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brittany_ballin'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, and Vomit
kaylasbookgram's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love that we got more of the story with Atlas and Lily. This was everything and more! I loved watching Lily grow as a mother and standing up for herself to raise her daughter away from abuse and conflict. I absolutely love Colleen Hoovers books I can’t praise them enough!
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Alcohol, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
becca_w_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Bullying, Cursing, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Gore, and Rape
gmbooks11_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
issyd23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Violence, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
redheadorganist's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
sldibened's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual content, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
soft_plush's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Cursing and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing and Gaslighting
hmw98's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"It Starts with Us" picks up almost immediately following the end of "It Ends with Us". Lily and her ex-husband Ryle have been separated for a while, but they have come together to create a great coparenting system for their daughter. Although there is no chance of reconciliation, they are living in relatively good harmony. Lily is happy and ready to move on with her life when she bumps into Atlas on the street, and she enthusiastically agrees to go on a date with him. The timing seems perfect, and everything seems to FINALLY be falling into place for Lily and Atlas. The only thing that could come between them now is Ryle.
This story alternates between Lily's and Atlas's perspectives, which was a great treat for those who adored Atlas in "It Ends with Us". Atlas is such a good guy, and after such a difficult life, it was really nice to see him have some wins and finally get a real shot with Lily. I do think he suffers from being too perfect, but in the most ideal world, it was fun to see "the perfect man".
In "It Ends with Us", Lily becomes best friends with Ryle's sister, and I was curious to see how their friendship was affected when it came out that Ryle is abusive. I was pleased to see that the two girls remained friends and Ryle's sister stood by Ryle and Lily's sides. She acknowledged her brother was wrong and out of line in his treatment towards Lily, but she supported him getting better and getting to spend time with his daughter. She also supported Lily and was nothing short of a best friend for her.
I do not think you have to read "It Ends with Us" before you pick this up, but you will definitely have a better appreciation for the characters if you do. The only thing that would have made this better for me is if the book was solely Atlas's perspective. I appreciated seeing Lily's character grow and stand up for herself, but I wanted this book to finally see Atlas's side of the story. I think we still could have gotten an update about Lily through Atlas's point of view.
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Death of parent