Woman Down

Introduction

Woman Down (2026) is a psychological thriller romance novel by American author Colleen Hoover. Petra Rose is a 34-year-old bestselling author, but after her most recent novel was adapted to film, the public turned against her. Since then, Petra has struggled to write, feeling overwhelmed by the negative criticism online and suffering from writer’s block. She goes to a secluded cabin, hoping to find the drive to write again and face the public’s scrutiny. After an encounter with a local police detective, Nathaniel Saint, Petra is suddenly inspired to write again, but as their relationship develops, the line blurs between reality and research for her novel. Through Petra’s story, Woman Down explores themes of The Ties Between Ambition and Moral Erosion, The Negative Effects of Popularity and Fame, and The Blurred Line Between Fantasy and Reality.

This guide uses the 2026 first paperback edition of the novel published by Montlake, Seattle.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of sexual violence, death by suicide, graphic violence, sexual content, cursing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and death.

Plot Summary

Petra Rose is a bestselling novelist whose career has been derailed after controversy surrounding the film adaptation of her novel, A Terrible Thing. The book, which centers on a love triangle, is wildly popular, but when the film removed one of the male leads, fans turned against Petra, who supported the decision. Accused of betraying her readers, Petra withdraws from the public eye, deletes her social media presence, and becomes ostracized by the literary community. She rents a secluded cabin as a writing retreat to work through her writer’s block and earn back the praise of her fans.

When Petra arrives at the cabin, she struggles to make progress on her new book, which involves a woman who falls in love with a married police officer investigating a crime. She becomes aware that she is making excuses for her lack of productivity when, in reality, she fears more negative feedback from her fans. She used to write for the enjoyment of it, but something changed when she became famous.

Petra’s best friend, Nora, convinces her to participate in a live broadcast with fans. Nora vets all the questions while Petra blocks the chat, providing her with only positivity. During the broadcast, Petra admits to her writer’s block and discusses the difficulties of writing about experiences she never had. Afterward, Petra is relieved by the interaction and begins to wonder if Nora is right about the value of reengaging with her fans.

The next day, Mari, the cabin owner’s wife, visits. Mari recognizes Petra but avoids discussing her career in depth, instead sharing stories of her own acting career. She assures Petra that, as a fellow artist, she understands the pressures that Petra is under. 

Petra wakes early the next morning to police lights outside the cabin. Detective Nathaniel Saint knocks on her door and informs her that a man has died by suicide on their road, after a police chase. Petra confirms that she doesn’t know the man, but she is shaken by the news. Saint gives her his card, promising to be in touch to take a statement, and leaves. Immediately after the encounter, Petra is compelled to write. She bases the police officer in her novel, Cam, on Saint.

Petra excitedly tells Nora about Saint and agrees to another live broadcast. She waits for Saint to return to take her statement, but he never does, so she decides to text him. When he tells her that he no longer has to speak with her, she asks if he would help her with some questions about her novel. He agrees to stop by after work.

When Saint visits the cabin that evening, their conversation turns flirtatious. Saint asks questions about her novel and learns that the police officer is married but falls in love with the main character, Reya, anyway. Their conversation leads to kissing, but Saint’s wife calls and interrupts them. He leaves, causing Petra to question his feelings and motives. Despite acknowledging her own guilt, Petra convinces herself that the encounter was merely research for her novel. She begins writing with renewed motivation.

Although Petra vows that she will not see Saint again, she eventually gives in as she once again begins to struggle with writing. She texts him and asks for further help with her story. He returns, and they begin acting as characters from Petra’s novel, making Petra question where the line is between Saint and Cam. Their interactions escalate physically and emotionally, and Petra continues to justify the relationship as necessary for her writing.

One night, Petra is attacked in her cabin by an intruder, who restrains her before fleeing. Saint arrives moments later and frees her, but Petra becomes convinced that he orchestrated the attack as part of their roleplay, mimicking a scene from her book. He finally admits that it is true. Though frightened, she allows him to comfort her and comes to understand that he was only doing what he thought Petra wanted to provide inspiration for her writing. The two have sex, during which Petra considers the details she will add to her book.

The next morning, when Saint leaves, Petra follows him. After a few miles, he pulls over and confronts her. She admits curiosity about him and his life. Saint tells her that she is crossing a line and warns her to stop following him. Despite acknowledging guilt about his wife, he admits that he does not want to end the affair.

Days later, Petra’s husband, Shephard, and their two daughters unexpectedly arrive at the cabin. Petra panics, texting Saint to stay away and admitting to him that she is married. That evening, Saint appears anyway, fabricating an excuse about a new local law for visitor car passes. Petra lies to support his story but knows that Saint is trying to show his power over her.

Petra does her best to be a good mother and wife while struggling with her guilt. After dinner, Shephard tries to discuss their finances with her, implying that she is doing nothing while he keeps their family afloat. Petra reflects on the negative turn their marriage took after she stopped earning money as a writer. However, when Shephard apologizes, she forgives him, and they move into the bedroom.

While Petra and Shephard have sex, Petra looks up and sees Saint watching through the window. She is both afraid and aroused, thinking about Saint instead of her husband until she orgasms.

After her family leaves, Saint resumes visiting Petra openly. He later admits that he and his wife are separated due to infertility issues. Petra is unsettled by this and feels even more guilty, but she continues seeing him.

That weekend, Petra returns home for her daughter’s birthday party. She reflects on how much she enjoys the comfort of their family and friends. However, she spots Saint’s car at the end of the road. She confronts him, and he tells her that he is playing the role of Cam in her novel, protecting Reya from dangerous threats. She dismisses him, insisting that he is crossing a line.

Back at the cabin for her last week, Petra and Saint make dinner plans. However, when she goes to the grocery store, she discovers that the incident with the man who died by suicide never occurred, and Saint is not a police officer in the town. When she confronts Mari about it, Mari admits that Saint staged the original crime scene with her help. Despite Mari’s insistence that she thought Petra and Saint knew each other, Petra demands a refund and cuts ties with her.

Overwhelmed with panic and fear, Petra searches online until she discovers that Saint’s real identity is Eric Kingston, a screenwriter from Los Angeles. As Petra packs to leave, Saint appears. He admits that he devised the entire scheme after he heard Petra’s live show about wanting to experience what her characters go through. He insists that Petra enjoyed their encounters and kisses her. After initially kissing him back, Petra realizes that she is still attracted to him and forces herself to pull away. She flees the cabin, and Saint does not follow her. On the drive back to her home, she blocks Saint’s number.

Months later, Petra has finished and published her novel, Woman Down. Shephard reads the novel and praises it. Although she resumes her life with her family, she continues to think about Saint.

Petra goes on a tour to promote her new book. The first stop is a bookstore for a Q&A and book signing. As Petra takes questions from the audience, she acknowledges and apologizes for the film controversy, while admitting that she takes online criticism too personally. Saint appears in the audience, asking where she gets her inspiration, but Petra gives him a rehearsed answer. When he gets his book signed, Petra writes a hostile inscription and dismisses him.

Partway through the book signing, Petra spots Saint talking to Nora. When they go outside, Petra takes a break to follow them. When she confronts them, Nora admits that she and Saint were friends in college. She helped arrange his initial visit to the cabin, wanting to inspire Petra to write. Although Saint is adamant that Nora knows nothing more about what happened, Petra struggles to forgive her. She tells Saint that she never wants to see him again.

That night, Petra reflects on her choices and reads reviews of her books. She realizes that she is searching for a review by Saint, wondering if he ever finished reading it. She receives an email confirming a reservation for a cabin that she did not make. Moments later, a new email follows from an unknown sender, insisting that Petra needs to begin working on her new novel.