Review of Verity by Colleen Hoover (Spoilers Ahead!)
Verity by Colleen Hoover: Book Review
I've already written a detailed book summary on Verity by Colleen Hoover, but today, I want to dive into a specific review to give my perspective on why you should read this book and what it’s actually about. If you haven’t picked it up yet, Verity is not your typical Colleen Hoover romance—it’s much darker, with psychological twists and an edge of suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end. So, buckle up as we discuss the plot, characters, and whether or not Verity lives up to the hype.
A Chilling Plotline That Hooks You
At its core, Verity is a thriller wrapped in a twisted love story. The book revolves around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is given a life-changing opportunity to finish the famous Verity Crawford series. Verity, the original author, has been incapacitated due to a tragic accident, leaving her husband Jeremy desperate to complete her work.
Lowen moves into the Crawfords' eerie, isolated mansion to sift through Verity's notes, but what she discovers is far from ordinary. Among the outlines and drafts, Lowen stumbles upon Verity’s secret autobiography—an unpublished manuscript that holds shocking revelations about Verity’s life, her marriage to Jeremy, and her sinister role as a mother to their three children. This autobiography becomes the focal point of the book and raises questions that keep you on edge: Is Verity truly incapacitated, or is she manipulating everyone from behind the scenes?
Verity’s Autobiography: Truth or Manipulation?
This is where Hoover’s genius shines—she blurs the lines between reality and deception. The autobiography paints Verity as a villainous mother who resented her own children and even caused harm to them. It’s filled with disturbing confessions about her obsession with Jeremy and the lengths she went to in order to keep his attention. As a reader, you can’t help but question everything—was Verity really this twisted, or is she fabricating events in her autobiography to manipulate Lowen (and us)? The unreliable narrative keeps you hooked, and it’s this ambiguity that drives the suspense forward.
Jeremy: The Mysterious Husband
Then there’s Jeremy, Verity’s grieving yet enigmatic husband. Throughout the book, he comes across as the quintessential good guy—caring for his wife despite her condition, being the perfect father to their surviving son, Crew. But as Lowen uncovers more from Verity’s autobiography, we start to question Jeremy’s role in all of this. Did he know more than he let on? Was he part of the tragedy that unfolded in his family? Hoover crafts Jeremy as a man who seems trustworthy but becomes increasingly hard to read, leaving you suspicious of his true intentions.
The Romance: Twisted but Gripping
If you’re a fan of Hoover’s romantic novels, Verity offers a much darker, more unsettling love story. The growing relationship between Lowen and Jeremy is filled with tension, desire, and moral complexity. On one hand, you can’t blame Lowen for falling for him—he’s charming, protective, and seems to genuinely care about her. But on the other hand, their relationship feels morally murky, especially given the unresolved mysteries surrounding Verity. Is Lowen truly falling for him, or is she just getting wrapped up in a dangerous obsession, similar to Verity’s?
The Ending: Open to Interpretation
Now, let’s talk about that ending, because it’s one of the most debated aspects of the book. After a series of shocking revelations, Lowen finds a letter written by Verity, claiming that the autobiography was nothing but a writing exercise, a fiction she created to develop her character’s voice. She denies all the twisted confessions she made in the manuscript and insists that she loved her children. But the big question remains: Was this letter the truth, or just another layer of manipulation? Hoover leaves the ending open-ended, forcing readers to decide for themselves what to believe. Personally, I think this ambiguity is what makes Verity so chilling—it leaves you questioning every character and every event long after you’ve finished the book.
Why You Should Read Verity
Verity is a departure from Colleen Hoover’s usual style, but in the best possible way. It’s perfect for readers who love psychological thrillers with an emotional core. The characters are complex, the plot is full of shocking twists, and the dark, eerie tone sets it apart from typical romance novels. Whether you end up sympathizing with Verity or suspecting Jeremy, the story will leave you thinking and theorizing long after the last page. If you’re a fan of books that mess with your mind and challenge your perceptions of truth, Verity is a must-read.
In conclusion, if you're someone who enjoys suspenseful thrillers with dark, unsettling twists, you'll find Verity fascinating. It might not give you the feel-good romance typical of Colleen Hoover, but it’ll leave you questioning every character’s intentions and second-guessing what’s real versus what’s fake. Hoover masterfully plays with unreliable narration, making Verity a gripping and unforgettable read. So, go ahead, dive into the dark world of Verity—just be prepared for a ride that’s anything but predictable!
What did you think of the ending? Do you believe Verity’s letter or her autobiography? Let me know in the comments!
Verity by Colleen Hoover: Full Book Summary & Shocking Spoilers