BookTok is finally waking up from the Colleen Hoover fever dream

From romanticized toxicity to real-life scandals, Colleen Hoover’s literary empire faces growing scrutiny

Scrolling through BookTok, it's impossible to miss the Colleen Hoover phenomenon. Her novels, especially It Ends with Us, have garnered immense popularity, often hailed as must-reads. Intrigued by the hype, I decided to check her work out myself to see what all the buzz was about.

Starting with November 9, I was immediately struck by the dynamics between the protagonists, Fallon and Ben. Their relationship, portrayed as passionate and intense, often veers into unsettling territory.

In one scene, Fallon attempts to reject Ben's advances, clearly saying no, yet he persists, dismissing her refusal. This depiction of ignoring consent is deeply problematic, as it normalizes and romanticizes behavior that, in reality, constitutes sexual assault.

Then there’s It Ends with Us, the novel that skyrocketed Hoover into literary stardom.

The book follows Lily, who falls in love with Ryle, a neurosurgeon who becomes physically abusive. Hoover’s attempt to highlight the complexities of domestic violence is commendable, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The way Lily constantly rationalizes Ryle’s behavior, combined with the infamous quote, "There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things," makes it feel as though his abuse is being excused rather than condemned.

Atlas, Lily’s childhood love and eventual rescuer, is positioned as the “good guy,” a safe alternative to Ryle. However, even his character falls into the stereotypical “perfect man” mold—a trope that often strips male love interests of real complexity in favor of making them saviors.

While Atlas is presented as the ultimate contrast to Ryle, the oversimplified dichotomy between them undermines the reality of survivors who don’t always have a ‘perfect man’ waiting for them. The novel ends up feeling more like a dramatic romance than a nuanced exploration of domestic abuse.

Throughout Hoover's novels, female characters often fall into the "damsel in distress" trope, lacking depth beyond their romantic entanglements. They frequently depend on their male counterparts for validation and purpose, perpetuating outdated and harmful stereotypes about women’s roles in relationships.

Interestingly, Hoover’s writing style and themes remind me of stories popularized on platforms like Wattpad—a space known for its serialized, user-generated content.

Her novels feel like Wattpad tales for those who’ve never ventured onto the platform, blending melodrama with intense, often problematic, romantic scenarios. The over-the-top emotional stakes, rushed relationship arcs, and “trauma as personality” approach are staples of Wattpad fiction, which often relies on fantasy-driven portrayals of love rather than grounded, realistic depictions.

One particular line from Ugly Love left me baffled: "We both laugh at our son's big balls."

This attempt at humor felt jarring and out of place, making me question the editorial choices behind such inclusions. It’s not just the themes that are questionable—sometimes, the writing itself leaves readers scratching their heads.

Beyond the pages, Hoover's personal life has also come under scrutiny. In 2022, her son, Levi, faced allegations of sexual harassment. A Twitter user accused him of inappropriate behavior when she was 16, claiming that Hoover blocked her after she reached out about the incident. Hoover addressed the allegations in a private Facebook group, stating that the claims were inaccurate and that she did not block the individual.

Then there’s the It Ends with Us coloring book debacle—an incident that still feels like it shouldn’t have been real.

In 2023, Hoover announced an It Ends with Us-themed coloring book, meant to let fans “interact” with the story in a new way. The backlash was immediate. A novel centered around domestic violence was now being turned into a lighthearted activity book?

People were understandably furious.

It felt not only tone-deaf but outright disrespectful to survivors of abuse, who had once found solace in the book. Hoover eventually canceled the project and issued a statement apologizing, but the damage was done. It was a stark reminder that her relationship with her audience often felt more commercial than thoughtful.

More recently, the film adaptation of It Ends with Us has been mired in controversy. Blake Lively, who stars in and co-produces the film, filed a lawsuit against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment.

Lively claims that Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behavior during filming, including improvising unwanted kissing and making inappropriate comments. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging defamation and extortion.

Amid these scandals, Hoover deactivated her Instagram account, sparking speculation about whether she’s stepping away from the public eye for good.

With BookTok once serving as her greatest asset, it’s now a space filled with more criticism than praise. Readers who once championed her work are now calling for accountability, questioning whether she should continue writing if her narratives remain problematic.

The combination of her son’s scandal, the It Ends with Us controversy, and the ongoing legal battle involving her movie adaptation has led to rumors that Hoover may be considering retirement. Some speculate that she’s simply waiting for the dust to settle before returning, while others believe this could be the end of her publishing reign.

Reflecting on these experiences, I can't help but question the widespread acclaim Hoover receives. While her storytelling is undeniably engaging, it’s crucial to critically assess the messages being conveyed.

Romanticizing toxic relationships and perpetuating harmful stereotypes can have real-world implications, especially considering her vast and impressionable readership. As readers, we must rememeber that popularity doesn’t always equal to valuable literature. 

Given the controversies surrounding her work and personal life, it seems that more people are beginning to see Colleen Hoover for who she really is—a complex figure whose contributions to literature are intertwined with problematic portrayals and personal scandals.

This growing awareness prompts necessary conversations about the responsibility of authors and the impact of their narratives on readers.