Colleen Hoover: A Bestselling Author and All You Need To Know

The author for the week is Colleen Hoover. a bestselling author known for her captivating novels. We'll discuss her notable works, her writing style, and the themes that resonate with readers.

It's another edition of Writer Wednesday, our Author Spotlight series where we explore the lives and works of prominent authors. In this segment, we explore their backgrounds, and their captivating stories, and dissect the themes that make their writing unique.

Table Of Content

• About Colleen Hoover
• Colleen Hoover Books
• Colleen Hoover Books In Order Of Publication
• Movie Adaptation
• Conclusion

About Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is a well-known American author who rose to popularity in early 2021 as a result of her wildly successful works, many of which involve romance and dramatic plot twists. She is best known for the 2016 romance novel It Ends With Us, and she gained immense popularity in 2021 thanks to her book becoming a sensation on the bookish side of TikTok. 

Before being picked up by a publishing house, several of her works were released independently. Hoover had sold about 20 million books as of October 2022. In 2023, Time magazine included her among the top 100 global influencers.

Hoover was born on December 11, 1979, and raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas, United States. Her mother experienced physical abuse from her father, and the pair separated when she was a young child. After her mother subsequently got married, the family faced financial difficulties while operating a small dairy farm. 

In 2004, Hoover graduated from Texas A&M-Commerce with a degree in social work. Before working as a counsellor for the federal programme Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants, and Children, she held a number of positions. With her husband, a long-haul trucker, and their three kids, she resided in a caravan home throughout this time.

In 2011, Hoover started writing the romance book Slammed using a borrowed laptop. She self-published the book in 2012 with the original intention of giving it to her mother for Christmas. Despite being first turned down by publishers, it started to move up best-seller lists thanks to word-of-mouth after Slammed was reviewed and given five stars by book blogger Maryse Black, and afterwards, sales rapidly rocketed for Hoover's first book.

The protagonist of the book is an 18-year-old woman whose family relocates to Michigan after her father passes away. Once there, she starts dating her next-door neighbour, but a shocking discovery drives them apart. Another family tragedy adds more complications to the situation. 

Readers appreciated the romance, drama, and unexpected narrative twists in Hoover's writings, which all came to be recognised as her trademarks. The sequels, Point of Retreat (2012) and This Girl (2013), also became bestsellers.

Hoover subsequently began writing full-time. Although she has written in many different genres, such as thriller and mystery, she is best famous for her romance novels. She was also frequently acknowledged for having contributed to the creation of the new adult fiction genre. 

While her works span a variety of genres—including thriller and mystery—she is most notably associated with romance. In addition, she was often credited with helping establish a category known as new adult fiction. 

Source: Britannica | Wikipedia

Source: Colleen Hoover discusses her literary success with the Dallas Morning news

Colleen Hoover Books

The first book of Hoover's that I read was Verity which was released in 2022 and Verity remains my favourite book to date. Verity is a gothic romance mystery and psychological thriller of sorts about Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling ghostwriter who agrees to finish a best-selling author’s book series after the latter is injured in a car accident. However, Ashleigh begins to suspect things are not as they seem.

I was wowed after I read Verity therefore I expected so much more from Colleen Hoover and moved on to read more of her stories. The next Hoover book that I read was All Your Perfects and I was disappointed to add it to my DNF (Did Not Finish) list. After that I was sure done with any Colleen Hoover reading spree I was about starting.

As a member of the BookTok community, I have never understood the hype behind Colleen Hoover It Ends With Us Series. In my opinion, for a New York Times bestselling author, Colleen Hoover's writing style in that book is subpar, elementary, and reads like it belongs on Wattpad. It Ends With Us was a cringe fest for me and I once again added another Colleen Hoover book to my DNF list. 

The story was unrealistic, a total cliche, the writing was exhausting to read and gave the vibe of some weird fanfiction. To me, the story lacked originality and was just another love story without substance and that wow effect. 

I do understand that people have their preferences and there's a good amount of persons who love this story but I will never understand why they do. I know that I've read better.

After that I went ahead to try a couple others of the stories like Ugly Love, and November 9, and had the same result. While I accept that Colleen Hoover is not the author for me, Verity was an amazing book and I accept no criticism about it. I think its possible for me to still appreciate the good amid what I see as bad in my opinion. 

Love her or hate her, if you're a part of the BookTok community and the book community as a whole, you would have come across her name a good number of times, and that can't be refuted.  

In her novels, you'll often find the theme of romance as a central element. Colleen Hoover has an innate ability to explore the intricate dynamics of love, whether it's the sweet, slow burn of a budding romance or the challenges couples face trying to navigate the complexities of their relationships.

ALSO READ: Top 3 Thriller Novels: Intrigue, Suspense, Plot Twists

Colleen Hoover Books In Order Of Publication

At the time of writing, there are 26 Colleen Hoover books. This includes novels and novellas that are both standalone and part of a series. I have taken the liberty to organize a list of colleen Hoover books in order. Starting from her series, standalone books, popular books, goodreads choice award winners and nominees, bestsellers, and her least popular books. 

1. Slammed (2012) - A contemporary romance novel about a young girl named Layken who falls in love with her neighbour, Will, who has a secret life as a slam poet.

2. Hopeless (2012) - The story of Sky, a girl who meets a mysterious boy named Dean Holder, uncovering dark secrets about their pasts.

3. This Girl (2013) - This is a companion novel to "Slammed" that offers a deeper look into Layken and Will's relationship.

4. Losing Hope (2013) - Told from Holder's perspective, it explores his side of the story from "Hopeless."

5. Finding Cinderella (2013) - A novella about Daniel and Six, two characters from the "Hopeless" series, and their journey toward love.

6. Maybe Someday (2014) - A unique romance story about a girl, Sydney, who falls in love with her neighbour, Ridge, while they collaborate on writing songs.

7. Ugly Love (2014) - Tate and Miles are the main characters in this emotional rollercoaster of a romance novel, dealing with past traumas.

8. Maybe Not (2014) - A novella following the humorous and passionate relationship between Warren and Bridgette from "Maybe Someday."

9. Confess (2015) - Auburn Reed and Owen Gentry's story is intertwined with the secrets of confessions painted onto an art gallery wall.

10. November 9 (2015) - This novel explores the intense connection between Fallon and Ben, who meet on the same day every year.

11. Too Late (2016) - Sloan's life takes a dark turn when she meets a mysterious man named Carter, unravelling a suspenseful and twisted plot.

12. Never Never (2016) - Co-written with Tarryn Fisher, this is a series of novellas exploring the mystery of two teens who keep losing their memories.

13. It Ends With Us (2016) - A powerful and emotional novel addressing difficult themes like domestic abuse, as seen through the life of Lily Bloom.

14. Without Merit (2017) - The story of Merit Voss and her unconventional family, as they navigate life's complexities.

15. All Your Perfects (2018) - This novel delves into the ups and downs of marriage through the story of Quinn and Graham.

16. Maybe Now (2018) - A sequel to "Maybe Someday" that continues the journey of Sydney and Ridge.

17. Verity (2018) - A gripping romantic thriller involving Lowen Ashleigh and Jeremy Crawford, the husband of a famous author.

18. Finding Perfect (2019) - A novella that follows Daniel from the "Hopeless" series as he embarks on a new adventure.

19. Regretting You (2019) - The story of a mother and daughter, Morgan and Clara, navigating love and loss.

20. One More Step (2020) - A novella that focuses on the healing journey of a woman named Sloan after the events of "Too Late."

21. Heart Bones (2020) - A novel centred on Beyah, who forms an unexpected connection with a boy named Samson.

22. Layla (2020) - This paranormal romance explores the relationship between Leeds and Layla, taking a unique twist.

23. Two More Days (2021) - Two More Days, is the second anthology from The Bookworm Box. Each contributing author was given the same first sentence. Where they took that sentence was completely up to them. Every story is different. No story is related. The only thing these stories have in common is their starting point. Each author showcased in this anthology was featured in The Bookworm Box in 2020.

24. Reminders of Him (2022) - A standalone novel about a young woman named Kenna Rowan who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake. She is determined to have a relationship with her four-year-old daughter, Diem Landry, but the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild.

25. It Starts With Us (2022) -  A sequel to Hoover's popular novel It Ends with Us. It follows the story of Lily Bloom, the daughter of Lily and Ryle from the first book. 

26. The Official It Ends With Us Coloring Book (TBD)

These novels span various genres, from contemporary romance to thrillers, showcasing Colleen Hoover's versatility as an author.

Colleen Hoover Books in Order by Series

Explore Colleen Hoover's novels, organized by series, to understand the sequence of her works:

Hopeless Series:

• Hopeless (2012)
• Losing Hope (2013)
• Finding Cinderella (2013)
• Finding Perfect (2019)

Related to Series: All Your Perfects (2018)

Slammed Series:

• Slammed (2012)
• Point of Retreat (2012)
• Maybe Someday (2014)
• Maybe Not (2014)

Maybe Someday Series:

• Maybe Someday (2014)
• Maybe Not (2014)
• Maybe Now (2018)

It Ends With Us Series:

• It Ends With Us (2016)
• It Starts With Us (2022)

Standalone Colleen Hoover Books in Order

These are the Colleen Hoover books that can be read alone if you'd prefer to start with a standalone romance:

• Slammed (2012)
• Point of Retreat (2012)
• Hopeless (2012)
• Maybe Someday (2014)
• Ugly Love (2014)
• Confess (2015)
• November 9 (2015)
• Too Late (2016)
• Never Never (2016)
• It Ends With Us (2016)
• Without Merit (2017)
• All Your Perfects (2018)
• Verity (2018)
• Regretting You (2019)
• Heart Bones (2020)
• Layla (2020)
• Reminders of Him (2022)

Colleen Hoover Popular Books

These are the works that have captivated readers. In my opinion, these are the books that created a Colleen Hoover fan base:

• Ugly Love (2014)
• Confess (2015)
• It Ends with Us (2016)
• All Your Perfects (2018)
• Verity (2018)
• It Starts with Us (2022)

Colleen Hoover Goodreads Choice Awards Nominees & Winners

We'll explore the books that not only received nominations but also claimed victory in the eyes of readers. These awards offer insight into the popularity and appeal of Hoover's narratives.

Slammed (2012): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Goodreads Author

This Girl (2013): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Losing Hope (2013): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Maybe Someday (2014): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Ugly Love (2014): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Confess (2015): Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Romance

It Ends With Us (2016): Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Romance

Without Merit (2017): Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Romance

All Your Perfects (2018): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Verity (2019): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Regretting You (2020): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Reminders of Him (2022): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

It Starts With Us (2022): Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Romance

Colleen Hoover Bestsellers 

• It Ends with Us (2016)
• Verity (2018)
• Reminders of Him (2022)
• It Starts with Us (2022)

These books have all been New York Times bestsellers, and they have also been featured on numerous other bestseller lists. They are all popular among readers and have been praised for their storylines, characters, and writing style.

Colleen Hoover Least Popular Books

• Too Late (2016)
• Never Never (2016)

These books have the lowest average ratings on Goodreads, and they have also received fewer reviews than Hoover's other books. It is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that these books are bad. It is simply possible that they have not been read by as many people as Hoover's other books, or that they have not resonated with readers in the same way.

Source: Colleen Hoover's Website | She Reads Romance

ALSO READ: Top 3 Thriller Novels: Intrigue, Suspense, Plot Twists

Movie Adaptation: "It Ends with Us"

I typically don't watch movie adaptations of books, but I was genuinely impressed by the adaptation of 'Red, White and Royal Blue.' Now, I'm eager to see this one. As you may recall, I didn't particularly enjoy reading the novel, but I plan to approach the movie with an open mind. I've recently come across some interesting details, and I'll share all the information I have on this.

The adult fiction book It Ends With Us, by author Colleen Hoover, of best-selling works like Verity, Ugly Love, All Your Perfects, and Reminders of Him, was released in August 2016. 

The story follows Lily Bloom, a recent college graduate moving to Boston, she meets beautiful neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid and also reconnects with her ex-boyfriend and first love, Atlas Corrigan.

“Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his ‘no dating’ rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened,” the book’s description reads.

In 2019, Hoover announced that a movie adaptation of It Ends With Us was in the works and is set to grace the screens in 2024. 

It Ends With Us Cast?

Colleen Hoover later announced in an Instagram video in January 2023 that Blake Lively, who she described as her dream Lily, would play Lily in the It Ends With Us movie. Alongside Blake will be Justin Baldoni who will play Ryle, one of Lilly's love interests. “When I first met Justin Baldoni, who is directing the film for It Ends With Us, I immediately wanted him to be Ryle," - Hoover stated in the video posted on Instagram.

Blake Lively | Source: Glamour Magazine

We also have Brandon Sklenar who will play Atlas, Lily's ex-boyfriend and second love interest. Sklenar is best known for playing Spencer Dutton in the Paramount Plus’ Yellowstone prequel, 1923. He’s also starred in shows like New Girl, Westworld and Walker: Independence, as well as movies like Midway, The Big Ugly and Karen.

Brandon Sklenar | Source: Today

The It Ends With Us screenwriter is Christy Hall, Deadline confirmed in January 2022. Hall is also a producer of the film. Along with It Ends With Us, Hall has also written the Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This, as well as projects like Daddio and The Husband’s Secret. 

The It Ends With Us director is Justin Baldoni. Baldoni, who also plays Ryle Kincaid in the It Ends With Us movie. We also have him as an executive producer alongside Blake Lively, Colleen Hoover, Justin Baldoni, Steve Sarowitz, and Andrew Calof .

Along with It Ends With Us, Baldoni has directed movies like 2019’s Five Feet Apart starring Cole Sprouse and Hailey Lu Richardson; 2020’s Clouds starring Sabrina Carpenter; and episodes of The CW’s Jane the Virgin, on which he also starred as Rafael Solano.

Justin Baldoni | Source: IMDB

Do read more concerning the casts of It Ends With Us here

Conclusion

In conclusion, from her earlier gems like 'Slammed' and 'Hopeless' to her recent releases such as 'Reminders of Him' and 'It Starts With Us,' Hoover has become known for her ability to evoke a spectrum of emotions in her readers. 

Whether you're a fan of romance, contemporary fiction, or thrilling suspense, Hoover's diverse repertoire has something to offer. She may or may not be your favourite author but her books are often found in numerous reading lists and recommendation lists.

ALSO READ: Top 3 Thriller Novels: Intrigue, Suspense, Plot Twists

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