'It Starts With Us' reading vlog- full review with spoilers

I don't really know what to say... comment your thoughts and opinions.
All the Love Always,
Steph
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[@oliwia1140]

the way that half of the book reading community is reading this book rn

[@sejalsharma2012]

75% actually

[@exaggeratedswagger7485]

The way twitter talks about Colleen hoover I'm surprised about that

[@Mals_verse]

It doesn’t make sense to me tho, a lot of booktok hate her but then they’re buying her latest book? 😭

[@luzvez]

@@exaggeratedswagger7485 twitter loves to hate on anything popular

[@jazlynjanai1686]

@@exaggeratedswagger7485 I know right! Everything I see about her on Twitter is bad 😬

[@wydtnoyctm]

I think the reason why everyone or at least me loves atlas is not because he got lily out of the abusive relationship but because of their friendship/relationship when they were younger, what they had when they were teenagers was definitely not the bare minimum>

[@EL-ksvkv]

facts

[@ankitam1089]

🙌

[@madisonoliviaxx]

YESS

[@avolynn]

This. I fell in love with him because of the letters

[@akshitamohite6383]

wasnt he waiting for her to come of age so they could bang? 💀💀

[@marie6315]

Okay this might be an unpopular opinion but the one thing I didn’t like about this book was how black and white it felt. The main reason why it ends with us felt so real and heartbreaking was because while you hated Ryle, you also loved him. It showed me how complicated and layered these situations are. But now Ryle is only the bad guy and nothing else, his whole complex story is completely left out of the picture. Of course this is the right thing, them being divorced, but the whole reason why it end with us was so good was because while it was the right decision it also hurt. This whole scene in the hospital after Emmy‘s birth where she asks him what he would do if his daughter came to him saying her husband abuses her and he cries and says he would want her to leave him was so good and so heartbreakingly beautiful. So it felt like he was letting her go out of love because he knows he’s in the wrong and hurting her. And that is just completely erased in this book, it’s like all that shit didn’t even happen. I feel like Colleen Hoover chose the easy route on this one, completely making Ryle the bad guy other that the complex character he really is. I‘m not even at all saying his abuse is in any way excusable but if he would have only been this shitty guy that showed up in this book, it wouldn’t have been difficult for lily to leave him in the first place. Because life isn’t black and white and sometimes the right decision hurts like hell.

[@janet0524]

Yesss!!! That's exactly what even i felt.... 💯💯💯💯💯

[@alissaperez7127]

This is such a good take, I went into this not expecting Ryle to be the big bad again, It Ends With Us wrapped with (what seemed like) him understanding that he was letting Lily go out of love for her and his daughter. But as you said, I think Colleen took the easy route in just making him this character we automatically hate in this book, I thought he'd be a character that wanted/worked at being better for his daughter because of what Lily did at the end of IEWU. Abuse is not a black-and-white thing; that's why IEWU was so eye-opening to me, Lily never understood how her mom didn't just leave until she was put into those same exact shoes. You love them and rationalize their actions because you do have good moments that overpower the bad ones until they don't. I was so excited we were getting a sequel, I wanted one when I finished IEWU in 2017 but understood why that would most likely not happen. But given this is what we got I would have rather it stayed in the drafts or waited until she came up with something amazing.

[@sarahannajacob8434]

You put into words everything i've been trying to say

[@frante0]

i'm going to assume (and really genuinely for your sake hope) that you've never been in an abusive relationship because i have and part of what i loved about it starts with us is how ryle was handled because it was SO realistic. the gaslighting, the anger, the blame shifting all of it is exactly how an abuser might act. with everything lily was feeling and processing what ryle was doing made me feel like i WAS lily it was so well done. idk just my personal thoughts as a victim

[@shudiptaaaa]

Absolutely true

[@mariegrovslien]

Tbh I felt like it was more of a fan fiction than a sequel, it felt as if a fan wrote it after reading “it ends with us”. I felt like the ending was really really rushed and the whole brother “plot twist” was just because coho felt like she needed a plot twist but I personally felt like that made it a whole other story than what we wanted. Personally I didn’t feel a “spark” between Atlas and Lily in their adult life they kept saying “we are taking it slow” but then just rushed the whole relationship without even getting to know each other as adults (if you get what I mean) and I just didn’t get connected to Atlas because I never got a feel of his personality. When they “finally” get together it just skips 6 months to them moving in together and the whole thing just felt very rushed. Even though I know this book was about Atlas and Lilys love story I think it would be a more interesting read (for my taste) if we got dual pov from Lily and Ryle instead of Atlas. I know Ryle is a piece of shit but I would be really fascinating to get to know what goes on in his mine after he’s lost Lily, when he hurts Lily and when he’s dealing with Lily moving on. Okay so that was my very long and chaotic rant thanks!

[@anshika9499]

yes, even I wanted to know more of Ryle. He was truly in love with Lily, he even chose Lily over his career, he married Lily even though being in a relationship is the last thing he ever wanted. Yes he was abusive, but it would had been touching and heart wrenching to read his reaction to Lily and Atlas relationship through his pov given that Lily was the one who changed his life.

[@mariegrovslien]

@@anshika9499 and she how he felt when hurting Lily like what he though during the scene he pushed her against the door for example

[@oh_for_gods_sake_niall]

This.

[@carey7310]

I would have loved to know Ryle’s reaction to the engagement, even details of Atlas’ proposal to Lily… and why was his vows such a buzz kill!!! Ugh, I’m not satisfied lol

[@cassie.sumrall]

My thoughts exactly!!

[@dikshapitale7040]

Yes the book does feel like an extended epilogue, but that's what we signed up for, right? Collen Hoover had already mentioned she didn't want to write part two but we wanted a happy ending for Lily and Atlas and that's exactly what we got. So for that it was good. Not necessarily a great book I would give 5 starts but rather a cute book that feels wholesome ♥️

[@jessicaogo]

THANK YOU!! i feel the exact same way and it’s honestly been frustrating for me how harshly people have been reviewing it.

[@libbysaysheyy]

I give it 5 stars but I def agree with the extended epilogue happy ending haha :)

[@thearmyofskank]

Yup definitely a 5 star from me. The closure that we all need.

[@mariabt0558]

I felt like Atlas was a boring character. I felt like he was too perfect, he had no flaws, he always did and said the right thing to Lily, he kept calm in hard situations, he makes no mistakes in the book. Despite having been raised in an abusive household he still turned out really well, with no apparent repercussions of his upbringing (or the lack thereof) in his personality, as opposed to what happened with his brother who clearly had more trouble getting by on his own.

[@fifs7400]

yessss he barely had any personality other than loving lily !!now i know what was bothering with me with it

[@margaridapaiva1297]

No but you’re forgetting he was behind on laundry

[@namirachaki2452]

Exactly! That was the aim and plot of this book, no matter how bad childhood you had, you have no right to abuse anyone else or use that as an excuse, I also didn't like Atlas in the 1st volume, but in the 2nd, I liked him, because to be honest, not everyone ends up like Ryle or his brother because of childhood trauma

[@rikkiacolon]

I literally couldn’t agree more . It was too perfect

[@anjalikadam4377]

Atlas and Ryle I did not like either. I didn’t like atlas because most of the things he was doing were bare minimum, he doesn’t believe in hitting or abusing women he won’t do that bare minimum as a human, nothing special, respecting women as a person and not thinking they are stupid bare minimum but he was portrayed to look like a very good guy bc of how bad Ryle was. And his character was too dull and boring even if you are the most best person who actually don’t just do bare minimum as a human for others you still don’t act like atlas, no one knows how to say everything so as it should just fit. Especially that he was abused too. And an addict because of trauma there was actually no growth to him

[@Bookishly.makayla]

It personally felt rushed especially towards the end. I wanted a proposal scene and the marriage scene

[@glolikejaaay]

meee tooo ugh

[@jasminebrown8957]

Yessss the last bit was so rushed

[@libbysaysheyy]

Yes!

[@lena12019]

I KNOW RIGHTTT??? I HATE HOW COHO JUMPED FROM THEM MOVING TOGETHER TO VOWS, no proposal , no engagement era and preparing for the wedding together whatsoever, dissapointed.. :///

[@gigiverse]

exactly!!!! that would’ve been the cherry on top for everything that starts with them

[@elliehenderson4038]

i really liked the book as in it ends with us the reader really felt for lily throughout the whole book, even in the end of it ends with us she didn’t get the closure that i felt was needed so it starts with us really did a good job of giving lily the happy life she deserves whilst also not avoiding that her life cannot completely go back to normal as Ryle is still intertwined in parts of her life. Overall i was just happy to see lily and atlas get a happy ending

[@elliehenderson4038]

@am i totally agree!!

[@scoutstrong372]

I still don’t understand how It Ends With Us is classified as a romance book, but it’s about an abusive relationship? That’s not romance, that’s a nightmare.

[@Mariana-ds1pn]

In my opinion, when a person is abusive after you separate they get worse. People complaining that Ryle is nothing but a “bad guy” after he divorced Lilly, he acts exactly like my ex husband does. She got that extremely accurate, making fun of the place she works, making fun of parenting because she chose to go on a date once in a blue moon is exactly how my ex acts when I decided to move on. People clearly don’t understand how abusive people act after they see you’re trying to move on with your life.

[@thearmyofskank]

agree on you on this. the worst acts are usually post the abusive period.

[@nafeesanaz]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you're doing better.

[@Notinuse6685]

This book got so much right I grew up watching my dad bully my mum turning up randomly uninvited so much I think it’s realistic. To women going through this your child will forgive you for moving away from a abusive violent man once they are old enough to understand I wish my mum moved away she deserved so much more

[@brooklynaliyaxx]

I almost feel like I’m one of the people in this whole world that actually loved the book because I was like obsessed with it and a lot of people think it’s too hyped or they hate the letters or they think that this shouldn’t even need to be a book but I don’t know it just gave me the closure I needed and I’m satisfied with that❤

[@brooklynaliyaxx]

For the people that don’t like it as much as I do I guess I’ll explain why I liked it. I definitely liked that Atlas has more family out there and he got to reconnect and build a relationship with Josh. I like that we got to see more of Atlas his past life when he was younger I didn’t know anything that happened with his mom or the bad stuff or how badly that his family treated him so I’m glad I kind of got to see that, I got to see how loving he was. We didn’t really know much about atlas, in it ends with us. We saw him in the present time helping Lily out of an abusive situation. We saw him as a kid through the letters, but we never got to know him as a present adult and we got to see him as an adult loving Lily, just being passionate about his career and what he does for a living his friends, and we just got to see that in a brighter View. People hate the Ellen letter coming back, people think it’s cringe. Honestly I don’t mind them it’s a little weird, but I liked it because it’s Lillys coping mechanism you guys deal with stress and anxiety and we go through things as humans every single day some people, cope with journaling, some people, cope with music, some people cope with making videos etc, but at the end of the day that was Lily’s safe space as a child so she’s always felt a kind of connection to Ellen and that is why she addressed the letters to her and also because maybe she thought writing a diary was too cringe but who cares like let her do what she wants. I feel like everybody copes and deals with their emotions in different ways and that’s the way she chose to deal with them and I also think a diary or a journal is more personal so we got to see a more personal touch on her feelings and past experiences . It was literally everything she was feeling at that time And I really do like how the letters brought more to the story. Literally Atlas wrote his wedding vows as a letter, which I thought was actually creative overall Steph you’re right this is a really long epilogue basically but I’m not mad about it. I needed that because I really did enjoy it ends with us so the people who like me who are obsessed with the story like it’s perfect because I got the ending I wanted . I need it. I got the happy ending. There’s a lot of predictable things that I wanted to happen which did happen and I’m satisfied so if anybody agrees with me, let me know, because I know many people didn’t enjoy the book and that’s OK because everybody has a right to their own opinion I just like how happy this book makes me I guess!😅

[@princessparkbaby436]

@@brooklynaliyaxx i agree with everything you said and I get why some people may not like it but I loved it with all my heart and soul and I am so happy and grateful coho gave us this happy ending I needed it for lily and atlas and for myself!

[@444angielina]

I love it and mainly because it can help so many girls out there realize how they can be treated and start having higher standards cus truly Atlas is such an ideal man. And i know that it may give someone false expectations from men because no one is flawless and it is nearly impossible to find someone just like Atlas but at least understanding that there are people who are close to being an Atlas and they still choose to be around Ryles is very significant.

[@kendylwilson5881]

agreed

[@cheyenneclenney]

when i read it starts with us years ago, i wrote in my book journal that i felt like i needed a whole epilogue book because there wasn’t enough closure. it felt like this book was a celebration of healing which was really satisfying. lily and atlas deserve the world truly!

[@cheyenneclenney]

i say years ago like i’m old af i only read it like a year ago lmfao ANYWAY

[@murewawarriors5819]

You mean it ends with us

[@elliemayxo]

it ends with us was literally the book that kicked off my reading addiction and i am SO happy with it starts with us. i love the lily povs about being a survivor and talking about other women in dv relationships and atlas is just so pure. i love him. i’m so glad they got the happy ending they deserve and i was living for the atlas/josh storyline 🥺

[@elliemayxo]

@Hazel Allison just because you don’t agree doesn’t me you have to put down my opinion. that’s the great thing about opinions, everyone is allowed to have their own 😌 thank you for the recommendation but i’m good! X

[@soumyasharma7743]

@Hazel Allison its your opinion personally I loved this book and both atlas and lily deserved a happy ending

[@martynasofia209]

i literally rated this book 2 stars on storygraph just cause I was like "give us nothing honey, I have 0 emotional attachment to this book" and it totally felt like an extended epilogue but also it was like did we really truly need this to exist

[@mirandalefebvre8623]

I was a stan of It Ends with Us, and I loved Atlas so much for the longest time. I totally agree with you that what Atlas did what should be the bare minimum and a lot of people automatically love him for that when in reality, that should always happen. When reading It Starts With Us, it was such an anticipated read for me. I loved Atlas' relationship with his brother. I loved that Lily and Atlas got married at the end, but I hated that the last scene was only Atlas' vows and not Lily's and they didn't end together in a scene. I also agree I don't what to exactly feel, because it's not what I expected, but it was really sweet. I also knew going into that Colleen Hoover never wanted to give Ryle a redemption arc (he never should, fuck Ryle), so I wasn't worried about that, but I didn't like how much of a presence he still had (I get he's the father to her child, but I wish earlier on Lily cut Ryle off sooner and we could see a little more domestic Atlas and Lily. It totally felt like a very extended epilogue though!

[@elliemayxo]

i think having ryle as such a big part of it is such a true part of being a dv survivor with a child. it’s a really real portrayal of how it is so i think that was really important of what women go through trying to move on with an abusive ex and a child in the mix

[@squidwardtentacles7144]

Not to sound rude, but I wouldn't classify Atlas helping Lily out as "the bare minimum". Yes, it should be a given that people would be so kind enough as to help someone out of an abusive situation but sadly stuff like that doesn't happen as often as we'd like. And honestly getting out of an abusive relationship isn't like getting your friend out of hole or whatever. It's alot harder than you think and it can tear down the person that's trying to help too because not everyone is able to have the strength to get out of an abusive relationship like Lily did. Of course I don't think we should praise him for it but more so be appreciative that he was willing to help her. And also from what I've witnessed people seem to like Atlas more so due his picture perfect cinnamon roll nature. He's a very kind, caring, and considerate person. Sadly not everyone dealing with terrible situations has someone like that in their corner.😔

[@ItsyBitsyIrishGirl]

I feel like if you read the first book and didn't know this sequel exists you're not missing out on anything tbh.

[@user-oi5fc7lm8j]

Fr like I ain't reading this one

[@antiquechase]

I didn't like it.

[@amandacee113]

It definitely felt like a super extended epilogue. But I loved it still! I’m glad she didn’t drag out Lily and Atlas getting together for real. It scared me a bit in the beginning that she would.

[@withlove_marie]

I actually truly enjoyed the book and gave it a 5/5 as I did It ends with us. I feel so connected to the point and theme, reminds me so much of my mom (sadly) and myself years ago and I just connect with Lily on such a deep level and it makes me cry thinking about having someone like Atlas in that point of your life... that is real. I loved Theo, felt so much for Josh... i just loved it. Im sad you didn't connect with it but I always say, its a good thing not to know first hand what it feels like when it comes to life ❤️

[@meherjanurmee9566]

I connect to Lily, too. That's why even if CoHo's writing style is just "okay", I felt really touched by both of the books. I wish my momma had left the Ryle in our family and moved on alone or with an Atlas.

[@meherjanurmee9566]

Only those who can relate to Lily or Lily's mother in real life will shed tears after reading these books. The concept will make them feel seen and heard

[@withlove_marie]

@@meherjanurmee9566 Absolutely!

[@sharenYadav]

Yup! I can totally relate to you

[@Sama-yd4cl]

@@meherjanurmee9566 I feel the same way! I usually don’t like Colleen Hoover’s writing, but like you’re all saying… when you relate to a character it makes the book so meaningful. I hope you all get/have your Atlas’. It ends with all of us too ❤️

[@morganmurphy8700]

After reading this book I felt so warm and happy inside Josh and Atlas’s relationship is everything I’m so happy for them😭😭

[@namratrm4409]

Just finished. This time I was just in for Atlas. And my heart warmed whenever he spoke or there was a chapter from his POV. And the last chapter. Jeez I had tears in my eyes the entire time. ❤❤❤ I hope Collen someday writes a book just from Atlas's Pov.

[@ladiesandgerms3895]

btw you mentioned during reading atlas & lilys couch scene that ryle still has the key & he could barge in anytime but you might missed the part where he actually gives it back to her in the early chapters when lily asked him about giving the key back haha so don't worry

[@basicwhitee2158]

tbh my heart was pounding then altho i knew he didn’t have key😭😭😭

[@SG-yb6hw]

I literally started reading this book 15 minutes ago and you uploads a vlog 6 minutes later. Feels like a sign. It's gonna be so fun reading this book along with you!!

[@sanyasingh1480]

Same thoughts Steph. The first book was kind of incomplete but this was kind of meh. The only thing I loved about this the most was the jokes Theo made about atlas' cheezy dialogues 😂😂😂😂"we have reached the beach, my little whale"😂😂😂

[@mariamali2060]

Theo’s humour was something I didn’t know I needed

[@aisha1447]

Whenever Theo made those jokes, I literally laughed for a min or two!

[@sanyasingh1480]

@@aisha1447 same😂

[@baddieandabook]

@@sanyasingh1480 he was literally roasting Atlas the entire time & I’m here for it

[@ananyaarya09]

They are getting wed let’s hop into bed😂😂

[@98Roxana98]

Did anyone else notice that Lucy was already supposed to be married? It is mentioned in the first book (after we learn she works für Lily now) that she’s married and in the second book we get a wedding 😂 I looooved the book tho, made me feel really good and I‘m happy to know that Lily and Atlas are happy 🥹♥️

[@sarahalanam]

I really loved how we got a lot more insight into Atlas but I wish it was a bit longer so the ending didn’t feel so rushed

[@sophiaisabelle01]

Hi Steph. It’s great to see you glowing. We all look forward to your reading vlogs. They actually keep us entertained. Keep up the good work and we’ll be here to support you.

[@geenakayla]

you radiate such comforting energy steph and i literally love every single video you create!! you feel like a friend and i appreciate everything you do💗💗

[@camilas_tbr]

Steph, Alexa, Sara and Jack all posting on the same day?! heaven 🤭 also my literal favourite character was Theo he was like the comic relief from the drama…idk ❤

[@mirajayaraman2130]

unpopular opinion but i actually loved this book and was obsessed with atlas and lily’s relationship. i think one of the most heart wrenching parts of it ends with us was hating and loving ryle at the same time, but this book literally made my heart melt. i definitely understand how this could feel as an extended epilogue, but nonetheless i enjoyed it immensely. my only critique however, and i’ve seen multiple people comment this already, was how rushed the ending was. i wish we got to see how their marriage proposal was and a short epilogue to how their life was after their wedding. all together, great video and great book in my opinion!

[@sharenYadav]

I felt the same thing I mean I didn't instantly get obsessed over Atlas. His character was sweet but he wasn't really given that much screen time really to know him better

[@Lizzy_Garfield]

This book just made me so happy, like pure joy and after it ends with us that’s what I needed!!

[@emersonalthaus4657]

I loved it ends with us and it was so eye opening for me. Like you mentioned, I didn’t LOVE atlas like everyone else but I just liked him enough. I read this book in less than 24 hours, it was so good and such an easy read. I have seen people say there’s not much plot and there really isn’t but it was the perfect ending to see what lilys life looked like after the first book. I think it was a good epilogue and made me so happy!!

[@SG-yb6hw]

tbh I was feeling quite low today and didn't feel like doing anything. Your thumbnail being the first thing I saw when I opened youtube cheered me up instantly. I haven't even started playing the video yet, I wanted to give a little thank u first. this channel's my safe little corner of the world and you're my favorite creator. thank you for being my comfort person. p.s. I absolutely loved the 40 minutes long vlog and I hope u make more videos like that in the future.

[@saardcv]

I loved this book, and I’m literally in love with Atlas. In my eyes he’s definitely not bland and does more than the bare minimum

[@khalilahd.]

Your reading vlogs is literally serotonin to the veins ❤ I’ve found so many book favorites from your reading vlogs. Love it here 😊

[@aesthetic-kl6hk]

Seriously? You're live in KZbin 🤮

[@zoepta]

Am I the only one that didn’t get this book? I feel like so much of it was repeated from the first book. The only part I connected with was when Atlas was protective but beyond that, I feel like I’m missing something. It feels like the book was rushed to be written and it had so much more potential

[@oliviataylor8905]

Okay I was thinking the same thing about Alyssa and Marshall!!! Being family does not justify keeping a relationship with an abuser. I was so shocked they still spoke to him. At the end when they hosted the intervention I was a little satisfied but still ehhhh. It was just a fan fiction to me.

[@alicecat989]

Well, I don't know about Marshall, but I loved Alyssa. She is a realist. She doesn't leave people because of a flaw they have. She doesn't act like Ryle is an angel. She supports Lilly a lot. She knows that she herself isn't an angel either! It's easy to say that "just because it is family doesn't mean you should keep in contact" (I totally agree with this statement), but in real life you would be surprised how many families sweep under the rug some member's horrible actions.

[@alexandrapreston7283]

Personally I think it was great that they didn't leave him, imagine how much worse he could've become without them and what he could've gone to do to someone else? Imagine feeling like the whole fucking world hates you and you have no one to turn to? Imagine the anger that would've filled with? Alyssa is also aware of his past and the trauma he's been through, so I think it's great that they tried to find a solution to help him work through it.

[@kairu8802]

6:08 your side comment about that is so comforting, my ex abused me and our common friends still sided with him even though i told them everything that he did.

[@sandrae2398]

i'm so sorry

[@brittneyhiatt]

I feel like an extended epilogue is a perfect description. I absolutely loved It Ends With Us. This book was good in my opinion but I definitely expected more.

[@diaryofaromanticreader]

if it ends with us broke me in the best way possible, it starts with us healed me 🤲🏻

[@Amenatooba]

I just read It ends with us. It hurt me so bad but when lily and atlas finally had something in the end, that’s the only part which keeps me sane. I shall start “it starts with us” to heal myself

[@meghanamadhavaram7491]

I feel the same! I didn't feel any significant feelings towards it but it was a good read overall

[@bhoomikaa369]

I thought the same thingg how could Alissa and Marshall have a normal relationship with Ryle like nothing happened??!?

[@maryambabar2117]

Am I the only one who has the tiniest amount of sympathy for Ryle in this whole fandom?

[@flaviamonasteriosuarez4374]

Yes.

[@68739]

he’s an abuser but he knows that what he’s doing isn’t okay he should get therapy. he also has been through a lot. he needs his own character development.

[@lavanya9172]

No you're not

[@suzieboros545]

PLEASEEEEEEE do a spooky szn book recommendation! Stuff like Gothikana (dark academic gothic romance) or hollow Heathens (Gilmore girls esque but spooky)

[@jennyared6957]

YESSS PLEASE!!

[@lolaforrada9402]

I loveeeeeddd Gothikana! The next on is coming in for days! (Arkana) and I recommend blood orange from Karina halle- it’s a Dracula retelling but romance heavy

[@isabellej222]

I agree, it felt like a realllyyyy long epilogue. It also felt like a wattpad fanfic lmao

[@karafarney8151]

I was really happy with it. Lilly has been through so much, I don’t think she deserved anymore trauma or pain (emotional and physical). It is the happy ending we all wanted for her and Atlas. I loved getting a glimpse into Atlas’ head and his back story. Also seeing his relationship form with Josh 🥹 I would love to get more with Josh! It was a light sweet story and personally I’m just grateful Colleen gave us more at all and she only did it because she knew we wanted it.

[@sharenYadav]

STEPHH YOUR FIRST 2 MIN REVIEWS IS LITERALLY MEE!!!!

[@brooklynburns1381]

personally I thought this book was amazing! I just finished it like 5 minutes ago. People keep saying that it just felt like a fan fic or epilogue but I personally thought it was a really good sequel. I thought the whole plot twist with Josh being Atlas’ brother was cute because their interactions always made me laugh. And when I Lilly said “considerate Josh” at the end like she always said about atlas: that was just so heartwarming to me. Also the reason I may have stayed so invested is because I did like Ryle before he got abusive and then afterwards I was hoping he would change, so when he didn’t I just got really invested with Atlas. I will admit though I did get kinda bored reading those letters that atlas and Lilly kept writing because they felt a bit repetitive. In general tho I really really like this book and It Ends with Us.

[@hannahtomberlin8165]

the fact that this girl looks amazing with no makeup on

[@tanith2897]

i HATED two of three Coho's books i read. i feel satisfied with it ends with us, the only one i like very much, so i dont wanna risk hating the series all together with it starts with us

[@abtannies]

which ones did u hate?

[@hilol7507]

i will probably not read this. so many people have said that it really just feels like an epilouge (it was nice seeing you agree to this actually) , which is not worth it to spend money (for me personally). i liked it ends with us but i have a feeling that this book might kinda take it's message away or make it seem less important, idk...

[@Ellephant1101]

Atlas and Josh were my favourite part

[@amortentxa]

I really liked the book - mostly because i just loved finally seeing them unbothered and happily together and it just feels like everything is supposed to go that way. It just felt so pure and unforced, i probably cried every single chapter because it made me so happy to see them happy. I do still understand that some people weren’t able to really connect with it because they think it was quiet rushed. I don’t really know how to describe it, but i feel like the bound between lily and atlas is so incredibly strong that it’s just obvious for everything to go fast and uncomplicated. I’m just so relieved they’re finally together 🥹 anyway just wanted to share my pov haha!

[@leia.mp4]

I personally loved It Ends With Us but in my opinion It Starts With Us it was kinda of and fanfiction, like if you read your favourite couple that didn't end up together in wattpad but ISWU was definitely not what I expected, I wanted more justice for Lily and get to know more Atlas and his family. And i think the relashionship of atlas and lily was too fast when they wanted to get to know each other slow. But is just my opinion.

[@maggiesarah13]

i got my copy at 8pm the day it came out and i read 9 chapters and i haven’t had time to finish it yet so ill watch this when i do

[@erikdaniels0n]

Alternate title: Steph hating Ryle for 10 minutes straight (so true of her)

[@meherjanurmee9566]

Downloaded the PDF of this book today. And FINISHED it. This one is much more wholesome and I liked it way more than It Ends with Us

[@eramazmi3480]

From where you got pdf

[@Lolsss50]

Z liabary

[@shruti_sinha]

Everything you said in the starting, how you felt about It Ends with Us and how everyone is so hellbent for Atlas 👀 I felt the same girl 🙌🏻 Finally got someone who feels the same ❤️ Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading IEWU but I didn't really see Atlas doing enough in the present for Lily to worship him like literally everyone else does. So so so glad that Steph feels kinda same😍🤗

[@bethany2604]

Omg yes, that is literally the best way to put it. This book is just an extended epilogue. We knew how it was going to end but we simply just wanted to see it in writing lol. I will say it has been a over a year since I read "It Ends With Us" but it was the first book I read of Colleen Hoover so I was expecting a little more but at the same time not much bc I personally didn't feel the need for their happy ending in print. We knew they were going to end up together. I didn't care for the mother but I understood why we unfortunately had to include her to lead up to Atlas finding family in his broken home. I just didn't like her and Atlas was expressing a lot more patience than I could have. I love Theo, he is just the cutest. And I did enjoy Atlas' interactions with Josh. I forgot how I felt about Marshall in the first book, but Allysa was not my favorite in this book. I have seen a handful of reviews that share similar opinions about either not caring for or just disliking the letters she wrote to Ellen. My unpopular opinion regarding the letters is that I don't mind them. Simply coming from the point of view that writing to Ellen was merely a coping mechanism that she often found comfort in especially for things that she may have felt she could not discuss openly in the household she grew up in. Are some of them cheesey? Sure, but most of her letters were from her as a teenager with no outlet. I feel like I have no room to judge when looking at it from a different perspective. But overall, it was and okay book but good epilogue. It took me a little longer than expected to finish bc I often found myself easily distracted whole reading it lol.

[@ronnie3426]

Hot take: Atlas was the bare minimum and he was boring. His only personality trait was that he loves lily. He was too perfect idk how to explain it but i didnt like it. I dont feel anything towards him and like idk how people were so obsessed with him when he was doing the bare minimum. Talking about the book, it felt very black n white but i loved that i could just fly trough the book bc the chapters were short. Loved Josh’s relationship with Atlas though❤️

[@tanishkagidde4379]

your review is exactly what my thoughts were after reading it starts with us. that its an proper ending for 'it ends with us' and definetly helped to connect better with atlas which it ends with us didn't do. just like you said loved the josh atlas and josh theo relation and ofc it was an epilogue.

[@tanishkagidde4379]

i cant rate this book for some reason

[@livkatsouranis1395]

i totally agree, i loved it end with us but like you i read it years ago. It ends with us had me balling and i really liked it. After finishing it starts with us, i was so confused. Nothing really happened and it was just a massive epilogue. I enjoyed reading it but it wasn’t what i expected from a colleen hoover book.

[@rivera17alissa]

I absolutely loved it. It made my heart so happy! I was very excited when I found out she was coming out with it. I think you said it very well it was just the closure we all needed

[@Cassandrareads]

7:52 Ryle didn’t have a key anymore at that moment. She’s asked for it back earlier in the book and he gave it back but was pissed about it

[@sivakeerthyjayakumar3119]

Hey can i please know how much chapters are there??thank you,,,

[@T207ra]

We have the same opinion on the Ryle, Alyssa and her husband thing

[@Nicolelynnn]

no because i am never pre ordering from barnes again, I don't even have the book yet and I could've just bought in store or on amazon

[@madeofsushi]

About Lily’s apartment - Not quite sure how Ryle has a key to her NEW apartment because in chapter 4 Lily says he has a key to her apartment in case she went into labor with Emerson and he needed to get to her, but in It Ends With Us last chapter, Lily’s water broke while she was still living in their old apartment. She has since then moved into a new apartment while Ryle still lives in the old one..I think that was an oopsie on miss Coho’s part.

[@rachelbreinstampf148]

I was very disappointed. I enjoyed it ends with us but i was majorly underwhelmed with this book. Maybe I went in with too high expectations but I expected more from her as I really enjoy her books

[@arianaspencer3382]

Did anyone else feel that Atlas was like Colleen's stepdad, since Lily & Ryle are based off her mother & bio dad? That's a sweet thought. I loved this one and I'm one of the ones who also adore It Ends With Us. I read it the month it came out in 2016 after going to the signing for it & meeting Colleen, then took the book on a trip. It's got nostalgia, but it's also one of my favorite books. I had no preconceived notions, it hadn't been widely talked about yet. I think ISWU did a good job of giving a more realistic view of post-divorce with an abuser (I can't relate thankfully). Like Lily notes, the bad moments were blanketed by the good & the good was what was ripped away after divorcing, leaving the nasty Ryle. I've always loved Atlas, now he's more of a favorite. I love the found family. I never thought I'd get more & better closure, so I'm happy.

[@Konstantina06]

I'm so excited to read about Poppy and Atlas relationship and watching this video while I'm reading the book! Love y Steph 💜

[@yhwhnissi.]

I was so excited when she announced it but after a few chaps I couldn't get through it and now I just finished it through you lol

[@amandaanderson8423]

The epilogue comment is EXACTLY what I thought when it ended! A really long epilogue

[@o7_jojo]

Basically this book is one of those “ give the people what they want”. typical love and pretty much a really long epilogue.

[@Emily-27]

Your opinion on it ends with us is actually spot on, to what I was thinking ahaha, in it starts with us when atlas got custody of josh it was actually cute seeing them be like a little family. I did like it starts with us way more

[@zitaridgett]

From my pov- it was a bit too black and white like now one liked rule and everyone loved atlas sort of thing but In it ends with us you had very mixed feelings on Ryle and it showed how these situations in real life and so black and white. Overall I gave it 4/5 stars but it ends with us was 4.5/5 for me:)

[@angy8359]

I LOVED It Stars With Us. The community is complaining about how there was no plot twist but I literally could not care less. I think it was the exact words we needed after It Ends With Us. It keeps the situation's credibility and it also carries on the important message of the previous. But, more than that, it opens a new perspective of violence at home with Josh and Atlas' traumas that are still very important. The only bad thing to come out of this is that I will never find a man because of how high my standards are after Atlas in this book, I swear *crazy honorable mention to Theo btw

[@NatalieBelsha]

I didn’t really like this book. My favorite part was Theo and josh… i dont know I was really disappointed. The way we read the SAME journal entries again.. i dont know just was expecting more. Didn’t like the random time jumps too

[@shruti_sinha]

Steph knows what we need and serves with more 💯🙌🏻 Love and respect you so much Steph ❤️

[@katerinagal5696]

One thing i wished this book had is a chapter with Ryle's pov. The first book was all about him and lilly and i understand that the second book was about atlas and lilly's romance but ryle was an important part of the story and i think it lacks his pov on the whole situation and how he felt

[@aspenskyet]

i feel like considering there was never supposed to be a second book, what we got was good. people didn't want another heavy book to add on to it ends with us (and coho didn't want another book added on at all), they just wanted a happy ending. and thats what epilogues usually are so it makes sense that it did kinda feel like an extremely extended epilogue

[@aleksandravalchanova5797]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK FOR MONTHS and I’m amazed I missed the date 🫠 I saw your video and was like: damn, it is unfair how many great books Steph has before their publishing date and I decided to check which November it was supposed to launch. You guessed correct that I bought it this instance! It ends with us is my most favourite favourite favourite of all times so I will be out for the next few days. 🥰

[@DreamBelive07]

all of my friends who arent big readers really loved it ends with us but i agree, it was my least fave of her books. it was just meh. i feel like people who arent part of the recent trend of people who are reading books bc of tiktok/have been readers arent as obsessed with colleen hoover as everyone else is lol

[@lou_lee_]

the “tiktok” and “gen z” comments in the book are not talked about enough like… WHY DID SHE HAVE TO ADD THAT

[@rodicaradut5921]

Wow did't know the book is out yet, I hope its as good as "It ends with us" Looking forward to reading it ❤️❤️❤️

[@ijustbescrolling]

I think I only liked It Starts With Us because I think the people who do connect with the characters, needed to see a happy ending for Lily.

[@selenacasper5691]

Can you read this without reading the other book….?

[@Harsimran2004]

3.5 stars 😭😭😭😭 I was OBSESSED with it starts with us but now I don’t think it was THAT good but I’m happy I read it because it was the first book that actually got me into reading (after Wattpad lmao obviously)

[@JESUS_SAVES2005]

i finished the book yesterday!!!!!

[@falishahussain6789]

Haven't read it yet. Should I skip the spoilers and read it or just watch this video?

[@tamaragrant1404]

Love your reading vlogs, but unrelated question, where do you get your silver jewelry from, especially your rings.

[@ravyabajaj9335]

agreed ab it ends w us. she's a greater author but the letters were just kinda boring to read so i skipped them and didn't really connect w atlas but it's a great message

[@Redmerlegirl]

This is an unpopular opinion but I actually with It Starts With Us had more closure. Like yeah there was obviously closure with Lily and Atlas, but I wanted closure with Ryle. Did he do anger management? Did he end up getting partial custody? Did Lily actually take him to court? I feel like his relationship with Emerson is so important because obviously Lily wants so badly for him to not have custody unless he changes (which he wont bc colleen said he wouldn't have a redemption arc) so I really wish they told us if he ended up getting custody or anything lol

[@Redmerlegirl]

and i agree with the epilogue thing, i have no idea what to rate it bc it was good, there wasn't anything I hated, but I feel like it wasn't deep enough to give it 4-5 stars if that makes sense. like it just kinda happened and I was like "ok cool"

[@lvcidsxft6898]

literally love your vlogs. have a safe trip / flight to wherever you're going

[@abygaylee]

why is it so fun to watch you read your reactions are the best thing

[@marg8747]

okk steph before I read it did you like it ? I’ll come watch the video once I’ve read it

[@marianacosta7907]

Can you do a reading vlog when you read one of us is lying? It’s literally my favorite book

[@AritheVegan]

I’m so glad you felt that way about it starts with us, so spot on with Atlas doing the bare minimum. But going to give this one a try! Love your reading vlogs🥲💗

[@thearcher_aria]

I felt that way too that it's more like an extended epilogue for it ends with us. I just feel happy to have a closure and wrap this all up on a good note finally. Otherwise no extreme significant feelings or whatever

[@AlexSharbono_]

I got it on Tuesday and I still have yet to read it. I’ll hopefully start it soon

[@alishagoss2842]

I really want this book but I can only find it in hardback in the UK and I hate owing hardbacks so I’m waiting until the uk releases a paper back