Dark and twisted, ‘‘Verity’’ leaves readers on edge

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I love a good romance novel. The bookshelves in my dorm room are dedicated almost solely to the genre, with a random anthology or classic novel thrown in for good measure.

My love of the genre is exactly why I refused to read “Verity” for so long. I am a creature of habit. It is extremely rare for me to deviate from reading sappy, feel-good novels in favor of ones with dark undertones.

As for “Verity,” I had purchased the novel some time ago and it sat prominently on my shelf while I effectively ignored its presence as I continued to reach for my tried-and-true romance novels.“Verity” is a thriller and a gruesome one at that. When I finally decided to start reading it, I was stuck somewhere between wanting to chuck the novel at a wall out of rage and devour every word on the page.

Unlike Colleen Hoover’s other novels, “Verity” entices readers with its dark backstory. Verity Crawford is a fictional author who has just lost both of her daughters when she is involved in an accident that leaves her in a coma. Unsure of what to do about the final novels in her unfinished series, her husband Jeremy enlists the help of budding author Lowen Ashleigh to pen the books in Verity’s absence. When Lowen moves into the Crawford’s house, she discovers a manuscript that shakes her to her core and leaves her questioning all she thought she knew about the beloved author.

To say this novel is twisted would be an understatement. I went in blind, not wanting to have any preconceived notions that might alter my perception of the characters. When I stop to think about it, I didn’t find any of the characters truly likable. As much as I wanted to love the protagonist, her terrible decision-making left much to be desired. Conspiracy tended to follow Jeremy around like a small child, and despite Verity’s unfortunate demise, her psychopathic tendencies left me terrified of her.

It is because of this distaste for the characters that I urge you to read the novel. I felt like a fly on the wall the entire time I was reading. Because I held no personal preference toward any of the characters, I was able to focus my attention on the key plot points, catching key details I would have otherwise missed as the story unfolded.

With each twist and turn, I became more engrossed with the mystery of “Verity.” The novel has all of the elements essential to an exhilarating thriller—forbidden desire, murder, mystery and suspense. I will warn you, however, this novel is not for the faint of heart. There is content throughout the pages that even I found hard to stomach, and I just finished the new “Dahmer” documentary on Netflix.

In many ways, “Verity” reminded me of something Edgar Allen Poe would pen in the 21st century. It is macabre without unnecessary gore and leaves readers questioning the validity of each of the characters’ actions. Distinguishing between fact and fiction becomes nearly impossible. With each turn of the page, I become more impressed with Hoover’s ability to deviate from her typical genre.

“Verity” proves her versatility as an author, something even more impressive coming from an author who traditionally pens fluffy romance novels. Coming in at 336 pages, “Verity” is a novel you could easily finish in a few sittings. Just make sure you read it during the daytime, as I constantly found myself looking over my shoulder out of fear that someone was watching me. The unease the novel creates is easily one of its most redeeming qualities. With a hint of flirtation, massive plot twists and an unforgettable ending, “Verity” is sure to find its spot on your bookshelf.