Reviews with content warning for Cursing - It Starts with Us

Just when I thought I couldn't be more in love with a character, they impress me more. Men, we think it's sexy when you support your women... we WILL love you more, I promise. I have never finished one book and moved to another as fast as I did when I finished It Ends with Us (in the wee hours of the morning). Sure, there was an open ending with the first book, but mostly, I just needed MORE of these characters! This was the sequel we NEEDED in our lives. Once you’ve read the first, you MUST read this… life is not complete without it.

As with the first, this story deals with surviving domestic violence and the trauma that lingers with every interaction and memory drudged up. But it’s also a story about fighting and building your happily ever after. Lily has to be brave enough to go after what she wants and realize the value in being and having a supportive partner and found family.

Although there was still conflict to keep us engaged, this book was just icing. Because I am a new #cohort fan, I didn't know there was a world where this sequel didn't exist. So, THANK YOU to the fans for demanding one and THANK YOU Colleen for listening and delivering such a great book!

"How in the world she can make me feel so whole when I had no idea I was only half of myself without her."

Content Warnings

lovesbug787's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

aaashtyn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book just as much as the first one! I loved this series overall, because it gives us insight into the life of domestic abuse and how not everything is black and white, and even after you leave the relationship, the abuser/partner are still present in your life.

I honestly thought Ryle would be more present in this book, but his character doesn’t really develop and still makes you annoyed with him. I loved the inclusion of Josh and Theo and getting to learn more about Atlas. Atlas was the perfect boyfriend/partner anyone could ask for. I found this book funnier than the first, and I especially loved Theo’s cheesy jokes about Finding Nemo. I also loved that Allysa and Marshall supported Lily and not Ryle simply because he’s family.

The only thing unbelievable in this book is that Ryle had never seen Finding Nemo until that moment at Allysa’s place.

Content Warnings

chelle's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

I am glad she did a sequel to “It ends With Us” but I did find it a hard to believe story for the most part. A little bit too “it works out for everyone in the end” for me. Atlas does not seem like a realistic character. Very Gatsby waiting for Daisy.

Content Warnings