Explore thought-provoking Verity book club questions (without spoilers!) here. This shocking thriller book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover has had millions of readers talking, including me. I devoured it in one sitting and left it with my jaw on the floor. You’ll also get free printable book club questions and a bingo card to use as book club resources at your in-person book club. Let’s get literary!
Verity by Colleen Hoover is a psychological suspense and romantic thriller about the differences between perception and reality in writing and life. The issues in this standalone novel are whether the titular character’s injuries are real and whether her writing is fact or fiction.
Verity is about the (fictional) author Verity Crawford, who has sustained terrible injuries in an accident and cannot complete her books. So, her seemingly doting husband, Jeremy Crawford, hires struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh to act as a ghostwriter.
As Lowen sorts through Verity’s materials, she finds Verity’s autobiography, only to learn she’s an unreliable narrator. It’s filled with an array of chilling events sure to make you gasp, including disturbing admissions about her twin girls, who each died at young ages under different circumstances.
At the same time, Lowen develops feelings for Jeremy, and strange things happen, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew about Verity.
This leads the dark romance book Verity to one very suspenseful and shocking plot twist and an ending that leaves readers wanting more.
Jeremy chokes Verity, and Lowen shows him how to make her choke on her own vomit. She dies. Seven months later, Lowen is pregnant with Jeremy’s baby. She finds a letter from Verity that says the manuscript was a writing exercise, and Jeremy tried to kill her in the staged car accident. She planned to run away with Crew. Lowen destroys the letter.
Verity by Colleen Hoover is an amazing book club book for discussing such themes as truth vs. lies, manipulation, trauma, grief, and ethical dilemmas. It probes into Verity’s most sinister actions and the moral problems Lowen faces, who struggles with understanding Verity as she engages in a twisted love story of her own.
Warning: Note that Verity has many graphic and disturbing scenes. (The only other one by Colleen Hoover that’s nearly as disturbing is Too Late.) Get more detailed trigger warnings for Verity, one of Hoover’s most spicy books.
Verity Book Club Questions (Without Spoilers)
Colleen Hoover noted in the Special Edition of Verity that she had expected Verity to be a smaller, niche release that her readers wouldn’t gravitate towards. Instead, it became a massive success over several years of time. What do you attribute to its widespread success?
Verity begins “with a bang” — literally. Discuss how the opening scene sets the stage for the book.
The name Verity means “truth.” What do you make of this?
If you have read any other Colleen Hoover books, how is Verity both similar and different?
Many readers consider Verity to be one of the best Colleen Hoover books (if not THE best). Do you agree or disagree?
What genre and sub-genre would you classify Verity as?
Do you think the Vermont setting of the Crawford home has significance?
Why do you think Jeremy selected Lowen to ghostwrite for Verity?
What caused Jeremy to fall for Lowen, and was he justified in doing so?
What caused Lowen to fall for Jeremy, and was she justified in doing so?
What role does Crew play in the plot?
How did your status either as a parent or not a parent affect your reading of the graphic scenes involving Verity’s pregnancy and the deaths of her children?
In many ways, can be seen as a book about the motivations of the characters. Discuss each of their motivations for their actions and inactions.
Discuss whether each main character was ultimately good or evil.
Was Verity faking her injuries?
Who is the real villain in Verity?
Who is telling the truth in Verity?
Are Lowen and the Crawford family “Chronics” who experience above-average amounts of trauma, or is something else at the root of their circumstances?
The plot of Verity is pretty wild and intense. Did you find it to be believable?
Readers often react to Verity with one powerful word. Describe your reaction after finishing Verity in one word.
Many readers read Verity in one sitting, one day, etc. Was it an unputdownable book for you too?
Verity contains many very graphic and erotic scenes. What are your thoughts on this?
Are Lowen and Jeremy in love or bound by their circumstances?
If you had to pick one, do you consider Verity to be the story of Verity’s life as the titular character or Lowen’s life as the narrator?
Verity is widely considered to be a very “different” type of thriller. Have you read any other books like Verity?
Were you surprised by what became of Verity at the end of the book?
Verity called the writing at issue “So Be It.” Why do you think she chose this title?
The ultimate question: was Verity’s writing a fictional manuscript or an autobiography?
Did you read the extra chapter of Verity in the 2022 Special Edition of Verity? If so, discuss your thoughts on the new trajectory of the book.
Verity has an open ending. If you were to write the sequel to Verity, in what direction would you take the story?
Printable PDF Reading Guide: Discussion Questions and Bingo Card
Download this book club reading guide and a bingo game below to prepare for your in-person book club. To facilitate discussion, you can have book club members cross off each square on their card when they discuss that word.
FREE PRINTABLE BOOK CLUB GUIDE
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Book Club Ideas For Food and Games
- Eat: anything dark, like dark chocolate
- Drink: “blood” red wine
- Play: two truths and a lie
Book Club Books to Read Next
If your club has a book hangover from these Verity book club questions and wants to read another satisfying psychological thriller, check out:
- The Guest List Discussion Questions
- None of This Is True Discussion Questions
- First Lie Wins Discussion Questions
- The Last Thing He Told Me Discussion Questions
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
