Layla by Colleen Hoover Published by Montlake on December 8, 2020
Pages: 301
Format: ARC
Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller
Amazon
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.
“I placed two layers of duct tape over Layla’s mouth before I came downstairs, but I can still hear her muffled screams as the detective takes a seat at the table.”
The very first sentence in Layla had me instantly covered in goosebumps, fully invested in the story. I knew Colleen Hoover had a darker side after reading her phenomenal thriller Verity, and I was all too happy to be sucked into her vortex of romantic suspense once again — this time with a paranormal spin.
I fell in love with Leeds and Layla’s romance just as quickly as they fall for each other. When they meet at a bed and breakfast, there is a tangible sizzle between them and an infectious bubble of joy. Hoover is fantastic at setting the tone, and it’s such a stark contrast to the strained and creepy atmosphere that envelops Leeds and Layla when they return months later. Add in another character, Willow, and things only get more strange.
I found myself questioning my sense of right and wrong more than once. While Leeds is someone I immediately connected with, as the story goes on I vacillated between admiring him, loathing him, and feeling sympathetic towards him. I felt fiercely protective of Layla and desperately wanted to relieve her anxiety.
I’m pretty good at solving puzzles, but this mystery kept me guessing. Layla is a gripping paranormal thriller that left me dizzy with plot twists and torn loyalties. More dark Hoover, please.
Recommended for fans of:
Thrillers
Mysteries
Paranormal fiction
Romantic suspense
Bed and breakfasts
**I received an early copy from the publisher to voluntarily read and review.**
Download a copy of Layla today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited.
Add Audible narration for $1.99!
About Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty two novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller.
Colleen Hoover is published by Montlake Romance and Atria Books. Colleen also has several indie titles, including her psychological thriller, Verity.
In 2015, Colleen’s novel CONFESS won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. That was followed up in 2016 with her latest title, It Ends With Us, also winning the Choice Award for Best Romance. In 2017, her title WITHOUT MERIT won best romance.
Her novel CONFESS has been filmed as a series by Awestruck and is available on Prime Video via Amazon and iTunes. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper star in the series.
Colleen founded The Bookworm Box, a charity subscription service and bookstore, with her family in 2015. The Bookworm Box is a subscription service that provides readers with an exciting opportunity to receive signed novels in the mail each month from authors all over the world. All profits from the subscription service are donated to various charities each month. To date, The Bookworm Box has donated over $1,000,000 to help those in need.
Purchase books here.
Great review! This was a great paranormal romance. It almost felt like a thriller.