Introduction
It Starts with Us is a captivating romance novel authored by the talented writer, Colleen Hoover. Released on October 18, 2022, as a highly anticipated sequel to Hoover's renowned book, It Ends with Us, this novel has taken the reading community by storm, resonating with readers around the globe. Its compelling narrative and emotionally charged characters have propelled It Starts with Us to break pre-order records for Simon & Schuster. In this exceptional piece of fiction, Colleen Hoover expresses her heartfelt appreciation to the devoted fans who embraced the first installment of the series.
Premise
Building upon the events of It Ends with Us, It Starts with Us delves into the intricate relationship between Lily and Atlas. The story skillfully navigates through Lily and Atlas's intertwined lives, presenting their perspectives in a compelling manner that captivates readers from start to finish.
Plot
It Starts with Us takes place nearly a year after Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan's last encounter. Lily, who now has an eleven-month-old daughter named Emerson from her previous marriage to neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, unexpectedly crosses paths with Atlas on the bustling streets of Boston. However, their encounter is brief due to their busy schedules. Nevertheless, Atlas lingers on Lily's mind, and despite her hesitations, she yearns to reconnect with him. Fearful of her ex-husband's potential negative reaction and mindful of her child's well-being, Lily debates reaching out to Atlas.
Atlas confides in Theo, a co-worker and a friend's son, about his encounter with Lily. Encouraged by Theo, he musters the courage to text her. However, Lily's brief response disappoints him. Meanwhile, in Lily's apartment, Ryle expresses his desire to have overnight visits with their daughter. Lily insists on waiting until Emerson can communicate her feelings and requests her apartment key back from Ryle, who reluctantly obliges.
In the midst of these unfolding events, Atlas's restaurants face vandalism. Despite the incident, he decides against involving the police when he discovers some missing food. Atlas empathizes with the vandal, drawing from his own experiences as a hungry homeless child. While inspecting the vandalism, Atlas receives an unwelcome call from his troublesome mother, whom he promptly ends the conversation with and blocks.
To Lily's surprise, Atlas surprises her with lunch at her flower shop. However, their peaceful moment is interrupted by an unannounced visit from Ryle. Anxious about Ryle's reaction upon seeing Atlas, Lily hides him in a closet until Ryle departs. Following the encounter, Atlas and Lily agree to talk on the phone, during which Atlas musters the courage to ask Lily out on a date, and she happily accepts. Unfortunately, Lily falls asleep on their way to the restaurant, causing them to miss their reservation and leaving her feeling guilty.
Lily entrusts her daughter to her best friend and Ryle's sister, Allysa, so she can go on the date. When Lily returns home later, she finds Ryle watching Finding Nemo with Emerson. Ryle becomes angry, assuming that Emerson's middle name, Dory, is a tribute to Atlas due to its significance in Lily and Atlas's shared past.
Atlas's mother, Sutton, unexpectedly shows up at one of his restaurants and reveals the existence of his brother, Josh, whom she is unable to locate. Later that night, Atlas waits at his restaurant to confront the vandal upon their return. To his surprise, the vandal turns out to be his eleven-year-old brother, Josh.
Atlas takes Josh in but contacts Sutton the next day. Ultimately, Atlas decides to keep Josh with him to protect him from their abusive mother.
Several days later, Atlas surprises Lily once again by bringing lunch to her flower shop and receives an invitation to a wedding. During the wedding, Atlas notices a heart tattoo on Lily's collarbone, and they share a kiss, moved by the tattoo's significance. After the wedding, they return to Lily's apartment and share an intimate moment. However, Atlas leaves in the morning due to Josh's presence, leaving Lily a heartfelt note. Ryle arrives at Lily's apartment, becomes jealous and aggressive upon discovering undergarments in her living room, and pushes Lily away in a fit of anger. Frightened, Lily decides to leave her apartment, picks up Emerson from her mother's house, and seeks refuge at Atlas's home. During her stay, Lily and Atlas officially become a couple.
Ryle bombards Lily with aggressive text messages following the incident, prompting her to consult a lawyer regarding their daughter's custody. Ryle then confronts Atlas at his restaurant and physically assaults him. However, Atlas refuses to engage in a fight and attempts to reason with Ryle, who eventually leaves.
Emerson celebrates her birthday with a party, and during the event, Ryle requests a private conversation with Lily. Lily declines, insisting on speaking only in the presence of her friends, Allysa and her husband, Marshal. When they finally have a chance to talk, Lily demands that Ryle attend anger management classes and be supervised during his time with their daughter. Reluctantly, Ryle agrees to her terms.
Meanwhile, Josh rejects his mother's plea to live with her when she appears at Atlas's house. Instead, he expresses his desire to live with his father in Vermont. Atlas takes Josh to see his father, but after witnessing his father's behavior, Josh changes his mind and decides to stay with Atlas. Atlas meets with Sutton at his restaurant, urging her to relinquish her parental rights and proposing weekly family dinners at the restaurant. Sutton eventually agrees.
Six months later, Atlas asks Lily to move in with him, and she happily accepts. A year and a half later, the couple prepares for their wedding. Nervously, Atlas rehearses his vows, which include a reference to Finding Nemo, a movie that holds great significance for both him and Lily.
Reception
Following its release, It Starts with Us experienced an incredible surge in popularity and achieved remarkable success. The novel sold a staggering 800,000 copies on its debut day, combining pre-orders and first-day sales. It promptly claimed the top spot on The New York Times fiction best-seller list for the week ending October 22, 2022. Publishers Weekly praised the novel, highlighting its compelling sequel that showcases the author's talent in creating multi-dimensional characters and evoking empathy. Kirkus Reviews also commended the palpable tension, moments of hope, and Hoover's portrayal of heartbreak and new beginnings. While providing a sense of closure and hope, Marianka Swain of The Daily Telegraph rated the novel two out of five stars, expressing reservations about Hoover's writing style and character development. Conversely, Alice Giddings of Metro acknowledged that although the novel lacked the intensity of its predecessor, it successfully delivered a sense of closure and hope.
Conclusion
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover is an enthralling romance novel that takes readers on an emotional journey alongside the complex and relatable characters of Lily and Atlas. Through its intricately woven plot and rich character development, Hoover's sequel has garnered widespread acclaim, dominating best-seller lists and captivating millions of readers worldwide. Balancing tension, hope, and heartfelt moments, the novel resonates deeply, offering an uplifting conclusion to this compelling love story.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
When Was It Starts With Us Released?
It Starts with Us was published on October 18, 2022.
Is It Starts With Us A Sequel?
Yes, It Starts with Us is a highly anticipated sequel to Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, It Ends with Us.
How Did It Starts With Us Perform In Terms Of Sales?
The novel achieved remarkable success, selling 800,000 copies on its debut day, including pre-orders and first-day sales.
What Are Some Reviews Of It Starts With Us?
The novel received positive reviews, with Publishers Weekly praising it for its multi-dimensional characters and ability to evoke empathy. However, there were mixed opinions, with some critics expressing concerns over the writing style and character development.
Does It Starts With Us Provide Closure To The Story?
Yes, It Starts with Us offers an uplifting conclusion to the love story of Lily and Atlas, providing a sense of closure and hope.
How Can I Purchase A Copy Of It Starts With Us By Colleen Hoover?
You can purchase a copy of It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover from various online and physical bookstores. The novel is available in both paperback and e-book formats. Simply visit your preferred retailer and search for the book by its title or the author's name.
Is It Starts With Us A Standalone Novel, Or Do I Need To Read The Prequel First?
It Starts with Us is a sequel to Colleen Hoover's previous novel, It Ends with Us. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, reading the prequel will provide you with a deeper understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. We recommend reading It Ends with Us first to fully appreciate the story.
Are There Any Plans For A Movie Adaptation Of It Starts With Us?
As of now, there have been no official announcements regarding a movie adaptation of It Starts with Us. However, considering the book's immense popularity and success, it wouldn't be surprising if there were discussions or plans for a potential adaptation in the future.
What Other Books Has Colleen Hoover Written?
Colleen Hoover is a highly prolific author known for her compelling romance novels. Some of her other popular works include "Slammed," "Hopeless," "Confess," and "Verity." With a diverse range of novels that cater to different readers' tastes and preferences, Hoover has established herself as a prominent figure in the romance genre.
Does It Starts With Us Have A Happy Ending?
Yes, It Starts with Us delivers an uplifting and satisfying conclusion. While the characters face various challenges and obstacles throughout the story, the novel ultimately provides closure and hope for Lily and Atlas's relationship. Readers can expect a rewarding and emotionally fulfilling ending.
BUY IT STARTS WITH US ONLINE
BUY VERITY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE ONLINE
IT STARTS WITH US
BUY It Starts with Us: A Novel FROM Amazon US ONLINE
It Starts with Us: A Novel
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Goodreads ONLINE
It Starts with Us
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Simon & Schuster ONLINE
It Starts with Us
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Simon & Schuster AUSTRALIA ONLINE
It Starts with Us
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Simon & Schuster CANADA ONLINE
It Starts with Us
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Simon & Schuster INDIA ONLINE
It Starts with Us
BUY It Starts with Us FROM Simon & Schuster United Kingdom UK ONLINE
It Starts with Us
About
Originally published: October 18, 2022Author: Colleen Hoover