#Review Layla, by Colleen Hoover #4stars

MY REVIEW:

I was a bit iffy about this book for a good chunk out of the middle. I was soooooooo mad at the main character. Seriously, I was completely disgusted. I almost put the book down because I was that mad at him. I’m glad that I didn’t though because it all came together and his reasoning for all the ridiculousness took a turn and made complete sense. It even made it better, if that makes sense. The review is going to be hard to write without giving it all away, so I’ll keep it short and just say now that if you’re halfway through this book and in the same boat I was in then stick it out!!

So Leeds is a musician and in a band that he hates. They’re playing at a wedding when Layla catches his eye. She’s jamming out, literally the only one dancing, and she’s horrible at it. He thinks it’s funny and is captivated by her. Later that night he spots her in the pool and they wind up getting to know one another. Their connection is fun, and real and even I fell for Layla. She’s unique and different and stands out from other girls, as does most of Hoovers characters – which is what I love most about her books.
Hoover manages to find quirky qualities in people and really make those differences pop. The two of them wind up unable to leave each other and they stay together longer than the parties they were originally traveling with. One thing leads to another and they wind up staying together for the long haul. She moves with him and encourages him to chase his musical career. In doing so, the social media spotlight brings up an old fling of Leeds. Her name is Mable and she’s awful. She stocks them, particularly Layla out of jealousy, and there ends up being a shootout. After Layla’s extensive recovery and clear brain damage Leeds decides to take her back to the bed and breakfast where they first met.
While at this bed and breakfast things get strange. There’s a ghost there, her name is Willow and she’s somehow managed to take over Layla’s body in intervals. Leeds doesn’t know what to do. His feelings for Layla are getting questionable as her mannerisms and personality have changed so much since the shooting. Then there’s Willow, who, while possessing Layla, stirs up very strong emotions in Leeds. He’s confused and scared and even though he knows that any sane person would run far far away and never come back, there’s just something about Willow that’s keeping him there.
As I mentioned before, things make sense as it all comes together and the twist is phenomenal. The climax in the end had me biting my nails and gripping my seat. I couldn’t pull myself from it, and I walked away wholly satisfied in the end. If it wasn’t for the sluggish and cringe worthy middle this book would be 5 stars. But because of the long struggle through the center I’m only giving it a 4.

DESCRIPTION:

A Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love.

When Leeds meets Layla, he’s convinced he’ll spend the rest of his life with her—until an unexpected attack leaves Layla fighting for her life. After weeks in the hospital, Layla recovers physically, but the emotional and mental scarring has altered the woman Leeds fell in love with. In order to put their relationship back on track, Leeds whisks Layla away to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. Once they arrive, Layla’s behavior takes a bizarre turn. And that’s just one of many inexplicable occurrences.

Feeling distant from Layla, Leeds soon finds solace in Willow—another guest of the B&B with whom he forms a connection through their shared concerns. As his curiosity for Willow grows, his decision to help her find answers puts him in direct conflict with Layla’s well-being. Leeds soon realizes he has to make a choice because he can’t help both of them. But if he makes the wrong choice, it could be detrimental for all of them.