Book Review | Verity

July 7, 2020

by Colleen Hoover

“Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, the husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home…what she doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. As Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words (including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day their daughter died). After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.”

This book was disturbing in a way that’s hard to put into words. A psychological thriller in which the lines between fiction and reality blur together. Verity was the first book I have read by best-selling author Colleen Hoover. There is no question about her writing style in this book which was hypnotizing, engrossing, and alarmingly disconcerting.

A struggling author is offered a banging business deal: continue writing a popular bestselling series, get out of debt, and be surrounded by one hunk of a fella. Sounds too good to be true? Probably is, but Lowen Ashleigh has to find this out for herself. She heads to Vermont from NYC and beings her journey into the famous author Verity Crawford’s mind. While digging through Verity’s notes, Lowen comes across a manuscript that appears to be Verity’s autobiography. She gets caught up in Verity’s story that touches on obsession, lies, death, and a possible murder. Lowen doesn’t know who to believe and the reader must decide if they’re reading fact …or fiction.

This book sucked me in from the very beginning – total mind-blowing story and writing style. The reader is guided through Lowen’s journey into Verity’s life but is also shown in the manuscript. There were so many times I wanted to Lowen to pick up Verity’s manuscript so I could read another chapter of this women’s crazed mind!

I would not go so far to say that Verity was an easy read; many tough and touchy subject matter was brought to light. However, this was an enjoyable and amazingly well-written book. Verity was the perfect formula of a great thriller: intense, dark, and twisted. Hoover will leave you questioning EVERYTHING!

I’m beginning to think Verity writes from a villainous point of view because she’s a villain. Being evil is all she knows. I feel a little evil myself as I open the drawer and do exactly what I swore to myself I wouldn’t do again: read another chapter.
Colleen Hoover, Verity