Rating: ★★★★/5

Happy Friday, Bookworms! I am currently at Starbucks enjoying my Chestnut Praline Latte while attempting to be a productive university student. Want to know what has been distracting me from studying for my exams? Colleen Hoover’s Verity. Reading with Rachel finally got her hands on Hoover’s #booktok trending thriller novel. Verity immediately grabs your attention and holds it for the entire book. I had to continue reading even after the first chapter. In other words, putting the book down was impossible. The mystery behind the main character, Verity Crawford’s autobiography, kept me on my toes. I assumed that the book was going to be a murder mystery novel. Things start to go downhill when Lowen, the main character, is unable to put down Verity’s manuscript, as her past is revealed in disturbing ways through her relationship with her husband, Jeremy, and three children, Harper, Chastin, and Crew. Since Lowen is the only one to witness Verity’s injuries, which don’t appear to be as severe, the plot quickly becomes unsettling. I do not know how to explain it other than that without spoiling or giving anything away. Hoover does an incredible job of evoking emotions of fearfulness and panic without giving away too much information throughout the entire novel. The plot twist is well-written and shocking until you realize how clueless it makes you feel as the reader. I was unsatisfied with the ending because of all my unanswered questions and the unsettling feeling that not everything is always what it seems. Verity is incredibly terrifying, and Hoover’s portrayal of her character is astonishing because of how scary she makes you feel as a fictional character. Besides Verity, I had mixed feelings about Lowen because of her selfish and questionable decisions. It was hard for me to sympathize with her. However, I was constantly worried about whether she was going to be able to survive. Every moment she spent in the Crawford home made me anxious for her. I want to point out that this book contains explicit language related to sex and discusses the topic of child abuse. Therefore, please keep this in mind if you are interested in reading Hoover’s Verity. Overall, I recommend reading Colleen Hoover’s Verity if you enjoy suspense and want a book you can quickly finish in a few hours.

Book Club Food for Thoughts

1. What do you think happened at the end of the novel? Do you believe Verity’s truth? 
2. What are your thoughts on Lowen’s character? Did you like her? Why or why not? 
3. What are your thoughts on Verity’s character? Did you like her? Why or why not? 
4. What did you think about Verity’s manuscripts? Are they believable? 
5. Do you think Verity is a strong writer/author? Why or why not? 
6. Did anything about Jeremy surprise you? Why or why not?

Book 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.”

Exciting News…

While this announcement is not related to Colleen Hoover or her novel Verity, I wanted to announce a week in advance that Reading with Rachel will be doing her first non-fiction book review next week! While I have only done fiction book reviews, I decided to pick up a secret non-fiction book this week. As always, I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with all of my fellow Bookworms. Weekly book club meeting locations will also be coming your way soon. Besides that, please remember to take care of yourselves and have a good rest of your week.