It Starts with Us

Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas.

It Starts with Us is a sequel to the #1 Sunday Times bestseller It Ends with Us, which tells the story of Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, and their co-parenting rhythm. Lily bumps into her first love, Atlas, and they go on a date, but her excitement is hampered by the knowledge that Ryle is still a part of her life. The novel switches between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas.

Format: Paperback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Colleen Hoover, the celebrated author known for her multi-million copy bestsellers, takes devoted readers on an exhilarating journey into the depths of emotions once again. In a long-anticipated sequel to her renowned masterpiece 'It Ends with Us', Hoover deftly unfurls the hitherto untold side of the story, one that fans have been clamouring for - Atlas's perspective. Moreover, she invites readers to venture beyond the horizon, providing insight into what lies ahead in this eagerly awaited continuation.

The narrative centres around Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, who have painstakingly found common ground in the intricate art of civil co-parenting. However, the delicate balance they've woven is suddenly thrown into flux when the winds of fate reunite Lily with her first love, Atlas. A symphony of emotions ensues as old feelings resurface, colouring their lives with shades of nostalgia and longing. The passage of nearly two years since their separation seems inconsequential in the face of the flood of emotions that come rushing back.

As the story unfolds, Lily's heart is torn between the allure of rekindled romance with Atlas and the reality that Ryle, though no longer her spouse, remains an integral part of her life. Their intertwined fates echo loudly, casting a shadow over her newfound happiness. The complications are further compounded by the presence of their daughter, a tiny beacon of innocence caught in the crossfire of adult emotions.

Atlas Corrigan, the enigmatic figure who once held Lily's heart in his hands, is confronted with a complex dilemma. His desire to be part of Lily's life is entwined with the knowledge that Ryle, a man he deeply respects and holds an inherent unease towards, will inevitably be affected. The interplay of their emotions adds a layer of tension, leaving readers to navigate the intricate dance of relationships and loyalties.

Narrated through the alternating perspectives of Lily and Atlas, 'It Starts with Us' picks up seamlessly from where the epilogue of the original phenomenon, 'It Ends with Us', concluded. Hoover's prose delves into the psyche of each character, laying bare their vulnerabilities, fears, and unspoken desires. The emotional depth she weaves into her storytelling ensures that readers are not just observers but participants in this heartrending journey.

The novel culminates in a crescendo of emotions, a poignant synthesis of romantic aspirations, intricate relationships, and life's unforgiving complexities. Hoover meticulously ties up loose ends and answers the unspoken questions that have lingered since 'It Ends with Us'. In doing so, she gifts her readers the closure they've yearned for, while also leaving the door ajar for the mysteries that the future holds.

In 'It Starts with Us', Colleen Hoover masterfully constructs a world where love is both fragile and unyielding, where choices have far-reaching consequences, and where the human heart is a landscape as vast and varied as the emotions it harbours. Through the prism of Lily and Atlas's journey, she reaffirms her prowess as a storyteller who understands the human condition in all its shades. As readers immerse themselves in this spellbinding sequel, they are reminded once again of the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring resonance of characters who become not just ink on paper, but companions in the journey of imagination and emotion.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398518209