A Guide To Colleen Hoover’s Books
I was never a reader when I was younger. It was probably the number one thing my mum would’ve changed about me back then. She was on a constant mission in Waterstones in a desperate attempt to find a book that got me hooked. More often than not, despite sounding like great books, anything she got me sat on a shelf in my room gathering dust.
When writing this article on the sofa in my family home in London I turned to my mum to ask what the first book I read and enjoyed was, and how old I was. Her response:
“17…” (laughing) “around 11, when you actually liked a book”
It was ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ by Mark Haden. My mum went on to tell me that following this miracle that was me enjoying a book, she bought me every book he’d written and I didn’t read any of them… she doesn’t seem to be over it quite yet.
My point is; I despised reading. I can’t think now what it was that caused me to have so many reservations to reading, all I know is that I didn't partake in it.
Jump ahead to the ripe age of 22 when I read my first Colleen Hoover book. I had seen her book ‘It Ends With Us’ plastered all over my TikTok. I hate to admit that it was TikTok that got me to stroll into Waterstones and pick up this book but I am equally grateful for being introduced to her wonderful words.
I am going to breakdown the books I have read by Colleen Hoover so that if there is anyone out there who has never been big into reading, like me, or someone who loves it and is looking for something new to get stuck into, you’ve got all the info you need right here.
It Ends With Us
This is the first one I read and boy oh boy did it leave me wanting more.
Synopsis:
This book follows Lily Bloom and her relationship with her abusive partner, Ryle Kincaid. The story brings you through the highs and the lows of her fall into this abusive relationship and her escape from it.
Review:
I loved this book and read it within a week! Colleen Hoover has a miraculous talent of setting a scene and really divulging you into the lives of the characters she creates. This read is both heart-wrenching and spectacular. It explores important, real life topics of domestic abuse and the yearning for change.
2. It Starts With Us
Synopsis:
This is the highly anticipated sequel to ‘It Ends With Us’. It picks up right from where everything was left off and we are taken on a journey with Lily managing her complicated arrangement with Ryle and the appearance of Atlas back in her life.
Review:
I was definitely fearful to read this as the expectations were set high from the first book. However, it did not disappoint! It was a joy to be back with these same characters and continue to be a part of their story. This book is one of unconditional love and the navigation of complicated relationships. It is without a doubt, a satisfying conclusion.
3. Verity
Synopsis:
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, accepts the job of a lifetime when she agrees to finish writing the remaining books in a series by Verity Crawford, who is injured and unable to do so herself. Her husband, Jeremy Crawford, invites Lowen to their home to go through her notes and begin completing the series. However, in doing so, Lowen comes across an unfinished autobiography she was certainly not intended to read. In a failure to stop herself from reading more of these bone-chilling admissions, Lowen decides to keep these pages from Jeremy. But, as her feelings for Jeremy intensify, she realises that knowing his wife’s words might be what it takes for Jeremy to reciprocate Lowen’s emotions.
Review:
I couldn’t put it down !! This is one of those books where you are on the edge of your seat until the end and then completely on the floor by the time you’re done. It’s an ending I never could’ve guessed and page after page was left wanting more. A pulse racing and palms sweating style thriller, bound to have you hooked.
4. Ugly Love
Synopsis:
Tate Collins meets airline pilot, Miles Archer and it is far from love at first sight. They wouldn’t even consider themselves friends. However, the one thing they do have in common is their undeniable mutual attraction. When they both become aware of this, they seem to have the perfect arrangement. She doesn’t have time for love, and he doesn’t want it... that leaves them with sex. Miles only has two rules, never ask about the past and don’t expect a future. If Tate can follow these rules then their set-up should be seamless. However, they quickly realise that they can’t handle it and love gets ugly.
Review:
I adore the characters in this book. Colleen Hoover is very successful in bringing them to life through the words on the pages you read. There is so much more to Miles than ever expected and Tate displays a realistic and naive girl. The conversations between the two roll so smoothly and although includes elements of sexy romance, is very much a heartbreaking story.
5. Reminders Of Him
Synopsis:
After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, in the hopes of reuniting with her four-year-old daughter. However, there prove to be a number of obstacles in her way of rebuilding the bridges that she burned. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to keep Kenna out, but she is determined to find her way back in. The one person who hasn’t slammed the door in her face is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. As their romance grows, so does the risk. If anyone knew the role he was beginning to play in Kenna’s life, they could risk losing the trust of everyone around them.
Review:
One of my absolute favourites. It is entirely captivating and emotionally-charged with themes of redemption and forgiveness for past mistakes. It’s one which will shatter you into pieces and then put you back together again. Her words evoke a sense of hope throughout and show you just how powerful love can be.
6. Never Never
Synopsis:
For this novel, Colleen Hoover joined forces with New York Times bestselling author, Tarryn Fisher.
Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash have been best friends since they could walk and in love since they were 14. As of this morning, they are complete strangers. Their first kiss, their first fight, the moment they fell in love, all completely vanished from their memory. They must now work together to uncover the truth about what has happened and why. However, the more that they learn about the couple they used to be, the more they question why they were together in the first place.
Forgetting is terrifying but remembering might be worse. Review:
A real page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed the layout of this novel and different character perspectives. I did find that there was opportunity for more to further explore how thrilling this storyline could have become. Either way, a great read and fresh storyline.
More from Colleen Hoover:
Maybe Someday
Maybe Now
Confess
All Your Perfects
November 9
Finding Cinderella
Finding Perfect
