There are books that make you smile, cry happy tears, and feel deeply for the protagonist. Then there are books where you connect with the protagonist so much that you start living in their shoes, wondering what you’d have done had you been in their place. It Starts with Us was everything I wanted and had imagined for Lily Bloom. It was beautiful, right from the first page, to the last line, “It is my wish for you to be my fish”.
If you’ve read It Ends with Us, you must be familiar with the characters of Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, and Atlas Corrigan. You must know the relationship Lily shared with Ryle, about their marriage, and the violence that led to their divorce by the end of the book. Atlas, on the other hand, is Lily’s first love, who is first introduced in the text via letters and then later appears in Lily’s life when she is at her worst. It Ends with Us was a phrase used by Lily to symbolize the beginning of an end, the end of an abusive relationship with Ryle.
It Starts with Us is the story of Lily and Atlas, how Lily handles her co-parenting relationship with Ryle (yes, they have a kid together) after her divorce, and how she tries to move on with Atlas, who has always been there to pick her up and keep her afloat.
Written in two perspectives with Lily and Atlas’ words echoing through the book, Colleen Hoover ensures that warmth spreads within you when you read their story. The bond shared by the two is beyond love, light, and hope. It is something you read about in fairytales and you still want to read on because Atlas is magic and Lily deserves every sprinkle of magic in her life.
Even though the trauma that Lily faced with Ryle keeps coming back to her in flashes, Atlas helps her stay grounded with his aura of positivity. As the story progresses, we see Lily accept happiness and believe in herself. When Ryle threatens to take Emerson, their daughter, away from Lily, she transforms into a person who finally has the strength to face him and make him pay for the abuse she had endured.
We see a strong, capable, independent version of Lily who knows what’s right and wrong for Emerson and would not let anybody hurt her. She would rather keep Ryle away from his daughter than see her suffer.
As far as Lily and Atlas are concerned, Ryle has problems accepting that as well. He wants to build a life with Lily and his daughter, but with Atlas in the picture, that wouldn’t have happened, which is what he blames Atlas for. Repeatedly. Unless he is forced to accept their relationship!
Throughout the book, as you see Lily and Atlas’ relationship bloom, you wonder if some people are like jigsaw puzzles, meant to be together. Their bond makes you believe in relationships and true love, even after everything Lily endured with Ryle. The contrast in Lily’s relationship with Ryle and Atlas emphasizes the fact that violence and abuse are not acceptable in any situation whatsoever.
The best part about the book is how it is laced with humor every now and then. Theo’s character has been written with such purity and grace, it makes you laugh out loud in the middle of nowhere. He is easily my favorite character, one I’d like to be friends with in real life!
It Starts with Us instills within you a faith that a silver lining awaits after the seemingly endless darkness. Lily and Atlas’ story takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions that starts with fear and ends with belongingness, love, laughter, and hope. Their story reminds me of the song, "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri. Thousand years is exactly how long Atlas has loved and waited for Lily.
Overall, I’d rate the book 4.5/ 5 and would give a 10/10 to Colleen Hoover for keeping the story light-hearted and warm. When will you write the next book, CoHo? I’m waiting!
PS: It’s been three days since I finished the book and I still feel like I’m a part of the story. I am literally unable to pick another book after this masterpiece.
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