How Does 'What If It’S Us' Compare To Other YA Novels?

As someone who devoured both books back-to-back, I can say 'It Starts With Us' is more than just a sequel—it's a healing journey that picks up where 'It Ends With Us' left off. While the first book focused on Lily's painful decision to leave her abusive marriage, the sequel dives into her rebuilding phase. We see her co-parenting with Ryle while cautiously exploring love with Atlas, her childhood sweetheart. The connection lies in how it flips the narrative—instead of ending with trauma, it starts with recovery. Key scenes mirror each other, like Atlas's restaurant appearing in both, but now representing safety rather than danger. The emotional whiplash comes from seeing Lily's growth—where she once tolerated red flags, she now sets boundaries fiercely. Ryle's sporadic appearances remind us healing isn't linear, and Lily's journal entries tie both timelines together beautifully.

I'd totally say some hilarious and relatable memes come from the 'Distracted Boyfriend' format. It's such a classic! Then there's the 'Woman Yelling at Cat' meme, which cracks me up every time. I love how they can express so much with just a single image! The 'This is Fine' dog meme also hits close to home with its existential vibe. Memes like these keep the humor alive in my day-to-day life.

I just finished reading 'This Could Be Us' and had to look up the author because the writing style felt so familiar. The novel is written by Kennedy Ryan, an author who's been making waves in contemporary romance with her emotionally rich storytelling. Ryan has this knack for creating characters that feel painfully real - flawed, complex, and completely unforgettable. What stands out about her work is how she balances steamy romance with deep emotional wounds and healing. 'This Could Be Us' follows this pattern perfectly, blending scorching chemistry between the leads with profound discussions about trust and self-worth. If you enjoy authors like Talia Hibbert or Jasmine Guillory, Ryan's work should be next on your list.

I just finished reading 'This Could Be Us' last week, and I was so invested in the characters that I immediately searched for a sequel. From what I found, there isn't one yet. The author hasn’t announced any plans for a continuation, but the ending left enough open threads that a follow-up could happen. The protagonist’s journey felt complete, yet the world-building hinted at more stories—like the unresolved tension between the two rival factions. The book’s popularity might push the author to revisit this universe. If you loved it, check out 'The Stars Between Us' for a similar vibe of emotional sci-fi with rich relationships.

Reading 'It Ends with Us' and 'It Starts with Us' back-to-back feels like witnessing the evolution of a storm. The first book, 'It Ends with Us,' is raw and unflinching, diving deep into the complexities of love, abuse, and self-preservation. Lily’s journey is heartbreaking yet empowering, as she grapples with the cycle of abuse she inherited from her parents. The emotional weight of her decisions, especially the one to leave Ryle for the sake of her daughter, is palpable. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life, and it leaves you with a sense of hope, even if it’s a bittersweet one. 'It Starts with Us,' on the other hand, feels like the calm after the storm. It’s a gentler, more hopeful narrative that focuses on Lily’s healing and her rekindled relationship with Atlas. While the first book is about breaking cycles, the sequel is about building something new and healthy. The contrast between the two is striking—one is about survival, the other about thriving. If you’re someone who loves stories of resilience and second chances, 'It Starts with Us' will feel like a warm hug after the emotional turmoil of the first book. For readers who enjoyed these, I’d recommend 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' for another layered exploration of love and sacrifice, or 'Normal People' for a similarly nuanced take on relationships. If you’re into TV series, 'Big Little Lies' offers a gripping look at the complexities of marriage and abuse, while 'This Is Us' beautifully captures the messiness and beauty of family dynamics.

As someone who devoured both books back-to-back, the connection between 'One of Us Is Next' and 'One of Us Is Lying' is brilliant. The sequel picks up a year after the Bayview High scandal, with a fresh but equally deadly game of truth or dare. The original characters like Maeve and Knox return, but the focus shifts to new targets—Phoebe, Knox’s sister, and two others. The anonymous tormentor uses Simon’s old gossip app, Truth or Dare, proving his legacy still haunts the school. The tone is darker, with higher stakes—physical harm replaces secrets as punishment. What ties them together is the theme of consequences; the first book’s events directly fuel the second’s chaos, showing how trauma doesn’t just disappear.

The ending of 'The Melody of Us' left me emotionally wrecked in the best way possible. After all the heartache and misunderstandings, the two main characters finally reunite at their childhood music studio. The female lead plays their old melody on the piano, and when the male lead starts singing along, it's like all their broken pieces click back into place. They don't need grand gestures or speeches - that shared song says everything. The last scene shows them years later, running a music school together, teaching kids the same melody that brought them back to each other. It's bittersweet because we see how much they've grown, but overwhelmingly hopeful about their future.

I've been following 'This Could Be Us' since the first chapter dropped, and I'm always hunting for updates on adaptations. Right now, there's no official film or TV adaptation announced, but the buzz is real. The novel's emotional depth and complex relationships would translate beautifully to screen—imagine those raw family moments with A-list actors. Rumor has it a major studio optioned the rights last year, but production hasn't started. If you crave similar vibes, check out 'Our Souls at Night' on Netflix—it captures that bittersweet domestic drama with stellar performances. Personally, I hope they keep the adaptation faithful to the book's quiet intensity rather than Hollywoodizing it.