Warning: This article contains spoilers, so if you haven’t read Verity and want to, read no further.
As a fellow bookworm, I have come across many books that I have found difficult to read for one reason or another. Verity was one rare book I found I could read quickly, but I also had difficulty reading. However, while I found Verity was not a horrible book, it was not the best read ever in my life. I found the plot to be cheap at the end, but the suspense leading up to the end was enjoyable.
Verity certainly kept you guessing, but you were unsatisfied with the answers. I had a lot of questions. The plot twisted and veered a bit too sharply for me to wrap my mind around what was happening and why it fits well. In fact, that’s how I felt- it did NOT fit well. I felt robbed of my peace of mind reading Verity because it was not a book that seemed to flow as easily as some do. In my opinion, plot twists should come up more subtly but make sense with the character’s personality that they would make certain choices. It begs the question: Why?
A Negative Review of Verity: The Summary
Verity, the ever-effective page-turner, begins with a shocking scenario. Suddenly, Lowen Ashleigh, our main character, is splattered by the blood of a pedestrian killed in a car accident while Lowen is on her way to an important business meeting in the heart of New York City. We are then introduced to the second character of Verity, Jeremy Crawford, who is as handsome as he is a gentleman and, consequently, eventually becomes the love interest of Lowen. He literally offers the shirt off of his back for Lowen, who is covered in blood. Then, they part ways.
When Lowen makes it to the meeting, she is surprised to see Jeremy there again. Jeremy is the husband of famous bestselling author Verity Crawford. Lowen is astounded and is offered the chance to be a ghostwriter for Verity, who has been in a severe accident, which has caused her to be bedridden and unable to write. During the meeting, Jeremy pulls Lowen aside and advises her to ask for more money without publicity. Lowen agrees because she is not one to comfortably make public appearances.
At this point, it seemed odd that Jeremy would be as helpful as he is. The first time he helped out, it could have been someone being extra nice and sympathetic to someone covered in blood by an accident. The second time Jeremy helps Lowen out, it seems to be stretching it too far to “just being nice.” Clearly, there is something else at work here, but the reader can’t be sure what it is. Nobody is that nice to someone whom they have not met before.
A Spellbinding Negative Review of Verity: The Crux of the Matter
To backtrack a little in the plot: At some point in their marriage (exactly when it is not made clear), Jeremy becomes suspicious of Verity. Maybe he had been suspicious for a long time because he mentioned he never felt they had a significant connection. However, he suddenly snoops into her office, logs onto her laptop, and comes across a manuscript that reveals a part of Verity she managed to keep hidden for quite some time. A darker part. The manuscript Jeremy discovered has revealed a completely different Verity from the one Jeremy thought he knew. Thus, he begins to plot her murder.
Later, however, we find that the manuscript Jeremy discovered has been possibly faked. The manuscript was possibly fake because Verity explained that the thoughts she had put down were darker and another form of writing, which meant they were not necessarily her true thoughts, to begin with. But Jeremey didn’t think it was fake and staged a car crash after he found the manuscript. Verity also faked being bedridden.
The questions I had were many. What tipped Jeremy off that Verity was writing a twisted manuscript? It is also revealed later that Jeremy picked up Lowen’s books, read them, and wanted her to act in Verity’s stead. This answers at least part of the reason why Jeremy wanted Lowen to be the ghostwriter. And he went to all lengths to make it happen. Instead of presenting Jeremy as a strong character able to take charge, he is revealed as a coward and a fake. Did Jeremy fall in love with Lowen when he read her books, or is Jeremy just a flawed character who acts like a perfect gentleman but is, in fact, a perfect stalker?
Verity and the Disappointment I Endured
While the book has its merits and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, it tends to throw the reader off track a little too much by providing little extra details towards the end. If it wasn’t already sinister enough, Jeremy is all too happy to go along with Lowen’s suggestion to murder Verity in the same way she wanted to murder her infant.
After reading Verity, I can’t say it’s my favorite book. The expectations set by the narrative were not really met. There were more questions left unanswered than answered. This book was a four out of ten, but if you’re into romantic thrillers, check out this book. You may have a different opinion of the piece than what I did. Don’t let what I say alone turn you away from Verity becoming your new favorite book.
There is also a collector’s edition with an exclusive chapter added at the end that says “6 months later.” I had only read the original edition of the book. Nevertheless, it did not seem to redeem the story when I looked it up. To my understanding, it is about Lowen’s insecurities about her postpartum body, and she’s constantly comparing herself to Verity. For me, that is not worth my picking up the book again. But it’s up to you to make up your own mind.
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