Colleen Hoover’s Hometown Celebration of “It Ends with Us”
On July 29th, our small town was filled with excitement as Colleen Hoover, one of the literary world’s most celebrated authors, came back to her roots for a special hometown premiere of her new film adaptation, It Ends with Us. This event marked a significant moment in Colleen’s career and brought together the community that has watched her incredible journey from humble beginnings to literary stardom.
The premiere, held at Sulphur Springs movie theatre, Bright Star Cinemas, was filled with Colleen’s personal touches. She hosted a lottery for tickets, giving 400 lucky winners a chance to attend the screening. To make the evening memorable, she provided gift boxes with tissues, heart-decal nails, cookies, and flower patches. The theatre lobby was decorated with backdrops and a “Lily Bloom” flower shop setup for photos.
Before the film began, Colleen, along with her mother and sister, visited each theatre to personally greet attendees and encourage them to enjoy the film. She also held a drawing for signed copies of It Ends with Us. Her mother, visibly moved, shared her appreciation with a heartfelt “I love y’all, thank y’all.” The emotional impact of the night was clear, with many moved to tears and cheering as the film unfolded. This beautifully reflected the strong bond between Colleen’s story and her hometown.
If you don’t know who Colleen Hoover is, she grew up in Saltillo, Texas, just outside of Sulphur Springs. She faced significant hardships, including living in a trailer with serious structural issues. Despite the instability and poverty, she had a deep passion for writing. As a teenager, she took on various jobs to help her family. Later, while raising a child and juggling part-time work, she wrote in her spare time, drawing on her personal struggles for inspiration.
Her early writings reflected a raw perspective that resonated with readers. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she self-published her debut novel, Slammed, which led to a publishing deal. It quickly won the 2012 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. Since then, Colleen has written several bestsellers and received critical acclaim for her powerful storytelling, earning a place among the most influential authors of her generation. She has had many novels in the Top 10 New York Times Bestsellers list. It Ends with Us sold over 4 million copies worldwide and spent 90 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Use the following links to order your copy (Barnes and Noble or Amazon). She has over 19 million ratings on Goodreads. Some of her books have been translated into over 30 languages. Yet somehow, these are just a taste of her accomplishments.
As we reflect on this special night, our town can’t help but feel overwhelming admiration for Colleen Hoover and her incredible journey. The night was filled with shared emotions, joy, and a deep sense of pride in a hometown hero who has reached extraordinary heights.
Colleen has come extraordinarily far in her career, and it has been nothing short of inspiring. Her unique storytelling and relatable characters continue to captivate readers, promising even greater narratives in the future. Excitingly enough, one of her best-selling novels, “Verity,” is in development at Amazon MGM Studios and will eventually hit the big screen. The excitement for her future novels and the success of her career is unmatched. As we look forward to her upcoming projects, we can be sure that Colleen’s creative genius will continue to captivate readers worldwide.
Here is a letter from a Front Porch News Member who attended the premiere.
Colleen,
Thank you for the incredible hometown premiere of It Ends with Us. Your generosity and thoughtfulness in organizing such a special event truly touched everyone in our community. It was more than just a premiere; it was a beautiful celebration of our shared roots and your amazing journey. It was an evening filled with excitement, pride, and a deep sense of appreciation for how you’ve chosen to give back to the place where it all began.
Seeing you achieve this monumental success with It Ends with Us fills us all with immense pride. Seriously, we are so proud of you. From your early struggles to this incredible milestone, your journey is a testament to your hard work and determination. It was an honor to celebrate this moment with you. Seeing the joy and emotional impact of the evening only highlighted how much you mean to all of us.
Congratulations on this huge accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved. Your success is not just a personal victory but a source of inspiration for everyone back home. This premiere wasn’t just about celebrating a new film—it was a memorable evening that highlighted just how far you’ve come and how much you’re valued by us all.
Forever grateful and incredibly proud,
Hannah Morrill and my parents, Craig & Ann Roberts
