Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - It Starts with Us

This entire book could've just been a long epilogue for It Ends With Us. Nothing really happened and it was very predictable. It had some cute moments and I liked Atlas but this was quite mediocre and a little boring.

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karin_goodreads's review

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I am once again back in this universe. I don't know if this book was really needed? It's great that everyone got a happy ending, but how we actually got there was a whole ass mess and seemed a little strange. I don't want to dwell on this too much, I'm pretty torn in my own mind. There's just something peculiar that irks me and no matter how hard I try, I can't figure out what exactly is it.

Hoover's books have always been easy to read for me - time kind of flies by and they're fairly simple. The plot on the other hand is... wild.

First of all, Ryle's entire existence makes me want to erase him from my memories. Why didn't he lose everything? I know I'm just observing the story that's being told, but come on! He had it too easy.
Even Allysa and Marshall got tainted by the shadow he left. It's a weird situations all over.

Spoiler

Why doesn't mother Kincaid know what the fuck his son has done? I'm frustrated. Not sure how any one of them continued to have a fairly good relationship with an abuser, but oh well.

I'm sorry, but Lily just doesn't make complete sense to me, something just doesn't fit with me anymore.

I may not be perfect, but I don't deserve to fear for my life every time I make a mistake.

Atlas' and Lily's love story was fine. I feel like they have a trauma bond rather than being so unbelievably in love. Every other second there had to be a mention how Lily saved Atlas, which is fine, but that kind of muddles the waters for understanding where else the love is growing from.

Spoiler

The wedding vow in the end was strange, that didn't feel totally on character, I'm frowning even now thinking about it. The letter's ending where Atlas asked Lily to move in got me, I did not expect that!

At some parts I forgot Lily even existed, because I was so into Atlas' family's story. To be honest, I liked Atlas' story on it's own the most. I would genuinely like some Atlas and Josh only content.

Spoiler

OH YEAH, Josh, the little brother who came out of fucking nowhere?? I mean the behaviour suits the mom's character, but this felt way too sudden and random, more for a shock effect.

Despite that, I was into their story! Atlas felt like a different person to me.
FYI, I need everyone to know that Atlas' 12-year-old therapist Theo was the star of this book! He had my heart with those quips. Not sure what his purpose was, but I would like to keep him, yes & thank you!

I can draw a seedling with two tiny branches. Yours and mine. We’ll be on our own brand-new, tiny family tree—one that starts with us.

(That part was so satisfying.)

Now, the ending was just way too easy. How is every "villain" suddenly having a change of character (~~not really, I'm dramatic~~), it was too sudden and too fast. Lord, I really don't know, I have so many thought that I'm not even sure where my mind is. Plus, the random gen Z and booktok's mention? What even was that about..? Some things I won't even discuss, but believe me I had ~~too~~ many thoughts.

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eliya's review against another edition

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hopeful relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

just as quick a read as the first one, which i do love about colleen hoover books. she attempted to do the same fake-aware bs that she did in the first one but she wasn’t as bad in this one.

i’m happy i read this book, it took me about 8 hours in-app (im a slow reader).

Spoiler

i’m really happy we got to see atlas and lily have their happy ending. really nice to see best-case scenarios work out

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ellsbellss1's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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izzyttt's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really enjoyed this book and it hit me right into my feelings. The story was good and a great sequel to the previous one.

Spoiler

The only downside was that I wish we could’ve seen/read a proposal. I would’ve absolutely loved reading that.

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bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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brittany_ballin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Check Goodreads for my review.

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halogenl95's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is a great expansion to the first book It Ends with Us. It really surprised me how much depth and character development it had. It seems to be a departure from the classic Colleen Hoover formula of boy meets girl with a twist.

While the first book explores the psychology of someone who stays in an abusive relationship, this book explores the psychology of the same person after she leaves an abusive relationship, especially the devastating impact physical abuse has on its victim long after the abuse stopped. It humanizes both the victim and the abuser, shining a gentle light on the often taboo topic of domestic violence.

The plot is also noticeably more cultivated than the first work. The progression of the story and character development are more gradual, though not for a lacking in excitement and sexual tension. Would recommend to a friend.

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