Welcome to Litsy!

It was interesting. I can‘t say this heavy topic was all so heavy. As someone who‘s been through mental any physical abuse, I feel like this was written by someone who doesn‘t know what they‘re talking about. I really enjoyed the back story of lily and atlas. The whole relationship with Ryle was not believable. There was no falling in love writing it just happened. It was still interesting though.

Read this one because of all the hype around it. To be honest, if I didn‘t like the actress Blake Lively, I might not have picked it up at all. Descent relationship story throughout. Definitely recommend you read the epilogue because it explains what I initially judged as weak character development.

I‘m struggling on how I feel about this book. I enjoyed the first bit, but then I felt it was a bit rushed or cliche (I.e., becoming besties with someone you‘ve met 13.5 seconds ago which happens to be the sibling of your new love). Nevertheless, the last chapters focused on a heavy topic & thought it was handled ok. I give her credit for sharing this story & I will read the follow up story. I just need less cliche in betweens.

I'm too old for these kinds of books. The insta love of people in their early twenties is a total eye roll at this point.

I couldn't get behind the characters, the plot or most importantly the domestic violence which in real life I'm an advocate for.

There's better books out there showcasing these tropes in my opinion however if a book gets people talking about serious issues then high five for that.

I get the hype now. The book is good. Shame that my curiosity after the whole controversy was what made me pick it up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved the movie just as much as I loved the book!

I was never drawn to reading this, but the whole controversy with the movie made me curious…

“In the future... if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again... fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You‘re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”

Anna Claire and I went to see this today! It is fabulous! 🎥 🍿 💗 so, soooo good!!

Book 24 of 2024! Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Domestic violence in the middle of what could otherwise be a romantic comedy does not diminish the message in my opinion. As in real life, when expectations are turned upside down it can make you question if something really just happened. I worried about the protagonist and felt invested in her outcome. I think this is an important topic for women to consider and discuss. I recommend reading the post script by Hoover after finishing the book.

Well, this book just about gutted me… so incredibly good and sad and brave all at the same time!

This book does have quite a bit of domestic violence in it, but I still devoured it. I enjoyed the ending so much and am glad Lily was “brave and bold”.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Figured I should read it before I go see the movie!

My August hopefuls. This doesn‘t include my ebooks nor audiobooks.

The best thing about this was the front cover - inspo for my nails! This was my first Colleen Hoover and it was ok .... I do think she dealt with the issue of domestic abuse really well... She definitely got the nuances and subtleties of such a difficult subject.

10/10. Hooks you from the first page. The full circle moment at the end is heartbreaking yet beautiful. 🤗

Evening reading at the beach 🏖️ is the best.I love Ms. Hoover‘s writing and this one is hitting me in the heart.You are following Lily and how she and her mom survived the abuse from her father and how she befriended a homeless young boy named Atlas who was her first love and saving grace.They lost contact and then they find each other again when they are with different people. It‘s a very emotional story and I can‘t wait until it hits theaters!

At 1st I didn‘t see what all the hype was about but then really liked it! I could see where some may have issues w/ the book. I read it bc Blake Lively is going to be in the movie that comes out in August & I love her & wanted to see what the hype was about. Now I can‘t wait to start the sequel! Trigger warning: domestic violence

Immediate response to this book. I understand CH as an author in a whole new light now. After reading Verity, I ‘needed‘ this book and her notes from the author. I am in awe! ♥️

⭐️.5 I think I may have matured out of reads like this, but the movie looks decent.

I can‘t. I feel sickened. Bailed at 3/4 of the way through. Lots of triggers here, and shameless manipulation of them for maximum discomfort. Somehow I thought this was going to be a gripping drama, but it‘s a semi raunchy romance with violence against women. Nope. Are all of her books like this?

From what I heard about this, I think my heart is in for a little emotional journey. I‘m about 150 pages in, and I can already start to see some warning signs of Ryle. I‘ve been doing some highlighting since a lot of sentences used are actual life lessons 💐

Book 1 of 2 starts now 🤩

In my opinion, this was definitely worth the hype. I know it was a little bit predictable at certain points, but I still loved it. The characters were just so well portrayed. I felt so many emotions when I was reading this book and I really do think it will be one that I think about for years after I read it. I think the author unpacked a lot in this book in a very graceful way while also writing the story beautifully.

I never jumped on the binge Colleen wagon, so don‘t mind me just treating her and her books like any other. 🤣
What an emotional toll this takes on your heart. I fell in deep love with all of the characters. I needed to know their stories, how they connected and what shattered them personally. What a bravely bold and beautiful book with some of her natural 🌶️, of course. Raw and real, this book definitely doesn‘t let go of your heart.

I just finished sobbing my way through this book, but I‘m not even sure where to begin. It is tender, heart-wrenching, filled with hope, laughter, and sadness. I don‘t want to give any spoilers, I highly recommend reading the personal note from the author afterward. Highly recommend. It does contain depictions of domestic violence and sympathy for the abuser. The story was engaging with well-developed and nuanced characters.

My first book of the year! This is also my first book by Colleen Hoover! I‘ve heard a lot of mixed reviews for this author. Either you love her or hate her. I‘m curious, what is your opinion of Colleen Hoover?

I now understand the hype of this author. 😊 Now I'm in suspense for the sequel.
I look forward to reading her other novels.

It wasn‘t my favorite by her, but a good read

My mother went through it.
I went through it.
I‘ll be damned if I allow my daughter to go through it.
I kiss her on the forehead and make her a promise. "It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us."

He leans toward me and wraps an arm around me. "I would beg her to leave him," he says through his tears. His lips press desperately against my forehead and I can feel some of his tears as they fall onto my cheeks. He moves his mouth to my ear and cradles both of us against him. "I would tell her that she is worth so much more. And I would beg her not to go back, no matter how much he loves her. She's worth so much more."

His shoulders begin to shake, and for the first time since the day I met him, he has tears. Real tears that rush down his cheeks as he holds his daughter tightly against him. I'm crying, too, but I keep going. For her sake.
"What if…" My voice breaks. "What if she came to you and said, 'My husband tried to rape me, Daddy. He held me down while I begged him to stop. But he swears he'll never do it again. What should I do, Daddy?'"

“If Ryle truly loves you, he wouldn't allow you to take him back. He would make the decision to leave you himself so that he knows for a fact he can never hurt you again. That's the kind of love a woman deserves, Lily."

“In the future… if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again… fall in love with me” Lily and Atlas 🥰

#witchathon bingo #romance #TBR #scarathlon

I am late to the game on this one, and finally decided to go for it after all of the hype. It totally lived up to it! I really enjoyed it and plowed through it. Lily is easy to pull for even when sometimes it‘s hard to walk through her justifications.

This book is not safe. Several reviews said that readers felt that there is censored in this book. I researched it and Lilly‘s two boyfriends are very abusive. My friend called this book pornography, so I am abandoning it

I‘ve been mulling over this for awhile. https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/27/entertainment/colleen-hoover-books-controversy-ce...

Fast, easy read. But I don‘t get the hype with this author. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Starting a new one. Seeing what all the fuss is about.

I thought I loved her husband but my gut turned out to be wrong with the turn of a page. This book definitely had me kicking and punching the air with giddiness

As always it was 5⭐ and as heartbreaking as the 1st time I read it. I hope It Starts With Us is as good as this one!

Well! Here we go again!

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This entire book is so tragic, I don't understand why it's being pushed as a romance novel. The subject matter is tough (domestic abuse) and I understand dealing with these things isn't black and white. But I feel like the author romanticizes it too much which kind of grossed me out. I will say it was very readable, in the way a bad Lifetime movie is watchable. It's terrible and sad but you're glued to the screen to see what happens anyway.

Trying this out simply because I've been seeing Colleen Hoover everywhere lately. Only 5 chapters in though and I'm just not vibing with it. Is this really what people find romantic now??? Like just badgering women until they reluctantly agree to sleep with you?