Is It Ends With Us the First Book in the Series? Order Explained
Confused whether It Ends With Us is the first book in Colleen Hoover’s series? You’re not alone. Here is the definitive breakdown of the reading order, the number of books, and the common misconceptions that cause the confusion.
First book in series: It Ends with Us (2016) | Second book: It Starts with Us (2022) | Number of main novels: 2 | Author: Colleen Hoover | Genre: Romance / Contemporary | Publisher: Atria Books
It Ends With Us
- First book in the series – Goodreads series page
- Published August 2, 2016 – Wikipedia
- Main character: Lily Bloom – Cosmopolitan
- Themes: domestic violence, love, resilience – Wikipedia
It Starts With Us
- Second book in the series – Goodreads series page
- Published October 18, 2022 – Goodreads
- Continues Lily’s story – Good Housekeeping
- Alternates perspectives with Atlas – Goodreads
Series Overview
- Two main novels (duology) – Goodreads
- No official third book announced – Goodreads (no book 3 listed)
- Movie adaptation in development – Cosmopolitan
- Available in paperback, hardcover, and audio – Simon & Schuster
Key Facts
- Publisher: Atria Books – Wikipedia
- Number of main novels: 2 – Goodreads
- Genre: Romance / Contemporary – Wikipedia
- Author: Colleen Hoover – multiple sources (Goodreads, Wikipedia, Simon & Schuster)
Bottom line: Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is unequivocally the first book in the series. The only sequel is It Starts With Us. No third novel exists, and the film adaptation is still in development. Confusion arises because some readers expect a trilogy, but the series is a duology.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Series Name | It Ends With Us | Goodreads |
| Number of Books | 2 (main novels) | Goodreads |
| First Book | It Ends With Us (2016) | Wikipedia |
| Second Book | It Starts With Us (2022) | Goodreads |
| Author | Colleen Hoover | Wikipedia |
| Genre | Romance / Contemporary Fiction | Wikipedia |
Is It Ends With Us the First Book in the Series?
Yes. Every authoritative source — including the publisher, booksellers, and reader databases — places It Ends With Us as the first installment of the duology. Goodreads, the largest book community site, assigns it the number 1 in the series. Goodreads series page
What is the It Ends With Us series?
It is a two-book romantic fiction series by Colleen Hoover, centered on Lily Bloom, a florist, and her relationships with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid and her first love Atlas Corrigan. Wikipedia
How many books are in the series?
Two primary works. Goodreads lists exactly two main books and a total of three works (the third may be a related novella or collection). The main novels are It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us. Goodreads
The implication: do not expect a third full-length novel as of 2024.
What Is the Correct Reading Order for Colleen Hoover’s Books?
For the It Ends With Us duology, the order is explicit: read It Ends With Us before It Starts With Us.
Do I have to read It Ends With Us before It Starts With Us?
Yes. The sequel picks up immediately after the first book and assumes knowledge of events. Goodreads
Should I read Colleen Hoover’s other series in order?
Hoover writes several standalone series. The Hopeless series, for example, has its own sequence. Good Housekeeping
Upsides of the duology
- Complete story in two books – Goodreads
- Strong emotional arcs – acknowledged by major outlets
Downsides
- No third novel planned, disappointing some readers – Goodreads (no book 3 listed)
- Confusion over series length – addressed in this guide
Pro tip: If you are new to Colleen Hoover, start with the It Ends With Us duology. It is her most famous work. The Works
- Read It Ends With Us (2016).
- Read It Starts With Us (2022).
- For other series (e.g., Hopeless, Maybe), follow each series’ individual publication order.
The pattern: Hoover’s duologies and series are self-contained; you can read the It Ends With Us duology without prior knowledge of her other books.
Is There a Third Book in the It Ends With Us Series?
As of 2024, no third book has been announced. Goodreads shows only two primary works. Goodreads
Will there be an It Ends With Us book 3?
Colleen Hoover has stated on social media that there are no plans for a third book as of 2023. Goodreads (author statement referenced)
What is the release date of It Ends With Us book 3?
None scheduled. The series is a completed duology.
Warning: Beware of fake listings or fan fiction claiming to be the third book. Only official Colleen Hoover publications are valid.
The catch: some box sets include extra content (e.g., author Q&A) but not a new novel.
Is There an It Ends With Us Movie or Netflix Series?
A film adaptation is in development, with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni attached. Cosmopolitan
Is the movie adaptation of It Ends With Us in development?
Yes, but no release date has been confirmed as of 2024. Cosmopolitan
Will It Ends With Us be on Netflix?
No official Netflix series has been announced. The movie is currently planned as a theatrical release, though streaming rights could change.
What this means: stay tuned to official studio announcements for accurate details.
Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Part of a Series?
Hoover has written four book series according to Good Housekeeping. Good Housekeeping
What other series has Colleen Hoover written?
Series include Hopeless, Maybe, and the Slammed series. Each has its own reading order. Good Housekeeping
Are It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us the only books in their series?
Yes. They form a strict duology. A related collection or box set does not constitute a third book.
The implication: readers can enjoy the duology without needing to follow other series for plot continuity.
Editorial judgment: The confusion around the reading order of the It Ends With Us series stems largely from readers assuming a trilogy structure. In reality, Colleen Hoover wrote a two-book duology that is complete and satisfying. The movie adaptation will bring new attention, but the book sequence remains unchanged.
| Aspect | It Ends With Us | It Starts With Us |
|---|---|---|
| Book number | 1 | 2 |
| Publication date | August 2, 2016 | October 18, 2022 |
| Main perspective | Lily Bloom (first person) | Lily and Atlas (alternating) |
| Central relationship | Lily and Ryle Kincaid | Lily and Atlas Corrigan |
| Source | Wikipedia | Goodreads |
Confirmed Facts and What’s Unclear
Confirmed Facts
- It Ends With Us is the first book in the series – Goodreads
- It Starts With Us is the second book – Goodreads
- Colleen Hoover has announced no third book – Goodreads (series listing)
What’s Unclear
- Whether the series includes additional works beyond the two main novels – Goodreads lists 3 total works
- Status of the movie adaptation (development details not publicly confirmed) – Cosmopolitan
- Whether a Netflix series is in active production – no official announcement
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Ends With Us appropriate for young adults?
The novel contains mature themes including domestic violence. It is generally recommended for readers 16+.
What is the main plot of It Ends With Us?
Lily Bloom, a flower shop owner, falls in love with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid while her first love Atlas Corrigan re-enters her life. Wikipedia
Do I need to read It Ends With Us before It Starts With Us?
Yes. The sequel directly continues the story. Goodreads
Where can I buy the It Ends With Us series?
Available online and in bookstores. Simon & Schuster offers box sets. Simon & Schuster
How long is It Ends With Us?
The novel is approximately 384 pages in hardcover. (Page count varies by edition.)
Is It Ends With Us a standalone novel?
No, it is part of a duology and leads into the sequel. Goodreads
Did Colleen Hoover write any other books with similar themes?
Yes, her novel Verity and the Hopeless series also explore dark romantic themes.
“It Ends with Us is a romance novel by Colleen Hoover, published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016.” – Wikipedia
“It Ends with Us (#1) and It Starts with Us (#2) are listed as the two books in the series.” – Goodreads series page
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