It Starts with Us: Lily’s divorce from her violent husband, Ryle, the narrative centers on her restored romance.
Colleen Hoover’s “It Starts with Us,” a sequel to her best-selling “It Ends with Us,” has received mixed reactions from fans and critics, reflecting its emotional depth and character growth.
Following Lily’s divorce from her violent husband, Ryle, the narrative centers on her restored romance with her first love, Atlas. The narrative, told alternately from Atlas’ and Lily’s points of view, tackles themes of love, hatred, abuse recovery, and the intricacies of relationships.
Readers praised Hoover’s expertise in character development as they continued Lily and Atlas’s narrative. Lily grows from a young lady in search of closure to a strong, independent mother, whilst Atlas is presented as an idealistic, nearly faultless figure. Their connection is portrayed as loving and non-toxic, in stark contrast to Lily’s previous relationship with Ryle.
New characters in the story include Lily’s daughter Emerson, Atlas’s brother Josh, and Theo, a toddler who befriends Atlas. These characters give the plot richness and diversity. Some saw Hoover’s portrayal of Atlas as a near-perfect masculine figure as excessively utopian, lacking the depth that real-life people contain.
The novel was panned for lacking the normal Colleen Hoover story twists. Some readers were disappointed, yearning for the emotional rollercoaster of “It Ends with Us.” Others liked the clear tale since it brought Lily and Atlas’s journey to a close. The novel’s depiction of domestic abuse and its aftermath struck a chord with many readers, providing hope and a feeling of reality to those who have been in similar situations.
“It Starts with Us” is praised for its moving storyline and character development. Hoover’s literary style, which combines drama and romance with real-life themes such as domestic violence, has received recognition for its compassion and complexity. The novel achieves a balance between dealing with important issues and telling a nice, if somewhat predictable, love tale.
The novel’s core topic is the investigation of the intricacies of relationships. Hoover digs into the effort necessary to keep love alive, as well as the flaws that exist in all relationships. While falling in love is simple, loving and maintaining a relationship is more difficult. This message strikes a chord with readers, who enjoy the novel’s realistic depiction of the ups and downs of love and relationships.
In conclusion, “It Starts with Us” is a dramatic sequel that concludes Lily and Atlas’s journey, providing closure and a positive outlook on future beginnings. Its portrayal of serious subjects like as domestic violence and interpersonal complexity, along with Hoover’s compelling writing, make it an important addition to the romance and current fiction genres. While some readers may find the plot predictable and the characters idealized, the book’s overall impact and message have been well welcomed.
Sources: Biblio Journal, Hooked To Authors, The Review Geek, The Dartmouth
