When Anna Todd first published her After series, she likely never imagined that her Wattpad sensation would grow into a global franchise spanning bestselling novels and box office hits. Years later, with After We Collided firmly cemented as a fan-favorite chapter in the saga of Hardin Scott and Tessa Young, Todd has reflected on what she might do differently if she had the chance to revisit the story today.
For many fans, After We Collided embodies the raw, passionate, and sometimes destructive love between its central couple, Hessa. The film adaptation highlighted the push-and-pull dynamic that keeps viewers hooked, but it also reignited debates about how the characters’ flaws and choices were portrayed. Looking back, Todd admits there is one major element she would consider changing: the balance between drama and growth.
“I wouldn’t erase the turbulence—that’s part of who Hardin and Tessa are,” Todd has shared in past conversations about the evolution of her work. “But if I were writing it now, I’d focus more on showing their personal development alongside the relationship drama. It’s important that readers and viewers see them not only as a couple but as individuals finding their own paths.”
That sentiment reflects a broader shift in storytelling trends. In the years since After We Collided first captured hearts, audiences have become more vocal about wanting authentic portrayals of love—stories that celebrate passion but also acknowledge healthy boundaries and emotional maturity. Todd recognizes this change and has been candid about how she has grown as both a writer and a person since she first imagined Hardin and Tessa’s world.
Fans, meanwhile, remain divided. Some cherish the unfiltered intensity that defined the early books, while others agree that a modern retelling might highlight resilience and communication over destructive patterns. Regardless, the fact that the story still sparks such passionate discussion years later is proof of its staying power.
After We Collided was more than just a sequel—it was the moment the franchise expanded its reach and cemented “Hessa” as one of the most talked-about fictional couples of the decade. With Anna Todd openly acknowledging what she might alter if she had the chance, it invites fans to reflect on their own journeys since first reading or watching the series. Just as Hardin and Tessa evolve, so too do the people who created—and consumed—their story.
Ultimately, Todd’s openness underscores the unique bond between author and audience. By admitting that she would take a slightly different approach today, she shows that stories are living entities—shaped not only by the time in which they’re written but by the growth of the writer herself. And for the millions who still follow Hardin and Tessa’s saga, that honesty only deepens their connection to the world of After.
