*If you are new here, WELCOME! For It Starts with Us and It Ends with Us, I provide your book club with a brief summary, food ideas and a recipe, and discussion questions in that order!
It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us are Colleen Hoover’s most popular books (outside of Verity). The novels are a duology featuring the same set of characters. If you are wondering which novel to read first, the series actually starts with It Ends with Us, then continues to book two, It Starts with Us.
It Starts with Us actually picks up where It Ends with Us leaves off, which may be a little confusing if you haven’t read the novels. Once read, the titles will make more sense!
Both books are captivating novels with complex characters and both deal with physical abuse (trigger warning). Colleen Hoover does an excellent job addressing the difficult situation of physical abuse in romantic relationships and the books are worth reading for that alone.
I recommend you read both and discuss the duology with your book club!
I’ve provided book club questions and delicious food ideas for It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us and I have a special recipe for you! So if you are looking for book club ideas and more, keep reading!
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Here’s a brief summary of It Ends with Us:
From the publisher:
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.
Here’s a brief summary of It Starts with Us:
From the publisher:
Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us.
Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.
But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.
Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts with Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “gripping, pulse-pounding” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of Perfect Neighbors) bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband, it proves that “no one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author).
For It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us Food Ideas:
Here are some food ideas from the pages of It Ends with Us.
- Lily finds radishes missing in her garden and then makes Atlas some sandwiches.
- Atlas and Lily make cookies before her dad comes home.
- Lily burns the chicken and mushroom casserole and Rile hurts his hand.
- Atlas cooks Lily breakfast—orange juice, crepes with oranges and strawberries.
- Pizza night at Allysa’s after Ryle comes home.
- Lily’s mom makes her lasagna and tells her she’s seeing someone new.
- Ryle makes Lily breakfast—toast, eggs, bacon—before her due date.
Here are some food ideas from the pages of It Starts with Us.
- Burgers and fries for Atlas and Lily’s first date.
- Atlas makes Josh a grilled cheese the night they meet.
- Atlas brings a bouquet of cookies before Lucy’s wedding.
- Atlas makes Coconut shrimp for Sutton.
In both books, Atlas makes Lily cookies. I think this is the perfect pick!
Plus, chocolate is the food of love (according to American Valentine’s marketing), so its a good choice for these two novels.
Let me tell you, this recipe is a winner. Loaded with chocolate, easy to make, and possibly the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever tasted.
Whether you choose something from this list or try your own option, I hope these ideas will get your creative juices flowing to host your book club for It Ends with Us or It Starts with Us (or BOTH!).
A few tips on making the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Here are a few tips to help make your cooking experience the best it can be!
These cookies are very easy to make compared to many recipes that require refrigerating or freezing the dough before baking. However, I would recommend placing the dough in the refrigerator IF you will be taking a while to bake (i.e. small batches, etc.). The only reason being that the dough will spread further as it warms. So your cookies may spread too much if the dough sits on the counter while baking multiple small batches.
Whether you choose something from this list or try your own option, I hope these ideas will get your creative juices flowing to host your book club for It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us.
It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us Book Club Recipe:
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies – Easy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars in a second bowl until combined.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla with the butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Slowly, add in the dry ingredients until combined (mixing on a low speed).
- Add 2 cups of chocolate chips and stir until mixed through.
- Roll 2 tablespoons of dough at a time into balls. Evenly space them on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake in preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes until they barely start to brown.
- Allow to sit on the baking pan for 2 minutes, then remove to cooling rack. (Test to make sure they are done to your preferred doneness before starting the next batch. They should be soft in the center but not undercooked!)
It Starts with Us and It Ends with Us Book Club Questions:
*WARNING: May contain spoilers!
It Ends with Us
- Given Lily’s family past why do you think she’s drawn to Ryle even after his initial odd behavior on the roof?
- How did you feel about Lily’s and Allysa’s relationship? Do you believe that Ryle’s sister could side with Lily over her brother? Why or why not?
- After reading about Lily and Ryle’s relationship did it help you understand any difficult relationships you’ve witnessed in your life (no specifics need to be shared)? Why do you think a person justifies an abuser’s actions to themselves and those around them?
- Did you believe the actions Lily took after the birth of her daughter? Why or why not? Would she have had the strength to do what she did if she waited?
- Discuss Lily’s love for Ryle verses her love for Atlas. Did you believe she could love such different men with the same depth?
- How did you feel about the Dear Ellen diary entries? Did you enjoy that style of storytelling about the past?
It Starts with Us
- In this story, we learn more of Atlas’ past. Why do you think Sutton tried to fight for Josh in ways she didn’t with Atlas?
- Despite Lily’s attempts with Ryle, he won’t be reasonable. Why do you think Ryle finally listened when Atlas talked to him?
- We learn that Lily never brought Ryle’s abuse to light with the law. Do you think that was the right decision? Why or why not?
- After all the build up in book one, how did you feel about Atlas and Lily’s love story? Did it leave you wanting for anything?
- How did you feel about Atlas’ vows? Do you think Lily and Atlas stay in the 50% of couples who make it? Why or why not?
Have you read It Ends with Us or It Starts with Us? What did you think? Did it satisfy you or were you left wishing for more? What are some similar books you’ve read?
Until next time, Happy Reading!
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