did anyone see that ending coming????? not me!!!! loved! i am consistently impressed with hoover's ability to genre jump without ever missing a beat.

THIS BOOK. Read it. Devour it. and then read it again. I couldn't tell you the last paranormal book I read but this was unlike any I have read, since I do not like that genre. But I would read this book again. It had everything that I usually love about Colleen but it kept me completely hooked. I loved Layla but had a hard time liking Leeds until towards the end when you learn and understand everything. I enjoyed their fast paced romance and their love for each other. I do wish we would have learned more about the person who interviewed Leeds. I did feel that person was a little disconnected and rushed out of the story. However, that didn't take away from the story or Colleen's writing at all.

Even if you are not a fan of paranormal, ghosts or souls, pick of this book. You won't regret it.

What a crazy and strange book from Colleen Hoover! It was just what I needed right now! Thanks for my first ever paranormal romance! C.H. is the BEST!

As soon as Layla landed on my kindle I dropped everything to read it. I have no shame in admitting that for almost all of the book I had no idea what was going on, and I spent most of my time in a state of anger at two of the main characters. I don’t want to give too much away, but I was pretty freaked out for a big chunk of the book. The hairs were standing up on the back of my neck.
If you pick this up and you’re expecting anything similar to what you’ve read from Colleen before then you’ll be in for a shock, because for me Layla was completely different to anything else she’s written. In fact I said to someone that if it didn’t have Colleen’s name written on the cover, I never would have guessed that she was the author. But in saying that it had the typical Coho ability of keeping me hooked from page one, and throwing in twists to keep me guessing throughout. If you’re looking for your next binge worthy read, then Layla may just be the book you need.

***ARC Provided by the Author***

3.5 Stars

I have no idea how to review this one without massive spoilers. I actually don't think it's possible to do so, as the way the plot is constructed, being surprised matters.

So, I am going to say that I was involved in this one from page one. It's twisty, it gets you thinking, it's well written and you are so involved in the story you don't want it to end.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I did not enjoy Layla. I love everything that Colleen Hoover writes but I was just so bored. I skipped to the end just to know what happens. This story was not for me.

I honestly had no idea what I was getting into when I opened up Layla. I often do this, go into books blind — I like the books to tell the story, not my preconceived notions from reading a blurb.

And WOW! I was not expecting Layla at all. And I mean that in the best way. I was captivated from the very start of the book. It kept me flipping the pages and trying to figure out WTF was going on.

My emotions were all over the place as I read. I loved the characters, I hated the characters, I rooted for them, and I rooted against them.

Seriously, I was so invested in the story that I felt like my emotions, my thoughts were tied right into theirs.

Usually, I catch on when reading a book, and I guess what will happen next… but I knew NOTHING here. NOTHING AT ALL. I was shocked at the twists and turns and didn't see them coming at all.

Layla is a paranormal romance unlike any other I have read. I highly recommend this book!

Colleen Hoover is a favorite author of mine, even though not all of her books always work for me because she writes in varied genres. This was a new genre for her, and one that I don’t normally read, paranormal romance, at least I don’t usually do adult PR. This book had the ghost story though, not as much as I often expect from a paranormal romance, and I mean that in a good way. But it was also kind of a mystery in trying to figure out just what was going on with that ghost.

I was really kind of blown away by this book. It started out in a way that made me think, wait, is this a paranormal story or a murder mystery or what. But it ended up all tying together in the end perfectly. In fact I love the way Hoover kept me guessing till the end and I didn’t even figure it out until it was obvious that she wanted the reader to get it just in time to make the story even more intense and perfect!

I can’t say a whole lot here without giving away things and I don’t want to do that, because you need to read it and follow the trail of clues yourself. As I started out this review by saying that not all of the different genres that Hoover dabbles in work for me, this one totally did, and I’m still pretty blown away by it.

I love Colleen Hoover and her books. This one was not really for me, but I gave it a chance. Not her usually type of book,

Layla by Colleen Hoover is an interesting romance with a ghost. I love Ms. Hoover's books, but this one not so much. It is an interesting story line, it just didn't grab me. Don't take my word for it, give it a try, you might love it. I will be reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Not at all my typical read but HOLY HELL what the heck did I just read?
Unique
Captivating
Well-developed characters.
Superb storytelling beginning until the end.
Fan of paranormal romance will be over the moon delighted.
Buckle up because this was one hell of a ride - spooky, mysterious, suspense, lots of twists and turns.
The ending was a bit fast but nonetheless still amazing.
This author can write just about anything and she constantly reinventing herself. That is why she continues to have such a huge fan base like myself.
Fast and entertaining read!

When I learnt about Colleen Hoover’s latest book, Layla, I was eager to get my hands on a copy and was lucky enough to receive both the e-book and audiobook directly from the publishers.


I knew from experience with Verity that Colleen Hoover knows how to shock her readers to the core, so I expected nothing less from her latest release. Once again, her brilliance shined through with this engaging story.

The story introduced the reader to Layla and Leeds. They met at a wedding where they had an instant connection. They had amazing chemistry, which no one could deny. Then calamity struck, and their lives would never be the same.

What a ride. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the events which occurred in imaginative and well-written tale. It had me on the edge of my seat and I had a hard time putting it down. I had moments while listening where chills ran down my spine. It didn’t help that I listened to it at night with the lights off.

The characters enthralled me. Their actions, their thoughts and decisions made for an interesting read. I found Leeds to be the most complex of all the characters. He elicited a wide range of emotions. However, the deeper the reader went into the story it would reveal things are not always as they appear, which altered my opinion regarding Leeds.

The story took some unexpected turns, which contributed to my altered opinion of Leeds. I would never have guessed that was the turn the story would take. I am happy with how the events unfolded, although there were moments when I feared disaster would strike.

Narration
Brian Pallino narrated, and this was my second experience with him. I enjoyed his range of voices. He captured the substance of the story and I loved the way he reflected the emotions of the characters. His character voices were distinct and added to the enjoyment of the story. I was sad to learn of his passing.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Colleen Hoover created an intriguing page turner which kept the reader entertained from start to finish. I would recommend this to readers looking for a unique and enthralling paranormal story.

The Title/Cover Draw:
This book was similar in feel to Verity. I did receive this copy from Netgalley and was extremely interested to read more of Colleen Hoover’s thrillers.
What I liked:
The mystery element of the book. There are paranormal things happening, but you aren’t sure what it is. The beginning of the book was told to really suck you into the story and care about Leeds.
What I didn’t like:
Sometimes it just went too long in the main character's thoughts, almost to the point of over redundancy as he is trying to unravel the mystery. It gets a little boring.
The Characters:
I loved Leeds as a main character. Then I started to hate him because of some choices he made. But then I liked him again. I guess that is definitely a strength of Colleen Hoover, to make you care about the characters.
The Ending:
The twist gets a little strange here, which is probably why I finished this book so quickly. And for me the ending was slightly abrupt and a little ridiculous.
Consider if you like:
Verity

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

Colleen Hoover is one of my all-time favourite authors in the New Adult/Young Adult genres. I have loved and highly recommend each and every one of these novels.
It pains me to say that I did not enjoy the new direction she has taken as much.
Layla is a paranormal romance that piqued my interest and initially scared me (which I loved) but once we discover what's behind the creepiness, it stops.
I actually felt like I wasn't reading a Colleen Hoover novel. The characters weren't likable and the story was all over the place at times.
I found Layla to be a bizarre ghost story that I really wanted to love but sadly didn't.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a picky reader in general and even harsher critic when it comes to my paranormal reads. As much as I wanted to like this story, it just didn’t work for me. I saw all the “shocking twists” a mile away and called them before the book was over. I didn’t care for Leeds at all. He could have handle the whole situation better and I’m not a fan of the gaslighting in this book. Especially as someone who suffers from mental health issues. This book reminded me of a combination of Ghost Whisperer, Ghost Hunter & Final Destination 2. I do applaud Hoover for stepping into a new genre that she has never written in before which takes a lot courage and for what it’s worth it’s a quick read.

I am staying intentionally vague (including in my Goodreads bookshelves/tags) because a major element (THE major element) of the plot in this intriguing story was a surprise when it was revealed fairly early on. Once I knew what I knew, the back cover synopsis of LAYLA became very clever!

Once they know what they know, readers are treated to a slow but steady reveal. It feels like we are seeing things through a grimy window that we don't realize is dirty until it is being wiped clean. Then, we're swiveling left and right to peek through and get a clearer picture. And then, there's that PLOT TWIST! Wow! Talk about an absolutely perfect explanation for pretty much everything!

Colleen Hoover's writing is excellent, her descriptions superb. In places where I'd think she was demanding too much suspension of disbelief, she inevitably provided tidbits down the road that made character behaviors and actions spot on. My only complaint is that there was too much sex, or more accurately, too much detail of it, for my comfort level. Desire plays a big role in the story, rightfully so, but mature readers don't need things spelled out.

LAYLA is a highly entertaining reading escape, cover-to-cover. It's the first of Colleen Hoover's books I have read (I am not sure how -- she's a prolific Texas author), but I am adding her to my list of must-read authors.

NOTE: If you get a print ARC, be aware that there was an epilogue added after ARCS were printed. You want to get a final copy so you don't miss the epilogue that wraps-up the story quite nicely.

I’m utterly speechless…What did I just read?!?! I don’t have the words to describe how brilliant this book is.

I don’t even know where to begin with this review. Layla is like nothing I have ever read by Colleen Hoover. Yes, the characters are brilliant, as are all of the characters she writes, but there is something about these unforgettable characters that will haunt me for very long time.

Layla has something for everyone, spine-tingling suspense, heart in your throat angst and beautiful, epic love… But there is SO much more! I love that this book had me constantly guessing, because when the OMG moment hit, it hit me hard!! I’m still trying to process my feelings.

With every Colleen Hoover book I read, I think it’s my favourite but Layla is my absolute favourite book! This story has blown my mind.

Layla is definitely not a book to be missed another unforgettable read from Colleen Hoover.

A refreshing, otherworldly read that is the hope you need to help you close the wacky year that has been 2020.

Colleen Hoover, never ends to suprise me and tie me in knots with every release she brings her reader.

She ventured out of writing romance when she wrote Verity. I wasn't surprised that readers loved it because at the heart of Colleen Hoover, she is a storyteller at her best.

Layla, is another venture out of the realm of normal romance, it's a paranormal romance. However it has every touch of Colleen that you can expect.

It follows the story of Leeds and Layla. Two people who are still figuring themselves out but at Layla's sister's wedding they find something that they're both very sure of. They have a connection like no other and from there they build a life together.

Yet with one disastrous moment things change. Layla isn't who she used to be.

When Leeds brings Layla back to the bed and breakfast where they first met, he's hoping to reconcile the love they once made. But what he doesn't expect is to find Willow. A spirit or ghost from another realm.

His obsession with he leads him to wanting to find answers for her existence, but it causes him to finds answers that he never knew would be coming.

Layla, had me on edge the whole time. I felt every page and every word. There wasn't a moment I wanted to put this book down and do something else. I needed to know more. I needed to know what was going to happen next. And THAT is Colleen Hoover at her damn best.

She dragged me into a world where I felt more than ever. I got teary, I got sad - so sad - I felt the angusih, my heart raced, my heart broke and most of all I felt the love. I felt the passion.

This story is about second chances and how downtimes things aren't as they imagine but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. But the biggest thing of all this story shows how love can defeat all odds and at the end of the day, soulmates can exist, you just have to find the right person and everything else will fall into place.

Thank you Colleen. This is another story that will just stay with me forever. It sits deep in my chest and deep in my stomach as I try and handle all the emotions I have no idea what to do with.

An ARC was provided by Montlake in exchange for an honest review.

The moment his eyes find her in the crowd of people Leeds is completely captivated by the free spirit dancing like no one is watching. He admires her uninhibited approach to things, and instantly wants to know more about her. Their connection is instant, the whole "love at first sight" thing takes over and they fall deep for one another.

But then tragedy strikes and it leaves Layla a shell of the woman she once was, and it drives Leeds crazy, he wants his Layla back. So he takes her back to where it all started for them in hopes it will draw that woman he met two years ago out again. But things don't really go according to his plan...

Layla is a gripping and slightly alarming little page-turner that is bound to leave you rattled. Between the pages of this one you will meet a couple that has lost their way and try to return to the beginning of their relationship in hopes of rekindling some semblance of what they had. But as they soon learn things at the B&B are not as they appear to be, and things are about to get a little disturbing. I am not much of a paranormal reader, but after reading the synopsis for this one I decided I had to give it a try. It piqued my interest just enough to have me straying from my norm, and I am really glad I took a chance on it, it did not disappoint. It was unlike anything else I have ever read, it pushed boundaries, spooked me a bit and kept me thoroughly entertained! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***

This is a total departure for CoHo and I love it!

Leeds and Layla meet at a wedding. There’s an instant connection between the two and their romance blossoms quickly. Tragedy hits the couple after an incident leaves Layla fighting for her life.

I’m picky about paranormal reads, so I was hesitant with this one, even though Colleen is my favorite author. I’m glad I decided to give it a read though, because it’s a unique and well-written story filled with suspense and paranormal elements I love (ghosts!!).

I loved the way things started between Leeds and Layla. That first kiss in the pool … total 1996 Romeo & Juliet movie vibes. I had the chills when I read that scene. I’m not usually an instalove kind of person but it’s done in a nice way in this book.

After the tragic incident, things are obviously different between Leeds and Layla, but the story overall shifts and is different as well. This is a romance story at the end of the day, but it’s a very different kind of romance story. Outside forces play a role on the relationship between Layla and Leed—both living and not. Leeds ends up going down a dark path himself, which I imagine won’t sit well with some readers. I liked him as a hero and I found it easy to forgive him of some of the not-so-great things he did, especially after I got further in the book and had a better understanding of what was going on.

I won’t go into any more detail with this because spoiling it would ruin a lot of things for potential readers. I will say that for this being her first foray into paranormal romance, Colleen did an amazing job with the story. She brings the angsty romance I’ve grown to love from her, melds it with the paranormal elements, and delivers a page turning read that messes with your mind and tugs at the heart.

Five stars to this novel!