Cover Image: The Two Lila Bennetts

The Two Lila Bennetts

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Member Reviews

Lila Bennett is living two different lives - one in which her life continues seemingly as normal, and one where she is taken hostage. Lila is a prosecutor who defends those that have done the worst, and when she is taken hostage, she assumes it is an angry family member of someone who's murderer she defended. Lila is just coming to the realization as this book begins, that she has been living her life wrong, and she wants to be a more righteous, caring person, but it is too late.

This book follows both of the ways Lila's life could have gone, but both felt pretty similar and lots of really similar threads strung through it. At times, the book felt like it didn't have enough action and we were just adding a little more confusion to the mix. The concept was really cool, and I generally really enjoy Liz & Lisa - this just one of my favs.

That being said, Lila is a very relatable character who is trying to right her wrongs, and in doing so, she finds herself in a love triangle many book characters, and even real life individuals, find themselves in. And she is trying to get her old life back.

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Thank you, NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I really liked how there were two storylines and the ending was thought-provoking for sure. The main problem was I did not like Lila at all so it made it hard to be engaged in what happened to her. I finished it because I wanted to know how it ended, but I probably would not read it again or recommend it.

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What would you do if faced with the opportunity to right all the wrongs of your life? What if you had the chance to go back and make amends? Would you? Would you risk your own happiness and way of life just to say “I’m sorry?”
Now, imagine your life actually depends on it! Imagine having to remember every single person you’ve ever wronged in both your personal and professional lives! Time is of the essence for Lila Bennett. Add this book to your summer reading list for a thrill ride that will leave you wondering “what if.”
Thank you, NetGalley, for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Thank you @netgalley for an ARC of this book. I just this very second finished it and I am still shaking! I hadn’t intended to read all afternoon, but I could not put this book down. It is a thriller told in two parts! I am glad it is early evening right now so I will be able to hopefully sleep tonight! Great read and page turner. I just love this writing duo!

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"Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate" ~ Sarah Jessica Parker

Lila Bennett is not a bad person, she's just a person who has made a lot of bad choices.  Lila is a smart, confident, highly sought after criminal defense lawyer.  A rising star, she knows what to do to get the job done even if it means hurting others.  This reputation has made her a lot of enemies.  When Lila gets her latest client acquitted from murdering his wife, it does not feel like a victory.  Defending the rich and ruthless has taken a toll on her conscience.  Feeling the need to be better after wronging so many people, Lila makes a life altering decision that splits her life in two.
The chapters begin alternating between captured and free.  In captured, Lila has been kidnapped by Q, a man who seems to know everything about her.  He begins to force her to right all her wrongs.  Soon discovering that Q is not working alone, Lila is left alone for hours at a time in a cell block trying to survive and figure out who Q's boss is.  Is it someone she has wronged in her past?  Will she live through this or die trying?  One thing is for certain, life as Lila Bennett knew is over.
In free, Lila feels like she is being followed, but is she just paranoid?  An unknown stranger is also leaking her secrets one by one forcing Lila to come face to face with the choices she has made.  With everything out in the open, Lila begins to right her wrongs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!  It reminded me of the choose your own adventure books I read as a kid, but way more suspenseful and full of twists and turns!  I've read other reviews comparing this story line to the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow, so I may need to check it out!  If you have seen it, and enjoyed it , you're in for a treat with this fast paced read! This is my first book by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, and it will not be my last!

Book Rating: 4/5

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What I loved most about this book was the different perspectives of the two Lila Bennetts. It was refreshing to see if this had happened instead of that, would we still get to the same outcome, eventually? There was so much to love about this book. Which perspective really happened? Can Lila stop lying and straighten out her life? You got to see how some people know you better than you know yourself. Can you really trust your friends, husband, co-workers, ex-clients, etc.? Who would want to hurt you and make you pain for your sins?

It seems that Lila is a very easy character to dislike. She has made some bad choices in her life and her job helps make her seem heartless. After all criminal lawyers are setting murderers free, right? I enjoyed seeing Lila start to battle the "bad" voice in her head and try to make a change. I loved the mystery and the ending.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. Thank you to both for allowing me to read this fantastic book!!

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This is my first book by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinbeck’s,a d I really enjoyed their collaborative writing style. The Two Lila Bennetts reminds some readers of Sliding Doors; I got vibes of Dark Matter. Either way, this book takes readers into the psychological thriller world with a twist.

Lila Bennett is no humanitarian. She’s convinced herself that defending wealthy (and potentially guilty) clients is all part of her job, but she leaves scorched earth in her wake. After an abduction, Lila shares her story from parallel tracks: trapped Lila and free Lila. These alternating viewpoints leave readers wondering 1) will she survive and 2) will it matter to the quality of her life if she does?

Many thanks to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

#NetGalley #TheTwoLilaBennetts

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Lila Bennett is an ambitious, successful criminal defense attorney, who will stop at nothing to win. She just won a high profile case for her client, which calls for celebration, but for once, Lila's victory seems bittersweet. After work, Lila is presented with two options: 1) head home to her husband, who appears to finally be working his way out of his depression; or 2) head out and celebrate with her mentor, who toes the line professionally. The Two Lila Bennetts shows Lila's life depending on what choice she makes.

In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.

Liz and Lisa absolutely nail this one! Told in alternating perspective between the hostage Lila and the free Lila, The Two Lila Bennetts examine how far a person is willing to go to get what they want -- and at what cost. The narrators (albeit the "same" person) had different perspectives on similar situations, which made it all the more enjoyable to read. I simply could not put this book down!

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Wow what did I just read !! This was a stunning book and different from anything I have read before, a totally unique plot that has your head spinning and so damn clever as the chapters alternate between two different scenarios in the lives of Lila, in one captured and the other free and it’s just brilliant the way it’s done. It’s told in parallel time with plenty of background into what just what makes Lila what she is and how her decisions have shaped her life until it split into two and this is what makes the book so different. It’s a brilliant, addictive and wonderful read and I still cant stop thinking about it and just how much I loved it, a massive thank you to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for giving me so much pleasure in reading the book.
Highly recommended and as many stars as I can give for this not to be missed book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Thank you for allowing me to read this book. I had read the previous book by the authoresses of this one which I didn't particularly love but I thought I would give them another chance. Well, I didn't particularly love this one either, I barely liked it to be honest. I kept seeing reviews comparing it to the movie "Sliding Doors" which I have heard of but never seen,
The main character Lila is not a good person in her business life or personal life and lies so often that she really begins to believe her own b.s. The whole 'captured/free' chapters got to be completely irritating after awhile because you don't know what's real and what's fake and after awhile I just plain hated it and didn't want to finish it but I did.
Towards around 72% I actually started to like it and then boom it started to be silly again but I did finish the book.
I can't understand all of the readers loving this book but honestly, I think it's probably because they are loyal to particular writers which I do get.
I don't think that I will read the authoresses next book but they are good writers to a point and clearly imaginative but their work just doesn't grab my attention.

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Defense Attorney, Lila Bennett, makes very poor choices.

She sometimes believes she’s a good person...she felt guilty about winning her last case, right? But, deep down, she knows she can (and should!) do better. However, the day she chooses to embrace her conscience, the world starts crumbling down around her. Switching between two narratives, a la ‘Sliding Doors,’ we find ourselves watching Lila’s mistakes destroy every single aspect of her life.

Once I started this book, I could not put it down – I finished within 24 hours. Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke are masters at instantly pulling their readers in, keeping them hooked with twisting storylines & strong characters, and, in the end, bringing it full circle while our mouths are left hanging open.

I am a sucker for mind-bending books with unusual timelines...and this one did not disappoint! You will absolutely want it with you at your window seat destined for vacation or tucked in your beach bag along side your sunscreen and wine.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this digital copy to read and review!

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My first book by these authors, and I loved it!

It was like one of those choose your own adventure books when you were in school! The story line alternated between 2 options of how the story could end up. It was very interesting!

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This was such an intriguing concept, and I loved that it seemed like the free Lila had some feeling about what was going on in the alternate timeline. Lila Bennett is a crappy person, and when she’s kidnapped (in one timeline) and attacked in another by someone intent on exposing all her bad choices (in the other) she has a pretty big list of who might hate her enough to do this. She starts to question her own choices up until now, and wonders if she can change.

I had already figured it out, but I was pretty far in, and I thought the reveal was well-done. Especially with so many people who all seemed to have their own reasons to hate her.

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The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is another compelling and successful collaboration from this dynamic writing duo. Fast-paced, full of twists, and working from a unique premise, this is one that will make you think long after the final page has been turned.

Lila Bennett is a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles and has made many questionable decisions in both her personal and professional lives. The novel is based on a 'sliding doors' premise, and the reader is witness to how a single decision by Lila ultimately leads her down two separate, and very dark, paths. Presented in dual timelines, and alternating between 'free' and 'captured' scenarios, we see Lila begin to reevaluate some of her poor choices, and recognize the need for a reset of her moral compass. Although Lila has made many unsavoury decisions, I found that I did not dislike her, which kept me fully and emotionally invested in her story. Each path that Lila is on ultimately leads to a very different, and surprising, outcome.

This was an interesting read that kept me engaged throughout, and also led me to reflect on the importance of seemingly minor decisions, and the impact they can have on the larger picture. Any novel that stirs this type of introspection is a winner for me. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

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The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

Betrayal. Drama. Suspense. Everything I love in a book and then some! Liz and Lisa masterfully crafted this book about the universe righting wrongs and the impossibility of escaping karma.

The decisions we make in our lives have the power to result in life-changing advantages or life-altering consequences. No one learns that lesson more than Lila Bennett.

Lila Bennett is a young, successful criminal attorney working at a prestigious law firm in Los Angeles. She is wealthy, married to a bestselling author, and recently succeeded in having her client acquitted of murdering his wife, making her one of the most sought-after attorneys in L.A. However, you don’t achieve that level of success by following the rules and without making enemies along the way.

A heartbreaking truth about her late father sets Lila on a self-serving path filled with poor decisions and zero consideration for others. She has everything she’s ever wanted and constantly justifies what she had to do to get it. Until one night, when she is forced into a situation that threatens to end her life. Lila has no choice but to deal with her past in order to uncover who hates her enough to seek revenge. She soon learns that no good comes out of choosing to ignore that voice inside of you.

Anyone that has ever lied should read this book. Regardless of how good a person you are, you will relate to Lila Bennett in one way or another. I know I did and in more ways than I care to admit here. Fantastic read! And if there is a better word for fantastic, insert it here. These amazing authors are without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with!

Now, excuse me while I go and try to get amnesia so I can read this book again.

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I couldn’t wait to read The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke! Their book, The Good Widow was an excellent novel so I was thrilled to get a sneak peek at their new book.

Lila Bennett’s bad choices have finally caught up with her. And one of those decisions has split her life in two. Literally.

In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.

Lila’s decorated career as a criminal defense attorney, her marriage, and her life are on the line. She must make a list of those she’s wronged—both in and out of the courtroom—to determine who is out to get her before it’s too late. But even if she can pinpoint her assailant, will she survive? And if she does, which parts of her life are worth saving, and which parts must die? Because one thing’s for certain—life as Lila Bennett knew it is over.

Told in alternating chapters of Lila’s possible two different lives, it shows how years of bad choices can affect a person down the road. Two possibilities are explored, one is that she is kidnapped and put in a concrete cell, the other timeline where she is free but someone is after her.

The authors managed to keep the quick pace of the story through the different timelines and I was curious how everything was going to come together. I love the idea of seeing how two realities can play out. Do you ever wonder if you made different choices, where you’d be right now? That’s kind of this book. Except Lila is not a good person.

Due out July 23.

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3.5 ⭐️

I loved the last book by these two authors but this one didn’t work for me as well. Lila Bennett as a character was just annoying at times, and although the concept of the two parallel lives was quite interesting, I found it a bit repetitive at times because of that. I also found the ending a bit disappointing ... the “captured” Lila’s story seemed to end a bit abruptly- maybe an epilogue or something would have been nice.

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I absolutely loved this book!! I'm always fascinated by "Sliding Door" type books and this one DID NOT FAIL. Lila is broken without realizing it. She has a great career, husband and seemingly life is good, but as most adults understand, there's a "go left or go right" decision that we wish we knew what happens if we chose the other direction.

This book shows both directions. What I loved is that I could relate with the realism of how things play out. It's not so cut and dry - that one way is 100% great and everything works out, while the other way is 100% bad and the total incorrect choice. There are just shades of gray in life. All decisions will have both positive and negative extensions.

In life you just have to make the best decision for you at the time based on the situation and be prepared to adjust and stand by your choice. Rarely is there a "do-over".

I truly appreciate Liz Fenton, Lisa Steinke and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to preview this ARC for an honest review. I look forward to the next read. I actually wouldn't mind a follow-up to Lila's story!

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REVIEW: THE TWO LILA BENNETTS BY LIZ FENTON & LISA STEINKE •
“Maybe all we are is a sum of our choices, each one leading us down a different path, each with its own unique outcome. The notion that each decision holds that much power is overwhelming.”

Thank you @netgalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I love books with a dual timeline that revolves around one decision. It’s crazy to think that one decision can change your entire life. I really enjoyed reading the two versions of Lila’s story. This novel was suspenseful and addictive. If you like thrillers about regret and retribution then I highly recommend this book! The Two Lila Bennett’s received ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
Reviewed by Amanda from amandareadss on Instagram

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Loved loved loved this! It took a while to get used to the writing style and the switching between both Lila’s. And even now I’m still not quite sure what happened, but I loved it either way!

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