Thao Nhi Tran

I recently finished reading *It Ends With Us* by Colleen Hoover, and it was the first book I’ve fully read since high school. The very next day after work, I couldn’t resist picking up its sequel, *It Starts With Us*, from Target. I devoured that one in less than a day. Choosing this series to get back into reading has been one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. **Spoiler alert** for those who haven't read the books yet! The first book begins with Lily Bloom, fresh from giving her father’s eulogy, standing on a rooftop deck, where she meets Ryle Kincaid. They exchange words, and fate brings them together again when Ryle’s sister, Alyssa, works at Lily’s flower shop. Soon, they start a romance, and they have a unique tradition of sharing “naked truths” with each other—where they speak without holding back. Colleen Hoover initially paints Ryle as charming, sexy, and captivating. To be honest, I was hooked on Ryle too. I loved how freaky, flirty, and persistent he was—knocking on 29 doors to find Lily definitely left an impression! At the same time, we learn about Lily’s past with Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she once loved, through old diary entries she wrote to Ellen DeGeneres. Atlas and Lily shared a special bond during their teenage years, one full of care, love, and deep connection. When Ryle has dinner with Lily and her mom, they unexpectedly reunite. Later, they meet again when Alyssa and her husband, Marshall, take them all to a restaurant, which just happens to be Atlas’ place. From there, things start to unravel, and Ryle’s true nature emerges. He becomes abusive, even pushing Lily down the stairs. I have to say, this book is full of intense and sometimes triggering moments. The writing is so detailed that I found myself dazing past paragraphs or skipping a page here and there because it was so emotionally charged. I started off loving Ryle, and for a moment, I feared Atlas would disrupt their relationship since I had no prior knowledge of the story beyond the back cover. But as the story unfolded, the depth of Lily and Atlas' connection became undeniable. I cried while reading her letters to Ellen and felt such pain for all the time they spent apart. The insights, flashbacks, and emotional growth in the story really touched me in ways I didn’t expect. This book made me reflect on my own life and even reconsider some of my choices. Honestly, I think I might need to find my own Atlas! If you love reading about love, drama, and stories with a happy ending, I highly recommend this book—10/10. And if you're into steamy romance with some real emotional depth, be sure to pick up the sequel too. It was just as amazing.