It Starts With Us: 5 Crucial Things To Know About The 'It Ends With Us' Sequel Book And Movie

The search for "It Ends with Us Book 2" has officially concluded, but the story is far from over. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the sequel—titled It Starts with Us—remains a dominant force in the publishing world, driving massive interest not only for its narrative but also for its highly anticipated cinematic future.

The original novel, It Ends with Us, became a viral sensation, tackling the difficult and crucial subject of domestic abuse with raw honesty. The follow-up, released in October 2022, offers fans the long-awaited resolution for Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan, providing a much-needed sense of healing and a new beginning. We've compiled the most current and crucial details about the book and the potential movie sequel.

Colleen Hoover's 'It Starts with Us'—The Official Sequel

The confusion over "It Ends with Us Book 2" has a simple answer: the official and only sequel is It Starts with Us. This novel, written by Colleen Hoover, was published on October 18, 2022, by Atria Books. Unlike its predecessor, which was a deeply intense exploration of trauma, this book is described by Hoover herself as a "reunion" and a chance for the main characters to finally find peace.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

The novel picks up immediately after the epilogue of It Ends with Us, focusing on Lily Bloom’s life following her divorce from Ryle Kincaid and the birth of their daughter, Emerson. The narrative thread centers on Lily and Atlas Corrigan’s attempt to rekindle their relationship, a prospect complicated by Ryle's continued presence in Lily's life as the father of her child.

Complete Character & Entity List

• Author: Colleen Hoover
• Title: It Starts with Us (It Ends with Us, #2)
• Publication Date: October 18, 2022
• Main Characters: Lily Bloom, Atlas Corrigan, Ryle Kincaid
• Key Supporting Character: Emerson (Lily and Ryle's daughter)
• Core Themes: Second Chances, Healing from Trauma, Navigating Divorce, Co-Parenting with an Abuser, True Love, Domestic Violence
• Publisher: Atria Books

1. The Plot is Told Through Atlas Corrigan's Perspective

One of the most significant differences that makes It Starts with Us a must-read for fans is the inclusion of Atlas Corrigan’s point of view. The original novel was told solely through Lily's diary entries and perspective, leaving much of Atlas's life and inner turmoil a mystery.

In the sequel, readers finally get a deep dive into Atlas's past, his experiences with homelessness, and the challenges he faced after leaving Lily. His perspective provides crucial context for his unwavering devotion to Lily and sheds light on his journey to becoming a successful restaurateur and a man dedicated to helping homeless youth.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The dual narrative structure—alternating between Lily and Atlas—allows the book to explore the complexities of their renewed relationship. It highlights the stark contrast between Atlas, who represents a safe, healing love, and Ryle, whose abusive tendencies continue to cast a shadow over Lily's life due to their co-parenting arrangement for their daughter, Emerson.

2. It Focuses on Healing and Setting Boundaries with Ryle

While It Ends with Us was an intense drama centered on the cycle of abuse and the difficulty of leaving a violent relationship, It Starts with Us shifts the focus to the aftermath: healing and establishing firm boundaries.

Lily's main struggle is not just falling back in love with Atlas, but protecting herself and Emerson from Ryle's manipulative and often aggressive behavior. Despite the divorce, Ryle's presence as a father means Lily must constantly navigate his emotional outbursts and attempts to interfere with her new relationship.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The book explores the practical and emotional difficulties of co-parenting with an ex-spouse who has a history of domestic violence. It’s a story of second chances, not just in romance, but in life, as both Lily and Atlas work to overcome their past traumas to build a stable, loving future.

3. The Critical Reception Was Mixed but Enthusiastic

As is common with highly anticipated sequels, the critical reception for It Starts with Us was mixed, though the fan enthusiasm was overwhelmingly positive. Many readers celebrated the book as a satisfying "epilogue" that finally gave Lily and Atlas the happy ending they deserved.

Critics and some readers noted that the book felt "lo-fi" and less emotionally intense than the first novel. This difference is largely intentional, as the sequel is designed to be a story of resolution and peace, rather than a continuation of high-stakes drama. It's a "soft landing" for characters who have endured immense suffering, focusing on family-centric themes and moments of quiet human decency.

Ultimately, the consensus among the devoted fanbase is that the novel is a necessary conclusion, providing closure on the domestic violence storyline and allowing the themes of hope and true love to prevail.

4. The 'It Starts with Us' Movie Sequel is Highly Likely

Following the massive box office success of the 2024 film adaptation of It Ends with Us, the prospect of an It Starts with Us movie sequel has become a major topic of discussion in late 2024 and 2025.

Director and star Justin Baldoni (who plays Ryle Kincaid) has publicly addressed the sequel's status, confirming that his production company, Wayfarer Studios, owns the rights to the second book. This is a crucial detail, as it means the creative team is in a strong position to move forward with the adaptation of It Starts with Us.

While an official greenlight has not been announced, the strong performance of the first film makes a sequel a near certainty, provided key conditions—such as the availability of the main cast and a compelling script—are met.

5. Blake Lively is Pitched as a Potential Director for the Sequel

One of the freshest and most intriguing updates regarding the movie sequel involves the potential role of lead actress Blake Lively, who portrays Lily Bloom.

Justin Baldoni has openly suggested that Lively is a strong candidate to direct the sequel. Lively has previous directorial experience, having directed music videos and short films, and her deep understanding of the character and the source material would make her a unique choice for the project.

Baldoni, who directed the first film, has stated, "There are better people for that one, I think Blake Lively's ready to direct," suggesting a potential shift in roles for the second installment. While this is not a confirmed position, the possibility of Blake Lively directing It Starts with Us has created significant buzz and is a major point of discussion among fans and industry insiders in 2025.

The cinematic future of the It Ends with Us series is bright, promising to bring the story of Lily and Atlas's healing and second chance to the big screen, cementing the legacy of Colleen Hoover's powerful and influential narrative.