Woman Down by Colleen Hoover delivered a twisted suspense about an author trying to find her muse at a lakeside cabin after a traumatic year of viral backlash. An addictive tale that pulled me in and never let go.
by Colleen Hoover
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
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.
First, I did not read the original novella Saint, which this story was expanded from. There is a message from the author at the beginning of the story, and I recommend not skipping it. I am not sure I would call this a thriller like Verity, maybe more of a romantic suspense with dark elements?
I almost set this down because I am not a fan of the cheating trope, but Hoover has done it before and well. This, however, isn’t really the focus of the story; it is more the catalyst. Petra Rose , a best-selling author known for her love triangles, goes on a hiatus after one of her books is turned into a motion picture film and one of the key characters is cut. Her fans are angry and most of it is directed at her and their perceived idea that she abandoned said character. After some therapy and on the advice of her friend, she books a cabin on the lake where she previously wrote her novels. This time she is on the opposite side of the lake.
Petra arrives determined to write her novel, but from the outset things go wrong, from the rustic cabin being renovated into something modern, to the position of the sun. However, she has a story idea about a married police detective named Saint and a lawyer. Inspiration hits when a police officer knocks at her door.
He becomes an inspiration for her character Saint, and the two spend time together as the pages fly through her fingertips. Hoover sprinkled twists throughout the tale, and suddenly what started out innocently enough has become a game, one that frightens Petra.
Woman Down was addictive and kept me reading into the wee hours. Still not a fan of cheating, but it worked for this storyline and felt conceivable.
About Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover's love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled "Mystery Bob" and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest. Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, "Slammed." She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT's bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT's bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term "author" still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn't work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting. She also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lorna
I’m at 73% and I’m not sure if I even want to continue. It’s just making me nervous. I don’t know how else to describe what I’m feeling. I know cheating happens a lot in real life so while I’m not a fan, I also know it happens and authors should be allowed to write real life. I loved her Maybe Someday series in particular. This one not so much. It’s like watching something bad hurtling towards you. I am listening. I may just skip forward till the end. I’m not interested in Saints little acts of terror.
Kimberly
I strongly advise you keep going….
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I’m not a fan of cheating in a book either, but somehow Hoover manages to write messy situations that I’d normally steer clear of and make it work. I don’t read her that often though, because I know I’m usually in for an angsty ride. I’ll think about this one. Sounds sort of like a Nora Roberts romantic suspense.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I do love Hoover’s books, but some are not my flavor and so I haven’t read all of them. I might give this a try. I like the way this kind of ties into what she dealt with when her book was made into a movie and what she had to deal with fans/trolls. Great review!
ER LeVar
I thought Colleen Hoover was retiring (or at least taking a step back from writing/publishing), so I was surprised to see something from her so soon! Nice to see it is romantic suspense. I haven’t read Verity, but that’s the one of hers I’ve had recommended to me over all the others.
Ethan
Verity is still the only Hoover I’ve read. I liked it, but gosh was it intense!
Kimberly
This is more along those lines, but hits more on the suspense side.
Katherine
I haven’t read anything by Colleen Hoover but I know so many people love her books. The cheating thing would have kept me from picking this one up so I’m glad to see that it was handled well.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’ve enjoyed some of her thrillers like Verity but she isn’t afraid to have characters with varying degrees of honesty or morality.
Mary Kirkland
I’m glad it was so good for you.
Bree @ BibliophileBree
Sounds like an interesting read!