Verity
Verity is a psychological romantic thriller novel by Colleen Hoover, first self-published in 2018 and later re-released in 2021. It deviates from Hoover's typical contemporary romance genre, delving into themes of obsession, deception, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to complete a popular book series for the acclaimed author Verity Crawford, who is incapacitated after an accident. Lowen moves into the Crawford home to sort through Verity's notes, where she uncovers an unfinished autobiography that reveals unsettling and potentially dangerous secrets about Verity's life and her family. The novel is intended for a mature audience due to its explicit and intense content. It navigates a complex narrative, presenting readers with a morally ambiguous situation and unreliable perspectives. This standalone work aims to provide a suspenseful and emotionally charged reading experience, appealing to those who enjoy dark romance with thriller elements.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe book contains highly disturbing and graphic depictions of violence, including child abuse, multiple murders, attempted murder, and detailed accounts of physical harm. The violence is central to the psychological thriller aspect of the plot.
Verity's discovered manuscript details her attempts to murder her twin children multiple times in their infancy, and her deliberate act of capsizing a boat to cause her daughter Harper's drowning. Later in the narrative, Jeremy attempts to strangle Verity after discovering her deception. Lowen encourages Jeremy to suffocate Verity to death, making it appear as if she aspirated in her sleep, which Jeremy then carries out.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe novel features frequent and explicit sexual content, including detailed descriptions of sexual acts and passionate encounters. There is an 'excessive amount of sex' that some reviewers describe as 'heavy-handed' and 'cheap erotica.'
Lowen and Jeremy engage in a romantic and sexual affair while Verity, Jeremy's wife, is incapacitated in the same house. Verity's autobiography, 'So Be It,' details graphic sexual encounters between Verity and Jeremy before and during their marriage.
Profanity
HighThe book utilizes strong and frequent profanity throughout, including a wide range of curse words and instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. This contributes to the mature and gritty tone of the narrative.
Profanity includes approximately 70 uses of strong language (e.g., the F-word), around 25 instances of moderate profanity, about 20 uses of mild language, and roughly 30 instances of the name of Deity used in vain. Reviewers note that 'just about every curse word is used in this book multiple times.'
Scary & Intense Content
HighAs a psychological thriller, 'Verity' contains consistently scary and intense content, including disturbing psychological themes, graphic imagery, and a pervasive sense of dread. The narrative explores dark aspects of human nature and extreme situations.
The manuscript Lowen discovers contains 'bone-chilling admissions' and is described as 'seriously creepy and disturbing,' detailing infanticide and maternal hatred. There are 'creepy/scary moments sprinkled throughout the book' such as Verity appearing to move or watch Lowen from her incapacitated state, and unsettling incidents involving Crew, like him waving to an empty window or cutting his chin on a knife that isn't present.
Substance Use
MediumThe book contains references to alcohol consumption by adult characters. While not explicitly detailed as abuse, the presence of alcohol use is noted as part of the mature content.
The book is noted as being 'unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.' Characters are shown casually drinking alcohol in various scenes throughout the story, for instance, Lowen consuming alcohol at different points in the Crawford home.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe narrative features significant acts of deception and defiance against societal and moral norms, particularly concerning marital fidelity and trust. Characters actively hide truths and engage in behaviors that subvert expectations.
Lowen actively hides Verity's disturbing autobiography from Jeremy, recognizing its potential to impact his perception of his wife and her own burgeoning relationship with him. Lowen and Jeremy engage in a romantic relationship and sexual acts while Verity, Jeremy's wife, is alive and present, albeit incapacitated, in the same house.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowAfter thorough examination of various sources and specific keyword searches (lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, queer representation, LGBTQ characters, Colleen Hoover lgbtq), no explicit LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation were found within the content of 'Verity' itself. The narrative focuses exclusively on heterosexual relationships and gender identities.
No specific examples of LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or discussions are present in the provided content analysis. Searches for 'Verity lgbtq', 'Verity gay', 'Verity lesbian', 'Verity transgender', 'Verity queer representation', 'Verity LGBTQ characters', and 'Colleen Hoover lgbtq' yielded no relevant results indicating such content within the book. The romantic and sexual content exclusively involves male and female characters, specifically Lowen, Jeremy, and Verity.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no indication of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, or overt supernatural themes within 'Verity.' The narrative's suspense and thrills are rooted in psychological manipulation and dark human nature rather than magical or spiritual elements.
No specific mentions of magic rituals, spells, demons, or any form of occult practices were found in the available content reviews or plot summaries. The story's horror and unsettling elements stem from the characters' actions and psychological states.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book contains very little spiritual content, and what is present is minimal and does not portray Christianity or religious figures in a positive light. There are no explicit anti-Christian themes or mockery, but rather an absence of positive religious influence.
Spiritual content is 'little to none' in the book, with mentions of prayer used only as 'an insincere plea for help.' This indicates a lack of meaningful religious engagement rather than direct opposition or criticism of Christian beliefs. The focus remains on the secular psychological drama.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
This book is recommended for readers aged 18 and older due to its extremely mature content, including graphic sexual encounters, detailed descriptions of violence, child abuse, explicit language, and psychologically disturbing themes.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that 'Verity' is a dark and intense psychological thriller that contains extremely mature and potentially triggering content. The ambiguous ending leaves readers questioning the truth, adding to the psychological complexity. It is not suitable for younger readers or those sensitive to themes of violence, child abuse, and explicit sexual content.
Related Reviews
Is Verity right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required