Review: Verity

Title: Verity

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: 25th January 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 314 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: thriller, mystery, suspense

My Rating:  4 cups

Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts

‘The clever and talented Verity is no longer in there. Was her body the only thing that survived that wreck? It’s as if she were an egg, cracked open and poured out, and all that’s left are the tiny fragments of hard shell.’

There has been so much written about Colleen Hoover - her books are everywhere! This particular novel is not her usual style or genre, therefore demonstrating her obvious ability as a writer. Verity ranges from the suspense, thriller, intrigue right up to the very dark and disturbing. It is creepy, sinister and psychologically unsettling.

The writing and story is of a level where you are unsure if you truly love it or hate it, if you side with the characters or are opposed to them. It is certainly a disturbing story that enthralls readers as it totally messes with their minds. Is that a good or a bad thing? There will be moments where you might forgive yourself for thinking you were reading a Stephen King novel. Is this the same Colleen Hoover famous for her romance books? Well, she certainly stepped outside of the box for this one. For sure there is romance and plenty of sex scenes but more of the psychological thriller type.

So if this is a genre that appeals to you, a read that is equally disturbing and thrilling because it’s clever, then be sure to check out Verity. 

‘No matter which way I look at it, it’s clear that Verity was a master at manipulating the truth. The only question that remains is: Which truth was she manipulating?’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.