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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Verity by Colleen Hoover
☀️☀️🌤️
▪️Dark, gruesome and truly disturbing content (serious trigger warnings necessary for graphic descriptions of child abuse, self harm, suicidal ideation, etc) shelved between repetitive sex scenes I wanted to mean more than they ultimately did
▪️ Concept and overall plot were interesting and it was a captivating, quick read
▪️CH is not a thriller author by trade and it shows - the twist was about 2 steps away from being good but it fell short of being satisfying for me
▪️Love me an ambiguous ending and this helped a little but as said above the making of a good thriller is in the twist which wasn't very ✨wow✨
▪️I wanted to love this, and in the hands of a more experienced genre writer it could have been great, but it was just okay
☀️☀️🌤️
▪️Dark, gruesome and truly disturbing content (serious trigger warnings necessary for graphic descriptions of child abuse, self harm, suicidal ideation, etc) shelved between repetitive sex scenes I wanted to mean more than they ultimately did
▪️ Concept and overall plot were interesting and it was a captivating, quick read
▪️CH is not a thriller author by trade and it shows - the twist was about 2 steps away from being good but it fell short of being satisfying for me
▪️Love me an ambiguous ending and this helped a little but as said above the making of a good thriller is in the twist which wasn't very ✨wow✨
▪️I wanted to love this, and in the hands of a more experienced genre writer it could have been great, but it was just okay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The suspense. The drama. The anxiety this book gave me, i cannot even put into words how absolutely shook I was reading this book. My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking, absolutely ate it up in less than a day. Highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, Abortion, Murder
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*SPOILERS*
FIVE STARS
Whenever a book is recommended on Tiktok, I am extremely weary of it because of disappointment the book might cause. I bought Verity several months ago, but I had no hopes of reading it anytime soon due to the overwhelming recommendation of it. One of my goals for 2022 is to read 50 books, and so last night I just decided to pick Verity. Well what exhilarating choice that was. I started it at 1:30 AM and could not stop reading it.
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling author who finally receives her big break by being offered, by Jeremy Crawford to co-write a major thriller series written by his wife, Verity Crawford. With no income or responsibilities (her mother), Lowen agrees to the deal as long as there is no press tour and written under a pen name. Jeremy offers Verity’s home office and material as way to assist Lowen in her commencement of the series. Upon her discovery, Verity is bound to her room with the help of an aid due to her vegetable state. As Lowen starts to dive into her work, she discovers an autobiography about Verity. Knowing little to none about her, Lowen starts to uncover who the real Verity is.
As stated previously, I was anxious to start this book for a numerous of reasons. I had no idea what Verity was about which was a blessing in disguise because I had no misjudgment about the plot and where it would lead me to. When I first bought the book, it sat on the shelf until one night I decided to read the first page and was instantly turned off because I thought it was going to be a much more graphic book than what I am used to. I will say, you have to be in the right mindset to read this book because it can bit much at times. I had to give it a chance because of how much it was recommended, so I decided why not, I can’t judge a book by its first page. After chapter one, I wanted to know more about Lowen and how she will reconnect with Jeremy, because yes, we all know she will. On the drive to Vermont, I found myself relating to Lowen a bit too much. Often times if I agree to plans, I will try and back out of them as much as possible due to anxiety and to the everlasting fear of taking a risk that is completely out of my own comfort zone, so I feel for Lowen. Upon her arrival, Verity Crawford is revealed to be more gone than Lowen had realized. As her work begins, the manuscript, So Be It appears, and that is when shit begins to hit the fan. Not to jump ahead, but I have trouble believing the note over the manuscript for a number of reasons. One, the author’s note in So Be It is very telling. Verity was writing this book so she can be her open and honest self because she stated “A writer should never have the audacity to write about themselves unless they’re willing to separate every layer of protection,” (Hoover p. 61). Verity also guides the reader to “only walk away from an autobiography with, at best, an uncomfortable distaste for its author,” (Hoover p.61) which is exactly what Lowen does. If this was some sick way for Verity to cope with her daughters’ deaths, there is still something seriously wrong with her because I do not believe that any mother would write the way Verity wrote about her daughters and her obsession with Jeremy. I do understand that authors are separate and disconnected from their work, but Verity was writing about her own family, and I think that crosses every boundary authors set. Even hours after I have read Verity, it is still in the back of my mind of what is the truth. Another note to state, if the note was true, and Jeremy tried to kill Verity, he definitely would have done it. Prior to Verity’s death, Jeremy was so close to strangling her, and if it wasn’t for Lowen, he would have never stopped. Rage is very blinding. There is no empathy or justification when a person is filled with rage and hatred. It suffocates every right from wrong. The only way for the rage to stop is to exude it which is what Jeremy did. He was filled with a burning rage that cease him to think about the only important person left in his life, Crew. That is why it is so hard to believe the letter. Jeremey would have killed for her girls especially his Harper. A key point in why I believe the manuscript is real is because Jeremy still felt guilty for fucking Lowen behind his wife back. Lowen and the readers knew that the temptation ate at Jeremy because it was there and building ever since the accident on the corner. He was still trying to protect his marriage as he hid it away from the maid and his son. Another point, I do believe that Jeremy would never let Crew stay in a house with a person who killed his daughter, whether they are in a vegetable state or not. The way the letter depicted his character just doesn’t align with his choices. Why wouldn’t he put her in facility once he first learned that she was still alive? Why not DIVORCE HER? Why would he continue to help her? Why wouldn’t he try to kill her in different way? Why not hand in the manuscript to the police? There is so many faults to the letter. A letter that was written for Jeremy but for Lowen to find. Even after death, Verity is still fucking with Lowen! Even physicalities align with the manuscript—the cut on Crew’s chin and the scar on Chastin’s cheek. There is too much evidence against the note that it cannot be true. If CoHo ever admits to the audience that the letter is true, it proves what an amazing author Verity, Colleen Hoover is. FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS.
FIVE STARS
Whenever a book is recommended on Tiktok, I am extremely weary of it because of disappointment the book might cause. I bought Verity several months ago, but I had no hopes of reading it anytime soon due to the overwhelming recommendation of it. One of my goals for 2022 is to read 50 books, and so last night I just decided to pick Verity. Well what exhilarating choice that was. I started it at 1:30 AM and could not stop reading it.
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling author who finally receives her big break by being offered, by Jeremy Crawford to co-write a major thriller series written by his wife, Verity Crawford. With no income or responsibilities (her mother), Lowen agrees to the deal as long as there is no press tour and written under a pen name. Jeremy offers Verity’s home office and material as way to assist Lowen in her commencement of the series. Upon her discovery, Verity is bound to her room with the help of an aid due to her vegetable state. As Lowen starts to dive into her work, she discovers an autobiography about Verity. Knowing little to none about her, Lowen starts to uncover who the real Verity is.
As stated previously, I was anxious to start this book for a numerous of reasons. I had no idea what Verity was about which was a blessing in disguise because I had no misjudgment about the plot and where it would lead me to. When I first bought the book, it sat on the shelf until one night I decided to read the first page and was instantly turned off because I thought it was going to be a much more graphic book than what I am used to. I will say, you have to be in the right mindset to read this book because it can bit much at times. I had to give it a chance because of how much it was recommended, so I decided why not, I can’t judge a book by its first page. After chapter one, I wanted to know more about Lowen and how she will reconnect with Jeremy, because yes, we all know she will. On the drive to Vermont, I found myself relating to Lowen a bit too much. Often times if I agree to plans, I will try and back out of them as much as possible due to anxiety and to the everlasting fear of taking a risk that is completely out of my own comfort zone, so I feel for Lowen. Upon her arrival, Verity Crawford is revealed to be more gone than Lowen had realized. As her work begins, the manuscript, So Be It appears, and that is when shit begins to hit the fan. Not to jump ahead, but I have trouble believing the note over the manuscript for a number of reasons. One, the author’s note in So Be It is very telling. Verity was writing this book so she can be her open and honest self because she stated “A writer should never have the audacity to write about themselves unless they’re willing to separate every layer of protection,” (Hoover p. 61). Verity also guides the reader to “only walk away from an autobiography with, at best, an uncomfortable distaste for its author,” (Hoover p.61) which is exactly what Lowen does. If this was some sick way for Verity to cope with her daughters’ deaths, there is still something seriously wrong with her because I do not believe that any mother would write the way Verity wrote about her daughters and her obsession with Jeremy. I do understand that authors are separate and disconnected from their work, but Verity was writing about her own family, and I think that crosses every boundary authors set. Even hours after I have read Verity, it is still in the back of my mind of what is the truth. Another note to state, if the note was true, and Jeremy tried to kill Verity, he definitely would have done it. Prior to Verity’s death, Jeremy was so close to strangling her, and if it wasn’t for Lowen, he would have never stopped. Rage is very blinding. There is no empathy or justification when a person is filled with rage and hatred. It suffocates every right from wrong. The only way for the rage to stop is to exude it which is what Jeremy did. He was filled with a burning rage that cease him to think about the only important person left in his life, Crew. That is why it is so hard to believe the letter. Jeremey would have killed for her girls especially his Harper. A key point in why I believe the manuscript is real is because Jeremy still felt guilty for fucking Lowen behind his wife back. Lowen and the readers knew that the temptation ate at Jeremy because it was there and building ever since the accident on the corner. He was still trying to protect his marriage as he hid it away from the maid and his son. Another point, I do believe that Jeremy would never let Crew stay in a house with a person who killed his daughter, whether they are in a vegetable state or not. The way the letter depicted his character just doesn’t align with his choices. Why wouldn’t he put her in facility once he first learned that she was still alive? Why not DIVORCE HER? Why would he continue to help her? Why wouldn’t he try to kill her in different way? Why not hand in the manuscript to the police? There is so many faults to the letter. A letter that was written for Jeremy but for Lowen to find. Even after death, Verity is still fucking with Lowen! Even physicalities align with the manuscript—the cut on Crew’s chin and the scar on Chastin’s cheek. There is too much evidence against the note that it cannot be true. If CoHo ever admits to the audience that the letter is true, it proves what an amazing author Verity, Colleen Hoover is. FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Abortion, Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Blood, Car accident
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Car accident, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Was really good but the ending fell flat. I felt like it was rather unneeded and kind of cliched. It didn’t leave me with questions like it was meant to.
Update (5-15): brought down to 3 stars from originally 4. The more I thought on it, the more I dislike this book. It was enjoyable enough but I still find it very disappointing.
Update (5-15): brought down to 3 stars from originally 4. The more I thought on it, the more I dislike this book. It was enjoyable enough but I still find it very disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a wild ride! Twisty, but I almost wanted it to be twistier?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Abortion, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had me in every possible way. I was unsure about the hype at first, unsure about the main character and even more unsure about the potential cliches I would endure. But all of those turned into a book I couldn’t put down. I read 222 pages in the first day of reading this, and there’s a reason for it. Was a lot of it predictable? Yes. Did that change anything about how much I loved this book? Not at all. I knew some of what was coming, but the journey to get there was fantastic and felt as engaging and immersive an experience as actually living as Lowen. The ambiguity of the entire novel was enthralling. The only thing I didn’t love was the amount of detailed s*x I had to get through, but it was quite necessary for the characterization, so I give it a pass.
I recommend this one if you enjoy: thrillers, nsfw, unreliable narrator, suspense, horror movies, etc. please make sure you check out any trigger warnings before reading, because this one was very heavy in potential triggers!
I recommend this one if you enjoy: thrillers, nsfw, unreliable narrator, suspense, horror movies, etc. please make sure you check out any trigger warnings before reading, because this one was very heavy in potential triggers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail