Colleen Hoover Books: Series in Order, Reading Guide and Tips

Colleen Hoover is an extremely popular American author of emotionally charged contemporary romance and young adult novels. In 2012, her self-published novel Slammed turned her into something of an overnight sensation, having developed a huge following online. Since then, many of her books, such as It Ends with Us, Ugly Love, Verity, among others, made their way into the New York Times Bestseller list and drew a very loyal following online, especially on social media and BookTok.

But she is also recognized for her charitable work: Hoover has founded the nonprofit bookstore and subscription service, The Bookworm Box, which has donated its profits to various charities. She often combines romance with tougher subject matter in her novels, which makes them not only heartwarming but really thought-provoking, too.

Colleen Hoover Books in Order

Below is a comprehensive guide to Colleen Hoover’s works—what they’re about, how they connect (if they do), and suggested reading orders. Since Hoover’s catalog can be broken down into series and standalones, I’ve organized them accordingly, with notes to help you pick the best starting point based on your interests.

SLAMMED SERIES in Order

1. Slammed (2012)
2. Point of Retreat (2012)
3. This Girl (2013)

Quick Summary:

• Follows 18-year-old Layken who, after her father’s death, moves with her family to a new town. She meets Will, her intriguing neighbor who shares her love of slam poetry. Their budding romance hits complications rooted in real-world responsibilities.
• Point of Retreat and This Girl continue Layken and Will’s story, with This Girl partly retelling events from Will’s perspective.

Suggested Reading: If you enjoy sweet New Adult romances with emotional depth and a strong family component.

HOPELESS SERIES in Order

• Hopeless (2012)
• Losing Hope (2013)

Quick Summary:

• Hopeless revolves around Sky, a teenage girl who’s been homeschooled and meets Dean Holder, a boy whose intensity and secrets mirror her own hidden past.
• Losing Hope retells parts of the story from Dean’s perspective and adds new layers.
• Finding Cinderella is a cute, lighter novella featuring side characters Daniel and Six.
• Finding Perfect is an extra bonus novella that further ties up loose ends (and even connects to All Your Perfects in a clever way).

Suggested Reading:

• Best to read Hopeless first, then Losing Hope, followed by the novellas.
• Recommended for those who like angsty Young Adult/New Adult romance with big emotional twists.

MAYBE SOMEDAY SERIES in Order

• Maybe Someday (2014)
• Novella: Maybe Not (2014)
• Maybe Now (2018)

Quick Summary:

• Maybe Someday centers on Sydney, who discovers heartbreak and a potential new romance with her musically gifted neighbor, Ridge. The story incorporates music (there’s an actual soundtrack available, co-created with musician Griffin Peterson).
• Maybe Not is a short companion novella focusing on side characters Warren and Bridgette.
• Maybe Now continues the journey of the Maybe Someday cast, bringing closure and a new story arc.

Suggested Reading:

• Start with Maybe Someday, read Maybe Not for more insight into side characters, then finish with Maybe Now.
• Ideal for fans of music-infused romances and fun roommate dynamics.

IT ENDS WITH US DUOLOGY in Order

• It Ends with Us (2016)
• It Starts with Us (2022)

Quick Summary:

• It Ends with Us is one of Hoover’s most talked-about books, dealing with domestic abuse, trauma, and resilience. Main character Lily finds herself facing a painful cycle she never thought she’d repeat.
• It Starts with Us picks up where the first book left off, focusing more on Lily’s healing and future.

Content Advisory: This duology touches on heavy topics (emotional and physical abuse) and can be triggering for some readers.

Suggested Reading:

• It Ends with Us followed by It Starts with Us.
• Perfect if you want a raw, emotional read that leaves you thinking about relationships and personal boundaries.

NEVER NEVER in Order (With Tarryn Fisher)

1. Never Never: Part One (2015)
2. Never Never: Part Two (2015)
3. Never Never: Part Three (2016)

Compiled Edition: A single-volume edition was released in 2023.

Quick Summary: A suspenseful, paranormal-tinged romance about two teens, Charlie and Silas, who lose their memories simultaneously and must piece together their shared history to figure out what’s happening.

Suggested Reading:

• Great if you want a departure from straightforward contemporary romance into something more mysterious.
• Read the compiled edition in one go for a seamless experience.

STANDALONES

Ugly Love (2014)

• Genre: New Adult Romance
• Theme: A no-strings-attached relationship gets complicated when emotional baggage surfaces.
• Vibe: Sexy, angsty, and emotional.

Confess (2015)

• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Theme: Secrets, confessions, and art as a form of expression.
• Vibe: Heartfelt romance infused with intrigue about hidden confessions.

November 9 (2015)

• Genre: New Adult Romance
• Theme: Two people agree to meet on the same date every year, exploring themes of fate and following dreams.
• Vibe: Dramatic, romantic, with a time-jumping twist.

Too Late (2016)

• Genre: Dark, Romantic Suspense
• Theme: Danger, obsession, and complicated love triangles.
• Vibe: Grittier than typical Hoover fare. Contains mature content.

Without Merit (2017)

• Genre: Young Adult/New Adult Crossover
• Theme: Family secrets, mental health, and finding your voice.
• Vibe: Quirky family drama with a romantic subplot.

All Your Perfects (2018)

• Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
• Theme: Marriage struggles, infertility, and the concept of “perfect love.”
• Vibe: Deeply emotional, exploring the realities of long-term commitment.

Verity (2018/2019)

• Genre: Psychological Thriller/Romantic Suspense
• Theme: An author hired to complete another writer’s manuscripts uncovers chilling secrets.
• Vibe: Dark, twisty, and not your standard Hoover romance. Content warnings for violence and disturbing themes.

Regretting You (2019)

• Genre: Contemporary Romance / Family Drama
• Theme: Mother-daughter relationship, grief, and unexpected love.
• Vibe: Dual perspectives that balance family strife with romance.

Heart Bones (2020)

• Genre: New Adult Romance
• Theme: Two teens from vastly different backgrounds connect at a beach town, dealing with family secrets.
• Vibe: Summer setting with emotional undercurrents.

Layla (2020)

• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• Theme: A haunting twist on love and recovery after a traumatic event.
• Vibe: Supernatural elements, eerie atmosphere.

Reminders of Him (2022)

• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Theme: A mother’s journey to reunite with her child after prison, healing, and forgiveness.
• Vibe: Heart-wrenching but hopeful, with a strong focus on redemption.

How Many Book does Colleen Hoover Have?

As of her most recent publications, Colleen Hoover has written 26 distinct works (including novels, novellas, and her collaboration on the three-part Never Never series). Below is a breakdown showing how that total comes together.

Important Note:

• This count includes novellas (such as Finding Cinderella, Maybe Not, and Finding Perfect) and counts each part of Never Never as a separate published work.
• In 2023, Never Never was re-released as a single compiled volume, but originally it appeared in three separate parts (2015–2016).
• Some readers prefer to count only full-length novels, which would slightly lower the total.

Colleen Hoover Reading Guide

Colleen Hoover has published numerous novels—enough to keep you reading and emotionally invested for quite a while. From heartfelt contemporary romances to psychological thrillers with dark twists, her catalog offers a range of experiences. With so many choices, it can be tough to know where to begin. Here are some practical tips and considerations if you’re looking to dive into Colleen Hoover’s works:

1. Choose an Entry Point That Matches Your Mood

• If you want a heartfelt, traditional romance: Start with Ugly Love or Maybe Someday.
• If you like a twist of mystery or suspense: Try Verity (for a dark psychological thriller) or Never Never (for a mysterious, paranormal romance).
• If you want the “fan-favorite” emotional roller coaster: It Ends with Us is one of Hoover’s most famous books, but note it handles heavier themes like domestic abuse.
• If you prefer Young Adult (YA)/New Adult: Hopeless has a strong YA feel, though it addresses serious topics.
• If you enjoy a series: Look into the Slammed, Hopeless, or Maybe Someday series.

Starting with a standalone or theme you know you’ll enjoy helps you get a feel for Hoover’s style before diving deeper.

2. Understand Content Warnings

Many of Hoover’s novels tackle tough subjects like:

• Domestic violence, child abuse (It Ends with Us)
• Mental health issues (Without Merit)
• Grief, trauma, or neglect (various books)

If you have specific sensitivities, read reviews or check out spoiler-free trigger warnings online. Don’t hesitate to skip or come back to certain titles if the subject matter might be overwhelming.

3. Decide on the Order to Read Colleen Hoover Books

Chronological by Publication

• Pros: You see how her writing has evolved from the early days (Slammed) to more recent works (It Starts with Us, Reminders of Him).
• Cons: Some earlier works may feel dated or might not align with your immediate reading tastes.

By Series

• Pros: You get complete story arcs without interruptions.
• Cons: You might miss the variety of her standalones.

“Mix & Match” Approach

• Read whichever series or standalone catches your eye first (e.g., Ugly Love, November 9) and then explore others at your own pace.

4. Explore Novellas and Extras Strategically

Colleen Hoover has written several novellas that tie into her series:

• Finding Cinderella (Hopeless Series)
• Maybe Not (Maybe Someday Series)
• Finding Perfect (connects Hopeless and All Your Perfects)

These novellas add fun background details or “epilogues” for beloved characters. If you’re binge-reading a specific series, slot these novellas in as suggested (often after the main book in which characters are introduced).

5. Expect Emotional Highs and Lows

Colleen Hoover is known for:

• Deep emotional intensity: Get ready for tears, frustration, joy, or all three at once.
• Romance with a twist: There’s almost always a major revelation or conflict that challenges the characters’ relationships.
• Relatable characters: Even in her thrillers, there’s a strong internal monologue and character-driven plot.

If you’re sensitive to heavy emotional content, pace yourself—maybe read a lighter book in between the more intense Hoover novels.

6. Consider Book Club Reads

Many of Hoover’s titles—especially It Ends with Us, All Your Perfects, and Verity—spark lively discussions about relationships, morality, and mental health. They’re great picks for book clubs or buddy reads if you enjoy dissecting plot twists and emotional arcs with friends.

7. Don’t Feel Obligated to Read Everything

She has a sizable backlist now (over 20 distinct works). Focus on the subgenres or themes you enjoy:

• Contemporary Romance
• Young/New Adult Drama
• Thriller/Suspense
• Family and Relationship Dramas

There’s no single “right” place to start or must-read order.

8. Follow Along With the Hype—Or Not

• Online communities (BookTok, Bookstagram, etc.) frequently discuss her popular titles. It can be fun to join in.
• However, be cautious of spoilers if you dip into these communities before reading.

9. Keep an Eye on Adaptations

Several of Hoover’s books are rumored to be in development for film or TV (It Ends with Us is officially in production). Reading the book first can enhance the adaptation experience—if that interests you.