It Starts With Us (2025)
by Colleen Hoover
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover is one of the most anticipated romance novels of 2025. As a sequel to the bestselling It Ends With Us, this book continues the emotionally powerful story of Lily Bloom as she embarks on a journey of healing, forgiveness, and rediscovered love.
Why You Should Read "It Starts With Us"
- It’s a romantic fiction story filled with emotional depth.
It Starts With Us is an uplifting journey into the lives of numerous, attractive characters; it's not just another romance book. Colleen Hoover skillfully combines themes of trauma, forgiveness, healing, and heartbreak into a lovely love story. What makes this novel unique is her ability to evoke every feeling in the reader. This book will have a profound impact on you if you like heartwarming tales that examine genuine human hardships.
- A top pick for readers of contemporary love stories.
- Explores second chances in relationships and healing after abuse.
The
book's central theme is beginning again. Leaving behind a harmful background
and rediscovering oneself through healthy love, Lily Bloom's story is one of
bravery. The book handles touchy themes like physical and emotional abuse with
delicacy and compassion. For individuals who have been harmed, it provides
empowerment and hope by demonstrating that healing and trust can be restored.
Because of this premise, It Starts With Us serves as a manual for emotional
healing and self-love in addition to being a love story.
- Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover's best novels.
You are
already familiar with Colleen Hoover's talent for fusing romance with
unvarnished, realistic drama if you have read It Ends With Us, Verity, or Ugly
Love. The eagerly awaited sequel, It Starts With Us, at last provides readers
with the emotional resolution and closure they had been hoping for. It
maintains the emotional foundations of Hoover's work while offering a new
viewpoint on the tale of Lily and Atlas. Readers will value the book's homage
to historical figures while presenting something fresh and optimistic.
- Trending on platforms like BookTok and Goodreads.
The
online literary community is going crazy over this book. It Starts With Us has
gone viral, garnering thousands of five-star ratings on Goodreads and
tearful-eyed reviews on TikToks. Colleen Hoover's literature has been
discovered by millions of new readers thanks to its success on BookTok and
Instagram Reels. This is a book you shouldn't miss if you're a book blogger,
content creator, or just want to keep up with the most popular books.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Lily Bloom is trying to create a peaceful life after divorcing Ryle Kincaid. As she focuses on co-parenting her daughter, an unexpected reappearance from her first love, Atlas Corrigan, stirs old feelings and new possibilities.
The novel dives into themes of emotional growth, forgiveness, healthy love, and making choices that prioritize peace and happiness. With alternating points of view from Lily and Atlas, readers gain intimate insights into both characters' minds and hearts.
Key Themes
- Healing and Growth – The novel beautifully showcases recovery from emotional trauma.
One major
theme is Lily's development. The book demonstrates how people who have been in
toxic relationships may recover and take back control of their lives. The novel
is a magnificent example of emotional trauma rehabilitation.
- Second Chances – The relationship between Lily and Atlas feels genuine and earned.
Lily and
Atlas's connection seems sincere and well-deserved. It demonstrates that even
after years apart, real love can rekindle.
- Healthy Co-Parenting – Lily navigates life with maturity and grace while raising her daughter.
The
difficulties of raising a child with an abusive ex while upholding boundaries
are discussed in the book. As she raises her kid, Lily handles life with poise
and wisdom.
- Self-Worth and Empowerment – The story reinforces the value of knowing one's worth.
The
narrative emphasizes the need of self-awareness. Lily's choices demonstrate her
path to emotional freedom and self-discovery.
Character Analysis
Lily Bloom:
Lily Bloom is the emotional center of It Starts With Us, and in this
sequel, we see just how far she’s come. No longer defined by her past, Lily
emerges as a woman who has learned from her pain and is determined to protect
her peace. She represents thousands of real people who’ve experienced toxic
relationships and made the difficult choice to walk away — not for revenge, but
for healing. Her resilience, independence, and maternal instincts make her one
of the most relatable and empowering protagonists in modern romance fiction.
Readers looking for emotional strength and self-worth will see Lily as an
inspiring figure.
Atlas Corrigan:
Atlas serves as a reminder to readers of what defines a healthy
partnership. Atlas is a gentle, kind, and emotionally observant person who
respects Lily's limits and never puts pressure on her. His acts demonstrate
that love is not just about passion but also about timing, compassion, and
understanding, and his devotion, both past and present, is unbreakable. He
distinguishes himself as a romantic lead in the genre by supporting Lily
without attempting to fix her. He is a favorite of Colleen Hoover readers and a
novel male character in romance novels because of his serene manner and soft
strength.
Ryle Kincaid:
One of
the series' most complex characters is perhaps Ryle. It Starts With Us explores
his personality in greater detail and highlights the emotional strain of co-parenting
and shared responsibility, whereas It Ends With Us revealed his violent
actions. He is portrayed as a profoundly flawed guy who battles with anger,
control, and regret rather than as a villain. Because of this realistic
picture, readers are able to learn about the complex dynamics of an abusive
ex-partner, who is not always bad but whose acts have long-lasting effects. His
appearance in the narrative maintains the suspense and pushes Lily to make
tough decisions.
Writing Style
Colleen Hoover's signature writing style — emotionally rich, straightforward, and immersive — shines through again. The dual-POV narrative enhances the depth of each character, making the story even more engaging. This makes It Starts With Us a compelling read for fans of heartfelt romance fiction.
Why This Book Is a Must-Read in 2025
- One of the most searched books on Google in the romance category.
It Starts
With Us has regularly ranked among the top searched for titles in the romance
category on Google. Reviews, spoilers, character updates, and emotional
takeaways are highly searched after by readers worldwide who are interested in
this strong sequel to It Ends With Us. Its huge search traffic is a definite
sign of Colleen Hoover's work's cultural significance and devoted following.
- Highly recommended on BookTok, Instagram Reels, and reading blogs.
The
book's popularity has increased dramatically on social media, particularly on
sites like Instagram Reels and BookTok. This book has become a popular topic
among Gen Z and millennial readers as a result of the viral success of short
video reviews, emotional reaction clips, and favorite quotation readings. It is
often recommended by book reviewers and influencers, who describe it as a
"perfect closure to Lily and Atlas's journey" and a "healing
love story." This book is at the top of the list if you want to keep up
with the latest developments in romantic novels.
- Appears in Amazon’s best-selling romance novels of 2025.
It Starts
With Us remains at the top of the romantic fiction charts and dominates
Amazon's best-seller charts in 2025. This book's emotional honesty, character
development, and broad appeal make it more than just a passing fad. The book is
obviously a fan favorite and a financial success, as seen by its numerous
appearances in curated collections such as "Editor's Picks" and
"Top Contemporary Romance."
- Beloved by fans of It Ends With Us seeking closure and emotional clarity.
The
sequel provides the emotional closure that readers who found It Ends With Us
moving were longing for. It Starts With Us focuses on healing, rebuilding, and
discovering safe, healthy love, whereas the first book revealed the suffering
of an abusive relationship and the bravery required to leave. While
acknowledging the wounds from Lily's history, it provides fans with the joyful
conclusion they had hoped for. For readers who want for both realism and
optimism, this emotional depth elevates it above the level of a simple love
story and turns it into a healing experience.
Conclusion
It Starts With Us is more than just a sequel; it's a celebration of emotional resilience and real love. Colleen Hoover delivers a satisfying continuation that offers hope and healing. With relatable characters, honest emotions, and a heartfelt message, this book is a top pick for anyone looking to be moved by a powerful love story.
If you’re searching for a 2025 romance novel that inspires and heals, look no further. It Starts With Us is the book that will stay with you long after the final page.
