Verity

 

Verity

By: Colleen Hoover

"Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her."

Verity was the first book I read this year and it was such a strong start to the New Year.  I read the book description and saw that it was getting a lot of buzz on social media, but I didn't want any spoilers so I kind of went into the story blind.  I think a quarter of the way through I had to look up the genre just to see what the heck I was reading.  It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2019 for the romance category, but in my opinion it is definitely more of a thriller.  You can tell from the very first chapter that Verity is not your typical romance.

Let's jump right in to the appetizing portion of this book review.

    "Lowen," he says, watching as I try to swallow the Crown and Coke with a straight face. I squint because it burns.  "What happened?"

Don't you just love a simple cocktail where no recipe is required? Find yourself a tumbler and combine 1 part Crown Royal to 2 parts Coke or just wing it to fit your taste preferences.

There are a few meals mentioned throughout Verity.  Spaghetti, pizza, tacos, and chicken and dumplings to name a few, but the edible item that sticks out in my mind is chocolate cake.

"Where are you going?"

"To make you a cake," he says, walking out of the living room.

I smile and then follow him to the kitchen.  Jeremy Crawford baking a cake is something I don't want to miss.

I used this Small Chocolate Cake recipe from Baking Mischief and then topped it with her Small-batch Chocolate Frosting.  I always love the addition of espresso or coffee to chocolate and even though this is a "small" cake I was still able to share with several people and even had a bit leftover.

Verity: ★★★★★

If you haven't read Verity yet, then I don't want to spoil anything for you so I'll give you the first sentence of the very first chapter and it will give you a pretty good idea of the kind of ride you're in for:

"I hear the crack of his skull before the spattering of blood reaches me."

This was my first Colleen Hoover book and I was surprised to find out that "thrillers" are not her usual genre.  I've heard it caused a bit of a stir among some of her fans who unwittingly picked this novel up assuming it was another emotional romance - surprise!  It does have steamy parts, but it also has creepy parts that made me consider putting it down at night.  It's disturbing and a bit graphic, but I loved it!  I was on the opposite end of the spectrum in that I was disappointed that Colleen Hoover didn't have a bunch more thrillers for me to get my hands on.  I have heard that her book, Layla, is similar to Verity's style, but I haven't had the chance to read it... yet. 

Until next time, happy reading!

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