Colleen Hoover apologies for colouring book on ‘It Starts With Us’, publisher scraps it due to criticism – Times of India

International bestselling author Colleen Hoover’s 2022 novel ‘It Starts With Us’ touches upon the themes of domestic violence and abusive relationships. Seeing the success of the book, a new colouring book based on it titled ‘The Official It Ends With Us Coloring Book’ was to be published by Atria Books. But considering that the colouring book was on the themes of abuse and trauma, fans were quick to criticise it. Given the controversy and backlash of it, Hoover recently took to social media wherein she apologised for the “tone deaf” book.
“The colouring book was developed with Lily’s strength in mind, but I can absolutely see how this was tone-deaf. I hear 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. Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love,” Hoover said in an Instagram story.

Her publisher, Atria Books, also took to Twitter wherein they said that they wouldn’t be publishing the colouring book. They posted a statment on Twitter, which read, “Atria Books will not move forward with the publication of ‘The Official It Ends With Us Coloring Book’. We developed this book to be uplifting and empowering, mirroring Lily Bloom’s story; we appreciate the feedback and discourse and have the greatest respect for Colleen Hoover’s fans. Thank you for the honest conversation and passion for the world Colleen has created in her books and the characters within.”
For those who don’t know, ‘It Starts With Us’ is the prequel to Hoover’s bestselling novel ‘It Ends With Us’. The story follows the protagonist Lily as she navigates love and life, while being in an abusive marriage. Read the micro review of ‘It Starts With Us’ HERE.

Meanwhile, some of Hoover’s other popular novels are ‘Verity’, ‘Ugly Love’, among others.