Verity
Ratings809
Average rating3.7
enjoyed this book a lot but wasnt that big of a fan of the ending???????? help, good twist and i didnt expect it but no no no no no
This is really more like 3.5 stars, but I'm giving it 3, because I can't in good conscience give it 4.
Of all the Colleen Hoover books, this is the one I liked the most so far. That's not saying much. Perhaps my expectations are lowered at this point, too. It's more of a “thriller”, and I think she writes these better than she writes romances. This was quite the page-turner and I finished it two days.
I put “thriller” in quotes because it's not very thrilling. There are parts I thought “uh-oh, they're building up to this bad thing that will surely happen any moment”, but naaa. It was a relatively tame thriller, which I didn't mind because I am kind of a wimp.
I didn't read any spoilers, but I did see there was some big twist. As I was reading, I thought of a few VERY good twists that it seemed like they were building up to, but when the time came... nope. The ending was dumb. The supposed “twist” was dumb. It was so lazy. I read that Colleen Hoover rushed to get this book out by the deadline, and that ending would explain why.
There's also a bonus chapter when the book was republished and THAT was awful too. It didn't really add anything to the story and just made me not like the dull characters even more. Read this bonus chapter at your own risk.
This book COULD have been 4 stars if:
- The ending was better and not phoned-in
- I cared more about the main characters. “I'm attracted to him because he's so attractive” isn't good enough. Give me something, here.
- Some things that happened in the book actually mattered. There was a lot of fluff in this book that you think will come back in some form later but NOPE. Don't get your hopes up like I did.
- There wasn't several LONG ASS letters. Colleen Hoover loves her long letters in books, and it really takes me out of the moment.
I'd also give a trigger warning to any moms who don't like reading about twisted stuff happening to their children. I was okay with this stuff, but I'm also not a mom.
colleen hoover has a very freaky mind, and we love it. btw i'm on team manuscript, totally.
I like Colleen Hoover's conversational, direct writing style - I could see everything play out so clearly in my mind. A few moments genuinely scared me.
The intimate scenes were a bit much.
Holy shit this book. I had no idea going into it what the manuscript would be like, so I was picturing Verity describing her life with Jeremy and how he was the villain, he was insane and he hurt her (I also didn't know going into this that there were kids involved), how she was terrified for her life and that she suspected Jeremy was going to kill her. I then thought it would turn into a story where Lowen moves into the house and slowly starts to notice how awful he is until it's too late (almost like a Lifetime movie). I was not expecting this. I see why people are such big fans of Colleen Hoover's writing. She is an amazing writer and is able to craft such a compelling story. Compelling, and dark as fuck. I am more inclined to believe the manuscript simply because the letter does not really explain how Verity planned to switch the money into her new account without being caught or traced. Even if she electronically transferred everything, whenever she took money out that account eventually, the police would be able to find her and track her down once Jeremy reported her (this is of course if she was able to run away with Crew like she said in the letter). Maybe that's just me idk. In the best way, this book freaked me out and made me wildly uncomfortable. I have a weird feeling in my stomach even now. Also, this book is one of my fastest reads, and I'm not sure if that speaks to the font size, the comprehensibility of the story (meaning it was easy to follow), or my general intrigue, but I am glad I went on this adventure.
Also, what the hell was that with Crew and the butter knife??? I can only imagine that he was punishing himself to saying that Verity speaks to him, and I assume that that twisted idea came from Verity herself because he was not described as the type of kid to do that on his own.
Edit: I found the bonus chapter online and I take back my comment before about Crew. He is more damaged than I thought so him biting the knife on purpose (for what reason idk) isn't as far fetched anymore. Especially considering the darkness that surrounds his parents.
This one is so, sooo close to a 5 star for me. I just can't put my finger on what brings it down to a 4.5 star rating. Maybe because it's so messed up. But I can't say I didn't like it.. I felt all the feelings and could not put the book down once I was 60 pages in. It was INSANE. #TeamManuscript 10/10
I resisted buying a Colleen Hoover book. There seemed to be too much hype on BookTok and I wasn't sure those people who loved it were my kind of recommenders. But believe the hype. Hoover can tell a story! Now, you won't find literary sentences that make you challenge your beliefs or ah-ha your own life, but you will be entertained. She sticks to the ‘something has to happen every 5 pages' format and you will not want to sleep before one more chapter. I'd give it 5 stars, if there was a bit more depth, but I can't complain about the read.
The interesting twist at the end doesn't make up for how dark and sex laden this book is. Definitely not the kind of book I typically read and probably won't ever again. This book also reminds me of those horror movies with teenage protagonists where everyone just makes dumb decisions the whole time. Only, the characters in this book aren't teenagers.
This book gets an extra star just because of the twist at the end. I thought it was going to be Jeremey that had some sinister past or plot and Verity was just a victim, but I was only half right. They were both victims in a sense.
Good shit, Colleen Hoover. Good shit. I LOVED the ending. This whole story was masterfully woven, and the ending just put the bow on top for me.
...............................
(more in depth thoughts)
Several friends have recommended this book to me, and I put off reading it for a long time... basically because I have a chip on my shoulder about domestic psychological thrillers (is that what we call these?). They just got very popular for a while, and it felt like EVERYONE was writing one. So naturally, I didn't read Verity or any of them (hi.. super Aquarius over here).
I have now been humbled and would like to step off my high horse.. because holy everything, I loved this book. The writing is superb. None of the characters are either likable or unlikable. How? CHARACTER DEPTH. THAT IS HOW... and that is what makes this book great!! THANK YOU!! ALL HAIL COLLEEN HOOVER!
The main character (Ashleigh) seems like the hero at first, but as the story goes on I liked her less and less. But not in a I-want-to-stop-reading-this-way. More in a wow-she's-pretty-fucked-up-and-what is-she-actually-thinking-kind-of-way. Same for Jeremy - he seems like the perfect husband, and we start seeing his cracks little by little and start going back and forth wondering what he is capable of. And Verity. What a psycho crazy bitch (maybe?).. because we're even questioning our conviction of that by the end. This story is a slowly unraveling wild ride.
The chapters switching between Ashleigh and Verity's story are so masterfully woven. It's a brilliant choice because it keeps the story moving so well. Usually, when there are two points of view, there is one I prefer over the other. But I looked forward to hearing from the other person every time. And it was also never confusing. I never had to look back to remember what was going on with the character before the last switch. This is no easy feat, but Colleen Hoover made it look easy.
THE ENDING. There is only one other book with an ending I loved as much as this one - and that is 11/22/63. One of those where all the pieces add up and makes so much sense. And just when you thought you knew exactly how it was going to end, the author adds a little sprinkle of detail to blow your mind. I don't care if I like it plot-wise or not - I am not a plot-motivated reader. So that's not the point. The point was that you go through this whole mind fuck (involving the build up and deterioration of each character's motivations) and then a little extra sprinkle of mind fuck to put the cherry on top. I laughed. Out loud. Because it was so amazing. I don't know if it's because I was so engaged in the story that I didn't try to figure out the ending, or if I just didn't see it coming. Either way.. such an excellent choice.
And now I shall proceed to go read more Colleen Hoover books like all of booktok. Aquarius tendencies be damned!!
It was thrilling, lots of twists and turns leaving me wanting more. THE darkness of some of the writing. Was so dark. THE END!!!!! What a read.
Honestly kept me entertained and on edge for the 2 hours it took me to read so
I couldn't put this down. I had to know what happened next/how it ended As a mom who'd do anything for my kids & knowing there are people who struggle to have kids some parts of this were hard to read so just know there are triggers ⚠️
I can see why this book is so controversial. I honestly don't know what to rate this book. It's either brilliant or ludicrous. I could have done without a lot of the scenes between Verity and Jeremy as it didn't add much, but I do have to say that it was a page-turner and I constantly wanted to keep reading.
if only she had put the letter into the first chapter as an acknowledgement part (or any kind of names). if only...
I just need to give this 5 stars! And I think it is one of my favorites.
It was so good! This is the third book I've read from Colleen Hoover and I loved it. I love thrillers and this was one of the best I've read so far.
I really don't know what to believe.... and if I am team letter of team manuscript...
Both could be true and both could be a lie
Oh man, had to read after hearing all the criticism of CoHo being a glorified WattPad writer and i'm sad to agree. I hate being the downer that doesn't like all the internet hyped books, but it's just not good. The plot jokes are GLARING. She faked being essentially brain dead? No doctor found out? I call bullshit. This is without a doubt the worst thriller i've ever read.