The Colleen Hoover effect: How BookTok took over bookshelves and made its way to the big screen.
BY Brooke Mayer ★ November 9th, 2026
Photo Credit: Sadie Flannery
Let’s be real: If you’ve spent more than five minutes on BookTok, you’ve probably been personally victimized by a Colleen Hoover plot twist. Whether you’re scrolling through TikTok, browsing the shelves at Barnes & Noble or looking for your next movie night pick, chances are you’ve come across her name. From heartbreaking love stories to jaw-dropping plot twists, Hoover has readers laughing, crying and questioning everything they thought they knew. But how did one author manage to take over our bookshelves, social media feeds and now Hollywood?
Welcome to the Colleen Hoover effect.
The BookTok Takeover
If there’s one thing BookTok knows how to do, it’s convince you to buy another book you probably don’t need. And when it comes to Colleen Hoover, the recommendations seem endless.
Although Hoover began publishing books in 2012, her popularity skyrocketed during the pandemic, in 2020, when readers began sharing their reactions and favorite quotes on TikTok. Her 2016 novel, It Ends With Us, became a viral sensation years after its original release, introducing an entirely new audience to her writing. The intensity around the book drove Hoover to write a second book to follow up called It Starts With Us.
According to Publishers Weekly, Hoover sold approximately 12.5 million books in 2022, proving just how powerful a few viral TikToks can be.
What makes BookTok so influential is that readers aren’t just recommending books. They’re creating an experience around them by reacting to unexpected endings, ranking their favorite novels and convincing their friends to read them. Suddenly, reading wasn’t just a hobby, it became something everyone wanted to talk about.
What’s the Obsession?
So, what exactly makes Colleen Hoover’s books so addictive? Is it the romance, the drama or the plot twists that leave you staring at the last page wondering what just happened?
Honestly, it’s probably a little bit of everything.
Whether it’s the emotional relationships in It Ends With Us, the heartbreaking journey in Reminders of Him or the psychological twists in Verity, Hoover knows how to keep readers turning pages.
Her novels explore complicated relationships, love, loss and difficult decisions, making them emotional experiences rather than simple love stories. Plus, her writing style is also easy to follow, making her books perfect for both dedicated bookworms and people who haven’t picked up a novel since their last required reading assignment.
And let’s not forget the suspense. Just when you think you’ve figured everything out, Hoover throws in another plot twist that makes you question everything you’ve read.
From the Bookshelf to Hollywood
As if dominating BookTok wasn’t enough, Hoover’s stories have officially entered their Hollywood era.
The release of It Ends With Us in 2024, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, introduced her bestselling novel to movie viewers around the world. The film earned more than $350 million worldwide, proving that the excitement surrounding her books could translate into major box office success.
And Hollywood didn’t stop there.
In October 2025, Regretting You, starring Allison Williams and Mckenna Grace, brought another emotional Hoover story to theaters. The film explores the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter as they navigate grief, secrets and young love.
Then came Reminders of Him in March 2026, starring Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers. The emotional drama follows a young mother searching for a second chance and an opportunity to reconnect with her daughter.
Most recently, Hoover’s psychological thriller Verity hit theaters in October 2026, starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett. Unlike her romance-centered novels, Verity takes readers into a darker world of secrets, suspense and shocking discoveries. The film’s release gave fans another opportunity to see one of Hoover’s most talked-about stories come to life.
If you thought Hollywood was done with Colleen Hoover, think again. Her books are practically becoming their own cinematic universe. Her 2017 novel Without Merit is currently being developed into a television series. Hoover has also expanded her involvement in Hollywood through Heartbones Entertainment, the production company she co-founded with Lauren Levine.
With multiple adaptations already released and more projects in development, Hoover’s influence is expanding far beyond BookTok.
Not Everyone Is Hoover Obsessed
Of course, no internet obsession comes without a little controversy, and Colleen Hoover is no exception.
Although millions of readers love her emotional storylines and complicated characters, others have criticized how her novels portray unhealthy relationships and sensitive subjects. It Ends With Us, which explores domestic violence, has faced particular criticism from readers who question whether its romantic elements overshadow its serious themes.
The controversy became even bigger following the film’s 2024 release. What began as excitement surrounding the adaptation quickly turned into headlines about tensions between its stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
Their public legal dispute involved allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, along with competing accusations between the two sides. Baldoni denied the allegations against him, and the legal battle ultimately ended in a settlement in June 2026.
Hoover also found herself connected to the controversy as the author behind the original story. The situation sparked conversations about the responsibility of filmmakers when adapting books that explore sensitive issues.
Beyond the Hollywood drama, social media remains divided over Hoover’s writing. While some readers praise her ability to create emotional, unforgettable stories, others argue that her books romanticize unhealthy relationships or rely too heavily on dramatic plot twists.
But perhaps that’s part of what makes the Colleen Hoover effect so interesting. Whether readers are recommending her latest novel, debating its themes or discussing the newest adaptation, her name continues to dominate conversations.
Love her books or question the hype, there’s no denying that Colleen Hoover has made her mark on both the publishing and entertainment industries.
Is the Colleen Hoover Effect Here to Stay?
While social media trends come and go, the Colleen Hoover obsession has proven to be more than a temporary BookTok phase.
Her popularity highlights how much influence online communities have over the entertainment industry. A book published years ago can suddenly become a bestseller, and a viral recommendation can eventually help turn a novel into a Hollywood production.
Whether you’re reading between classes, debating plot twists with your roommates or watching the latest adaptation for movie night, Hoover’s stories have become part of a larger pop culture conversation.
So, the next time BookTok convinces you to add another Hoover novel to your cart, don’t be surprised if you’re buying a movie ticket for it next. As a superfan of the book Verity, I'm still shocked that I haven't seen the movie yet. I need to run to the movie theater.
After all, once you’re booked and hooked, the Hoover obsession is hard to escape.
As for me? Woman Down, Hoover’s psychological thriller released in January 2026, is next on my reading list. What's yours?
Edited by Zara Abiog