Verity Book Review: A Romantic Thriller by Colleen Hoover

Verity by Colleen Hoover is one of those books that completely engrossed me the first time I read it. That was a couple of years ago. But I recently listened to the audiobook version of Verity because it was on sale in audible. Gotta love a sale, right? And while I was so engrossed in the book the first time that I had to know what happened next, I think I picked up on more subtle details and clues this time around. It’s funny how some books are like that.

The first time, I needed to marinate on this story. But now I need to get all my thoughts down on the blog! So keep reading for my full Verity book review because we have a lot to discuss.

Trigger Warnings

The book Verity by Colleen Hoover contains some subject matter that is difficult to read. There are mentions of physical abuse, pregnancy loss, death of family members, gaslighting, and more. If you are sensitive to these subjects please do your research because this may not be the book for you.

What is Colleen Hoover’s book Verity about?

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, 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, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But 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. 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.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover. (from Amazon.com)

My History with Colleen Hoover

My first Colleen Hoover books were Slammed and Point of Retreat, which I devoured back in 2016. I was a recently college graduate with not a lot of money and loved to find new indie fiction to read my kindle. The main reason for this was because a self published eBook was usually around 2 or 3 dollars, which was very much in my price range. I was hooked from then on. I stopped reading Colleen for a couple of years because her books just kept getting heavier and heavier. She writes romance obviously, but her stories are always filled with trauma and sadness and like, it was a lot. I was working through my own anxiety and depression at the time and was looking for lighter fiction.

Then Colleen made the jump from romance to more romantic thriller type books. I’m in a better place now and can better handle the sadness in her stories, so that is when I first picked up Verity a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed the story and it stuck with me, which is why I decided to do a re-read of it now.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy reading stories about writers, so I liked Lowen as a character right away. She’s a struggling author who has recently lost her mother, and is in desperate need of some funds. Her normal routine is to write a book and stay out of the public eye. Press tours, social media, and dealing with the public are not really her thing. So when a big publisher comes to her with a proposition to finis the book series of one of their writers who is currently indisposed, it’s an easy request to say no to.

But with a little coaxing from Verity’s husband, Lowen is convinced to take on the project. The money from the deal will help her get a new apartment and restart her life. Sure, she’ll have to learn to emulate Verity Crawford’s writing style but it’s a good way to get back into her writing career.

I liked the premise of a young writer accepting the task of trying to finish another author’s series, without really knowing what’s going on. All Lowen knows is that Verity had an accident and is currently indisposed. Her plan is to stop by the Crawford residence to pick up Verity’s notes and be on her way.

Oh, how naive.

This is the first Colleen Hoover book that I’ve read that was a psychological thriller, and the genre works well for her. She seasoned in writing family drama and romantic intrigue. Combine that with the dark trauma that the Crawford family has endured and it makes for a gothic fiction filled with plot twists and excerpts from their tragic past.

Verity’s Unfinished Autobiography

Although Verity is not presently in the book very much, she is one of the main characters of the story. She is left in a coma after a car accident and therefore we do not really get to know her in present time. But Lowen discovers a secret manuscript in Verity’s office that is a draft of Verity’s autobiography. She starts it as a writing exercise, and a way to get everything down on paper. So even though she is in a coma, we get to know Verity and see her character development through her unfinished autobiography.

Is Verity a Spicy Book?

Yes, Verity is a spicy book. It is a domestic thriller but features sex scenes similar to romance novels. Verity writes about the beginning of her relationship and marriage to her husband in her autobiography and it is graphic.

Is Verity Worth The Read?

Yes, Verity is worth the read. It’s an interesting story because it’s about a famous author with a seemingly perfect life, who also keeps a lot of secrets. Lowen gets a creepy feeling when she first arrives at Verity’s house, and she really should have gone with her gut. Lol. The plot of this book is unlike anything I’ve read before and personally, I think it may be one of Colleen Hoover’s best books. (But with that being said, there are quite a few I have left to read!)

Is The Book Verity Disturbing?

Yes, Verity is a disturbing book because of Verity’s autobiography, or secret diary. Lowen doesn’t want to read the manuscript at first, but of course she’s curious. She wants to find out more about Verity, the Crawford family, and the Crawford family home. Lowen wants to know more about Jeremy and the grieving man he has become. She wants the whole truth about what happened to their twin daughters. But as she keeps reading she keeps uncovering one terrible thing after another. Lowen feels lucky that Verity is in a vegetative state, because she doesn’t want anything to do with her after uncovering Verity’s confessions.

In Conclusion

I hop you enjoyed my review of Verity. I’m a big fan of Colleen Hoover’s books and I find her domestic thrillers to be my favorites. I like when a story has romance in it, but also when it has a mystery. Verity’s secrets really surprised me in this book. The first time around I had no idea what I was getting into, and the entire book I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that something just wasn’t right.

The book is delightfully creepy, with a mix of present day situations and Verity’s journal entries coming together to form a terrifying story. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing or if you need to get out of a reading slump, buy a copy of Verity. It will for sure be a wild ride!

But wait, there’s more!

If you enjoyed today’s book discussion, you can read more of my book reviews here.