Colleen Hoover – It Starts with Us: A Novel

**Introduction to the Author: Colleen Hoover**

Colleen Hoover is one of the most prominent contemporary romance authors, widely loved by young readers, especially on the social media platform BookTok. Her name is synonymous with emotionally charged stories about love, family, and complex relationships. Hoover’s works are known not only for their captivating plots but also for how they delicately incorporate pressing social issues like domestic violence and its long-term consequences.

Hoover often places her characters in difficult situations, which allows her to deeply explore their psychology, creating a strong sense of empathy among readers. She has captured the hearts of millions with novels like *It Ends With Us* and, more recently, *It Starts With Us: A Novel*, the highly anticipated sequel to the love story between Atlas and Lily.

**Introduction to the Book: *It Starts With Us: A Novel***

*It Starts With Us: A Novel* is the sequel to the best-selling novel *It Ends With Us*, where Colleen Hoover continues the story of Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan. Picking up directly where the previous book left off, it takes readers into Lily’s life after divorce and domestic abuse. While the first book is heavy and emotionally intense, *It Starts With Us* offers a lighter narrative, focusing on the journey of healing and building a healthy relationship between Lily and Atlas.

Hoover skillfully crafts a second-chance romance, sweet yet not without challenges, as both main characters must confront the consequences of their past and the complexities of their present lives. One of the intriguing aspects of the book is how the author portrays not just love but also the complexities of relationships, even with the so-called antagonists. Readers come to understand that there are no true villains, as Hoover shows the shades of gray in human behavior. Through the stories of Atlas, Lily, and Ryle—Lily’s ex-husband—the novel offers insight into the lasting scars of domestic abuse and how each character overcomes them in their own way.

**Who Should Read This Book**

*It Starts With Us* is a perfect read for those who enjoyed *It Ends With Us*, as the sequel delves deeper into the characters and storyline introduced in the first book. If you are interested in themes like domestic violence, the recovery process, or simply enjoy tender yet profound love stories, this book is a must-read.

In particular, those who have experienced or witnessed complicated family or social relationships will find a deep sense of empathy with the characters in this novel. The book also presents a more realistic view of relationships, emphasizing that love is not just about emotion, but about constant effort and work to nurture and sustain it.

**Conclusion**

*It Starts With Us: A Novel* by Colleen Hoover is a gentle and beautiful continuation of *It Ends With Us*. While it may not deliver the same level of emotional intensity as its predecessor, the book still captivates readers with its sweet and innocent love story between Atlas and Lily. Through this, Hoover reminds us that building a healthy and lasting relationship requires effort from both sides.

The book is not just a love story, but also a message of recovery and hope, especially after life’s traumas and challenges. For those who love romance novels, especially the audiobook version of *It Starts With Us*, this is definitely a book worth enjoying, offering moments of both lightness and depth.