Hey book lovers! If you’ve been following along with my previous Colleen Hoover reviews, you know how much I adore her ability to pull on our heartstrings while keeping us on the edge of our seats. After diving into books like It Ends with Us, we’re back with another deep dive into one of Hoover’s masterpieces. Today, we’ll be talking about Verity. Buckle up because this one’s a wild ride that leaves no stone unturned.
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| Book Summary: Verity by Colleen Hoover |
But before we get started, a fair spoiler alert! I'll be getting into the nitty-gritty details of the story. If you haven't read Verity yet, tread carefully—you're in for some major reveals!
Verity by Colleen Hoover: An Overview
Verity is a psychological thriller and romance novel that leaves readers feeling shaken, confused, and yearning for more. It takes us into the life of struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who gets an offer she can’t refuse: the chance to finish a best-selling book series by renowned author Verity Crawford. But things get darker when Lowen stumbles upon Verity’s unfinished autobiography in her home, uncovering sinister secrets that leave her questioning everything she thought she knew.
Sounds intriguing, right? But there's so much more to this book than what initially meets the eye.
Let’s Meet the Characters
Lowen Ashleigh: Our protagonist, Lowen, is a down-on-her-luck writer who’s been scraping by in New York. She’s smart, a bit closed off emotionally, and definitely not ready for the psychological storm she’s about to face.
Verity Crawford: Verity is the famous author who was involved in a mysterious accident, leaving her unable to continue her bestselling series. Throughout the book, she’s seemingly comatose, but trust me, her presence is felt in every single page.
Jeremy Crawford: Verity’s loving husband, who hires Lowen to finish his wife’s books. He’s charming, emotionally wounded, and possibly hiding his own secrets.
Crew Crawford: Verity and Jeremy’s young son, who lives in the house with his parents. His innocent exterior might mask more than meets the eye.
Plot Breakdown: Chapter by Chapter (Warning: Spoilers Ahead!)
The book opens with a scene that sets the tone for the entire novel—Lowen witnesses a gruesome accident on the streets of New York, and from the very start, the eerie feeling creeps in. This marks the beginning of her twisted journey.
The Offer She Can't Refuse
Lowen, despite being a talented writer, is broke and teetering on the edge of desperation. When she’s approached by Jeremy Crawford, who offers her the gig to finish Verity’s series, she feels conflicted. This job could be her big break, but something about it feels off. However, the money and potential fame pull her in. At this point, we sense a growing chemistry between Lowen and Jeremy, though nothing’s outwardly romantic yet.
Verity’s Home: A House of Secrets
When Lowen moves into Verity’s home to work on the manuscript, things start to get really unsettling. The atmosphere is creepy, to say the least. The house itself is filled with an eerie quiet that seeps into the cracks of the story, almost making the house its own character. Verity is bedridden, supposedly unaware of her surroundings, but her presence is palpable.
Here’s where things get really interesting—Lowen discovers Verity’s autobiography in her office. And folks, if you thought this was going to be a typical ghostwriter story, think again.
The Autobiography: Verity's Dark Truths
As Lowen delves into Verity’s manuscript, she uncovers shocking, disturbing confessions. Verity writes in gut-wrenching detail about her marriage, her children, and her own dark desires. It turns out that Verity’s seemingly perfect life is a façade. Her love for Jeremy bordered on obsession, and worse, her feelings towards her children were anything but motherly.
Verity admits to having wished harm upon her twin daughters, Harper and Chastin. The tension between her desire for Jeremy’s attention and the resentment she felt toward the girls is unsettling. As Lowen reads on, she learns that one of the daughters, Chastin, died in an accident, and Verity’s cold recounting of the event raises questions about whether it was truly an accident at all.
These revelations are a major turning point in the book. As Lowen becomes consumed by Verity’s autobiography, she begins to question the true nature of Verity’s injury and her role in the deaths of her daughters.
The Growing Connection Between Lowen and Jeremy
While Lowen uncovers Verity’s darkest secrets, her relationship with Jeremy deepens. They bond over their shared pain and the odd circumstances surrounding Verity. As the two grow closer, their relationship turns romantic, and this is where the tension skyrockets. Lowen is falling for Jeremy, but she’s haunted by the knowledge of what she’s discovered in Verity’s manuscript.
The romance between Lowen and Jeremy is complex—there’s a feeling of inevitability to it, but it’s also shadowed by the unsettling discoveries Lowen has made. Can Jeremy be trusted? Does he know about the horrors Verity confessed to? These questions gnaw at Lowen, and the reader is left wondering, too.
The Climactic Confrontation
As the story progresses, Lowen becomes increasingly paranoid. She begins to suspect that Verity’s condition is not as severe as it appears. Verity, who is supposedly incapacitated, shows signs of consciousness—brief, flickering moments that make Lowen question if she’s faking her condition.
In one chilling moment, Lowen sees Verity watching her from her bedroom. This adds another layer of psychological horror to the narrative—Verity isn’t just a passive presence in the house; she might be a direct threat. The tension builds to a breaking point when Lowen finally confronts Jeremy about Verity's manuscript, sharing the gruesome details she’s uncovered.
Jeremy’s reaction is explosive, leading to a jaw-dropping climax where they both confront Verity. Without giving away too much—let’s just say, the final confrontation between these three is nothing short of heart-pounding.
The Ending: What’s Real and What’s Not?
Just when you think you have a grip on the story, Colleen Hoover throws a massive curveball. Lowen discovers a letter written by Verity that changes everything she thought she knew. The letter paints Verity in a very different light, suggesting that the manuscript Lowen found was merely a piece of fiction—a writing exercise Verity used to explore the darkest aspects of her psyche.
This twist leaves readers grappling with the question: was Verity truly the villain, or was she a misunderstood woman caught in a tragic set of circumstances? The book closes without giving clear answers, leaving us to question what was real and what was imagined.
Themes and Motifs
Verity explores several dark and complex themes:
Obsession: The novel dives into the obsessive nature of relationships, from Verity’s fixation on Jeremy to Lowen’s growing attachment to him.
Motherhood and Guilt: Verity’s complicated relationship with her children is central to the book. Her guilt, or lack thereof, over their deaths is one of the most unsettling aspects of the story.
Reality vs. Perception: Throughout the novel, the line between reality and fiction is blurred. Can we trust what we read in Verity’s manuscript? Can we trust Lowen’s perspective? This theme runs through the entire narrative, leaving readers constantly questioning what’s real.
Final Thoughts on Verity
Colleen Hoover is known for her ability to blend romance with emotional complexity, but in Verity, she takes things to a whole new level. This book is dark, twisted, and utterly compelling. It’s not just a romance or a thriller—it’s a psychological puzzle that leaves readers questioning their own perceptions of the characters and events.
If you love books that keep you guessing until the very last page, Verity is a must-read. Just be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster!
Have you read Verity yet? What did you think of the ending? Let’s discuss in the comments below!