This is it. The moment we’ve all been waiting for all year long. Colleen Hoover’s newest novel, It Starts with Us, finally giving us a little bit more with the romance between Lily and Atlas. And let me tell you. It. Was. Glorious. 

To be honest with you guys, I wasn’t supposed to post this so soon after the book came out, but I found myself reading so fast that I knew I just had to finish it and post/video my review as soon as possible. Atlas is a complete gem and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I powered through this book within a day (during the work day, no less!)

Everything about this book was all that I could’ve hoped for. It touched on issues that It Ends with Us never delved into like how the separation with Ryle actually went. Not to mention how Lily dating complicated everything. Having that sense of we’re finally seeing what happens next because you just know that it doesn’t end at the end of the first book was amazing. Seeing how much Atlas loves Lily all over again? Definitely could’ve brought me to tears. What. A. Man. 

This book was so family-centric and I really appreciated that. I appreciated how most characters tried to act with human decency despite their horrible predicaments. That was honestly my favorite part about the whole book was its humanity. Its kindness. Its way of showing you that good people truly do exist. Need I say more to make you run to the nearest bookstore to buy your copy??

Spoilers Ahead.

Of course, this review had to have spoilers. Too much happened for me to not talk about the spoilers. I told you guys, this blog is here for me to rant and talk about the books I adore, so here I am. Josh’s relationship with Atlas? I wanted to melt every time they were together. Atlas gave Josh everything that he didn’t have and seeing that young boy get so vulnerable around Atlas was heartbreaking. I loved every scene with them. 

Marshall and Allysa always sticking up for Lily even though they were closer to Ryle? Wow. That’s what true humanity is. I can’t imagine being in that situation with one of my brothers and seeing their girlfriend/wife so vulnerable and broken. The fact that they sided with Lily made me love them so much more than I already did. It’s even harder to stand up to people you know rather than people you don’t. 

And one last thing. Lily finally got her garden. Finally.

Overall, this book will give you everything you ever wanted and more. I found closure and heartbreak and family and love and so many other emotions that I can barely string them all together in this review. Colleen Hoover is undoubtedly, just like I mentioned before, the best romance author of our generation. She deserves a medal. Seriously. 

Source: Personal Copy