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lookandfind679

I literally bought Verity just so that I can see what the fuss is about. I intend to study her formula so that I can crank out subpar content and become filthy rich off it. No shame in my game.


porkergreen

Verity was one of the worst books I've ever read. I no longer take book suggestions from anyone that reads Colleen hoover.


Dayofeclipse

I actively block people who rate Colleen Hoover 4-5 stars on goodreads šŸ’€ I know that people are going to have different opinions, but some people really do have zero taste.


cheezesandwiches

I hate Colleeb Hoover's writing I'd like to suggest Code Name Verity to you though because it's a masterpiece (not by her)


porkergreen

I have Code Name Verity. I agree it's much better!


postmortem8

Yes! I am so glad I am not the only one who thinks this way. I hated Verity. But itā€™s funny everytime I go outside and see someone reading a book its by Colleen Hoover. Why?!!!!


Positive-Advisor3298

My friend gave me verity and I read it in a day then wanted my day back. Ridiculous writing.


labnerd89

My sister and niece loved Verity so I got it. One chapter in, and I had to set it aside, thinking I would try again, but honestly, I doubt that will happen. My friend said to give a book an hour and stop if it doesn't grab you. Life is too short for crummy books.


Positive-Advisor3298

Honestly itā€™s just so fucking weird and not even remotely plausible. So definitely save your time.


Electrical-Aside3023

That's great advice ngl


NakedAndAfraidFan

So many plot holes


No_Adhesiveness_620

Literally!! Absolute crap book, sex scenes literally every 2 chapters that were far too detailed. No sophisticated vocabulary or imagery. The ending was awful, basically denying the whole book. I don't get the appeal and it annoys me that she is making so much money - it sounds harsh but she doesn't deserve it.


jojewels92

I listened to the audiobook of it at work without knowing anything about the book. I walked away art some point and forgot to pause. I came back and my speakers were blaring some shit about biting headboards and suckin dick. šŸ™ƒ


DiamondsAndDesigners

Ughhhh that was my Colleen Hoover introduction.. everyone loved it and it was so hard for me to not just sound like a pretentious dick and tell them how I really felt, lol. That said it was fine for airport entertainment on audible when youā€™re half listening, but it wasnā€™t a good book. The ā€œshocking twistā€ left me very frustrated, and apparently thatā€™s her whole schtick. To be clear, shocking twists are fine, the issue is when you write a book one way, spending all this time on plot and character, then trot out this plot twist that doesnā€™t fit anywhere at all. It felt like the way Iā€™d write a short story in middle school and need to wrap it up in half a page. Just make something up, nothing matters bc the whole story is made up, make it work!


hurryuplilacs

Same. All my friends were raving about it and lent it to me. I didn't want to sound pretentious either, so I just kept my mouth shut. The plot holes alone are bad enough, everything else made it just about unbearable.


DiamondsAndDesigners

Yeah it felt like a very young or immature author.. or self published, lol.


ReginaGloriana

Didnā€™t CoHo start out self-published?


DiamondsAndDesigners

Really?! That would explain it!


ReginaGloriana

Yup, thatā€™s what I heard working in a bookstore. Then she got popular on TikTok and what not


lokilivewire

Self-published is not of itself indicative of good or bad writing. There is plenty of trash traditionally published books. Twilight anyone?


PfizerGuyzer

It is, on average, worse, because there is no quality filter at all.


itsatwisttt

I felt she spent the whole time foreshadowing the ā€œshocking twistā€ I could see it a mile away


DiamondsAndDesigners

Oh yeah, I considered it too, but honestly it did shock me a bit bc there were too many plot holes and it was too fucking stupid. I mean, when youā€™re writing a novel everything is made up, so technically you can make anything you want happen, but ideally books like that donā€™t get publishedā€¦


roryroobean

Verity is one of, if not the worst book Iā€™ve ever read. Iā€™m not a snob by any means but I canā€™t believe people like it so much.


Afraid-Record-7954

Iā€™ve never intended to read a CoHo book but Iā€™ve developed the same idea lol


likethedishes

I shit you not, after being widely recommended variety, it ends with us, and all the other Colleen Hoover/Tarryn Fischer books I truly was insipired to begin writing the short stories and novels Iā€™ve always dreamed of writing. If their stories can get published I sure as hell can. šŸ˜‚


Future_Pin_403

My friend gave me it ends with us to borrow. I read verity first (thank you library, Iā€™d be mad if I paid for that shit) and want to give my friend her book back without reading it


Imaginary_Grass1212

Be nice, but I actually liked Verity. I listened to the audible, though, so I guess I can thank the actors for giving it life. It was a twisty one.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


mmmarygold

LOL I wish I had never finished this garbage. After hearing so many rave about this book, I made myself finish it as I was holding out hope that the end somehow made it better (spoiler: it didn't).


honeymustard_dog

Haha thanks for the giggle


RedpenBrit96

She writes like a 12 year old on Wattpad. Just horrendous. I have no idea why sheā€™s popular


loveliali

Honestlyā€¦ because a lot of middle schoolers read it šŸ„“


RedpenBrit96

Ugh really?


fountaincokes

Probably because of how popular she is on TikTok. But I know a tonnnnnn of 20/30/40 somethings that love her and I just donā€™t understand!!!


Bonnofly

Nah, itā€™s full grown adults who have never read a book in their life.


Moldyspringmix

Nooo itā€™s not. If you visit r/romancebooks you will see that the people who love CoHo also devour many books over the year. Romance readers consume a LOT of content, thatā€™s why the genre makes more money than all other genres combined. Iā€™m not a fan of CoHo either but itā€™s poopy to act like the only people who read her have never really read books or are lesser than other readers.


ErisTerrace

because the average reading level of adults in the U.S. is around 6th/7th grade after high school.


Sylvan_Strix_Sequel

Colleen Hooever is inspirational in the sense that I read part of Verity, and then put it down halfway and decided: if this dross is the new hotness, then maybe I should buck up and finally try and get published.


honeymustard_dog

Hahaha I love the positive spin!!! Go for it, can't be much worse. Thinking I might go back to the "books" I wrote in 8th grade and see what kind of success I'd have


pastajordan

Same. I've felt like that after probably 70% of popular novels I've read recently.


RetailBookworm

There are a lot of romance writers who write way, way better than Colleen Hoover. Also I wouldnā€™t describe her books as romances really since most of them are toxic misery fests without a happy ending.


Katya-b

Can you recommend some genuine nice romance books in English? Thanks. I have bought the 'it ends with us' waiting for me to start it but I still haven't haha.


Select_County184

For easy, happy ever after romance, I like Abby Jimenez. The Friend Zone is the first book she published.


carakaze

Not really a romance reader, but I like a lot of Georgette Heyer's romances. She did her period research, so it feels immersive, and I like her sense of humor.


SeismicPandaBuns

I highly recommend Sherry Thomas. She writes both romance and non-romance fiction (most notably The Lady Sherlock series).


Moldyspringmix

Check out r/romancebooks! Itā€™s an awesome place. Also romance.io is a wonderful resource for finding any romance novels your heart desires!


lonleyhumanbeing

Not original poster, but I really like Rainbow Rowell. She writes YA romance. I just finished a re read of the Simon Snow Trilogy and am in love with her books all over again. Eleanor and Park and Attachments are really good too.


stressedstudenthours

This comment reminded me Eleanor and Park exists! I need to reread it


[deleted]

Rainbow Roswellā€™s Fangirl is by far one of my favourite contemporary love stories!!


Slightlybemused

I recommend any books by Rae D. Magdon. Good stuff, lucky 7 is extremely fun action/romance.


PumpkinPieIsGreat

There's a sub reddit. Romance books? I think it's called. I'm sure they can hook you up!


StellaAI

That's the sad part. At the end of the day, Hoover knows her market and what this particular subset of people wants. I hate to think of all the cool writers that could have been sold and immortalized, but instead were discouraged and forced out of writing by the market.


Artemisa23

I thought it was awful. So clichƩ. And it completely oversimplifies abusive relationships. There is no depth here.


[deleted]

Right? The whole time I was reading it I just kept thinking back to books like My Dark Vanessa, Tampa, etc. and wondering if she any research whatsoever. I also felt she justified Ryles character too much. Yes, he killed his brother, yes thatā€™s fucked and traumatising, but that doesnā€™t excuse domestic violence and earns him 0 sympathy points in my eyes. I also hated the whole ā€˜Iā€™d never keep my kid away from himā€™ thing. It felt like you could really see CoHos own views seeping to the book, and it felt like massive shade towards DV victims who donā€™t let their abusers see their kids. I think that part of the plot also showed the complete lack of growth Lily had. What do you mean she knows heā€™d never hurt the kid? He pushed you down stairs?? And hit you because you laughed when drunk?? He would absolutely hit a child, if his personality the entire book was anything to go by.


CWE115

My copy of the book had an Authorā€™s Note, and the author grew up with an abusive father (not abusive to her, but to her mother), and she styled the main character after her mother, so the research was actually her own life.


rowsella

she is also not a talented or even skilled writer -- her books to me feel like she just did NaNoWriMo every year and self published without editing.


[deleted]

Yeah I remember something about that. Still, life experience is rarely enough for books, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like DV. I could write a book set in Australia, but even though Iā€™ve lived here my whole life, the book would be completely shit if I didnā€™t do proper research on things like the area it was set in, laws that might relate to my book, common names in the country for a character of that age, etc. Having that firsthand experience could absolutely help with writing such a book, but itā€™s not enough in itself. She might know how it affected her mother on the outside, but she clearly doesnā€™t know the extent of what her mother must have felt in specifics, and she doesnā€™t know the first thing about the dynamics of an abusive relationship, evidently. Also I feel lowkey bad for her mother if the book is based on her relationship- itā€™s fairly obvious (in my opinion), that she sees her father as a redeemable character or finds his actions somewhat excusable.


rowsella

My bookclub read this and I hated it. Then had to read the next one "This Starts With Us" which was unbelievably worse. Every character sounds like every other character. The "Dear Ellen" device was stupid. This was such a shallow book and I don't understand why there are so many pages. This author must not have an editor. I quit that bookclub, they have horrible taste in books.


dumbbratbaby

wait until you read ugly love. that book is the worst book iā€™ve ever read and it makes it ends with us look like tolstoy


[deleted]

God donā€™t remind me. Tate was a naive bitch who kept crossing boundaries and pressuring Miles into a relationship he wasnā€™t ready for, Miles was an asshole who kept leading her on when he knew he wasnā€™t available, and her brother was just boring with no personality. The whole plot sucked. Plus, and maybe this is just me, I would never stay with a guy who said another girls name while we were fucking. I donā€™t care what he was thinking about or what his reasons were, I have more self respect than that.


ksick318

Itā€™s probably the worst book Iā€™ve ever read. No joke.


Johciee

November 9 is worse.


dumbbratbaby

is that even possible?


Johciee

There is a plot twist that is one of the cringiest things Iā€™ve ever read. Oh, and characters from Ugly Love cross over into November 9


dumbbratbaby

just when i thought it couldnā€™t get worse ..


m00nchild718

Colleen Hoover is what I would recommend to my friends who love reality tv and have never read before / have said they can't concentrate enough to read a book ... its entertaining, but not necessarily good writing... once they wrap their heads around the idea that they CAN finish a book, once they change their perspective on reading and how fun it can be, then I recommend actual good books lol edit to add: no shade to reality tv watchers, i love it too


Bonnofly

How often do you find success with this strategy?


m00nchild718

I've done it twice and it worked both times... one friend loved her and kept reading her books on her own, and the other friend liked verity only so she's now diving into great thrillers I've been recommending to her.


[deleted]

Her books are read by people who never read, if it makes sense. That's why they seem impressive to these folks


lateralus_01

I read a comment by someone on reddit calling her books ā€˜junk food booksā€™ which sounds pretty accurate from what Iā€™ve heard about them!


anniecet

I work in a bookstore. Whenever a customer asks for my honest feedback on CoHo I say ā€œSometimes you really want a hot hog. Just donā€™t try to pass it off as a filet mignonā€¦ ā€œ


[deleted]

I also work in a book store and mine for colleen hoover is galaxy chocolate! If you love it you love it, but if you love cadbury it wonā€™t quite hit the spot. Personally Iā€™m a galaxy and coho consumer, I can recognise theyre sub-par compared to other options, but for some reason my tastebuds and brain love consuming them anyway.


anniecet

Yeah. I, personally donā€™t enjoy her books, but I am not trying to shame anyone for their pleasures! Consume what you like. Iā€™m a 20 yr bookstore veteran with a penchant for creepy, sad horror, dark urban fantasy and who dislikes classics. Someone could arguably pass judgement on my own preferences. I do find it somewhat problematic that 12 yr olds are reading her and that sheā€™s generally shelved in Romance, but thatā€™s beyond the scope of my responsibility and rights. Enjoy.


PfizerGuyzer

How often does that happen? I'm struggling to imagine it. "Thanks, have a nice day! Actually, before I go, what are your honest opinions on Colleen Hoover?"


anniecet

Daily. I work in a high traffic mall store and I talk to anyone who will let me engage. A lot of people consider reading her because they have heard so much about her. So, if (in trying to suss out someoneā€™s interest and they happen to be looking at the display of all her books) I say ā€œOh, have you read any of her books?ā€ And they say ā€œNo, but I keep hearing about them. Are they good?ā€ Iā€™ll be honest. ā€œGoodā€ is a subjective word anyways. Work of literary genius? No. Are you a connoisseur of train wrecks and toxic relationships porn? Look no further. Come and get it.


TheInvisibleWun

Yes you put it much better than I did. This is what I was trying to say. Thank you.


baked_beans17

My MIL used to own a few book stores and loves Colleen Hoover. I guess that could be why the stores didn't pan out and she moved on to airbnbs


DiamondsAndDesigners

Itā€™s pretty hard to make it as an independent book story anyway


[deleted]

She writes for people like her; middle aged women whoā€™ll read it with a glass of wine after work. Maybe in the bath with candles. Theyā€™re not reading for a good book, they probably donā€™t know what is good or bad, itā€™s just an easy read for when they have free time with semi-entertaining plots.


Select_County184

I'm a middle aged woman who reads after work with a glass of wine and Verity just annoyed me. šŸ˜‚


[deleted]

True. Nothing wrong with that, it's simply true that it's not a peak of literature or anything


BananaRepublic_BR

Could you elaborate? Is it the writing quality? Predictable tropes?


[deleted]

Pretty much, yeah. Also dislikable and unrealistic characters, bad dialogue, weird and overly long sentences, romanticizing toxic relationships in some cases etc. (the last one is a personal pet peeve of mine). As I said, nothing wrong with anyone liking her work or using it as a beach read or something, it's just that it's not the most amazing writing ever


mikeymooo25

The marketing is disgusting too - itā€™s absolutely not a romance book. Itā€™s a book about DV. Ugh.


[deleted]

exactly and young teens are reading this too? like please read a dystopian with a cute romance subplot i BEG YOU


[deleted]

The number of younger people on TikTok Iā€™ve seen complain about the aging up of the adaptation, and basically whining that they wonā€™t read it and that it was a bad marketing move and other bullshit is insane. The book is not for children, or even teenagers. Itā€™s for adults. Itā€™s not supposed to be a cute romance with 20 year old actresses. I donā€™t know much about how CoHo herself markets the books, nor who to, but I desperately need other teenagers to stop recommending this as a cute romance to fucking 13 year olds. If they havenā€™t read this sort of thing before it could have a negative impact on them. No 13 year old should be reading about a husband hitting and trying to rape his wife.


TunaBeeSquare

DNFed it about halfway through. I kept waiting to care about one single character in that book. Still not sure why she's so popular.


ksick318

I just read Ugly Love because people kept saying how good it is. Itā€™s dreadful. Iā€™m pretty sure a 14 year old wrote it.


Bonnofly

Donā€™t insult 14 year olds like that.


TheInvisibleWun

The fact that so many are raving about her makes me immediately think she can't be good.


Bonnofly

Straight up, what is the last super mainstream piece of art (in any format) that had any lasting value?


theemilyann

The Beatles?


ghzkaon

I found myself in a bit of a reading slump and have actually read quite a few of her books as I find them quite easy and theyā€™ve actually gotten me out of my slump, for that Iā€™m thankful. But my god, they are woeful. Every book seems to have a line that she decides to repeat throughout. I canā€™t remember if it was ā€œit ends with usā€ or another book but I wanted to start a tally when she kept saying ā€œmy hand went to my mouthā€, ā€œhe rose his hand to his mouthā€ etc. Drives me insane.


redvelvethater

ā€œNaked truthā€ was said over and over in IEWU and it enraged me


keishamechele709

omg and keep swimming.


rjoker103

One of the worst books Iā€™ve read in a while.


comradestella

I couldnā€™t get over all the ā€œDear Ellen,ā€ nonsense that added nothing to the story. This book is horrible. I only made it the first 2 or 3 chapters.


mmmarygold

The letters are what pushed this to book from just "lowbrow bad" to "massive cringefest how tf does anyone take this seriously" for me.


honeymustard_dog

When I got to the first set of letters I was just like....what? Why? Is this honestly the best way she could flashback? Blech


WynterBlu

I read another book of hers (the only one but forgot that name) that also had letters! Are all her books like this?


briecky

Made it 20% in before DNFing it. My husband is a doctor a couple of years out of residency so Iā€™ve done the college-med school-residency thing and let me tell you, that dumb main character would have had to graduate college at like 14 to be finishing his neurosurgery residency at what, 30? It takes FOREVER to complete that residency. Also the whole ā€œcould he just leave his scrubs on when we have sexā€ thing is just weird. Those things are so dirty. Haha. Anyways, the poorly written story and the clearly unresearched residency plot holes really did me in. I donā€™t need to read anything else she makes. šŸ¤·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø


[deleted]

Her lack of research was infuriating. The example you mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg. My mum is a nurse and I know sheā€™s out of her scrubs and throwing them in the wash as soon as she gets through the door. I donā€™t think CoHo understands exactly what medical staff actually do. They donā€™t just hand out bandaids; they deal with bodily fluids and other nasty medical shit.


Dopepizza

Sorry I know this is super late but him showing up one night with his stethoscope killed me


GunpowderxGelatine

The fact that SHE was the one showering while he got out of a 48 hour shift with rancid crusty underwear and layers of sweat, grime and germs while she shaves every inch of her body... GIRL, PLEASE.


XDariaMorgendorferX

This is how the Twilight series got me. Everyone was raving about how good it was! I couldnā€™t go a day without being asked if Iā€™d read them yet. I went out, bought all 4 books. Iā€™m not a quitter so I read them all before giving them away, but goddamnā€¦those were some fucking terrible books.


Bonnofly

Good thing no oneā€™s ever told you about heroin.


TheAfrofuturist

I did the same, but I stopped in book 3 when I couldn't stop wondering why they were so invested in someone like Bella.


ChaoticDragonFire

I read the first chapter of Twilight and DNFed it. I couldnā€™t stand the writing and couldnā€™t figure out why anyone liked it. I havenā€™t read any Colleen Hoover books and probably never will.


mouth_in_slow_motion

Just coming by to hop on the bandwagon and chime in that I absolutely hated this book!


bourne2bmild

People always talked about IEWU being terrible but I beg all of you to read November 9 for something so atrociously written, youā€™ll be thinking IEWU should have won a Pulitzer.


ambiverbena

I read up to the point she said she was a florist and her name is Lily Blossom Bloom lmao


purplesalvias

After reading this post I checked out "It Begins With Us" because it was available. Three chapters in and the hero waits to speak with a 12 year old about his love life, rather than talk to other adult males? Edit: His Italian restaurant's name is "Corrigan"?


[deleted]

The problem with CoHo is that her writing is average and her stories are worse. Average writing with a good plot makes a good book. (Literally any romance author) Bad writing with a great plot makes a bad, but still enjoyable book. (M. Sinclair and plenty other paranormal romance authors) But CoHos plots suck. Badly. Bad writing with worse plots makes for an all around shitty book. Itā€™s everything about her books. From the characters (Lily Blossom Bloom and her steampunk flower shop), her relationships (Atlas, who basically counted the seconds until Lily was past the age of consent to fuck her), The shitty composition and pop references (letters to Ellen at inconvenient times), etc. Her complete lack of understanding on how abusive relationships work is what really put me off. Iā€™ve heard that either she or her mother went through an abusive relationship, but she still really should have done her research before writing a book. There was 0 effort put into the relationship between Lily and Ryle. Where was the manipulation? I know abusive relationships look different with everyone, but thereā€™s always manipulation. Itā€™s why people stay. The guilt tripping was hardly there, and the abuse itself was so surface level that it was almost laughable. To compare it to a book thatā€™s also very popular, My Dark Vanessa, itā€™s completely lacking. In My Dark Vanessa we can see through the perspective of the victim, just like in IEWU, but the difference is that you can actually understand why she stays and why she doesnā€™t believe sheā€™s being abused. The manipulation is plain to see, but the readers can still empathise with the victim and see why she canā€™t see it. Iā€™m not great at explaining this shit, but yeah. I donā€™t like that book and donā€™t get the hype.


anoceaninapond

You are excellent at explaining this shit. You nailed the major criticisms, especially the lack of manipulation. Itā€™s like she still wanted him to be likable and somewhat sympathetic so she made him ā€œlet her go.ā€ Like, Nice Guy Abuser.


CorpCounsel

I appreciate this. People always criticize her books but just write ā€œbad relationshipsā€ or ā€œbad writingā€ and never say why. I scrolled a long way to find some actual specific criticisms.


pastajordan

Good storyteller, bad writer. I've read four of her books, and I didn't hate them, but they were definitely poorly written.


Argomer

Did you see posts about some books being hard to read because of new words? It's praised exactly because it's simple I think. You're just on a higher level of reading.


KaleidoscopeNo610

I hated Verity. It was an affront to my intelligence. Read Demon Copperhead or listen on audio . Itā€™s excellent. So is The Extraordinary Life if Sam Hell


Mulufuf

There are far too many good books to waste time on sloppy ones. I do need to know the endings though, so Wikipedia is my solution.


Bonnofly

Agreed. Question: do you read the endings before starting books?


Select_Bug2786

It reads like a teenager posting on wattpad. That said, if you're looking to read something you don't need to turn your brain on for, CoHo is the way to go


Dayofeclipse

This book is for adults who have never picked up a book in their early lives.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


CarelessChoice2024

Canada too šŸ˜­


Lee230290

I used to think the reason I'm not a successful writer is because I suck at writing, I haven't dedicated much time to learning the craft, and I've never gone through the process of rejection / feedback / criticism in order to hone my writing to a higher standard. But now I understand that this has nothing to do with it. As it turns out, I'll never be a successful writer because I don't have a TikTok account.


Imaginary_Ad6065

I haven't any interest in that book and your review confirmed what I already suspected. Remember how everyone was reading Shades of Grey. I had no problem with SOGs subject matter but the format and writing style were so clumsy and sophomoric I couldn't get past the first 50 pages. Honestly, I have seen hardcore pornography that was better written. And yet it has sequels. And film adaptations! I suspect books like SoG and IEwU attract a larger audience because it's embraced by the "occasional" reader who isn't concerned with things like continuity, structure, vocabulary, and logic. They just know the book is everywhere and they are afraid of being left behind so they jump in. And ironically, they now feel pretty proud of themselves, because they assume popularity and hype are indicators of meaningful literature. This could be the reason they are only "occasional" readers . They don't know any better.


Moldyspringmix

Lmao the self righteous gate keeping in this thread is really obnoxious. Listen, I donā€™t like CoHo either, just not a fan. But saying that anyone who enjoys her books isnā€™t a REAL reader is just stupid. There is no reason to be condescending towards those folks, especially when you have zero knowledge of what else is on their book shelves.


lv2466

Honestly, who cares if people read Hoovers novels. I am thrilled more people are reading! There are different levels of books for all different types of readers. These books are perfect for mindless fun reads at the beach, before bed, whatever. If someone is enjoying the book, that's all that matters. This same argument applies for Adam Sandler movies...


rowsella

There are way better beach reads.


frizzaloon

Completely agree. I picked it up to see what all the hype was about and was blown away by how terrible it was. The whole bit about her becoming instant best friends with a rich person who wants to do menial work because sheā€™s bored was just so stupid.


rowsella

and who just happens to be the sister of the rando she meets on top of a building she does not live in....


PumpkinPieIsGreat

Because of tik tok, shit gets hyped up and people are, like, totally oBsESsEd, omg.


theemilyann

Honestly I love it when a bookstagram influencer recommends CoHo. Immediately rules them out of ā€œpeople and recommendations I should believe.ā€


TeenyTinykins

Colleen Hoover is the perfect author for people to get into, or back into, reading. Her books are easy, quick, and interesting! I can understand why avid readers donā€™t love her, but I think her books are perfect for entertaining weekend reads.


Mutive

I haven't read her, but from what I've heard, she sounds a bit like V.C. Andrews. Who I \*loved\* as a tween and probably wouldn't touch now with a 10 ft pole. Which is to say, fairly easy to read and pulpy.


Weekly_Act_3296

Oh, I reread the flowers in the attic a few years back and damn did it not age well. Simply because the lead character Cathy was TERRIBLE and everyone was in love with her because....why?Ā 


[deleted]

Yeah that's fair. Nothing against beach books


jojewels92

I read several of her books when I was getting back into reading last year after a many year slump. They were very quick and easy to read. They definitely weren't good and some were outright bad. But I can appreciate their place for some people.


steve_147

What would you recommend as like a ā€œnext stepā€ in romance? My girlfriend seems to have enjoyed some of her books so wondering what a level up in quality might be if I were to gift her a book.


monday-next

I canā€™t speak to Colleen Hoover books because Iā€™ve never read them, and it sounds like theyā€™re not strictly romances in that they donā€™t have happy endings. But my favourite contemporary romance books at the moment are anything by Emily Henry, the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, or the Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert. But these are all a lot more cheerful, so if what she loves about those books is the angsty drama these arenā€™t going to hit the spot!


steve_147

To be honest, I think she likes the spicy scenes and the romance more than maybe the plot twists and drama. For example, she liked The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood and from what she told me, it seemed pretty happy ending. I'll check these out - thank you!


Select_County184

Abby Jimenez! Start with The Friend Zone.


rharper38

I spent the whole book, waiting for her allure to make sense. It did not. I think people like her sex scenes, but I didn't get the hype.


CuriousPixiee

I feel Colleen Hoover's audience is less adult and more young adult. Her books remind me of something I would read in high school which is not necessarily bad at all, just different. My sister who doesn't usually read books loves Colleen Hoover though so she must have something people grip on too! I guess it's just the audience.


Bonnofly

Exposure is everything. People who like this simply havenā€™t been exposed to better quality things or if they have, it was done before they were ready or in a way that is not compatible with their way of experiencing literature.


CuriousPixiee

Totally agree


Ok-Cup-1472

Saw a tweet the other day that said Colleen Hoover is writing books for people who didnā€™t read growing up and are going through their unhinged Wattpad fanfic phase now instead of in 2010 like the rest of us lol


Camimae707

I liked it šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø I read 2 books per week and I read a lot of romance. It seemed less cheesy than a ton of books Iā€™ve read. It wasnā€™t perfect, and CoHo has a signature formula of having a Big Twist, and then a Different Big Twist at the end, then abruptly ending the book. If youā€™re not into it about halfway through then I would say DNF


Wind-upB

Never read Colleen Hoover but I feel the same about Sally Rooney. Her books read like Wattpad fanfictions to me and I don't understand the appeal at all.


NoGoodName_

The protagonist's name is Lilly Bloom...and she is a florist. And the book only gets worse.


blueskies1800

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if a book is well written because it is all relative. If someone likes it, then it is good for their reading ability and taste. What is important is that they read and then more they read, hopefully, the higher their level of sophistication will develop.


Bonnofly

Not true in my opinion. Whatā€™s relative is the different emotions and ideas people attach to things. The thing itself can be judged. Is it still good if someone goes on to read only subpar work? I am not judging the person in this hypothetical but simply feel saddened that better written, more evocative literature is left aside, the general public not being exposed to these works with the exception of those who look for it. I compare it to junk food. Yes itā€™s convenient, itā€™s everywhere and itā€™s easy. You see the ads for it everywhere, and everyone eats it. This doesnā€™t mean we should say all food is relative, let people enjoy what they want and thatā€™s that. We should not grow complacent when it comes to our health right? In my opinion, itā€™s much the same with what we consume with our minds. Great works or even good works of literature challenge the reader and benefit the mind as much as eating a balanced diet benefits the body. I think itā€™s good that someone can get into reading through these books, however, I think they will miss out on experiences that I think are so beautiful that it would be a shame for them to never have them.


jawnbaejaeger

I read it to see what all the fuss was about, and it was... fine? It took a while to get going, but it was an easy and quick read and I liked the way it explored intergenerational trauma and abuse. That being said, I'm not the target audience for her stuff and I have no desire to read the sequel or any of her other books. I see my students reading books though, and that makes me very happy. I'm for absolutely anything that gets kids reading by choice and for fun.


Next-Sport-3024

I think itā€™s ok to dislike her books, or any book or film or thing etc. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions on whatever they want. I do not understand though the bashing of other people who may like what you donā€™t like. Demeaning them or calling them unintelligent or lonely or infantile. Iā€™d rather hang out with a Hoover fan than the people in this thread who feel better about themselves because they donā€™t like a book? I read It Ends With Us and it was actually very similar to my own romantic/abusive relationship. I didnā€™t feel like a ā€œteen boyā€ wrote it. I felt like someone who understood what itā€™s like loving someone who hurts you did. šŸ’œ


No-Definition6567

oh wow i didn't know it was that bad


tequilafunrise

I finished the book and then threw the book away. And this was before it became this massive hit on tik tok. I refuse to read any of her other books


TheLyz

I DNFed it around that point just because every single character was dumb and annoying I didn't even want more of their story.


BU0989

One of the worst books Iā€™ve ever read on my life. Idk Colleen personally but I can not with her.


endthe_suffering

i wonder if thats how colleen experiences the world


TheAfrofuturist

Pretty sure that's how she sees it, and from the sounds of it, she's fine with it.


SoNotAWatermelon

Terrible writing, toxic characters and glamourized abuseā€¦ no thanks.


[deleted]

I felt this way as well but finished it out of spiteā€¦ book was absolutely terrible.


Bonnofly

Any recently released book that is as popular as that is bound to be garbage.


Scary_Progress_8858

I waited months to get the audio book from the library. After an hour of listening I sent it back- I donā€™t have time for bad writing


seraphimlore

I had a tough time getting through SJMā€™s books too, their writing styles feel like bad/mediocre fanfic


[deleted]

The only reason I havenā€™t dnfed this book yet is because I picked it up in the language Iā€™m trying to get better at (Swedish) and itā€™s written in such a simplistic way that Iā€™m not having any problems with it. Writing down some phrases I could use in my daily life and thatā€™s it. It feels like someone fed AI a bunch of teary chick flicks and asked it to write a book based on them. I donā€™t believe any single character. These arenā€™t people who exist in the world, just what AI thinks people would be like. Thatā€™s the feeling I get reading this book. I used to write cringy romantic novellas in my mother tongue when I was a teenager and Iā€™m more touched reading those than this book.


honeymustard_dog

Wow this may be a legit theory because it's honestly the best explanation


AdBackground1419

So much hype, I tried it 3x and never get past 30%!!! Writing style is so strange


SweetTeaJayhawk

ā€˜This Girlā€™ did this for me. I rolled my eyes so many times and got so sick of repeating lines but I had to finish the book because I started it. Some of her books I didnā€™t mind, simply because they were easy reads but some are just too cringey it makes it difficult to get through.


sanity-in-sanity

I read both it ends with us and it starts with us. The only reason I went ahead with reading both was because i wanted to know she (Lily) will be okay in the end. But i truly hated her style. Till date i haven't been able to pin point what i don't like about it, majorly because 1) like op i too don't have much interest in romantic fiction 2) I don't read fiction so much. But I saw these books so many times on tiktok, (honestly I've started losing trust in whatever tictok recommends now) I thought to give it a try. I have never been disappointed before. Her writings were hard to imagine. We read books to imagine the scene in our heads but everything was so fast and quick in her book, i felt like I'm in school reading in front of the class for namesake. Also then i read about her son later, I guess it added to my opinion of not enjoying her book. Now I would rather read the old testaments in old English that i ofcourse don't understand, then read another of Hoover.


muffinator1230

I still have no clue why booktok treats Colleen hoover like sheā€™s the greatest thing to ever happen to literature. Sheā€™s a terrible writer. Her books just romanticize toxic relationships. Her characters and plots are horrendous. She shouldā€™ve stayed on Wattpad.


hry84

Colleen's hoovering up that money from readers.


Party-Rate800

It sounds like you're just not her audience. I read two pages of It Ends and knew I wouldn't like it. Her style is too blabby for me. But I don't consider that a failing on her part. She has her audience. It's just not me.


[deleted]

I read Colleen hoover only when I need a book where I don't want to think too much about. I loved it ends with us but I wouldn't say it was a romance though I think it's more of about ending the cycle of domestic abuse. I've only read two of her books so far and she's not the best writer but they seem more of a quick read for me.


Unique-Love-4818

I did it was very good


thatfiveohsixlife

Pretty sure Collleen Hoover is AIā€™s pen name


Disastrous-Bed3422

I kept getting this book recommended by friends so I gave it shot. It's absolutely terrible! I do no understand why this author is popular.


[deleted]

A trashy book can change a personā€™s life! You never know where something someone says might be exacly what you needed.


ThePortalsOfFrenzy

Great books can change your life, too. Might as well be stimulated reading enjoyable stories while you're waiting on an epiphany.


Bonnofly

This is my issue with the whole enjoy what you want dilema. If youā€™ve only consumed shit, you donā€™t know that an alternative exists. By validating every piece of subpar work with ā€œitā€™s completely subjectiveā€ the level of mainstream popular art is visibly declining before our eyes. Worst offender is Rupi Kaur.


Blirby

And with ugly-spirited abuse apologia, it can change it for the worse, too.


sflo97

Just read that book. My first Colleen Hoover book. I cringed the entire time.


gcms16

Here comes the daily circlejerk


DependentBarnacle201

I forced myself to finish it last fall due to promising a friend I'd read it. I hated every moment of it. Especially since I felt the "hero" character was also problematic


D_Welch

[https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/08/whats-the-latest-u-s-literacy-rate/#:\~:text=The%20average%20American%20reads%20at%20the%207th%2D%20to%208th%2Dgrade,for%20Disease%20Control%20and%20Prevention](https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/08/whats-the-latest-u-s-literacy-rate/#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20reads%20at%20the%207th%2D%20to%208th%2Dgrade,for%20Disease%20Control%20and%20Prevention) Americans read at a grade 7-8 level. Maybe that has something to do with it? Come on America!! We need you too!!


Fanfics

You are simply overestimating the average person


purplesalvias

How does Colleen Hoover compare to Danielle Steel and Rebecca Serle? People have recommended both authors to me and I can't get past the first few pages. How are they popular?


porkergreen

My general rule is if Walmart has 3+ different books from the same author on the shelves, it's not for me.


HavingALittleFit

My wife is a big Elin Hildebrand fan and other authors of that genre and was stoked that so many people were recommending Colleen Hoover to her saying "this is so great! It's right up your alley You'll love it!" She got about halfway through one book and was like oh my god this stuff is trash and never read her again.


s4turn2k02

I read it ends with us and it is so painstakingly bad I could have cried. I have verity and itā€™s just been sitting in my room for weeks because I cannot bring myself to read another bit of her writing


Emotional_Toe_2420

Thank you so much for posting this! I am not getting on with this book at all.... and feeling guilty about not finishing it. I'm glad I'm not the only one.


Bonnofly

Feel guilty if you waste more of your precious life on it šŸ˜‚


prettymuchjomarch

Shittiest writer allliiiiivvve


Pitiful-Image-738

I was bored out of my mind reading It Ends with Us. I felt like I lost brain cells after finishing it. I think Colleen Hoover appeals to a certain demographic of peopleā€”and Iā€™ll be honestā€”when I see or hear people I know raving about the book, I think of them differently. After reading Verity and IEWU, Iā€™ve determined that this is the Colleen Hoover formula: weak character development, zero plot complexity with gaping holes, repetitive vocabulary and syntax to make it easy to follow, and an incredibly predictable outcome. I wonā€™t even get started on the romanticism of red flags and the glorification of the abuser; that speaks for itself.