giving our lowest rated author a second chance

What's up Readers?
PSA: The books mentioned in this video discuss topics that may be sensitive to some viewers, so feel free to skip over it if necessary.
We decided to give our lowest rated author a second chance and read some more of their books. Check this video out to hear our opinions about these popular books and remember that your opinion is always allowed to be different haha
#booktube #blackbooktubers #booklover #bookreview #colleenhoover #bookduo

[@mildrumpus]

I read both of these books. The entire time, my internal monologue was: "Why?"

[@andtheywerereaders]

Agreed. It Starts With Us was like: "This is nicer but still why?"

[@storiesbydesirae]

You guys reviewed this so respectfully to me. I watched the youtuber withcindy talk about Verity and it was all I needed to know. Plus, now you guys sharing your opinion let's me know even more that I don't want to read it. I love that you guys gave her another chance though.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Thank you!! I always try to be honest, but also respectful! :) and fair enough… it was worth the experiment, but I will not be returning 🫣 -Sierra

[@DogEaredMusings]

This was such a fun review! I love how you guys went in not knowing how the other felt about what you were going to discuss

[@andtheywerereaders]

Haha it was so much fun! And weird to hold off on talking about a book we’ve both read 😂 -Sierra

[@storiesbydesirae]

Also, you both got me thinking about copy and pasting scenes from one book to another. I'm working on 2 books that are standalone, but also connected. I had planned on using some scenes from the first book for the 2nd one. Hearing your different viewpoints and feelings were helpful for me to try to add more so I'm still bringing something to these scenes from the other character's perspective!!

[@andtheywerereaders]

Wow! Happy we could offer some different perspectives there and excited for your writing journey! Keep us posted!

[@maryh4650]

You are both very kind, to books you dont like much, if you could hear us at our library book club you'd be horrified. 🤣

[@andtheywerereaders]

We do our best. God forbid we come across a book we truly hate. That video will be much harsher than this

[@lefttoread]

I smile so much every time I watch your videos! It's always a good time. I love learning about my reading tastes. I've been reading somewhat all my life, and I am still finding out my likes and dislikes in books, I've recently only really been thinking about it more, but it's super exciting! It's so fun to see others break down their reading tastes and test the waters with other types of writing. I read Verity & It Ends With Us, I thought they were both fine but I also read November 9 which I personally would not recommend 😅

[@andtheywerereaders]

Haha thanks! We smile a lot making them too! We have loved learning more and more about our reading tastes as well, and we are excited to see how they change and mature. Thanks for the warning about Nov 9

[@KierTheScrivener]

Tragedy as a device bothers me 👏🏼👏🏼

[@andtheywerereaders]

Absolutely agree

[@markhnk]

Tragedy as a device = trauma porn.

[@susankight544]

I’m really loving your reviews! They’re in depth and nuanced and I appreciate that

[@andtheywerereaders]

And we appreciate your kind feedback! Thanks!

[@MLLatUtube]

My best friend read and hated Verity. I have never had any inclination to try her other books. It was interesting to get your perspectives on her.

[@andtheywerereaders]

That makes sense. It was interesting reading more of her books for sure

[@azu_rikka]

How brave of you to tackle this author again😅! From what I read and heard, Hoover is similar to Jojo Moyes which I have read (and disliked), so I won't go near her books. What I found surprising was your rating. I would be interested in how you rate books. For me, a 3☆ book is a solid book and clearly for you guys it seems borderline hellish😂!

[@andtheywerereaders]

haha idk if I would call it brave or delusional. Totally understand the confusion on the rating. I've definitely lowered the rating since making this video, but I've yet to rate any book lower than a 2. I'm sure its only a matter of time. - Jon

[@YourTrueShelf]

I'm so happy to see your views and subscribers going up, everyone should be watching you guys!! I have no inclination at all to read these books, but I liked how you still gave thoughtful reviews. This sounds like the After series - which is FIVE books long! I dnf'd after books two as I felt it massively glamourised abuse and it didn't matter if the man was hot. It especially concerns me if YA readers take on that message.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Thank you! Always appreciate you and your thoughtful comments. Definitely agree that books like these could pose problems for YA. While the book does have a sense of redemption and could be seen as a beneficial cautionary tale, we always hope that parents are involved in what their kids might be reading to aid in processing books like these.

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@andtheywerereaders definitely. My oldest is 10, so we have all of these kinds of things to talk about in years to come!

[@arlievaughn]

Don’t apologize for not liking a book! Every reader has their opinions and they’re valid.

[@TheFallonDynasty]

I completely agree. That's the point of a review, you have to be honest and sometimes the truth isn't pretty. I get it though, it is hard to speak badly about an artist's work.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Very true. We want to make sure that we continue to remain aware/appreciative of the work that goes into creating any piece of art while still offering our honest opinions

[@arlievaughn]

Aw - y'all are so gracious. @@andtheywerereaders

[@rnee1000]

Just found your channel. You are so fun and engaging. I liked Verity but these differing opinions on books makes reading interesting. Love it! Hoover has written some YAs but maybe she should do more.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Welcome to the channel! We love hearing any and all book opinions! Who knows? Maybe we give Hoover another shot at some point int the future

[@Sydney.grahammm]

have always had a hard time with Colleen Hoover almost glamorizing sensitive topics like abuse 😞

[@andtheywerereaders]

Yeah, it is sad that it seems to be a trend in her writing

[@Ecesu]

Love the vibes in this video ❤

[@andtheywerereaders]

Thanks! We appreciate the kind words!

[@qetsiyah1766]

I agree, her writing is really easy to read. To me, her books are “terrible” because of how she writes about the difficult themes in her stories. There’s a lot of ridiculousness going on, but I eat them up ngl. To me, her books are like Lifetime movies. So, when I read her books I don’t expect anything but to be entertained. I can’t look away & I can’t put them down. I’ve read a few of her books. They’re like crack for me. I’ve used them to get out of a reading slump.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Haha that's a great comparison!

[@CodedBookworm]

Hey, new subscriber here! I'm so glad I found the channel. You guys are so fun together! 💜🙏🏻 I thought you guys were in a relationship at first, to be honest.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Welcome! Yeah, people will probably think we're in a relationship at first glance. Being friends for the majority of our lives has had that effect haha

[@BandysBooks]

I read Verity and hated it. I DNF’d It Ends With Us and decided that Colleen Hoover is just not the author for me. Good of you to give her a second chance.

[@andtheywerereaders]

haha we decided it could be a fun experiment

[@coryk1592]

I had such high hopes for Verity. It was recommended. I was intrigued, but then... awful ending. I also tried to read Seven Husbands..., but couldn't get past the main character...

[@andtheywerereaders]

yeahhh unfortunately, Verity wasn't it for us. We did love Seven Husbands but completely understand that it isn't for everybody!

[@josmith5992]

The only people that could make me watch a video on Colleen Hoover 😉 laughing all the way! That’s the problem with ratings, if you sat down and compared books you’ve given similar ratings to, there would be a lot of ‘huh’ moments so totally valid to change them 👍and figuring out what we do and don’t like is part of the fun of reading!

[@andtheywerereaders]

Thanks Jo! We've had so many of those 'huh' moments going back through our ratings over these few years! Funny to go back and see books that you would have given a completely different rating in light of the context of the books you've read since then

[@michelleoetinger6695]

After Verity, I just couldn't !! Nope, no way.

[@andtheywerereaders]

That was us for a long time. Rest assured, we get it

[@KierTheScrivener]

I have comments about that 😂😂

[@andtheywerereaders]

Speaking of comments, loving yours!

[@Sydney.grahammm]

also plssss tell me y’all have a Goodreads account?!

[@andtheywerereaders]

Ok so, currently the answer is no. We both have Storygraph cause that's what we started on when we got back into reading. BUT, I am going to take some time to transfer my books over to goodreads soon and start using both - Jon

[@maryh4650]

Richard Adam's Watership Down was amazing, then it was all down hill fast. Shardik and The Plague Dogs, were DIRE. Why???? Such a disappointment. I was told if you don't like a book only read as many pages as your age, which is Terrible, as you have to read more the older you get. Hemingway I agree with you, some of his stuff great, while other books....... ARGH

[@andtheywerereaders]

Haha that's an interesting rule. That might work for Sierra but idk if I can abide by that just yet lol - Jon

[@frannook]

You guys are way too nice, lean into the dark side xD I totally understand wanting to be respectful and that's always the right path but sometimes you just gotta tell it how it is 😂

[@andtheywerereaders]

haha understood. Stay tuned for the next tough read. Its bound to happen soon

[@frannook]

@@andtheywerereaders YESSS I'll be here for it

[@emerycorner]

colleen hoover could write a masterpiece in 10 years and i still wont read it tbh

[@andtheywerereaders]

haha fingers crossed for a redemption arc

[@TimeTravelReads]

Based on your descriptions, I feel uncomfortable with the idea of reading these books.

[@Rachiebaby95]

Coho has stolen enough of my time.

[@andtheywerereaders]

Yeah, we probably won't revisit for a while

[@andtheywerereaders]

Some of the covers definitely pretty