The author Colleen Hoover, is an accomplished American writer, who marked her debut into the literary world with the 2011 release of “Slammed,” a book she hadn’t originally intended to publish. But then she kept writing and publishing a steady stream of books that have culminated in an impressive collection of 26 published works as of the time of writing this blog. What is interesting about Hoover is that she writes in different genres and still excels each time. She has books in thriller, mystery, young adult, and romance.
After going through her impressive body of work, it’s safe to say that the best and top-rated Colleen Hoover books ranked encompass; “It Ends with Us“, “It Starts with Us“, “Ugly Love“, “November 9“, and “Verity“. Here’s our honest review of the best Colleen Hoover books out there.
The Best Colleen Hoover Books
Colleen Hoover has achieved her fame through her talent for crafting emotionally charged and relatable stories, with well-developed characters, deep exploration of emotions, and a unique writing style, which creates an immersive reading experience that goes beyond your typical romance novels. And recently, Hoover has seen a rise in her popularity, due to the recognition she gained from the TikTok community focusing on books, known as #BookTok.
Colleen Hoover books often explore emotions, relationships, personal growth, and real-life challenges, where some of her common themes include love, heartbreak, family dynamics, friendship, and self-discovery.
Let’s explore the best Colleen Hoover books together!
It Ends With Us

“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
— Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us.
If you’re new to Colleen Hoover books, then we recommend you start with one of the top-rated Colleen Hoover books “It Ends with Us”. This book draws its inspiration from the author’s personal experiences, and it primarily explores the theme of domestic abuse and relationships. In this book, we follow the story of Lily and Ryle’s relationship from its start to its finish.
Throughout their relationship, many obstacles will arise including her previous feelings and somewhat relationship with Atlas, who we won’t provide further details to avoid spoilers if you plan to read the book. Amidst the throes of a consuming romance with neurosurgeon Ryle, Lily confronts the echoes of her own past and will be forced to make decisions to protect her future.
The story not only touches upon the ethereal heights of love but also delves into the depths of resilience, empowerment, and the fierce determination to break the cycle of pain, hence the title it ends with us.
It Starts With Us

“It’s not the first time he’s mentioned I saved him back then, but every time he says it, I want to argue with him. I didn’t save him. All I did was fall in love with him.”
– Colleen Hoover, It Starts with Us.
If you read “It Ends with Us” back in 2016 and were looking for a closure to that story, then you know the chills we got when its sequel “It Starts with Us” was finally released in October 2022. In this book, we continue where we were left off in the story of Lily as she tries to amend the open wounds from her previous relationship with Ryle and establish boundaries for his relationship with their daughter as they experience co-parenting.
Within the book’s pages, you will see more of everyone’s favorite character, Atlas Corrigan, as the narrative is told through diary entries that were exchanged in the past between him and Lily. The main themes of this book are friendships, motherhood, love, redemption, and new beginnings –hence the daffodils on the cover.
As we turn the final pages of one of the best Colleen Hoover books “It Ends With Us”, we witness Lily and Atlas finally finding their well-deserved happy ending. Yet, amid the satisfaction, a lingering question stirs within us: what lies ahead for Ryle? We know that he’s angry, but the intricacies of his journey remain untold, leaving us yearning for a closure that may one day reveal itself.
Ugly Love

“Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.”
– Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love.
In this book, we delve into the story of Nurse Tate, who moves into her brother’s apartment in San Francisco and finds herself living across from Miles, a pilot haunted by the tragic history that keeps him from fully embracing a new relationship.
Our characters get entangled in a complex web of attraction and vulnerability through a relationship that is based on two conditions, Don’t ask about the past, and don’t expect a future.
The novel skillfully navigates themes of healing, forgiveness, and the pursuit of happiness, all while painting a vivid portrait of two flawed individuals navigating the complexities of their feelings.
The book’s title, “Ugly Love,” encapsulates the idea that love isn’t always pretty or easy, it can also be messy, painful, and raw, yet it possesses a transformative power that can heal even the deepest wounds.
Through Hoover’s masterful storytelling, you’ll find yourself completely absorbed in the characters’ lives, as if you were right there alongside them, feeling every heartbeat and tear. Hoover’s strength lies here; her persuasive storytelling makes the characters’ struggles feel remarkably relatable, leaving you yearning for more as the book nears its end.
November 9

“She’s not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She’s the kind of girl you fight to the death for.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9.
Imagine loving and being loved by someone so dearly that for 6 years straight you only meet on November 9th while refraining from any contact in between allowing time to shape your love journey. This is the story of Fallon, an aspiring actress with scars that are both physical and emotional, and Ben, an aspiring writer haunted by his own past.
November 9 is one of the best Colleen Hoover books as it explores themes of vulnerability, healing, and the power of unconditional love that spans time and endures all hardships, as Fallon and Ben navigate personal obstacles and strive to find their place in the world. Interspersed within these moments of vulnerability and linger, you’ll discover touches of clever bookish humor that are bound to bring a smile to your face.
At this point, we’ll pause our review to avoid unveiling more of this captivating plot as the beauty of “November 9” lies in its surprises and revelations, and we wouldn’t want to spoil any more of the narrative’s magic.
Verity

“And that’s how easy it is for a writer to pretend to be someone they aren’t.”
― Colleen Hoover, Verity.
If you’re after a book that practically begs you to read it in one go, “Verity” is your answer. Trust us, putting this book down will feel like trying to resist a magnetic pull – its plot is irresistibly captivating, and most importantly dark. We believe Verity is the darkest book ever written by Colleen Hoover and it left us wondering how a writer can possess such ideas.
“Verity” centers around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer given the task of completing a bestselling author’s series. But as Lowen delves into the unfinished work of Verity Crawford, she unearths a trove of chilling secrets that intertwine with her own reality, blurring the lines between fiction and truth. As you dive into the mystery and work to decipher the puzzle of “Verity,” you’ll naturally begin to question the intentions and motives of each character. Reading this book is similar to entering a dimly lit room, your heart will quicken as you connect the dots and reveal concealed realities, much like Lowen’s journey in “Verity”.
Disclaimer: “Verity” by Colleen Hoover contains explicit content and addresses mature themes, recommended for older readers who are comfortable with such material. Reader discretion is advised.
Which Colleen Hoover Book Should You Read First?
If you are wondering “In what order should I read Colleen Hoover books?” The answer is simple. This blog post only mentions one of Hoover’s five series; It ends with us, and It starts with us. And even though Ugly Love and November 9 are not part of a series, you will find a scene with Tate and Miles in November 9, therefore we recommend reading Ugly Love then November 9.
To summarize, we recommend you read Colleen Hoover’s books in this order:
- It ends with us
- It starts with us
- Ugly Love
- November 9
- Verity.
And here, we conclude this blog post in which we explored the best Colleen Hoover books from the thought-provoking revelations of “It Ends with Us” to the heartwarming journey of self-discovery in “It Starts with Us”, and the heart-wrenching depths of “Ugly Love” to the enchanting enigma of “Verity,” and the timeless romance of “November 9,” each book is a testament to Hoover’s unparalleled ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate with readers on a profound level. Continue checking Read & Blog for more articles, book reviews, book recommendations, quotes, and much more.