Fiction | Book Chatter

Verity
Verity
By Colleen Hoover
Grand Central Publishing, 9781538724736, October 2021, 336pp.

The Short of It:

Now that I’ve read it, I can see why it received all the hype.

The Rest of It:

A popular author is unable to complete her bestselling book series after a life-changing accident. Her husband, searches for the perfect co-author to complete the series on Verity’s behalf. But in order to do the work, Lowen must move into the Crawford’s house temporarily in order to have access to Verity’s many files. But she immediately regrets her decision.

This family has suffered numerous tragedies. The death of their daughter Chastin, and then the accidental drowning of her twin sister shortly thereafter. Leaving Jeremy to pull the pieces back together. Taking care of his wife day in and day out and trying to raise their son Crew proves to be a lot so a nurse is hired. But this brings no peace to Lowen as she observes this family.

Verity is always staring at her. She’s supposed to be beyond awareness, but Lowen doesn’t believe it. She believes that she might be exaggerating her injuries, but for what purpose? Plus, after spending days with Jeremy, seeing his pain, Lowen begins to fall for him which is a recipe for disaster.

This book was quite readable and hard to put down. It’s got a little bit of mystery and suspense going for it, and there are some racy bits which is why I caution my younger readers to skip this one until you are older. I can absolutely see why it’s so popular. It seems to have pulled me out of a reading slump.

Have you read it?

Source: Purchased
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Beartown
By Fredrik Backman
Washington Square Press, 9781501160776, February 2018, 432pp.

The Short of It:

A small town finds community in the sport of hockey but it’s more than a sport for most of the players and coaches.

The Rest of It:

There is a big match coming up for this small town hockey club and it’s literally all hands on deck and the club decides that their only option is winning. Just win. That is the instruction that the boys are given and that’s what they intend to do. The on-ice ribbing of weaker players and the forced acceptance of a younger player into their immediate circle causes quite a bit of friction. To add fuel to the fire, coaches are being moved around and managers are encouraged to retire no matter how many years they’ve been in the club.

As Backman pulls us in with compelling characters and colorful town folk, the behavior and actions of one player, their star player, puts a damper on the pre-game excitement when he commits a crime. His punishment could cost them the win. As the town is divided over what to do, tensions rise and suddenly the game doesn’t seem as important as it once was.

I have read Backman before but I wasn’t prepared the the darkness of this story. I was just skating along, enjoying the healthy competition of the boys and their excitement over the game but then wham, you turn a corner and it gets very serious, quickly.

I know people who have loved this book and cried buckets of tears while reading it but I didn’t even tear up. I was angry and irritated and felt that I wasn’t prepared for where the story went. I know that it’s part of a series and that the new book hits in October, I believe, but now I am not sure I want to read the others. Someone convince me.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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