Why Colleen Hoover’s 2016 book is so controversial

Author Colleen Hoover has become a household name in publishing, but many of her books, including It ends with us, have received significant and disturbing reactions to controversial endings. Hoover’s publishing career began in 2012 when she published her first novel, Slammed. For the next decade, the author published three or four books each year, almost exclusively in the romance genre. It is only in recent years that Colleen Hoover’s books have gained popularity with the rise of BookTok. Hoover’s newfound attention is not all positive, however. In her long list of publications, many books have caught the eye of readers.

One of Colleen Hoover’s best books is It ends with us. The novel, published in 2016, sold one million copies worldwide by 2019. A few years later, the book became even more popular after readers started promoting it on BookTok. It ends with us shot to first place in the New York Times bestseller list in 2022. There is now a film adaptation scheduled to premiere in August 2024. It ends with us has not had consistently positive experiencesIn fact, the book has been criticized on many levels, including its plot, marketing, and presentation.

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“It Ends With Us” portrays domestic violence in a controversial way

There is an argument that Hoover romanticizes abuse

The biggest debate about It ends with us revolves around the book’s love story. While some readers praise Hoover for her realistic portrayal of an abusive relationship, others are concerned about what Hoover seems to be conveying. It ends with us tells the story of Lily Bloom, a young woman who begins a relationship with a man named Ryle. In the course of the novel Ryle slowly begins to abuse Lily. Therefore, Lily must make a decision about how to break the cycle of violence set in motion by her parents, who also had an abusive relationship with her.

Hoover’s take on this story has been viewed in two very different ways. Time Magazine wrote that Hoover’s novel helped readers “understand why an abused partner may find it difficult to leave an abuser they still love.” On the other hand, Cosmopolitan argued that “Hoover’s work describes abuse situations through rose-tinted glasses and ultimately does not really define them as abuse – rather, they are viewed as romantic.” Ultimately, This disagreement stems from a particular aspect of the novel.

In It ends with us, Lily keeps Ryle in her life despite his abuse. Over the course of the novel, readers see Ryle physically, sexually, and emotionally abuse Lily due to a traumatic event that occurred in his childhood. When Lily becomes pregnant, she realizes their dangerous relationship must change. Lily’s solution is to divorce Rylebut allow him to help raise their newborn daughter. Some felt that this decision made Ryle more human and understanding, but others considered it a justification and excuse for domestic violence.

Colleen Hoover’s 2016 book should not be marketed as a romance novel

“It Ends With Us” is in the wrong genre

No matter how you interpret the end of It ends with us, a fact remains true. It ends with us should not have been marketed as a romance novel. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, A novel in the romance genre contains the promise that two characters will fall in love and (most likely) be happy until the end of their days. It ends with us sees Lily and Ryle fall in love, but readers also see their relationship destroyed. There is no happy ending. In this way It ends with us promises something it cannot keep.

Secondly, It ends with us in the romance genre suggests that what is happening in the book is romantic. Lily may have a budding romance with her childhood friend named Atlas, but the core of the book is about Lily and Ryle. In this way It ends with us is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Although The hope is that readers can distinguish between romance and abuseYoung readers may have difficulty making this distinction. This is one of the main reasons for the backlash against Colleen Hoover. Therefore, Hoover should have marketed this book as contemporary fiction rather than a romance novel.

It does not help Hoover’s case that she previously seemed unaware of the darkness of her book. A particularly big controversy came in 2023 when Hoover tried to It ends with us Coloring book. The product was quickly condemned by readers who felt that a fun and relaxing activity like a coloring book was completely inappropriate for a book about domestic violence. CNN, Hoover canceled the project and apologized. Nevertheless, the coloring book drama is an example of how easily this novel can be misunderstood.

“It Ends With Us” is not the only book by Colleen Hoover to attract harsh criticism

Hoover was criticized for toxic and inappropriate relationships

Other books by Colleen Hoover have also been rejected by readers. YouTuber Whitney Atkinson published a passage from Hoover’s book 9 November on X, where The male lover considers using physical force to prevent the female protagonist from leaving his car (above The Mary Sue). In addition, Hoover’s book Closed follows the romantic relationship between a high school student and her teacher. Ultimately, Colleen Hoover may be a pillar of romance, but her books, including It ends with us, have not passed everyone’s test.

Sources: Time Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Today, CNN, The Mary Sue

It ends with us

Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, It Ends With Us is a romantic drama directed by Justin Baldoni. The film follows a recent college graduate named Lily who meets and falls in love with a man named Ryle. However, a traumatic incident and the return of her former high school sweetheart into her life complicate her plans.

director

Justin Baldoni

Release date

21 June 2024

Authors

Christy Hall

Pour

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj