there’s a lot to be grateful for.” Giddings, Alice (October 17, 2022). "It Starts With Us review: The long-awaited It Ends With Us sequel drops tomorrow". Metro . Retrieved October 18, 2022.

Starts with Us, It Ends with Us Collection - Goodreads It Starts with Us, It Ends with Us Collection - Goodreads

Every antagonist in “It Starts With Us” fell into a gray, middle-ground role of both victim and enabler, including both ex-lovers and ex-mothers. These complex characters were taught or treated poorly, leading them to be hurt and lash out against Lily and Atlas. The “antagonists” in the novel were not easy to dislike: They simply didn’t have the same resources as Lily and Atlas. They remained in a cycle of relationship violence, despite their efforts to start something new. The novel never paints them in a negative light but rather shows how these people may not fit in the lives of those recovering from abuse. The antagonists in “It Starts With Us” have the potential to be protagonists — if only given the proper help.I think it’s important to note that Hoover also paints Lily a very supportive family/friends network—in her instance, her support system in regards to standing up to Rile is his family. Most people likely don’t have this, but it absolutely worked in this instance, for these characters as we’ve come to know them over these 2 books. This book is amazing. Just like the first one. I was considering it to be a solid four-star. Until the last chapter. Wonderful! My choice helped me realize that sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes.” The writing’s also addictive and she did a great job setting the book in Boston, so mad props there.