Verity By Colleen Hoover
Publication: Dec 7, 2018
250 Pages
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Short 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. However, it’s not long before Lowen realizes things with the Crawfords aren’t as they seem…in more ways than one.
My Thoughts: You may remember that this year I’ve jumped on the CoHo fan train (better late than never, right?) and have loved many of her books….Ugly Love, It Ends with Us, and All Your Perfects being my favorites. Verity is a totally different type of read and I’m so impressed with Hoover for taking a leap outside of her normal genre and writing something so psychologically dark and suspenseful. And bravo for such an impactful opening scene. Try putting the book down after that harrowing, slightly gruesome opening scene…I know I couldn’t.
We are first introduced to Lowen, getting a feel for her and her life which includes a recently deceased mother, an upcoming eviction, and a loss for where to go next in her writing career. Enter handsome, somewhat sorrowful Jeremy Crawford who, along with his wife’s publishing team, gives Lowen an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up – finish writing his wife’s (the bestselling novelist Verity Crawford) remaining books in her popular series. She accepts and when she begins researching the series and getting to know the family better, things begin to feel off kilter and just wrong in so many ways. Cue the tension and suspense that Hoover manifests throughout the story.
That’s all I want to say on the plot because I loved not knowing anything about it. The tension in the Crawford house felt palpable to me and when Hoover introduced a book within a book subplot I knew I was in for a late night of reading. It’s not often that plot device works for me but in this story it was brilliant. I zoomed through this book, all the while not really sure I knew who to trust, who was mentally off, or who was just outright lying. I thought I did, but my feelings changed throughout which I loved. My only critique is that I felt the ending was too abrupt. It felt very rushed to me. Overall, I really enjoyed this and hope this isn’t the last we see of Colleen Hoover’s foray into romantic suspense.
Have you read this or plan to?
It sounds like a real CoHo novel, it makes you feel so much and even though this is a thriller or romantic suspense she still managed to have her signature all over it. I’m very excited to read it.. I read the first line in an extract so far and I was already impressed! Great review Renee!
Thanks Inge, hope you like it!
I’m so glad to see you enjoyed it, too!! I love how unique every one of Colleen’s books are. This was so disturbing and different – loved it! 😀
Very disturbing in parts and I couldn’t stop reading:) She kept me up late again but it was worth it
This book is literally every place!! I can’t wait to read it too. I’m totally intrigued! <3
It’s good Holly, one of the better romantic suspense thrillers I’ve read in a long time
Wonderful review! I’m definitely planning on reading this one in the future.
Thanks Yvo!
I have yet to jump on the CoHo train. Would this be a good one to start with or do you recommend another first?
If you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller I’d go with this one, if you want more romantic drama I’d say All Your Perfect would be a good start.
that helps, thanks!
I haven’t read any Colleen Hoover books, but you’ve sold me on this one. It sounds like it might be a perfect one to squeeze in before the end of the year. I’m also going to check it out on audio.
This one might be for you Susie, especially if you’re in the mood for a psych thriller that’s perfectly paced. Let me know if you read it!