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ellsbellss1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Physical abuse
roo_coniam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Alcohol, Vomit, Violence, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment
lavendaere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
moonbin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
WHEN I TELL YOU I READ THIS THROUGH MANY TEARY EYES—well two eyes. I only have two eyes. But there were many tears on the surface of said eyes. WHATEVER THE CASE, I WAS AND CONTINUE TO BE IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTIONS.
Having read “It Starts With Us” earlier in the year, and thinking about it nearly everyday since, I was all too eager to dive into this one. I loved that it started right where the original left off. I loved that it gave us the story from Atlas’ POV in addition to Lily’s. I loved that it focused on the several different complicated relationships in both of their lives. I loved Atlas + Lily in love in present day. I loved it all.
I appreciated the fact that Hoover didn’t make this sequel one big happily ever after with no hitches or conflicts. Although it was much lighter and much sweeter in overall tone, it didn’t brush over the heavy topics of the first one. It laid out the realities of domestic abuse and child abuse with ironclad honesty. How hard it can be to move on from something so terrible, and how easy it can be to want to forgive for the sake of peace and past feelings.
Hoover is exceptional at injecting her characters’ feelings right into your veins. I felt every bit of emotion being revealed on the pages. From Lily to Atlas to Josh, I felt it. Even Ryle, which really is a testament to how well written the characters are.
And can I just say that I’m sooooooo happy that Lily and Atlas’ lives finally started to bloom together in the same place and the same time??!! Ugh. I love their love.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Stalking, and Misogyny
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy