Verity by Colleen Hoover: Book vs. Movie
Beware! This post contains spoilers!
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Published December 7th, 2018/Released October 2nd, 2026
Genres: Mystery/Thriller, Romance
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 what really happened the day her daughter died.
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 to love her.
Having previously gone through the rollercoaster of emotion, doubt, and disbelief that is reading Verity, I was curious to hear about a movie adaptation, starring none other than Anne Hathaway. After having shared the ridiculousness of the plot with my wife, and us having had so much fun cringing in our seats while watching our last book-to-movie theatre adaptation (see: my Wuthering Heights review), and with nothing better to do on a Thursday night, we hastily bought last-minute tickets to the opening night of Verity.
And what a trip it was.
After going into the theatre with at least some mild trepidation for what I was about to witness, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by Verity. More than that, even. I might have to say I was exuberantly shocked! This could be one of the best movie adaptations I’ve seen in a long time.
Was it a masterpiece? No. Was it a mid movie? Yes.
But still, given its source material, I think they did a fantastic job.
It was fun! A little silly, a little ridiculous, but overall an enjoyable time. I really have to give my props to the incredible actors. Between the stunning set and the stacked cast, I think they made the majority of the cringy-ness of the book actually work on screen and took it in stride. Anne Hathaway was incredible as Verity. And Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett were no slouches either. There were a lot of opportunities to lose the audience in this story, and they did an amazing job keeping us hooked and on the edge of our seats.
Would I recommend this movie to others? Honestly, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but yes. Yes, I would. Is it high art? Maybe not. But it managed to make me suspend my disbelief, even if only for a little while, and even when I couldn’t quite believe what I was watching, it made me feel like we were all in on the joke together. And really, what more could you ask for?
Have you seen or read Verity?
What were your thoughts?
Let me know!
Liza
Liza is a thirty-something book blogger who spends way too much time with her nose in books and feels way too much. She loves cooking, baking, reality tv show watching and, of course, reading. She can be found most often with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other. Her blog, Literary Liza, features bookish content like reviews, recommendations, and author interviews.
You May Also Like
Love, Simon by Becky Albertalli: Book vs. Movie
Emma by Jane Austen: Book vs. Movie
