Quick Answer – Which Are the Best and Worst Colleen Hoover Books?
| Rank | Book Title | Why It’s Ranked There |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It Ends With Us | Raw emotions, realistic characters, unforgettable message. |
| 2 | Verity | A chilling psychological twist that keeps you up at night. |
| 3 | Reminders of Him | A story of redemption and forgiveness that hits deep. |
| 4 | Ugly Love | Emotional rollercoaster with complex love. |
| 5 | November 9 | Unique timeline and bittersweet storytelling. |
| 6 | Confess | Art, secrets, and love beautifully blended. |
| 7 | All Your Perfects | Marriage struggles written with honesty. |
| 8 | Heart Bones | Youth, poverty, and hope collide. |
| 9 | Hopeless | First love meets deep trauma. |
| 10 | Layla | Paranormal romance experiment—creative but divisive. |
Hey Book Lover, Let’s Talk About Colleen Hoover Books Best to Worst
So, you’ve heard of Colleen Hoover, right?
I mean, who hasn’t—especially if you’ve scrolled through BookTok or visited a bookstore recently.
Whether it’s It Ends With Us or Verity, her novels are everywhere, breaking hearts and topping charts.
But with over 20 Colleen Hoover books, figuring out where to start can feel like being lost in a library with too many emotions and not enough tissues.
That’s why I’m here—to help you rank Colleen Hoover books best to worst, so you can pick your next read without wasting a single coffee-fueled night.
Who Is Colleen Hoover and Why Is Everyone Talking About Her?
If you’re new to her, here’s a little background.
Colleen Hoover (a.k.a. CoHo) is an American author who writes emotional fiction, mostly centered around love, trauma, and second chances.
Her books often blend romance, heartbreak, and healing, which is why readers call them “emotional therapy in paperback form.”
Blockquote:
Colleen Hoover writes stories that make you cry, heal, and fall in love—all within 300 pages. Her novels feel like real life, just a bit messier and more poetic.
Ranking Criteria (Because “Worst” Doesn’t Mean Bad)
Before we jump into rankings, let’s be clear: none of her books are bad.
It’s just that some hit harder, some drag a bit, and some… well, might leave you saying, “I liked it, but not that much.”
I’ve ranked them based on:
-
Emotional impact
-
Writing quality ✍️
-
Character depth
-
Plot originality
-
Reader reviews (Goodreads, BookTok, etc.)
Top Tier: Colleen Hoover’s Best Books (The Must-Reads)
1. It Ends With Us (2016)
If you’ve never read Colleen before, start here.
It’s raw, real, and painfully beautiful. The story follows Lily Bloom, who falls for a man with a dark side, and it’s inspired by Hoover’s personal experiences with domestic violence.
Why It’s #1:
-
Deeply emotional and life-changing.
-
Characters you’ll never forget.
-
A perfect balance of love and heartbreak.
Underlined note: This book deals with sensitive topics—approach with care.
Fun fact: It’s now being adapted into a movie starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni!
2. Verity (2018)
Okay, now imagine Colleen Hoover said, “Let’s write a thriller,” and absolutely nailed it.
Verity is a dark, twisted psychological novel that mixes romance with spine-chilling suspense. It’s about a struggling writer hired to finish another author’s series—but she discovers horrifying secrets in the process.
Why It’s Great:
-
Totally different vibe.
-
Keeps you guessing until the final line.
-
Perfect for fans of Gone Girl-style twists.
3. Reminders of Him (2022)
One word: redemption.
Kenna, a woman just released from prison, tries to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter. But her past keeps haunting her.
Why Readers Love It:
-
Poignant and full of forgiveness.
-
The slow-burn love story is perfectly paced.
-
It’s Colleen at her mature, reflective best.
4. Ugly Love (2014)
Probably her most emotionally exhausting book (in a good way).
It’s about Tate and Miles—friends with benefits, no emotions allowed—until emotions come crashing in anyway.
Why It’s a Fan Favorite:
-
Raw emotional intensity.
-
Great for readers who like messy, flawed love stories.
-
Teaches you that pain can lead to growth.
5. November 9 (2015)
A creative, time-jumping love story that unfolds every year on the same date—November 9.
Why It Works:
-
Unique timeline concept.
-
Smartly written dialogue.
-
Hits that emotional sweet spot between love and loss.
Middle Tier: Great But Not Perfect Colleen Hoover Books
| Book | What Makes It Good | Why It’s Not Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Confess | Beautiful art-based theme; unique concept. | Slightly predictable ending. |
| All Your Perfects | Deep exploration of marriage struggles. | Heavy and slow in parts. |
| Heart Bones | Hopeful tone, perfect for YA fans. | Simpler writing than her other books. |
| Hopeless | Classic CoHo first love + trauma. | A bit melodramatic in places. |
| Maybe Someday | Music-themed and romantic. | Mixed fan reactions due to love triangle. |
Blockquote:
Tip: If you’re exploring middle-tier titles, start with “All Your Perfects.” It’s emotional yet grounded and connects with “Finding Perfect.”
Lower Tier: Not Bad, But Maybe Read Last
Let’s be real: even Colleen’s weaker books are still better than average romance novels.
But these are the ones I’d recommend after you’ve finished her major hits.
| Book | Why It’s Lower Ranked |
|---|---|
| Without Merit | Too scattered; lacked emotional focus. |
| Too Late | Intense but unpolished. |
| Layla | Paranormal twist didn’t land for everyone. |
| Finding Cinderella / Finding Perfect | Short novellas—fun but not essential. |
| Maybe Not | Side story that feels unnecessary unless you loved Maybe Someday. |
Yellow Highlight:
Read these if you’re already deep into Colleen’s world and want to complete your collection—but not as your first pick.
Reading Order – How to Read Colleen Hoover Books in Series
Here’s a handy table if you want to follow story connections:
| Series Name | Books in Order |
|---|---|
| Slammed Series | Slammed → Point of Retreat → This Girl |
| Hopeless Series | Hopeless → Losing Hope → Finding Cinderella → Finding Perfect |
| Maybe Series | Maybe Someday → Maybe Not → Maybe Now |
| It Ends With Us Series | It Ends With Us → It Starts With Us |
Tip: You can read most Colleen Hoover novels as standalones except these series—where order matters.
Why Colleen Hoover Books Are So Addictive
Ever wonder why everyone’s crying over her books?
It’s because she writes about real people—flawed, messy, and painfully relatable.
Her stories don’t shy away from tough topics like:
-
Domestic abuse
-
Mental health
-
Addiction
-
Grief and loss
-
Family trauma
But somehow, she always manages to wrap it in love, humor, and hope.
Blockquote:
Colleen Hoover’s magic lies in turning heartbreak into healing and chaos into clarity.
Helpful Official Websites or References
FAQs About Colleen Hoover Books
Which Colleen Hoover book should I start with?
Start with It Ends With Us—it’s powerful, emotional, and perfectly captures what makes Colleen special.
Are Colleen Hoover books connected?
Some are! Series like Slammed, Hopeless, Maybe Someday, and It Ends With Us have direct sequels.
Which Colleen Hoover book is the saddest?
It Ends With Us and Ugly Love top the list for emotional pain (you’ll cry, trust me).
Which Colleen Hoover book is least emotional?
Layla—it’s more paranormal and less romantic angst.
Is “Verity” scary?
It’s more psychological thriller than horror. You’ll get chills but not nightmares.
Does Colleen Hoover write happy endings?
Usually bittersweet endings—realistic but hopeful.
Final Thoughts – My Honest Take
If you’ve never read her before, start with the top-tier Colleen Hoover books best to worst list and work your way down.
You’ll experience every possible emotion—joy, pain, love, heartbreak, and healing—all through her characters.
And when you’re done, you’ll probably say what every reader says:
“Colleen Hoover ruined me… but I’d read her again tomorrow.”
So grab a cozy blanket, a cup of coffee (and tissues!), and let her words wreck you beautifully.
Popular Hashtags
#ColleenHoover #ColleenHooverBooks #BookTok #CoHoBooks #RomanceReads #ItEndsWithUs #Verity #UglyLove #BookRanking #ReadingOrder