“Verity” - Colleen Hoover

 📝 You guys. I’m aware of all the CoHo drama that erupted recently all over social media. I do not mean to add fuel to any fires so I’ll just begin this by saying, if you’re a die-hard CoHo fan, stop reading. This post is not for you.  

📝 Lowen Ashleigh is a crime fiction author who is struggling at life. The opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap: to complete the unfinished series of crime fic goddess, Verity Crawford who has been incapacitated in a strange accident. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home (with Manderley vibes) and “meets” Verity who does not appear to be able to comprehend anything happening around her. Lowen learns of several tragedies in Verity’s life but is rather easily accepted by Verity’s long-suffering husband. Her objective is to comb Verity’s study to gather as much information as possible to complete her super successful series. In doing so, Lowen discovers notes for Verity’s autobiography and let’s just say, there is an unhinged aspect to matters in the Crawford home. Repulsive might be the appropriate word choice.

📝 There was so much atmospheric potential here for a “Rebecca”-like psychological thriller. There is a scene where Verity is seated outside, visible to Lowen who is inside her office, and woah. Chills. 

📝 Despite all the hype (Libby described my wait time at “many months long”), “Verity” felt flat. The few truly chilling moments were not enough to overcome the massive leap of faith we are asked to make regarding Verity. The anti-“meet cute” at the beginning of the book does not serve any real purpose. And I don’t know if it’s a hallmark of CoHo novels, but there are a lot of explicit scenes that don’t further the plot in any way; in fact, the Lowen character even nods at the gratuitousness. 

📝 This was my first CoHo novel and likely my last. With no judgement or malice toward the legions who adore her, this book was not for me. Obviously this is just my opinion, feel free to vehemently disagree 😜.