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Colleen Huber is speaking candidly about how Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle has changed her view of ‘The Endless Couple’.
Huber, a bestselling author, first published the novel in 2016, and it went on to become a sensation on TikTok, prompting him to publish a sequel in 2022. Huber, 45, has been open about how personal the novel and the subject of domestic violence are for her, and it was loosely inspired by her own mother’s experiences.
“It Ends With Us” is the first big-screen version of Hoover’s book, starring Lively, 38, as Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, 41, also directed.
Months after the film’s release in August 2024, Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024 for sexual harassment and retaliation, which Baldoni denies, sparking a highly publicized legal battle. (The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026.)
Hoover told Elle in a new interview that it’s “embarrassing” to be associated with It Ends With Us now because of the public drama surrounding the film.
“I can’t even recommend it anymore. I feel like[the lawsuit]is overshadowing it,” she told the outlet. “I’m almost embarrassed to say I write. When people ask me what I do, I just say, ‘I’m a writer. Don’t ask me what I’ve written.'”
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Huber said the negative attention has also affected her mother. “This book was inspired by her story and now gives us a reason to think about PTSD,” she said. “Just seeing the ugliness of this movie makes me feel so bad because I feel like she’s going through more pain in the aftermath of this movie than she went through with her father.”
Hoover added, “Everything gets easier for all of us as time goes on. But it’s sad because I was so proud of that book. And I’m still proud of that book, but I don’t say it very publicly. Maybe I need therapy, I don’t know.”
Hoover is also known for his books, including “Verity,” which will be made into a movie in October 2026 starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. Her book “Regretting You” was made into a movie earlier this year, and “Reminder of Him,” which she co-wrote and produced, will be released in theaters on March 13th.
The author was removed from office earlier this year in an ongoing court case.
After Lively’s allegations came to light in December 2024, Hoover showed support for the actress by writing on Instagram, “From the day we met, you have been honest, kind, supportive and patient. Thank you for being who you are. You will never change, you will never wither.”
Hoover’s next film, Woman Down, will be released in January. According to the synopsis, the once-famous author is taking a hiatus as she deals with “viral backlash against her latest film adaptation.”
