Too Late

The instant #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller, a story about a woman caught in a dangerous web of obsessive love, trying to find a way out before it’s too late… this new, updated edition is a “barn-burner” (New York Post) and Colleen Hoover’s darkest romantic thriller since Verity.

Sloan will go through hell and back for those she loves. And she does so, every single day. Caught up with the alluring Asa Jackson, a notorious drug trafficker, Sloan has finally found a lifeline to cling to, even if it’s meant compromising her morals. She was in dire straits trying to pay for her brother’s care until she met Asa. But as Sloan became emotionally and economically reliant on him, he in turn developed a disturbing obsession with her—one that becomes increasingly dangerous every day.

When undercover DEA agent Carter enters the picture, Sloan’s surprised to feel an immediate attraction between them, despite knowing that if Asa finds out, he will kill him. And Asa has always been a step ahead of everyone in his life, including Sloan. No one has ever gotten in his way.

No one except Carter.

Together, Sloan and Carter must find a way out before it’s too late…

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and International bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription service and bookstore in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

For more information and for a schedule of events, please visit colleenhoover.com.

To contact Colleen and her team (Her team's name is Stephanie), please email [email protected]

“Sublimely creepy with a true Hoover pulse. I’ve been waiting for a thriller like this for years.”―Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author

“Riveting and unexpected. Impossible to put down.”―Claire Contreras, New York Times bestselling author

"This isn't a book, it's a visceral experience."―B.B. Easton, bestselling author

“Verity delivers the grand slam of thriller twists—the holy grail of'what the…?!' moments . . . It lit up my brain."―Washington Post

"If you came here to find a mystery romance book that’ll have you on the edge of your seat (and keep you up at night), add Verity by Colleen Hoover to your cart."―Cosmopolitan

"Unravels a picture-perfect couple’s courtship and marriage in truly twisted—and jaw-dropping—fashion."―Elle magazine

“If you've yet to experience the delight that is reading one of Hoover's novels, we suggest starting with this . . . Prepare for your pulse to race and palms to sweat."―E! News

“The energy and pace in this book are like a fun house at a carnival. It's ever-changing, and just when you think you know what to expect next, Hoover hits you with another turn. Up until the very final page, readers are mining for clues. Just when you thought you figured out the who, what, when, where, and why, it completely changes, leaving you gobsmacked.”―BuzzFeed

"The perfect choice if you're after a gripping read but be warned, its twists and turns may very well keep you up at night."―Refinery29

"Colleen Hoover's romances and contemporary fiction novels . . . grip readers with emotionally charged storylines, unique plotlines, and twists that leave us reeling." ―Business Insider

"Talk about a word-of-mouth of page-turner we’re still not over . . . Cue the seductive mystery that has one of our all-time fave twists. Run, don’t walk.”―The Skimm

"An explosive, sexy thriller full of chilling admissions, incredible twists and turns, and some seriously creepy plotlines. I can honestly say that I’ve never read another thriller quite like it."―BookReporter.com

"Seamlessly blends romance and horror."―New York Post

"Full of suspense with steamy scenes and creepy undertones."―Plymouth Magazine

"Hoover always tells her stories so beautifully . . . [An] ideal holiday gift.”―Houstonia magazine

"Emotionally charged, sinister, evocative, fascinating and very addictive. We read Verity with a knot in our stomachs from the first to last page! What a brilliant read!"―TotallyBooked Blog

"Wow I'm speechless, I don't know where to start with this one. Verity was a captivating, fast paced, twisted, and addictive story."―Read More Sleep Less Blog

Colleen Hoover’s Too Late is a dark, gripping romantic thriller that departs from her usual contemporary romance style, plunging readers into a tense story of survival, obsession, and undercover operations. The novel centers around a young woman named Sloan who finds herself trapped in a suffocating and dangerous relationship with Asa Jackson, a notorious and wealthy drug dealer operating out of their college house. Unlike typical romantic protagonists, Sloan is not with Asa out of blind love or naivety; she is with him out of desperate necessity. Her younger brother, Stephen, requires profound, round-the-clock medical care due to a severe condition, and Asa is the only one footing the astronomical bills. To keep her brother safe and cared for, Sloan sacrifices her own freedom, enduring Asa’s toxic and manipulative behavior day in and day out.

Asa is a chillingly complex antagonist. From the outside, he might appear as a charismatic and successful college student, but behind closed doors, he is a ruthless criminal running a lucrative drug smuggling ring. More terrifying than his illegal activities, however, is his deep-seated, highly disturbed obsession with Sloan. He views her as his ultimate possession, the only good thing in his dark world, and he attempts to control every aspect of her life. He is emotionally and physically abusive, yet he constantly justifies his actions under the twisted guise of love. For Sloan, living with Asa means constantly walking on eggshells, monitoring his volatile moods, and suppressing her own identity just to survive the nightmare her life has become.

The fragile, terrifying equilibrium of Sloan’s life is disrupted by the arrival of a new man named Carter. Carter is introduced as a transfer student who quickly infiltrates Asa’s inner circle, moving into the chaotic party house that serves as the headquarters for Asa’s illegal operations. From the moment Carter and Sloan meet, there is a palpable, undeniable connection between them. Carter is everything Asa is not—kind, observant, and genuinely protective. Despite knowing the lethal consequences if Asa were to notice their mutual attraction, Sloan finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. For the first time in years, she feels a flicker of hope and the agonizing reminder of what it is like to be treated with actual human decency.

However, Carter is harboring a massive secret of his own. His real name is Luke, and he is an undercover law enforcement officer tasked with gathering enough hard evidence to dismantle Asa’s drug empire. Luke’s mission was strictly professional until he met Sloan. Recognizing the horrific reality of her situation, his objective shifts from simply bringing down a criminal to rescuing the woman he is rapidly falling in love with. The stakes could not be higher. Asa is deeply paranoid, heavily armed, and completely ruthless. If he discovers Luke’s true identity, or if he catches even a hint of the romance blossoming between Luke and Sloan, it is a certainty that he will kill them both without hesitation.

What follows is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse played out within the claustrophobic walls of Asa’s house. Sloan and Luke are forced to communicate in stolen glances, whispers, and secret meetings, terrified that every interaction might be their last. The psychological tension is masterfully built as the reader watches them navigate this incredibly dangerous environment. Luke must maintain his cover as a loyal drug runner, sometimes participating in things that test his moral compass, while desperately trying to expedite the police raid to get Sloan out safely. Meanwhile, Sloan must continue to play the role of the devoted, submissive girlfriend to Asa, suppressing her growing disgust and fear.

The narrative is uniquely structured by alternating points of view among Sloan, Luke, and Asa. Asa’s perspective is particularly harrowing, as it forces the reader into the mind of a sociopath. His chapters reveal a man who genuinely believes his horrific actions are justified, painting a chilling portrait of domestic abuse and possessive obsession. As Luke gathers the final pieces of evidence needed for the sting operation, Asa’s paranoia reaches a boiling point. He begins to sense the shift in Sloan and grows suspicious of the people around him, making the environment incredibly volatile.

The climax of the novel is an explosive collision of all these mounting tensions. When Asa finally uncovers the truth about the betrayal, the narrative erupts into chaos and violence. Luke’s carefully laid plans are thrown into jeopardy, and the desperate fight for survival takes center stage. The confrontation is brutal, reflecting the dark and gritty reality of the criminal underworld Hoover has constructed, and pushing all three main characters to their absolute limits.

Ultimately, Too Late is a story about breaking free from the darkest of circumstances. After the harrowing takedown of Asa’s empire, Sloan and Luke are left to pick up the pieces of their lives. The conclusion offers a hard-won happily ever after, providing a stark contrast to the trauma and terror that dominated the earlier parts of the book. Sloan, who spent years sacrificing herself for her brother, finally learns what it means to be truly loved, safe, and free. It is a raw, intense, and emotionally exhausting read that highlights the incredible resilience of its heroine.