Review: Not an overly original storyline, but still enjoyable.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 27, 2013
After meeting both Lila and Ethan in the first book in the series, The Secret of Ella and Micha, I was definitely curious about these two characters. Especially Lila. We met Lila at the very beginning as she is the one who has driven Ella back to her hometown. It is interesting that Lila does not want to go back home to her parents. She would much rather stay with her best friend than go back to her life as a pampered princess. I had a feeling there would be a story here, but I had no idea just how bad things were at home for Lila.From a very young age Lila's parents have demanded perfection. Appearance, demeanor, academics- you name it and it was expected of her. However, what do young kids do when enough is enough? They rebel. Lila's father deems that she needs to attend boarding school to get her focused and on track. This is where Lila's life takes a turn for the worse. At boarding school, Lila craves love and attention. Why wouldn't she? She never received either of those things at home. Her parents were content to push her off and make her someone else's problem. They lost control with their first daughter and they are hoping their second will fill her shoes. In an attempt to fit in at her boarding school, Lila ends up being pushed in a direction that she was clearly not ready for and thus resulting in how her current life gets to be such a disaster. Because let's face it- Lila Summers as we know her- is a mess. However, to everyone else- Lila is a beautiful, polished, rich girl who exudes happiness.I felt bad for Lila, I really did. It was heartbreaking to see her so broken and desperate. She really shows us the meaning of hitting rock bottom. She got dealt a crappy hand and instead of seeking help- she numbs the pain with pills and sex. Those two things are her escape from reality and while she's ashamed of herself for the moment, it still doesn't stop her from random hook ups that she can't remember. This is where Micha's best friend Ethan comes in. We met Ethan in the first book as well and while he's not as bad off emotionally as Lila is, he still comes with his own set of problems. He also uses sex as an escape- he refuses to let anyone get close to him, especially after losing the one person he cared about, possibly even loved. Ethan's family life was also strained. He is terrified of turning into his father and treating a woman like his mother was treated. Yet Ethan is Lila's rock throughout the book. She really comes to depend on him and when she is too out of it to get herself home, she calls on him. He may be her only real friend in Las Vegas, but that doesn't stop her from being attracted to him. The two have had some moments in the past, but Ethan does not want to overstep that line he has drawn with her. Naturally, we have a lot of sexual tension and buildup in this book between them.This story is about so much more than Lila and Ethan's relationship though. It really shows you just how broken these two characters are and how they have to overcome their pasts if they hope to have peace in the future. Ethan must forgive himself for a past that is beyond his control. What's done is done and even if he could go back in time to help London, the girl he may have loved, there's no guarantee she wouldn't find herself in the same position she is in now. Lila must deal with her addiction to prescription pills, as well as be able to forgive herself for a past that was also out of her control. She was young and nave and it wasn't her fault an older guy took advantage of that knowledge. Both of these characters must learn how to love themselves before they can begin to love another. However, it is with each other's guidance and strength of will, that they will be able to do this. Lila and Ethan's road to healing is not easy, but together the two definitely have the upper hand.I really liked Ethan. He was a great male protagonist and he was such a good friend first and foremost to Lila. He could see through her bull and definitely played the tough love card more than once. I think part of that had to do with the fact that he couldn't save London or even his mother from their respective fates, but he wasn't going to let Lila go down the road she was. He cares about her as a friend, but he also realizes it's becoming so much more than that. He swore he would never get involved with anyone, yet he finds himself believing he could have something with Lila.While this plot wasn't overly original, I did still enjoy this one. Jessica Sorensen really has a knack for writing damaged characters with difficult pasts. And fans will be happy to see Ella and Micha make an appearance in this book. In fact, the last chapters really set us up for their novella, The Ever After of Ella and Micha.