Jessica Sorensen

THE NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Ella's best friend Lila has always been a good girl who likes pretty clothes and preppy boys. But ever since the first day she met Micha's best friend Ethan, she hasn't been able to stop thinking about him. Girls have always flocked to Ethan -- but never princesses like Lila. And until Lila came into his life he never wanted them to. From the outside the two couldn't seem more different, but somehow they have a connection deeper and more intense than anyone could have imagined. Can two people from such dramatically different worlds really have a love that lasts?

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan

Diana Doganiero

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I didn’t like it as much as Ella and Micha’s story, even though I really, really wanted to. Lila and Ethan’s book was still enjoyable, just not as much as I expected it to be.

Lila and Ethan have very tragic, messed up pasts. For Lila, she’s had to live her whole life feeling unloved and unwanted by her parents, who are always disappointed in her no matter what she does. They want her to uphold their family’s image and reputation, regardless of how that makes Lila feel. And so she turns to boys, and then men, for sex, to feel the love and affection that she never had growing up.

For Ethan, he used to be a druggie with an even more messed up girlfriend named London. And after a tragic incident involving London, Ethan vowed to clean himself up and never get involved with drugs again. And thankfully, he’s the more clear-headed one between him and Lila. Ethan and Lila are the best friends of Micha and Ella, and now that Micha and Ella are finally together and living in San Diego, this leaves Ethan and Lila living near each other in Las Vegas.

Lila and Ethan try to be strictly friends, but… that never stays that way. ;) There’s always this underlying tension between the two, and it’s like, Just get together, you two!! But they’re too afraid of losing each other’s friendships, and it’s not until Lila spirals down into abusing prescription drugs that Ethan finally decides to take matters into his own hands and help Lila.

Ethan is a badass, but he’s such a big sweetheart too! I really enjoyed his character, at least a lot more than Lila’s. Although Lila did start winning me over later on in the book. Lila and Ethan’s story is a very heartbreaking book to read, because their whole lives have been filled with nothing but pain.

“Everyone’s messed up.” I reach forward and slowly wipe away some of the tears running down her cheek with my fingertips. “In their very own f*cked-up way, a lot of people just won’t admit it aloud and then try to change it.” I reduce the space between us and place a hand on her arm. “But you’ve done both of those, which makes you so f*cking strong, Lila. I wish you could see that. You’re strong and amazing and beautiful and you deserve so much more than sitting on a bathroom floor in a skanky bar. You deserve to have an amazing life.”

But along the way, the two fall for each other, and they make each other whole. They finally find someone to care about, even love, who returns those feelings. I love the banter between the two, and I enjoyed their deep, meaningful conversations just as much. These two have a different kind of love than Ella and Micha, but it’s just as real and heartfelt.

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ella and Micha series comes a gripping story of passion, pain, and the courage to love . . . THE TEMPTATION OF LILA AND ETHAN On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory. Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak. When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her?

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan

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