Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover
I stumbled upon Verity by Colleen Hoover when my social media feed erupted with mixed reactions—everything from praise to absolute bewilderment. The book promised a suspenseful tale about a disgraced author taking on someone else’s unfinished manuscript, but a hilarious thread of absurdity ran through the reviews. Despite its dark themes, it seemed almost comedy gold. I couldn’t resist diving in, and wow, what a wild ride it turned out to be!
At its heart, Verity is a psychological thriller that intertwines themes of obsession, ambition, and morality. We follow Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who gets roped into finishing a series by the infamous and incapacitated author Verity Crawford. Now, while one would expect a nail-biting thriller to unfold, I found myself chuckling at the sheer implausibility of scenes. Lowen’s dramatic reactions felt like they belonged in a slapstick comedy more than a horror story, and can we talk about Verity? The character is cleverly annoying, hauntingly hilarious, and—let’s face it—steals the show, even from her supposed vegetative state!
Reading from Lowen’s POV was an exasperating experience, to say the least. Her constant obsession with Verity and her emotional turmoil was difficult to empathize with. If I had a dollar for every time Lowen mentioned Verity’s evilness, I’d be generously funding my next book haul! I mean, how does one read a chapter a day? I would have devoured the manuscript in a few hours. The pacing felt agonizingly sluggish at times, and I found myself wishing for a fast-forward button, just so I wouldn’t have to endure those tedious monologues.
What really made me laugh, however, was Verity’s ghostly antics that seemed like something out of a sitcom. From "pretending" to be in a coma while ominously staring at Lowen, to her ghostly behavior like creeping around the house, it was hard to take her seriously. I mean, can you blame her? Watching Lowen squirm was a complete delight. There’s this moment in the book where Verity, quite literally, gets up to mischief, which left me chuckling more than feeling terrified. It was the funniest creepy book I’ve ever read.
The romance between Lowen and Jeremy was about as spicy as plain bread—not thrilling, not inspiring, and certainly not memorable. Honestly, if novels had taste, this would be the gluten-free version. It felt lacking against the backdrop of Verity’s chaotic brilliance. I couldn’t help but root for Verity, the villain of the piece, whose dramatic plot twists and intricate psyche kept me glued to the pages.
In a twist that took me by surprise, the climax and resolution had me reflecting on the nature of truth and perception. If genuine horror lies in the mind, as presented through Verity’s letter, it could have been a fantastic commentary if only it had better foreshadowing and pacing.
So who would enjoy this book? If you’re someone who loves dark humor, bizarre characters, and plot twists that lead you to entertain outrageous theories, Verity will likely tickle your fancy. It’s a chaotic blend of suspense and unintentional comedy that, while flawed, may leave you both puzzled and entertained.
In the end, Verity is not just a book—it’s an experience. I can’t say I adored it, but I definitely have some unforgettable moments burned into my memory. Cue the laughter, bewilderment, and perhaps a tinge of horror—just the right mix that keeps us turning pages.
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