Rediscovering My Love for Reading: A Journey with Colleen Hoover

As a child, my happiest moments were spent in the sanctuary of my room, surrounded by stacks of books borrowed from the library. Reading was my escape, my passion, and my favorite pastime. But as I grew older, life got busier, and technology took center stage. My beloved books were pushed aside, and I gradually lost the joy of reading.

Then came 2020, a year that changed everything. With the world in lockdown, many rediscovered the joy of reading, but I felt a pang of sadness. I thought I had outgrown my love for books. For two more years, I stayed disconnected from the literary world—until I decided to give It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover a try. The buzz surrounding it was impossible to ignore.

In May 2022, I picked up the book at my local Walmart and devoured it in a single day. Suddenly, I was transported back to that feeling of being fully immersed in a story. I connected with the emotions of the characters, empathized with Lily's struggles, and found myself hating Ryle for his actions while loving Atlas for his kindness. For the first time in years, I felt the thrill of escaping into a book.

Riding high on that reading wave, I eagerly moved on to Hoover's next book, Layla. With reviews claiming that it started slow but became unputdownable, I was excited to experience that magic again. However, I was deeply disappointed. The main character fell flat for me, and I found myself wanting to skip to the end just to find out how it wrapped up. I hated the idea of DNFing a book, but my patience was wearing thin.

Determined not to give up on Hoover entirely, I turned to Reminders of Him. Unfortunately, this would be my last venture into her works. I struggled with her writing style, which felt forced and lacking in flow. The plot seemed far-fetched, and while I appreciated her attempt to raise awareness about domestic violence in It Ends with Us, I felt she missed the mark in her subsequent novels. The main character’s backstory—a tragic drunk driving accident—left me conflicted. Instead of eliciting empathy, it felt like a narrative choice that was more shocking than meaningful.

Despite my frustrations, I can't deny that It Ends with Us reignited my passion for reading. It was the first book in years that drew me in so completely, allowing me to forget reality. For that, I'll always have a soft spot for Colleen Hoover. However, as a whole, I don’t consider myself a fan of her work.

In the end, my reading journey has been one of rediscovery. While not every book can resonate with me, It Ends with Us served as a gateway back to a world I thought I had left behind. And now, I'm excited to explore new authors and stories that will keep that spark alive. Reading may have ebbed and flowed in my life, but it's a journey I'm ready to continue.