Suspense

Petra Rose was once the bestselling author whose words “set the page on fire.” But viral backlash over her latest film adaptation forced her into hiatus—missed deadlines, overdue mortgage, writer’s block that won’t quit. Branded a fraud and fame-hungry opportunist, she learned the hard way what happens when the internet turns on you. She’s been uninspired to write ever since. Now, 18 months later, with her next suspense novel outlined and savings nearly gone, Petra retreats to a secluded lakeside cabin in the woods, hoping to find inspiration. It’s Petra’s last-ditch attempt to save her career—and herself.

Then he shows up. Middle of the night, knock on the door. Detective Nathaniel Saint arrives with disturbing news about a case, his presence igniting a creativity in her she thought long since burned out. He’s investigating something nearby. He resembles the dangerously attractive cop in the novel she’s trying to write. A real-life muse could be just what Petra needs to cure her writer’s block. It’s not every day that an author gets to live the life of one of her characters, and she would be a fool not to seize the opportunity. As their connection deepens and Detective Saint starts taking his role in her life too seriously, the lines between fiction and reality blur dangerously. Petra must confront her past mistakes and reclaim her own reputation—but the investigator may have other plans.

The Plot/Key Appeal: Colleen Hoover’s darkest book yet—possibly darker than Verity. Expanded from her 2020 novella “Saint” (published in anthology), this full-length novel adds new plot twists so readers who read the novella still get shocked.

Meta-fictional layers: book about author dealing with film adaptation backlash (mirrors Hoover’s own It Ends With Us controversy, though Hoover explicitly states in author’s note this is NOT about her life). Twisty psychological thriller with unreliable narrator. Detective Nathaniel Saint is “ruinous” character readers either love or hate. Sexual tension and suspense build to truly shocking revelation—Kirkus called it “builds to a truly shocking revelation.” Dark romance meets psychological thriller. For readers who loved Verity’s darkness and twisted relationships.

Why It’s Trending:

• Colleen Hoover’s first novel in 3+ years (since Too Late 2023).


• Released January 13, 2026.


• Announced exclusively on TODAY Show September 2025.


• Instant NYT Bestseller. “One of the darkest books I’ve written,” Hoover said.


• Expanded from 2020 novella with additional plot twists for fans.

Film adaptations of her other books coming:

• Regretting You (Oct 2025), Reminders of Him (March 2026), Verity (Oct 2026).


• Kirkus: “dark and twisty look at how far one woman is willing to go to find inspiration.”


• For CoHo fans who loved Verity, Too Late—darker edge.

Book clubs will debate: is Petra reliable narrator? What’s real vs. fiction? Meta commentary on author fame/backlash.