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From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Teresa Mummert comes a cautionary coming of age tale. Lila Jane is spending her summer vacation preparing for high school. She does everything asked of her, but her parents rarely give her credit for her efforts. She decides to sneak out with a friend to attend a local party and shed her little girl image, to become a woman once and for all. What starts out as a fun escape soon escalates into a life on the run with a boy she barely knows. **PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS THE DEATH OF LILA JANE**

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2016

15 people are currently reading
1831 people want to read

About the author

Teresa Mummert

71 books4,663 followers
TERESA MUMMERT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her work includes word-of-mouth bestselling, White Trash Trilogy, which landed her a three-book publishing deal with Simon & Schuster. She is also the author of the wildly popular Honor Series which chronicles the taboo romance between a student and her college professor.
To date, she's written over twenty-five novels and plans for many more releases in the future.

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5 stars
61 (25%)
4 stars
87 (35%)
3 stars
61 (25%)
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24 (9%)
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9 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,611 reviews5,401 followers
February 8, 2016
4.5 STARS

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Teresa Mummert delivers a well written short story about two young teens who ditch their lives and find a lot out about themselves in the process.

description

Lila James is a fifteen year old sheltered young girl who is about to start high school in a few weeks. She suffers from social anxiety and up until her neighbor’s nephew, Kaden moves in next door, she has been okay with her closed off existence. There’s something about Kaden that makes her want to break out of her parent’s grasp and when an offer to go to the mall is given with Kaden she tells some lies and heads off with this sexy stranger.

description

This story is told in alternating POVS and so we are gifted with the pain and heartbreak that has contributed to Kaden’s new address. He has been through a lot and has been handling a ton of anger and grief.

”If dying of a broken heart were possible, I would find my demise soon in her memories.”

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To Lila’s surprise Kaden brings her to a party where the events of the evening just keep snowballing until this unlikely couple runs away to New Orleans.

”Her life was completely different than mine but her hurt was the same. She wasn’t happy and she just wanted someone who understood.”

description

I adored the dialogue between the two and appreciated how they helped one another with their individual plights. I just loved how the author brought the story together in the future and how both characters’ lives changed for the better from their time spent on the run.

”I was trying this new thing now. Instead of living like every day was my last, I began to live like every day was the first day of the rest of my life. It was all about perspective.”

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for ✦❋Arianna✦❋.
790 reviews2,552 followers
February 21, 2016
2.5 - 3 Stars!!

description

Lila Jane is a fifteen years old girl who wants to live her own life. She wants to walk on her own path and do her own mistakes, but her parents are overprotective, not allowing her like they should to live her own life. Lila suffers from social anxiety. She’s very introverted, preferring reading than socializing with other kids. She’s shy, awkward and she has only one friend. Things start to change for Lila when across the street moves Kaden, a seventeen years old boy. Kaden only wants to escape the guilt, the memories, to run from everything in his life – from his abusive father, from his paranoid mother and from the memory of the girl who left him alone. He moves with his uncle trying to get better and forget his past.

When Kaden realizes the girl across the street is spying on him, being a little stalker he’s a little annoyed. Eventually they get to hang out together – Lila wants to know more about Kayden and Kayden simply wants to talk with someone. He’d never expected for Lila to be so different from other girls and for him to want to get to know her better. A series of events makes Lila realize that she will never be her own person if she lets her parents dictate her life. She wants to really live and a road trip with Kaden seems to be the perfect way to accomplish that.

The story is a YA /coming of age that fallows the story of these characters who try to find who they are and what they want. While I liked the premise, the plot felt a little undeveloped. The execution wasn’t exactly poorly done, but not too bright either. But well, this is just my opinion. I liked the title and the whole idea of the story and I think it could have been better…for me, if it would have been longer. IMO the story had a lot of potential, but unfortunately didn’t do anything for me. I wasn’t moved by these characters’ story like I was supposed to be I guess, but I’m sure many readers will connect more with them.

Lila was exactly portrayed like a 15 years old, girl, which was a good thing IMO. She was an ok character for me for the most part. While her naivety was cute for Kayden, for me was annoying as f@ck. I don’t mind naïve characters…most of the time, but for some reason, Lila’s character got on my nerves more times than I like to admit. I guess I’m getting too old for some YA novels. *sigh*

One aspect of the story that I really enjoyed was the hero, Kayden. He was pretty great, mature, a douchebag at times, but overall an endearing character. He was sweet, caring and protective, wanting to protect Lila not only from the unknown, but also from himself. I enjoyed their interactions, how they tried to help each other and be what the other needs and the cute teasing between them.

Overall, this one was just an ok read for me. It wasn’t the worst YA novel I’ve read so far, but it wasn’t the best either. That being said, I’m not sure tomorrow I will remember the heroine’s name.

It seems I’m in minority here, so keep in mind that just because it didn’t really worked for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,566 reviews407 followers
February 14, 2016
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ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
What a wonderful story of a young girl venturing into adulthood. I thouroughly enjoyed this fantastic tale. I didn't expect it to be so raw and emotional.
Lila Jane is a young girl that is trying to find her purpose in the world. She is a teenager and very introverted, always with her nose buried in a book.
She is lonely, shy and never goes anywhere unless it is school. The dysfunctional members of her family, and especially her mother, have led her into dark, rocky paths that she finds difficult to get away from.

I was just one of the lucky millions affected by social anxiety among other things. I was shy and I was exhausted from trying so damn hard


She is severely depressed and when she finally decides to do something about it, her life changes.
Seventeen year old Kaden is running from a very traumatic incident. When he arrives to his uncle's house, he knows that he is alone and that he can never return to his mother. When he notices the slightly weird girl that constantly spies him from her bedroom window, he has no desire to get to know her. But fate has other plans.
Forced together by his uncle, Daven, Kaden will realize that Lila Jane is no ordinary fifteen year old girl. His feelings are mixed; dislike, curiosity and weariness all blend together and make his behavior rude at times.

I wanted to rip her from her gilded cage and force the world onto her just to watch her crumble. Misery loves company and I was nothing if not lonely.

"He practically begged me to take out the pathetic shut-in next door. It's kind of sad actually."
Her gaze danced over me and I waited for a smartass retort but instead her eyes glossed over and her thin fingers clicked to unlatch her seatbelt. I was amped for an argument, but when the corners of Lila's mouth tugged down, all my anger dissipated.


Lila has been admiring Kaden from afar, behind the safety of her bedroom window and when she finally gets to meet him things don't actualy turn out as she had hoped.

The person I'd had him built up to be in my mind was an impossible standard for him to live up to. He wasn't the hero in one of my stupid books, he was just some teenage boy with a chip on his shoulder.

One night. Two lonely teenagers. A car ride that will change both their lives. When they take off together, Lila will finally break out of her shell, but can Kaden protect her from himself? Read to find out.
The book was very emotional for me. I consumed it one sitting and even after I finished it, it still stayed with me. It's a story of loss, pain and ultimately, love. It is about finding your way into a world that is easy to judge and reject everything that doesn't seem normal. I loved, loved the characters. Even though the book is about teenagers, I felt like they were pretty mature for their age despite some of their reckless actions. They were after all, teens and they were allowed to make mistakes and discover their true selves.
Do not miss this book. It's a small gem!

★★★5 Stars★★★


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Profile Image for Debra Anastasia.
Author 42 books3,807 followers
January 31, 2016
The Death of Lila Jane is so amazing. I love the relationship between Lila and Kaden. He is swoony and sexy. As always, Mummert weaves a beautiful story that can't be put down. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Melyssa Winchester.
Author 32 books241 followers
February 29, 2016
description

Title: The Death of Lila Jane
Author: Teresa Mummert
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Rating: ★★★★1/2 Stars

Review

description

I’m going on record now and saying that despite having read the synopsis for this book and being sucked in based on it, the title scared me a little. I had concerns about just how much it was going to play into how this story played out. Thankfully, the title did not have the literal meaning that I thought when I started. In fact, its meaning overall is actually quite fitting considering what takes place within its pages.

From the outside looking in, it appears that this story is about an awkward sheltered young girl and a bad boy who end up going on an adventure together, but it’s so much more than that. Is Lila sheltered? In a manner of speaking yes, but she’s also extremely perceptive for someone that doesn’t interact much with many outside of her home. Is Kaden a bad boy? I suppose in a manner of speaking he is, but for this reader, he was so much more than all of that and it was apparent right from the moment he first makes his appearance.

I think my favorite part of this story was Kaden breaking down all of those preconceived notions about him. Being more than just the “bad boy” everyone on the outside sees him as. Does he make mistakes? Yes. Does he continue to make mistakes in the story? Yes, but in making those mistakes he also has these moments of clarity. Moments where after a whole lot of back and forth with himself, he learns from the mistakes and does what it takes to rectify them. That kind of character makes me happy. I live for some manner of growth in my reading and I got that here with Kaden. From the pain of what he's already lived through to what he experiences with Lila, he was definitely the character I enjoyed most.

That’s not to say that Lila didn’t have her own learning curve, but hers was more centered about coming out of her shell and experiencing life beyond the walls of her house and her family. Even experiencing it away from the one friend she did have and the boy that so obviously had a crush on her that she was completely oblivious to seeing until it was slammed home later in the story. She grew as well but in a different way. But not without having moments where she definitely wasn’t ready for the growth that did occur.

These two and their story of life, love and growth was very well done. I was impressed with the care the author took as she takes the reader on their journey together. It wasn’t easy by any means. There were ups and downs, sweetness and moments of sourness, but even in what I know to be a fictional setting, it felt very real. Reactions based on character age, and life experiences came across very organic to me, even if at times things did seem a little over the top.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5* read for me was the ending. I won’t go into specifics as I don’t want to give details of the story away and ruin it for other readers, but I will say that I felt like that part was a tad bit rushed given the length of time spent walking us through how everything came to be.

In the end though, I got what I wanted most from this after everything that happened to bring these two together and this is definitely a story that I’m glad I took the chance on. I’m eager to see where this author takes us next.

And for the record, I’m definitely #TeamKaden.

My thanks to the author and all others involved in letting me read this story before its official release. It was a pleasure and Kaden and Lila’s journey to happiness was one that I am glad to be a part of.
Profile Image for ✨Cassie ✨.
531 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2016
*ARC REVIEW FROM ABIBLIOPHOBIA ANONYMOUS BOOK REVIEWS BLOG*

Rating 4.5 stars

The Death of Lila Jane is one of those books about spreading your wings and wanting to fly. As teenagers we are so sick of our parents and their hovering, constant questions and always wanting us to be safe. If we knew now what we didn't know then, we would of never left home and entered this big crazy world, and that's what Lila is facing. She's 15 and sick of the life she has. She's a book worm with one girl friend. When the new boy across the street moves in, all will change. Lila and Kadens life will forever be changed. They'll go on this great adventure together and grow a bit. I kept thinking of Bonnie and Clyde, without all the murder. The book grabs you and you need to know what's going to happen with these two. They both will grow in so many ways. It has all the makings of a great love story. 4.5 stars

"I wanted to rip her from her gilded cage and force the world onto her just to watch her crumble. Misery loves company and I was nothing if not lonely."- Kaden
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
268 reviews70 followers
June 3, 2020

“I wanted to rip her from her gilded cage and force the world onto her just to watch her crumble. Misery loves company, and I was nothing if not lonely."


Let me just say that I was completely in love with the concept of this story. Mummert is unbelievably clever. The idea that the girl she had once been died so that she could be reborn the woman she wanted to be was so cool. This is going down as one of my favorite coming of age stories ever.

I loved Lila’s wide-eyed ways. She was naive, but she had moxie. The evolution of her character was spot on. I felt like I was back in high school making bad decisions and seeing where they led me. Lucky for her, she was with Kaden. Kaden was her polar opposite. It’s understandable that would be so taken with him. It was so much more than his good looks and swagger. He was freedom. And I wanted to hop in a car with him and run away too. He made it look easy.

The thing I really loved about this book was that it wasn’t an insta-love HEA story. Things escalated quickly and the reality was always there waiting to take over. And ultimately it did. The ending was perfect! I loved it!

4 stars and pair it with a New Orleans Classic, the Sazerac.

Buy the book:


http://amzn.to/1QGYKJ4

Profile Image for Shannon Avangeline.
Author 2 books26 followers
February 7, 2016
***This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review***

I was working on book two tonight...honestly, Mom, I was. Then I checked my kindle. Everything came to a screeching halt! I received an ARC from Teresa Mummert of The Death of Lila Jane. I devoured it in one sitting! There are no word sufficient to describe this story. I love a coming of age story, probably better than most people, however, I have never read one that made a permanent place on my heart like this one has! The characters are real and the raw emotion left me breathless. By the time it was over, Lila Jane had wrung tears from even my cynical heart. I am simply stunned by the beauty and the power of this story! So, if you haven't pre-order your copy...What are you waiting for! Go do it now!!! You can thank me later!!

Lila Jane is spending her summer vacation preparing for high school. She does everything asked of her, but her parents rarely give her credit for her efforts. She decides to sneak out with a friend to attend a local party and shed her little girl image, to become a woman once and for all. What starts out as a fun escape soon escalates into a life on the run with a boy she barely knows.
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Profile Image for Up All Night Book Addict.
1,240 reviews279 followers
February 23, 2016
Every thing Teresa Mummert writes has a tendency to be magical. Sometimes it's dark. Sometimes it's heartbreaking. Sometimes it's in a class of its own. Who am I kidding? Her stories are usually a combination of the above and more. This story really isn't any different.

Just like Teresa's other books, I was roped in from the start. With all of the sadness and pain Lila and Kaden carry within themselves, these two characters are guaranteed to tell a story like no other.

Although I was immersed in this story, I was expecting so much more from it. When I first saw this book, I expected my emotions to be all over the place. Unfortunately, they weren't. Well, they were, but not as heavily as I expected.

Overall, this book is a really good book. I highly recommend reading it. The characters are very relateable and likeable. I couldn't help but to feel so much for these characters. Everyone knows what it's like to be misunderstood and unseen. Their story is definitely one that will sit with you for a while.
Profile Image for Sanne Heremans.
369 reviews54 followers
February 9, 2016
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review - Sanne / Scandalous Book Blog***

The death of Lila Jane this book is called but I’d rather call it the learning curve of a young girl on her way to find not only herself but epic love along the way.

Lila Jane has been sheltered all her life so when a good looking guy moves in across the street something ignites a spark in her.

Kaden is the epitome of a bad boy with a golden heart.

Once fate decides to get these two together something unique happens and an unlikely alliance is formed.

A roadtrip to New Orleans that opens up doors and closed down others.

Unfortunately, real life kicks in at some point and it’s time to get back.

What happens after? That’s for me to know and for you to find out! ;-)

A beautifully written story that’ll give you all the feels and make you feel like you are right there feeling it all with them.

A song that fits this beautiful story:
Love is strange by Mickey & Sylvia - Dirty Dancing:

https://open.spotify.com/track/66Yxbr...
Profile Image for ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover).
698 reviews
March 2, 2016

People have gotten the idea that the only way to make one character look good is to pair him/her with a less-awesome person. It doesn’t work like that. In fact, it makes the storyline and romance twice as good if the main character and the love interest both have strengths and interesting sides to them.
“Boring old predictable Lila Jane.”
Profile Image for Diane.
417 reviews20 followers
February 11, 2016
Love love love all the words written by Teresa Mummert.
Great story, such emotion and realism.
Profile Image for Three Chicks.
2,631 reviews419 followers
February 25, 2016
4 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes

The Death of Lila Jane is a story about a young girl trying to escape the hold that her parents have on her and come out of her shell. Lila Jane is a 15 year old girl who has lived a sheltered life due to her very overprotective parents. She is a bit introverted and has some socialization/anxiety issues. She has one friend and would rather stay in and read a book then go out. When she sees the new boy across the street she finds herself spying on him through her window. She wants to go over to him and say hello but given her issues she cannot bring herself to step outside.

Kaden has lost the love of his life at such a young age. He was sent to live with his uncle who is also broken in his own way as well. Kaden is broken but at the same time he is tough and maybe a little rough around the edges. But he is still a genuinely good guy. He sees the girl across the street spying on him. His uncle insists that he takes her out to the mall and get to know her. Eventually he gives in and offers to take her, but the mall is not where they end up going. They end up at a party which turns into the two of them going on the run together. Kaden makes mistakes which he is afraid will cause him to be kicked out so he deciees to go on the run and Lila wants to go with him. She wants to break free from her parents and wants to learn to live. Kaden is the perfect person to teach her about living. But this adventure of theirs cannot last forever. At some point she has to go home. And when that happens then what?


I really enjoyed this book. Kaden and Lila had great chemistry. It was a beautiful story about finding yourself and being able to break out of your shell. But it also deals with learning to live life and learning to heal. I loved the moments that these two shared together They were so young and Lila was so naïve due to her childhood but I think that is why they fit so well. Kaden helped her to learn how to live. While I did love this story there was something missing for me and I think the ending just fell a little flat for me. But overall a recommended and very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
315 reviews
February 10, 2016
*Review copy received from the author for an honest review*

4 “just a teenager” stars

I’m going to start with this is not my normal read, and I still enjoyed it very much! I am usually more of an adult romance reader, but occasionally a young adult read will catch my eye. The Death of Lila Jane did that!! I honestly wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into with a title like that, either. But, it is good!

“Boring old predictable Lila Jane.”

The Death of Lila Jane is heartwarming, kinda heart breaking, and funny all that the same time. So Lila has lived a very sheltered and kind of odd life. I truly felt sorry for this girl. She’s only 15, so very immature, but still enjoyable. And Kaden…Kaden has lived a VERY sad life. My heart ached for him. Kaden had been through more tragedies in his 17 years than some of us see in our lifetime. What a pair, right?!?

“They say things happen in our lives for a reason. Some don’t believe that saying, but I do.”

The how on these two ending up in the same car and off on a journey is quite interesting. I can’t say I was totally sold on it, and definitely wouldn’t have pictured these two together, but it sure made for an enjoyable story. Kaden gives off that bad boy persona, and he is a bad boy in a way. But, overall, he is a softy who took great care of Lila. Cause somebody had to be the responsible one ;)

“It was better this way. It was better that she hated me, even if it killed me inside.”

This is a very enjoyable read with lots of humor I wasn’t expecting. It’s an easy and quick read that keeps you entertained the whole time. Give it a try, peeps!! 
Profile Image for MELODY.
459 reviews16 followers
February 9, 2016
Are you in the market for a young adult fiction? Well, even if your aren't this one should go to the top of your reading list. Ms. Mummert brings us the equisit tale of Lila Jane and Kaden. Lila Jane is a teenager on the brink of womanhood - spending her last summer before high school reading and wanting to spread her wings. She is awkward, has one real friend, is being smothered by her parents, and has the hots for the newest arrival on the block. Kaden the object of her affections, has been sent by his mom to live with his uncle across the street. His life is insane - his mother ran with him after years of being abused by his father.
Teresa has woven a wonderful story of coming of age, learning to live with what and who you are, not letting the cards you were dealt make you less of a person. The story is riveting and compelling and will keep you turning pages. I cried for these two young people hoping and praying that even as they run away from life that they find a happy and loving adults. Her plot lines are tight and her characters are wonderfully whole.
Run do not walk to find out what happens to Lila Jane!
Profile Image for Brandy Lynn.
Author 15 books210 followers
February 7, 2016
Every once in a while, I find a book that pulls me in leaving no room for distractions. The Death of Lila Jane is THAT book! I found myself immersed in between the pages barely coming up for air. It was a riveting experience. This book took me on a journey with two very different characters each struggling with their own issues as they set out on a path of self-discovery; Kaden the self-proclaimed bad boy and Lila Jane the sheltered good girl. I loved every single second of it. Meeting each other. The road trip. Finding what you least expect. Young love. All of it. It was beautifully written from start to finish.

If there’s one thing I can always count on with Teresa Mummert it’s her ability to craft a story so compelling that it leaves you pleading for more. She has a way of making you feel like you’re living out each scene, every struggle, and each kiss. It truly is storytelling at its finest. Make sure to grab The Death of Lila Jane and be ready for the high of emotions as you take a trip with them down the road of self-discovery and young love. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Sanaa .
1,219 reviews177 followers
February 8, 2016
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED:

4 stars!


WOW.

I've never read anything by Teresa Mummert before and I've always wanted to so this was one heck of a way to start. This was a quite unique story and that was one of the reasons why I read this all in one sitting finishing at 5am.

This story is one of those that the less you know, the better. Trust me with that. It was one exciting experience that had me wanting more with each turning page. There are 2 teens struggling with some issues and are trying to find a way through it. It's a tough journey of self-discovery.

This story had a fantastic ability to make me feel so many emotions, have hope for a HEA and was able to break my heart. READ THIS BOOK NOW. I'm telling you!

I can't wait to read more of Teresa in the future!

An ARC was provided by the author for an honest review!
Profile Image for Neja.
277 reviews33 followers
September 28, 2017
*3,5 stars
Knjigo sem prebrala zgolj zaradi Bralnega izziva, ki ga letno prireja Bralnica. Naslov me je odbijal, a knjiga je bila pravšnja za izziv. Sedaj, ko poznam zgodbo moram priznati, da je naslov res bistroumno izbran in če ne veš o čem knjiga govori (sama nisem prebrala njenega opisa) potem res ne veš kaj se bo zgodilo v naslednjem poglavju.

Zgodba je zelo prisrčna in prav tako sta mi bila všeč glavna junaka. Sem se med branjem kar nekajkrat nasmejala.
Konec koncev pa knjiga nosi tudi super sporočilo: živi vsak dan, kakor da je tvoj prvi :)
Profile Image for Krissy's Book Nook.
140 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2016
**Full review at KrissysBookNook.com**

This book is the only book I can remember ever reading that was able to both break my heart and make me feel hope at the same time.


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I finished reading The Death of Lila Jane in about 4 hours. Putting this book down was not an option. I'm not sure what else happened in my house or in the world for that matter during those four hours because I was completely lost between this books pages.


The Death of Lila Jane is a story about young love, overcoming incredible heart break, and learning to find your own way. The book is set in Louisiana and our main characters are Lila Jane (obvi) and Kaden. Lila Jane rarely leaves her house and lives under the watchful eyes of her parents. She is preparing to start high school when our story begins. Kaden is seventeen and has moved in with his long estranged uncle who lives across the street from Lila Jane.


Kaden's backstory was particularly heartbreaking. He faced tremendous abuse and loss at a very young age. This author's writing, in my opinion anyway, allowed us to truly see the past that had shaped this character. He was not instantly lovable, but he was instantly believable.


Lila Jane reminded me a lot of myself so of course she was my favorite character in this book. ;)


Thats_So_Me


She is a free spirit trapped in the cage of her family and desperately wants her freedom. She finds her escape through the mysterious boy across the street and learns how to make her own way.

Well, sort of. ;)

I found myself relating to Lila Jane mostly because of her anxiety. I don't talk about my anxiety publicly very often (or at all) but reading this characters thoughts and feelings about living with this condition really hit home for me. It's one of those things that I have a hard time putting in to words. I've never found the right words to accurately convey how a panic attack feels but this author did it with perfection.

I am STILL on a complete book high after reading this book!  I highly recommend you read The Death of Lila Jane and then come back and talk to me all about it! #READTHISBOOK!

Five out of Five Krissy Stars to The Death of Lila Jane by Teresa Mummert!

This is a MUST READ!

Xo-K

*I was generously given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Becky.
50 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2016
This review was first published on .{ ink.eaters }.!

Oh. My. Heart.
As much as I hate it when people say something like what I am about to say, I simply cannot not say it... "I CAN'T EVEN! ALL THE FEELS!"
Is it bad that I feel like crying like a baby because the book I've been reading is over?! This book is so absof*ckinlutely beautiful, you really should pick it up if you haven't already read it. - Go grab it, add it to your tbr, dive right into it. Whatever. Just... read it. Like, yesterday. Now. ASAP. Fall in love with it, like I have. And while you're at it, please excuse me while I go and die a million fictional deaths because I can't have more of this. This story ending way too soon basically was its only flaw... and even that flaw was a really beautiful - and obviously inevitable - one!

Honestly, I don't know what to say.
Or how to say it.
This.
Simply.
Was.
A.
Stunningly.
Beautiful.
Read.

(Those few words right there? "Stunningly beautiful read!"? That could very well be my review. As in... all you're getting, because it's all there is... I'm still sitting here like an emoji, swooning all heart-eyed!)

And I want more. Lots more.

The Death of Lila Jane is a read that managed to suck me in right from the beginning - it was unputdownable (yes, that is a word!), both when it comes to the style in which Mummert has chosen to tell the story, as well as when it comes to the story itself. There wasn't a single moment of reading time in which this novel made me roll my eyes, or check the time; it had a steady pace, that was neither too slow, nor too fast - following the story of Lila Jane and Kaden never seemed even remotely draggy, and I found myself giggling, teary-eyed, swooning over the hunk of the story and absolutely dreading the end of the book (don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad ending at all, other than being an end!). The Death of Lila Jane is a beautiful novel, through and through, from page one all the way to the words no reader wants to encounter when loving a book - all the way to "the end". It's a tale of love and loss, of friendship and family, of happiness and sorrow. A book of life and death, of loosing and finding yourself - and your perfect counterpart.
In case you couldn't already tell: I absolutely loved this book!


*** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review! ***
Profile Image for Cass (Bookaholics Reading Haven).
400 reviews44 followers
February 16, 2016
3.5 Tear Inducing Stars!

Lila Jane is a 15 yr old girl who has never got to experience life very much. She does everything her parents ask of her and never goes out of her way to put herself out there and meet new friends due to being socially awkward and suffering from high anxiety. That all changes when the neighbours nephew moves in across the street.
Kayden Harken comes to live with his Uncle Daven after he suffers a great loss in his life. Trying to get by one day at a time seems to be a struggle for Kayden until he meets the sweet and innocent Lila Jane from across the street, then everything changes for both of them.
This is a story of two young people finding their own way in life, in Lila Jane's case it's all about trying to come out of her shell and fit in with other people her own age. For Kayden it's all about moving on from such a heartbreaking loss at a young age and some things that happen in his early childhood.
Teresa had my emotions all over the place with this book. I had so many feels I just didn't know what to do with myself! I both loved and hated Kayden at times with how he treated Lila Jane, and was rooting for Lila Jane to give him a good slap like he deserved sometimes! Lila Jane even with her high anxiety was a force to be reckoned with if she got mad once she finally started to learn to speak up for herself, I loved watching her come out of herself and be the brave young woman you could see that she was and that made me love her character more and more.
If you enjoy reading YA books like I do from time to time then I highly recommend this one! Another great read from Teresa Mummert and I look forward to what else she has coming out this year.
Profile Image for Bookaholics Reading.
100 reviews
February 16, 2016
3.5 Tear Inducing Stars!

Lila Jane is a 15 yr old girl who has never got to experience life very much. She does everything her parents ask of her and never goes out of her way to put herself out there and meet new friends due to being socially awkward and suffering from high anxiety. That all changes when the neighbours nephew moves in across the street.
Kayden Harken comes to live with his Uncle Daven after he suffers a great loss in his life. Trying to get by one day at a time seems to be a struggle for Kayden until he meets the sweet and innocent Lila Jane from across the street, then everything changes for both of them.
This is a story of two young people finding their own way in life, in Lila Jane's case it's all about trying to come out of her shell and fit in with other people her own age. For Kayden it's all about moving on from such a heartbreaking loss at a young age and some things that happen in his early childhood.
Teresa had my emotions all over the place with this book. I had so many feels I just didn't know what to do with myself! I both loved and hated Kayden at times with how he treated Lila Jane, and was rooting for Lila Jane to give him a good slap like he deserved sometimes! Lila Jane even with her high anxiety was a force to be reckoned with if she got mad once she finally started to learn to speak up for herself, I loved watching her come out of herself and be the brave young woman you could see that she was and that made me love her character more and more.
If you enjoy reading YA books like I do from time to time then I highly recommend this one! Another great read from Teresa Mummert and I look forward to what else she has coming out this year.
Profile Image for Hooker Heels Book Blog.
389 reviews46 followers
February 17, 2016
Lila and Kaden find each other at a point in their lives where they both need someone, even though they don’t care to admit it. Lila excels at life, but she works hard for it. Living under the ominous and watchful eye of her parents, she dreams of one day being able to spread her wings and fly. She wants to live life on her terms and learn from her own mistakes. Kaden is a tormented soul that was forced to grow up well before he should have. He feels that life has dealt him one bad hand after another and that you can only count on yourself in life.

Told from dual POV’s, The Death of Lila Jane is a unique coming of age story about life and the how difficult letting go can really be. This is an excellent young adult book that really gives you a wide insight into what you can only imagine what young people feel and face growing up in today’s world. The characters were so genuine and authentic, that you truly felt every ache, emotion and hardship that they experienced. The one thing that has always impressed me about this author is that she always writes the most incredible and inimitable stories and she certainly did so with this book. If you have a teenager at home, I would exceedingly recommend letting them read this book.
Profile Image for Witchy Richey's Booktastic Reviews.
1,100 reviews66 followers
February 17, 2016
Naive, sheltered, medicated. The life and mind of Lila Jane is protected. She lives through books and what she see's out her window. She is quirky, and strange at times. Excitement and adventure is what she seeks.

Kaden is a broken boy. Sent to live with an Uncle who is likewise broken. Loss at such a young age is difficult for a young mind to handle. He is tuff and harsh. Just the boy to show Lila the adventure she needs, but he's not the boy for her. He will only tarnish her shine.

Together these two experience a whirlwind in a short time. But life isn't about excitement and adventure. Lila Jane is young and her naivety could ruin her chance at a great future. Kaden will not be the cause of this.

A very interesting read from Teresa. The New Orlean's dialect was a little hard to follow at first but you catch on pretty quick. Lila is great! Her quirks make her all the more lovable. You can not help but fall in love with Kaden, is sorrow and hard shell will draw you in!

A total must read!
Profile Image for Colleen Oppenheim.
416 reviews38 followers
February 18, 2016
Sheltered and closed off, Lila Jane is looking for an escape, a way not break away from her parents that strictly rule over her with and iron fist and many medications. She wants to be a normal girl, one with friends, maybe a boyfriend. When Kaden comes to town, Lila Jane gets tangled in a web of lies, fears, heartbreak, and the life of a runaway with a boy she barely knows.

I took the title of this book way too literally. I am glad I was surprised by what transpired with Lila Jane. This is an amazing story of rebirth, not death. This is not a sweeping love story but a profound story of life. Kaden and Lila Jane will learn from their struggles and experiences to become the people they are meant to be. As I was reading, I felt that Teresa was telling us a story that we were to learn and grow from. The Death of Lila Jane was so much more then I ever expected. Teresa never fails to write a story that captures me....
Profile Image for Shierly.
635 reviews6 followers
February 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Being young and in love
Profile Image for April Luz.
29 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2016
I wish it was longer. I wanna know more of Kaden and Lila’s life together. I love the characters so much!❤️❤️❤️
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