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A review by pgmoon
Verity by Colleen Hoover
1.0
This was my first Colleen Hoover book, and I already know how strange that sounds! You certainly can't escape her on any bookish social media. I decided to choose this book, as it seemed to be one that a lot of people liked, even people who weren't necessarily fans of CoHo's normal writings. I also am a fan of mysteries, so I thought I would give it a shot.
Unfortunately, I don't think this was a good introduction for me. But, I'll start with the positives. The book was very easy to read and I blazed through it, even as a slow reader. People do genuinely seem to like the twist, and I'm glad that it meant something to someone. However, this book just wasn't it for me.
On a basic level, the writing is just not engaging and very much "telling" instead of "showing". The reader doesn't need to know every single thing a character does, it can be implied. When the writing does have character, the dialogue is either cringeworthy or baffling.
All the characters in the book were bland and uninteresting. I didn't understand why any of them liked anyone, and the decisions they made made them seem like robots. The first thing you do when you read a manuscript, albeit disturbing, is attempt to murder your wife? Your daughter passes away at a sleepover due to an allergic reaction and you immediately believe your other daughter, her twin, did it? I understand these actions are supposed to be ambiguous due to the ending, but either way they don't seem like things humans do.
Finally, the plot is nonsensical with many superfluous parts. What was the necessity of the man dying in the beginning? Why did we need Lowen's agent/boyfriend? The sexual scenes served no purpose in my mind. The book is very slow, which would be fine if there was any sort of intrigue, but it's mostly boring. The ending doesn't work for me because neither side is believable.
I don't mean to hate too hard on Colleen Hoover, because I know many enjoy her books. However, this one frustrated me and finishing it left me with more questions than answers, and not in a good way.
1.5 stars
Unfortunately, I don't think this was a good introduction for me. But, I'll start with the positives. The book was very easy to read and I blazed through it, even as a slow reader. People do genuinely seem to like the twist, and I'm glad that it meant something to someone. However, this book just wasn't it for me.
On a basic level, the writing is just not engaging and very much "telling" instead of "showing". The reader doesn't need to know every single thing a character does, it can be implied. When the writing does have character, the dialogue is either cringeworthy or baffling.
All the characters in the book were bland and uninteresting. I didn't understand why any of them liked anyone, and the decisions they made made them seem like robots. The first thing you do when you read a manuscript, albeit disturbing, is attempt to murder your wife? Your daughter passes away at a sleepover due to an allergic reaction and you immediately believe your other daughter, her twin, did it? I understand these actions are supposed to be ambiguous due to the ending, but either way they don't seem like things humans do.
Finally, the plot is nonsensical with many superfluous parts. What was the necessity of the man dying in the beginning? Why did we need Lowen's agent/boyfriend? The sexual scenes served no purpose in my mind. The book is very slow, which would be fine if there was any sort of intrigue, but it's mostly boring. The ending doesn't work for me because neither side is believable.
I don't mean to hate too hard on Colleen Hoover, because I know many enjoy her books. However, this one frustrated me and finishing it left me with more questions than answers, and not in a good way.
1.5 stars