So following the last post about the story, It Ends with Us, I completed the sequel, It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover in one go. I was curious whether the sequel was as good as the first. When I was done reading both, it was already dawn, time for me to start for my work. Remember how heavy the head feels after staying up all night? Even though I felt my head was heavy as lead, I did not regret going through the stories even though I cannot say I enjoyed the second book as much as the first.
Like I said in the last post, the first story – It Ends with Us, felt personal, but this second story, It Begins with Us, felt like it was trying to give us a fairy tale ending of a happily ever after. Spoiler Alert, after the divorce with Ryle, Lily ends up with her boyfriend from teenage years, a guy named Atlas, a caring person who caters to the needs of Lily and her daughter. He turned out to be the knight in shining armor who Lily needed to protect herself and her kid from her ex-husband. It gloriously puts forward the idea that second chances are important as it might surprise you. But then, it appeared Colleen was trying too hard to paint Ryle as a bad person which was not necessary. When we are talking about giving second chances, it also could work for Ryle that he understood his mistakes and takes a separate path rather than being a monster who would even hurt his own daughter. The story reaching halfway became predictable sticking close to 90’s romantic movie plots.
But nevertheless, every person should read this book as it paints a realistic picture that shows that you can find love and happiness after breakup or divorce and the life does not end there. The tough decision you take may just as well set you up for new fresh life full of happiness and promise.
If you are interested, read the review on the first part, It Ends with Us here. Do let me know what you think of the book in the comments.