Which Colleen Hoover Book Should I Read First?
Like us, many CoHorts will have a list of the best Colleen Hoover books. Whilst It Ends With Us is arguably the most popular among Booktokers, and has even caught the eye of Blake Lively as she plays Lily Bloom in the film of the same name, you don't have to start there. We would recommend reading one of Colleen Hoover's standalones first, starting with Ugly Love.
Slammed Series
Slammed (2012)
Why we love it:
- The story pulls you in with its raw, emotional depth and keeps you hooked as the characters navigate grief, love, and life-changing choices.
- The use of slam poetry throughout the book adds a powerful and creative layer to the storytelling, making the emotions feel even more real.
After the sudden death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken is trying to hold her family together while quietly falling apart. Then she meets Will, her charming, poetry-loving neighbour, and their connection is instant and electric. But just as their relationship begins to bloom, a shocking revelation threatens to tear them apart. As they wrestle with impossible choices, Layken and Will must decide whether love is worth the pain.
Point of Retreat (2012)
Why we love it:
- It deepens the emotional journey from Slammed, showing that love isn’t just about surviving hardship, but continuing to fight for each other through the unknown.
- The story is filled with heart and vulnerability, and it deepens Layken and Will’s relationship.
In the sequel to Colleen Hoover’s bestselling Slammed, Layken and Will return to face a challenge that could break them for good. Just as their love begins to settle into something steady, a shocking secret from Will’s past threatens the trust they’ve built. He will have to go further than ever before to prove that what they share is unshakable. With emotions running high and doubt creeping in, they must confront the question: is love enough?
This Girl (2013)
Why we love it:
- Seeing the story through Will’s eyes adds powerful emotional layers and fresh insights into the couple’s journey and deepening your connection to their love.
- It’s a heartfelt, satisfying conclusion that not only revisits key moments but also shows how healing can come from sharing your truth with the one you love.
This Girl is the emotional final book in Colleen Hoover’s Slammed series, and readers get to experience Layken and Will’s love story from Will’s point of view.
Now married, their future feels full of promise, until Layken asks Will to revisit the painful, beautiful, and defining moments of their past. As he opens up about everything he's kept hidden, Will reveals his most intimate feelings and thoughts. Through laughter, heartache, and surprising confessions, their story is retold with new depth, proving that even the strongest love can grow stronger still.
Hopeless Series
Hopeless (2012)
Why we love it:
- It combines romance and suspense in a way that keeps you emotionally invested and eager to uncover the next revelation.
- The story tackles complex, real-life issues with sensitivity, making it a powerful and unforgettable read.
Hopeless is the first book in Colleen Hoover’s series of the same name. In it, Sky Davis meets Dean Holder, a boy who both terrifies and mesmerises her from the start. Drawn together by an intense, undeniable connection, Sky lets down her guard, only to uncover a devastating truth buried deep in Holder’s past. As secrets unravel and emotions run high, she must confront a reality more heartbreaking than she ever imagined. Sometimes, the truth doesn’t set you free: It shatters you.
Losing Hope (2013)
Why we love it:
- Seeing the story through Holder’s raw, emotional perspective adds twists, surprises, and a whole lot of heart.
- It’s a rollercoaster of love, regret, and redemption that makes you fall even harder for the characters you thought you already knew.
Get ready to fall for Dean Holder all over again in Losing Hope, the gripping follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s Hopeless. This time, we see everything through Holder’s eyes; the guilt, the heartbreak, and the love that changes everything. He’s been carrying the weight of the past for years, but finding Sky again turns his world upside down in ways he never saw coming. It’s emotional, intense, and full of the kind of swoon-worthy moments only Hoover can deliver.
Finding Cinderella (2013)
Why we love it:
- It’s a light, witty, and romantic read that perfectly balances humour with heartache.
- Daniel and Six’s chemistry is electric, making this novella a must-read for fans of fast-paced, feel-good love stories.
In Finding Cinderella, Colleen Hoover brings a dash of whimsy and a whole lot of heart to the Hopeless series with this fun, feel-good novella that can be read as a standalone.
When Daniel shares a magical, one-hour pretend romance in a dark janitor’s closet, he brushes it off as fantasy until a year later, when he meets Six. Sparks fly, secrets unravel, and what felt like a fairytale turns out to be messier, funnier, and more real than he ever imagined. Sometimes, love doesn’t follow the rules... and that’s exactly what makes it worth chasing.
All Your Perfects (2018)
Why we love it:
- It explores the messy, real side of long-term love with honesty and emotional depth that hits hard.
- The story will have you tearing up one minute and clinging to hope the next, making it a truly unforgettable read.
All Your Perfects delivers a powerful, heart-wrenching look at love after “happily ever after.” Quinn and Graham once had the kind of love people dream about. Years later, their marriage is hanging by a thread. As past promises collide with present pain, they must decide if what they had is strong enough to survive what they’ve become. It’s a raw, emotional story about broken dreams, deep love, and whether second chances are enough.
Finding Perfect (novella; 2019)
Why we love it:
- It delivers the perfect dose of closure and nostalgia for fans who’ve followed these characters through heartbreak and healing.
- The novella blends humour, emotion, and heartfelt moments into a short but powerful read that feels like a warm hug.
Colleen Hoover reunites readers with some of her most beloved characters for one final, heartwarming chapter. Told from Daniel’s point of view, this novella ties together the stories of Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella, and All Your Perfects. As secrets are revealed and loose ends are finally tied, it’s a beautiful reminder that love, friendship, and forgiveness can bring the most unexpected happy endings. Fans will laugh, cry, and walk away with full hearts.
Maybe Someday Series
Maybe Someday (2014)
Why we love it:
- The mix of music and romance gives this story an emotionally rich and immersive vibe you won’t want to leave. There’s even original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson.
- Sydney and Ridge’s slow-burn connection is filled with tension, vulnerability, and just the right amount of heartbreak.
In Maybe Someday, Colleen Hoover weaves a story of heartbreak, music, and unexpected connection that hits all the right notes. After Sydney’s picture-perfect life shatters thanks to her cheating boyfriend, she finds solace in the music drifting from her neighbor Ridge’s balcony. What starts as a creative collaboration quickly sparks an emotional bond neither of them can resist. But with complicated feelings and personal struggles in the way, their connection might be as risky as it is undeniable.
Maybe Not (novella; 2014)
Why we love it:
- Warren and Bridgette’s fiery chemistry and hilarious banter make this a fun, bingeable read with unexpected emotional depth.
- It’s a perfect companion to Maybe Someday, offering a new perspective and a fresh dose of Colleen Hoover’s signature charm.
Warren thinks having a female roommate will be exciting until he meets Bridgette, who’s as icy as she is beautiful. Their constant bickering hides an undeniable spark, and Warren is determined to prove that beneath Bridgette’s tough exterior is a heart worth winning. It’s a fast-paced, opposites-attract story packed with sass, heat, and heart.
Maybe Now (2018)
Why we love it:
- It offers a satisfying return to beloved characters while diving deeper into their evolving relationships and personal growth.
- The story blends romance, friendship, and emotional healing in a way that feels real and uplifting.
Readers are reunited with Ridge, Sydney, Maggie, Warren, and Bridgette in a heartfelt continuation of the Maybe Someday series. With music still at the heart of it all, they’re learning that growing together sometimes means growing apart. As the characters explore love, loyalty, and second chances, old wounds resurface and new bonds are tested. Full of heart, humour, and emotion, this book delivers the perfect encore to a fan-favourite love story.
It Ends With Us Series
It Ends with Us (2016)
Why we love it:
- It tackles sensitive and important topics with honesty and compassion, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
- The characters feel incredibly real, and Lily’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
It Ends With Us is Colleen Hoover’s most famous book, and for good reason. It's a story of unshakable love, resilience, and finding the strength to make the right choice in the most difficult situations.
Lily has built a new life in Boston and falls for the charming but complex neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. As their connection deepens, her past resurfaces in the form of Atlas (her first love), forcing her to confront painful truths. Torn between the life she’s built and the love she once knew, Lily must make a choice that could change everything.
It Starts with Us (2022)
Why we love it:
- It offers a heartfelt, hopeful sequel that gives readers the closure they craved after It Ends With Us.
- The dual perspectives let you dive deeper into Atlas’s world while watching Lily reclaim her happiness on her own terms.
In It Starts With Us, Colleen Hoover gives fans the long-awaited continuation of Lily and Atlas’s love story, through both of their eyes. After reuniting years later, Lily is finally ready for a second chance with her first love, Atlas. But with Ryle still in her life as a co-parent, moving forward isn't simple. As past wounds resurface and new challenges emerge, Lily and Atlas must fight for a future built on love, trust, and healing.
Standalone Novels
Ugly Love (2014)
Why we love it:
- It’s a gripping slow-burn romance that deals with love, grief, and the pain of letting go.
- Miles’s backstory adds a heartbreaking twist that makes the emotional payoff all the more unforgettable.
A raw, emotionally charged story about two people drawn together by desire but haunted by the past.
When Tate moves in with her brother, she meets a brooding, emotionally closed-off pilot with two simple rules: don’t ask about the past, and don’t expect a future. Their physical connection is undeniable, but as feelings grow, those rules become harder to follow. What starts as casual quickly spirals into something much messier and much more powerful.
November 9 (2015)
Why we love it:
- Its one-day-a-year structure makes for an addictive and suspenseful read with plenty of emotional punch.
- The plot delivers classic Colleen Hoover twists, balancing romance with heartbreak in a way that keeps you turning the pages.
A unique and emotionally layered love story that unfolds one day a year.
When Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring writer, their instant connection sparks a pact to meet every November 9th. No calls, no texts, just one unforgettable day a year. As time passes, their lives twist and turn, but their annual meetups remain a constant until secrets come to light. What happens when the line between love and fiction begins to blur?
Confess (2015)
Why we love it:
- The use of real anonymous confessions woven into the story makes it feel raw, original, and emotionally intense.
- It’s a heartfelt exploration of how love sometimes means taking risks, even when the truth could break you.
A gripping and emotional story about love, art, and the secrets that can tear us apart.
Auburn Reed is determined to rebuild her life with no distractions. That is, until she meets Owen, a talented and mysterious artist with a studio full of strangers’ confessions. Their connection is instant, but Owen’s hidden past threatens everything they’re building. As trust is tested and hearts are on the line, one confession could change everything.
Never Never (2015)
Why we love it:
- It combines romance and suspense in a unique, addictive plot that keeps you turning pages.
- The mystery of lost memories and the emotional journey of rediscovering love make it a gripping, unforgettable read.
Bestselling authors Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher team up for a twisty, romantic mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the last page.
Charlie and Silas have been inseparable since childhood, but one morning, they wake up with no memory of each other or their past. As they race to uncover the truth, shocking secrets begin to surface, and they start to wonder if forgetting might be safer than remembering. Can love survive when everything else is lost?
Without Merit (2017)
Why we love it:
- It brilliantly balances humour with deep emotional struggles, making you laugh one minute and tear up the next.
- Hoover captures the chaos of family dynamics with compassion and honesty, offering a story that feels both powerful and real.
Without Merit is the story of the messy, complicated world of the Voss family through the eyes of Merit, a girl who collects trophies, secrets, and silent resentment.
Living in a repurposed church with her dysfunctional family, Merit feels invisible until she meets Sagan, whose charm sparks something real. But when truths unravel and her escape plan goes wrong, she must confront what it really means to be seen and to belong. It’s a raw, emotional story about family, honesty, and finding your voice.
Verity (2018)
Why we love it:
- It’s a page-turning thriller that keeps you questioning every character’s motive until the very end.
- The blend of forbidden romance and psychological suspense makes it one of Hoover’s most jaw-dropping and unforgettable reads.
Colleen Hoover steps into the world of psychological thrillers with a dark, addictive tale of obsession, deceit, and dangerous secrets.
Struggling writer Lowen lands the job of a lifetime: finishing a hit book series for the incapacitated Verity Crawford. But inside Verity’s home, she discovers a hidden manuscript filled with shocking, twisted confessions. As Lowen grows closer to Verity’s husband, Jeremy, she’s torn between protecting the truth and using it.
Regretting You (2019)
Why we love it:
- It’s a powerful and emotionally layered story that balances family drama, romance, and heartache in true Colleen Hoover style.
- The dual perspectives offer a raw and relatable look into both teen and adult struggles, making it easy to connect with every character.
A novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal that will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters.
Morgan and Clara have never seen eye to eye, and when a shocking accident shakes their world, their strained relationship is pushed to its breaking point. As long-buried secrets come to light and forbidden feelings rise, both women are forced to reevaluate everything they thought they knew about love, loss, and each other. Can they find their way back before it’s too late?
Heart Bones (2020)
Why we love it:
- It’s a beautifully written, slow-burn romance that explores themes of healing, vulnerability, and second chances.
- Hoover masterfully blends heartbreak and hope, creating characters you can’t help but root for from beginning to end.
A tender, emotionally rich story about two strangers from wildly different worlds who find an unexpected connection on the Texas coast.
Beyah has survived a life of hardship and is ready to start fresh until tragedy forces her to spend the summer with a father she barely knows. Then she meets Samson, her mysterious and guarded neighbour, who’s hiding secrets of his own. What begins as a fleeting summer romance soon becomes something deeper and far more complicated.
Layla (2020)
Why we love it:
- It’s a haunting, genre-bending love story that keeps you guessing with unexpected twists and supernatural intrigue.
- Hoover masterfully explores the depths of emotional connection and what it means to truly love someone even when reality starts to blur.
This book blends romance with a paranormal twist in a gripping tale about love, loss, and the unexplainable.
After a violent attack leaves Layla forever changed, Leeds takes her back to the B&B where they fell in love, hoping to rebuild what they lost. But strange things begin to happen, especially after Leeds meets Willow, a mysterious guest with secrets of her own. Torn between two women and the eerie truth unfolding around him, Leeds faces a choice that could cost him everything.
Reminders of Him (2022)
Why we love it:
- It’s a hopeful journey of healing that explores how love and forgiveness can grow in even the most broken places.
- Hoover’s storytelling is emotionally gripping, making you feel every moment of pain, growth, and hard-won hope.
A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story.
After five years in prison, Kenna returns to the town she once called home, desperate to reconnect with the daughter she’s never known. But the path to redemption is an impossible journey as everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out. Until she meets Ledger Ward, a guarded bar owner and one of the few remaining links to her daughter. As feelings grow and tensions rise, Kenna must fight not only for love but for the chance to rewrite her future.
Too Late (2016)
Why we love it:
- It’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller that blends high-stakes suspense with forbidden romance.
- Hoover explores the darker sides of love and control, creating a gripping and emotional story that’s impossible to put down.
A psychological suspense novel of obsession and dangerous love.
Sloan is trapped in a toxic relationship with Asa, a violent drug trafficker who controls her every move. Just when she’s given up hope, undercover DEA agent Carter enters her life, sparking both a risky romance and a dangerous game of survival. With their lives on the line, Sloan and Carter must fight to escape before Asa’s obsession turns deadly.
Ready to Ruin Your Life in the Right Order?
You made it to the end. Congrats!
You now know exactly what Colleen Hoover book to read next, so get ready to cry, question your morals, and scream into your pillow at 2am (as is tradition.)
If you’re looking for more back-to-back-to-back-to-back emotional destruction, we’ve got plenty of recommendations for book inspiration on our blog. Think Colleen Hoover broke you? Wait until you meet Paedyn and Kai in Lauren Roberts’ Powerless series.
