Book Review for Woman Down by Colleen Hoover

 

Woman Down by Colleen Hoover

Published:   January 13, 2026 by Montlake

Genre: Thriller, Colleen Hoover, Mystery,  Thriller Suspense

Taken from Goodreads:  In this twisty thriller from New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a frustrated author looks for her muse in a remote hideaway, but what she finds defies all expectations…and reality.

Her words used to set the page on fire. But a viral backlash over her latest film adaptation forced Petra Rose to take a hiatus, resulting in missed deadlines and an overdue mortgage. Branded a fraud and fame-hungry opportunist, she learned the hard way what happens when the internet turns on you. And she’s been uninspired to write ever since.

Now, with her next suspense novel outlined and savings nearly gone, she retreats to a secluded lakeside cabin, hoping to find inspiration. It’s Petra’s last-ditch attempt to save her career—and herself.

Then he shows up.

Detective Nathaniel Saint arrives with disturbing news, his presence igniting a creativity in her she thought long since burned out. Petra’s words return in a rush, and her fictional cop character begins to mirror the very real cop who’s becoming her muse.

Their “research” sessions blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Each glance, every touch pulls Petra deeper into a world she thought she’d never lose herself in again. She’s never felt more alive. But inspiration this powerful comes at a cost.

When Saint starts taking his role in her career a little too seriously, Petra’s forced to confront the chaos she created. But doing so could cost her more than the reputation she’s been trying to salvage. The reputation the world wrote for her—the reputation only she can reclaim.

My Thoughts: Colleen Hoover knows how to write a thriller.  Woman Down is a book full of suspense, thrills, and creepy moments.  Petra is a struggling author who meets Saint at just the right time. 

I had many moments of shock and discomfort at what Petra was doing and where her story seemed to be heading.   Yet, I thought it would all work out for her.  I am unsure that her story is done or that it all worked out but it did come together in a way that I did not see coming.  Colleen Hoover kept me guessing and anticipating the entire book.  I could not put it down. 

Thank you Montlake for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet the Author (taken from her website): Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and International bestselling author of twenty four novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller. 

Colleen Hoover is published by Atria Books, Grand Central Publishing, Montlake Romance, and HarperCollins Publishers.

Her novel, It Ends With Us has been adapted into film and now available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, GooglePlay and AppleTV. 

Colleen's other titles, Regretting You, Reminders of Him and Verity are also coming to the big screen over the next year. Regretting You releases October 24, 2025, Reminders of Him releases March 13, 2026 and Verity in October 2026. 

Colleen lives in Texas with her husband and three sons and loves Diet Pepsi.