In this post, we will delve into the heart of “Verity.” We will provide a concise summary of the story, introduce you to its complex characters, and unravel the intricate themes that make this novel a standout in its genre.
Related: Verity book club questions and Verity quotes.
Verity Summary
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer on the verge of financial ruin, finds herself at a crossroads when a unique opportunity arises. Jeremy Crawford, the husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, offers her a job to complete Verity’s popular book series.
Verity has been left incapacitated after a car accident, and Lowen is tasked with ghostwriting the remaining novels using Verity’s notes and outlines. Desperate for money and intrigued by the prospect of working on a high-profile project, Lowen reluctantly accepts.
To immerse herself in Verity’s world and writing style, Lowen moves into the Crawford family home. The house is both eerie and inviting, its atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Jeremy, charming and attentive, becomes a comforting yet complicated presence as Lowen adjusts to her new role.
While searching through Verity’s chaotic study, Lowen stumbles upon an unpublished manuscript—Verity’s autobiography. Intrigued, she begins to read it, only to uncover a side of Verity that is disturbingly dark and deeply unsettling.
The manuscript recounts Verity’s tumultuous relationship with Jeremy, her complex feelings toward their children, and events that paint her as manipulative and even dangerous.
Lowen becomes consumed by the autobiography, her initial curiosity giving way to dread as she pieces together a narrative that contradicts Jeremy’s portrayal of Verity. The revelations in the manuscript make her question everything, including the true nature of Verity’s accident.
As Lowen and Jeremy grow closer, their mutual attraction begins to blur the lines of professionalism and morality. Lowen debates whether to reveal the contents of the manuscript to Jeremy, fearing it will shatter his already fragile world.
Meanwhile, she becomes increasingly convinced that Verity’s condition might not be as straightforward as it seems. The tension in the house escalates, leaving Lowen caught between her growing feelings for Jeremy and the horrifying truths she’s uncovered.
The story builds to a shocking climax when Lowen decides to confront Jeremy with the manuscript, only for new layers of deception to surface. A twist at the end forces both Lowen and the reader to question the authenticity of Verity’s story. Was the manuscript a truthful confession or a carefully crafted lie? The lines between victim and villain blur, leaving Lowen grappling with decisions that could change her life—and Jeremy’s—forever.
In the end, Verity doesn’t provide clear answers. The story closes with lingering doubts and unresolved truths, leaving its characters and readers in a state of profound unease.
Here is a YouTube short I created capturing the essence of Verity’s story
Verity Characters
Here’s a breakdown of the main characters in Verity by Colleen Hoover:
Lowen Ashleigh
Lowen is the protagonist, a struggling writer who takes on the daunting task of finishing Verity Crawford’s book series. Practical but insecure, she is drawn into a web of deceit and moral ambiguity after discovering Verity’s disturbing manuscript. Her journey is one of internal conflict as she navigates feelings for Jeremy, the ethical dilemma posed by the manuscript, and her increasing suspicion that something isn’t right in the Crawford household.
Verity Crawford
Verity is the enigmatic and incapacitated author whose presence looms over the story despite her physical absence. Through her autobiography, she is revealed as a manipulative and deeply flawed individual harboring dark secrets. The manuscript she leaves behind becomes the focal point of the story, raising questions about her true character—was she a victim of circumstance, a master manipulator, or something in between?
Jeremy Crawford
Jeremy is Verity’s devoted husband, who initially comes across as kind and supportive. His actions, however, reveal layers of complexity. His relationship with Verity is fraught with tension, and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Jeremy is not as straightforward as he seems. His connection with Lowen complicates matters further, adding an unsettling dimension to his character.
Crew Crawford
Crew is Verity and Jeremy’s young son, a quiet and observant child who adds an eerie undertone to the story. His behavior and comments hint at the dysfunction within the Crawford household, and his innocence stands in stark contrast to the dark secrets unfolding around him.
Chastin and Harper Crawford
The Crawford twins, Verity and Jeremy’s deceased daughters, play a crucial role in the story despite their absence. Through Verity’s manuscript, their tragic deaths are explored, shedding light on the complex and troubling dynamics of the family. Their lives and deaths are central to the story’s themes of loss and guilt.
April
April is Jeremy’s sister and a minor character who provides support to the family during Verity’s recovery. While she doesn’t play a large role, her presence adds an element of normalcy in a story filled with tension and unease.
Verity Main Themes
Verity by Colleen Hoover explores a number of themes that create a gripping and thought-provoking narrative. Some of the main themes in the novel include:
1. Obsession: The novel delves into the destructive nature of obsession, as seen through Verity’s fixation on her own dark thoughts and actions, as well as Lowen’s increasing preoccupation with Verity’s manuscript and her relationship with Jeremy.
2. Deception and Manipulation: Throughout the story, characters deceive and manipulate one another, leading to a complex web of lies and intrigue. Verity’s autobiography, in particular, stands as a testament to the power of deceit and the lengths people will go to in order to maintain control over their lives and the lives of others.
3. Love and Betrayal: The complicated relationships in the novel bring into focus the blurred lines between love and betrayal. Lowen and Jeremy’s growing connection, despite his marriage to Verity, highlights the struggle between loyalty and desire.
4. Grief and Loss: Verity touches on the impact of grief and loss, as both Lowen and Jeremy grapple with the deaths of loved ones. Their shared experiences of loss bring them closer together, while also shaping their actions and decisions throughout the story.
5. The Unreliable Narrator: The novel explores the concept of the unreliable narrator through Verity’s manuscript, which raises questions about the truthfulness of her account and her motivations for writing such a disturbing narrative. This theme challenges the reader to constantly question the reality of the characters’ experiences.
6. The Nature of Evil: Verity examines the nature of evil through the character of Verity Crawford, who is portrayed as a manipulative and cold-hearted individual in her autobiography. The novel encourages readers to contemplate the depths of human depravity and the capacity for cruelty that lies within seemingly ordinary individuals.
Concluding thoughts
In conclusion, “Verity” by Colleen Hoover is a wild ride from start to finish. The story challenges you to untangle a complex web of emotions, motives, and hidden agendas, with unexpected turns lurking around every corner. While it’s a fiction piece, it’s fascinating to consider how the themes here—obsession, deceit, and moral ambiguity—play out in real-life scenarios, including our own relationships and career choices.
