3.5 STARS
It's hard for me to write this review. I love Jessica Sorenson's writing, but I am not sure how I feel about this book. It was not at all what I thought it was going to be, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but...it's all about pain, addiction and resisted healing. It is definitely not a feel good kind of story. It was a "good story", but something was lacking for me. I think the first half of the book I was waiting for a connection. Something to draw me in. I cannot relate to drug addiction, and maybe that was part of my problem, but I just couldn't connect with Lila. Understanding her background and why she is the way she is made me feel bad for her, but I just didn't feel a connection to her. I kinda didn't feel like her relationship with her parents was believable. The scene where she was at the dinner table and they were talking like she wasn't even in the room...the conversations she continues to have with her Mom on the phone...putting up with the horrible things her Mother said despite being on the path to healing...just wasn't believable to me.
I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. I understood more about Ethan (who I DID fall in love with!!) but the whole situation with him and London was a little disjointed for me. I understand why he felt guilty for leaving her, but was missing a part of their story. What happened between the time she had her "accident" to the time he left her and found out what happened to her. I had a lot of unanswered questions with their story. Even the way she reacted and acted while he ended up visiting her. I didn't feel the resolution or his closure as much as I think I was supposed to.
In the end, I was glad for their HEA. I definitely felt more of a connection with the epilogue but I think that's because we get more Ella and Micha!! :) Oh Jessica!!!! How dare you create a cliffhanger like that??!!!!!! Overall, as much as it may not sound like it, I did enjoy the book, it just wasn't one of my favorites. (I'm giving it 3.5 stars which I have to round up to 4 on here but it's not quite a 4 for me.)
