Hmmmm. Colleen Hoover writing a paranormal romance.

Let me start by saying I am a big fan of Colleen Hoover. I have been reading her since her first book was published and think she is amazing. But this is the first book I struggled with. I put it down. I tried again. I put it down. Read another book. Picked it up again and finally finished it.

Leeds and Layla meet at her sister Aspen's wedding at a bed and breakfast in Nowhere, Kansas. It is the kind of insta love that is well known in CH's books. Things are amazing until one of Leeds' stalkers finds them and shoots Layla. The book is about their struggle after her near death experience. Her personality is changed entirely and Leeds feels like she is not the same person. They go back to the bed and breakfast where they originally met in hopes to bring back the spark they have lost. This is where things get weird.

I don't want to spoil the book but there is a huge paranormal element to this story that I felt completely lost with. It was hard to read some parts. It felt awkward. And yes, there is a huge twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

I gave this book three stars for her excellent writing, character development and a somewhat interesting story line.

Just when you think you have Collen Hoover figured out she gives us Layla. I love all of her books but this one really took me by surprise. With amazing characters and a gripping story, what more could you ask for? I definitely stayed up past my bedtime to finish this book. After this one, I can't wait to get my hands on her next novel.

When I first started this book, I was a little underwhelmed which surprised me because I adore Colleen Hoover and the books she writes. It wasn't until about 30% that I really started to get into the book. From that point on, I was intrigued and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. This book is so CoHo in that she throws twists in that you as a reader are not expecting. So many things happened in this book that made me say WHAT!!! The end about killed me. I was on pins and needles as I was reading bcs I had to know what was going to happen. This is a new genre for CoHo and while it started out a little slow (for me), she definitely has a future in paranormal writing.

Thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for providing me with an arc. My opinions are my own!!

Colleen Hoover absolutely never disappoints and Layla is so far from anything you’ve ever read from CoHo, but so flipping fantastic! This gripping novel combines the paranormal and romance genres beautifully— if paranormal isn’t normally your jam, trust me, dive in anyway!

Layla had me glued to my kindle from the first page! The twists and turns had their own twists and turns! Now I won’t go into details because going into any of Colleen’s novels blind is always best, but I will say the storyline was extremely well thought out and brilliantly executed! I found myself feeling such a huge range of emotions and now that I’ve finished I’m feeling whipped out from the enormous book hangover I’ve got!!

Whenever anyone asks me for a book recommendation I always include a couple CoHo novels because she is so completely original and in each and every novel she reinvents herself! Layla is a 5+++++ star read that will most definitely be on 2020 must read list—a novel that will stay will me!

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5

Leeds and Layla meet at a wedding and immediately feel attracted to each other. However, right at the beginning of their relationship, a tragedy happens in their lives, so trying to reconnect and save their relationship, they decide to go back to the bed and breakfast where they first met, but strange things start happening in the house and they start to question everything.

This was the author's first paranormal romance book. I'm not such a big fan of this genre nowadays, but I went to read this one with an open mind, since I really enjoyed the last books the author's released and I like when she steps out of her comfort zone.

Her writing, as usual, is very easy and gripping, so it is a really fast read (specially because the chapters are short and there are plenty of dialogues). It's the kind of book you can read in one sitting very easily.

The narrative is very intriguing and everything that happens in the house made me keep guessing and thinking of theories about what the hell was happening. Especially because we are inside Leed's mind, so we have a lot of room to guess and try to solve the mysteries. I was right at the some points, but I was really surprised in others and it always feels amazing to have your mind blown while reading a book.

So the paranormal plot kept me intrigued and it was definitely entertaining, however I couldn't get 100% on board with the romance. We get to see them meeting and falling in love and it's sort of cute - even if it a bit corny like the romance in her books usually are - but I felt it was a bit too fast and almost instalove-y.

I even liked the characters and related to them in some aspects, but I though some of Leeds attitudes to be a bit problematic (even some of his thoughts. That's the problem of being so deep inside a character's mind) and I felt I couldn't really get to know Layla, since everything it's told by his POV and I felt he put her in such a pedestal that she didn't feel real.

Overall, I thought it was a nice first try at the genre and it was a very entertaining and compelling read - as usual - that could be excellent if the characters and their relationship were a bit more developed.

A huge Thank You to Colleen Hoover, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC of this incredible book in exchange for my honest review. There is not much I can say except Ms. Hoover has done it again another amazing book!! I've have read all of her previous books and have loved them so when I was lucky enough to get this ARC I could not wait to start reading it. From the first page to the last I was hooked, I loved it so will you!! I highly recommend reading Layla

Book Review ⁣⁣⠀
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Layla⁣⁣⠀
Colleen Hoover ⁣⁣⠀
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Thank you to @netgalley and montlake for the Advanced copy of Layla.⁣⁣⠀
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I know how many are looking forward to Layla so I’m super grateful for the opportunity to read and review this story. ⁣⁣⠀
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Layla is another unbelievable book by Colleen Hoover. I loved this book! It blew my mind, it will no doubt will leave a lasting impression. Layla was unique and intriguing, with a paranormal spin I did not see coming! It had all the feels that hits you right in the heart! I’m in awe with this story. ⁣⁣⠀
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Leed and Layla meet and it’s basically love at first sight. After a violent encounter from Leed’s past turns their entire world upside down, Leed plans a vacation to the place he and Layla met. Leed hopes a return to the Bed and Breakfast will rekindle the romance that he feels is drifting away. ⁣⁣⠀
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It isn’t long before Leed has an encounter that he can’t explain. He doesn’t want to scare Layla so he keeps it to himself. The longer Leed is in the house the more he realizes he’s not alone. Leed befriends the ghost and is determined to help her. What was at first intrigue, quickly turns into obsession. Leed begins down a path of lies, deceit, and manipulation, putting Layla at risk. ⁣⁣⠀
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This story pushes the boundaries of everything we know to be right or wrong. The violation of Layla in many different aspects is appalling and left me angry. On the other hand I could not help to feel for the ghost. It was an emotional roller coaster. ⁣⁣⠀
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I couldn’t put this book down! When I did I was still thinking about it, wondering what really could be going on. The ending was absolutely epic! I did not see it coming, it was an awesome twist! ⁣⁣⠀
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Colleen Hoover is a talented writer, with the rare ability to keep you guessing until the very end! Layla is like no other paranormal book I’v read. It is truly a unique story that is a must read! ⁣⁣⠀
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Short answer, this is five stars filled full of Colleen Hoover magic!

From the moment Leeds and Layla fail for each other I've equally fallen for them. Their fall is so effortless and meant to be that when that moment of tragedy strikes it truly hurts, even though you know it's coming. Leeds' plan seems solid and a good one but almost instantly you know it's not going to go as planned.

Beginning to end, the way this trope is written is addictive, page turning and I hope its not the last from her. A true winner are around!

*Arc generously provided for honest review.

Well that was Different! A Fresh, Wholly Intriguing Storyline unlike any that I’ve EVER Read!?!

Way to change it up CoHo! Thank you for continuing to push the envelope.

So what is this about? A musician named Leeds and a woman named “Layla” (no, not that Layla, though I can’t get the Eric Clapton song out of my head and I’m not sorry about it!).

All I can say is that this is NOT what you think it is.

Interesting, intriguing and well, strange, it kept my attention throughout. At times, admittedly, I was shaking my head and yet, I could not tear my eyes away, swiping the pages of my kindle as quickly as possible to get to the satisfying end. Colleen Hoover ventured into a new genre with this one and she did so with gusto.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Romance and Colleen Hoover for the arc.

Published on Goodreads on 7.2.20.

I am so here for CoHo branching out beyond her traditional contemporary romance stories. It just proves she can write human emotions so aptly, no matter the situation.

This story is a roller coaster of a journey. I am always amazed at how much CoHo's writing can make me feel. Whilst reading this, I was constantly contemplating how well two people can really know each other, how fast and genuine love can develop, how much effort is enough to show someone how things used to be, and the best way to act when certain feelings have changed. I love that there are no boundaries to this story. It's thought-provoking and emotionally compelling. Even with the paranormal aspect!

My only minor critique would be the lack of epilogue. The ending is quite abrupt and it leaves a nagging feeling like the story is incomplete. I would love more than anything to see what the characters are doing some time after the events in the novel, just to have more complete closure.

But regardless, this is another satisfyingly wonderful CoHo story and I would never expect anything less from the queen herself.

I always know I'm going to get a phenomenal read when I pick up a Colleen Hoover book. Layla is so different from anything of hers I've ever read, I totally went in blind, no blurb, no teasers, and I'm so glad I did, because this isn't a book I'd normally pick up. I loved the story, it was unique and so different from any other books I've recently read. The ending keeps you guessing though. I wish it had a epilogue because there were quite a few unanswered questions.