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Colleen Hoover Books: Where to Start and What to Read Next
August 20, 2026 · 4 min read read
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A no-spoiler guide to the Colleen Hoover backlist, which two books must be read in order, and which one to pick based on how much crying you are willing to do.
Colleen Hoover writes standalones, which is good news: you can start almost anywhere. There is only one pair that has a fixed order.
The only order that matters
- It Ends with Us
- It Starts with Us
It Starts with Us is a direct sequel and spoils the first book completely. Read them in that order or not at all.
Where to start based on what you want
- You want the one everyone talks about: It Ends with Us. Be aware it deals with domestic abuse, and it is heavier than the cover suggests.
- You want a thriller, not a romance: Verity. Read it in one sitting, ideally not at bedtime.
- You want the messy, hurts-so-good romance: Ugly Love.
- You want a slow, adult, quiet heartbreak: Reminders of Him.
- You want a clever structure: November 9.
- You want something strange: Layla.
A word on content warnings
Her books look pastel and read heavy. Domestic abuse, grief, addiction and loss come up regularly. If you are buying one as a gift, it is worth a two-second check of the content notes rather than assuming it is light reading.
Reading her back to back
Two in a row is lovely. Four in a row and the emotional beats start to rhyme. I space hers out with a fantasy or a thriller in between, which is exactly how the mixed bundles on the shop tend to get built.
My full ratings and reviews for each title are on the review shelf.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Colleen Hoover books need to be read in order?
- Only It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us. Everything else is a standalone.
- Which Colleen Hoover book should I read first?
- It Ends with Us if you want the famous one, Verity if you would rather have a thriller.
Not sure which to pick first? You can order a blind date with a book instead — three hints on the paper, the book hidden underneath, €17.99 pre-loved or €25.99 new. Check Irish postage times and costs before you order.