Verity by Colleen Hoover Review: Worth the Hype? (No Spoilers)
I finally finished reading Verity by Colleen Hoover, often referred to as CoHo by her fans. It’s been a mixed bag for me, filled with moments of intense suspense but also plenty of confusion.
As I cracked open the first page, I had a strong feeling that I’d enjoy this dark and mysterious tale. The tension creeps in as you flip through the chapters, pulling you deeper into its web of secrets and lies.
My Rating:
❤️❤️❤️🤍🤍
"Gripping, but leaves you wanting more."
Verity Book Summary (Without Spoilers): What is it about?
The story revolves around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, and Verity Crawford, a bestselling author. Verity has been severely injured in an accident and is no longer able to write. Lowen is hired to complete Verity's popular book series, a job that leads her to Verity’s mansion where she is supposed to sift through notes and research materials to finish the task.
In Verity’s mansion, however, what Lowen finds is more than she bargained for—a hidden manuscript that unveils a much darker and twisted side of Verity's life. And then, the story alternates between Lowen's perspective and the chilling entries from Verity’s manuscript.
Why is Verity a mixed bag?
On one hand, Verity is undeniably gripping. The book hooks you from the start, and you find yourself flipping one page after another, consumed by the suspense. It’s like a sugar rush—intense while it lasts, but the effect fades once the book is closed. As much as I was intrigued while reading it, now that I’m reflecting, I realize I only enjoyed about half the book.
The problem? The story is overshadowed by scenes of sex and eroticism that overpower the book’s core mystery. The erotic scenes seemed unnecessary at times, taking away from the suspense that I was expecting more of.
To read or not to?
Verity is an engaging book, no doubt about that. It has got the right dose of thrills and psychological tension to keep you reading late into the night. But as soon as I finished it, I was left thinking, “What just happened?” I spent a few minutes in silence, questioning the many plot holes and unanswered questions.
I felt that the book sacrificed its potential for the sake of shock value, and the pacing slowed down due to the repetitive “sex”. It felt like the mystery was sacrificed for overly detailed erotic scenes, and that weakened the overall impact.
Who is Verity best suited for?
Perhaps Verity is best suited for newer readers or young adults who are dipping their toes into reading for the first time. The story is engaging enough to pull them in and easy enough to digest. Colleen Hoover has undoubtedly inspired a new generation of readers, and Verity might just be one of those books that sparks their interest.
However, for seasoned, this one might feel lacking. The thrills are there, but they don’t last, and you’ll likely be left with more questions than answers.
Verity Movie vs Book: Should You Read It First?
Verity is now a film too, with Anne Hathaway as Verity, Dakota Johnson as Lowen and Josh Hartnett as Jeremy, directed by Michael Showalter. It sticks closely to the book, with only small changes. The only complaint is that it plays it safe. It isn’t as creepy or dark as the novel, and it may have been unintentionally funny.
So should you read it first? Yes, I’d say so. The book’s tension comes from Lowen’s slow unease inside that house, and the film doesn’t quite capture that. If you’ve already read it, the film seems to be more of a curiosity than a must-watch.
Verity by Colleen Hoover: Story, Genre, Spice Level and Other FAQs
1. What is the story of Verity? (Short synopsis, no spoilers)
Verity is a psychological thriller novel by Colleen Hoover. Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh is hired to finish the book series of bestselling author Verity Crawford, who can no longer write after a serious accident. At Verity’s home, Lowen finds a hidden manuscript that exposes a much darker side of Verity’s life. The story alternates between Lowen’s point of view and entries from that manuscript.
2. Is Verity a series or a standalone novel?
Verity is a standalone novel, not part of any series.
3. What genre is Verity?
Verity is a psychological thriller with a romantic thread, often described as a romantic thriller. It was originally self-published in December 2018 and republished by Grand Central Publishing in 2021 after its popularity grew.
4. Is Verity a love story?
Partly. A romantic affair is a major part of the plot, but the book is built around suspense, secrets and a hidden manuscript, not a love story. If you’re after a romance with a happy arc, this isn’t it. If you want a thriller with romance running through it, it fits.
5. Is Verity a dark romance?
Not strictly. It does have dark themes, including violence, infidelity and abuse, so readers who like dark romance often enjoy it. The suspense and mystery are the core, with the romance running alongside.
6. Is Verity a spicy book?
Yes, it’s quite explicit. It has graphic sexual scenes and recommended for mature adult readers only. It’s one of the spicier Colleen Hoover books. I think, the erotic scenes were somewhat unnecessary, though. They slowed the thriller down.
7. Is Verity worth reading?
Yes, it is. For me, it was a 3-star (out of 5) read. It hooks you fast and is easy to read, but it felt like a sugar rush, intense while reading and fading afterwards. It suits newer thriller readers and people who want something easy to digest. It’s not for experienced thriller readers who want depth.
8. Why don’t people like the book Verity?
It’s mostly because of:
- Sex over suspense: the sexual content overshadows the mystery and slows the pace.
- Shallow plot: it leans on shock value, and has plot holes.
- Not for experienced thriller readers: it feels thin to people who want an intricate mystery.
That said, it’s polarising, and plenty of readers love it.
9. Why is Verity so popular?
The hidden-manuscript hook, the twisty premise and Hoover’s existing readership pushed it up, and it grew in popularity before its 2021 republication. A film adaptation has added further attention.
Final Thoughts
Verity by Colleen Hoover is an undeniably gripping read, filled with suspense and tension. But for me, it was like a quick sugar rush—exciting while it lasts but quickly fades away. The excessive focus on erotic scenes took away from the book’s potential. A decent read for newer fans of thrillers, but not recommended for those who crave depth and intricacy.
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