Every Single Colleen Hoover Book Ranked From Good to Unputdownable
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If there were a queen of BookTok, it would be Colleen Hoover.
The powerhouse author, lovingly dubbed CoHo by her passionate fan base, has penned 24 novels (not including her two anthologies)—and her range is impressive. She's written everything from romantic reads full of yearning and young love to thrillers that will make you sleep with the lights on.
Honestly, Colleen's own story is fascinating enough to warrant a novel of its own: After her self-published work became a smash hit, she netted a huge book deal, sold the film rights to her novel It Ends With Us (keep reading to see where it falls in our ranking), and continues to churn out several bestsellers year after year.
While all of Colleen's novels are worth the read (though it's worth noting that the content matter of some won't be for everyone), some stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here is a ranking of all 24 of Colleen Hoover's novels, from good (because trust us, they all are) to finish-in-a-day good.
Too Late
If you prefer your reads on the darker side, Too Late's blend of psychological suspense and dangerous love might be the perfect pick for you. Sloan will do anything to protect her family, even if it means getting caught up with Asa, a notorious drug trafficker who develops a disturbing obsession with her. When Sloan meets Carter, an undercover DEA agent, she feels an instant pull to him, but knows that getting closer to him will make him Asa's next target. While this book is truly gripping, it's Colleen's darkest work and probably won't be for everyone.
Finding Cinderella
This sweet novella, the third book in the Hopeless series, features two secondary characters who fans of the series will recognize. After Daniel has a chance romantic encounter in the dark, the girl runs away at midnight, just like the titular Cinderella. A year later, Daniel can't stop thinking about the mystery girl when he meets Six, the one who might just mend his heart. Colleen's talent for developing a heartwarming love story with few(ish) words (this one's less than 200 pages) is on full display here.
Maybe Not
Chances are, you've had a less-than-stellar roommate at some point in your life. Colleen puts a romantic spin on a roommate feud in this novella that's best read between Maybe Someday and Maybe Now. Warren can't stand his new roommate, Bridgette. But as tempers flare, Warren reasons that anyone who can hate so hard must equally be able to love, so he decides to test his theory.
This Girl
While the final installment of the Slammed series is worth the read, it doesn't offer much new insight into Will and Layken's relationship. Fans will remember that the previous books in the series were mostly told from Layken's point of view, as she falls for Will, the brooding older boy who helps her heal after tragedy. This Girl flips that on its head, allowing Will to explain his side of the story. Although it's fascinating to hear his perspective on the events of previous books, this one can feel a little repetitive at times.
Maybe Now
This sequel to Maybe Someday (we'd recommend reading Maybe Not before this one too) turns the focus on Maggie, a beloved character battling illness. When she finds her old bucket list, she decides to use it as a catalyst to live life to the fullest. As Maggie checks items off her list, she keeps her ex, Ridge, updated on her adventures, which threatens his once-solid relationship with his new girlfriend, Sydney. Fans of the first books will love revisiting these characters as their stories come to a satisfying conclusion.
Finding Perfect
While this fifth and final book of the Hopeless series might be slim, it provides much-needed closure. When the group gathers for Friendsgiving, tensions run high as secrets are revealed. Save this for the holidays—it's short enough to devour in between festivities, and the Thanksgiving setting will get you into the holiday spirit.
Point of Retreat
The second installment in the Slammed series picks up where book one (our pick for the best one in the series) leaves off. Readers follow Will and Layken as their relationship is once again tested by secrets. Highlights of this one include the welcome addition of chapters told through Will's perspective and sweet family dynamics. If you like books that give familial relationships time to shine, you'll enjoy this one.
Losing Hope
Colleen is always plugged into what her vocal fans want, hence giving them novels centered around beloved characters. Losing Hope, the sequel to Hopeless, uncovers the truth about Dean Holder, the mysterious man who captivated audiences when he reconnected with his long-lost childhood friend, Sky. While it features some of the same scenes from the first book, Dean's perspective offers a unique twist.
Slammed
Ah, the book that started it all! There's something special about devouring this one and reflecting on how far Colleen has come since her debut novel. Slammed introduces us to Will and Layken (whose stories continue in Point of Retreat and This Girl), as Layken is forced to step up for her mother and younger brother following her father's unexpected death. When she meets her new neighbor, Will, they form an instant connection that is later threatened by the discovery of a shocking secret. Colleen actually considers this to be a YA series, so it's perfect for readers of all ages.
Without Merit
Without Merit sets itself apart from other CoHo books, as romance isn't the key focus. While there's a romantic subplot, the story zeroes in on themes of acceptance and finding yourself. Merit lives with her fractured family in a repurposed church—and while her family attempts to keep up appearances in public, their private lives are far from pristine. Her mother is banished to the basement after recovering from cancer, her father is remarried to her mother's former nurse, and her relationship with her siblings is fraught. When she meets Sagan, Merit finds the will to shatter the illusion—but doing so comes with devastating consequences.
It Starts With Us
After audiences fell head over heels for It Ends With Us (more on that later), they clamored for a sequel—and six years later, Colleen happily obliged. This satisfying follow-up explores what happens after Lily decides to go all in on her connection with Atlas, her first love. Second-chance romance fans will love the focus on Atlas, who some readers have dubbed the best CoHo male lead.
Confess
If you love novels with heroines you can root for, Confess needs to be your next read. After losing everything, Auburn needs a miracle, which she finds when she walks into an art studio looking for a job and sparks an instant attraction to Owen, the studio's lead artist. As their bond strengthens, Owen grapples with the decision to divulge a secret that could destroy Auburn. This book is one of Colleen's angstiest reads, complete with sizzling chemistry and tearjerking reveals.
Maybe Someday
Music lovers, this one's for you! Sydney, a college student coming off of a devastating breakup is captivated by her neighbor, Ridge, who's always strumming his guitar on his porch. This first novel in a three-book series comes complete with original music, an utterly swoonworthy slow burn, and an emotional love triangle.
Layla
If you thought Colleen only delivered heart-tugging romances that pack an emotional punch, think again! While Layla has the same romantic undertones as the rest of her work, it marks Colleen's first foray into the paranormal world. After Layla is almost killed in a vicious attack, her boyfriend, Leeds, books a romantic getaway to the bed-and-breakfast where the couple first met. When Layla's behavior takes an inexplicable turn, Leeds is left to confide in Willow, a mysterious guest. This twisty read will leave you absolutely reeling.
Never Never
CoHo teamed up with bestselling thriller author Tarryn Fisher to write three suspenseful novellas, which are all now available in one volume for easy reading. Charlie and Silas, who believe they're each other's soulmates, wake up one morning as complete strangers. As they work together to figure out what happened, they uncover devastating secrets that have them questioning why they were so in love in the first place. As expected, this contains a plot twist of truly epic proportions.
Ugly Love
Friends-with-benefits arrangements usually go awry when one person's feelings get a little too intense, and Colleen expertly explores that phenomenon with Tate and Miles in Ugly Love. CoHo utilizes flashback chapters to peel back Miles' mysterious layers, which in turn dials up the emotion of the present timeline. Fair warning, readers: This one takes an absolutely heartbreaking turn.
Hopeless
When Sky meets Dean, a boy whose rocky reputation mirrors her own, she's both captivated and terrified. Only Dean has the power to stir up emotions Sky thought she had buried long ago. As Dean and Sky's push-and-pull relationship intensifies, they must grapple with their emotional scars. Heads up: Once you fall head over heels for Dean and Sky, it's essential to keep going with the four other books in the Hopeless series.
Heart Bones
This book delivers a tantalizing and heart-wrenching romance in a sunny seaside setting, so it's perfect to toss in your beach bag for your next getaway. Beyah finally has the opportunity to escape poverty and neglect when she receives a scholarship to her dream school—but when an unexpected death leaves her homeless, she's sent to Texas to live with the father she barely knows. After meeting Samson, her brooding and wealthy next-door neighbor, they agree to a casual summer fling that will change their lives forever. This is definitely one to read if you want to recapture the feeling of first love.
It Ends With Us
It Ends With Us, based loosely on Colleen's parents, is probably her most popular book, and for good reason: It takes a deeply emotional and thought-provoking look at first love, second chances, and healing from heartbreaking situations. Recent college graduate Lily has worked hard to overcome a tough childhood and is finally in a good place: She has a great new job and is happily dating Ryle, a charming neurosurgeon. But when things with Ryle aren't what they seem, Lily is left second-guessing their bond—especially when Atlas, her first love, re-emerges. Read this one ASAP, because the movie adaptation is coming!
Regretting You
Colleen explores mother-daughter dynamics with great success in Regretting You. Morgan, a teen mom, keeps a tight leash on her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, a girl with big dreams. Although they love each other, Morgan and Clara's differing perspectives on growing up causes tension, which can only be diffused by Clara's father, Chris. When Chris is involved in a tragic accident, Morgan and Clara must set aside their differences and attempt to rebuild their lives after profound loss. Honestly, this book should be sold with a pack of tissues.
November 9
This one's a book lover's dream. Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before she's set to move across the country. After spending her last day in Los Angeles together, Ben begins using Fallon's life as fodder for his novel. The pair continue to meet on the same day every year, until Fallon begins to suspect that Ben is keeping a secret that could destroy their unique bond. November 9 isn't just a romance...it features one of Colleen's wildest twists yet!
All Your Perfects
Although All Your Perfects is technically the fourth book in the Hopeless series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Quinn and Graham's love story might seem perfect, but their marriage is far from it, as years of secrets and mistakes threaten to tear them apart. If you're going to read one book from this series, this should be the one. (Colleen herself called it her most romantic novel.)
Reminders of Him
Colleen recommends that first-time CoHo readers start with Reminders of Him, because it packs in both a hefty dose of emotional turmoil and swoonworthy romance. After serving five years in prison, Kenna returns to the town where everything went wrong, in hopes of reuniting with the daughter she had while in prison. Her attempts at reconciliation are thwarted by everyone in town, except for Ledger, the man who shouldn't want to have anything to do with her.
Verity
Colleen proves that she can truly do it all with Verity, a rollercoaster mystery that will keep even seasoned thriller readers guessing until the very last page. Lowen, a struggling writer, gets the break of a lifetime when she's hired by Jeremy to ghostwrite the remaining books in the bestselling series started by his wife, Verity. When Lowen moves into their home, she discovers a manuscript for Verity's unpublished memoir that paints her in a less-than-glowing light—and as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy intensify, she debates showing him the manuscript so she can capture his heart. This book is creepy, unputdownable, and truly unforgettable. Once you reach the shocking conclusion, you'll be flaunting your allegiance for either Team Letter or Team Manuscript.
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