Title:  Layla

Author:  Colleen Hoover

Published:  December 8, 2020 by Montlake

Source:  Everand

Type:  audiobook

Blurb: 

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.

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads

Introduction

I went into “Layla” by Colleen Hoover not knowing a thing about it and it made my reading experience so much better. The blurb does not prepare you for what’s about to happen and thus, your mind will be blown away. I am not (that) new to Colleen Hoover, but there is still so much I must read from her. “Layla” was an interesting experience, to say the least.

Leeds and Layla meet at her sister’s wedding and his attraction is intense from the first moments together. Their one-night stand turns into a relationship and things seem to be falling into place, until something tragic happens and she almost dies. When she finally leaves the hospital, Leeds takes her to the place where their romance started, hoping their relationship would flourish once more. But after the incident, Layla is no longer the same, even her memory seems to be affected. The change in demeanor, and also the frustration at not being able to do more for her, pushes Leeds to open his heart for Willow, a woman he meets at the bed and breakfast. Even if their connection is immediate and their feelings grow, he feels guilty for what happened to Layla, and soon becomes torn between the two women. 

My Thoughts

I enjoyed my time with the characters. We discover Layla and Willow through Leeds’s eyes and we get to like or dislike them in accordance with his feelings for them at a given moment. He is not your typical book boyfriend and there is no intention to transform him into one. He is a normal (well, a singer in a band with a trust fund, but otherwise), decent guy. His struggle to accommodate Layla as well as his guilt, become a prison for him. We see Leeds in love, then looking to settle down, then consumed by a relationship in which he is no longer the boyfriend, but the care giver. He feels tired and trapped in a prison of his own doing and it consumes him even more. This is why meeting Willow feels refreshing. He has excitement in his life and heart once again.

Layla’s carefree spirit is what sets her apart. With no clear direction in her life, she easily follows Leeds in his trips. Because of how the story is told, with a narrator that wants to be somewhat distant, the reader may not connect very well with her. One thing is clear: the confusion, the pain and fears are well detailed in several instances. As for Willow, she is everything that Layla no longer is.

Love beyond all is the theme of this book. Even if not heavy on the romance, one of the messages of the story is that souls meant to be together will find a way to each other. Love is above all forms of being, it transcends life and death. The author also points out the difficulties of carrying for a loved one. A hard truth, one that we try to cover with the sweetness of love, it is definitely a difficult position to be in. Love and guilt and despair are well combined, and Leeds is a character dealing with all at once.

It’s better to be a selfless somebody than to be a selfish nobody.

There is a lot to be said about the writing, probably more than about anything else. Colleen Hoover is amazing, and her ability to surprise the reader never disappoints. “Layla” is narrated from Leeds’s perspective, with him relating the events to a stranger. This was exceptionally executed, from my perspective, and it explains why the romance was toned down. We go back and forth for a good portion of the story, alternating between the present (Leeds and the stranger trying to find an explanation) and past (the building up to today’s action). The unexpected element is absolutely mind-blowing. This book has the wow factor and it will leave you breathless.

Falling in love with her was weightless, like air was breezing through my bones. Falling out of love is fucking heavy, like my lungs are carved from iron.

I went into it expecting a romance, but what I received instead was a lot more. I devoured every chapter and I simply could not stop. While I understand the author’s focus was on the paranormal aspect and just fixing and impossible (surreal) situation, I feel there were some unexplained aspects. I like to know how the characters are doing professionally and Layla doesn’t seem to have any professional inclinations. At some point, this carefree style becomes irresponsible. There are some scenes not very well explained at the bed and breakfast and these aspects left me with a feeling of incompletion.

Cover Review: I like the cover, it is fitting for a book that is both mysterious and masculine (since the story is told from the MMC’s perspective. I also like the shape. It has some vibes… I like it.

All in all, “Layla” is a smart book, dealing with heavy topics and it should be a must-read. Combining paranormal romance, with mystery and thriller elements, it will surprise you in wonderful ways. One would not expect anything less from Colleen Hoover.

Let me know in the comments if you have read Layla and if you have enjoyed it. Also, what’s your favorite book by Colleen Hoover?

Until next time, happy reading!