What if nothing is what it seems? You know, the kind of books that alter your perception, keep you on the edge of your seat, and make you wonder, "What happens next?" That's just how 'Verity' by Colleen Hoover feels.
This numerously award-nominated book captivated readers with its shocking twists, dark secrets, and unreliable narrators. And now, with Anne Hathaway starring in Amazon Studios' movie adaptation, even more people are being drawn into its gripping story.
That's why we've curated 13 books like 'Verity' that will blow your mind. Spoiler alert: each one brings that same can't-put-it-down intensity. Plus, we've also included five book summary recommendations from Headway's library so you can get your thriller fix with the quickness.
Headway is a daily growth app that offers concise audio and text summaries, so you can quickly grasp the key insights. It's great for when you're short on time but still want to dive deep into your next thrilling read.
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Quick list: Five books like 'Verity' for late-night reads
If you're looking for psychological thrillers with shocking twists that rival 'Verity,' these five books should do the trick:
'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides: A tale of a woman who shoots her husband and refuses to speak, leaving a psychotherapist obsessed with uncovering the truth.
'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn: A thriller about a woman who goes missing in a mysterious case that reveals hidden secrets in her marriage, culminating in a shocking twist.
'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins: A woman's obsession with a couple she spies on leads her into a web of deceit and dangerous secrets she can't untangle.
'The Wife Upstairs' by Rachel Hawkins: A dark psychological thriller that twists love, betrayal, and secrets together in a compelling story of obsession and revenge.
'Behind Closed Doors' by B.A. Paris: In a seemingly perfect marriage lies a secret, with each twist more shocking than the last, leaving the reader breathless.
13 books like 'Verity' that will keep you up all night this fall 2025
Before making a deep dive into this list, get a freebie from Headway — a printable reading log that will help you easily track your reads!
1. 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides
A famous painter, Alicia Berenson, shoots her husband five times and then goes silent, never to speak again. That's why forensic psychologist, Theo Faber, becomes captivated by her. The more Theo learns about Alicia's silence, past, and art, the more secrets are revealed that lead to shocking discoveries.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both books hook their readers with their unreliable narrators and human psyche complexities.
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5 stars, with over 267k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Perfect for late nights under a blanket with tea. You'll be up way past bedtime trying to figure out what's real.
A bite-sized reading tip: Check out the 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' summary on Headway if you seek more stories about obsessions and search for the truth.
2. 'The Perfect Marriage' by Jeneva Rose
Here's the story of Sarah and Adam Morgan, a couple with a 'so-called' perfect life. When Adam is arrested for the murder of his mistress, Sarah becomes his defense attorney. Certain revelations force her to question everything about her husband's true nature.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both stories feature hidden truths in relationships and jaw-dropping twists.
Goodreads rating: 3.98/5 stars, with over 83k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Try listening to this book on a rainy night, especially if you want a novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
3. 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins
Rachel Watson watches a couple from the train every day and becomes obsessed with them. However, when the woman goes missing, Rachel becomes involved in the case, which leads her down a path of lies and deception. You'll question everything in this story!
Similarities with 'Verity': Unreliable narrators and a twisty, suspenseful plot.
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5 stars, with over 135k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Best enjoyed during a rainy afternoon when the suspense builds with each page.
A bite-sized reading tip: Look into 'The Black Swan' summary on Headway if you're fascinated by unpredictable events and high-consequence occurrences.
4. 'The Good Girl' by Mary Kubica
The story follows Mia Dennet, who has been kidnapped and held captive for months. When she escapes, everyone finds out the truth behind her abduction. Lies are exposed, which makes you question everyone's motives.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both novels include mysterious circumstances, unreliable characters, and shocking secrets.
Goodreads rating: 3.80/5 stars, with over 20k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Ideal for a quiet weekend getaway when you're in the mood for a psychological thriller with an unpredictable plot.
5. 'The Wife Upstairs' by Rachel Hawkins
A wealthy widower named Eddie begins a relationship with Alice, his neighbor. He still mourns the loss of his wife, Bea, who drowned in a boating accident years ago. However, when Bea's body is found, the truth about the mysterious events surrounding her death and Eddie's past comes to light.
Similarities with 'Verity': Dark secrets, obsession, and unexpected revelations.
Goodreads rating: 3.73/5 stars, with over 27k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Ideal for reading during a dark, stormy night, when you're in the mood for a story full of surprises.
A bite-sized reading tip: Explore the 'Girl, Wash Your Face' summary on Headway if you crave empowering stories on overcoming self-doubt and embracing personal growth.
6. 'The Last Mrs. Parrish' by Liv Constantine
Amber Patterson wants to take over the life of Daphne Parrish, the perfect wife of a wealthy man. Amber enters this couple's life and begins to reveal unexpected dark secrets that lead to an ultimate, life-changing twist.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both books explore obsession, hidden truths, and a shocking reversal of expectations.
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5 stars, with over 33k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Perfect for a late-night binge instead of Netflix. Grab popcorn and hot cocoa before immersing yourself in suspense, secrets, and plot twists.
7. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn
It's a story of a marriage gone wrong: Amy Dunne goes missing, and her husband Nick is the prime suspect. With its plot twists and exploration of deception, this psychological thriller makes you guess until the very end.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both books include unreliable narrators and marriage secrets.
Goodreads Rating: 4.1/5 stars, with over 167k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: You'll second-guess every character — perfect for an intense, late-night read by candlelight.
A bite-sized reading tip: Dive into the 'Blink' summary on Headway if you're intrigued by snap judgments and the psychology behind decision-making.
8. 'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn
Anna Fox watches her neighbors from her window because she can't leave her house. She sees something terrible happen. At least, she thinks she does. But no one believes her, and soon she's not sure what's real anymore. This psychological thriller is stuffed with twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both novels delve into unreliable perceptions of reality, with the protagonist caught in a web of deception and confusion.
Goodreads rating: 3.94/5 stars, with over 64k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: You can fully immerse yourself in Anna's state of mind in a quiet setting, such as your local library or coffee shop.
9. 'Behind Closed Doors' by B.A. Paris
Grace and Jack's marriage seems perfect to their friends and neighbors. But the reality is that Grace is in an abusive relationship that continues behind closed doors. As the story unfolds, the chilling truth about their marriage is revealed, leaving readers shocked.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both involve dark, twisted relationships and hidden secrets.
Goodreads rating: 3.97/5 stars, with over 56k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Perfect for a late-night read under the blanket, this book will keep you turning pages.
A bite-sized reading tip: Check out the 'Silent Spring' summary on Headway. It digs into the hidden truths behind environmental damage and the delicate balance of nature.
10. 'The Wife Between Us' by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The novel follows the difficult relationships between Nellie, Richard (her ex-husband), and his new fiancée, Vanessa. When a secret unravels — nothing is as it seems. The story takes shocking turns, revealing deeper betrayals and hidden motives.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both novels feature twisted love triangles, hidden secrets, and unreliable characters.
Goodreads rating: 3.83/5 stars, with over 35k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: A glass of wine and a cozy blanket would fit perfectly, as the plot will keep you up long after you should have gone to bed.
11. 'The Housemaid's Secret' by Freida McFadden
'The Housemaid's Secret' picks up where 'The Housemaid' leaves off, but this time with a deeper dive into the dark world of Millie. She's a housemaid who has a troubled past and is definitely hiding some secrets. This sequel leads to a mind-blowing conclusion that no one sees coming.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both books focus on hidden secrets, betrayal, and a protagonist who's forced to navigate through dangerous situations filled with lies and deception.
Goodreads rating: 4.19/5 stars, with over 94k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Curl up with a warm cup of tea and a blanket on a relaxing weekend, as you'll be glued to the pages.
12. 'The Couple Next Door' by Shari Lapena
Anne and Marco Conti's life unravels when their baby daughter is kidnapped during a night out. When the police dug deeper, dark secrets about the couple's past and their relationship surfaced. Even so, one question remains: who is really responsible?
Similarities with 'Verity': Both stories have unreliable characters and suspenseful mysteries.
Goodreads rating: 3.80/5 stars, with over 45k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Great for a late-night thriller session with a warm beverage and dimmed lights.
13. 'The Newlyweds' by Nell Freudenberger
The novella tells the story of a couple who are married internationally — Amina and George. As they develop their relationship, secrets from Amina's past come to light. And that's the moment when their once-perfect life starts falling apart.
Similarities with 'Verity': Both books explore complex relationships, hidden secrets, and the consequences of deception.
Goodreads rating: 3.42/5 stars, with over 1.3k reviews.
Aesthetic advice: Great for a relaxed evening with your favorite snacks, as the story quietly builds tension, making you eager to see what happens next.
Keep the suspense going with Headway's summaries!
The 13 books like 'Verity' listed here have everything you need: unreliable narrators, dark secrets, and plot twists. From psychological thrillers to twisted love stories, each one will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages late at night.
Ready to keep the thrill going? We have 2000+ book summaries that you'll find to your liking — everything from books to make you smarter to must-reads for women in their 30s. With Headway, your reading sessions become part of your daily growth routine, as our summaries help you capture the key insights in just 15 minutes.
Download Headway today and stay ahead with bite-sized content that brings you closer to your next favorite read!
Frequently asked questions about books like 'Verity'
Is there a part 2 to the book 'Verity'?
No, at the moment, there is no part 2 to 'Verity' or any plans from the author. Colleen Hoover hasn't announced a sequel, and the book itself stands as a complete story. However, the ending is left to interpretation, so readers can discuss and reflect on it long after finishing.
Is 'Verity' an 18+ book?
Yes, 'Verity' is recommended for readers 18 and older. The novel contains mature scenes, disturbing details, and dark themes, such as violence and intense emotional situations. So, it's better to have adult readers who can handle such content, engage with this text.
Is 'Verity' going to be a movie?
Yes! Actually, 'Verity' is currently being adapted into a movie. The rights were acquired, and the film is in the works. Although the release date hasn't been confirmed, fans are excited to see it, as the cast includes renowned industry names such as Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.
Who was the real villain in 'Verity'?
The real villain in 'Verity' is open to interpretation. Many readers point to Verity herself, highlighting her manipulative and sinister actions. However, others claim that Jeremy plays a key role in the story's dark undercurrent because of his choices and manipulations. It's a twisted, complex web!
Which author should I read if I like Colleen Hoover's works?
If you love Colleen Hoover, try reading titles by Tarryn Fisher or Christina Lauren. Both authors write emotional stories, similar to 'Verity' and 'Heart Bones.' Fisher's books delve into complicated relationships, while Lauren's mix humor with heartfelt drama, offering a similar emotional depth as Hoover's works.