Complete List and Reading Guide for All Books by Colleen Hoover

As of 2026, Colleen Hoover remains one of the most influential and best-selling authors in the global publishing landscape, with a bibliography spanning over 25 novels and novellas. Her work primarily covers contemporary romance, psychological thrillers, and young adult fiction, categorized by intense emotional stakes and "unputdownable" pacing. This comprehensive guide provides a complete chronological list, series breakdowns, and recommended reading orders for her entire body of work.

Overview of the Colleen Hoover Bibliography

Colleen Hoover, often referred to by her dedicated fanbase as "CoHo," transitioned from a self-published author to a household name through a combination of raw storytelling and the viral power of social media platforms like TikTok. Her books are generally characterized by their exploration of complex human emotions, trauma, redemption, and unconventional romantic developments.

While she is most famous for her contemporary romance titles, she has successfully pivoted into psychological thrillers and paranormal romance, proving her versatility across genres. As we look at her full catalog in 2026, her works are typically divided into three categories: connected series, standalone novels, and short stories or novellas.

Complete Chronological List of Books

Navigating Colleen Hoover’s library often begins with a chronological view. This allows readers to see her evolution from her debut in 2012 to her most recent releases. The following table outlines her major works, their associated series, and their original publication years.

Breaking Down the Colleen Hoover Series

For readers who prefer to dive into a specific world and stay there for multiple books, Hoover has several established series. While some are direct sequels, others are "companion" novels that focus on different characters within the same social circle.

The Slammed Series

This is where it all began. The Slammed series follows the story of Layken and Will. It is unique for its integration of slam poetry, which serves as a medium for the characters to express their grief and burgeoning love.

1. Slammed (2012): Introduces Layken, who is dealing with the death of her father, and her neighbor Will.
2. Point of Retreat (2012): Continues the relationship struggles as external forces threaten their bond.
3. This Girl (2013): Tells the story from Will’s perspective, providing new insights into the events of the first two books.

The Hopeless Series

The Hopeless series is known for its heavy emotional themes and significant plot twists. It deals with past trauma and the process of healing.

1. Hopeless (2012): Follows Sky and Holder as they discover a shared past.
2. Losing Hope (2013): Holder’s perspective of the events in Hopeless.
3. Finding Cinderella (2013): A novella focusing on the supporting characters Daniel and Six.
4. Finding Perfect (2019): A crossover novella that ties the Hopeless characters together with characters from All Your Perfects.

The It Ends with Us Dilogy

Perhaps her most famous work, this series transitioned into a cultural phenomenon with the release of the It Ends with Us film in 2024.

1. It Ends with Us (2016): A semi-autobiographical story focusing on Lily Bloom, her relationship with Ryle Kincaid, and her first love, Atlas Corrigan. It explores the complexities of domestic violence.
2. It Starts with Us (2022): A direct sequel written in response to fan demand, focusing on the perspective of Atlas and Lily’s life after the events of the first book.

The Maybe Series

This series blends romance with music. Colleen Hoover actually collaborated with musician Griffin Peterson to create a soundtrack for Maybe Someday.

1. Maybe Someday (2014): The story of Sydney and her talented musician neighbor, Ridge.
2. Maybe Not (2014): A novella focusing on the side characters Warren and Bridgette.
3. Maybe Now (2018): A full-length sequel that catches up with all the characters from the original book.

Notable Standalone Novels

While her series are popular, many of Hoover’s highest-rated works are standalones. These books are often the best entry points for new readers because they require no prior knowledge of her other works.

Verity

Released in 2018, Verity marked a sharp departure from Hoover's traditional romance. It is a dark, graphic psychological thriller. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to finish the book series of a famous author, Verity Crawford, who is in a vegetative state. The discovery of a hidden manuscript leads to a terrifying exploration of Verity's true nature. In 2026, it remains one of her most discussed books due to its ambiguous and polarizing ending.

Ugly Love

Published in 2014, Ugly Love explores the "friends with benefits" trope with a devastating emotional backstory. It follows Tate Collins and airline pilot Miles Archer. The book is famous for its non-linear timeline, jumping between Miles's past and the present day to explain why he is so emotionally closed off.

November 9

This novel follows Fallon and Ben, who meet on the day Fallon is moving across the country. They decide to meet every year on the same date (November 9) for five years, without any contact in between. It is a meta-fictional look at the "insta-love" trope and features several cameos from characters in her other books.

Reminders of Him

Released in 2022, this book became an immediate bestseller. It tells the story of Kenna Rowan, a woman who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake. She hopes to reunite with her young daughter but faces resistance from everyone in her past, except for a local bar owner named Ledger Ward. It is widely considered one of Hoover’s most poignant explorations of forgiveness and motherhood.

Recommended Reading Orders

Because some of Hoover's books contain "Easter eggs" or minor character crossovers, readers often wonder about the "correct" order to read them. There are three primary ways to approach her catalog.

1. The Publication Order

Reading in order of release is the most straightforward method. It allows you to see how Hoover's writing style matured and how she began to experiment with darker themes over time. This also ensures you catch every cameo in the order they were intended to be seen.

2. The Genre-Based Order

If you are coming to Colleen Hoover from a specific background, you might prefer to group books by their tone:

• The Thriller Path: Start with Verity, then move to Too Late and Layla.
• The Emotional Romance Path: Start with It Ends with Us, followed by Reminders of Him and Ugly Love.
• The Young Adult Path: Start with Slammed, followed by Heart Bones and Without Merit.

3. The "CoHo Verse" Connection

For those who want to see the interconnectedness of her stories, ensure you read All Your Perfects before you read the novella Finding Perfect. While All Your Perfects is marketed as a standalone about a struggling marriage, its characters reappear in the Hopeless series' conclusion.

Themes and Writing Style

Colleen Hoover's success can be attributed to her "gut-punch" style of writing. She often tackles subjects that are considered taboo or difficult in the romance genre, such as:

• Generational Trauma: Seen prominently in It Ends with Us.
• Grief and Loss: A recurring theme in Slammed, Reminders of Him, and Heart Bones.
• Moral Ambiguity: Explored deeply in Verity and Too Late, where the lines between hero and villain are blurred.

Her prose is generally accessible and fast-paced, focusing heavily on dialogue and internal monologue rather than long descriptive passages. This style makes her books particularly popular with "reluctant readers" and those who enjoy "binge-reading" a story in a single sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Colleen Hoover book should I read first?

For most readers, It Ends with Us is the best starting point. It represents the heart of Hoover's writing—emotional, relevant, and impactful. If you prefer thrillers over romance, Verity is the better choice for your first CoHo experience.

Are all Colleen Hoover books connected?

No, most of her books are standalones. However, she frequently includes small "Easter eggs" or mentions of characters from previous books. For example, characters from Ugly Love might be mentioned in November 9. The only books that must be read in order are those within the specific series like Slammed, Hopeless, or It Ends with Us.

Is 'Verity' a romance novel?

No. While there are romantic elements, Verity is strictly a psychological thriller. It contains darker themes, graphic descriptions, and a suspense-driven plot that differs significantly from her traditional contemporary romance novels.

What age group are Colleen Hoover's books for?

Hoover writes for two primary audiences: Young Adult (YA) and New Adult/Adult. Books like Slammed and Heart Bones are appropriate for older teens (14+). However, many of her books, including Ugly Love, Verity, and Too Late, contain explicit content and mature themes intended for readers 18 and older.

Is there a sequel to 'November 9'?

As of 2026, there is no official sequel to November 9. The story of Fallon and Ben is considered complete as a standalone novel, though fans often hope for a follow-up.

Next Steps for New Readers

If you are ready to begin your journey through Colleen Hoover's library, the best next step is to identify your preferred level of emotional intensity. If you want a book that will make you cry, pick up Reminders of Him. If you want a book that will keep you up all night questioning what is real, grab Verity. For those who want a classic, life-changing story about resilience, It Ends with Us remains the definitive choice.

You can find her books at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local independent bookstore. Most of her titles are also available in audiobook format via Audible or Libby, which many fans prefer due to the high-quality narration of her emotionally charged dialogue.