Read every series in the right order
It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide
Table of Contents
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
- Reading order (also publication order):
- It Ends with Us → 2) It Starts with Us.
- Best place to begin: It Ends with Us introduces Lily, Ryle, and Atlas, and establishes the core themes; It Starts with Us continues Lily and Atlas’s story from the end of Book 1.
- Tone & topics: Contemporary romance/women’s fiction that tackles domestic violence, trauma recovery, co-parenting, and second-chance love with care.
- Adaptation: It Ends with Us (film) released Aug 9, 2024, starring Blake Lively (Lily) and Justin Baldoni (Ryle), with Brandon Sklenar (Atlas); the movie was a major box-office success.
Introduction
Colleen Hoover’s two-book sequence It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us has become one of the defining reading experiences of the last decade—equal parts aching love story and clear-eyed exploration of cycles of abuse, choice, and healing. If you’re hunting for It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order, you’re in the right spot: this guide walks you through the exact reading order, spoiler-light blurbs, a character-forward timeline, collector/format tips, the film details, and FAQ answers.
This is an emotional duology. It doesn’t sensationalize difficult topics, but it doesn’t flinch either. If you’re choosing a book for yourself or someone you love, the quick facts and content notes below will help you gauge fit before you dive in.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Series | It Ends with Us duology by Colleen Hoover |
| Core Titles | It Ends with Us (Book 1); It Starts with Us (Book 2) |
| Setting | Primarily Boston, with journals/letters that layer in earlier years |
| Genres | Contemporary romance · Women’s fiction · Book-club fiction |
| Reading Difficulty | Easy-to-moderate (fast pacing, emotionally intense themes) |
| Approx. Page Counts | It Ends with Us ~376 pp; It Starts with Us ~336 pp (editions vary) |
| Estimated Read Time | ~6–8 hours each at average pace (print); ~10–12 hours each on audio |
| Core Themes | Love vs. loyalty · Breaking cycles · Co-parenting · Found family/friendship |
| Content Warnings | Domestic violence (physical/emotional), intimate partner violence, gaslighting, trauma, on-page arguments/confrontations, divorce/co-parenting tension |
| Ideal Age Range | Mature 16+ and adult (themes & intensity skew adult) |
| Media Adaptations | It Ends with Us feature film (2024) |
| Best Reading Order | Publication order—the same as in-universe chronology |
About the It Ends with Us Book Series
At first glance, this looks like a love triangle. It’s not. It’s a story about choice—who we choose to love, who we choose to protect (including ourselves), and how we choose to stop the worst parts of the past from defining the future.
Lily Bloom moves to Boston with a stubborn streak of hope and a new flower shop; Ryle Kincaid is a brilliant, charismatic neurosurgeon; Atlas Corrigan is Lily’s first love, a tether to her earlier life and a different kind of promise. The books put you inside Lily’s head as she weighs passion against patterns, chemistry against history, and kindness against excuses.
What makes the duology stand out is its candor about domestic violence—how it complicates love, how cycles persist, and how difficult (and brave) it is to say enough. It’s tender without being sentimental, and it’s unflinching without being gratuitous.
It Ends with Us Books at a Glance
| Title | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|
| It Ends with Us | Buy on Amazon |
| It Starts with Us | Buy on Amazon |
It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order
1) It Ends with Us — Book One (Begin Here)
Where you meet them: Lily Bloom, fresh from her small hometown and determined to build something beautiful; Ryle Kincaid, magnetic and startlingly focused; and, through letters and memories, Atlas Corrigan—the boy who once made impossible days bearable.
What the book does: It lets you fall in love, and then it complicates love. Instead of glossing past red flags, it asks the hard questions: When words and actions diverge, which will you believe? When apologies and promises come wrapped in charisma, what does accountability look like?
Read if you want: A page-turning contemporary that balances swoon with stark honesty, and a heroine whose growth feels earned.
Heads-up: This novel contains domestic violence and volatile confrontations. Many readers find it empowering; some will want to pace themselves.
2) It Starts with Us — Book Two (Direct Sequel)
Where it picks up: Immediately following the epilogue of Book One. Lily has a new normal: her flower shop, co-parenting rhythms with Ryle, and careful boundaries. Then Atlas walks back into her life—older, steadier, carrying his own scars and responsibilities.
What the book does: It shifts focus toward healing and healthy love, giving Lily and Atlas room to choose each other in daylight. It doesn’t pretend co-parenting tension evaporates; instead, it explores what healthy conflict and firm boundaries can look like when a child is involved.
Read if you want: A hopeful continuation that honors Book One’s gravity while delivering warmth, second chances, and found-family vibes.
Series Timeline & Character Development
Lily Bloom — from endurance to agency
- Book One: Lily’s strength has always been survival: keeping the peace, keeping her promises, keeping herself afloat. As romantic sparks become patterns, she’s forced to map memory vs. reality and decide whether love can exist alongside harm. Her arc is not about perfection; it’s about choosing safety and truth.
- Book Two: With survival behind her, Lily practices maintenance—of boundaries, of joy, of co-parenting logistics—and gives herself permission to pursue a love that’s safe and steady without apologizing for wanting it.
Ryle Kincaid — charisma vs. control
- Book One: Brilliant and devoted in the moments that matter to him, Ryle is also volatile. The narrative refuses to flatten him into a villain, but it does hold him to account.
- Book Two: Co-parenting forces adult choices: to seek help, to accept limits, to honor a child’s safety first. The books are clear about responsibility and consequence without reveling in punishment.
Atlas Corrigan — sanctuary made human
- Book One: Present in memory and in flesh, Atlas represents a different model of love: patient, resourceful, safe.
- Book Two: The “boy who cooked” becomes the man who shows up. His arc fills in the years between, rooting the sequel in earned tenderness rather than idealized nostalgia.
Found Family & Community
- Friends, coworkers, and family bring reality into the romance: last-minute babysitters, shop openings, messy dinners, and the way a single text from a friend can reset a spiraling day. This social fabric is the quiet hero of both books.
Timeline Note: Book Two immediately follows the end of Book One (no large time jump), making publication order the clean chronological path.
Novels Sorted by In-Universe Events
- It Ends with Us (the foundation—romance, rupture, choice)
- It Starts with Us (the continuation—boundaries, healing, second-chance love)
Novels Sorted by Publication
- It Ends with Us
- It Starts with Us
(Publication sequence = chronological sequence.)
Companion Works, Special Editions & Formats
Special/Collector Editions
- Collector hardcovers of both titles feature foil-stamped jackets, designed endpapers, and bonus extras.
- It Ends with Us collector’s edition includes an exclusive Q&A between Colleen Hoover and her mother—particularly resonant given the story’s themes.
- It Starts with Us collector’s edition includes recipes tied to Lily and Atlas—small delights that extend the world beyond the page.
Audiobooks
- Professionally narrated unabridged editions deliver the intensity and tenderness these stories need. If you prefer to pace difficult scenes, audio with a print/Kindle copy can help you modulate speed and take breaks.
Which Format Fits You?
- Gift-worthy: Collector hardcovers (display-ready and tactile).
- Binge-read: Kindle/ebook (night mode, adjustable font).
- Commute/chores: Audible (emotional narration; pair with print for note-taking).
Why Read It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order?
Because the second book is a true sequel, not a side story. It Ends with Us builds the emotional blueprint: Lily’s history, the early sparks, the slow unraveling, the line she draws. It Starts with Us can only resonate if you’ve lived that blueprint with her. Reading out of order blunts the point; reading in order underscores the courage of Lily’s choices and gives context to every boundary in Book Two.
Author Spotlight: Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of contemporary romances and women’s fiction that ignite mass-market conversations. She lives in Texas with her family and founded The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription and bookstore that donates proceeds to charities. Hoover’s superpower is pairing propulsive, accessible storytelling with emotionally charged, real-life stakes—and then giving readers space to talk about them. Find more at colleenhoover.com or reach her team at hooverink@outlook.com.
Media Adaptations (film/TV/audio)
It Ends with Us (2024 Feature Film)
- Release: August 9, 2024
- Cast: Blake Lively (Lily Bloom), Justin Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid; also director), Brandon Sklenar (Atlas Corrigan)
- Production: Developed by Wayfarer; screenplay by Christy Hall
- Reception: Mixed critical reviews but a box-office smash, grossing $351 million worldwide against a ~$25M budget.
- Why it matters: The film widened the audience and renewed interest in It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order, with many viewers seeking the exact reading path after the credits rolled.
Watch trailer:
Audio
- Both books are available as unabridged audiobooks, an excellent way to read at your own pace with the emotional nuances these stories require.
FAQs About It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order
What is the correct reading order for the Colleen Hoover duology?
Read It Ends with Us first, then It Starts with Us. Publication order equals in-universe chronology.
Do I need to read It Ends with Us before It Starts with Us?
Yes. It Starts with Us is a direct sequel that continues Lily and Atlas’s story immediately after the epilogue of Book One.
Is the series appropriate for teens?
The books contain domestic violence and emotionally intense scenes. Many recommend them for mature readers 16+ and adults.
Are there trigger/content warnings?
Yes. Domestic violence (physical and emotional), gaslighting, trauma, tense arguments, and co-parenting conflict. Consider pacing or buddy-reading if needed.
Is there a third book coming?
As of now, the story is a complete two-book sequence: It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us.
Where should I start if I saw the movie first?
Begin with the novel It Ends with Us to experience Lily’s full internal journey; then continue with It Starts with Us for healing and second-chance romance.
Which format is best—print, ebook, or audio?
Choose the format that supports your pacing. Collector hardcovers make great gifts; Kindle is ideal for late-night reading; audiobooks deliver emotional nuance.
Final Thoughts
The power of this duology isn’t just its love story—it’s its insistence on the kind of love that doesn’t require you to disappear. Reading It Ends with Us Books in Chronological Order gives you the full arc: the spark, the pattern, the decision, and then the daily practice of choosing better. If you’re coming from the film, start with Book One to hear Lily’s voice in your head—then savor Book Two as it offers the soft landing the first book fought so hard to earn.
When you turn the last page, you may feel wrung out and buoyed at once. That’s by design. Some endings are really beginnings—and this duology knows the difference.
