If you have been up to date with the genre fiction world in any way over the past year, chances are you know who Colleen Hoover is. If, for some reason, you have been avoiding bookstores and social media at all costs, allow me to fill you in. Colleen Hoover is an author from a small town in Texas who has successfully taken over all major platforms for avid readers to share, discuss, and engage about all things books. Her novels are the leading topic on BookTok and Bookstagram. She has been dominating the NY Times Bestsellers list for young adult fiction and has gained a fan base so large that they now call themselves CoHorts.
Her following has become so widespread and at such a fast pace that it has been referenced as a cult following, suggesting that Hoover is the cult leader. The concept of being a cult leader is usually linked with being manipulative which, in all fairness, seems fitting since she seems to have a direct impact on the increase in reading and engagement within pop culture. Through her extraordinarily addicting and fast-paced novels, she is reaching audiences that go beyond the bounds of avid readers. Her work is falling into the hands of people who wouldn’t usually read for entertainment. Colleen Hoover has set the bar for this summer’s TBR list with gripping storylines and a wide variety of page-turners.
Strengths & Weaknesses
At the start of this month, Hoover had a total of 15 novels on the best sellers list. Yes, you did in fact read that right; 15 of her books in the same week. Her writing style incorporates a mixture of genres and subgenres, including contemporary romance, thriller, psychological fiction, and erotic literature. Although most of her novels focus on a tragic love story in one way or another, some are darker than others. Her writing style is fairly simple and straightforward, making her books fun and easy reads. That isn’t a dig at her talent as a writer. If anything, the fact that her books are so approachable is a huge reason why she is reaching larger audiences. Hoover is best recognized for her talent in creating intriguing and unique storylines that grab the reader’s attention from start to finish. Her superpower literary device is the plot.
However, with such a focus on how her stories play out and incorporating extremely compelling twists and turns that keep her audience on the edge of their seats, Hoover’s most neglected literary device is character. One of her most common critiques from readers is the unlikeable characters she writes about. At times it can even be difficult to connect with the narrator of the story. There is a lack of in-depth and intricate levels of humanness that can make a reader feel emotionally tied to the fictional characters they are reading about. Not to mention her romance novels often include extremely unhealthy and toxic relationships. The more tragic her stories, the more unlikeable the characters tend to be.
Even with these criticisms, CoHorts can not stop discussing the collection of her work. Reading a Colleen Hoover novel starts a domino effect. It is nearly impossible to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. This is why most fans take to social media to vent. You want to talk about it with someone else so badly that you will recommend the book to anyone and everyone. Despite the high level of entertainment that her stories carry, it is the fans who are influencing the overwhelming success of her work over the past year alone. The reviews and discussions around her books are so animated and expressed with such passion that they are almost as entertaining as the books themselves. As a result, people with little previous interest in picking up a book in their downtime are now heading to the stores to buy a Colleen Hoover novel.
It Ends With Us
There are nearly 30 Colleen Hoover novels to date. Her first book, Slammed, was released in 2012. The story of a complicated first love with a high rating of 4.23 on Good Reads signifies the launch of Hoover’s journey as a successful author.
Although most of her releases since then have been widely popular, there is one novel that stands out amongst the rest. Hoover’s most successful work is It Ends With Us. Despite the fact it was released in 2016, it is her most purchased and discussed book today and the one most responsible for her fame. In fact, it has recently been announced that the novel is officially set to become a film adaptation under Wayfarer Entertainment’s production company.
The devastating love story is loosely based on Hoover’s parents and the moments she witnessed as a child. The book might be triggering for some as it boldly addresses the dark side of love. In a way, the book feels like an important tool for Hoover’s own healing as well as for anyone who has struggled to leave hindering relationships, falling so deep into a life of manipulation. Regardless of it being a fiction novel, it is the raw and honest energy of the story that makes it feel important. It allows readers to be reflective and experience vulnerability, which has succored authentic bonds within the fan base community.
If you haven’t yet read It Ends With Us, then I suggest you get on it. The highly anticipated sequel, It Starts With Us, is set to release on October 18, 2022.
Verity
Colleen Hoover’s most controversial novel is the highly debated thriller, Verity. It’s a book that should come with a trigger warning. This one has really shaken things up within the CoHorts community. Unlike her other books, this story does not carry much romance. Yes, it is a thriller, but somehow that title doesn’t seem to do it justice. The book is dark, extremely twisted, and at times repulsive. It reveals an entirely different and, quite frankly, an alarming layer of Hoover’s mind.
No matter the level of uncomfortable it has made readers, it is one of her top-selling books. The storyline is so unique that it stands out from any other contemporary thriller. Her success in achieving a high level of suspense and an eerie tone from beginning to end keeps readers glued to the pages. It is so interestingly dark that it is nearly impossible to set down. If you are an avid reader, chances are you are finishing this book in a day. Then, you will probably take a week to fully recover from it. Hopefully, it won’t affect your sleep (or well-being).
Being her most intense work and drastically different than the rest of her books, some Hoover fans have a hard time getting on board with Verity. For anyone who became a CoHort because of the addictive, fast-paced, passionate love stories, Verity will throw you for a loop. Although, if you are a fan of really disturbing psychological thrillers and horror stories, this is the perfect book for you.
Regardless of the reviews that her books receive, it is evident that Colleen Hoover is taking the world of contemporary fiction by storm. Her fan base is the loudest on BookTok and Bookstagram, but the platform her fans communicate the most on is Facebook. There is a private Facebook group titled Colleen Hoover’s CoHorts that currently has 137.4K members. Anyone who is a Hoover fan can join this group to discuss, promote, share, and connect with fellow fans. Her “cult following” might not be taken seriously by some. Still, as an avid reader and book enthusiast myself, I am certainly happy that she has been positively influencing the engagement around and popularity of reading for entertainment.