Colleen Hoover on Blake Lively as Lily Bloom in ‘It Ends With Us’

It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover had especially strong praise for Blake Lively‘s performance in the big-screen adaptation of her best-selling novel.

In a conversation with People, Hoover opened up about her experience serving as an executive producer on the film, noting that the process has been “absolutely incredible and surreal” for her. She explained that everyone who has worked on the film has been dedicated to making the adaptation as faithful and heartfelt as possible.

The author noted that Lively gives a “captivating, stunning and emotional” performance in the lead role. “There aren’t enough words to describe her phenomenal talent,” she added. “Blake Lively truly brought Lily Bloom to life in a way that exceeded all my expectations.”

Hoover continued, “When I wrote Lily’s character, I thought I had a fairly solid image in mind, but Blake’s portrayal added so much depth and complexity to the character that I didn’t even anticipate.”

It Ends With Us follows Lily as she works to overcome a traumatic childhood in order to embark on a new life. When a chance meeting with a neurosurgeon named Ryle (Baldoni), they spark a connection. But, when her first love, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), reappears in Lily’s life, her relationship with Ryle is challenged.

Elsewhere in the conversation, Hoover explained that the “most impressive” part of the Gossip Girl star is “her ability to convey her character’s internal conflicts and external challenges with such nuance and subtlety,” adding, “I am in awe, truly. I couldn’t be more grateful for her incredible performance.”