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Colleen Hoover is ready for the “It Ends With Us” drama to end.

The author, 45, made rare comments about Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal war in a new interview with Elle, calling the situation “unfortunate” and “disappointing.” 

“It feels like a circus,” Hoover stated.


  Colleen Hoover at Book Bonanza in Grapevine, Texas, in June 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Colleen Hoover at Book Bonanza in Grapevine, Texas, in June 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures

“There are real people involved, with real feelings and emotions,” she continued. “This actually truly has impacted some of the actors’ careers in huge ways. And I just find it all around sad.”

The outlet noted that Hoover was preparing to give a deposition at the time of the interview.


  Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni filming “It Ends With Us.” GC Images Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni filming “It Ends With Us.” GC Images

“I’m just trying to stay removed from the negativity,” she explained. “I have my own story I could tell … but I don’t want to bring attention to it, and I don’t want to have to put someone else down to lift myself up. So I’d rather just ignore it and let people think and say what they’re going to say.”

Hoover added, “I feel like it’s so big at this point that there’s nothing anyone can say to change whatever opinion people have of it, even though no one has the actual truth. Not even me.”


  Colleen Hoover and Blake Lively at a screening of “It Ends With Us” in Tribeca in August 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Colleen Hoover and Blake Lively at a screening of “It Ends With Us” in Tribeca in August 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures

  Colleen Hoover. Colleen Hoover/Faceboo Colleen Hoover. Colleen Hoover/Faceboo

Hoover’s 2016 best-selling romance novel was adapted into a 2024 movie starring Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 41, the latter of whom also directed the project. Hoover served as a producer.

After the film’s release, Lively sued Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and claiming he orchestrated a retaliatory public smear campaign against her.

Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation, extortion and more. That $400 million lawsuit, however, was later dismissed by a judge.


  Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in “It Ends With Us.” ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in “It Ends With Us.” ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

  Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us” in New Jersey. GC Images Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us” in New Jersey. GC Images

Hoover told Elle that the lawsuit drama is especially painful since the book is inspired by her mother’s own experience with domestic violence.

“The book was inspired by her story, and now it gives us PTSD to think about it,” the author admitted. “I feel awful because I almost feel like she’s gone through more with the aftermath of this film, more pain, than she went through with my dad, just seeing the ugliness of it.”


  Colleen Hoover at a “Regretting You” screening in Texas on Sept. 26. Getty Images for Paramount Pictures Colleen Hoover at a “Regretting You” screening in Texas on Sept. 26. Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Hoover went so far as to say she “can’t even recommend” the book anymore.

“I feel like [the lawsuit] has overshadowed it,” she explained. “I’m almost embarrassed to say I wrote it. When people ask what I do, I’m just like, ‘I’m a writer. Please don’t ask me what I wrote.'”


  Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively filming “It Ends With Us” in January 2024. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively filming “It Ends With Us” in January 2024. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

However, Hoover is hopeful that her perspective will eventually change.

“The more time that passes, the easier everything gets for all of us,” she said. “But it is sad, because I was very proud of that book. And I’m still proud of it, but less publicly so. Maybe I need therapy, I don’t know.”

When Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni late last year, Hoover publicly sided with the “Gossip Girl” alum.


  Colleen Hoover and Blake Lively at the “It Ends With Us” premiere at Lincoln Square in August 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Colleen Hoover and Blake Lively at the “It Ends With Us” premiere at Lincoln Square in August 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures


  Colleen Hoover, Brandon Sklenar, Isabela Ferrer and Blake Lively at an “It Ends With Us” screening in June 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures Colleen Hoover, Brandon Sklenar, Isabela Ferrer and Blake Lively at an “It Ends With Us” screening in June 2024. Getty Images for Sony Pictures

“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt,” Hoover wrote on Instagram last December.

But after Baldoni leveled his own claims against Lively, Hoover briefly deleted her Instagram account and stayed silent about the controversy.

Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni is going to trial in March 2026.

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