Summary: In today's article, I have handpicked 20 of the best books similar to Verity that I think you’ll love if you're a fan of thrilling twists and dark secrets. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
- The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
If you loved Verity by Colleen Hoover, you’ll probably enjoy books with similar dark twists and suspenseful plots. Stories like The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris are full of secrets, lies, and tension that will keep you hooked. These novels dive deep into complex characters and leave you second-guessing everything, keeping you on edge until the very end. They're perfect for anyone who loves a thrilling mix of psychological drama and mystery, with twists that stay with you long after you finish the book.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Verity
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
- The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
- Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
- Layla by Colleen Hoover
- Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
- It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
- Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
- Too Late by Colleen Hoover
- All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
1. The Last Thing He Told Me
- Author: Laura Dave
- About: A woman discovers her husband's disappearance is tied to a dangerous secret, and she must unravel it to protect her family.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, fast-paced, and emotionally charged.
- Length: 88,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Leaves a strong emotional impact with its themes of trust, loss, and resilience.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For fans of mysteries with heart and intense, relatable characters.
2. The Housemaid
- Author: Frieda McFadden
- About: A woman enters a new job as a housemaid, but things quickly turn sinister as she uncovers dark secrets about her employers.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, thrilling, and full of twists.
- Length: 92,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High – it leaves readers questioning trust and morality.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: If you love psychological thrillers with shocking twists and suspense.
3. Behind Closed Doors
- Author: B.A. Paris
- About: A seemingly perfect marriage hides terrifying secrets as a woman is trapped in an abusive relationship.
- Style of writing: Tense, gripping, and psychological.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting, uncomfortable impression due to its depiction of control and abuse.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: To dive into the mind of a psychological thriller with a focus on suspense and tension.
4. The Silent Patient
- Author: Alex Michaelides
- About: A woman who has stopped speaking after killing her husband, and a psychotherapist trying to unravel her silence.
- Style of writing: Thought-provoking, psychological, and filled with twists.
- Length: 87,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong – the twist in the end is unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For its compelling psychological depth and shocking twists.
5. The Girl on the Train
- Author: Paula Hawkins
- About: A woman becomes involved in the investigation of a missing woman, with her own secrets complicating things.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, dark, and unreliable narration.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: High – leaves readers reflecting on trust, memory, and perception.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For an engaging psychological thriller with a gripping, unreliable narrator.
6. Sharp Objects
- Author: Gillian Flynn
- About: A reporter returns to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls, uncovering dark family secrets.
- Style of writing: Dark, gritty, and emotionally intense.
- Length: 110,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Deep – leaves a strong, haunting emotional impact due to its raw and tragic themes.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to hard
- Why read it: If you enjoy twisted, deeply psychological thrillers with complex characters.
7. Big Little Lies
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- About: Three women’s lives intertwine through a series of secrets and lies that lead to a shocking event.
- Style of writing: Light but layered, blending humor with dark themes.
- Length: 106,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Moderate – combines humor with dark emotional moments.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For a balance of suspense, humor, and complex characters.
8. The Couple Next Door
- Author: Shari Lapena
- About: A couple's baby is kidnapped while they are next door at a party, and the investigation reveals dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, and twist-filled.
- Length: 85,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Moderate – the mystery and moral dilemmas leave an impression.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For a fast, suspenseful mystery with unexpected twists.
9. The Woman in the Window
- Author: A.J. Finn
- About: A woman, agoraphobic and obsessed with watching her neighbors, believes she has witnessed a crime.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, atmospheric, and unreliable narration.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Strong – leaves readers questioning reality and perception.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For its tense atmosphere and unreliable narrator that keep you guessing.
10. Gone Girl
- Author: Gillian Flynn
- About: A man’s wife disappears, and the investigation reveals shocking truths about their relationship.
- Style of writing: Dark, twisted, and masterfully paced.
- Length: 145,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Deep – unforgettable twists and disturbing themes.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a classic psychological thriller with twists that keep you guessing.
11. Before I Go to Sleep
- Author: S.J. Watson
- About: A woman with amnesia wakes up every day with no memory of her past, but one day, things start to change.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and emotionally intense with a focus on memory.
- Length: 97,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Strong – it plays on memory and trust, leaving a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a psychological thriller that explores memory, identity, and trust.
12. Then She Was Gone
- Author: Lisa Jewell
- About: A woman’s daughter disappears, and years later, she finds new answers that shake her to the core.
- Style of writing: Emotional, suspenseful, and character-driven.
- Length: 100,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Moderate to strong – it touches on grief, loss, and emotional healing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a poignant thriller with strong emotional depth and mystery.
13. Layla
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A couple is torn apart by tragedy and a mysterious force as they try to heal their relationship.
- Style of writing: Emotional, suspenseful, and a mix of romance with paranormal elements.
- Length: 85,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High – the emotional intensity makes it unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a blend of romance, mystery, and supernatural suspense.
14. Reminders of Him
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A woman’s return to her town after serving time in prison forces her to confront her past and try to reconnect with her son.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, emotional, and poignant.
- Length: 95,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: High – deals with heavy themes like redemption, love, and loss.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For an emotionally charged, redemptive story with personal growth.
15. It Ends with Us
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A young woman falls in love with a man who has a dark side, forcing her to make a difficult decision.
- Style of writing: Emotional, intense, and thought-provoking.
- Length: 105,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: High – tackles difficult themes of abuse, love, and survival.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a deeply emotional story about love and resilience.
16. It Starts with Us
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: The sequel to It Ends with Us, following the journey of Lily and Atlas as they navigate their future.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, emotional, and real.
- Length: 90,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Moderate – continues the emotional journey, though more hopeful.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a continuation of an emotional love story with personal growth.
17. Never Never
- Author: Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
- About: Two characters wake up with no memory of who they are and must piece together their lives.
- Style of writing: Mysterious, engaging, and full of suspense.
- Length: 60,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Moderate – keeps you engaged with its mysterious, tension-filled plot.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For an exciting blend of mystery and romance with a supernatural twist.
18. Ugly Love
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A romance about two people who agree to a no-strings-attached relationship, but emotions become complicated.
- Style of writing: Emotional, raw, and intense.
- Length: 97,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: High – deals with themes of love, loss, and healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For a heartbreaking yet hopeful love story with intense emotions.
19. Too Late
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A woman trapped in an abusive relationship must find a way to break free before it’s too late.
- Style of writing: Gripping, raw, and emotional.
- Length: 90,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: High – deeply emotional and intense.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For a powerful, raw look at abuse and the strength it takes to escape.
20. All Your Perfects
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A couple struggles to find happiness amidst the challenges of infertility and a rocky relationship.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, emotional, and introspective.
- Length: 94,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High – deeply emotional with a lasting impact.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For an emotional journey about love, loss, and second chances.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, if you enjoyed Verity and its twisty, suspenseful vibe, I think you'll really enjoy The Last Thing He Told Me, The Housemaid, and Behind Closed Doors. These three books have that same mix of psychological depth, dark secrets, and unpredictable twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. Each one brings something unique to the table, and I’d definitely recommend them to anyone who loves a thrilling, page-turning mystery.
