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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wow, wow, wow, and wow! What to say about this book?! It was a wild roller coaster ride from beginning to end. And speaking of endings, that may be one of the craziest endings I've ever read. It left me with a ton of theories and questions. I know she doesn't need to because most of the questions are answered but I kinda hope Colleen Hoover writes a sequel so I can see if my theories are right. Only reason why this gets a four star is because I thought one of the plot twists was obvious, and guessed it before it was revealed.

I really enjoyed this story, I went into it 100% not knowing anything about this story and the beginning immediately had intrigued. Then I just kept reading and HAD TO KNOW what the heck was going on! I loved the set up, how it went back and forth between the interview and what was actually happening. I loved the style of writing. My reviews are based on how a book makes me feel and this one kept me on my toes! I just couldn't read fast enough,

This book was not as I expected and if I had fully understood the plot before starting it, I'd have probably not have continued with it. It is an intriguing and intense romance but the supernatural/ghost element just doesn't interest me at all, so I found it a challenge to finish it. This doesn't take away from Colleen as a writer as generally I find her books addictive, gripping and unique!

✏️The Deets:
Leeds meet Layla. They fall in love. Layla gets attacked. Leeds take Layla for a vacation to restore her health, mentally and physically. Instead, he meets Willow and starts to have a strong connection with her. Now he’s caught up between reconnecting with Layla or helping Willow and resisting falling in love with her.
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💡Just my thoughts:
I know I have given very vague details about what the book is about. It would be super hard to do so without giving away spoilers.
I have mostly loved every Colleen Hoover book, and I know I always look forward to reading her new ones.
I will not say this is a favorite of mine but I still loved it and loved the plot a lot! And what a twist! Totally caught me by surprise!
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✔️All in favor, should I say Aye?
I would always recommend reading a Coho so of course I’d recommend this one. I’d just ask you to read it with an open mind.

as always,colleen hoover never misses with her books. ill continue reading them until i die in an old house 😂😂😂

Why I am not reviewing CoHo books...


I really debated on whether to update my review, leave it as is or delete it. Anytime I update a review it is when I do a reread of a book, which is not something I have done with It Ends with Us. After I read this novel, it was definitely not a reread contender, but at that time, I had been glad I read it. I am not a huge follower of #BookTok as most are about steamy books, domestic suspense or YA fantasy – which are not any of my go-to genres. I was a huge domestic suspense fan till they started to get too cookie cutter. I have had a few friends recommend Colleen Hoover, and especially suggest I read her historical fiction, Verity. I always hesitated as they seem to be just general romance and new adult romances. When an older friend recommended it, I was eager to read it. I had just gotten out of an abusive relationship, so at the time, I felt like I was reading a book about what happens when someone with low self-esteem (and oodles of other issues) dates a narcissist. I saw this as a general fiction book about the pitfalls of dating, I would never say this is a romance, or a romantic story. I debated about writing this review on the blog as certain CoHo fans can be a bit ruthless. I am no where big enough of an “influencer” and reviewer where I think they will read this review anyway. I am writing this here, as I do want readers to be careful in how they go about reading this book. I agree with some readers who label this as trauma porn, in that it romanticize cruel men, abuse and just sadness. There is a new book out in this series, in case you do want to read this series/duology.

A good book friend recommended this novel to me after she finished. I literally checked out this book right away and read it (we rarely lead one another astray). I had heard of Colleen Hoover but I don’t read a lot of New Adult books, so she wasn’t on my radar. While I wasn’t that into the romance part later in the book as it seemed forced, the relationship between Ryle and Lily really hit home. The sudden romance, to controlling behaviour, insecurities and not learning from the past. I found this part of the book most interesting and realistic.

Update:(January 31, 2023) I was super naive when I read this novel. I didn’t know this was a romance book, and part of the trauma porn she normally writes. I read it as a novel about domestic violence, how sometimes low self-esteem and wanting to find someone to love you can allow you “justify” dangerous and horrible behaviour as not so bad. I read it as a survivor of DV myself. Relationships are complicated and I can name several good times with my ex-partner, but I am not confused in thinking it was romance or telling my story as such. I don’t see Ryle as a romantic hero, or even an anti-hero.

I did change my rating from 3.5 stars to nothing, because I don’t want to rate this novel or bring it attention that it does not deserve. It would be one thing if it was a beautifully written book, or if it had a message. But upon hearing what CoHo fans coo over this novel, and love the other books for the same reason, I am removing the books from my backlist to read. I really wanted to read Verity, but now my interest level has vanished. There is an army of CoHo fans so I am sure she will get by without me being a fan. I was happy to hear that the “colouring book” for this book was scraped as I am not sure what they would have from this book. The positivity that Lily Bloom totes in this book was like a victim, wanting to see the good in the abuser. There will be a movie with Blake Lively, and I am super disappointed. Maybe they change the tone…but with CoHo fans I doubt it.

Colleen Hoover is quite a prolific Author, but I have only just started reading books by her. This book I was lucky enough to be accepted by NetGalley to read when I requested it, in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I didn't read it as quickly as I should have done, better late than never though.

Layla and Leeds are a happy couple, life seems to be treating them both well until one day when something happens to Layla and she changes. To Leeds she doesn't seem the same person she was before. In an attempt to try to find the old Layla and rekindle memories and try to get their relationship back on an even keel, he takes her away to the B & B where they first met. Whilst there he meets Willow, she has issues of her own and it's not long before Leeds finds himself drawn towards Willow and feels a need to help her. Is all as it seems though?

This was an interesting read in more ways than one and I enjoyed the story as it drew me into the lives of the three main characters. I found this a great read and I look forward to reading more by this Author as they are escapism in more ways than one from day to day life.

I love Colleen Hoover and love the fact she tried something different, but this one fell short for me. I just couldn't get a strong connection with the characters, although the end did get me a little.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy of Layla by Colleen Hoover

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

As always, CoHo is amazing! She never disappoints me and I loved this one just like her other books! This one may not work out for everyone but it was really good in my opinion!

Layla arrived in dark days, I didn't feel like reading and didn't even want to get out of bed in the morning. Hello depression, how are you? and she kept me company for a few days.

Leeds meets Layla at her sister's wedding, he is in her band even though he would like to start a solo career. It is immediately love at first sight and the two, when they should go home, decide to stay in that bed & breakfast for a few more days.
Months go by and the two are madly in love, but for a jealous ex, the two will have an accident in which Layla will be seriously injured and marked in the soul, she is almost no longer herself, and so Leeds decides to rent that bed & breakfast alone. for the two of them to escape a little from the crowds of the city and stay together, to try to heal.

Here the strange things begin. For those who haven't discovered it yet, Layla has a paranormal side. There is a spirit that Leeds finds affinity with in this old b & b, as Layla does nothing but sleep and behave strangely. He even ends up falling in love with Willow, so she says she is called this spirit, and increasingly takes possession of Layla's body to spend time with him.

Towards the end the chaos begins. When you discover the truth about this spirit and start shaping the whole story you find yourself thinking that Hoover always has a particular mind in writing her stories, even changing genres. I was very convinced that the HEA wasn't there, I didn't see it possible, but I can confirm (and with some relief) that you will have it. When two souls are kindred and love each other, as Leeds says, it is forever.

A writing that is always confirmed among the best in circulation and a story that will manage to capture even the most skeptical readers, Colleen Hoover is always a guarantee, whatever genre she writes.

It is hard to review this without spoilers. I liked some aspects of this and the unlikeable characters were meant to be unlikeable. All in all, it fell a bit short for me. I would compare it to Never Never but with adult themes.

DNF @ 7%. As interesting/mysterious/intriguing the very first chapter was, I didn’t connect AT ALL with Layla or Leeds when we flash back to how they met. I’m a fan of Colleen Hoover, but this just wasn’t it for me. I think I’m over manic pixie dream girl characters as well, and that’s definitely what Layla is 🤷🏻‍♀️

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Layla by Colleen Hoover was such a mesmerizing read!!! Colleen is known for writing epic romance novels but she knocked it out the park with this paranormal novel! Have you ever finished a book and thought to yourself what in the f*ck did I just read?? But like it the best way possible?? This book will not be for everyone. But I loved it!! If you’ve read Verity by Colleen please know this is nothing like that and I HIGHLY recommend you go into this book knowing as little as possible. So with that being said ... stop reading reviews and pick this one up you won’t regret it!!! One of the best paranormal romances I’ve ever read!!

Where do I begin? And, will simple words do this book justice? That seems to always be the case when I read a Colleen Hoover book. Colleen, you are a queen and I am convinced that every book you have ever written will wreck me. This book left me feeling broken, for days!!!!!… ⁣
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Layla, Layla will teach you that true passionate love exists and when you find it, hold on to it and never let go.⁣
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This story encompasses many genres in one, psychological thriller, romance, paranormal and gracefully covers mental health topics. While romance is the foundation of the story, greater issues are explored and covered, the end twist will leave you aghast. I hated Leeds, our male character, until I didn’t 😢. Go in blindly, please don’t compare this book to Verity, it is a masterpiece in a different realm. ⁣
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Enthralling, ghostly, imaginative, & seductive..... ⁣
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Trigger Points: Gunshot Murder, Eating Disorder -and related mental health topics, PTSD, Obsession/ Stalking

Such an intriguing story! Kept me on the edge of my seat. I love everything Colleen Hoover writes, and this was no exception.

When Leeds meets Layla at her sister's wedding, it's love at first sight. He's had his share of relationships in the past, but nothing has ever compared to the way he feels about Layla. Everything changes when Layla is attacked and she is left physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred. While Layla has made leaps and bounds in her months long recovery, things just aren't quite the same with her. She doesn't seem like the Layla before the incident. Leeds decides that they need to get away, and what better place than the bed and breakfast where they first met. Things immediately get weird upon their arrival - Layla seems irritable and even more off than usual, and some other strange things start to happen. I don't want to give anything else away, so I'll leave it at that!

This was an enjoyable read with a unique plot. I will say that there was a good portion of the book where I dropped out of the Leeds fan club, but things changed for me by the end. I did feel the ending was kind of abrupt and I would've liked a little more to it. Either way, I'm a huge fan of Colleen Hoover and will always check her books out!

I could not get into this particular novel. I'd heard great things about Layla but it just didn't capture me. I'm sure many others will love it though.

I have been a Colleen Hoover fan for years and this one did not disappoint.

There was definetly the paranormal aspect in this one which took a bit of getting used to but once I did I could not stop reading.

What was going to happen next and who was really responsible for the spirit going into Layla's body?

Would highly recommend to all of those Colleen Hoover fans out there.