Colleen Hoover Books: Reading Order & Guide

If you’ve spent any time on BookTok, you’ve likely seen the name Colleen Hoover dominating shelves, debates, and reading lists. With over 20 published novels, a blockbuster film adaptation, and a fiercely loyal fanbase, her career has been anything but quiet — yet navigating her bibliography can feel like stepping into a maze, so this guide breaks down the best reading orders, the books that spark the most debate, and how to figure out where to start.

Number of published novels: over 20 ·
Bestseller status: #1 New York Times and international bestselling author ·
Notable adaptation: It Ends with Us film released in 2024 ·
Founded charity: The Bookworm Box in 2015 ·
First novel published: Slammed, self-published in 2012

Eight key facts that define Colleen Hoover’s career at a glance:

What has happened to Colleen Hoover?

Recent controversies and public criticism

In 2023, CNN (Entertainment) described Hoover as both the hottest author in America and potentially the most controversial. Criticism centers on the accusation that her bestselling novel It Ends with Us romanticizes abusive relationships. The book, which follows a woman trapped in a cycle of domestic violence, has been defended by Hoover as a story meant to raise awareness — but critics argue its romantic framing blurs the line between warning and glamorization.

Colleen Hoover’s response and current status

Hoover has addressed the criticism in interviews and social media posts, explaining that It Ends with Us was inspired by her own mother’s experience with domestic violence and that her intent was never to romanticize abuse. According to CNN (Entertainment), she has acknowledged that readers can interpret the story differently. Her sales remained strong through 2023 and 2024, boosted by the BookTok phenomenon.

Impact on her book sales and career

Despite the controversy, Hoover remains a #1 New York Times bestselling author. The 2024 film adaptation of It Ends with Us starring Shailene Woodley (who was initially attached to the project before Blake Lively took the role) kept her name in headlines. The trade-off is clear: the criticism hasn’t dented commercial momentum, but it has polarized her audience into fervent fans and skeptical critics.

In what order do I read Colleen Hoover’s books?

Reading order by publication date (chronological)

For readers who want to watch Hoover’s style evolve, publication order is the most straightforward path. Yahoo Entertainment lists the major titles release sequence:

• Slammed (2012)
• Point of Retreat (2012)
• Hopeless (2012)
• This Girl (2013)
• Losing Hope (2013)
• Finding Cinderella (2013)
• Maybe Someday (2014)
• Ugly Love (2014)
• Maybe Not (2014)
• Confess (2015)
• November 9 (2015)
• Never Never (2015)
• Too Late (2016)
• It Ends with Us (2016)
• Without Merit (2017)
• All Your Perfects (2018)
• Maybe Now (2018)
• Verity (2018)
• Finding Perfect (2019)
• Regretting You (2019)
• Heart Bones (2020)
• Layla (2020)
• Reminders of Him (2022)
• It Starts with Us (2022)

What this means: Publication order reveals a clear shift from new-adult contemporary romance (2012–2015) to darker psychological thrillers like Verity and Layla from 2018 onward.

Reading order by series

Hoover’s books fall into four main series, according to Good Housekeeping (editorial lifestyle magazine). Within each series, the order matters.

• Slammed series: Slammed → Point of Retreat → This Girl
• Hopeless series: Hopeless → Losing Hope → Finding Cinderella → All Your Perfects → Finding Perfect
• Maybe Someday trilogy: Maybe Someday → Maybe Not (a novella) → Maybe Now
• It Ends with Us series: It Ends with Us → It Starts with Us

Standalone novels and where to fit them

Hoover’s standalone novels — Ugly Love, Confess, November 9, Without Merit, Verity, Regretting You, Heart Bones, Layla, and Reminders of Him — are independent of any series. Good Housekeeping (editorial lifestyle magazine) notes they can be read in any order, making them ideal for readers who want a single-story commitment.

Which Colleen Hoover book is best to start with?

Recommended starting books for new readers

If you’re new to Hoover, the choice depends on your tolerance for emotional weight and genre preference.

• For young adult romance fans: Start with Slammed — it’s her debut, light on spice, and carries a YA tone.
• For adult romance readers: Ugly Love is a common entry point, balancing emotional stakes with moderate heat.
• For thriller lovers: Verity is a psychological thriller with explicit content and a twist ending that hooked millions.

Why ‘Verity’ is often suggested as a first read

According to Oz Insightly (book analysis blog), the official Colleen Hoover site recommends starting with Slammed for the YA vibe, but Verity for adult readers. Verity is the most-discussed Hoover novel on BookTok and consistently tops “best first read” lists because its standalone nature and shocking plot deliver an immediate payoff.

Starting with ‘It Ends with Us’ or ‘Slammed’

It Ends with Us is the obvious cultural entry point — it’s her highest-selling novel and the subject of the 2024 film. However, it’s also the book that draws the most controversy. Starting here means confronting the abuse-romanticization debate immediately. Slammed is safer: a more conventional romance with lower stakes and no public backlash attached.

This choice defines the reader’s initial experience and sets expectations for the rest of her bibliography.

Why do some people not like Colleen Hoover books?

Criticism of romanticizing abuse

The central criticism, reported by CNN (Entertainment), is that It Ends with Us frames a domestic violence relationship as a romantic drama. Critics argue that the male lead’s abusive behavior is softened by his charm and backstory, making the relationship appear aspirational rather than cautionary.

Writing style and pacing debates

Some readers and reviewers on Goodreads describe Hoover’s prose as simplistic and repetitive. Common critiques include predictable plot beats, reliance on trauma as a plot device, and dialogue that doesn’t match the emotional intensity of the scenes. Supporters counter that her accessible style is exactly why her books work for a wide audience.

Fan vs. critic divide on her popularity

The divide is stark: Hoover’s books dominate bestseller lists — multiple titles simultaneously — while literary critics and a vocal segment of Goodreads users dismiss her work as formulaic. The rise of BookTok has amplified both camps. CNN (Entertainment) noted in 2023 that Hoover is arguably the most polarizing author in contemporary popular fiction.

What is Colleen Hoover’s spiciest book?

Ranking heat levels across her novels

Heat level varies significantly. Hoover’s earlier YA titles like Slammed and Hopeless are low-heat. Her new-adult and adult novels, especially after 2014, are progressively spicier.

• Low heat: Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl
• Moderate heat: Hopeless, Losing Hope, November 9, Confess
• High heat: Ugly Love, Too Late, Verity

Verity and its explicit content

Verity is widely considered Hoover’s spiciest book. It contains explicit sex scenes, but the heat is inseparable from its psychological horror — the sexual content is woven into the book’s unsettling tone. Goodreads (reader community platform) reviews frequently mention the book’s “bonkers” twist and its ability to shock readers.

Ugly Love and Too Late

Ugly Love is Hoover’s most famous “emotional spice” book — high on both sexual tension and emotional devastation. Too Late, originally serialized on Wattpad, is darker and more explicit, dealing with drug trafficking and coercive control. For readers who want maximum heat with a psychological edge, Verity and Too Late are the top picks.

Are Colleen Hoover books meant to be read in order?

Series that require sequential reading

The Hopeless series, Maybe Someday trilogy, and It Ends with Us duology all require sequential reading for plot coherence. According to Good Housekeeping (editorial lifestyle magazine), the sequence can be confusing, and following the internal order is critical for character development.

Standalone novels that are independent

All standalone novels including Ugly Love, Confess, November 9, Verity, Regretting You, Heart Bones, Layla, and Reminders of Him can be read independently and in any order.

Cross-over characters and recommendations

Some characters reappear across books — for example, the character of Holder first appears in Hopeless and is referenced in later Hopeless-series books. ColleenHoover.com (official author site) provides a suggested reading road map that groups books by series to avoid spoilers.

Timeline of Colleen Hoover’s career

• 2012 — Self-publishes Slammed, her debut novel (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2013 — Releases Hopeless, first in a popular series
• 2015 — Founds The Bookworm Box charity
• 2016 — Publishes It Ends with Us, her most commercially successful book
• 2021 — Gains massive popularity on TikTok (#BookTok), leading to record sales
• 2023 — Faces renewed criticism over romanticizing abuse; defends her work
• 2024 — Film adaptation of It Ends with Us released in theaters

This chronology underscores the rapid rise and sustained success of Hoover’s career.

What industry observers say

“It Ends with Us is a story about a woman who falls in love with a man who abuses her — and the controversy is whether Hoover’s romantic framing glamorizes that relationship or tells a necessary story.”

— CNN (Entertainment), August 2023

“Hoover’s books are the definition of ‘unputdownable’ — they hook you with emotional stakes and don’t let go, even when the plot strains credibility.”

— Good Housekeeping (editorial lifestyle magazine)

“The official site recommends starting with the Slammed series for the YA vibe, but Verity for adult readers.”

— Oz Insightly (book analysis blog)

The pattern is unmistakable: Hoover has created a body of work that is both commercially dominant and critically divisive. For readers arriving via BookTok in 2025, the choice isn’t just which book to read first — it’s whether you want the comfort of a conventional romance or the unease of a story that questions its own genre.

How to start reading Colleen Hoover

1. Identify your preferred genre: YA romance, adult romance, or psychological thriller.
2. Choose a starting book based on the recommendations above: Slammed for YA, Ugly Love for adult romance, Verity for thriller.
3. Decide whether to read a series or a standalone. Standalones offer low commitment.
4. If reading a series, follow the internal order to avoid spoilers.
5. For the full experience, read in publication order to see Hoover’s evolution.

Frequently asked questions