Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

Title: Verity 

Author: Colleen Hoover 

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Hoover Ink, Inc. 

Publication Date: December 7th 2018

Summary: 

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.

Verity is simply a thrill ride from the first page to the very last. I recently subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and downloaded Verity because I thought it sounded interesting, fast forward a few days and I watched a TikTok about the book that had me intrigued. Having been in book slump for a few weeks, I was nervous that Verity wasn't going to live up to its hype for me. I was wrong. I devoured Verity in a day, staying up way too late to finish those chilling final scenes. 

Verity is not a novel for the faint of heart. It discusses some very dark themes and content. (Trigger Warnings: Death, attempted self abortion,  attempted murder of a newborn, discussion of death) When Lowen discovered Verity's unfinished autobiography, I never imagined it would be as dark as it was. The autobiography paints the portrait of a woman who is prideful and intensely obsessed with her husband, doing anything in her power to make sure she remains at the center of his attention. 

I really enjoyed Lowen's character. She was relatable and felt real to me. She moved to New York and pursue her writing career when she can remain unknown. Early on in the book Lowen disclosures that she had previously had a relationship with her agent, and that it was missing something vital. When she meets Jeremey she is instantly intrigued by him, something about him drawing her in. We watch Lowen go from being decently level headed to someone who has reached their sanity's edge with in the length of Verity. 

Overall I really loved Verity and could talk about it endlessly if given the opportunity to do so. I know this review was super vague but there is so much that can be spoiled by discussing everything that happened. If you love romantic thrillers that will leave you craving more, Verity is the book for you.