Review: 4 tempting stars for The Temptation of Lila and Ethan!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 24, 2013
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan revisits side characters from Jessica Sorensen's much beloved novel The Secret of Ella and Micha. However, these are not the two carefree characters that you fell in love with in the previous books. Looks can be deceiving and outward appearances can hide a lifetime of pain.Lila Summers grows up with the knowledge that she must be perfect in every way. Her family demands it. She is to be beautiful, flawless, and perfect. Always. She is also desperate for love and affection. Ethan Gregory grows up afraid of love and commitment. His fear that he will fall into the same pattern of his abusive family is hidden by his tattooed, bad boy persona. He is definitely not the type of boy that Lila is expected to date and marry. These are two broken people are barely hanging on to a life that is haunted by their past. Yet, this unlikely pair clings to each other while trying to cope with their past and now they are hanging on together.Jessica Sorensen always writes deeply enriching novels with well developed characters and The Temptation of Lila and Ethan does not disappoint. This novel may be one of her darkest yet. Both characters are extremely depressed and coping in their own unhealthy way. Yet she manages to weave them together in such a fashion that your heart sings with their deep love and passion. It is a beautiful story that Jessica writes as these two characters heal each other - giving hope for tortured souls.This is a tale of survival, healing, and redemption. highly recommend this novel for those looking for a deeply moving and emotional read. 4 tempting stars for The Temptation of Lila and Ethan!Readers are also given a glimpse of the upcoming novella The Ever After of Ella and Micha!"Beauty. Vanity. Perfection. Three words my mother adores.""Without me having these attributes, she would disown me. Be flawless. Shine bright. Never, ever do anything less than excel. These are her rules and the vanity that makes up my life.""I would do anything as long is it was really me. At the moment, I'm not sure who that is, though. I only know the me my mother created."**An advanced review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review