“Question everything. Your love, your religion, your passion. If you don’t have questions, you’ll never find answers.” – Colleen Hoover, Slammed
99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them by Ashley Alker, M.D.
nonfiction / science / health / comedy.
Dr. Ashely Alker is a self-described death escapologist―or, in more familiar terms, an emergency medicine doctor. She has seen it all, from flesh-eating bacteria to the work of a serial killer to the more mundane but no less deadly, and her work outwitting the end has uniquely prepared her to write this book.
Dr. Alker manages to shock readers while making them laugh, educating them on how to outsmart a wide range of deadly situations and conditions. Many of the chapters include stories from her experiences in life and medicine, at times heartwarming, others heartbreaking. Sections include explorations of sex, poison, drugs, biological warfare, disease, animals, crime, the elements, and much more.
An Anthony Bourdain-style greatest hits tour of death, 99 Ways to Die is entertaining while it informs. Full of valuable advice and wild stories, this riveting read might just save your life.
“…enormously informative and exceedingly entertaining… A frightening, funny, and fabulous read that will simultaneously educate and frighten readers.” – Jennifer Moore, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“[A] witty yet indispensable guide… Alker balances a tongue-in-cheek tone with honest reflections on death, which she says ‘is the force that defines human life as a temporary, precious spark of magic.’ Readers who want to be prepared for the worst will treasure this.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“…fascinating, informative, and tastefully witty… This engagingly written medical primer should induce smiles and save lives.” – Karen Springen, Booklist
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Everyone at Chantilly’s Bar noticed out-of-towner Camille Bayliss. Red lips, designer heels, sipping a Negroni. But that woman wasn’t Camille Bayliss. It was Aubrey Price.
Camille Bayliss appears to have the picture-perfect life; she’s married to hotshot lawyer Ben and is the daughter of a wealthy Louisiana family. Only nothing is as it seems: Camille believes Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years, but she can’t find proof because he tracks her every move.
Aubrey Price has been haunted by the terrible night that changed her life a decade ago, and she’s convinced Benjamin Bayliss knows something about it. Living in a house full of criminals, Aubrey understands there’s more than one way to get to the truth—and she may have found the best way in.
Aubrey and Camille hatch a plan. It sounds simple: For twelve hours, Aubrey will take Camille’s place. Camille will spy on Ben, and the two women will get the answers they desperately seek.
Except the next morning, Ben is found murdered. Both women need an airtight alibi, but only one of them has it. And one false step is all it takes for everything to come undone.
“…the book builds suspense and misdirection well…” – Kirkus Reviews
“An unhappy marriage, skeletons in the closet, and a murdered husband make this a story worth reading!” – Jo Hic, Library Reads
“[A] fast, tightly constructed thriller that thrives on perspective and timing… keeps the tension high and the pages flying… This is the kind of thriller that trusts its readers, rewards close attention, and proves that clever plotting can still pack an emotional punch.” – Novel Gossip
The Briars by Sarah Crouch
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Desperate to escape a relationship gone bad, Annie Heston flees north to accept a job as a game warden in Lake Lumin, a picturesque town in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
A cougar has been spotted in the area, and as Annie warns the community of the threat, she quickly discovers that not everyone in the tight-knit town is welcoming of outsiders, except for Daniel Barela, a reclusive carpenter who lives in the shadow of the mountain. They form an instant bond, though Annie soon comes to realize there is more to his past than meets the eye.
When the body of a young woman is found in the briars that border Daniel’s property, the peace Annie has found in Lake Lumin shatters. As she assists the local sheriff with the investigation, Annie must rely on her wilderness training and intuition to find a murderer hiding in plain sight.
Urgent and emotionally complex, The Briars is a captivating literary thriller that marries an exploration of human nature with a plot as thorny and twisted as the brambles for which it is named.
“Highly recommended; readers will fall for Crouch’s storytelling.” – Christine Tran, Booklist
“Crouch’s latest goes beyond the typical thriller. It blends romance, suspense, and cozy small-town charm, all set against a vivid outdoorsy backdrop. Fans of Peter Heller will find much to enjoy.” – Kerri Copus, Library Journal
“Crouch takes a character-first approach to this crackling regional mystery, grounding the intrigue in Annie’s emotional wounds before tying everything together in a tense, emotional conclusion. Readers will find it hard to look away.” – Publishers Weekly
David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death, and God by Peter Ormerod
nonfiction / biography / music / religion / spirituality.
In this wide-ranging biography, Peter Ormerod explores the quest for spirituality that powered David Bowie’s creativity from his earliest recordings to his death-defying final album. Bowie’s genre-expanding, era-crossing genius had an extraordinary impact on popular culture but his life-long search for spiritual truth and enlightenment has been overlooked.
From Bowie’s first musical encounters as a choirboy, this book traces his spiritual obsessions over the years. As a young musician at the start of his career, he was enraptured by Tibetan Buddhism. It was the first step in a spiritual journey that would generate his most profound lyrics and music. From the Kabbalah-influenced tracks of Station to Station to Ziggy Stardust‘s messiah complex and the profound affinity between Heroes and Christian thought, Ormerod sheds new light on the spiritual traditions behind Bowie’s genius.
Taking Bowie’s spiritual explorations and faith seriously, Ormerod shows us how this quest for meaning propelled him through his darkest moments and biggest successes, lending his music a timelessness and depth that has spoken to so many people across the world. Whether experiencing a dark night of the soul in LA during his occult phase or reciting the Lord’s prayer in front of thousands of concertgoers, Bowie was always searching for that universal truth that lies beyond everyday reality.
“…transfixing… a fresh and revealing look at a much celebrated artist.” – Publishers Weekly
“…Ormerod takes the reader on a wild journey that dips into Buddhism, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kierkegaard, occultism, esotericism, Aleister Crowley, Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Dylan, and much more. A unique look at a singular artist.” – June Sawyers, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Ormerod’s book addresses a fundamental question about Bowie: ‘Rather than the spirituality being incidental to the music, what if it was essential to the music?’ The case Ormerod makes for this is impressively detailed, and it is as fascinating as it is convincing… We may never know if Bowie finally found his God. What we can be surer of, as Ormerod so ably demonstrates, is that ‘in searching for God, Bowie made art that shook the world and changed lives.’” – Peter Carty, The i Paper
Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang
nonfiction / memoir / biography / history.
“At the age of fifteen my grandmother became the concubine of a warlord general…” So begins Jung Chang’s epic family memoir, Wild Swans, which defines a generation. The book ends in 1978, when Deng Xiaoping opened the door of Communist China, and Jung—twenty-six years old and unstoppably curious, despite years of brainwashing— seized the propitious moment and became one of the first Chinese to leave the tightly sealed country and come to the West. Fly, Wild Swans chronicles her journey and that of her family, along with that of China, as it rose from a decrepit and isolated state to a world power challenging American dominance.
During those decades, although she lives in the West, Jung’s life intertwines with her native land in unexpected ways, a rare relationship made more complex because all her books are banned there. Her family story mirrors the ups and downs of China’s transformation, right up to today, as it enters another watershed. Chairman Xi Jinping’s attempt to return China to the anti-American Maoist past has a devastating impact on Jung’s life: She is unable to go to her mother’s deathbed.
Fly, Wild Swans is Jung’s love letter and emotional tribute to her extraordinary mother. Profoundly moving, it is filled with drama, love, curiosity and incredible history—both personal and global. Told in Jung’s clear, honest and compelling voice, it is memoir writing at its best.
“[A] poignant, powerful memoir.” – Brendan Daly, Irish Examiner
“Edifying, heartbreaking, and infuriating, this is tough to shake. ” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“An essential, unexpectedly relevant account of a people divided and turned against themselves by politics.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
fiction / romance / comedy.
Maddie Kowalczk is ready to be a bad girl. When the rookie lecturer lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe—a reserved but incredibly handsome single dad she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame.
Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face-to-face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down (and that’s not just the hangover talking). His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.
Maddie is desperate and broke, so when Bram offers her a raise and the chance to set some ground rules, she can’t say no. As the two settle into their new roles, the normally unruffled Bram finds that no one riles him up like Maddie does, which is a problem when every argument feels like foreplay. Of course, Bram is an educator first and foremost, and he very quickly finds he can’t resist the temptation of instructing Maddie in the fundamentals of being a good girl.
And it turns out Maddie’s a hands-on learner…
“[An] incredible read.” – Tamara Fuentes, Cosmopolitan
“In this winning romp, bestsellers Murphy and Simone perfectly balance heat and sweet… It’s easy to fall for the endearing leads, and the supporting cast is just as charming… Raunchy, funny, and ultimately heartfelt, this is rom-com gold.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez
fiction / fantasy / historical fiction.
As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence’s most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden.
Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family’s mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence’s walls.
The Pope’s war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope’s obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her ― or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war.
“…enchanting… This captivating historical romantasy set in Renaissance Italy features expert worldbuilding that makes 15th-century magical creatures and magic-infused statues feel possible.” – Nicole Gaudier Alemañy, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“Written with expressive turns of phrase and set amidst the lush backdrop of a magical Renaissance Italy, Ibañez’s page-turning adult debut is a fantasy romance about a woman torn between familiar but limiting expectations and the tempting darkness of the unknown. Filled with an intoxicating slow-burn romance, complex characters, and surprising reveals, Graceless Heart will leave readers wanting more from this world.” – LynnDee Wathen, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Ibañez has come into her own with this book. A stunning mix of history and fantasy, with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Perfect for readers who enjoyed The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo.” – Leighellen Landsko, The Indie Next List
It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara
fiction / suspense / mystery.
You press send and your message disappears. Full of secrets about your neighbors, it’s meant for your sister. But it doesn’t reach her – it goes to the entire local community WhatsApp group instead.
As rumor spreads like wildfire through the picture-perfect neighborhood, you convince yourself that people will move on, that this will quickly be forgotten. But then you receive the first death threat.
The next day, a woman has been murdered. And what’s even more chilling is that she had the same address as you – 26 Oakpark – but in a different part of town. Did the killer get the wrong house? It won’t be long before you find out…
“I was completely hooked from the very first page.” – Sarah Best, Stylist
“An entertaining cautionary tale in the age of digital gossip and social media.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will hold their breath as the plot’s puzzle pieces click into place, exhaling only after the absurdly satisfying finale. It’s a blast.” – Publishers Weekly
Jean by Madeleine Dunnigan
fiction / historical fiction.
Seventeen-year-old Jean, a troubled Jewish boy caught in the countercultural swirl of 1970s London, arrives at Compton Manor, a rural alternative boarding school for boys with “problems.” Dyslexic, antisocial, and prone to violent outbursts, Jean has never made friends easily and school has never been a place of safety or enjoyment.
Compton Manor is his last chance, but even here, despite the unconventional teaching methods, Jean is marked by difference. The other boys are fee-paying, while Jean is on a grant; they have good, English families, while Jean’s mother, Rosa, is a German-Jewish refugee and his father is an absent memory. Having broken the rules several times, Jean is on thin ice. But there is only one summer to get through and then Jean will pass his exams and get out.
All of a sudden, he is befriended by Tom―confident, charming, buoyed by years of good breeding and privilege―and it seems as if Jean’s world might change. When things turn romantic, Jean is tipped into a heady, overwhelming infatuation. Now Jean skips class to venture into the woods, or sneaks across moonlit fields to see Tom, wondering whether the relationship might offer a way out of a life marked by alienation. But what if the only true path to freedom is to disappear altogether
Spellbinding and evocative, Jean is a meditative narrative of loss and escape distilled into the heartrending story of an intense and dangerous adolescent love.
“Bruising, interesting, occasionally sublime.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[An] incredible addition to the queer canon and history.” – Brady Parkin, The Indie Next List
“[A] stellar debut… Dunnigan’s storytelling is immersive from the very first pages… Jean is a gorgeous novel about a teenager navigating his way toward an uncertain future amid soul-gutting longing, vulnerability and betrayals. This memorable coming-of-age tale will leave a resounding ache in readers’ hearts.” – Alice Cary, BookPage
The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara ★
fiction / historical fiction.
1869. Tibet is closed to Europeans, an infuriating obstruction for the rapidly expanding British Empire. In response, Britain begins training Indians—permitted to cross borders that white men may not—to undertake illicit, dangerous surveying expeditions into Tibet.
Balram is one such surveyor-spy, an Indian schoolteacher who, for several years, has worked for the British, often alongside his dearest friend, Gyan. But Gyan went missing on his last expedition and is rumored to be imprisoned within Tibet. Desperate to rescue his friend, Balram agrees to guide an English captain on a foolhardy mission: After years of paying others to do the exploring, the captain, disguised as a monk, wants to personally chart a river that runs through southern Tibet. Their path will cross fatefully with that of another Westerner in disguise, fifty-year-old Katherine. Denied a fellowship in the all-male Royal Geographical Society in London, she intends to be the first European woman to reach Lhasa.
As Balram and Katherine make their way into Tibet, they will face storms and bandits, snow leopards and soldiers, fevers and frostbite. What’s more, they will have to battle their own doubts, ambitions, grief, and pasts in order to survive the treacherous landscape.
A polyphonic novel about the various ways humans try to leave a mark on the world—from the enduring nature of family and friendship to the egomania and obsessions of the colonial enterprise—The Last of Earth confirms Deepa Anappara as one of our greatest and most ambitious storytellers.
“With its dramatic setting and its two distinct main characters, The Last of Earth offers a story that will feel fresh to historical fiction readers.” – Sarah McCraw Crow, BookPage
“…richly atmospheric… Anappara’s prose is undeniably evocative. Her descriptions of the Tibetan terrain—its biting cold, dizzying altitudes, and spiritual allure—are immersive and often breathtaking… a thoughtful and ambitious work that rewards patient readers with its lyrical prose and historical depth.” – Lara Ferguson, The Gloss
“…Anappara pulls off a fresh mix of spooky folklore and intense naturalism, as in scenes where Balram’s ever-dwindling crew of bearers succumb to the elements, leading to a power struggle between Balram and the captain. It’s an accomplished tale.” – Publishers Weekly
“Anappara delivers a beautifully written, character-driven novel about colonialism that blends stunning descriptions of the Tibetan landscape with flawed and fascinating protagonists. Recommended for readers looking for an immersive story worth slowing down and taking one’s time with.” – Mara Bandy Fass, Library Journal
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
fiction / comedy.
The Flynn family is coming undone. Catherine and Bud’s open marriage has reached its breaking point as their daughters spiral in their own chaotic orbits: Abigail, the eldest, is dating a man in his twenties nicknamed War Crime Wes; Louise, the middle child, maintains a secret correspondence with an online terrorist; the brilliant youngest, Harper, is being sent to wilderness reform camp due to her insistence that someone―or something―is monitoring the town’s citizens.
Casting a shadow across their lives, and their small coastal town, is Paul Alabaster, a billionaire shipping magnate. Rumors of corruption circulate, but no one dares dig too deep. No one except Harper, whose obsession with a mysterious shipping container sends the family hurtling into a criminal conspiracy―one that may just bring them closer together.
Irreverent and addictive, pinging between the voices of the Flynn family and those of the panorama of characters around them, Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs is a debut novel of quick-witted observation and surprising tenderness. With it, Cash has crafted a family saga for the twenty-first century, all held together with crazy glue.
“The Flynns’ flavor of family dysfunction is as all-American warm and fuzzy as it is quirky. Cash has a hit debut on her hands based on the guffaw-inducing, deadpan humor alone… An entertaining and breezy read reminiscent of the best of Kevin Wilson.” – Poornima Apte, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Energetic, hilarious, and spirited, this debut novel from the co-founder of Forever Magazine was already the talk of the town last summer and fall. Like Franzen before her, Cash illuminates the inner workings of a modern family… Lost Lambs takes a thrillingly big swing and delivers a page-turner as full of snark as it is anchored in affection.” – Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture
“Loaded with snarky one-liners and absurdist set pieces, Cash’s glittering debut novel follows the middle-class Flynn family as they try and fail to find a sense of purpose… Cash has a finely tuned ear for the silliness of modern language… The novel is anchored in its affection for the hapless but well-meaning Flynns, whose banter is endlessly irresistible (‘Am I really the woman of your dreams?’ Catherine asks. ‘Who cares!” Bud replies, “You’re the woman of my reality’). It’s unforgettable.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura
fiction / romance / adventure / comedy.
Daniela Guiterrez has been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember—until he went missing a year ago during an archaeological expedition. But on a solo trip to Greece, the intrepid librarian discovers that Theo is very much alive, although judging by the criminals holding him hostage, he is not doing well.
An expert in Ancient Greek archaeology, Dr. Theo Galanis has been abducted by artifact smugglers in search of a priceless gemstone—the Eye of the Minotaur. This ridiculous assignment was supposed to get Dani out of his system, not keep her tied up next to him. But when a little white lie spirals into his captors believing Theo and Dani are engaged, they must utilize her research skills and his expertise to solve the centuries’ old Minoan mystery, all while feigning a romance to keep each other alive.
Now with less than six days to find the jewel, underground societies, mythological beings, and pesky abductors are only half the battle. Because among the ancient ruins and temples they explore is an even bigger danger: falling in love for real.
“Readers who love a good adventure romance combined with Greek mythology will not be able to put this one down.” – C.L. Quillen, Booklist
“Segura’s well-written, action-packed contemporary romance is loaded with twists, turns, and incredibly entertaining characters.” – Heather Miller Cover, Library Journal
The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn
fiction / historical fiction / fantasy / mystery.
1920, Chicago
Maisie Marlowe has come to America for a fresh start. After discovering an antique fairground carousel, she is seized by the idea of running a glittering amusement park. But little does she know that the wondrous object has a sinister past of its own.
Paris
A decade ago, fairgoers inexplicably vanished riding an extraordinary carousel, and Detective Laurent Bisset closed the case with a suspect behind bars. So when rumors of fresh disappearances in Chicago also linked to a carousel make their way across the Atlantic, Laurent sets out for new answers to an old mystery.
Maisie and Laurent both hold clues to this dark puzzle.
But can they piece it together before the carousel claims someone else?
“A sumptuous treat for romantics and the young at heart.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[A] beautiful story… utterly breathtaking in its poignancy.” – Amy Wilson, Novels Alive
“[A] spellbinding debut novel… This page-turning mystery novel will captivate readers with its multilayered characters and complex plots filled with plenty of twists and turns… one of the best books of 2026!” – Stacey Lorenson, The Gloss
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
nonfiction / memoir / relationships.
It was a great love story, one for the ages. The speed of our beginning and the speed of our ending felt like matching bookends. They both came out of nowhere. He wanted it, he wanted me. And then he didn’t.
In March 2020, Belle Burden was safe and secure with her family at their house on Martha’s Vineyard, navigating the early days of the pandemic together—building fires in the late afternoons, drinking whisky sours, making roast chicken. Then, with no warning or explanation, her husband of twenty years announced that he was leaving her. Overnight, her caring, steady partner became a man she hardly recognized. He exited his life with her like an actor shrugging off a costume.
In Strangers, Burden revisits her marriage, searching for clues that her husband was not who she always thought he was. As she examines her relationship through a new lens, she reckons with her own family history and the lessons she intuited about how a woman is expected to behave in the face of betrayal. Through all of it, she is transformed. The discreet, compliant woman she once was—someone nicknamed “Belle the Good”—gives way to someone braver, someone determined to use her voice.
With unflinching honesty and profound grace, Burden charts a path through heartbreak to show the power of a woman who refuses to give up on love. Strangers is a stunning, deeply moving, compulsively readable memoir heralding the arrival of a thrilling new literary talent.
“A measured, empathetic, and modern response to an enraging callousness.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Immigration lawyer Burden traces the exhilarating start and excruciating dissolution of her two-decade marriage in this bruising debut… With unsparing emotional clarity, Burden examines the often-baffling ways relationships can fall apart, and charts a path for people looking to reassemble their own lives. It’s a gut punch.” – Publishers Weekly
“This book isn’t simply about the dissolution of a marriage, though, instead it’s about a private person finding her voice, about learning to live with ambiguity, about what happens when safety nets fail. Burden’s sharp, personal writing brings readers deep into her unthinkable circumstances and offers a promise to anyone suffering: you can make it to the other side.” – Town & Country
This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin ★
fiction.
Moving from Pakistan’s dazzling chaotic cities to its lawless feudal countryside, This Is Where the Serpent Lives powerfully evokes contemporary feudal Pakistan, following the destinies of a dozen unforgettable characters whose lives are linked through violence and tragedy, triumph, and love. Orphaned as a little boy and fending for himself in the city streets, Yazid rises to a place of responsibility and respect in the Lahore household of Colonel Atar, a powerful industrialist and politician, only to find that position threatened by conflicting loyalties and misplaced trust. Born on Colonel Atar’s country estate to a poor gardener, Saqib is entrusted with the management of a pioneering business, but he overreaches and finds himself an outlaw, confronting the violence of the corrupt Punjab Police. The colonel’s son competes with his cherished brother for the love of a woman and discovers that her choice colors his life with unexpected darkness as well as light.
In matters of power and money and the heart, Mueenuddin’s characters struggle to choose between paths that are moral and just and more worldly choices that allow them to survive in the systems of caste, capital, and social power that so tightly grip their culture. Intimate and epic, elegiac and profoundly moving, This Is Where the Serpent Lives is a tour de force destined to become a classic of contemporary literature.
“…brutal, funny and brilliantly told… This Is Where the Serpent Lives looks set to be one of the standout novels of 2026.” – Patrick Gale, The Guardian
“Mr. Mueenuddin’s characters are vividly drawn, and though his prose is spare, it also offers phrases of great beauty… In these strengths, Mr. Mueenuddin recalls Anton Chekhov…” – Michael Gorra, Wall Street Journal
“…stunning… Mueenuddin, whose gift for satire shines whether he’s describing society matrons or gangsters, never loses sight of his theme: How do any of us ever manage to justify our treatment of the underserved?” – Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times
“The magic in This Is Where the Serpent Lives is the up-close work. Mueenuddin makes the reader care about the romantic relationships, and the pages turn themselves… It’s a serious book that you’ll be hearing about again, later in the year, when the shortlists for the big literary prizes are announced.” – Dwight Garner, New York Times
Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
fiction / suspense / mystery / romance.
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.
“…serves as a meta commentary on the dark romance genre… A dark and twisty look at just how far one woman is willing to go to find inspiration.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Bestseller Hoover delivers a first-class thrill ride in this twisty erotic suspense novel… 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
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