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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Wat heb ik gelezen… heel vreemd verhaal over een stel. Heel raar over hoe er over trauma geschreven word. Ik DNF nooit een boek.. maar deze heb ik op bladzijde 74 gestopt.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I knew nothing about this book going in, so the paranormal aspect was surprising. I did figure it out before Leeds, but still enjoyed this one!
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Colleen Hoover’s “Layla” is a genre-bending blend of romance, suspense, and the supernatural, delivering an eerie yet heartfelt love story that keeps you turning pages late into the night. This isn’t your typical Hoover novel—while her trademark emotional intensity and complex characters are here in full force, she adds a chilling paranormal twist that changes the entire reading experience.
The story follows Leeds, a musician who falls deeply in love with the free-spirited Layla. Their whirlwind romance is passionate and tender, but a violent incident leaves Layla physically healed yet emotionally and mentally altered. Desperate to salvage their relationship, Leeds takes her to a quiet, isolated house where he hopes they can reconnect—only to encounter strange, unsettling events that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. As Leeds tries to make sense of what’s happening, the story spirals into unexpected territory, testing the limits of love, trust, and moral boundaries.
Hoover excels at building tension, both emotional and atmospheric. The romance is messy, flawed, and raw, which makes the stakes feel even higher when the eerie elements start creeping in. The pacing is tight—every chapter seems to end with a subtle hook, pulling you deeper into the mystery. While the supernatural angle might surprise some readers who expect a purely contemporary romance, it’s integrated in a way that feels organic to the plot and raises compelling ethical questions.
What makes Layla stand out is its refusal to stay in one lane. It’s part ghost story, part love story, and part psychological drama. Some twists are genuinely jaw-dropping, and while certain plot points require a suspension of disbelief, the emotional payoff is worth it. Leeds is a complicated narrator—his choices won’t always sit right with you, but that moral grey area is part of what makes the novel so engaging.
Strengths:
• Bold mix of romance and supernatural suspense.
• Tense, addictive pacing.
• Emotional depth paired with mystery.
• Unpredictable twists that reframe the whole story.
Potential Weaknesses:
• Leeds’ morally questionable decisions may frustrate some readers.
• Paranormal element might not appeal to those expecting a traditional Hoover romance.
Verdict:
“Layla” is unconventional, haunting, and emotionally charged—a love story wrapped in a ghostly mystery. Colleen Hoover takes risks here, and while the supernatural twist won’t be for everyone, it’s a daring move that pays off for readers willing to embrace the unexpected. Perfect for those who like their romances with a touch of the eerie and the morally complex.
The story follows Leeds, a musician who falls deeply in love with the free-spirited Layla. Their whirlwind romance is passionate and tender, but a violent incident leaves Layla physically healed yet emotionally and mentally altered. Desperate to salvage their relationship, Leeds takes her to a quiet, isolated house where he hopes they can reconnect—only to encounter strange, unsettling events that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. As Leeds tries to make sense of what’s happening, the story spirals into unexpected territory, testing the limits of love, trust, and moral boundaries.
Hoover excels at building tension, both emotional and atmospheric. The romance is messy, flawed, and raw, which makes the stakes feel even higher when the eerie elements start creeping in. The pacing is tight—every chapter seems to end with a subtle hook, pulling you deeper into the mystery. While the supernatural angle might surprise some readers who expect a purely contemporary romance, it’s integrated in a way that feels organic to the plot and raises compelling ethical questions.
What makes Layla stand out is its refusal to stay in one lane. It’s part ghost story, part love story, and part psychological drama. Some twists are genuinely jaw-dropping, and while certain plot points require a suspension of disbelief, the emotional payoff is worth it. Leeds is a complicated narrator—his choices won’t always sit right with you, but that moral grey area is part of what makes the novel so engaging.
Strengths:
• Bold mix of romance and supernatural suspense.
• Tense, addictive pacing.
• Emotional depth paired with mystery.
• Unpredictable twists that reframe the whole story.
Potential Weaknesses:
• Leeds’ morally questionable decisions may frustrate some readers.
• Paranormal element might not appeal to those expecting a traditional Hoover romance.
Verdict:
“Layla” is unconventional, haunting, and emotionally charged—a love story wrapped in a ghostly mystery. Colleen Hoover takes risks here, and while the supernatural twist won’t be for everyone, it’s a daring move that pays off for readers willing to embrace the unexpected. Perfect for those who like their romances with a touch of the eerie and the morally complex.
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder
A fun page turner! If you like paranormal and enjoy thinking of a different version of our reality, this would be a good book to read! Had a great twist in it that I liked a lot.
incredibly boring book that has an interesting final 70 pages