Woman Down: A Novel

Woman Down — 4⭐️ I’m giving Woman Down a solid 4 out of 5 stars. While I’m usually completely hooked by Colleen Hoover’s books, this one had a very slow and, at times, boring start that made it harder for me to fully sink in right away. I kept waiting for that spark she’s known for.

I initially struggled to get into this book and actually stopped around Chapter 3 because it wasn’t holding my attention. After picking it back up later, the story did become more engaging and I found myself more invested in the plot and characters. However, the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the buildup, which left me wanting a little more depth and closure. While it’s not my favorite book by this author, it was still an overall decent read.

It was good - a little predictable.

Not her best

“I think you’re wrong about books just being for entertainment. I personally think books and movies can be very powerful tools. They can change minds, behaviors, thought processes…I do believe reading can save lives.” But can books also ruin lives? Where do authors get their inspiration? Author Petra “would do anything if it meant I would be a more confident writer. A better writer. I’d live through all my stories if it meant you guys would enjoy them more. Believe them. Five-star them.” She’ll also “do anything to pretend I’m a good wife and mother, and not the terrible human being I’ve been since showing up here.” “I sometimes get so immersed in my writing, I don’t just create the character; I become her. It’s like I’m living in two worlds at once—one where I’m Petra, the struggling yet outwardly faithful wife and mother, and another where I’m whichever character I’m writing at the moment, someone who exists only on the pages of my book, unburdened by consequence.” But “Following attraction and intrigue over instinct and common sense is a very good description of crazy.” “I haven’t just reached rock bottom—I’ve burrowed myself through the rock and am now sinking into the earth’s mantle, on my way to the core. Down, down, down I fall. In the midst of my spiraling thoughts, it comes to me. A title for this book. Woman Down. Because that’s what I am. How I feel. It perfectly describes the trajectory of my life…If I survive this, that is…I have no idea if I’m safe or doomed right now…This book isn’t so much a manuscript as it is a digital graveyard of my fleeting literary aspirations. Every word feels like a temporary squatter on the page, just waiting for its eviction notice.” “Stories have a way of finding you when you need them most…Woman Down is about finding your way back, even when you don’t necessarily feel lost.” Mentally buckle up, because the ride Saint will take you on will get way too unstable.