Colleen Hoover has built a reputation for tugging at the heartstrings, and Regretting You is no exception. At its core, this is a dual narrative about the strained relationship between a mother and daughter, caught in a storm of grief, secrets, and first love. It’s a novel that blends the emotional depth of contemporary fiction with the addictive readability for which Hoover is well known.

We meet Morgan Grant, a woman who sacrificed her own youthful dreams to raise her daughter, Clara, after getting pregnant at 17. Now in her 30s, she yearns to shield Clara from making the same mistakes. Clara, however, is a fiery teenager desperate to make her own choices, finding her mother too predictable and lacking in spontaneity.

The only person who can truly keep them both at bay is Chris, Morgan’s husband and Clara’s father. Suddenly, their lives take a devastating turn when tragedy strikes Chris. This gripping turn of events forces Morgan and Clara to confront truths about love, betrayal, and what it really means to let go. Whilst stirring up tragic, heart-wrenching consequences that will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

At its best, Regretting You presents a poignant portrayal of how different generations cope with grief. Hoover shows us not only the gut-wrenching sorrow of losing a loved one, but also the messy process of rebuilding trust when secrets come to light.

The mother-daughter tension is the heart of the novel. Morgan is cautious, reserved, and guarded by the mistakes of her past. Clara, meanwhile, is impulsive and determined to carve her own path. Their conflicting perspectives are written with empathy, reminding readers that often in family conflict, both sides are right and wrong at the same time.

Like many of Hoover’s novels, romance threads its way through the story. Clara finds herself drawn to Miller, the one boy she’s forbidden from seeing, but who also offers both comfort and challenge as she navigates her grief. Morgan, too, grapples with unexpected feelings of her own. These parallel romances, one young and fiery, the other mature and hesitant, add richness and contrast, highlighting how love evolves with age and experience.

While some readers may find the dramatic turns veer toward melodrama, others will appreciate the emotional rollercoaster. Hoover doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and for many, that rawness is what makes her writing so compelling.

Regretting You has become a fan favourite among Hoover’s vast readership, praised for its relatability and emotional punch. On platforms like Goodreads and ‘BookTok’, readers often note how the story resonates with anyone who has struggled in a parent-child relationship or faced the fallout of broken trust.
Critics, too, have highlighted Hoover’s knack for blending family drama with romance in a way that keeps the pages turning. The accessible prose and alternating perspectives make it highly readable, even when the subject matter gets heavy.

Hot on the heels of the success of the film adaptation of Hoover’s book, It Ends With Us, Regretting You is due for release in October 2025. Directed by Josh Boone. With cast members including Mckenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams, and Dave Franco, it’s set to be a great watch.

If you’re looking for a book that blends family drama, romance, and emotional depth, Regretting You delivers. It’s a story about how the people we love most can hurt us, and how forgiveness is often the hardest, yet most necessary, path forward. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a mother-daughter story first, and that’s what makes it stand out in Hoover’s already impressive body of work.

Other works by Colleen Hoover

If Regretting You pulls you in, there’s plenty more of Hoover’s emotional storytelling to explore. Here are a few more of her titles we’d recommend:

• It Ends With Us (2016).
• It Starts With Us (2022).
• Ugly Love (2014).
• November 9 (2015).
• Verity (2018).

Explore more true crime and historical thrillers

At Victoria Freudenheim, we love to shine the spotlight on books that move you, whether through heartbreak, mystery, or magic. Looking for more Colleen Hoover reviews or powerful contemporary fiction? Browse our library of reviews and discover your next must-read.

Rating: 3.5/5