Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us colouring book has attracted criticism on social media due to the novel’s difficult subject matter
(Picture: Colleen Hoover/Simon & Schuster UK)Author Colleen Hoover is will not go ahead with her colouring book based on It Ends With Us, her 2016 novel about an abusive relationship.
She initially announced the news on Instagram, saying: “I’m one of the adult colouring book industry’s biggest consumers, so to have one of my books turned into a colouring book is a dream come true!
“I am so excited for this!”
However, the announcement sparked a social media backlash due to the novel’s difficult subject matter.
It Ends With Us is the story of Lily, whose father was abusive towards her mother. Lily begins a relationship with Ryle, but he is abusive towards her.
Instagram user skye_era said: “This is so icky. Why would you make a colouring book for a book about domestic violence?”
Meanwhile, another Instagram user, yolandaannmarie.reads, said: “You’re romanticising a toxic and [domestic violence] relationship. What message are you trying to say to those in a situation like Lily’s, to just.. sit there and colour in flowers?”
Another Instagram user, keapox, said: “Surely a colouring book about a novel that deals with such sensitive topics like domestic abuse and violence is incredibly insensitive.
“What will the pictures be of? When Ryle pushes Lily down the stairs? I’m so baffled at what could possibly be colourable from a book touching on such topics.”
In response to the criticism, Hoover said she would not be going ahead with the book. In a statement posted to Instagram, she said: “The colouring book was developed with Lily’s strength in mind, but I can absolutely see how this was tone-deaf.
“I head you guys and I agree with you. No excuses. No finger pointing. I have contacted the publisher to let them know I would prefer we don’t move forward with it.@
She added: “Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love.”
Publishers Simon and Schuster said the book contained 30 “beautifully rendered illustrations” of the novel’s “most iconic scenes and settings”.
One illustration features a bouquet of flowers inside a heeled shoe. Another depicts a box of books, including a diary, on a bed.
Hoover has published more than 20 books, including a prequel to It Ends With Us, called It Starts With Us.
As well as her novels, she also sells a range of merchandise, such as apparel, bookmarks, posters, and prints.
The poster for It Ends With Us features a gun, a stethoscope, a onesie, cookies, and flowers.
