For Colleen Hoover, the mega-success of It Ends With Us comes with a plot twist.
The New York Times bestselling author, whose 2016 romance novel centers around a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, recently explained why she has complicated feelings about its popularity.
"It's a little bittersweet," Colleen told Today's Jenna Bush Hager, "because it's been on The New York Times for so long. But why? Because people resonate with it. And it's kind of a sad subject to resonate with."
In fact, no one understands that more than the 43-year-old, whose book hits too close to home. As Colleen pointed out, her book was loosely inspired by her parent's relationship.
"One of my earliest memories was him throwing a TV at her," Colleen recalled of her father's treatment towards her mother. "We grew up in an abusive household up to that point."
Leaving those situations is never easy, Colleen noted.
"She was able to get out of that relationship," she shared. "And then from then on, I just remember growing up with a mother who was so strong and independent."
While Colleen may find the success of It Ends With Us bittersweet, she said there's no better feeling than connecting with her readers.
"Seeing that these books that I write with no intentions have led people to make huge decisions in their life—books really are life-changing," she explained. "And the more I write, the more I realize that...it's not just a hobby. It's not just something you do as an escape."
As she put it, "You can read something and not realize that you're gonna connect to it on a level that inspires you to leave your abusive situation, you know? They're important."
Come next year, readers will get to see the characters from It Ends With Us come to life on the big screen. Keep reading for everything there is to know about the movie adaptation starring Blake Lively and Jane the Virgin alum Justin Baldoni.
(E! and Today are both part of the NBC Universal family.)