November 2022 Not First in a Series BOTM - It Starts with Us, by Colleen Hoover

[Alaina]

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).

**This BOTM thread will be open until December 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Laura]

Anyone else here?
start to somewhere in chapter 14
(view spoiler)[
Its been a while since I read the first book so I wasn't sure if I would remember everything but as you are reading, it certainly all comes back. I love Colleen Hooper books.. she sucks you into the story and makes you feel all the "feels" if that makes sense. She is very realistic when writing about being a single, working mom and the abusive relationship is also very realistic. There's that slight suspense in every interaction with Ryle. I actually thought Ryle was going to hit Lily on the rooftop after her date with Atlas.
I'm almost more interested in seeing how Atlas deals with his mom and half brother then the relationship between him and Lily because... darn don't they deserve a HEA after all this? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 14 - 23
(view spoiler)[
I hope Atlas gets custody of his brother.
I love how Lily and Atlas are so good for each other! Lily is strong and determined but actually handles her divorce and interactions with Ryle with grace and class. I really hope this story ends without Lily or Emmy getting hurt. The last scene with Ryle and Lily was intense. So intense that I don't want anything to happen to Lily. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapter 24- end
(view spoiler)[Great ending, so happy the tension between Ryle & Lily didn't lead to him hurting her. I like how Hoover gradually eased Ryle out of the story and gave him a much lesser role. Lily and Atlas certainly deserved their happy ending.
I enjoyed this book but I liked book one better. This one was predictable. I knew what was going to happen before it happened. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1 - 9 : (view spoiler)[Umm yeah, this does not have the same effect It Ends with us had on me, it kind of feels like the story is being stretched unnecessarily and I cringe so hard at some points especially when they face time, It read to me like author was trying to explain some new technology to the readers which is obviously not needed and though both Lily and Atlas are adults now, they act like teenagers really. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 - 14 : (view spoiler)[I am not loving this book tbh and am finding it a bit corny. I am not feeling the same connection with Lily and Atlas as well. They both are acting weird and Atlas' mom, I don't even have words for her. I wonder if Josh will play an important role in the book and will he impact the relationship in any way. I also don't remember Ryle being as toxic in the previous book as he is in this one. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 - 22 : (view spoiler)[I liked how Atlas cares for his brother and Lily and him finally got to spend some quality time together. It's frustrating whenever Lily starts thinking about Ryle's reaction to everything, it seems so absurd. I don't get why is she still so scared of him (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23 - 29 : (view spoiler)[Why even does Atlas' mom wants Josh back, it doesn't make any sense. Atleast Lily had enough though, it felt good when she told Ryle about getting the lawyers involved. He's getting even more unhinged as the days go by. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[The vows were beautiful and I am happy for Lily and Atlas. They deserve the happy ending after whatever they have been through but sadly I didn't feel the same spark between them like I did before. (hide spoiler)]