Colleen Hoover backtracks after It Ends With Us coloring book controversy

Austin, Texas - Author Colleen Hoover has responded to the recent controversy fueled by TikTok over a coloring book inspired by her ultra-popular novel It Ends With Us, and pulled the plug.

BookTok creators expressed their outrage on social media after Colleen Hoover announced a coloring book inspired by It Ends With Us.
BookTok creators expressed their outrage on social media after Colleen Hoover announced a coloring book inspired by It Ends With Us.

The 43-year-old writer announced on Tuesday she was dropping a coloring book based on her bestseller, but the project was met with swift backlash from readers.

It Ends With Us, Hoover's 2016 novel that has surged in popularity thanks to BookTok, focuses heavily on domestic violence as it follows the relationship between protagonist Lily Bloom and neurosurgeon Ryle.

News of a coloring book based on such a dark topic stirred controversy online, with both Hoover stans and haters unexpectedly teaming up in opposition to the project.

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While It Ends With Us fans argued a coloring book undermined the story's messaging, those who already had a distaste for the author believed the project proved her inability to handle such topics with the sensitivity they deserve.

"Whoever says that Colleen Hoover doesn't romanticize abuse for profit has no room to talk after she's releasing a coloring book for It Ends With Us," one user tweeted.

Hoover has definitely heard the calls, and on Wednesday, the author responded on social media, confirming that the coloring book has been scrapped.

Colleen Hoover pulls the plug on It Ends With Us coloring book

Despite the controversy, Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular authors on BookTok.
Despite the controversy, Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular authors on BookTok.  © Screenshot/Instagram/@bookishbymeg

Hoover deleted her post announcing the coloring book and issued an apology on her Instagram story.

"The coloring book was developed with Lily's strength in mind, but I can absolutely see how this was tone-deaf," she wrote on Wednesday. "I hear you guys and I agree with you."

Hoover said she would make "no excuses" for the controversial book. "I have contacted the publisher to let them know I would prefer we don't move forward with it," she continued.

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The publisher, Atria Books, confirmed the coloring book's cancellation on their social media as well. The post echoed Hoover's statement, saying that the book was intended to be "uplifting and empowering."

While they didn't acknowledge the criticisms directly, they thanked fans for the "feedback and discourse" surrounding the book.

One thing remains clear: Don't mess with BookTok!

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/@colleenhoover & @bookswithnani

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