‘It Ends With Us’ author Colleen Hoover on Blake Lively’s role

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS – JUNE 14: EXCLUSIVE CONTENT – Colleen Hoover, Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar seen at Book Bonanza for IT ENDS WITH US, in theaters August 9 from Columbia Pictures. at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on June 14, 2024 in Grapevine, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

New York Times best-selling author Colleen Hoover gave a personal glimpse of how “It Ends With Us” became the book it is now, ahead of its much-anticipated film adaptation starring Blake Lively.

In an interview, a copy of which was sent to INQUIRER.net, the American author described the audience’s reception of her 2016 romance novel as “overwhelming.”

“I think overwhelming is a good word, but overwhelming can also be a good thing. When I first wrote It Ends with Us, I did not have anything in mind. I thought a few people would read it. I honestly probably would have had a panic attack if I knew what it would’ve turned into, because that was never my ultimate goal. I enjoy writing, but it’s incredible to see how many people it’s touched and, sadly, how many people connect to the subject matter,” she said.

Hoover, who has long revealed that “It Ends With Us” is based on the story of her mother, who experienced domestic abuse, said that she wrote it to understand the situation more, and she was glad her mother realized that she did the right thing by leaving her abusive father because of her words.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively star in IT ENDS WITH US.

“I wrote it to understand her more,” she began. “So many people who’ve never experienced [abuse] think, ‘That will never happen to me,’ but I don’t think you take into consideration how many layers there are and how much you do love the person who has hurt you.”

“Stepping into my mother’s shoes to write this book definitely helped me understand her more and appreciate her strength and courage. I remember after she read it, I’m going to cry thinking of this. She said, ‘Until I read your book, I didn’t know that I made the right choice.'” continued the author.

When asked about Lively and Justin Baldoni, who are set to headline the film, Hoover admitted that she couldn’t believe that the two would agree to star and produce the film with her.

Colleen Hoover and Justin Baldoni on the set of IT END WITH US.

“I think I prevented myself from believing it for a while. Especially in Hollywood, things change all the time. I thought that she would be so perfect for it, but I didn’t want to believe it. Her acting skills are just phenomenal. The woman is one of a kind,” she said of Lively, whose acting credentials include the iconic series “Gossip Girl,” and the movie “The Age of Adaline.”

As for Baldoni, Hoover said: “At first, he wanted to purchase the film rights and direct it. And I think I might’ve been the one who was like, ‘Oh, are you going to play a role? And he said, ‘I don’t know yet.’ But just over time, we just started seeing him more and more as someone who could play Ryle, and he finally was like, ‘Okay, I think I’m going to do it.’ And I couldn’t have been happier.” 

With its premiere coming near, Hoover invited the Filipino fans to watch the film in theaters and also expressed her hope about what she wanted her audience to feel when they watched the story on the big screen.

“I know a lot of book clubs have picked up this book, especially since the pandemic. I think that women should take their friends and their moms. Oh my gosh, just getting to see this with my mom was a dream come true, but I feel like anyone, whether you read the book or are experiencing it for the first time, will find a good film that is very inspiring,” she expressed.

After releasing her debut book “Slammed” twelve years ago, Hoover has 23 more books and novels that have, together, ranked 120 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. She has sold more than 20 million books globally.

“It Ends With Us” will hit Philippine cinemas on August 7.