If you’re a newbie when it comes to Colleen Hoover’s books, or you’re simply trying to arrange your reading list, a common question comes to mind – do I need to read Colleen Hoover books in order?
The answer to that question depends entirely on what you’re going for. The famous author whose books have become a guilty pleasure for millions of readers, has written over 20 books to choose from. If you’re more interested in series, she’s got you covered – those are the books you need to read in order.
The majority of her catalogue can be read as standalones. This serves as good news for readers who don’t want to deal with committing to a full series. But not to worry, as we’ll break down the Colleen Hoover standalone novels and connected books to help you make the right choices.
Colleen Hoover Book Series List
This is your Colleen Hoover book series list, which should be read in order, depending on the one you want to start with.
1. The Slammed Trilogy
The slammed trilogy includes Slammed (2012), Point of Retreat (2012), and This Girl (2013). The series is centered on 18-year old Layken Cohen who is dealing with the death of her father and falls for her poet neighbor.
Their lovey-dovey phase becomes threatened when the young lovers stumble upon a shocking discovery that threatens the strength of their relationship.
2. The Hopeless Saga
This emotional but dark series contains two main novels – Hopeless (2012) and Losing Hope (2013) – and three novellas – Finding Cinderella (2013), All Your Perfects (2018), and Finding Perfect (2019).
Hopeless follows the story of two young lovers, Sky and Dean, each with dark secrets of their own. They explore first love alongside their dark pasts, confronting trauma and abuse. Losing Hope and Hopeless tell the same story but from different POVs. The novellas add character closure and emotional depth to the series.
3. Maybe Someday Series
The Maybe Someday series is a trilogy about loyalty, friendship and love. The three books include Maybe Someday (2014), Maybe Not (2014), and Maybe Now (2018). The series follows the story of Ridge and Sydney with other side characters coming up as it progresses.
The 22-year-old college student Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her. She then begins to find interest in her neighbor Ridge, a mysterious and guitar-playing character.
4. It Ends (and Starts) With Us
A very popular title containing two books – It Ends With Us (2016) and It Starts With Us (2022). Follows the story of Lily Bloom, a hardworking florist who meets perfect neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid. The two fall dangerously in love, but when Lily’s first love – Atlas Corrigan – comes back into the picture, she soon finds out there is no such thing as a perfect man.
This is a fan favorite in the Colleen Hoover connected books list.
Top Standalone Hoover Books
Below is a list of some of the most recommended Colleen Hover standalone novels. You don’t need to read any previous books before these ones, simply enjoy the beautiful story contained in one book.
5. Ugly Love (2014)
This is a steamy romance and emotionally intense novel between Tate Collins, a nurse, and Miles Archer, an airline pilot. When they meet each other, they feel anything but love at first sight. Rather, its attraction at first sight.
They agree to a sex-only arrangement with two rules – no speaking about the past and no expecting a future. They soon come to find out that there are no rules when love is involved.
6. November 9 (2015)
November 9 is a slow-burn love story which will have you hooked. Fallon meets Ben and they end up spending her last day in L.A together. A mutual attraction sparks and they agree to return to each other every year from then on the 9th of November.
7. Verity (2018)
Verity is a psychological thriller-meets-romance that follows the story of a struggling writer who accepts an uncommon gig – to live in the home of a popular ailing author – Verity – and his husband and finish his outstanding novels. She finds out a dark family secret as she looks through Verity’s office.
This is the next book being adapted into a movie so you can look forward to that.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, an answer to the common question lingering in your mind. You don’t need to follow a strict reading order to enjoy Colleen Hoover’s books. Except you’re going for her connected books, of course. Simply choose what works best for you and jump in when you’re ready.