Colleen Hoover Books in Order – Complete Reading Guide for 2025

Finding the right order to read Colleen Hoover’s books can feel overwhelming. With over twenty titles, multiple connected series, and standalone novels that have no ties to each other, readers often ask where to begin and whether the sequence matters. This guide provides a clear, fact-based reading path based on the author’s official recommendations and verified publication data.

What is the Best Order to Read Colleen Hoover Books?

Colleen Hoover’s official website suggests a progression that starts with the Slammed series, then moves to the Hopeless and Maybe Someday series, followed by several standalone novels, then the It Ends with Us duology, more standalones, and finally Woman Down. This path prioritises thematic connections and character tie-ins where they exist. For readers who prefer to jump between standalone books, publication order by year is another reliable method.

• Colleen Hoover’s books are often grouped into series, but many can be read as standalones.
• The Slammed series is the recommended entry point on the official site.
• It Ends with Us is her breakout bestseller, but its sequel It Starts with Us should be read after.
• The Hopeless series has a specific internal order (Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella, etc.).
• Standalone novels like Verity and Ugly Love have no book connections and can be read anytime.

Do You Need to Read Colleen Hoover Books in Order?

Not all Colleen Hoover books need to be read in a strict sequence. Books within a series do follow a chronological story arc and should be read in the order they were published. For example, the Slammed series runs Slammed → Point of Retreat → This Girl, and reading them out of order would spoil plot developments. Standalone novels such as Verity, Ugly Love, or Regretting You carry no dependencies and can be picked up at any point.

That said, the official site suggests a preferred progression for a richer experience. The path begins with Slammed, then Hopeless, then Maybe Someday, followed by several standalones, It Ends with Us, more standalones, and Woman Down. This order weaves in minor character cross-references that some readers enjoy.

Colleen Hoover Books in Chronological Order (by Year)

The publication timeline below shows every book Colleen Hoover released from her debut in 2012 through 2022. No new titles have been announced for 2025 at the time of writing. Woman Down, listed in some guides, is expected in 2026.

1. 2012 – Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, Losing Hope
2. 2013 – This Girl, Finding Cinderella
3. 2014 – Maybe Someday, Ugly Love
4. 2015 – Maybe Not, Confess, November 9
5. 2016 – It Ends with Us, Too Late
6. 2017 – Without Merit
7. 2018 – All Your Perfects, Verity
8. 2019 – Regretting You
9. 2020 – Heart Bones, Layla
10. 2021 – Maybe Now
11. 2022 – It Starts with Us, Reminders of Him

How to Read the Hopeless Series in Order

The Hopeless series follows a linked set of characters and should be read as: Hopeless (2012), Losing Hope (2012), Finding Cinderella (2013), All Your Perfects (2018), and Finding Perfect (2022). Note that All Your Perfects is sometimes categorised as a standalone in some reading guides, but it is also positioned within the Hopeless universe. Finding Cinderella is a novella and a companion piece, not an optional extra for those who want the full story arc. Verification from multiple sources confirms this sequence.

For readers who prefer to follow the official site’s suggestion, the Hopeless series comes after the Slammed series.

How to Read the It Ends with Us Series in Order

This duology consists of It Ends with Us (2016) followed by It Starts with Us (2022). The second book is a direct sequel and must be read after the first. No other books are part of this series. Both titles are available from major retailers and widely discussed on platforms like Goodreads.

According to the official site, It Ends with Us is placed after a group of standalone novels in the suggested reading order. The duology is a key part of Hoover’s overall bibliography due to its immense popularity – It Ends with Us has over 4.7 million ratings on Goodreads.

What Is the Reading Order for Colleen Hoover’s Standalone Novels?

Standalone books have no connections to one another and can be read in any order. However, for readers who want a chronological approach, publication order is a straightforward method. The standalones published so far are:

• Ugly Love (2014)
• November 9 (2015)
• Confess (2015)
• Too Late (2016) – originally released as a free online story, later expanded
• Without Merit (2017)
• Verity (2018)
• Regretting You (2019)
• Heart Bones (2020)
• Layla (2020)
• Reminders of Him (2022)
• Woman Down (2026, per some guides and the author’s site)

There is no rule regarding where to place a standalone like Regretting You. Many readers choose it after the series because of its emotional depth, but this is a personal preference.

Colleen Hoover Books in Order: Key Context and Trends

Colleen Hoover’s readership exploded through BookTok and Goodreads, with It Ends with Us becoming a cultural phenomenon between 2022 and 2024. Her books often tackle emotional and sometimes dark themes — domestic abuse, trauma, romance — which has driven demand for clear reading guides. The announcement of a film adaptation for It Ends with Us (production ongoing) further increased interest in the correct order to avoid spoilers.

Many readers seek guidance because character cross-references exist between some series and standalones — for instance, characters from November 9 appear elsewhere — but these references are minor and not essential to comprehension. The official site’s suggested path remains the most authoritative source for a cohesive experience.

Sources and Official Guidance

The suggested reading order begins with the Slammed series followed by the Hopeless and Maybe Someday series. Then you’ll read a few standalone books.

– ColleenHoover.com

It Ends with Us has over 4.7 million ratings, making it the most-rated Colleen Hoover book.

– Goodreads

Summary: Your Starting Point for Colleen Hoover Books in Order

For a new reader, the most reliable approach is to begin with the Slammed series (Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl) and then follow the official site’s progression through Hopeless, Maybe Someday, a selection of standalones, the It Ends with Us duology, more standalones, and finally Woman Down. Standalone books like Verity and Ugly Love can be read at any time. This guide will be updated as new releases are announced. For related entertainment reading guides, you might also explore the Blake Lively Movies and TV Shows – Full Filmography and the My Fault (Film) – Complete Guide to the Movie Series.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleen Hoover Book Order