Verity by Colleen Hoover: Book Review
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Verity by Colleen Hoover was not remotely what I expected when I picked it up.
I knew Colleen Hoover primarily for her emotional contemporary novels, so discovering just how dark and creepy she could get was quite a surprise. Verity is part psychological thriller, part romantic suspense, and part “what on earth did I just read?”
It’s disturbing, addictive, and one of those books that makes you keep changing your mind about what you think is really happening. I’m still not entirely sure I trust anybody in this book – which is probably the point.
My Take: Verity thoroughly creeped me out – and I mean that as a compliment. I loved the suspense and the constant feeling that I couldn’t quite trust what I was reading. Some of it went farther into shock-value territory than I normally prefer, but I certainly wasn’t bored. My Verdict? Read – if you like dark psychological thrillers and don’t mind being a little disturbed.
What It’s About
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer who accepts an unusual assignment: finish a bestselling book series for successful author Verity Crawford, who is no longer able to write.
While sorting through Verity’s notes at the Crawford family home, Lowen discovers a hidden manuscript containing disturbing revelations about Verity, her marriage, and the tragedies that have affected her family.
As Lowen spends more time in the house – and with Verity’s husband, Jeremy – she becomes increasingly unsure what to believe. Is the manuscript true? Is Verity really who Lowen thinks she is? And how much of what is happening inside that house can be trusted?
Verity By Colleen Hoover – What I Liked
The suspense was easily my favorite part of this book. From the moment Lowen enters the Crawford house, there is something unsettling about the whole situation, and that feeling just continues to build.
I also loved the manuscript-within-the-book device. Every time Lowen read more of it, I felt as though I were discovering the story along with her – while also wondering whether any of it could actually be trusted.
And then there was Verity herself. Even when she wasn’t actively participating in a scene, she seemed to dominate the entire book. I kept changing my mind about her, which made the story extremely difficult to put down.
Most of all, I liked that the ending didn’t neatly tell me what to think. This is one of those books that practically begs you to discuss it with somebody afterward.
Verity by Colleen Hoover – What I Didn’t Like
There were definitely moments when Verity crossed the line from disturbing into downright shocking for me.
Some of those scenes felt as though they were included primarily to make the reader recoil, and I’m not always a fan of shock just for the sake of shock.
Still, this is a psychological thriller, and feeling uncomfortable is certainly part of the experience. I may not have liked everything I read, but I absolutely wanted to know what happened next.
Verity by Colleen Hoover – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?
Read.
I wouldn’t recommend Verity to everyone, particularly if you prefer lighter suspense or are sensitive to disturbing subject matter.
But if you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you questioning what is true right up to the end, this is a very compelling read.
If you’ve already read Verity and it left you looking for another dark, addictive thriller, I’ve rounded up 13 Books Like The Housemaid with plenty of secrets, deception, and psychological twists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verity by Colleen Hoover
Is Verity by Colleen Hoover a romance?
Not in the traditional sense. It’s more of a psychological thriller with elements of romantic suspense.
Is Verity part of a series?
No, it’s a standalone novel.
Is Verity being made into a movie?
Yes. The film adaptation of Verity is scheduled to open in theaters on October 2, 2026, starring Anne Hathaway as Verity Crawford, Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, and Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford.
Is there an alternate ending to Verity?
Some editions of Verity include an additional bonus chapter that gives readers more information after the original ending. Rather than neatly resolving the story, however, it has given readers even more to debate.
Is Verity Worth Reading?
Verity is easily one of the strangest Colleen Hoover books I’ve read, and that is precisely what made it so memorable.
I expected romance. What I got was a creepy house, an extremely disturbing manuscript, questionable characters, a relationship I wasn’t always sure I should be rooting for, and an ending that left me wondering what I actually believed.
If you like psychological thrillers that keep you guessing – and you don’t mind some very dark subject matter – Verity is definitely worth reading. Just don’t expect the Colleen Hoover you may know from books like It Ends With Us.
What To Read Next
- Colleen Hoover Books in Order – See all of Hoover’s books and series arranged in publication order.
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – Try one of Hoover’s best-known emotional contemporary novels if you want to see a very different side of her writing.
- It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover – Continue Lily and Atlas’s story in the sequel to It Ends With Us.
- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover – Another emotional Hoover novel centered on love, loss, forgiveness, and second chances.
- Explore Mystery & Thriller Books – Find more suspenseful reads if Verity has you in the mood for something dark and twisty.
