Verity
By Colleen Hoover
Verity: A Detailed Review and Summary
Overview
Verity by Colleen Hoover is a dark and twisted psychological thriller that deviates from her usual romance genre. It follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, who is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to complete the bestselling book series by the injured author, Verity Crawford. However, Lowen's discovery of a chilling autobiography hidden in Verity’s office propels her into a dangerous game of deception and doubt.
Detailed Review
Plot & Pacing
- Intriguing Premise: The book immediately hooks the reader with its unique setup – a writer tasked with finishing another author’s work while also unraveling their dark secrets.
- Pacing: The pacing is brilliantly done, alternating between Lowen’s present investigations and chilling passages from Verity’s autobiography. This keeps the suspense high and the reader constantly questioning everything.
- Twists and Turns: The novel is full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations that consistently challenge the reader's perceptions of the characters.
Characters
Lowen Ashleigh
- Protagonist: Lowen is a relatable character, initially vulnerable and grief-stricken. Her curiosity and growing suspicions drive the narrative.
- Moral Ambiguity: As she delves deeper into Verity's life, Lowen herself begins to operate in morally grey areas, making her a complex and engaging lead.
Verity Crawford
- Antagonist (or is she?): Verity is a hauntingly enigmatic figure, whose personality is shaped through journal entries that reveal a potential psychopath.
- Unreliable Narrator: Her autobiography challenges the reader to question the truth of her words and actions, creating constant uncertainty.
- Chilling Presence: Even in her catatonic state, Verity’s presence looms over the entire story, adding a layer of unease and suspense.
Jeremy Crawford
- Conflicted Figure: Jeremy is a complex character caught between grief and suspicion, making him a point of interest for both Lowen and the reader.
- Potential Danger: His reactions to the unfolding events add to the overall tension, leaving the reader uncertain about his true nature.
Writing Style
- Intense and Engaging: Colleen Hoover's writing style is visceral and gripping, drawing the reader into the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the story.
- Dual Narratives: The alternating perspectives of Lowen’s experiences and Verity’s entries create a compelling and suspenseful narrative structure.
- Erotic Undertones: The novel includes some sensual elements, which, while not the primary focus, add to the overall tension and complexity.
Overall Impression
- Genre-Bending: Verity is a departure from Hoover’s typical romance, showcasing her versatility as an author and master of suspense.
- Unpredictable: The story keeps the reader guessing until the very end, with its many twists and unreliable narrators.
- Thought-Provoking: The book raises questions about truth, perception, and the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly normal facade.
Summary
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, accepts a life-changing offer from Jeremy Crawford: to complete the remaining books in his wife, Verity's bestselling series. Verity, a renowned author, is in a catatonic state following a devastating car accident that also claimed the life of one of their twin daughters.
While staying at the Crawford family home, Lowen discovers Verity's hidden autobiography, detailing the chilling events of her life from her disturbed childhood to her obsessive marriage and the tragic loss of her daughters. The entries suggest Verity’s cold and manipulative nature, including the potential murder of her own child. This starkly contrasts with the persona she projects to the public, causing Lowen to question the nature of truth.
Lowen develops an attraction to Jeremy, causing an internal conflict as she must decide how to handle the damning revelations from Verity's autobiography. As she grapples with the conflicting narratives, she must decide if she believes Verity's diary, or the version of Verity Jeremy knows. This leads to a battle of morality and deception.
The ending throws everything into chaos, leaving the reader to question what the true version of events actually were. The story finishes with a huge twist, adding a final layer of moral ambiguity, forcing the reader to decide what really happened in that house.
Final Thoughts
Verity is a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller that will stay with you long after you finish reading. It's a must-read for fans of dark, suspenseful stories with complex characters and shocking twists.
Rating: 5/5