The story centers around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to finish the remaining books in a bestselling series after the original author, Verity Crawford, is rendered incapacitated by a tragic accident. As Lowen digs through Verity’s notes, she stumbles upon an unpublished autobiography that reveals disturbing details about Verity’s life, her marriage, and her children.
The novel’s tone is set right from the beginning with an unsettling accident that introduces Lowen and Jeremy, Verity’s husband. This opening scene immediately grabbed my attention, but it also foreshadowed the darkness that would pervade the entire narrative.
As I continued reading, I found myself constantly questioning what was real and what was fabricated. Verity’s manuscript is filled with confessions that are both shocking and horrifying, particularly her feelings toward her twin daughters. The chilling descriptions of Verity’s obsession with her husband and her neglect and abuse of her children made me pause more than once. It’s not easy to read about a mother who resents her children so deeply that she contemplates—and even attempts—their harm.
The romance in Verity is complicated and far from typical. The relationship between Lowen and Jeremy is filled with tension and uncertainty. On one hand, there’s an undeniable connection between them, but on the other hand, the shadow of Verity looms large, creating a sense of dread and mistrust. The “insta-love” trope that drives their relationship might not appeal to everyone, but it fits within the context of the fast-paced, plot-driven story.
One of the most divisive aspects of Verity is its ending. Without giving too much away, I’ll say that it left me with more questions than answers. Some readers have loved the ambiguity, while others have found it frustrating. For me, the ending was both unsettling and thought-provoking, forcing me to reconsider everything I had just read.
