Hopeless Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Hopeless books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything!

About the Hopeless Series

The Hopeless series by Colleen Hoover is not just a love story—it’s a raw, emotional journey that digs deep into themes like trauma, healing, and the complicated ways we learn to love. If you’re looking for a typical young adult romance, you might want to adjust your expectations. This series is known for shaking readers at their core, and whether you walk away loving it or questioning it, you won’t forget the impact it leaves.

At its heart, the Hopeless series revolves around Sky, a seventeen-year-old girl who seems to have everything a teenager could ask for—she’s smart, beautiful, and well-liked. But underneath her calm exterior, she feels numb. She goes through the motions of life, faking smiles and going on casual dates, yet never truly connecting with anyone. Love, to her, is just a fantasy made up in books and movies. That is, until she meets Dean Holder.

Dean is the kind of boy your parents warn you about. Mysterious, intense, and full of secrets, he enters Sky’s life like a storm. From their first meeting, she knows there’s something different about him—something dangerous but undeniably magnetic. And despite her instincts telling her to stay away, Sky finds herself drawn to him in a way that both excites and terrifies her.

Their connection is instant, but it’s far from simple. As their story unfolds, readers discover that both Sky and Dean are carrying heavy emotional baggage, and their relationship forces them to confront painful truths about themselves and their pasts. What begins as a high school romance quickly evolves into a story about rediscovering lost memories, facing deep trauma, and learning to trust again.

The first book, Hopeless, is told from Sky’s point of view. Her voice is honest, vulnerable, and often heartbreaking. She’s not your typical damsel in distress, nor is she the flawless YA heroine we’re used to seeing. Sky’s journey feels personal, and readers can’t help but root for her as she pieces together the truth of who she really is.

In the follow-up novel, Losing Hope, the same story is revisited—but this time through Dean Holder’s eyes. This second book isn’t just a retelling; it offers new insights and details that completely change how you understand the characters. Dean’s story is filled with regret, guilt, and longing. He’s been carrying the weight of a tragedy for years, and his relationship with Sky is his only shot at redemption. Losing Hope shows us that sometimes healing doesn’t come from forgetting the past but from confronting it head-on.

There’s also a novella in the series that brings closure to some loose ends and gives readers one final glimpse into the world of Sky and Dean. Though short, it carries the same emotional depth and sincerity that defines the rest of the series.

One thing readers should know before diving in: Hopeless is not a light read. It deals with serious topics like abuse, loss, and emotional trauma. Some readers praise Colleen Hoover for tackling these issues with honesty and sensitivity, while others have criticized certain elements of the story—especially the way Dean’s early behavior might be seen as obsessive or inappropriate. But whether you agree or not, there’s no denying that the series sparks conversation, and that’s a sign of impactful storytelling.

Colleen Hoover is a bestselling author known for her emotionally charged novels, and Hopeless is often considered one of her most powerful works. She doesn’t shy away from messy feelings or uncomfortable truths. Instead, she leans into them, creating characters that are flawed, relatable, and human. You may not always agree with their choices, but you’ll understand them—and maybe even see a bit of yourself in them.

For readers new to the series, start with Hopeless, then move on to Losing Hope, and finish with the novella for a complete experience. The books are relatively short, but the emotional weight they carry will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Whether you fall head over heels for the romance, or find yourself more drawn to the emotional depth of the plot, one thing is certain: the Hopeless series is more than just a love story. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope has a way of finding us.