Reviews with content warning for Bullying - It starts with us / Vanaf nu

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

It starts with us / Vanaf nu by Colleen Hoover

18 reviews

karin_goodreads's review against another edition

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.

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.

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.

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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kaylasbookgram's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

“Sometimes people think if they love a broken person enough, they can be what finally repairs them, but the problem with that is the other person just ends up broken, too.”

I love that we got more of the story with Atlas and Lily. This was everything and more! I loved watching Lily grow as a mother and standing up for herself to raise her daughter away from abuse and conflict. I absolutely love Colleen Hoovers books I can’t praise them enough!

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becca_w_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

4.25

Content Warnings

gmbooks11_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

issyd23's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Surprisingly enjoyable after detesting the first book 3🌸

NB I picked up this book expecting to hate & make fun of it, but ended up liking the story. I found it really satisfying & empowering to see Lily call out Ryle’s abusive behaviour & get a second chance of love with Atlas. There are still Ellen DeGeneres diaries but thankfully not as much as book 1 + the inclusion of Atlas’ perspective was a good addition.

Content Warnings

kaynic22's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful slow-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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Yay! It's Lily and Atlas' time. I love how considerate he was and also respected Lily's decisions. It's just so sweet. There are problematic parts still like Ryle, the walking red flag. Sutton, a weird name, but she's a horror show as well. Atlas hugging Lily's mom when they were younger was a sweet gesture. They were meant to be together, but I thought a year after a divorce was too soon. Not that she doesn't deserve to be happy or anything, but it was fast. I also liked that she's not letting Ryle get to her in the latter parts, because it was obvious that he had a hold on her in the earlier parts even if she was pointing out that he won't let him, he did. I'm just so happy for Lily and Atlas being together finally with Emmy❤️

Content Warnings