It seems you’re asking about the order of the Colleen Hoover books and which one comes first. The widely accepted reading order is:
- It Ends with Us (first published 2016)
- It Starts with Us (sequel, published 2023)
Direct answer: It Ends with Us is the first book, and It Starts with Us follows afterward. If you’re curious about the reasoning behind the order (and why some readers think about “start with the end” given the titles), here’s a quick summary:
- It Ends with Us introduces Lily Bloom, her traumatic experiences, and her eventual relationship dynamics. Reading it first establishes the emotional arc and context for Lily’s choices in the next book.
- It Starts with Us continues Lily’s story, focusing on consequences, growth, and the aftermath of events from the first book, often exploring Atlas Corrigan’s and Lily’s evolving relationship from a later point in time.
Notes and caveats:
- The two books are connected but not a direct, single-plot prequel/sequel in a strict chronological sense. Some readers discuss reading order based on publication versus in-universe chronology, but most fans recommend starting with It Ends with Us to follow Lily’s journey naturally.
