Why We Can ’t Stop Reading Colleen Hoover’s Trauma-Filled Novels

Colleen Hoover fans—a passionate group of readers who call themselves the CoHort—are preparing to be emotionally walloped. On Oct. 18, Hoover will publish It Starts With Us, the long-awaited sequel to 2016’s It Ends With Us. While her two dozen novels are mostly romances, Hoover specializes in the type of book that practically demands a reader have their therapist on standby. Consider recent reactions on TikTok, where the #ColleenHoover hashtag has been viewed more than 2.4 billion times: “I never cry while reading books but this ending just made me burst out in tears,” one person wrote. “I’m just about to go hit rock bottom, so I was wondering if anyone needs anything while I’m there,” another chimed in, clutching a copy of It Ends With Us. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Hoover’s novels probe dark themes: abusive relationships, toxic masculinity, sexual assault, miscarriage, infidelity. She’s been open about her personal connection to some of the things she writes about: Hoover has said that her father physically abused her mother, and that It Ends With Us was inspired by her mother. The novel introduces readers to Lily—a florist who grew up with an abusive father—and her neurosurgeon husband, Ryle, who turns a childhood incident into an excuse for assaulting her. He grows especially jealous and vengeful after Lily reconnects with her first love, Atlas. When Lily learns she’s ex...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Books culturepod Source Type: news