A new review for Colleen Hoover’s latest novel, 'Reminders of Him,' has shocked the literary world by describing the book as “restrained.” This unprecedented assessment suggests the author, known for her unique ability to extract tears from a stone, may be venturing into a new, less emotionally devastating phase of her career.

According to the review, the novel’s characters experience only a moderate level of existential despair and no fewer than three traumatic events, a significant departure from Hoover’s typical oeuvre which often features protagonists navigating a labyrinth of unrelenting tragedy. “I only cried twice,” reported one early reader, Brenda Pinter, 47, from Topeka. “Usually, it’s a full box of tissues and a call to my therapist. This time, I just felt… a little sad. It was almost pleasant.”

Literary analyst Dr. Evelyn Reed suggested this could be a strategic move. “Perhaps Ms. Hoover is attempting to broaden her audience to include those who still possess a functioning tear duct but prefer not to have it completely obliterated,” Dr. Reed mused. “It’s a bold choice, given her brand is essentially 'emotional demolition derby.'"

Industry insiders are now speculating whether this 'restrained' approach will lead to a new subgenre: 'Hoover-lite,' where characters simply face minor inconveniences like a flat tire or a slightly disappointing brunch, rather than the usual soul-crushing betrayals and life-altering accidents.