“I can draw a seedling with two tiny branches. Yours and mine. We’ll be on our own brand-new, tiny family tree – one that starts with us.”
If you’re looking for a sensational read that broke records in 2022, look no further than Colleen Hoover’s It Starts With Us. This viral TikTok sensation is the second book in the It Ends With Us series, and picks up where the first one left off. You’ll be drawn into the complicated love triangle of Lily, Ryle, and Atlas, as their story continues to unfold.
As a number one New York Times Bestseller, It Starts With Us provides a glorious and touching portrayal of navigating the pitfalls of a toxic relationship and finding the strength to be with the one you truly love. So, if you loved this long-awaited sequel, we highly recommend exploring more books like It Starts With Us on What We Reading!
Reminders Of Him – Colleen Hoover
What better way to dive into a list of the best works similar to It Starts With Us than with another acclaimed second-chance romance from the same author?
Reminders of Him, nominated for Best Romance in the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards, tells the story of Kenna Rowan. After spending five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna tries to rebuild bridges and redeem herself for the sake of her four-year-old daughter. However, she finds that everyone she once knew has turned their back on her. Everyone, that is, except for Ledger Ward, a local bar owner. In this powerful, yet hopeful, tale of second chances and absolving mistakes, Reminders of Him takes readers on a tear-jerking ride.
Archer’s Voice – Mia Sheridan
As soon as Bree Prescott arrives in the quiet lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she knows she has found the peace she’s been searching for.
But on her first day, she encounters Archer Hale, an isolated man with secret pains that nobody else in town seems to notice. Mia Sheridan’s Archer’s Voice tells the story of two individuals who find salvation from their past traumas through their deep connection. For those who enjoyed the transformative power of love in It Starts With Us, Archer’s Voice is a must-read.
Check out the best Romance Books from 2022!
Love And Other Words – Christina Lauren
Macy Sorensen has her life meticulously planned out: work hard as a pediatrics resident and marry a wealthy older man. However, everything threatens to unravel when she unexpectedly runs into her first true love, Elliot Petropoulos.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is a book similar to It Starts With Us that delves into the idea that the heart wants what it wants. This contemporary romance novel is split between alternating timelines, detailing Macy and Elliot’s blossoming relationship as teenagers and the complicated dynamics brought about by their reunion as strangers in the present.
Check Out The Best Books Like Love and Other Words
To Love Jason Thorn – Ella Maise
If you’re looking for a contemporary romance novel that captures the childhood friends to lovers theme explored in It Starts With Us, then To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise is a must-read. This book is both funny and steamy, following the story of Olive and Jason, who happens to be her brother’s best friend and first love.
Told from Olive’s perspective, the novel details her formative years spent pining after Jason, and how their relationship has become complicated and distant in the present day. However, their fun-filled journey between a hotshot movie star and a wise-cracking writer also carries the potential for unexpected developments that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Every Summer After – Carley Fortune
Nominated for both Best Romance and Best Debut Novel in the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards, Every Summer After is a captivating tale of nostalgic romance. The book tells the story of Persephone Fraser, a successful and sophisticated woman who has never allowed anyone close to her heart.
However, everything changes when she receives a message taking her back to Barry’s Bay and reuniting her with Sam Florek, her former flame. The pair had a perfect romance over the course of six summers, bonding over their love for books, until their relationship took an unexpected turn. Now reunited, their undeniable connection is bittersweet yet powerful. Through this poignant novel, author Carley Fortune explores the lasting impact of love and how the choices we make can leave a lasting mark.
A Thousand Boy Kisses – Tillie Cole
Tillie Cole’s A Thousand Boy Kisses is another heartwarming love story that begins with childhood friends and continues into adulthood. Like It Starts With Us, this contemporary romance novel explores the transformative power of love.
The book follows the tale of Rune and Poppy, two young individuals who form an unbreakable bond that transcends time and distance. When Rune is called back to his native Norway, he believes that his one true love will wait for him. However, upon his return, he finds that Poppy has cut him off without a word of explanation. As the truth behind their separation is revealed, the heartache is palpable, begging the question of how long a kiss can last. This spellbinding piece of young adult romance is sure to leave readers reaching for the tissues.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
