How Does It Starts With Us Fit Into Colleen Hoover’S Series Order?

Read the one that's available at your library right now with the shortest wait time. Immediacy beats optimization. The hold list for 'It Ends with Us' might be 6 months, but 'All Your Perfects' might be ready today. Reading a less-hyped book first takes the pressure off and gets you into her world faster.

I’ve been a huge fan of Colleen Hoover’s work for years, and her 'It Ends With Us' series is one of my favorites. As of now, there are two books in the series. The first one, 'It Ends With Us,' was published in 2016 and quickly became a bestseller. It’s a deeply emotional story about love, resilience, and difficult choices. The second book, 'It Starts With Us,' was released in 2022 and serves as a sequel, focusing on the aftermath of the first book’s events and giving readers more insight into the characters’ lives. Both books are incredibly moving and have left a lasting impact on me. I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys heartfelt and thought-provoking stories.

I work at a bookstore, and we get this question daily. The official series order is 'It Ends with Us' (Book 1) and 'It Starts with Us' (Book 2). We shelve them together in that order. Sometimes people see 'Starts' and think it's a prequel because of the wording. It's not. It's a sequel. The 'It' that starts is Lily's new life and relationship, which only begins after the 'It' (the cycle of abuse) ends in the first book. It's a direct continuation, so please read them in order. You'll be deeply confused about character motivations otherwise.

Colleen Hoover's books don't all follow a single series, but several are interconnected or have companion novels. If you're diving into her emotionally charged worlds, I'd recommend starting with 'Slammed', her debut novel, which pairs beautifully with its sequel 'Point of Retreat'. The raw, poetic intensity of these books sets the tone for her writing style. Then, pivot to 'Hopeless', a gut-wrenching story that later connects to 'Losing Hope' (same events from another character's perspective) and 'Finding Cinderella' (a novella spun off from it). The 'Maybe' series ('Maybe Someday', 'Maybe Not', 'Maybe Now') stands alone but shares her signature blend of music and romance. For her most talked-about works, 'It Ends with Us' and its sequel 'It Starts with Us' should be read back-to-back—just keep tissues handy. Her standalone novels like 'Verity' (a psychological thriller!) or 'Ugly Love' can be read anytime, but I suggest spacing them out between heavier series books to avoid emotional whiplash. Personally, I stumbled into her books out of order and still loved them, but there's something magical about watching her writing evolve chronologically. The way 'Confess' plays with art and secrets feels richer after you've experienced her earlier character-driven works. Don't stress too much about perfect order though—each story grips you on its own. What stays consistent is her ability to make you laugh through tears, whether you pick up 'November 9' or 'Regretting You'. I still get chills remembering how 'All Your Perfects' reframed my view of love stories.

The practical answer: Google 'Colleen Hoover series in order' and look at the image results. There are a dozen infographics that map it all out visually. Save one to your phone. Problem solved. Trying to remember verbal lists from forum comments is how you mess it up. A picture with arrows and boxes is the way to go. Trust the infographic makers; they've done the work for us.

Consider the reading order a journey. 'It Ends With Us' is the difficult, transformative path. 'It Starts With Us' is reaching the destination and learning to live there. You can't appreciate the destination without the journey.