i read the 5 most popular colleen hoover books so you never have to

A Clockwork Reader・2 minutes read

Colleen Hoover's books are critiqued for problematic themes and portrayals, including toxic relationships, abusive dynamics, and controversial plot points. The narratives in the books are seen as lacking depth, authenticity, and genuine emotional connections between characters, leading to low ratings and disappointment from the reviewer.

Insights

  • The protagonist in the book "Ugly Love" engages in a toxic and manipulative relationship with Miles, who is portrayed as abusive and controlling, leading to criticisms of the book's portrayal of abusive dynamics.
  • Colleen Hoover's work, particularly "It Ends With Us," is noted for its depiction of abusive relationships, raising concerns about the romanticization of toxic behaviors and the potential negative influence on young readers.
  • The book "Reminders of Him" is critiqued for its shallow portrayal of relationships, with Ledger's motivations solely driven by physical attraction to Kenna, highlighting issues of superficiality and a lack of depth in character interactions.
  • "Verity," another novel discussed, is characterized as a mystery with graphic elements, featuring a choice between believing in the authenticity of a manuscript or a letter, with the narrator ultimately siding with the manuscript due to the portrayal of female characters, showcasing the complexity of the narrative.

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Recent questions

  • What are common criticisms of Colleen Hoover's books?

    The common criticisms of Colleen Hoover's books include problematic themes like step-sibling incest, toxic and abusive relationships, immature writing styles, lack of diversity in character representation, and romanticizing toxic behavior. These criticisms have been present since 2016, questioning the popularity and impact of her works.

  • What is the main focus of the book "It Ends With Us"?

    The book "It Ends With Us" focuses on domestic violence rather than romance, challenging its classification as a romance novel. It delves into the complexities of abusive relationships, portraying the protagonist's struggles with an abusive partner and the cycle of violence. The narrative aims to shed light on sensitive topics like domestic violence and the importance of breaking free from toxic relationships.

  • How are relationships portrayed in Colleen Hoover's books?

    Relationships in Colleen Hoover's books are often depicted as toxic, abusive, and manipulative. Characters like Ryle in "It Ends With Us" exhibit abusive behavior without facing adequate consequences, leading to a lack of accountability. The books tend to romanticize toxic relationships, which can have a damaging influence on young readers, especially teen girls, by normalizing unhealthy dynamics.

  • What are the key criticisms of the book "Ugly Love"?

    "Ugly Love" is critiqued for its portrayal of step-sibling incest, toxic relationship dynamics, immature writing style, and controversial themes like pregnancy and possessiveness. The main romance between Rachel and Miles, step-siblings, is deemed irrelevant and manipulative, with Miles being portrayed as abusive and manipulative towards Tate. The book focuses more on toxic relationships rather than romantic ones, drawing criticism for its problematic language and sexualization of characters.

  • How does the book "Reminders of Him" address privilege?

    The book "Reminders of Him" highlights the concept of privilege based on attractiveness, showcasing how people are treated differently based on their looks. Ledger's actions and decisions in the book are solely driven by his desire to sleep with Kenna, emphasizing a shallow and problematic character. The narrative attempts to address diversity but falls short in execution, lacking depth and authenticity in character interactions and relationships.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Analyzing Colleen Hoover's Controversial Romance Novels"

  • The book discussed is popular among fans of "Life With Derek" and involves the protagonist writing letters to Ellen DeGeneres instead of seeking therapy.
  • The protagonist bakes cookies for someone, leading to drug use and a sexual act, portraying herself as the "best girlfriend ever" until a tragic event occurs.
  • The video creator introduces the topic of reviewing the five most popular Colleen Hoover books after seeing an article mentioning her book sales surpassing the Bible.
  • Colleen Hoover is highlighted as a renowned romance and new adult romance author with multiple bestsellers and a controversial reception online.
  • Criticisms of Colleen Hoover's work are not recent, dating back to 2016, and questioning the popularity of her books is not a new phenomenon.
  • The video creator emphasizes the importance of critically analyzing media, even if it is for entertainment, to understand the messages conveyed.
  • The creator clarifies their intention to read Colleen Hoover's books despite personal doubts, aiming to explore the appeal of her work.
  • A reading journal by the creator is promoted for tracking books read, reviews, and artistic spreads, available for purchase.
  • The video contains spoilers for the Colleen Hoover books reviewed, warning viewers to skip sections to avoid spoilers if they plan to read the books.
  • The first book reviewed, "Ugly Love," is critiqued for its portrayal of step-sibling incest, immature writing style, and controversial themes like pregnancy and possessiveness.

13:20

Toxic Step-Sibling Romance Critiqued in Book

  • The main romance in the book is between Rachel and Miles, step-siblings, with Tate being an irrelevant character.
  • Tate is portrayed as a doormat for Miles, engaging in a toxic and consensual yet manipulative relationship.
  • Miles manipulates Tate, who keeps going back to him despite the toxicity of their relationship.
  • The book is critiqued for its portrayal of a toxic and abusive relationship dynamic.
  • The romance between Rachel and Miles began when they were teenagers, making it somewhat more acceptable than other relationships in the book.
  • The book is described as focusing more on a toxic relationship rather than a romantic one.
  • The names of the characters in the book are criticized for sounding like those from a TV show, with a lack of diversity in character representation.
  • The book is noted for its problematic language and sexualization of characters, particularly in intimate scenes.
  • The reviewer expresses disappointment in the book, giving it a low rating and highlighting its flaws.
  • The second book, "November 9," is briefly discussed, with praise for its premise but criticism for its execution and problematic plot twist involving deception and manipulation.

26:01

Deception, criticism, and obsession in book.

  • The relationship in a book is based on deception, likened to Joe's character in a show or book.
  • Criticism of excusing deceptive and manipulative behavior in characters like Ben and Joe.
  • Notable instances in the book, like the Asian food line mix-up and the character's birthday being on the Fourth of July.
  • Disapproval of a line in the book stating suicide as the most selfish act.
  • The protagonist's obsession with scars and the unsettling nature of it.
  • Questioning the prevalence of incest-related themes in the author's books.
  • Creation of a checklist of recurring tropes in the author's works, including absent fathers and abusive relationships.
  • Despite criticisms, the book being reviewed is considered the most liked among the author's works.
  • Introduction to the book "It Ends With Us," known for its portrayal of an abusive relationship.
  • Initial impressions of the book, including the protagonist's name and the use of letters to Ellen DeGeneres in the narrative.

38:55

Colleen Hoover's Books: Political Relationships and Abuse

  • Colleen Hoover books involve sacrificing political beliefs for relationships, often portraying abusive or creepy male characters.
  • The books are conservative and inherently political, with characters easily identifiable in their political leanings.
  • Characters in the books tend to avoid discussing politics, showcasing an attitude of indifference towards political beliefs.
  • Lily, a character in the books, shows some social and political awareness, questioning joining the military and advocating for social justice.
  • The books follow a checklist of common themes, including abusive relationships, absent fathers, and tragic accidents.
  • "It Ends With Us" is not a romance book but focuses on domestic violence, challenging its classification as a romance novel.
  • Colleen Hoover's novels often depict abusive relationships, with inconsistent labeling of what constitutes abuse.
  • The books can have a damaging influence on young readers, especially teen girls, by romanticizing toxic relationships.
  • Despite personal elements in "It Ends With Us," the book is criticized for its unserious elements and lack of emotional depth.
  • The book's writing style is considered bare bones, with jarring juxtapositions between serious themes and lighthearted elements.

51:45

Critique of "It Ends with Us" novel

  • Kenna, the protagonist, is portrayed as using Ellen DeGeneres as a token gay icon to prove her acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • The author's use of Ellen DeGeneres in the book is criticized as performative allyship and disingenuous.
  • The author's note clarifies that the characters Ryle and Lily are not meant to be perfect examples in the discussion of domestic violence.
  • Ryle, a character in the book, is perceived as not facing consequences for his abusive actions, leading to a lack of accountability.
  • The book is criticized for not clearly condemning Ryle's abusive behavior and for portraying him sympathetically.
  • The ending of the book is questioned for not effectively addressing the cycle of violence and holding the abuser accountable.
  • The book is described as blurring the lines between personal narrative and fiction, impacting the portrayal of sensitive topics like domestic violence.
  • The book is advised against being read as a romance due to its heavy themes and triggering content.
  • The book "It Ends with Us" is rated poorly, with a rating of two out of five stars, and is not recommended by the reviewer.
  • The book "Reminders of Him" is discussed, with the main relationship not being abusive, but still receiving criticism for its portrayal and plot development.

01:04:25

Shallow portrayal of relationships and privilege

  • Ledger only shows interest in Kenna because he finds her attractive, which is the sole reason he supports her in gaining custody of her child.
  • Ledger's opinion of Kenna and her worthiness is entirely based on her physical appearance; if she were not attractive to him, he would not care about her situation.
  • The book highlights the concept of privilege based on attractiveness, emphasizing how people are often treated differently due to their looks.
  • Ledger's actions and decisions are solely driven by his desire to sleep with Kenna, showcasing a shallow and problematic character.
  • The book attempts to address diversity by introducing characters of different backgrounds, but the execution feels forced and lacks depth.
  • Characters in the book, including Kenna, lack distinct personalities and are merely vessels to move the plot forward, lacking depth and development.
  • The storyline involving Kenna's attempt to gain custody of her child feels overshadowed by unnecessary drama and lacks genuine emotional depth.
  • Ledger's inability to recognize Kenna despite her significant role in his past highlights unrealistic and poorly developed character interactions.
  • The book's portrayal of relationships and interactions between characters often comes across as shallow and lacking in genuine emotional depth.
  • The narrative of the book, while attempting to address serious themes, feels exaggerated and melodramatic, with characters lacking authenticity and depth.

01:17:28

Family drama unfolds in controversial book series.

  • The books discussed prioritize placing men above women and romantic love in a heterosexual context.
  • The protagonist faces backlash for not defending herself in court after a car accident.
  • Ledger, initially angry, later hooks up with the protagonist after reading her emotional letter.
  • The grandparents discover Ledger's actions and are furious, leading to an ultimatum.
  • Ledger chooses DM over Kenna, causing further conflict with the grandparents.
  • The grandparents read Kenna's letter, leading to a sudden change in their feelings towards her.
  • The protagonist's actions and Ledger's decisions cause tension and betrayals within the family.
  • The book receives a low rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars due to Ledger's shallow motivations.
  • The protagonist's actions and Ledger's decisions cause tension and betrayals within the family.
  • The final book, "Verity," is described as a mystery novel with graphic and uncomfortable elements, drawing comparisons to "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier.

01:30:41

"Verity" Review: Misogyny and Disappointment in Fiction

  • The book discussed involves a choice between being on "team manuscript" or "team letter," with the narrator ultimately siding with the manuscript being true due to the author's portrayal of certain female characters.
  • Colleen Hoover, the author, confirms in an interview that the letter in the book "Verity" is real, reinforcing the belief that the character Verity is evil.
  • The narrator expresses distrust towards a character named Jeremy, suspecting him of being responsible for certain events due to his behavior and actions.
  • The book receives a one-star rating from the narrator, who criticizes it for being a poor imitation of another novel, "Rebecca," which is praised for its complex and unreliable characters.
  • The narrator outlines a checklist of common elements found in Colleen Hoover's books, including absent or abusive fathers, predictable plot twists, tragic accidents causing trauma, insta-love, pregnancies, cancer, religious themes, and a lack of female friendships.
  • The narrator criticizes the misogynistic portrayal of women in Colleen Hoover's books, highlighting the lack of depth in character development and themes.
  • The narrator concludes by expressing relief at finishing the Colleen Hoover books and looks forward to reading books they genuinely enjoy, urging viewers to share their thoughts and thanking them for their support.
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