Woman Down
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 15
By: Colleen Hoover
Narrator: Sarah Naughton
Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 9781662539374
Publisher: Montlake
Publication Date: 01/13/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars
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 Review
In her highly anticipated thriller, WOMAN DOWN, Colleen Hoover immerses readers in the tumultuous world of Petra Rose, a bestselling author facing a public outcry and financial ruin, which shatters her confidence.
Seeking solace and inspiration, Petra escapes to a secluded cabin nestled in the woods, hoping to find her creative spark once again. However, her retreat takes an unexpected turn when she encounters the enigmatic Detective Nathaniel Saint.
As the two delve deeper into their tangled relationship, the line between Petra’s fiction and a chilling reality begins to blur, igniting a thrilling exploration of their intertwined secrets. Their "research" into the darker corners of her narrative unveils unexpected dangers, culminating in a shocking twist that will leave readers breathless.
About...
Petra Rose, a successful author, faces a career crisis and public backlash after a movie adaptation of her book fails, forcing her to seek inspiration in seclusion.
She meets Detective Nathaniel Saint at a remote cabin; his presence ignites her writing, as he becomes the model for a police character in her new suspense novel.
Their "research sessions" quickly escalate, with intense chemistry and escalating tension, blurring the boundaries between Petra's fictional world and her real-life interactions with Saint. Saint, who is married, presents unsettling news, and as their relationship intensifies, Petra and readers question his motives and the authenticity of their connection.
The story builds to a major, unexpected twist, revealing deeper truths about Saint and the chaos Petra has inadvertently created, threatening her career and safety.
My thoughts...
Woman Down is a dark, twisty thriller that explores inspiration, obsession, and a dangerous attraction. Petra's journey is about reclaiming her voice and career for a comeback and a shot at redemption, amidst public condemnation.
The lines are blurred while exploring the intersection of fiction and reality, the power of stories, and how inspiration can become destructive. Petra feels alive again, but inspiration comes at a cost when Saint starts taking his role in her career a little too seriously, forcing her to confront the dangerous situation she has created.
With high stakes and twists, the narrative builds to a shocking revelation packed with emotional trauma that questions what is real and what is false, promising a jaw-dropping ending.
WOMAN DOWN explores intense themes of psychological manipulation, the blurring of fantasy and reality, and the impact of public scrutiny on one's identity and career. The narrative heavily explores how power dynamics shift between Petra and Saint.
The story skillfully examines why individuals often stay in toxic or controlling situations and highlights how abuse and manipulation can be quiet and calculated in this twisty psychological thriller
The book questions the lengths artists will go to for their work. Petra feels alive again when her creativity is ignited, but her inspiration comes at a severe cost, as she loses herself and risks her safety for her art, writing, and creativity.
Besides the blurring of reality, its intense psychological suspense, the remote and isolating setting, themes of domestic violence, and a dangerous, escalating power dynamic between its main characters lend it a classic thriller.
Combined with dark themes, isolation, and a remote setting with the secluded lakeside cabin, a creepy and unsettling atmosphere, dangerous character dynamics, and unpredictable twists keep you glued to the pages.
The takeaway message focuses on reclaiming one's narrative and the resilience required to bounce back stronger than ever after a devastating life crisis.
The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the high cost of seeking inspiration at any price. Losing oneself in a "muse" or a fictional world can lead to a loss of safety and identity in the real world. Like much of Hoover's work, the book delivers a dark exploration of domestic violence and the strength required to break cycles of manipulation and control.
Recs.....
Readers who enjoy the intense psychological suspense, unreliable narrators, and domestic thriller themes of WOMAN DOWN will likely enjoy titles by authors such as Freida McFadden, BA Paris, and Alice Feeney.
Audiobook...
I had the delightful experience of immersing myself in the book, complemented by the captivating audio narration by the talented Sarah Naughton. Her voice breathed life into the story, vividly capturing the essence of the setting, the nuanced vibes, and the deep emotions that resonated throughout the narrative.
Colleen Hoover's WOMAN DOWN also shares recurring themes with several of her previous bestsellers, particularly those involving psychological suspense, professional writer protagonists, and the complex cycle of trauma. Verity, It Ends with Us, Confess, Reminders of Him, and Layla.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 13, 2026
Praise
“A dark and twisty look at just how far one woman is willing to go to find inspiration.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Hoover keeps the sexual tension and suspense high as she builds to a truly shocking revelation. This is sure to be a hit.” ―Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the women’s fiction bestseller It Ends with Us and the psychological thriller Verity. Her work has won the Goodreads Choice Award for best romance three years in a row: Confess in 2015, It Ends with Us in 2016, and Without Merit in 2017. Colleen is also a scriptwriter, producer, and co-founder of the production company Heartbones Entertainment.
Colleen currently lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. For more information about the author, please visit her website at www.ColleenHoover.com.
