It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

 

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover is a heartwarming and deeply emotional sequel to It Ends with Us, and continues the story of Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan, two characters whose lives were profoundly shaped by their pasts. This novel delves deeper into themes of love, healing, and the complexities of relationships, offering readers a second chance at understanding and redemption.

While It Ends with Us focused largely on Lily’s journey of escaping an abusive relationship with her husband Ryle Kincaid, It Starts with Us shifts the focus to her rekindled romance with Atlas, her first love. The novel picks up right where the first book ended, answering the burning question of whether Lily and Atlas will finally find their way back to each other after years of separation.

A New Beginning for Lily and Atlas

At the center of It Starts with Us is Lily Bloom, a single mother who is doing her best to balance raising her daughter Emerson, running her flower shop, and moving on from the trauma of her relationship with Ryle. The novel opens with Lily trying to navigate co-parenting with Ryle while still holding on to the emotional scars of the past. Though she is free from the abuse, the emotional toll of maintaining a civil relationship with Ryle for the sake of their daughter adds layers of complexity to Lily's journey.

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Enter Atlas Corrigan. Atlas, the boy from Lily’s past who offered her comfort and kindness during some of the darkest moments of her youth, has now grown into a successful restaurateur. His character in this sequel is even more fully developed, with readers getting an intimate look at his past, his struggles with abandonment, and the quiet resilience that has shaped him into the man he is today. As Atlas re-enters Lily’s life, their connection is immediate and undeniable, rekindling feelings that were buried beneath years of distance and unresolved emotions.

Atlas’s presence offers Lily a lifeline, a stark contrast to the turbulent and often toxic relationship she had with Ryle. But despite their chemistry, Lily is hesitant. She still carries the emotional weight of her past, and her love for Atlas is complicated by the reality of co-parenting with Ryle, who, despite his flaws, remains a constant in her life because of their daughter.

Navigating the Past and Present

The heart of It Starts with Us lies in the careful and nuanced exploration of Lily and Atlas’s shared history, and how it affects their present-day relationship. Colleen Hoover masterfully uses flashbacks to deepen our understanding of the bond between Lily and Atlas. These glimpses into their past—when Atlas was a homeless teenager and Lily offered him food and shelter—add emotional weight to their reunion. Their love story is one that has endured hardship, loss, and time, making their present-day relationship even more poignant.

In addition to Lily and Atlas, Hoover introduces us to new characters that add richness to the story. Atlas’s relationship with his estranged brother Josh provides a secondary narrative that parallels his and Lily’s struggle with family dysfunction. The novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the emotional wounds that come from family trauma and abandonment, but it also highlights the healing power of love and connection.

Lily, meanwhile, is also learning to navigate life as a mother, balancing her responsibilities to Emerson while trying to carve out space for her own happiness. Her internal conflict is palpable—she longs to be with Atlas, but she is wary of complicating her life further, especially with Ryle still very much in the picture.

Ryle’s Presence and the Struggles of Co-Parenting

A significant portion of the novel is dedicated to the challenges of Lily’s co-parenting arrangement with Ryle. While Lily has made the decision to leave her abusive marriage, she cannot entirely remove Ryle from her life because of their shared responsibility for Emerson. This creates an ongoing tension, as Lily must protect herself emotionally from Ryle’s manipulative tendencies while also maintaining a functional relationship for the sake of their daughter.

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Ryle’s character remains complex. While he clearly loves his daughter and wants to be a part of her life, his possessiveness and inability to control his emotions continue to be a source of tension. His jealousy over Lily’s relationship with Atlas becomes a major plot point, as he struggles to accept that Lily has moved on. Hoover masterfully portrays the push-and-pull dynamic between Lily and Ryle, making it clear that even after the end of their marriage, the scars of their relationship remain.

This exploration of co-parenting with an abusive ex adds a layer of realism to the story. Lily’s fear of Ryle’s unpredictable nature is ever-present, and her desire to protect Emerson from any future harm is a driving force in her decisions. This aspect of the novel gives readers a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence, especially when children are involved.

Atlas: The Anchor in the Storm

If Ryle represents the turbulence in Lily’s life, Atlas represents the calm. Throughout the novel, Atlas is depicted as a patient, kind, and compassionate figure—someone who understands Lily’s trauma and gives her the space and support she needs to heal. He doesn’t push her to move faster than she’s ready, nor does he place demands on her that would complicate her life further.

Atlas’s love for Lily is steadfast and enduring, and this is what makes him such a compelling character. He recognizes the weight of Lily’s past and the complexities of her present, yet he remains unwavering in his commitment to be there for her in whatever capacity she needs. His deep understanding of her emotional landscape makes their relationship one of healing and mutual respect.

At the same time, Atlas is not without his own struggles. His complicated relationship with his family, particularly with his estranged brother Josh, adds depth to his character. This subplot reveals more about Atlas’s internal world and the emotional wounds he carries. As he reconciles with his brother, Atlas finds a sense of closure that parallels Lily’s journey of healing from her past.

Themes of Healing, Forgiveness, and Moving Forward

One of the most powerful themes in It Starts with Us is that of healing. Both Lily and Atlas have endured significant trauma in their lives, and much of the novel is about their journey toward healing—both individually and together. For Lily, healing means learning to trust again, to open her heart to the possibility of love despite the pain she has endured. For Atlas, healing means coming to terms with his past and learning to let people in.

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Forgiveness is another key theme, particularly for Lily as she grapples with her feelings toward Ryle. While she can never forget the abuse, she must find a way to co-parent with him for the sake of their daughter. Hoover handles this delicate situation with care, showing that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing Ryle’s behavior, but rather finding a way to move forward without being weighed down by the past.

Ultimately, It Starts with Us is a story about second chances. It’s about the second chance at love that Lily and Atlas have, the second chance at building a family that Atlas gets with his brother, and the second chance at life that Lily is fighting for as she moves on from her traumatic past. The novel offers readers hope that, no matter how broken or scarred you feel, there is always the possibility of healing and happiness on the other side of pain.

Conclusion: A Must-Read for Fans of Romance and Emotional Depth

It Starts with Us is a powerful and deeply moving sequel that gives readers closure on Lily and Atlas’s love story while exploring important themes like domestic abuse, co-parenting, and healing from trauma. Colleen Hoover’s ability to balance heart-wrenching emotion with hope and resilience makes this novel a must-read for anyone who was captivated by It Ends with Us.

Ready to dive into Lily and Atlas’s story? Follow this link to get a free copy of It Starts with Us on Audible and experience their journey of love, healing, and second chances!

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