Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us. Second unpopular opinion alert: book twos in trilogies are too often extraneous. Second books in trilogies don’t do enough work. It gives too much room for nothing to happen, for characters to meander in angst unnecessarily. It takes away from the third book’s opportunity for a grand finale because now I no longer care about this story or these characters the same way I did in book one. Duologies never disappoint me in the same way. Below is a list of first books to get you hooked on deliciously twisty and romantic duologies, both YA and adult. Turn the surprises and emotions up to 11 please! There are more than cliffhangers — there are cliff jumpers diving straight into the next book without a second glance over their shoulder. More than unexpected twists, these also have romantic elements as a central theme rather than a secondary subplot. When perfectly paced plot meets angsty romance, I am the target audience. Take my money already, I need to know what happens. I hope that you give what I what think is an often overlooked series format a chance. They are complex and nuanced, yet fast paced and succinct. You can bet there are characters you’re going to get too emotionally attached to and plot twists that seem cruel to the reader in the moment. I’m so jealous that y’all get to read these for the first time. Once you start, you’re not going to be able to stop. If you liked these recommendations, you should check out 8 fantasy duologies and YA duologies for your TBR.
