Before we start, I really recommend this book.
It's a romance novel but it's so different, it's deep and with a very strong message, it's the kind of book that will hang with you. In so many ways, her story gutted me in some parts but also inspired me.
This book will make you feel the character's love, so you will feel in love too, but also rip your heart out and force you to think about what really matters in your life, about love, marriage, your limits, and for sure reconsider your preconceived ideas about women's abuse (From both perspectives, the women perspective for sure but also the man perspective).
This book is a very powerful take on abusive relationships and the strength of their survivors.
This is one of the most moving books that I've read in a very long time. It was absolutely addicting but so difficult at times. Because a lot of thinking and empathy were going along the whole reading of this book.
Even after finishing this book, I'm still thinking about Lily's story. I have many excerpts from this book that stack on my head and I keep thinking about them.
I loved Lily and Ryle's love story, and how things were going on the beginning for them. It started with a very unexpected encounter on an apartment rooftop in Boston, both of them need some space alone to breathe and think about what was going on in their life. Lily wanted some moments for herself while she was in lukewarm mourning for the recent death of her abusive father, but was interrupted by another human presence.
A tall, handsome, and, seemingly angry man, just enter the rooftop, The two talk, and soon "naked truth" are exchanged. As Lily reveals some fun facts, Ryle chooses to talk about his feelings about relationships, or rather the lack of them. It's only a short discussion, Somehow a special relationship was built between them.
The story often returns to Lily's diary entries from her teenage years. Throughout her youth, Lily was the unfortunate witness of her father's regular abuse of her mother. Confiding in her diary, always addressed to her favorite TV star Ellen DeGeneres, Lily had a safe place to vent.
Fast forward to the present day, Lilly decided to quit her job and pursues her dreams, and open her flower shop. Lily has the chance to meet Alyssa while preparing her shop. And coincidentally it turns out that Alyssa is Ryle's sister. Alyssa offers to Lilly to work with her in the shop, and from there Alyssa and Lilly share a strong, loving, and beautiful friendship.
Throughout the story, Lilly and Ryle's relationship becomes more and more strong and they live an amazing love story. And they decided to get married.
In parallel with what is happening in her life, when Lily goes back to her diary, we learn that she was in love with Atlas, a homeless child from her neighborhood.
One day, at dinner with Her mother and Ryle (before they get married) she founds out that Atlas her childhood love owns the restaurant.
After her marriage, we see Lily follow in her mother's footsteps. While struggling to navigate her way through the beginnings of an abusive relationship, she is confronted with the past and had to compare her life to her mother's life. We follow Lily on a journey of memory, as she is compelled to make courageous decisions about her limits in relationships.
Throughout the story, We learn what struggles Lily has experienced in her youth, therefore making her adult experience feel even more confrontational and conflicting. Sometimes I had a really hard time with Lily, wanting nothing more than to give her a little common sense. Other times, I just wanted to take her in my arms.
Right from the start, I really liked the relationship between Lily and Alyssa and I really like the character of Alyssa. This is the kind of friend that everybody needs in their life. The one that will always be on your side and will always have your best interests at heart. even if it means calling their own brother to be a jerk and saying to your friend – you should let this man go!
Colleen Hoover is a great writer, and this book is a shining example of her talents. Can't wait for Chapter Two of Lily's story "It Starts with Us".
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