Colleen Hoover Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Colleen Hoover books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.

Slammed Books in Publication Order

1. Slammed (2012)
2. Point of Retreat (2012)
3. This Girl (2013)

Hopeless Books in Publication Order

1. Hopeless (2012)
2. Losing Hope (2013)
3. Finding Cinderella (2013)
4. Finding Perfect (2019)

It Ends With Us Books in Publication Order

1. It Ends with Us (2016)
2. It Starts with Us (2022)

Never Never Books
with Tarryn Fisher

1. Never Never: Part One (2015)
2. Never Never: Part Two (2015)
3. Never Never: Part Three (2016)

Maybe Books in Publication Order

1. Maybe Someday (2014)
2. Maybe Not (2014)
3. Maybe Now (2018)

Standalone Novels Books in Publication Order

1. Ugly Love (2014)
2. Confess (2015)
3. November 9 (2015)
4. Too Late (2016)
5. Never Never (2016)
   (With Tarryn Fisher)
6. Without Merit (2017)
7. All Your Perfects (2018)
8. Verity (2018)
9. Regretting You (2019)
10. Heart Bones (2020)
11. Layla (2020)
12. Reminders of Him (2022)
13. Woman Down (2026)

About Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is an American author whose emotionally intense novels have reshaped contemporary romance and new adult fiction. Born in 1979 in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Hoover did not begin her career with traditional literary ambitions. Before publishing fiction, she worked in social services and education, experiences that later influenced the emotional realism in her stories. Her entry into publishing began in 2012 when she independently released her debut novel, Slammed, a contemporary romance that quickly gained traction through reader word-of-mouth and online reviews.

The success of Slammed marked the beginning of a prolific writing career. Hoover followed with Point of Retreat and This Girl, forming the Slammed series. Reading her books in publication order reveals how her early work centered on young adult and new adult protagonists navigating first love, grief, and personal identity. These early novels established the hallmarks of her style: deeply emotional conflicts, flawed yet relatable characters, and dramatic turning points that generate strong reader engagement.

After the Slammed trilogy, Hoover published Hopeless (2012), which further cemented her presence in the new adult genre. The novel and its companion works explore trauma, resilience, and romantic intensity. As her bibliography expanded, Hoover began experimenting with darker and more psychologically layered narratives.

One of her most commercially successful novels, It Ends with Us (2016), marked a significant shift in tone. While still grounded in romance, the book confronts themes of domestic abuse and generational cycles of trauma. Its companion novel, It Starts with Us (2022), continues the story, making publication order especially relevant for readers seeking narrative continuity.

Hoover’s catalog also includes standalones such as Ugly Love, November 9, Verity, and Reminders of Him. Notably, Verity (2018) diverges from traditional romance into psychological thriller territory. Reading chronologically highlights Hoover’s willingness to move across subgenres while maintaining her signature emotional intensity.

Her writing style is defined by:

• First-person dual perspectives
• Confessional, intimate narrative voice
• Focus on trauma, healing, and complicated relationships
• Sharp emotional climaxes

Hoover’s rise coincided with the growth of social media–driven book communities. Platforms like BookTok and online reading forums played a major role in amplifying her popularity, particularly in the early 2020s. Several of her backlist titles returned to bestseller lists years after initial publication, reflecting sustained reader interest.

Over time, Hoover’s themes have grown more mature and complex. Early novels emphasize first love and youthful heartbreak. Later works tackle moral ambiguity, betrayal, and long-term emotional consequences. Reading her books in publication order makes this progression clear, tracing her development from emerging indie romance author to one of the most commercially successful contemporary writers of her generation.

Colleen Hoover’s bibliography spans romance, new adult fiction, and psychological suspense, unified by emotionally charged storytelling. When viewed chronologically, her career reflects both thematic expansion and increasing narrative ambition, with each publication building upon the emotional intensity that defines her voice.