It Starts with Us

Bound to her abusive ex-husband through their daughter, Emerson, Lily struggles to confront her traumatic past and maintain boundaries that will protect her and Emerson from any future abuse. However, quickly after meeting Atlas unexpectedly in the street, Lily begins to question the co-parenting situation she and Ryle have established and what she truly desires for her life. Unable to deny the connection she and Atlas share, Lily learns the power of setting boundaries on her own terms.

Lily’s inability to set personal boundaries with Ryle comes from her fear and role as a survivor of domestic abuse: Any attempt she made in the past to assert herself was met with violence. Now, even though she has successfully divorced Ryle, she still feels that she will be punished for going against his wishes.  This fear carries over into her relationship with Atlas as well. Consumed by fear over Ryle’s hatred for Atlas, Lily begins the novel by avoiding Atlas and, thus, allows Ryle’s anger issues to limit her freedom. Eventually, Lily and Atlas’s deep connection forces her to reevaluate the power she has given Ryle over her life, and compels Lily to create more boundaries in her coparenting relationship with Ryle.