The book was set to be released in just two days (Picture: Gilbert Carrasquillo/WireImage)

The release of Aaron Carter’s memoir has been postponed ‘out of respect’ for his family, the publisher has announced, following fierce criticism of the move as a ‘heartless money grab’.

The I Want Candy singer, younger brother to Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, was found dead at his California home aged just 34 on November 5.

Days later, Ballast Books announced plans to release Aaron Carter: An Incomplete Story of an Incomplete Life on 15 November.

However, following backlash, including from Carter’s ex-girlfriend and fellow Disney alum Hilary Duff, they have now decided against publishing the tome.

Attorney Scott Atherton, founder of Atherton Galardi Mullen and Reeder PLLC, who represents Ballast Books and author Andy Symonds, said in a statement: ‘Out of respect for the Carter family, my client has decided to defer the further release of the book at this time. Mr Carter was not just a celebrity but also a father, a brother, a son, and a friend to many still grieving for him.’

The lawyer also noted that ‘public attention has recently focused on a small number of interactions during Mr Carter’s early years.’

Ballast Books and author Andy Symonds said they had made the move ‘out of respect for the Carter family’ (Picture: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

The former Disney star was also younger brother to Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter (L) (Picture: Instagram)

He added: ‘The more important story is about Mr Carter’s life and what people can learn from his professional success, personal struggles, and tragic passing.’

Despite the criticism the planned release had faced, the attorney insisted Carter had wanted his story ‘with all its beauty and rawness’ to be told.

Author Symonds had interviewed the late pop star over a period of three years for the book.

Carter’s former girlfriend Hilary Duff, who he dated as a young teenager, previously branded the release of the book ‘disgusting’.

After paying tribute to her former childhood sweetheart, actress Hilary Duff condemned the publication of the memoir (Picture: Arturo Holmes/WireImage)

In a statement to E! News, she said: ‘It’s really sad that within a week of Aaron’s death, there’s a publisher that seems to be recklessly pushing a book out to capitalise on this tragedy without taking appropriate time or care to fact check the validity of his work.

‘To water down Aaron’s life story to what seems to be unverified click-bait for profit is disgusting. In no way do I condone shedding any light on what is so obviously an uninformed, heartless, money grab.’

Carter’s management team, Big Umbrella Management, thanked the Lizzie McGuire star for speaking out as they also then condemned the release.

They added: ‘In the few short days following our dear friend’s passing, we have been trying to grieve and process while simultaneously having to deal with several obscenely disrespectful and unauthorised releases.

Hilary dated Carter on and off from 2000 until 2003 (Picture: Lester Cohen Archive/WireImage)

‘These releases include an album, a single and now it seems a book.

“This is a time for mourning and remembering an incredible soul lost, not heartless money grabs and attention seeking. We would ask the parties responsible to remove the aforementioned content and that no further content be released without approval from his family, friends, and associates.’

In response to the criticism, Symonds previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘Aaron Carter hired me to help him tell the world his story. That story, while tragically cut short, was filled with good and bad.

‘His life was far from pretty, and understandably certain people in the public eye don’t want some of the stories Aaron tells in his book to come to light. That doesn’t make them any less true or newsworthy. Aaron had a right—as we all do—to tell his story.

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‘As a journalist, I am honoured that he chose me to help him do that. In addition to being cathartic for him, Aaron hoped this book would help others struggling with addiction and mental illness. I hope and believe it will do that.’

Carter was reportedly found unresponsive in a bathtub in his Lancaster, California home, by a housekeeper who was previously a homeless woman, taken in by the star to help look after his property following a break-in.

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Aaron Carter: An Incomplete Story of an Incomplete Life had been scheduled for a November 15 publication.