From the Bookshelf of Between the Pages Book Club…

It Starts with Us (It Ends with Us, #2)

Colleen Hoover

Start date: April 2, 2023

Finish date: April 30, 2023

Discussion: BOTM Picks

Why we're reading this: Highly anticipated sequel to an enjoyable novel. Join us as we read It starts with us,
[close] Highly anticipated sequel to an enjoyable novel. Join us as we read It starts with us,

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What Members Thought

Oct 22, 2022 Melissa Guimond rated it it was amazing

Makes my heart smile

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Apr 17, 2023 Francica Cornwall rated it liked it

Shelves: between-the-pages-botm

This sequel was highly anticipated by me because I loved 'It Ends With Us'. While Colleen Hoover's writing in this book was excellent and did not disappoint, it was not my favourite by her so far.

It was a very romantic story though. Lily and Atlas had so much love for one another. It was really nice to read. The story gave the ending that these characters deserved so because of that the story was meaningful. It could have had a little more action for my taste but in all it was a good story. ...more

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Nov 01, 2022 Nola rated it liked it

So, this book was absolutely adorable in sweet. I’m so, so glad to be back in Lily’s world. The issue is that, I feel like it ends with us and this are just two completely different stories, like Ryle was barely mentioned, or like any interaction etc., however in the first book he was such a main character. Maybe I read this wrong, but I feel like it ends with us was really about Lily and this just feels like it is more Atlas’ POV. And Colleen Hoover herself didn’t even plan on writing a sequel,
So, this book was absolutely adorable in sweet. I’m so, so glad to be back in Lily’s world. The issue is that, I feel like it ends with us and this are just two completely different stories, like Ryle was barely mentioned, or like any interaction etc., however in the first book he was such a main character. Maybe I read this wrong, but I feel like it ends with us was really about Lily and this just feels like it is more Atlas’ POV. And Colleen Hoover herself didn’t even plan on writing a sequel, she was kind of forced, which makes me feel like this book was really rushed. It is great and all, and was really fun to read, but it’s not like you take anything away from it. It’s just there. They’re happy. And like in a normal life a couple of drastic things occasionally happen, however it didn’t really make me feel anything deep. I’ve heard many people are crying etc. and I just don’t get why. I also feel like Lily was portrayed slightly differently here. In the first book, she was completely in love with Ryle and it made her decision so much stronger, however this book makes it seem as if she was never really over Atlas and knew they’d end up together, wich really makes her decision to leave Ryle seem so much less strong to me. I was glad to see Atlas happy, I can only repeat myself, I feel like this is more his point of perspective, so I would say Lily is happy too, however Atlas really was the one making all of the first moves. Maybe it was Colleen Hoover’s intention, but I believe if in real life a guy would show you he’s that into you and only thinks about you and wants to be with you forever and has since he was fifteen non-stop even though you has sort of moved on, I feel like it would actually be a major turn-off. Also the confidence every time Atlas told Lily he liked her. “I know you love me too”, “You wanna kiss me too”, etc. It was just a little too much for me. Very corny and unrealistic, but still sweet. I liked how at least Josh and Emmerson were there, seen as they were more realistic characters. Every time Atlas was stressed etc. I feel like Lily just made it all disappear which even seems a little toxic if you ask me. So if you’re into these types of books. Just books that uplift you by portraying unrealistic happiness’s I think you’ll enjoy this book. Otherwise think about reading it, seen as it honestly left me missing Ryle and Lily’s relationship even more. Here me out, Ryle fucked up big time and deserves zero remorse. But Colleen Hoover managed to make me fall in love with him just as much as Lily did in the first book and I always felt like Atlas meant so much to Lily in the first book, however she cherished Ryle so much, she would have never preferred Atlas over him. Just seen him differently. Which makes me feel like Atlas can mean a lot to Lily but still be a platonic. And except for the abuse Ryle and Lily’s relationship just showed more realistic standards of how a relationship should be. So, of course it was the right choice of Lily to leave Ryle, but maybe Colleen Hoover could have portrayed it as less of her leaving Ryle for Atlas in the second book, seen as that really destroyed part of the message for me. I will continue to view these books as separates. And can only urge you to do the same. This book was still nice to read, I just feel like it didn’t do the past book justice and would stand better alone. Have fun reading! And everyone has different opinions, don’t let this influence yours

Edit: I’ve seen a lot of people comment on the writing and the mention if tiktok and gen z in this book. I feel like we are used to books being set in a time without social media, however to be fair, social media is a huge part of our lives and I believe many would not have read this book or the first without it, so one should get used to seeing the representation in books. If you don’t like it, read books from earlier times, however books aren’t a way to escape reality, they’re a way to get a different perspective on someone else’s reality and to be honest, it would be weird if every teenager in books owning a phone would magically be as informed as we are, without having the same access to the internet. You can waste time on social media and learn things there. It shaped people in special ways and that does deserve representation. Now to the language. I feel like the book was slightly rushed, however, apart from that the language really is exactly the same as any other Colleen Hoover book I’ve read. Yes it is quite poor and could be something off of wattpad. But hey, that’s why we read Colleen Hoover, she’s so familiar and similar to the way average teens talk, that’s why moste millenials or boomers won’t go to the bookstore and choose one of her books. It’s a writing style and it makes her books so fast to read. I think the book could have had better language, but for Colleen Hoover, this is exactly what I expected and I’m not disappointed in any way ...more

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