It Starts With Us Summary

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover continues the emotional journey of Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan. After the events of It Ends With Us, Lily is now a mother to an 11-month-old daughter named Emerson. She shares co-parenting responsibilities with her ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid. One day, Lily unexpectedly sees Atlas on the streets of Boston; this encounter stirs up old feelings, but she quickly moves on, hesitant due to her current situation with Ryle.

Despite her best efforts to ignore her feelings, Lily cannot stop thinking about Atlas. Soon, he reaches out to her, but she's cautious, only responding briefly. Meanwhile, Ryle asks for overnight visits with Emerson, to which Lily firmly says no until their daughter can speak. She also pushes for Ryle to return her apartment key, setting clear boundaries in their complicated relationship.

Atlas faces his own issues as his restaurants experience repeated vandalism. Instead of calling the police, he empathizes with the vandal, seeing a parallel to his own past struggles. Adding another layer of stress, his estranged and abusive mother, Sutton, contacts him about his missing 11-year-old brother, Josh. Atlas's relationship with his mother has always been fraught, as she often prioritizes her own needs over her children's safety.

When Atlas discovers that Josh is the one vandalizing his restaurants, he opts to help rather than punish. Recognizing that Josh is a victim needing care, Atlas wants to protect him, recalling his own difficult past. Sutton demands that Atlas return Josh to her, revealing her abusive nature toward him, which prompts Atlas to rescue Josh and seek medical assistance, now determined to fight for his brother's custody.

As their lives intertwine once again, Lily and Atlas begin to reconnect at a deeper level. Lily invites Atlas as her date for a wedding, and during the drive there, she falls asleep, allowing Atlas to read her journal entries. Her words reveal their history and deep feelings for each other, inspiring Atlas to open up about his own past. Their romantic evening leads to their first intimate encounter since their teenage years, highlighting the contrast between Atlas’s love and the increasing aggression of Ryle.

Throughout the story, both Lily and Atlas support each other in breaking free from toxic patterns. Atlas's struggle to keep Josh safe reflects Lily's desire to create a secure environment for Emerson. In recovering from their past traumas, Lily and Atlas find hope for a future together—one that emphasizes love, healing, and supportive partnership.

In summary, It Starts With Us is a heartfelt tale of Lily and Atlas as they navigate their renewed romance while tackling complex issues of parental abuse, family rifts, and co-parenting with difficult exes. Together, they strive to overcome their histories and build a loving, safer future for themselves and their children.

Lily makes a brave choice by ending her relationship with Ryle, recognizing she cannot allow their daughter to grow up in an abusive environment. As she plans to co-parent, she ensures Ryle understands the importance of seeking help, urging him to take anger management courses. Lily stands firm, ready to take legal action if needed, prioritizing her safety and her child's well-being.

Time jumps four years ahead, showing Lily, Atlas, her daughter, and Atlas’s younger brother living happily together. This scene highlights the stability and warmth they've built as a family, contrasting sharply with Lily's past. Their shared moments reveal a nurturing environment, focusing on love and support.

The book wraps up on an uplifting note as Lily and Atlas get married. This symbolizes not just their love but also Lily’s journey towards healing and a promising future. With emotional and legal clarity established with Ryle, the ending emphasizes growth and hope, leaving behind previous struggles as the characters embrace a fresh start together.