It Ends With Us order of books remains one of the most searched topics among romance and contemporary fiction readers in the United States, especially as Colleen Hoover’s emotionally powerful duology continues to attract new audiences through book clubs, social media, and ongoing discussions tied to its screen adaptation and cultural impact. As of today, the reading order is clear, confirmed, and unchanged, but many readers still want a detailed, authoritative guide that explains not only which book comes first, but why the order matters and how the story unfolds when read correctly.
This long-form guide is written for readers who want complete clarity before starting the series or revisiting it. Every detail reflects the most current, verified status of the books and their place in Colleen Hoover’s bibliography as of today. The focus stays entirely on the reading sequence, the story flow, and what each book contributes to the overall narrative.
Table of Contents
The It Ends With Us Series at a Glance
The It Ends With Us series is a two-book story centered on Lily Bloom, a young woman whose life is shaped by love, trauma, and the difficult choices required to break cycles of abuse. The novels are not stand-alone companions. They form a continuous narrative, with the second book picking up after the events of the first.
Although the titles can confuse first-time readers, the series is not meant to be read out of sequence. The emotional weight, character development, and resolution only work when the books are read in the proper order.
The officially recognized and publisher-confirmed reading order is:
- It Ends With Us
- It Starts With Us
There are no prequels, side novellas, or alternate editions that change this order. The story is complete within these two novels.
Book One: It Ends With Us (2016)
The first book in the series, It Ends With Us, introduces readers to Lily Bloom, a recent college graduate who has moved to Boston with dreams of building a life that looks nothing like the one she grew up in. From the opening chapters, the novel establishes its emotional core: Lily’s childhood was shaped by witnessing domestic violence, and those memories quietly influence the way she views love, relationships, and her own worth.
Lily meets Ryle Kincaid, a successful neurosurgeon whose confidence, ambition, and intensity draw her in almost immediately. Their connection feels electric, but it is also complicated. Ryle has strong opinions about relationships and emotional attachment, and as their bond deepens, Lily begins to see sides of him that echo the patterns she hoped to leave behind forever.
Running parallel to this present-day storyline is Lily’s past with Atlas Corrigan, her first love. Through journal entries and memories, readers learn how Atlas and Lily met as teenagers and how their relationship was formed under difficult circumstances. These sections are not just romantic flashbacks. They provide essential context for Lily’s emotional resilience and the standards she sets for love, safety, and respect.
As the novel progresses, the story confronts domestic abuse directly, without romanticizing it. The narrative shows how cycles of violence can repeat across generations and how love can coexist with harm in deeply confusing ways. Lily is forced to confront the same choices her mother once faced, and the emotional tension of those decisions forms the heart of the book.
It Ends With Us concludes with a powerful, defining moment that explains the meaning of the title itself. The ending is not a conventional romance resolution. Instead, it centers on self-preservation, accountability, and the courage it takes to stop a cycle rather than continue it. This ending sets the stage for the second book and makes it clear that the story is not finished, even though the first novel reaches a natural emotional pause.
Because this book establishes every major relationship, theme, and conflict, it must always be read first. Skipping it or starting with the sequel would remove the emotional foundation that gives the entire series its impact.
Book Two: It Starts With Us (2022)
The second book in the series, It Starts With Us, continues the story directly after the events of It Ends With Us. Despite the title, it is not a prequel. It is a true sequel that explores what happens after Lily makes the life-changing choices at the end of the first novel.
This installment shifts the narrative structure by including perspectives from both Lily and Atlas. Readers finally gain full insight into Atlas’s thoughts, experiences, and emotional healing. His voice adds depth to the story, revealing how the events of the past shaped him and how he has worked to build stability, purpose, and emotional safety in adulthood.
Lily, now a mother, is navigating co-parenting, personal boundaries, and the challenge of building a peaceful life after trauma. The novel explores how past experiences continue to affect present decisions, even when the immediate danger has passed. It also focuses on the practical realities of moving forward, rather than ending the story at the moment of escape or resolution.
The relationship between Lily and Atlas is developed with care, showing the slow rebuilding of trust and the importance of timing, communication, and emotional readiness. Unlike the intense, often volatile connection depicted in the first book, this relationship emphasizes stability, respect, and mutual support.
While It Starts With Us contains romance and hope, it also maintains the series’ grounded tone. The story does not erase the past or pretend that healing is instant. Instead, it portrays recovery as an ongoing process that involves patience, boundaries, and honest self-reflection.
This second book provides emotional closure for readers who wanted to see what a healthy future could look like for the characters. It answers lingering questions, resolves unresolved feelings, and offers a sense of forward momentum that completes the duology.
Why the Reading Order Is Essential
Understanding the correct It Ends With Us order of books is not simply a matter of preference. It is necessary for the story to make sense.
The first novel introduces the trauma, the relationships, and the internal conflicts that define Lily’s world. The second novel builds on those experiences and shows how the characters grow beyond them. Reading them out of order would remove crucial emotional context and spoil major plot developments.
The titles themselves can mislead new readers. Some assume that It Starts With Us should be read first because of its wording. In reality, the title reflects the thematic message of healing and new beginnings, not the chronological starting point of the story.
Colleen Hoover has consistently described the series as a two-part narrative meant to be read in sequence. There are no alternate timelines or companion stories that change this structure. The story begins with It Ends With Us and concludes with It Starts With Us.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
In this case, chronological order and publication order are the same.
- It Ends With Us was published first and takes place first in the story timeline.
- It Starts With Us was published later and continues the story.
There are no flashback-only novels or spin-offs that need to be inserted between them. All past events are handled within the narrative of the two books themselves.
This makes the series straightforward for new readers, but the emotional complexity of the story often leads people to double-check the order before beginning. That is why clear guidance remains important.
Standalone or Series?
Another common question is whether the books can be read as standalones. Technically, each novel has its own complete arc, but emotionally and narratively, they are designed to function as a pair.
It Ends With Us can be read on its own and still deliver a powerful message. However, It Starts With Us depends heavily on the reader’s knowledge of the first book. Without that background, the relationships, conflicts, and resolutions lose much of their meaning.
For the full experience, both books should be read in order.
Cultural Impact and Ongoing Relevance in 2026
The continued popularity of the series in the United States is tied to several factors. The themes of resilience, emotional boundaries, and breaking generational cycles resonate strongly with modern readers. Social media discussions, book clubs, and academic conversations around representation of domestic abuse in fiction have kept the novels in the public eye long after their original release.
The screen adaptation of It Ends With Us also brought renewed attention to the books, introducing the story to audiences who may not have encountered it through traditional reading communities. This has led to a new wave of readers seeking guidance on where to begin and how to approach the series in the correct order.
As of today, there have been no announcements of additional sequels or spin-offs that would change the established reading sequence. The duology remains complete with the two existing novels.
Quick Reference: It Ends With Us Order of Books
For readers who want a simple checklist, the correct order is:
- It Ends With Us – The beginning of Lily Bloom’s story and the foundation of all major themes.
- It Starts With Us – The continuation and emotional resolution, focusing on healing and new beginnings.
This order is fixed and universally recommended for first-time readers.
Choosing the Right Format
Both books are available in print, digital, and audio formats in the United States. The order does not change regardless of format. Many readers choose audiobooks for their emotional delivery, while others prefer print for the ability to reflect on key passages. The experience remains the same as long as the sequence is followed.
Final Thoughts on Reading the Series in Order
Following the correct It Ends With Us order of books allows the story to unfold as it was intended, with emotional continuity, character growth, and thematic clarity. The journey from pain to healing, from confusion to understanding, and from survival to hope only reaches its full impact when the narrative is experienced from beginning to end.
For readers discovering the series for the first time or returning to it after hearing renewed discussion, starting with It Ends With Us and continuing with It Starts With Us is the only way to experience the complete arc of Lily Bloom’s story.
Stay connected to the story, revisit it in order, and share your thoughts with fellow readers as this powerful duology continues to inspire discussion and reflection.
