The Best Colleen Hoover Books (All Books Ranked and Rated)

CoHo Stand Alone Books

If you are wondering which Colleen Hoover book to read first, you could start with any of her stand alone novels. And then if you like what you get, then read more of the stand alones, or move on to one of her series. Here are the stand alones by publication date:

1. Verity (2021)
2. Heart Bones (2020)
3. Layla (2020)
4. Regretting You (2019)
5. All Your Perfects (2018
6. Without Merit (2017)
7. Too Late (2016)
8. November 9 (2015)
9. Confess (2015)
10. Ugly Love (2014)

Colleen Hoover Series Order

1. It Ends With Us Series: It Ends With Us (2016), It Starts With Us (2022)
2. Hopeless Series: Hopeless (2012), Losing Hope (2013), Finding Cinderella (2013) Finding Perfect (2019),
3. Maybe Series: Maybe Someday (2014), Maybe Not (2015), Maybe Now (2018)
4. Slammed Series: Slammed (2012), Point of Retreat (2012), This Girl (2012)
5. Never Never: Never Never: Part One (2015), Never Never: Part Two (2015), Never Never: Part Three (2016)

Reminders of Him

• Published: 2022
• Rating: 4.51

Five years ago, Kenna Rowan made a tragic mistake. Now, she’s back in town, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. This proves to be harder than Kenna originally anticipated, as everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to keep her away. Everyone except for Ledger Ward, a local bartender and pseudo-father figure to her daughter. Kenna and Ledger know they should stay away from each other, but something keeps bringing them together. 

“I felt different reading this one. Instead of the usual butterflies and heart flutters [Colleen Hoover’s] books normally give me, this feels raw and heavy. It’s definitely a life story more than it is a love story.” 
Reminders of Him is said to be Hoover’s most “sob-worthy” novel, so make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand.

Read it for book club and use our Reminders of Him discussion guide.

Verity

• Published: 2021
• Rating: 4.41

This is one of the most top-rated Colleen Hoover books and it’s a startling departure from her typical romance genre.

Jeremy Crawford, the husband of the best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen Ashleigh to complete his wife’s next novel after she was left injured and unable to continue. What began as the job offer of a lifetime for the struggling writer quickly turns sour after Lowen discovers Verity’s manuscript full of bone-chilling admissions that were never supposed to be found. Initially, Lowen keeps the manuscript a secret, but as she falls deeper and deeper for Jeremy, she starts the wonder how she can use Verity’s words to trap him once and for all. 

Verity was Colleen Hoover’s first attempt at a thriller and a stark contrast to the rest of her collection, but it is still one of her most popular novels. 

“What I’ve come to appreciate the most about Colleen Hoover’s work – whether it’s an emotionally charged love story or, in this case, her first go at suspense – is her penchant for pushing boundaries. For telling the unexpected story.”

Read it for book club and use our Verity reading guide. And if you want more dark psychological thrillers, we’ve got a whole list featuring more books like Verity in tone, setting and creepiness.

It Ends With Us (It Ends With Us #1)

• Published: 2016
• Rating: 4.37

This is one of the best Colleen Hoover books for both ratings and longevity on the best seller lists.

Lily’s life hasn’t been easy, but her luck seems to change when she meets Ryle, a handsome and mysterious neurosurgeon. Ryle’s initial aversion to relationships seems like his only downside, but as the two fall deeper and deeper in love, Ryle’s ugly side begins to show. Just as Lily starts questioning her new relationship, she runs into Atlas – and the one that got away has finally come back.

“I honestly don’t know how I feel. There are times I am angry and times I am sad. And then I’m both. And it’s worst because there is a war raging inside me, and the winner keeps changing. How is it possible to switch from denial to sorrow to fury to acceptance in a heartbeat?” 
It Ends With Us is arguably Colleen Hoover’s most talked-about novel, and it’s sure to leave you reaching for the nearest tissue.

Read it for book club and use our It Ends With Us discussion guide.

Heart Bones

• Published: 2020
• Rating: 4.34

Life was never easy for Beyah Grimm, but now she’s on to bigger and better things – thanks to no one by herself. An unexpected death forces Beyah to spend the next few months in Texas with her estranged father. Beyah is determined to keep her head down and wait out the summer, but her new neighbor Samson has other plans. What began as a shallow end-of-summer fling quickly turns into a rip current ready to drag Beyah out to sea. 

“I’m so used to [Colleen Hoover] writing about adults that I was a little taken aback when I realized this is about two young people right on the cusp of adulthood. I think this story explores a lot of great topics that surround people who are in the vulnerable transition period between high school and university, between youth and adulthood.”

November 9

• Published: 2015
• Rating: 4.29

On her last day in Los Angeles, Fallon (seemingly by chance) meets Ben, an aspiring novelist. The pair have an immediate connection, and Fallon quickly becomes Ben’s muse for his next novel. The plan is simple; they will both live their lives, Fallon in New York and Ben in LA. But they agree to meet and have dinner together every November 9th for the next five years. Told over the course of five November 9ths, Fallon and Ben continue to fall for each other until one day, Fallon becomes unsure if Ben’s being true or if he’s fabricating his feelings for the sake of his novel. 

“The perfect blend of sexiness, emotion, and intrigue. It’s Colleen’s best, most exciting book to date.”

Read it for book club and use our November 9 discussion guide.

Hopeless (Hopeless #1)

• Published: 2012
• Rating: 4.29

Hopeless is one of the best Colleen Hoover books if you really like sinking your teeth into a series.

Dean Holder’s reputation precedes him, and Sky quickly learns that the truth might leave her feeling more hopeless than his lies. But that doesn’t matter because Sky can’t seem to stay away from him. Once his secrets are revealed, Sky learns Holder might not be who he says he is, and his secrets threaten to change her life forever.

Losing Hope (Hopeless #2)

• Published: 2013
• Rating: 4.29

In the follow-up novel to Hopeless, Sky is left with just as much mystery as she started with. All of Holder’s secrets have been revealed, but that doesn’t mean every question has been answered. In order to really move on with his life, Holder first needs to look to the past and confront the ghost that’s been haunting him. 

“Losing Hope was utterly heartbreaking, compelling, and beautiful. And… I somehow managed to fall even harder for Holden than I already had in Hopeless.”

Finding Perfect (Hopeless #2.6)

• Published: 2019
• Rating: 4.27

“This felt like a closure and a beginning. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. It felt like everything my heart needed.” 

Finding Perfect is a nine-chapter novella that follows the same characters from Hopeless as they plan an upcoming Friendsgiving at Sky’s parent’s house. Daniel suddenly finds himself in a situation where he is forced to confront Six about their shared secret, bringing a dark cloud over the holiday. 

Finding Perfect is not required reading in the Hopeless Series, but fans of the series love the added closure it brings to some of their favorite characters.

Point of Retreat (Slammed #2)

• Published: 2012
• Rating: 4.23

The second novel in the Slammed Series picks up right after Layken and Will manage to overcome the obstacles that had threatened to destroy their love. Layken and Will think this proves they were destined to be together, but the very things that brought them together might just tear them apart. Point of Retreat forces the couple to embark on journeys of self-discovery, but what they find along the way could change their entire world and the lives of those who depend on them the most. 

“What a crazy, crazy ride this book was! Colleen Hoover really knows how to mess with our emotions, and have us wanting to cry and laugh at the same time. This woman really is a literary genius.”

Ugly Love

• Published: 2015
• Rating: 4.22

Tate and Miles aren’t in a relationship. They wouldn’t even go as far as to call themselves friends. But what they do have, is an undeniable mutual attraction – which just leaves sex. Miles doesn’t want love, and Tate doesn’t have time for it. It seems like the perfect set-up, that is, until Tate struggles with the two rules Miles set for her: never ask about the past and don’t expect a future. 

“Alright, so this was probably one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. I’m not kidding. It’s really intense and painful. It’s also so beautiful and hopeful.”

Slammed (Slammed #1)

• Published: 2012
• Rating: 4.22

Layken is forced to be the rock for her mother and younger brother after her father dies, but she’s quickly losing hope. But then everything changes when she meets Will Cooper, her attractive, older new neighbor. The pair form an immediate, intense emotional connection that leaves Layken feeling like there might actually be hope left in the world. That hope is short-lived when new revelations bring their relationship to a screeching halt. Layken and Will must find a balance between the feelings pulling them together and the secret keeping them apart. 

“Wow! I can’t believe I’m only allowed to give this book five stars. It affected me on so many levels. I mean, gut-wrenching, sobbing, terms streaming down my face affected me… it touched my soul.”

All Your Perfects

• Published: 2018
• Rating: 4.22

Quinn and Graham met when things were difficult for both of them. But they fell in love and decided to make a life together. Now, they love still each other dearly, but they are struggling to hold it together. Will they overcome their challenges? Or will they become undone by them? No spoilers here, you’ll just have to find out for yourself.

“Emotional whiplash, Ms. Hoover. That is what awaits every single person that picks up this book you’ve created.”

Regretting You

• Published: 2019
• Rating: 4.22

Morgan Grant is determined to stop her daughter, Clara, from making the same mistakes she did: getting pregnant and married way too young. As Clara reaches 16 years old, the mother-daughter duo finds it increasingly difficult to coexist. The little peace they have left is shattered when Chris, Clara’s father and Morgan’s husband, is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. As Clara and Morgan struggle to rebuild their lives, they might just fall so far apart that it’s impossible for them to ever fall back together. 

“The simplicity and consistency of the storytelling is the strongest aspect of this book. With faultless pacing front the very first page, we meet characters who are in the midst of defining moments predicated on a single decision.”

Confess

• Published: 2015
• Rating: 4.20

Auburn Reed meets Owen Gentry when she walks into his art studio looking for a job. Auburn has been determined to rebuild her life but takes a chance by putting her heart in control and letting herself fall for Owen. It seems like everything might finally work out for Auburn when Owen’s deep secret threatens to ruin it all. She is then forced to choose between loving Owen or cutting him out to rebuild her life. 

“Confess is nothing like I have ever read before, it cannot be summed up in a few words… I started this story late at night, and within the first few pages, I was crying, and I knew this book would shake me to my core.”

It Starts With Us (It Ends With Us #3)

Published: 2022
Rating: 4.19

It Starts With Us is the long-anticipated sequel to one of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novels, It Ends With Us. 

Picking up right where the first novel left off, Lily must juggle her excitement of reuniting with her first love Atlas, with the impending fear of knowing her ex-husband Ryle will not take their reunion well. The novel switches between Lily and Atlas’s perspectives to deliver long-awaited answers about Atlas’s past and Lily’s insight, as she gives love a second chance. 

“My most anticipated read of the year was my most joyous read of the year. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I basked in the absolute privilege of being able to revisit these characters that mean so much to me. Thank you, Colleen, for giving us this gem of a book.”

Read it for book club and use our It Starts With Us reading guide.

Maybe Someday (Maybe #1)

• Published: 2014
• Rating: 4.16

Sydney was in college, had a steady job, a wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and a great roommate/best friend, Tori. You could say she had it all. Until she discovers Hunter is cheating on her, and her whole world gets flipped upside down. In order to get her mind off Hunter, Sydney sets her sights on Ridge, her mysterious neighbor – and there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore either. When the inevitable happens, the pair soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one. 

“Once again, Colleen Hoover has delivered an emotionally charged masterpiece that will capture your heart! Maybe Someday is not your typical romance, but I promise you, it is one of the most deeply passionate and uniquely beautiful books I have ever read.”

Finding Cinderella (Hopeless #2.5)

• Published: 2013
• Rating: 4.15

Finding Cinderella is the first of two short novellas in the Hopeless Series. In this one, we follow Daniel, whose chance encounter leads him to love – at least for the next hour. Daniel’s mystery woman loves him on the one condition that their love will only last one hour. When the hours up, she rushes off, and Daniel is left trying to convince himself nothing he felt in the past hour was real. One year later, Daniel finally meets his Cinderella, only to find out she has a few secrets of her own. 

“There’s something about Colleen Hoover’s novellas; I tend to love them more than her full-length novels. Which is so rare because most of the time novellas don’t have enough time. But this book in it’s entirely and shortness made me fall in love with it.”

This Girl (Slammed #3)

• Published: 2013
• Rating: 4.04

You’ve heard Layken’s side, but now it’s time to hear Will’s. The final novel in the Slammed Series finds Layken and Will basking in newlywed bliss until Layken yearns to know all Will’s painful secrets. For the first time ever, Will begins to untangle his most painful and intimate memories, including a few shocking confessions from when the pair first met. This Girl determines for good if Will and Layken’s love was meant to last. 

“Will, Lake, and the rest of the gang in the Slammed Series have made permanent residency in my heart. So even though it was bittersweet to say goodbye, I couldn’t be happier with how Colleen Hoover has ended Will and Lake’s story.”

Maybe Now (Maybe #3)

• Published: 2018
• Rating: 4.03

The final novel in the Maybe Series has Ridge and Sydney finally happy and together. But while these two are happy, Warren and Bridgette struggle with their tumultuous relationship, and Maggie grapples with her illness. Maggie decides to live her life to the fullest and embark on an adventure of her own while keeping Ridge updated on life. This leaves Sydney dealing with past feelings of jealousy that might end with her walking away from the man she loves forever.

Never Never: Parts One, Two & Three

• Published: 2015
• Rating: 4.02

These books were originally sold individually, but they are now sold as one set. So, we’ve got descriptions for all three parts, but the link on the button will take you to the compilation.

“Hoover and Fisher have combined their unique talents to deliver a deliciously twisted tale of deceit, love, and friendship that keeps you guessing long after the heart-stopping end.”

Never Never: Part One

Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash are in love. They’ve been in love since they were fourteen-years-old until they wake up one morning to find that they’re strangers. Every single memory they have of each other has vanished overnight. The two must now work together to figure out what happened to them, but their journey for answers seems to lead to more questions about why they were even together in the first place. 

Never Never: Part Two

Never Never: Part Two picks up right where the first left off and finds Silas racing against time as more lies twist together. One this time, the stakes are higher because Charlie’s in trouble, but he’s also the only one who can bridge the chasm between their past and their present.

Never Never: Part Three

Never Never: Part Three is the much anticipated final installment to the Never Never Series. Silas and Charlize will finally learn if they can regain what they once had and if it will be enough to restore who they once were.

Too Late

• Published: 2016
• Rating: 3.95

Sloan is stuck in a relationship with the dangerous and morally corrupt Asa Jackson – and she’ll do anything to get out of it. Nothing will get in the way of Sloan’s escape and Asa’s shady business – nothing except Carter. 

Don’t let that fool you. This is not Colleen’s typical love triangle. Sloan does find herself falling for Carter, but Carter is an undercover cop sent to destroy Asa’s business.

Maybe Not (Maybe #2)

• Published: 2014
• Rating: 3.86

Maybe Not is a short novella from the Maybe Series that follows Warren, a side character from the first novel who begins living with Bridgette, a cold and seemingly calculated woman. Tensions run high as the two try to coexist until Warren comes up with an idea. Someone who has the capacity to hate this much must also have the capacity to love this much. Bridgette suddenly finds herself in the warm embrace of Warren, who may or may not be the one to finally teach her how to love.

Without Merit

• Published: 2017
• Rating: 3.85

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets she’s forced to keep. Her once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, her father is married to her mom’s former nurse, her little brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and her older siblings are seemingly perfect. But then she meets Sagan, a man who renews Merti’s spark but is also unavailable, which causes Merit to retreat further into herself. Finally, at her wit’s end, Merit decides to shatter her happy family. 

“I loved Without Merit so much. It was a powerful, intense, fun, and emotional story. From beginning to end, the journey is riveting!”

Layla

• Published: 2020
• Rating: 3.75

Leeds is convinced he’ll spend the rest of his life with Layla, that is, until an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life. Layla recovers physically, but the emotional and mental scaring has left Layla a woman Leeds doesn’t recognize. Feeling distraught after his romantic gesture doesn’t bring Layla back, Leeds finds company in Willow – a stranger who shares his concerns. Leeds soon realizes he can’t have them both and must choose between who Layla was and who Willow is. 

“You know that book that you open and instantly feel a connection to? The one that, even if you put it down, you can’t stop thinking of? That you carry around everywhere with you? THIS is that book for me!”