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Colleen Hoover’s “It Starts with Us” is a heart-wrenching and emotional novel that delves into the complexities of love and relationships. The book is a sequel to the bestselling “It Ends with Us” and continues to explore the dynamics of domestic violence and the power of love.
It Starts With Us quotes provide insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions and offer commentary on the human condition.
As a lover of literature, I am captivated by the way Hoover writes and the powerful messages in her novels. The book has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike, with Publishers Weekly praising Hoover’s talent for creating nuanced and empathetic characters.
I highly recommend “It Starts with Us” for anyone looking for a moving and thought-provoking read. The novel explores the theme of love, second chances and how to move on from past mistakes. It’s a story of hope and perseverance that will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading.”
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
One of the most powerful quotes from the novel is “Love is not a feeling, it’s an ability.” This quote highlights the idea that love is not just an emotion, but an action that requires effort and commitment. It reflects the theme of the novel that true love is not easy, but it is worth fighting for.
Another powerful quote from the novel is “Sometimes the person you want most is the person you’re best without.” This quote reflects the theme of the novel that not all relationships are meant to last and that sometimes letting go is the best thing for both parties.
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It Starts with Us Quotes
I hope you will enjoy the following list of Colleen Hoover’s “It Starts with Us” quotes!
“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.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It is my wish for you to be my fish” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“You’re going to drive five miles just to give me a hug?” “I’d run five miles just to give you a hug.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“She’s my person, and I am hers, and that’s something I’ve known since the first week we met.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Maybe the idea of love ending being a negative thing is simply a matter of perspective. Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“My choice helped me realize that sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“If it takes a million kisses for her not to think about the scars that surround her heart tattoo, then I’ll kiss her there a million and one times.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“He’s a broken man, but he isn’t broken because of me. He was broken before he met me. Sometimes people think if they love a broken person enough, they can be what finally repairs them, but the problem with that is the other person just ends up broken, too.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I prefer honesty over loyalty any day, because with honesty comes loyalty.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Thank you. What is it?” “Our weekend special, ” Atlas says. “It’s called why are you avoiding me pasta.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“We finally reached the beach, my little whale.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Sometimes people think if they love a broken person enough, they can be what finally repairs them, but the problem with that is the other person just ends up broken, too.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It’s not the first time he’s mentioned I saved him back then, but every time he says it, I want to argue with him. I didn’t save him. All I did was fall in love with him.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I’m exactly where I belong, being loved by Atlas Corrigan.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“You’re stressing over things that haven’t even happened yet.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But even monsters can’t survive without a heart beating inside their chest.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Oh, are you at Lily’s?” Theo says, moving closer to the phone screen. He’s grinning. “Did you finally kiss her? Can she hear me? What line did you use to get her to invite you in? Lily! We watched people wed, let’s hop into—” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I’ve spent my life not making bold moves when it comes to her. I wanted to make sure she knew where I stood this time.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“When I think about Ryle hitting you… I get absurdly angry. Because I love him. I do. He’s been my best friend since we were kids. But I also hate him for not being better. Nothing you have done and nothing you could do would excuse any man’s hands on you out of anger. Remember that, Lily. You made the right choice by leaving that situation. You should never feel guilty for that. Pride is the only thing you should feel.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“We don’t focus too much on what isn’t working out in our lives. We focus on what is, and there’s a lot to be grateful for.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Thank you for being the most comforting part of my life right now. Thank you for always being the beacon I need every time I feel lost. Whether you mean to shine on me or not. I am grateful for you. I’ve missed you. I absolutely should have kissed you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Atlas is so angry, but this is an anger I’m not afraid of. I realize the significance of this moment. I’m alone with an angry man in my apartment, but I’m not in fear for my life, because he isn’t angry at me.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“My loyalty is to the people who bring positivity into my life. My loyalty is to the people who want to build me up and see me happy. Those are the people I’m going to make decisions about my life for.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I’m getting a new therapist who doesn’t bully me.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I realize in this moment that the hardest part about ending an abusive relationship is that you aren’t necessarily putting an end to the bad moments. The bad moments still rear their ugly heads every now and then. When you end an abusive relationship, it’s the good moments you put an end to.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“And every time I kiss you there, I want you to remember why I kissed you there the first time.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I open the Notes app and click on the most recent one. As soon as I see the two words at the top, I drop the phone, pressing it facedown on my thigh. “Atlas.” “Lily.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Divorce is difficult. I knew it would be, but it’s so much harder than I anticipated. And navigating divorce with a child in the mix is a million times trickier. You’re stuck interacting with that person for the remainder of your life. You have to either figure out a way to plan birthday parties together or figure out a way to be okay with having separate celebrations. You have to plan on which holidays each of you get to spend with your child, which days of the week, down to which hours of the day sometimes. You can’t snap your fingers and be done with the person you married and divorced. You’re stuck with them. Forever.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us“
“Paris. Rome. London. I have no desire to sit on a hot beach somewhere. I want to see all the romantic places in Europe and make love in every city and take pictures kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower. I want to eat croissants and hold hands on trains.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“In the past and for forever, you are my favorite person. Always have been. Always will be. I love you. Everything that you are.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I’m so happy you’re happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. But I will say, nothing beats knowing I’m the one you get to be happy with now.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Anyone who has ever left a manipulative, abusive spouse and somehow stayed that course deserves a medal. A statue. A freaking superhero movie. Society has obviously been worshipping the wrong heroes this whole time because I’m convinced it takes less strength to pick up a building than it does to permanently leave an abusive situation.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I had fallen in love with her long before our first kiss, though. I loved her more than I had ever loved anyone before that moment. I think I loved her more than I’ve ever loved anyone after that moment. I think I still might.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It is my wish for you to be my fish.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It blows my mind that this man has you for a son, and you want to be in his life, yet he still hasn’t made an effort. You’re a privilege, Josh. Believe me, if I’d known you existed, I would have knocked over buildings to find you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But then I met you, Lily. And even though I was nothing, when you looked at me, you somehow saw something. Something I couldn’t see. You were the first person in my life to show an interest in who I was as a human. No one had ever asked me questions about myself the way you did. After those few months I spent getting to know you, I stopped feeling like I was nothing. You made me feel interesting and unique. Your friendship gave me worth. Thank you for that. Even if this date leads nowhere and we never speak again, I will always be grateful to you for somehow seeing something in me that my own mother was blind to. You’re my favorite person, Lily. And now you know why.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I may not be perfect, but I don’t deserve to fear for my life every time I make a mistake.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Here comes the gaslighting. He’s attempting to make me feel crazy for being scared, even though my fear is more than warranted.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I was jealous of anyone who had ever loved something enough to experience losing it.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“P.S. It is my wish for you to be my fish.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“If we trusted everyone to keep their word, vows wouldn’t be necessary. People would fall in love, and they’d stay in love, faithfully, forever, the end. But that’s the issue, I guess. We’re people. We’re human. And humans can sometimes be disappointing.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Sometimes you’re going to need me to hold your hand down the hills, and sometimes I’ll need you to lead me up the mountain, but everything, from this point forward, we’re going to face together.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“one that starts with us.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“No matter what you decide to do, you are not an awful mother. Precisely the opposite.” She releases my hand and grips the chains, staring at Emmy. “I admire the choices you’ve made for her. Sometimes I get sad that I couldn’t be that strong for you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“One breath, one kiss, one day, one year, one lifetime.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“If it’s my destiny to end up a statistic, there’s no one else I’d rather become a statistic with than you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“You could have fifty ex-husbands who try to make our lives hell, but as long as I have you, I will be absolutely unaffected by anyone else’s negativity. That’s a promise.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It was the exact moment I realized that I loved you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Don’t think about where we used to be, just think about where we are.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“We’re impressionable when we’re younger, and when you’re told you are nothing for years on end by everyone you should mean something to, you start to believe it. And you slowly start to become nothing.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“There’s this toxic belief that family should stick together simply because they’re family. But the best thing I ever did for myself was walk away from them. It scares me to think of where I might be had I not done that.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I saw your tattoo. I can’t tell you what that means to me, knowing that you have our heart placed in the very spot where I once secretly buried the words I love you” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I want him to feel young for as long as he can. I want him to enjoy his time with me. I want him to know what love is long before I did.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Now I actually like my life. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I have absolutely no desire to allow anyone from my past to come in and threaten that.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I can’t tell you what the rest of that day was like. To feel so incredibly unwanted, unloved, alone. I had no one. Nothing. No money, no belongings, no family. Just a wound.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“There isn’t a single human in history with a past misfortunate enough to excuse beating the person you’re suppose to protect.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Nothing you have done and nothing you could do would excuse any man’s hands on you out of anger. Remember that, Lily. You made the right choice by leaving that situation. You should never feel guilty for that. Pride is the only thing you should feel.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I mean, it was the lowest point of my life, sure. But my memories with you from back then are still some of my favorites.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“it felt like a part of me that had been dormant suddenly sprang to life.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But even monsters can’t survive without a heart beating inside their chest. There’s a heart in there somewhere. Maybe no one in her life has ever let her know they’re appreciative that it still beats.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It’s me, Lily. It’s us. There’s nothing to be embarrased about.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I run my hand over her back for a while, and then I stroke my fingers through her hair, wondering how in the world she can make me feel so whole when I had no idea I was only half of myself without her.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Atlas is so angry, but this is an anger I’m not afraid of. I realize the significance of this moment. I’m alone with an angry man in my apartment, but I’m not in fear for my life, because he isn’t angry at me. He’s angry at the person who hurt me. It’s a protective anger, and there’s a world of difference between my reactions to Ryle’s anger versus my reaction to Atlas’s anger.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Our weekend special,” Atlas says. “It’s called why are you avoiding me pasta.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Love. Discovering it, giving it, receiving it, falling in it, living in it, leaving for it.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“This is the only negative aspect to finally being with the person you’re meant to be with. You go years aching to be with them, and when they finally become a significant part of your life, it somehow hurts even more.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I want everything with you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Being near him is second nature.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Treating Lily the way she deserves to be treated is the easiest part of my life. I think you should be relieved she’s with someone like me.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I flip on my blinker. “I like reading reviews. I feel like business reviews are a reflection of the owner, and I want to know what people think of my restaurants. The constructive criticism helps. I haven’t had the kitchen experience a lot of chefs have, and critics are some of the best teachers.” “What do you get out of reading reviews about other people’s businesses?” “Nothing, really. I just find it entertaining.” “Do I have any bad ones?” Lily looks away from me, half turning so that she’s facing forward again. “Never mind, don’t answer that. I’m just going to pretend they’re all good and that everyone loves my flowers.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Jealousy doesn’t have an expiration date, apparently.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I may not be perfect, but I don’t deserve to fear for my life every time I make a mistake.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“We’ve finally reached the beach my little whale.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“If you do something stupid, I’m going to be the friend who tells you you’re doing something stupid. I’m not going to join you in your stupidity.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“You finally gonna kiss her?” “If she wants me to.” Theo nods. “She probably will as long as you refrain from saying anything cheesy, like, Look at the ships, let’s lock lips!” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I feel like all it takes is one weak, insecure moment in the presence of your ex to convince yourself you made the wrong decision.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“If you truly believe that I would have been unfaithful to you, then go ahead and believe that. I don’t have the energy to keep convincing you otherwise. I’ve explained this to you before, so I’m not saying it again. I never would have left you for Atlas. I didn’t leave you for Atlas. I left you because I deserve to be treated better than the way I was treated by you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Theo mockingly presses his palms to his cheeks. “We finally reached the beach, my little whale.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“choice helped me realize that sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Life is a funny thing. We only get so many years to live it, so we have to do everything we can to make sure those years are as full as they can be. We shouldn’t waste time on things that might happen someday, or maybe even never.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But no matter how mad I was, when she was standing right in front of me, I never, not for one second, thought about physically hurting her, I just wanted to hug her and cry on her shoulder.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I realize in this moment that the hardest part about ending an abusive relationship is that you aren’t necessarily putting an end to the bad moments. The bad moments still rear their ugly heads every now and then. When you end an abusive relationship, it’s the good moments you put an end to. In our marriage, the few terrifying incidents were blanketed by so many good ones, but now that our marriage is over, the blanket has lifted and all I’m left with are the worst pieces of him. When our marriage was once full of heart and flesh that cushioned the skeleton, all that’s left is the skeleton now. Sharp, bony edges that slice right through me.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“What are you doing?” “Helping Josh with his homework. Trying to pretend I’m not thinking about you.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I don’t just see anger in his expression. I see a hell of a lot of pain” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But he’s right. It was a low point in both of our lives, but being with him was still somehow the highlight of my teenage years. I guess fun is the perfect way to describe what we made of it. And if we somehow had fun together at such a low point in both of our lives, it makes me wonder what we could be like at our highest.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“All these things are going to be difficult for you, but you’re the only one who can make sure they aren’t difficult for the rest of us, too. Because none of us owes you our happiness. Especially Lily.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“He’s proven to me that I’m not safe when I’m alone with him, so that privilege is over.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“The idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Your friendship gave me worth.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“It’s not the first time he’s mentioned I saved him back then, but every time he says it, I want to argue with him. I didn’t save him. All I did was fall in love with him.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“There’s nothing easy about fearing for your safety any time you make a misstep.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“How do people leave these cycles when they don’t have the resources I had or the support from their friends and family? How do they possibly stay strong enough every second of the day? I feel like all it takes is one weak, insecure moment in the presence of your ex to convince yourself you made the wrong decision. Anyone who has ever left a manipulative, abusive spouse and somehow stayed that course deserves a medal.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“Is that why I always feel worried for you? Because I love you?” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I think living together escalated the realization that we were incompatible. Or maybe we were just at different points in our lives.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“A small grin peeks through her gloom. “You’re going to drive five miles just to give me a hug?” “I’d run five miles just to give you a hug.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“My choice helped me realise that sometimes the hardest decisions a person can make will most likely lead to the best outcomes.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But that’s the issue, I guess. We’re people. We’re human. And humans can sometimes be disappointing.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“His dark side feeds off drama, and if no one gives him any, he makes it up.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“I have no idea if that’s what love feels like for everyone, like it’s an airplane that just fell from the sky and crashed right through you. Because most people, they have love seeping in and out their whole lives. They’re born being wrapped in it and they go their whole childhood being protected by it, and they have people in their lives that welcome their love in return, so I’m not sure it hits people like it hit me—in one small moment, in such a colossal way.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
“But vows aren’t meant to be something you make in private. The purpose of a vow is to make an intentional promise that is witnessed, whether it’s witnessed by God, or friends and family.” ― Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us
Thank you for reading my list of 101 best It Starts with Us quotes! And as always, I wish you happy reading! ❤️