It Starts With Us: We Love Lily & Atlas!
Hi Readers! I have been terrible with writing reviews lately. I am very behind, 3 books, to be specific. But, instead of doing it chronologically, here I am writing a review (on popular demand) for a book I just finished yesterday. Given that the review for It Ends With Us is the Number 2 most viewed review on Mindscape in Words, it was only fair for me to write this one first. Also, because it’s going to be short.
~~GOODREADS DESCRIPTION~~
Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us.
Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.
But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.
Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts with Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “gripping, pulse-pounding” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of Perfect Neighbors) bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband, it proves that “no one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author).
~~THOUGHTS~~
Did the book need to exist? No.
Could it have been a novella instead? Absolutely.
Was there any plot to the book? Not really.
Was it entirely too predictable? Yep.
Did I still love it? Ohmygod YES.
I really surprised myself with this one actually. You all know that I am not one who ships two people, let alone read romance novels. I have also hated more Colleen Hoover books than the ones I have liked. But but but. Lily & Atlas. I will read ten more books if it’s Lily & Atlas! It might be how kind they grow up to be despite the shared trauma of their childhood. It could be because they are teenage sweethearts falling in love again in their adulthood. Or maybe just second chance romance where the first one did not involve anything toxic. Or simply because going into this book after reading the first one, we just know it’s going to be about Lily & Atlas. This is the first time I have seen an author write a book sheerly because the fans wanted it. It’s like swifties getting the All Too Well 10 minutes’ version after so many years.
So, yes, I am super biased only towards this duology by CoHo, because you know I’m not a CoHo fan. (Verity, Reminders of Him, Ugly Love are proof.) Aside from being smitten with Lilly & Atlas, the book offers very little. We get an insight into the life of survivors post domestic abuse. The constant fear of that person & their abuse always looms in the background, especially when you share a child. I thought that that was a perspective not often talked about the way it is in this one.
Lastly, I love how both the titles have two meanings. It Ends With Us primarily means that the abuse ends with them (Lily & Emerson) in the sense that they won’t tolerate it anymore. For the romance fans, it simply means that they (Lily & Atlas, because I refuse to consider Ryle anywhere) found each other and that it ends with them being together forever. It Start With Us primarily referred to Atlas & Josh starting their own family tree because their parents were not good enough to be in the picture anymore. It also means that the relationship between Lily & Atlas once again starts with them.
~~TO READ OR NOT TO READ IT~~
If you loved It Ends With Us, then you must read this one, if only for the love of Lily & Atlas. If you disliked CoHo’s other books, but liked It Ends With Us, then you should read this as a light read. If you didn’t like It Ends With Us, then you will surely hate this one. Basically, if you are a fan of either the first book or the author, then this book is for you. I have rated It Starts With Us at 4/5 stars!
Until next time,
About The Author
Aishwarya Shenolikar
Hello! I'm Aishwarya, an Introverted bookworm & writer. I have been reviewing books since 6 years on my blog - Mindscape in Words. My favourite genres are Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers, Magical Realism, Poetry, Fantasy & Memoirs. I like the kind of books which evoke emotions on several levels leaving me wrecked, but also incredibly content. I'm dreaming for the world to paint a landscape full of words, more like Mindscape in Words. Hope you enjoy the view.