Colleen Hoover is a #1 New York Times bestselling author typically writing for young and new adult audiences in the psychological thriller and romance categories.
By her avid fans, the queen of TikTok is referred to as ‘CoHo’.

She is also the founder of a charity subscription service and bookstore known as The Bookworm Box.
Here, you’re offered signed novels by a range of different authors whereby all proceeds go to charity.
If you’re an avid romance reader, you have probably come across Colleen Hoover on more than one occasion.
Extremely popular for her thrillers and romances, this author is known to tear your heart into pieces and slowly patch them back together.
With such a huge collection of books, it can be somewhat overwhelming to decide where to start.
However, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we have outlined 10 of the best Colleen Hoover books you need to read.
Some of Hoover’s best-known books include It Verity, an adult psychological thriller, Ugly Love, an adult romance, and It Ends With Us, another adult romance.
With this in mind, if you’re looking to start your Colleen Hoover journey, then you’re in the right place.
Here, most of the novels are standalone that fall in the New Adult category.
However, just keep in mind that most of her books deal with difficult subjects with potential triggers.
Below is my list of the best Colleen Hoover books.
9 Best Colleen Hoover Books To Devour
Heart Bones

If you’re looking for a summer read to relax by the pool with, then you can’t go wrong with Heart Bones – this is agreed with all 96,927 readers on Goodreads, gaining an average rating of 4.34.
Despite being packed with summer fun, young love, and sunrises, this book doesn’t contain the rainbows and sunshine that you may expect.
Instead, the story deals with past traumas mixed with slow-burning romances, and, of course, a massive plot twist.
Beyah is the ultimate independent woman – building the life she has always imagined for herself all on her own.
Her future is hers to take, and, only in two months will she be able to grab it and escape the troubles of her past.
However, after an unexpected death, Beyah is left with nowhere to stay during this interlude.
With no other option, she is forced to stay with her father in Texas, however, there’s a catch… she barely knows the man!
After meeting her new next-door neighbor, Samson, Beyah couldn’t imagine anyone more opposite to her.
He is privileged and wealthy and has likely never struggled a day in his life.
On the other hand, Beyah comes from loss and poverty, fighting tooth and nail to get herself to the position she is in today.
However, one similarity the pair shares are being drawn to sad things – creating a connection between the two.
However, they agree to keep their relationship as nothing more than a summer fling.
That said, what they don’t know is that a storm is brewing, one that can shatter both their hearts.
Pros
- Filled with raw emotion.
- Tons of twists and turns.
- Highlights some societal issues.
Cons
- Some readers expected a better ending.
Layla

We all know that Colleen Hoover is talented in her romance writing skills and Layla is packed to the brim with romance, however, similar to Verity, it falls into the thriller category.
The result is a twist, dark, and entirely disconcerting novel.
106,181 Goodreads users will agree that you won’t be able to put this ghost story down – with an average rating of 3.81.
When Leeds first meets Layla, their connection is like a spark in the dark.
However, after a vicious attack that leaves Layla fighting for her life, the future Leeds saw with her begins to fade.
After spending weeks in the hospital, Layla is able to return home.
However, while she may look physically well on the outside, the mental and emotional damage she is suffering from transforms her into someone Leeds no longer recognizes.
Looking to fix their relationship and reignite their love, Leeds takes Layla to the first place they met, a bed-and-breakfast.
However, after arrival, Layla’s behavior takes a turn for the worst, followed by some inexplicable and strange happenings.
Leeds finds himself growing apart from Layal, and instead, takes interest in another B&B guest, Willow.
As the two starts to get to know each other, they realize they have more similarities than differences – sparking a connection between the two.
Conflicted by his care of Layla, Leeds now finds himself in a difficult arrangement where he has to choose between the two women.
However, if he makes the wrong decision, he risks putting them all in danger.
Pros
- Intriguing twists.
- Compelling paranormal plot.
- Beautifully written.
Cons
- Some readers found it to be self-indulgent and repetitive at times.
Reminders Of Him

The next book in this guide is one of Colleen Hoover’s newer books, Reminder of Him. On Goodreads, it gained a rating of 4.61 from 140,146 users.
When reading this book, make sure to have a box of tissues by you at all times – it is heartbreakingly beautiful, and you’re sure to shed a tear or two.
This story follows Kenna who was recently released from prison after spending five years.
As she returns to her hometown, she hopes to reunite with her four-year-old daughter.
However, after all her mistakes in life, the people looking after her daughter are determined to keep her as far away as possible – uninterested in building a relationship that has already been burnt to the ground.
The final link to her daughter is local bar owner, Ledger, who is the only person who hasn’t turned their back on Kenna.
However, as their relationship begins to grow, they risk losing the trust of those around them.
To reduce the risk of her falling into the same mistake and prove herself, Kenna must show everyone around her that she is responsible and can be trusted – building the right future for herself and her daughter.
Pros
- Letters are used as a major plot component.
- Deeply moving
- Engrossing plot.
Cons
- Some readers found some elements of the book to be frustrating.
All Your Perfects

This wouldn’t be a list of the best Colleen Hoover books if I failed to include All Your Perfects.
Among 138,986 Goodreads users, it is rated an average of 4.32.
Featuring a story of perseverance and hope, this romance story is sure to shatter your heart into a million pieces before slowly putting it back together again.
You should keep in mind, before reading this story, that it is vulnerable and raw, dealing with themes that include infertility and how this affects marriage.
Before entering marriage, Quinn and Graham had the perfect love story.
However, now, over the years, all the secrets they have been bottling up are beginning to make their love fray at the seams.
What seems like the only thing that could potentially save their marriage is the very same thing that has the potential to break it.
Pros
- Mesmerizing
- Tackles some difficult issues.
- Relatable.
Cons
- Some readers thought the plot was slow.
November 9

Another beautiful romance is November 9 – loved by 270,336 Goodreads users with an average rating of 4.34.
With tons of twists and turns, this novel is sure to take you on an unexpected adventure.
The day before Fallon plans to move across the country, she meets someone who might change her life for the better, Ben, an aspiring writer.
The two are instantly attracted to each other, however, their predicament makes it impossible to follow the connection.
After spending her last day in L.A. together, Ben uses her as inspiration for his book.
Despite both of them living on other ends of the country, they agree to meet each year on November 9.
However, Fallon begins to wonder whether Ben is fabricating their relationship for the ultimate plot twist – is it all a lie or are they truly connected?
Pros
- Humorous.
- Emotional.
- Complex characters.
Cons
- Some readers expected more from the novel.
Regretting You

Another heart-wrenching novel that is sure to get you feeling all different types of emotions is Regretting You.
It has been read by 158,736 Goodreads users and has generated an average rating of 4.24. Told through two points of view, this story is packed with family drama, long-lost romance, and resilience.
The story follows mother and daughter, Morgan and Clara. Here, Morgan does whatever she can do to stop Clara from making the same mistakes as her.
After getting pregnant and marrying too young, Morgan’s life was put on hold.
Clara is the opposite of Morgan, she is spontaneous, unpredictable, and determined not to follow the same life as her mother.
The only person that is able to calm the war constantly erupting between the pair is Chris, Clara’s father, and Morgan’s husband.
Between them, their conflicting personalities make it hard to coexist.
This is only heightened when, one day, Chris is involved in a tragic accident that leaves the mother and daughter left to build a crumbling relationship.
However, with secrets brewing to the surface and tension involved between family members, Morgan seeks someone unexpected, and Clara turns to a boy she is forbidden from seeing.
As days pass, their mother and daughter relationship grows more estranged, will they be able to mend their relationship by being truthful about the past, or will it grow too large to never be repaired?
Pros
- Represents grief and trauma.
- Bittersweet.
- Beautiful writing.
Cons
- Some people found the plot to be predictable.
Verity

One of Hoover’s most popular books, without a doubt, is Verity. With 581,544 fans on Goodreads and a user rating of 4.42, this speaks for itself.
For once, Hoover moves away from the romance genre and introduces us to the world of a thriller.
This novel follows the story of Lowen, a writer on the brink of financial ruin who is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she can’t help but accept.
This offer comes from Jeremy Crawford, who hires Lowen to write the remaining of his comatose wife, Verity, novels.
Lowen is invited to stay in the Crawford mansion where she begins reading manuscripts and drafts of novel outlines when she comes across an unfinished autobiography of no other than Verity.
Holding the secret of the horrific manuscript and a growing connection with Jeremy, Lowen has to decide whether upturning Jeremy’s whole world is worth the secret she is keeping.
Pros
- Dark, twisted, and shocking.
- Plenty of twists.
- Complex characters.
Cons
- Some readers were disappointed by the ending.
Ugly Love

With 483,801 fans on Goodreads with an average rating of 4.27 – Ugly Love is another romance book that features the favorite ‘brother’s best friend’ trope.
It’s love at first sight when Tate moves into her brother’s apartment and meets his best friend, Miles.
Arrogant, stubborn, and infuriating, Miles is everything Tate avoids in a man, however, she can’t stop herself from feeling attracted to him.
After surpassing their initial dislike for each other, they conjure up the perfect plan: a no-strings-attached relationship.
The only rules are set by Miles: don’t expect a future and never ask about the past – something Tate happily agrees to.
However, before long, secrets become open and Tate can’t help but search for the answers, leading to a very ugly love.
Pros
- Nicely paced.
- Interesting story.
- Great writing.
Cons
- Some readers complained about the number of mature scenes.
It Ends With Us

No surprise, at the top of this list, we have It Ends With Us.
This novel has gathered an impressive 871,330 readers on Goodreads, with an average rating of 4.44 – it is a book that is guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings.
This novel alternates between the past and present to deliver a complex story.
Here, we’re following the tale of Lily. Since childhood, Lily has never had it easy.
However, after graduating from college, she decides to move from her small hometown and her past to Boston where she opens up her dream store, a flower shop.
On her first day in the city, she meets Ryle, a neurosurgeon, and feels an instant connection.
However, there’s a catch, Ryle doesn’t do relationships.
Despite this, Lily can’t help but fall for Ryle. He is arrogant but intelligent, stubborn but kind, and Lily is a special exception to all of this.
However, this is before Lily begins to learn why he set a ‘no-dating’ rule in the first place.
Lily is left struggling to keep a relationship from hitting the rocks and as her past relationship comes into the picture, things only get worse from there.
Battling both her past and present, Lily must make a decision that will impact not only her life but those around her, for better or worse.
Pros
- Tackles some important problems.
- Unexpected twists and turns.
- Beautifully written.
Cons
- Some readers found it cheesy and predictable.
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re interested in trying out some of Colleen Hoover’s novels, then I have created a complete buyer’s guide to help you find the perfect book.
Age Rating for Colleen Hoover Books
Young Adult 14+
- Point of Retreat (2012)
- Slammed (2012)
- Never Never (2016)
- This Girl (2013)
- Regretting You (2019)
- Without Merit (2017)
- Heart Bones (2020)
Mature 17+
- Losing Hope (2013)
- Hopeless (2012)
- Ugly Love (2014)
- Finding Cinderella (2013)
- Maybe Not (2014)
- Maybe Someday (2014)
- November 9 (2015)
- Maybe Now (2018)
- It Ends With Us (2016)
- All Your Perfects (2018)
- Layla (2020)
- Finding Perfect (2018)
- Remainders of Him (2022)
- It Starts With Us (2022)
Very Mature/ Dark
- Verity (2018)
- Too Late (2016)
- Two More Days (2021)
- One More Step (2020)
Conclusion
Colleen Hoover is known for her heart-wrenching romance books packed with unexpected twists and turns – with so many books under her name, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which ones to read first.
However, don’t worry. With the help of this guide, you’re sure to find the next Colleen Hoover book to add to your reading list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Genre Are Colleen Hoover’s Books
Colleen Hoover writes for a range of different genres – one aspect which makes her so attractive to readers. This includes romance, psychological thrillers, suspense genres, and paranormal fiction.
- Peter James’s Bestselling 19 Roy Grace Books In Order - June 2, 2023
- The 5 Best Novels About Alexander The Great - May 26, 2023
- 38 Amazing Literary Books To Get Lost In - May 26, 2023