My first Hoover novel goes by the name of wife and writer Verity who has a disturbing secret.
Verity – the blurb
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already-grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her . . .
Sugar and spice and all things nice
Well this is a bit spicy isn’t it? Something I wasn’t expecting as I picked up my first Colleen Hoover novel. Do I describe it as a low rent Rebecca? As having echos of The Thirteenth Tale? Of Fifty Shades of Grey? No it’s not quite Grey or indeed any of them. It is Verity with it’s twists, turns and teeth marked headboards. The opening is startling and later parts were hard to read (the pregnancy and baby monitor stuff). I also found myself questioning whether anyone had ever heard of the morning after pill? In the end I wasn’t sure what I made of Verity, Jeremy or Lowen. They are a complicate trio with a hell of a lot of baggage. I do think though that the book could have done with an extra 50 pages to really build the tension around Verity and her injuries. It was relatively short so wouldn’t have suffered and would have really rounded things out. All in all, quick to read, with tension and a side of spice. Good one to pack in your suitcase.
