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The Secret #3
Non cambiare mai
A prima vista, Lila Summers, la migliore amica di Ella, è la tipica ragazza viziata di buona famiglia: aspetto curato, abiti firmati e l’atteggiamento frivolo di chi non ha mai dovuto faticare per ottenere ciò che vuole. Ma dietro quel seducente sorriso da copertina si nasconde un oscuro passato che Lila tenta con tutta se stessa di dimenticare e che minaccia di farla crollare…
Quando il terribile vuoto che ha dentro rischia di emergere e divorare ogni cosa, c’è solo una persona in grado di aiutarla a tenere a bada i suoi fantasmi: Ethan Gregory.
Lila e Ethan però sono solo amici, niente di più. Ethan non è tipo da relazioni e poi come potrebbe un ragazzo rude come lui far coppia fissa con una principessina? Eppure, nonostante tutto, Ethan non può negare che qualcosa di strano e forte lo lega a Lila, qualcosa che, se non sta attento, rischia di spezzargli il cuore…
Quando il terribile vuoto che ha dentro rischia di emergere e divorare ogni cosa, c’è solo una persona in grado di aiutarla a tenere a bada i suoi fantasmi: Ethan Gregory.
Lila e Ethan però sono solo amici, niente di più. Ethan non è tipo da relazioni e poi come potrebbe un ragazzo rude come lui far coppia fissa con una principessina? Eppure, nonostante tutto, Ethan non può negare che qualcosa di strano e forte lo lega a Lila, qualcosa che, se non sta attento, rischia di spezzargli il cuore…
347 pages, Hardcover
First published December 24, 2013
193 people are currently reading
15093 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Sorensen
418 books20.1k followersJessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
http://www.jessicasorensen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 865 reviews
October 29, 2013
4 Broken Stars!!!
Jessica Sorensen is one of my go to authors because I love her writing style, and I know her books will make me feel. She has a knack for writing these perfectly broken, beautifully damaged characters. The Temptation of Lila and Ethan was no exception. If you’ve read any of the Ella and Micha books, you know Lila, Ella’s roommate and best friend, and Ethan, Micha’s best friend. This is their story.
Lila and Ethan couldn’t be more different if they tried. They come from different families, different economic backgrounds, but in many ways, they are more alike than you’d ever imagine.
Ethan grew up in a less than ideal household. Watching his father physically and emotionally abuse his mother, he decides that will never be him. He will never be in a relationship like theres. Then he meets London. Something happens there that damages him even further. He won’t be in a relationship again. It’s no strings attached sex for him. He holds on to too much blame and guilt to ever have anything with anyone.
Then there is Lila Summers, who grew up in a privileged home with a mother and father who only want their daughter to be perfect. They don’t care about her wants or needs, only that she plays the part. When Lila is only fourteen, her parents decide she isn’t doing a good enough job so they send her to boarding school. She makes some mistakes to try to fit in, and these mistakes change her forever. Now she looks to pills and sex to fill the void in her life.
With Ella and Micha off in California, the two of them become closer than ever. Ethan is someone Lila can always count on. When she gets her self in dangerous situations, he’s the one that bails her out. She is very attracted to him, but he doesn’t seem interested most of the time. Ethan is very interested in Lila, but he can’t go there. Lila is one of his best friends, he wouldn’t be good for her. He can’t cross that line with her, as much as he wants to.
Ethan cares for Lila, and when he sees her spinning further and further out of control, he wants to be there for her. He wants to save her. Lila isn’t ready to be saved. She wants Ethan to want her. Ethan wants her, but he’s not sure if he’s willing to risk his friendship...
The sexual tension between them is off the charts. They both want to be together, but before they can ever do that, they must let go of their pasts and learn to heal.
Friends? Lovers? Two broken people with an undeniable connection
You will root for these two characters. Ethan is a special kind of guy, a wonderful friend, a caring person. I fell hard for him. This book evoked some major emotion from me. As I watched everything with Ethan and Lila unfold, I really felt for these two. Overcoming all that they did, they are both very strong characters.
For you Ella and Micha fans, they are in this a decent bit towards the end of this one. We get a nice set up for the next Ella and Micha book, and I’m hoping for much more Lila and Ethan in it! I’m sure that fans of this series and this author will thoroughly enjoy this book, just as I did! A beautifully broken read I would recommend.
Jessica Sorensen is one of my go to authors because I love her writing style, and I know her books will make me feel. She has a knack for writing these perfectly broken, beautifully damaged characters. The Temptation of Lila and Ethan was no exception. If you’ve read any of the Ella and Micha books, you know Lila, Ella’s roommate and best friend, and Ethan, Micha’s best friend. This is their story.
Lila and Ethan couldn’t be more different if they tried. They come from different families, different economic backgrounds, but in many ways, they are more alike than you’d ever imagine.
Ethan grew up in a less than ideal household. Watching his father physically and emotionally abuse his mother, he decides that will never be him. He will never be in a relationship like theres. Then he meets London. Something happens there that damages him even further. He won’t be in a relationship again. It’s no strings attached sex for him. He holds on to too much blame and guilt to ever have anything with anyone.
Then there is Lila Summers, who grew up in a privileged home with a mother and father who only want their daughter to be perfect. They don’t care about her wants or needs, only that she plays the part. When Lila is only fourteen, her parents decide she isn’t doing a good enough job so they send her to boarding school. She makes some mistakes to try to fit in, and these mistakes change her forever. Now she looks to pills and sex to fill the void in her life.
With Ella and Micha off in California, the two of them become closer than ever. Ethan is someone Lila can always count on. When she gets her self in dangerous situations, he’s the one that bails her out. She is very attracted to him, but he doesn’t seem interested most of the time. Ethan is very interested in Lila, but he can’t go there. Lila is one of his best friends, he wouldn’t be good for her. He can’t cross that line with her, as much as he wants to.
Ethan and I have always had an interesting relationship, one that’s pushed the boundaries of friendship yet hasn’t quite crossed it.
Ethan cares for Lila, and when he sees her spinning further and further out of control, he wants to be there for her. He wants to save her. Lila isn’t ready to be saved. She wants Ethan to want her. Ethan wants her, but he’s not sure if he’s willing to risk his friendship...
“What if a relationship ruins what we have? What if we ruin each other?”
The sexual tension between them is off the charts. They both want to be together, but before they can ever do that, they must let go of their pasts and learn to heal.
Friends? Lovers? Two broken people with an undeniable connection
You will root for these two characters. Ethan is a special kind of guy, a wonderful friend, a caring person. I fell hard for him. This book evoked some major emotion from me. As I watched everything with Ethan and Lila unfold, I really felt for these two. Overcoming all that they did, they are both very strong characters.
For you Ella and Micha fans, they are in this a decent bit towards the end of this one. We get a nice set up for the next Ella and Micha book, and I’m hoping for much more Lila and Ethan in it! I’m sure that fans of this series and this author will thoroughly enjoy this book, just as I did! A beautifully broken read I would recommend.
July 18, 2013
Comes out Oct. 22nd :)
October 24, 2013
Note: Though part of The Secret series, this book is completely a standalone!
5 HOT, DARK, FREEING STARS!!!
This is one of the most heartwrenching, passionate, and poignant stories I’ve read in long time. Literally every page on my iPad is highlighted with rainbow colors because, well, there were so many epic quotes to take note of!! This book has also restored some of my faith in New Adult. Prior to reading it, I was about to give up on NA for a while, as some of my recent reads were very disappointing. Not this one!! I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner when I got it from NetGalley!!! I’m just going to venture out and say here that The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is by far Ms. Sorensen’s best work, even ahead of Callie and Kayden’s books, which have been my favorites.
Some things I had to write down:
- I don’t think I’ve ever been this pumped for a couple to get together. Lila and Ethan are so, so different from each other, and I was afraid that even sexual attraction wouldn’t be enough to keep them together.
- I was constantly questioning the different paths this book could've taken: the story kept me on my toes. At one point, I actually worried if they got an HEA or not.
- The book blurb doesn’t do the book justice; it's SO much more! I went in thinking that they both had minor problems to deal with and – smack – I did not see what was coming. The prologue floored me, and the content only got darker from there (which I LOVE).
So what’s this book about, hmm? I’ll let Lila and Ethan tell you their lives in ONE word.
Lila’s word: Perfection
Though she’s rich, Lila has lived under the oppressive rules of her father and suffered greatly from her experiences with her uncaring, zombie-like mother. Her parents demand perfection from her at all times, and she's constantly put down by her father. She longs for freedom , for passion , for love from her family, knowing that she’ll never get it.
“I don’t want to have to sit at a dinner table that is big enough to seat twenty when there are only three of us. I don’t want to be forced to eat food that looks like it still needs to be cooked. I don’t want to endure one more dinner where I’m told every single thing I’ve done wrong. I want them to just let me be myself and maybe, perhaps tell me that they love me.”
“I don’t want to feel like I’m always screwing up. I want to feel loved. I really do.”
Unfortunately for her, a single mistake made when she was 14 changes her outlook on life, and she now numbs herself with meaningless sex and overdoses on drugs and prescription pills. She’s on a downward spiral towards self-destruction and no one is there to help her.
Until Ethan.
Ethan’s word: Independence
Ethan has had a rough childhood. He watched his father physically and verbally abuse his mother, and vowed to never become the monster his father was. On top of that, a decision he made regarding a certain girl led to a tragedy that plagues his thoughts ‘till this day, and he covers his pain with his bad boy exterior and string of one-night stands. He likes being alone and covets his independence, never once giving into commitment.
“I’m not looking for a relationship. They’re ugly, raw, brutal, painful, life destroying. They exist only in the hearts of the needy and I don’t need anything from anyone. I’m perfectly content being alone, hiding in the desolate place inside myself.”
"What I really want is to not be thinking about anyone. I want silence. Solitude. I want my God damn thoughts to turn off."
Until Lila.
They are treading down a very thin line between friends and lovers.
“There was this strange connection between us, like we understood each other, even though we were from totally separate worlds: rich and poor.” - Lila
"This isn't just about sex. There is so much more to it than that. We have a connection. We have since the day we met." - Ethan
Can two people, so very different in personality and social status, be together?
“You wouldn’t be completely alone.” I sweep her hair to the side and rest my chin on her shoulder. “You’d be with me.”
“What would we do at this mountain place together?”
“Anything we wanted.”
A stunning and riveting story of love found in the most remote places.
An inspirational tale about never giving up hope.
A heartfelt book about one man's fight for his girl, and one girl's struggle against the impossible for her man.
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advance copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
UPDATE 10/13/13: Jessica has released a tentative blurb for her dark thriller book Forget Me Not, which focuses on one of the secondary characters in this book.
5 HOT, DARK, FREEING STARS!!!
This is one of the most heartwrenching, passionate, and poignant stories I’ve read in long time. Literally every page on my iPad is highlighted with rainbow colors because, well, there were so many epic quotes to take note of!! This book has also restored some of my faith in New Adult. Prior to reading it, I was about to give up on NA for a while, as some of my recent reads were very disappointing. Not this one!! I’m kicking myself for not reading this sooner when I got it from NetGalley!!! I’m just going to venture out and say here that The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is by far Ms. Sorensen’s best work, even ahead of Callie and Kayden’s books, which have been my favorites.
Some things I had to write down:
- I don’t think I’ve ever been this pumped for a couple to get together. Lila and Ethan are so, so different from each other, and I was afraid that even sexual attraction wouldn’t be enough to keep them together.
- I was constantly questioning the different paths this book could've taken: the story kept me on my toes. At one point, I actually worried if they got an HEA or not.
- The book blurb doesn’t do the book justice; it's SO much more! I went in thinking that they both had minor problems to deal with and – smack – I did not see what was coming. The prologue floored me, and the content only got darker from there (which I LOVE).
So what’s this book about, hmm? I’ll let Lila and Ethan tell you their lives in ONE word.
Lila’s word: Perfection
Though she’s rich, Lila has lived under the oppressive rules of her father and suffered greatly from her experiences with her uncaring, zombie-like mother. Her parents demand perfection from her at all times, and she's constantly put down by her father. She longs for freedom , for passion , for love from her family, knowing that she’ll never get it.
“I don’t want to have to sit at a dinner table that is big enough to seat twenty when there are only three of us. I don’t want to be forced to eat food that looks like it still needs to be cooked. I don’t want to endure one more dinner where I’m told every single thing I’ve done wrong. I want them to just let me be myself and maybe, perhaps tell me that they love me.”
“I don’t want to feel like I’m always screwing up. I want to feel loved. I really do.”
Unfortunately for her, a single mistake made when she was 14 changes her outlook on life, and she now numbs herself with meaningless sex and overdoses on drugs and prescription pills. She’s on a downward spiral towards self-destruction and no one is there to help her.
Until Ethan.
Ethan’s word: Independence
Ethan has had a rough childhood. He watched his father physically and verbally abuse his mother, and vowed to never become the monster his father was. On top of that, a decision he made regarding a certain girl led to a tragedy that plagues his thoughts ‘till this day, and he covers his pain with his bad boy exterior and string of one-night stands. He likes being alone and covets his independence, never once giving into commitment.
“I’m not looking for a relationship. They’re ugly, raw, brutal, painful, life destroying. They exist only in the hearts of the needy and I don’t need anything from anyone. I’m perfectly content being alone, hiding in the desolate place inside myself.”
"What I really want is to not be thinking about anyone. I want silence. Solitude. I want my God damn thoughts to turn off."
Until Lila.
They are treading down a very thin line between friends and lovers.
“There was this strange connection between us, like we understood each other, even though we were from totally separate worlds: rich and poor.” - Lila
"This isn't just about sex. There is so much more to it than that. We have a connection. We have since the day we met." - Ethan
Can two people, so very different in personality and social status, be together?
“You wouldn’t be completely alone.” I sweep her hair to the side and rest my chin on her shoulder. “You’d be with me.”
“What would we do at this mountain place together?”
“Anything we wanted.”
A stunning and riveting story of love found in the most remote places.
An inspirational tale about never giving up hope.
A heartfelt book about one man's fight for his girl, and one girl's struggle against the impossible for her man.
ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advance copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
UPDATE 10/13/13: Jessica has released a tentative blurb for her dark thriller book Forget Me Not, which focuses on one of the secondary characters in this book.
October 29, 2013
Intense, powerful, beautiful, loving, broken
That pretty much sums this book up, I didn't know what to expect with Lila and Ethan, while reading Micha and Ella's story you get bits here and there but nothing compares to what you'll read here. What I will say is even though this is a story linked with Micha and Ella's books this is a stand alone and you can really read this without those books although shhh they're my favourite so I'd still recommend them first!!
"There are Rules to follow. Sit up straight. Don't slouch. Don't talk unless you're spoken too. Don't screw up. Be perfect. Look pretty.
Lila has to live by certain rules, she has been taught how to 'not' live and in order to do that she has learnt to cover the truth, her parents are people who appear to be the perfect couple but underneath are cold and unable to see where Lila is coming from they show no love and in that Lila doesn't open up, she doesn't show her feelings and she covers what's going on underneath. She feels empty so to hide that she gets herself into situations that always end badly.
Ethan comes from a poor upbringing, he has a bad boy exterior with his tattoos and easy lifestyle he doesn't do relationships he's watched his mum be too consumed by his father which is not a good relationship so he just doesn't do them, but that doesn't mean he doesn't sleep around. But he does do friendships and he's a good friend to Lila.
This book is another gripping and Intense Jessica style story, her writing just flows nicely and she enables you to feel every emotion along with Lila and Ethan.
These two characters rebel against each other refusing to be what they both want and need, saying that - Ethan is a fantastic friend I don't want to give anything away but Ethan is right next to Lila every step of the way he bit by bit enables Lila to become the strong girl she really is and with the support of Ethan she becomes that girl.
Ethan helps to rip Lila's exterior and help her show her true colours and learn to love and be real.
And then Lila helps Ethan to let go and give himself so he can love because he deserves love.
The sexual tension between these two were sizzling they have Chemistry they just need to let go...
And to communicate...
Secondary Characters
I despised Lila's parents honestly they do not deserve to have children and be happy.
Micha and Ella are in and out but to be honest aren't in it a great deal this is solely about Lila and Ethan and the main reason why I've taken a star out is mainly because there's not much interaction between anyone else it's very much about Ethan and Lila I'm not saying that's bad but I do enjoy reading about the friends and yes I loved Micha and Ella' storys because there is fun nights with these two and there isn't in this. But I stayed awake late, I thought about it while I was doing other things and ended up having to continue reading so yes it still is a brilliant read it just lacked that little edge I like.
Really looking forward to the last journey for Micha and Ella and fingers crossed let all four have there happy ever afters.
Enjoy
December 5, 2013
REVIEW TO COME :/
April 22, 2015
4 stars!
I have a feeling if I reread the first 2 books in the series I'd be giving them higher ratings.
Full review to come soon....
I have a feeling if I reread the first 2 books in the series I'd be giving them higher ratings.
Full review to come soon....
February 26, 2014
4 filling in the pieces stars
Damaged Heroine? - > CHECK
Damaged Hero? - > CHECK
Depressing storyline? - > CHECK
MAJOR sexual tension? - > CHECK
What do you get?! - > A Jessica Sorensen novel!!!!
The non-paranormal Jessica Sorensen reads kind of all sound the same after some time, but I was surprised on how much I enjoyed The Temptation of Lila and Ethan. I think I enjoyed it because it had new characters and slightly new issues. Also, I didn’t want to slap anyone in the face.
Lila is the pretty rich girl who isn’t loved by her parents. Her mom is verbally abusive and Lila has no support system, because of this, she ends up getting hurt at fourteen, which leads her to depend on drugs and sex. Ethan isn’t going anywhere in life, but loves his girlfriend London. London isn’t good for Ethan because she does drugs and loves it. After an accident, Ethan life changes and he decides to move away and start over.
Lila and Ethan cross paths in the previous two books from the Micha and Ella series. I’ve always been curious about Lila because her character is so different from Ella. I thought there would be a lot of Micha and Ella interaction in this book, but there isn’t and I’m so okay with that.
I simply wanted a Lila and Ethan novel and I got it. As much as I complain that Jessica’s books are kind of similar there is something about her writing which kind of draws you in. You feel the character’s emotions and pain.
Lila is the crazy one in the book. She’s a big mess and is going downhill fast. Ethan on occasion does help Lila out, like when she wakes up the next morning from a hook up and needs a ride home. Lila and Ethan’s banter is very cute and I enjoy the dialogue. If I could describe their relationship is that they are one ball of SEXUAL TENSION!
The sexual tension was crazy in this book. You will be just reading and reading and reading waiting for the good stuff. I couldn’t put the book down and finished in on sitting and it’s a long book in my opinion.
Ethan has his issues as well and he’s very closed off. I was wondering if there would be a cliffy and I am happy to say NO! Thank my goodness!
Overall, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan was a great read and a great break between the Micha and Ella storyline.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Series Order
REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
Damaged Heroine? - > CHECK
Damaged Hero? - > CHECK
Depressing storyline? - > CHECK
MAJOR sexual tension? - > CHECK
What do you get?! - > A Jessica Sorensen novel!!!!
The non-paranormal Jessica Sorensen reads kind of all sound the same after some time, but I was surprised on how much I enjoyed The Temptation of Lila and Ethan. I think I enjoyed it because it had new characters and slightly new issues. Also, I didn’t want to slap anyone in the face.
Lila is the pretty rich girl who isn’t loved by her parents. Her mom is verbally abusive and Lila has no support system, because of this, she ends up getting hurt at fourteen, which leads her to depend on drugs and sex. Ethan isn’t going anywhere in life, but loves his girlfriend London. London isn’t good for Ethan because she does drugs and loves it. After an accident, Ethan life changes and he decides to move away and start over.
I don’t think there are good guys and bad guys anymore. I don’t even know what I am
Lila and Ethan cross paths in the previous two books from the Micha and Ella series. I’ve always been curious about Lila because her character is so different from Ella. I thought there would be a lot of Micha and Ella interaction in this book, but there isn’t and I’m so okay with that.
I simply wanted a Lila and Ethan novel and I got it. As much as I complain that Jessica’s books are kind of similar there is something about her writing which kind of draws you in. You feel the character’s emotions and pain.
Lila is the crazy one in the book. She’s a big mess and is going downhill fast. Ethan on occasion does help Lila out, like when she wakes up the next morning from a hook up and needs a ride home. Lila and Ethan’s banter is very cute and I enjoy the dialogue. If I could describe their relationship is that they are one ball of SEXUAL TENSION!
The sexual tension was crazy in this book. You will be just reading and reading and reading waiting for the good stuff. I couldn’t put the book down and finished in on sitting and it’s a long book in my opinion.
Ethan has his issues as well and he’s very closed off. I was wondering if there would be a cliffy and I am happy to say NO! Thank my goodness!
Overall, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan was a great read and a great break between the Micha and Ella storyline.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Series Order
REVIEW | AMAZON
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
December 2, 2013
*ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Honestly I don't know! Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars... Somewhere in the middle... Let's say 2.5....
I will keep this short because basically nothing happens in this book!
It's all about letting go the past and how to overcome things that happened when you were a couple of years younger.
It really started good! Like I love it! It started with the domestic verbal abuse, fu@ked up family and drug use. And I so wanted to love it more! But it started to get boring really quick. I had a feeling like I read the same page all over and over again. It was all about inner struggles, inner demons, always remembering the tragic events from the past, how to let go or should they even let go. How to escape your current meaningless life. Are they even worth anything? Are they gonna be like their parents... bla bla bla bla bla bla bla...
I didn't even feel the chemistry between characters. I don't even mind so much the slow build up, them actually hooking up around 70%. I love when it's not insta everything, I just didn't feel the connection between them to really care.
Lila was extremely annoying at the beginning, acting like some spoiled brat, and Ethan rescues her all the time. And that repeats and repeats and repeats.
Both not willing to accept they love each other, both thinking they are too hollow and refuse to accept this could be it... bla bla bla...
I had a feeling like there was no actual story behind them, like they are closed in some room all the time and like it's only them having dialogue and nothing else happens.
But I still want to read first 2 book in the series, I am not giving up. i just hope first 2 are better and that it's not only inner struggling bullshits.
*edit*
I forgot to say to those who love Ella and Micha that something happens in the end here, like a cliffhanger for first couple :) enjoy :)*
Honestly I don't know! Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars... Somewhere in the middle... Let's say 2.5....
I will keep this short because basically nothing happens in this book!
It's all about letting go the past and how to overcome things that happened when you were a couple of years younger.
It really started good! Like I love it! It started with the domestic verbal abuse, fu@ked up family and drug use. And I so wanted to love it more! But it started to get boring really quick. I had a feeling like I read the same page all over and over again. It was all about inner struggles, inner demons, always remembering the tragic events from the past, how to let go or should they even let go. How to escape your current meaningless life. Are they even worth anything? Are they gonna be like their parents... bla bla bla bla bla bla bla...
I didn't even feel the chemistry between characters. I don't even mind so much the slow build up, them actually hooking up around 70%. I love when it's not insta everything, I just didn't feel the connection between them to really care.
Lila was extremely annoying at the beginning, acting like some spoiled brat, and Ethan rescues her all the time. And that repeats and repeats and repeats.
Both not willing to accept they love each other, both thinking they are too hollow and refuse to accept this could be it... bla bla bla...
I had a feeling like there was no actual story behind them, like they are closed in some room all the time and like it's only them having dialogue and nothing else happens.
But I still want to read first 2 book in the series, I am not giving up. i just hope first 2 are better and that it's not only inner struggling bullshits.
*edit*
I forgot to say to those who love Ella and Micha that something happens in the end here, like a cliffhanger for first couple :) enjoy :)*
Want to read
October 19, 2012ok i just saw this and i am so happy that lila and ethan are getting their own story. this is so exciting..
October 23, 2013
4 Stars
“...and really when it all comes down to it, happiness and love are what’s most important and what makes life worth living.”
This is the story of Lila and Ethan. The story of two people stuck in the past and not able to move forward. The story of a girl flawless from the outside but broken inside. Of a boy that doesn’t do relationships because he carries guilt and believes that attachment only leads to heartbreak.
Because of her cruel and absolutely fucked-up family, Lila is trying to live on her own. She is trying to cope with her new life and Ethan is her only true friend in Las Vegas. He is always there for her, showing her how to truly live and taking care of her.
“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.”
Ethan is a bad boy from the outside- meaningless sex, doesn’t care about his looks and does whatever he likes. But he is fighting his own demons. Also there is another side of him. He is sweet, reads books and dreams to be alone and in peace.
Their relationship is great- true friendship. Their love story is slowly built because they both are sooooo stubborn. I wanted to slap them so many times :D
For me the story was an absolute emotional roller coaster but I really like it.
“I don’t want to die all over on the inside. I don’t want beauty and money to define me. I want to thrive. And that’s what I’m going to choose to do.”
There is a cliffhanger at the end but it’s about Micha and Ella. I can’t wait to read the next book :)
“...and really when it all comes down to it, happiness and love are what’s most important and what makes life worth living.”
This is the story of Lila and Ethan. The story of two people stuck in the past and not able to move forward. The story of a girl flawless from the outside but broken inside. Of a boy that doesn’t do relationships because he carries guilt and believes that attachment only leads to heartbreak.
Because of her cruel and absolutely fucked-up family, Lila is trying to live on her own. She is trying to cope with her new life and Ethan is her only true friend in Las Vegas. He is always there for her, showing her how to truly live and taking care of her.
“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.”
Ethan is a bad boy from the outside- meaningless sex, doesn’t care about his looks and does whatever he likes. But he is fighting his own demons. Also there is another side of him. He is sweet, reads books and dreams to be alone and in peace.
Their relationship is great- true friendship. Their love story is slowly built because they both are sooooo stubborn. I wanted to slap them so many times :D
For me the story was an absolute emotional roller coaster but I really like it.
“I don’t want to die all over on the inside. I don’t want beauty and money to define me. I want to thrive. And that’s what I’m going to choose to do.”
There is a cliffhanger at the end but it’s about Micha and Ella. I can’t wait to read the next book :)
October 27, 2015
Lila Summers had it all: money, boarding schools, fancy car, expensive clothes, jewelry, and maids. But underneath the money and perfect facade, Lila is very unhappy. Her parents don’t show affection, they’re selfish, and, quite frankly, shitty. They expect Lila to conform to their lifestyle and be perfect in everything she does. Appearances are everything. Sent to boarding school at fourteen, she wanted to be accepted in the popular crowd to please her parents. She was convinced that if she had sex with a young man these snotty girls would initiate her into their click. She misunderstood the intentions of this man and he ended up hurting her. This horrific incident is what started Lila’s downward spiral of self-loathing and recklessness. She became addicted to the pills her mother gave her. Her mom was definitely no mother of the year.
Ethan is from the wrong side of the tracks. Growing up, he watched his father mentally and physically abuse his mother. To keep himself from ever becoming his parents, he set rules for himself. No emotional ties to women. No relationships. Then he meets London, who is emotionally damaged. Ethan is drawn to London. They have a connection. Then, one fateful night, things change in one tragic moment. To this day, he struggles with his guilt, forgiveness, and leaving the past in the past. He covers his pain behind his bad boy persona and random one-night-stands.
"This isn't just about sex. There is so much more to it than that. We have a connection. We have since the day we met." - Ethan
Ethan and Lila met through Micha and Ella in the first book. They form an endearing friendship, where they both understand each other with no judgments. From the outside they look like an odd pair, but on the inside, they are both very much alike. They are both struggling with darkness from their pasts. But Lila continues down her dark path, coping with her emotional baggage through pills and random sex while trashed. She struggles internally with wanting to be loved and feeling worthy enough to be loved. Ethan sees Lila as someone very worthy to be loved and too good for him, which is why he keeps her at arm’s length as his friend.
When he realizes Lila is spinning out of control, his rules start to blur. Ethan is not going to stand aside and watch another person he loves throw their life away. Through tough love and determination, Ethan saves Lila. The one thing they both needed but never expected to find ends up being right in front of them all along. Their friendship that has always had a foreshadowing of sexual tension simmering between them changes from friends to lovers. But they both know before they can move forward together, they must liberate themselves from their pasts that have left them broken souls.
I’m always eager to pick up a Jessica Sorenson book. She writes dark, heartbreaking, raw, realistic, and highly emotional new adult stories. And I’ve wanted Lila and Ethan’s story since book one. I like opposites attract stories and friends-turned-lovers stories. But, sadly, I felt slightly bored with this story. This book has a strong start but then it starts to lull in the middle until the 70% mark. It took too long for the romance to happen between Ethan and Lila. Jessica Sorenson always gives us well developed characters, which I appreciate. She gives us detailed backgrounds of the characters and slowly breaks them down and then builds them back up to be stronger, happier characters. But I feel like some of the story could have been cut out. It was long-winded and the inner turmoil and angst kind of drowned out the romance aspect of the story. Not to mention how repetitive some of the dialogue felt. It was tiresome. I do feel like by the last 30% of the story is when the story finally comes into its own. I like the way the story ends with everything resolved between Ethan and Lila. There is no cliffhanger and there is a happy ending.
Overall, this book is good, but I didn’t love it. Though I do still believe Jessica Sorenson is a gifted writer and I will continue to read future works by her. I’m looking forward to reading The Forever of Ella and Micha.
Rating: C+
Heat: Warm
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review
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July 20, 2014
ARC provided on behalf of Forever (Grand Central Publishing) from NetGalley.
This is the story of Lila and Ethan, and if you thought you knew them... think again.
Lila Summers, to the rest of the world looks like perfection. It's not only what has been expected of her - it's been demanded of her. It was her duty, her responsibility, it was the only way she would ever get any approval from her parents. But Lila had had enough. She is tired and when she up and leaves for Las Vegas she is forced to finally face her own demons. But the driving force behind her actions is not her own desire to finally deal with it - it's the boy she met while on break with her best friend. It's the boy that was the exact opposite of everything she was told she should want in her life. It was the boy that saw something within her that no one else ever looked deep enough to see. It was Ethan Gregory.
But Ethan has his own fears to overcome. He never wanted a relationship. He saw what love did to people, he watched it unfold before his eyes growing up. But he let himself slip once and it resulted in him losing everything he wanted at the time. And he hasn't forgiven himself for it since. But with Lila, it feels different. She is his friend, and he has rules - lines that can't be crossed. But when he realizes that Lila needs to be saved, his rules and lines blur; the one thing he never expected to find is standing before him. But both of them have to let go of their past first.
Jessica Sorensen does it again. She masterfully creates a story that is made up of broken characters that just pull at your heart in all the right ways. Imperfectly perfect. She has this way of writing these tragically beautiful stories that not only make you feel things for the characters, it demands that you feel for them. You can't escape it, it just happens.
She has cultivated turning darkness into the brightest of light through the eyes of her characters.
Both Lila and Ethan are two extremely vulnerable characters. Both tainted by their past in completely different ways - but both being what each other need. From an unexpected friendship to something so much more.
Ethan's strength in caring for Lila was touching. Even though he wasn't always tender with her. He had his own issues, but I loved that he did not need much pushing to work through them and he wasn't too stubborn to realize exactly what he was feeling. But our poor Lila. Her story was a little unexpected, after getting to know her in the Micha & Ella books, I expected that her perfect life was not all it seemed, but really was not prepared for just how broken this poor girl was. And what was behind her pain was definitely a surprise.
Ethan and Lila's story may not have had the same angst as Micha & Ella's but there was something about this that just made me feel all squishy inside. And although we do get a short glimpse into E&M's story this is focused on the path that Lila and Ethan take. I am not sure if we will ever get more of their story, but I hope we get some type of glance into their future.
This is the story of Lila and Ethan, and if you thought you knew them... think again.
Lila Summers, to the rest of the world looks like perfection. It's not only what has been expected of her - it's been demanded of her. It was her duty, her responsibility, it was the only way she would ever get any approval from her parents. But Lila had had enough. She is tired and when she up and leaves for Las Vegas she is forced to finally face her own demons. But the driving force behind her actions is not her own desire to finally deal with it - it's the boy she met while on break with her best friend. It's the boy that was the exact opposite of everything she was told she should want in her life. It was the boy that saw something within her that no one else ever looked deep enough to see. It was Ethan Gregory.
But Ethan has his own fears to overcome. He never wanted a relationship. He saw what love did to people, he watched it unfold before his eyes growing up. But he let himself slip once and it resulted in him losing everything he wanted at the time. And he hasn't forgiven himself for it since. But with Lila, it feels different. She is his friend, and he has rules - lines that can't be crossed. But when he realizes that Lila needs to be saved, his rules and lines blur; the one thing he never expected to find is standing before him. But both of them have to let go of their past first.
Jessica Sorensen does it again. She masterfully creates a story that is made up of broken characters that just pull at your heart in all the right ways. Imperfectly perfect. She has this way of writing these tragically beautiful stories that not only make you feel things for the characters, it demands that you feel for them. You can't escape it, it just happens.
She has cultivated turning darkness into the brightest of light through the eyes of her characters.
Both Lila and Ethan are two extremely vulnerable characters. Both tainted by their past in completely different ways - but both being what each other need. From an unexpected friendship to something so much more.
Ethan's strength in caring for Lila was touching. Even though he wasn't always tender with her. He had his own issues, but I loved that he did not need much pushing to work through them and he wasn't too stubborn to realize exactly what he was feeling. But our poor Lila. Her story was a little unexpected, after getting to know her in the Micha & Ella books, I expected that her perfect life was not all it seemed, but really was not prepared for just how broken this poor girl was. And what was behind her pain was definitely a surprise.
Ethan and Lila's story may not have had the same angst as Micha & Ella's but there was something about this that just made me feel all squishy inside. And although we do get a short glimpse into E&M's story this is focused on the path that Lila and Ethan take. I am not sure if we will ever get more of their story, but I hope we get some type of glance into their future.
November 9, 2013
3.5 - 4 stars
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A sad story about two broken souls. I felt so sorry for these two. I liked Ethan's character - A LOT. Lila kind of turned me off a bit with her addiction, BUT my heart ached for her and she managed to turn my feelings towards her around by the end of the story. She proved to have inner strength and was accepting of Ethan’s help. Ethan, despite his personal issues and hang-ups, was persistent in helping Lila. I fell in love with his character - and of course he’s a hottie.
I would have liked to see more interaction between Lila and her parents...telling them off, as well as some retribution to the ass who abused her. The act was criminal and left unresolved. I'm looking forward to more from this couple.
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A sad story about two broken souls. I felt so sorry for these two. I liked Ethan's character - A LOT. Lila kind of turned me off a bit with her addiction, BUT my heart ached for her and she managed to turn my feelings towards her around by the end of the story. She proved to have inner strength and was accepting of Ethan’s help. Ethan, despite his personal issues and hang-ups, was persistent in helping Lila. I fell in love with his character - and of course he’s a hottie.
I would have liked to see more interaction between Lila and her parents...telling them off, as well as some retribution to the ass who abused her. The act was criminal and left unresolved. I'm looking forward to more from this couple.
May 12, 2014
I have been waiting on pins and needles for this book. So when I got it, I literally dropped everything and began to read. I promised myself just one chapter, but suddenly it was 1 AM in the morning and I had finished that last page.
THE TEMPTATION OF LILA AND ETHAN took a road that I wasn’t expecting. Lila Summers’ life has always been shiny on the outside. She is rich. She is beautiful and she is smart. But inside, she is broken. She doesn’t know who she is and most importantly, she doesn’t know what it’s like to feel love. Her parents are controlling, manipulative and downright mean. When they force her to attend boarding school at the age of fourteen, that’s really where the downslide for Lila begins.
There she gets involved with the wrong people and makes poor decisions. I learned that Lila is a person who craves touch and comfort. She needs it just as she needs air to breathe. Being devoid of it for such a long time, it pushes her to do things she wouldn’t normally allow or do. As a result, it breaks her when those people take advantage of her trust.
There is only one person who cherishes the gift she has given him. Ethan Gregory is the polar opposite of Lila. He is poor, doesn’t care about being liked by society and likes to keep to himself. But there is a draw between Ethan and Lila that makes them friends in the first place. They understand each other and whenever Lila gets into trouble, she turns to Ethan.
Jessica Sorensen is a writer with many talents. Not only is she excellent at getting into the minds of troubled teens, but is she also able to give her characters a myriad of problems that would normally put readers off, but make them so that feel sympathy instead of disgust. She is able to write about complex emotions in an easy, but realistic manner raising her above her peers.
You love them more because they are flawed and broken. And you want them to get better.
Despite the pink, fluffy looking cover, this book is dark. Lila has an addiction that she needs to kick, but before she can get better, she falls. And she falls hard. Ethan is the only one willing to pick up the pieces because he knows just how much she is worth. The cover is so at odds with what’s inside. But I like it. I think people will be surprised by its potency.
Sorensen also reveals what truly happened during that candy cane and red lacy bras scene. I was grinning from ear to ear as I read it, knowing that something naughty was to come. This book felt sexy, but not simply because of the sex between these two, although that’s a big part of it. It’s also the sexual tension between that laces this book. This book is a friends to lovers story with a darker edge to it.
Speaking of friends Ella and Micha make a few appearances in this book. Sorensen gives us updates on their lives. Cue the happy dancing because what happens in this book is exciting for me to read! It does end, however, with a couple of loose ends that will be tied up and wrapped in a bow in THE EVER AFTER OF ELLA AND MICHA, a short story featuring the couple that started it all. I cannot wait!
I have discovered a new brand of addiction. Jessica Sorensen has me pining for my next hit every time I finish one of her books. I devoured this and am now feeling some withdrawals. It’s like a drug. You want more and more and more.
Favorite Quotes:
“I want to let you know that I understand how you’re feeling and that sometimes things do feel all crazy, but it’ll fade.”
“The way he watches me every time I gasp in pleasure makes me feel beautiful, not filthy; wanted, not used.”
*ARC provided by publisher
Read my alternate review for Fresh Fiction
October 24, 2013
It's kind of interesting that I tend to like the men in this series but not the women... Ella was annoying in the last book and Lila was extremely annoying in this one. If I could sum up this book with one phrase it would be "self blame". Lila and Ethan both seem to be doing quite a lot of this and to the point of frustration. I felt extremely disconnected to these characters and it was difficult not to skim my way through most of the book. I felt that their tragic events were just thrown in for shock value and an attempt to add something to this relationship that wasn't needed. I would have preferred a less "damaged" couple and just simply a focus on the friends to lovers concept and the rich girl falling for the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. I felt Lila's tragic story was a little too hard to swallow and far fetched. And, I did not connect to Ethan's relationship with London... she wasn't very likable and I just couldn't see what he saw.
I "loved" book one... I "liked" book two... but, this one just really fell flat for me as a whole. It felt predictable and fits the exact same formula of all of her other books.
I think most fans of this author knows that there will be disturbing content... but, just in case you didn't know... now you do! This book contains scenes of sexual abuse and heavy drug use. Just a caution in case you'd like to know this in advance.
If you are looking for more of the same then you will probably like this one more than I did. I was just hoping for a little different approach to Lila and Ethan's story.
This can be read as a standalone... but, since book one is the best in the series (IMHO) then I obviously would encourage you to start with that one!
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I "loved" book one... I "liked" book two... but, this one just really fell flat for me as a whole. It felt predictable and fits the exact same formula of all of her other books.
I think most fans of this author knows that there will be disturbing content... but, just in case you didn't know... now you do! This book contains scenes of sexual abuse and heavy drug use. Just a caution in case you'd like to know this in advance.
If you are looking for more of the same then you will probably like this one more than I did. I was just hoping for a little different approach to Lila and Ethan's story.
This can be read as a standalone... but, since book one is the best in the series (IMHO) then I obviously would encourage you to start with that one!
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October 18, 2021
Il migliore della serie, finora.
La storia di Ethan e Lila é così vera, profonda, più matura rispetto a quella tra Micha ed Ella. Il modo in cui insieme riescono a cambiarsi, migliorarsi, prima di lasciarsi andare ai loro sentimenti...tutto molto intenso. Forse dipende dalle descrizioni della Sorensen, che ho trovato molto puntuali e precise, più che nei libri precedenti. Anche se quel finale così incerto... ora devo leggere subito il quarto!
La storia di Ethan e Lila é così vera, profonda, più matura rispetto a quella tra Micha ed Ella. Il modo in cui insieme riescono a cambiarsi, migliorarsi, prima di lasciarsi andare ai loro sentimenti...tutto molto intenso. Forse dipende dalle descrizioni della Sorensen, che ho trovato molto puntuali e precise, più che nei libri precedenti. Anche se quel finale così incerto... ora devo leggere subito il quarto!
June 6, 2015
4.25 stars
October 23, 2013
4.5 angsty emotionally draining stars. Holy Hell, I almost had a ministroke at the end there...as my happy tears were slowly receding Ella and Micha's story gut punched me! Thank you Jessica Sorensen for the next book blurb or I may have been blowing up your email/FB/GR's page, lol!
I have loved this series from the first book and I am so happy that Lila and Ethan got to have their moment. Although Micha has a special place in my heart, I can honestly say the Ethan is a phenomenal character! He is so wise for his age, so patient, and just generally good. He is the "good guy" that for once doesn't get screwed over. He is a best friend, he is a lover, and he is a rock for Lila. Oh, Lila...your façade of perfection has been blown away. Her childhood was awful, her innocence never given a chance to thrive. Although she has always been there for Ella, she has never opened herself up...she was always so guarded. Ethan and her relationship was always so fresh and open, never mistaken for anything other than casual and reliable. I loved how neither of them really knew that the dance they engaged in was already laying a foundation for a relationship. They needed each other to feel better and to forget. They needed each other when no one else could be counted on. They were true friends and their interactions were written so well with the alternating POV's. So totally Perfect!
I respect any book that can take me to the brink of heartbreak and yank me right back into a bubble of happiness. There is never a sense of HEA...just happy for now and going to try to like hell to make it work! I respect that, especially when you have young characters who will continue to struggle with the ups and downs of life. Well Done Jessica Sorensen...I am a fan!
I have loved this series from the first book and I am so happy that Lila and Ethan got to have their moment. Although Micha has a special place in my heart, I can honestly say the Ethan is a phenomenal character! He is so wise for his age, so patient, and just generally good. He is the "good guy" that for once doesn't get screwed over. He is a best friend, he is a lover, and he is a rock for Lila. Oh, Lila...your façade of perfection has been blown away. Her childhood was awful, her innocence never given a chance to thrive. Although she has always been there for Ella, she has never opened herself up...she was always so guarded. Ethan and her relationship was always so fresh and open, never mistaken for anything other than casual and reliable. I loved how neither of them really knew that the dance they engaged in was already laying a foundation for a relationship. They needed each other to feel better and to forget. They needed each other when no one else could be counted on. They were true friends and their interactions were written so well with the alternating POV's. So totally Perfect!
I respect any book that can take me to the brink of heartbreak and yank me right back into a bubble of happiness. There is never a sense of HEA...just happy for now and going to try to like hell to make it work! I respect that, especially when you have young characters who will continue to struggle with the ups and downs of life. Well Done Jessica Sorensen...I am a fan!
February 9, 2016
Ich liebe diese Reihe. doch warum erfahre ich am ende nicht, was mit Ella los ist? Das macht mich wahnsinnig. kommt da noch ein band?
December 28, 2013
Jessica Sorensen can write the hell out of an angst filled romance. If you haven't tried her work yet, I would recommend that you do. She tends to write more coming-of-age dramatic romances. Her heroes and heroines don't come from ideal pasts, but they find one another and together, they find peace. This book is no different.
Lila is a young woman who lives with a father who is wealthy but never wanted children. They are a burden and he will tell them so to their faces. Her mother is cold and uncaring. She has raised Lila and her sister with one mission, to achieve the highest social standing. At all costs.
Ethan comes from a poor family. He works hard for what he has. He has a rule, no relationships, ever. In his life all he ever saw come from relationships was a broken heart and a broken home. So when Lila saunters into his life, she is quickly put in the "only friends" category.
They become fast friends. He rescues her from her nights out on the town. When Ethan sees Lila on the verge of self destructing, he feels the need to step in and help. She has built an image of a party girl and she jumps into bed easily. She uses sex as a release and she takes pills to help her forget. The problems start when she forgets everything and she is no longer in control.
Her mother furthers her feelings of worthlessness.
Lila has a horrific past that led to her current behaviors. Her mother encouraged her use and abuse of prescription pills.
Lila has hidden her problem for a long time. Ethan has turned a blind eye to what was going on. When things start to get really bad, he takes matters into his own hands and decides to help Lila, whether she wants his help or not.
With Ethan's help, Lila gets off her pills. She is getting her act together. But things get complicated when Lila and Ethan start to have deeper feelings for one another. Ethan gets a glimpse into a side of Lila that scares him.
And eventually he finds out the reason that Lila is the way she is.
I’m really starting to wonder if I just have a broken vagina. And heart. And head.
Lila has felt unloved all of her life. For once, she wants someone to care about her. She wants more. But how could Ethan ever really care for her? Can their relationship survive when her family would never approve?
This book is the third in the series. It takes two of the secondary characters and throws them into the limelight. We get to see things from both perspectives. Lila and Ethan both have a unique voice and the story is amazing. I adore the authors writing style and I especially enjoy hearing about all they they must overcome to be together. This is not an easy boy meets girl boy falls in love with girl story. It will break your heart and put it back together again.
I really enjoyed Ella and Micha and I look forward to reading more about them in the next book, but this diversion was well worth it. Well done! Five stars for me.
Lila is a young woman who lives with a father who is wealthy but never wanted children. They are a burden and he will tell them so to their faces. Her mother is cold and uncaring. She has raised Lila and her sister with one mission, to achieve the highest social standing. At all costs.
Ethan comes from a poor family. He works hard for what he has. He has a rule, no relationships, ever. In his life all he ever saw come from relationships was a broken heart and a broken home. So when Lila saunters into his life, she is quickly put in the "only friends" category.
They become fast friends. He rescues her from her nights out on the town. When Ethan sees Lila on the verge of self destructing, he feels the need to step in and help. She has built an image of a party girl and she jumps into bed easily. She uses sex as a release and she takes pills to help her forget. The problems start when she forgets everything and she is no longer in control.
Her mother furthers her feelings of worthlessness.
Lila has a horrific past that led to her current behaviors. Her mother encouraged her use and abuse of prescription pills.
Lila has hidden her problem for a long time. Ethan has turned a blind eye to what was going on. When things start to get really bad, he takes matters into his own hands and decides to help Lila, whether she wants his help or not.
With Ethan's help, Lila gets off her pills. She is getting her act together. But things get complicated when Lila and Ethan start to have deeper feelings for one another. Ethan gets a glimpse into a side of Lila that scares him.
And eventually he finds out the reason that Lila is the way she is.
I’m really starting to wonder if I just have a broken vagina. And heart. And head.
Lila has felt unloved all of her life. For once, she wants someone to care about her. She wants more. But how could Ethan ever really care for her? Can their relationship survive when her family would never approve?
This book is the third in the series. It takes two of the secondary characters and throws them into the limelight. We get to see things from both perspectives. Lila and Ethan both have a unique voice and the story is amazing. I adore the authors writing style and I especially enjoy hearing about all they they must overcome to be together. This is not an easy boy meets girl boy falls in love with girl story. It will break your heart and put it back together again.
I really enjoyed Ella and Micha and I look forward to reading more about them in the next book, but this diversion was well worth it. Well done! Five stars for me.
October 25, 2013
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The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is the third book in The Secret series by Jessica Sorensen. We are first introduced to Lila and Ethan in the first two books of the series; they are best friends with Ella & Micha and brought the two together. Now it’s their turn at finding happiness.
Lila is Ella’s best friend and the complete opposite of Ella. She is blonde, rich, beautiful, and sleeps her way through men. She doesn’t believe in love and has been told since she was a child to keep quiet, marry a rich man, and to stay beautiful. Ethan is Micha’s best friend; he grew up similar to Ella & Micha in their rundown town. His father beats his mother and he witnessed this as a child, he doesn’t believe in love and is scared to death of turning into his father. Lila and Ethan are complete opposites in EVERY WAY but they quickly become friends, I would even say best friends. There is flirtation but Ethan will not let it get that far…. But some things can’t be stopped.
The book begins with a prologue of the past in both Lila & Ethan’s perspective. It sets up to why they are the way they are…. They both have major problems but Lila’s run deep and Ethan is there for her in every way imaginable. As the book continues it is in present day with short flash backs of the past for both of them as well as alternating points of view.
First… Ethan… wow!! He has won me over in every way possible! At first I was a bit worried, he is known as the partier, the guy who does pot, drinks, and sleeps with anything that moves but he is SO MUCH MORE than that! He is caring, sweet, loving…. His past maybe a horrible one with what he witnessed his father doing but he learned how to take care of a woman the RIGHT way and he is there for Lila as she brings herself down. He is such a sweet guy. I went from thinking he was just okay to LOVING him at the end.
Lila, she really is not who we thought she was if you read the first two books. We knew she came from a wealthy family who pressured her but she holds dark secrets that no one knows about. Lila suffers from addiction she can’t break. She may have started off with “rich girl problems” but it turned into so much more as she tries to break loose from her family and be independent as well as struggling with addiction. Things for Lila get bad and very dark... Ethan is her light.
The first two books in The Secret series but Young Adult to me but The Temptation of Lila & Ethan was more Mature Young Adult or New Adult; a lot of drug abuse (hardcore drugs), sex, and dark topics. I really liked the more adult tone to the book because Lila and Ethan are dealing with hard issues. Sometimes I did get annoyed with Lila just because I felt she wasn’t trying. She just wanted to get on her high and hook up with men. She never tried to get a job, never tried to be an adult but that is her personality deep down and she was good at hiding it behind her parent’s money until now.
Lila and Ethan are friends for most of the book… yes there is A LOT of temptation but Ethan is afraid to take it to that level and lose his friend. Lila tries to “hook up” with him throughout the book and I kept thinking okay… it’s their time to kiss. I was cheering when it came because I knew how badly they both wanted each other but they weren’t mentally there yet. It had to come at the right time.
The Temptation of Lila & Ethan was a great read just like any of Jessica Sorensen’s stories about two lost souls who make each other complete. I am usually not a fan of books in series that change lead characters but I liked both Ethan & Lila before and they had a strange relationship in the first two books that I enjoyed reading about and was curious enough to want to read their book. Ella & Micha are mentioned a few times in throughout this book and the ending seems to set up the next book in the series, The Ever After of Ella & Micha who will return in December 2013. Can’t wait to have them back!
The Temptation of Lila & Ethan is worth the read. I know Jessica fans will not be disappointed. Fall in love with Ethan and Lila as their complete opposite upbringings bring them together as adults.
I give The Temptation of Lila & Ethan (The Secret #3) 4 Stars!
Book provided by the author in return for an honest review.
The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is the third book in The Secret series by Jessica Sorensen. We are first introduced to Lila and Ethan in the first two books of the series; they are best friends with Ella & Micha and brought the two together. Now it’s their turn at finding happiness.
Lila is Ella’s best friend and the complete opposite of Ella. She is blonde, rich, beautiful, and sleeps her way through men. She doesn’t believe in love and has been told since she was a child to keep quiet, marry a rich man, and to stay beautiful. Ethan is Micha’s best friend; he grew up similar to Ella & Micha in their rundown town. His father beats his mother and he witnessed this as a child, he doesn’t believe in love and is scared to death of turning into his father. Lila and Ethan are complete opposites in EVERY WAY but they quickly become friends, I would even say best friends. There is flirtation but Ethan will not let it get that far…. But some things can’t be stopped.
The book begins with a prologue of the past in both Lila & Ethan’s perspective. It sets up to why they are the way they are…. They both have major problems but Lila’s run deep and Ethan is there for her in every way imaginable. As the book continues it is in present day with short flash backs of the past for both of them as well as alternating points of view.
First… Ethan… wow!! He has won me over in every way possible! At first I was a bit worried, he is known as the partier, the guy who does pot, drinks, and sleeps with anything that moves but he is SO MUCH MORE than that! He is caring, sweet, loving…. His past maybe a horrible one with what he witnessed his father doing but he learned how to take care of a woman the RIGHT way and he is there for Lila as she brings herself down. He is such a sweet guy. I went from thinking he was just okay to LOVING him at the end.
Lila, she really is not who we thought she was if you read the first two books. We knew she came from a wealthy family who pressured her but she holds dark secrets that no one knows about. Lila suffers from addiction she can’t break. She may have started off with “rich girl problems” but it turned into so much more as she tries to break loose from her family and be independent as well as struggling with addiction. Things for Lila get bad and very dark... Ethan is her light.
The first two books in The Secret series but Young Adult to me but The Temptation of Lila & Ethan was more Mature Young Adult or New Adult; a lot of drug abuse (hardcore drugs), sex, and dark topics. I really liked the more adult tone to the book because Lila and Ethan are dealing with hard issues. Sometimes I did get annoyed with Lila just because I felt she wasn’t trying. She just wanted to get on her high and hook up with men. She never tried to get a job, never tried to be an adult but that is her personality deep down and she was good at hiding it behind her parent’s money until now.
Lila and Ethan are friends for most of the book… yes there is A LOT of temptation but Ethan is afraid to take it to that level and lose his friend. Lila tries to “hook up” with him throughout the book and I kept thinking okay… it’s their time to kiss. I was cheering when it came because I knew how badly they both wanted each other but they weren’t mentally there yet. It had to come at the right time.
The Temptation of Lila & Ethan was a great read just like any of Jessica Sorensen’s stories about two lost souls who make each other complete. I am usually not a fan of books in series that change lead characters but I liked both Ethan & Lila before and they had a strange relationship in the first two books that I enjoyed reading about and was curious enough to want to read their book. Ella & Micha are mentioned a few times in throughout this book and the ending seems to set up the next book in the series, The Ever After of Ella & Micha who will return in December 2013. Can’t wait to have them back!
The Temptation of Lila & Ethan is worth the read. I know Jessica fans will not be disappointed. Fall in love with Ethan and Lila as their complete opposite upbringings bring them together as adults.
I give The Temptation of Lila & Ethan (The Secret #3) 4 Stars!
Book provided by the author in return for an honest review.
October 18, 2013
**An ARC was kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Let me start by saying that I actually understand the true meaning behind the title of this book. When I first heard that Lila and Ethan were going to get their own book, I had an idea of what might happen in this book. Well let me tell you....there is so much more to this book and these characters, I would never have guessed what this book was truly about. I didn't realize how much we would learn about them throughout this story. As with the Ella and Micha stories, I enjoyed this book. I still think the first book is my ultimate favorite in the series, but I really think you need to read this story if you are a fan of the series. This book goes into so much detail about Lila and Ethan. I really don't want to explain myself to much because it would spoil this story. As always I love Jessica Sorenson's writing style. This book flowed well and kept my interest all the way through. I absolutely love that it is Dual POV, that way we don't have to guess what the other is thinking. I will say that my only real complaint about this book was that it seemed to drag a little bit in the middle. It kept my interest but I have to say I wish what happened towards the end would've happened a little sooner. I felt that there was a little to much push and pull between Lila and Ethan. These characters were inside their heads a little too much, that I wanted to smack them both and say "wake up"....lol. I will say that this book was definitely an emotional roller coaster. My heart was all over the place while reading this book.
Now as for Lila and Ethan....I have to say I enjoyed meeting them in book 1 and 2 but it was great getting to know them as their own characters in this book. Yes Ella and Micha are in this book but not very much. This book really does focus on the friendship of Lila and Ethan and their own personal growth. Both of these characters are severe broken souls. Each for different reasons but both just as broken. I liked that the friendship between them took time to develop before they ventured into something else ( I just wish it could've been sped up a little ) Ethan and Lila both have a lot of obstacles to over come in this book. Both have some serious demons from their pasts that had a serious hold on them. Out of both of them I think Lila was the worse off. She not only had to deal with a horrific incident from her past, she had to deal with the WORST parents ever. Plus she had to deal with some of the choices she made coming back to bit her in the ass in the present. I was glad to see that Ethan was there to help her through it all, even when he had his own demons to conquer. Ethan and Lila are completely different people on the outside but they are so similar on the inside. I was glad to see Lila turning into the person she was always supposed to be.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the series. You will want to know this part of the story. I will give a slight heads up in regards to the ending. This book ends on a slight cliffhanger, but not one that will kill you. But thankfully the author gives us Chapter 1 from The Ever After of Ella and Micha. So you will be satisfied when you are finished reading the book. I will say the epilogue was the perfect set up for Ella and Micha's final book.
For more reviews go to www.bookbitchesblog.com
Let me start by saying that I actually understand the true meaning behind the title of this book. When I first heard that Lila and Ethan were going to get their own book, I had an idea of what might happen in this book. Well let me tell you....there is so much more to this book and these characters, I would never have guessed what this book was truly about. I didn't realize how much we would learn about them throughout this story. As with the Ella and Micha stories, I enjoyed this book. I still think the first book is my ultimate favorite in the series, but I really think you need to read this story if you are a fan of the series. This book goes into so much detail about Lila and Ethan. I really don't want to explain myself to much because it would spoil this story. As always I love Jessica Sorenson's writing style. This book flowed well and kept my interest all the way through. I absolutely love that it is Dual POV, that way we don't have to guess what the other is thinking. I will say that my only real complaint about this book was that it seemed to drag a little bit in the middle. It kept my interest but I have to say I wish what happened towards the end would've happened a little sooner. I felt that there was a little to much push and pull between Lila and Ethan. These characters were inside their heads a little too much, that I wanted to smack them both and say "wake up"....lol. I will say that this book was definitely an emotional roller coaster. My heart was all over the place while reading this book.
Now as for Lila and Ethan....I have to say I enjoyed meeting them in book 1 and 2 but it was great getting to know them as their own characters in this book. Yes Ella and Micha are in this book but not very much. This book really does focus on the friendship of Lila and Ethan and their own personal growth. Both of these characters are severe broken souls. Each for different reasons but both just as broken. I liked that the friendship between them took time to develop before they ventured into something else ( I just wish it could've been sped up a little ) Ethan and Lila both have a lot of obstacles to over come in this book. Both have some serious demons from their pasts that had a serious hold on them. Out of both of them I think Lila was the worse off. She not only had to deal with a horrific incident from her past, she had to deal with the WORST parents ever. Plus she had to deal with some of the choices she made coming back to bit her in the ass in the present. I was glad to see that Ethan was there to help her through it all, even when he had his own demons to conquer. Ethan and Lila are completely different people on the outside but they are so similar on the inside. I was glad to see Lila turning into the person she was always supposed to be.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the series. You will want to know this part of the story. I will give a slight heads up in regards to the ending. This book ends on a slight cliffhanger, but not one that will kill you. But thankfully the author gives us Chapter 1 from The Ever After of Ella and Micha. So you will be satisfied when you are finished reading the book. I will say the epilogue was the perfect set up for Ella and Micha's final book.
For more reviews go to www.bookbitchesblog.com
July 26, 2016
Can true love ever survive in the brackish absence of light?
While superficially, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is set in the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas, its true landscape lays within the treacherous darkness secreted within the title characters' separate pasts.
In the same meaningless way describing an ocean as being deep is factually correct, yet misses the point entirely, it would be simplistic and lacking to the point of irrelevance to limit Jessica Sorensen's work of fiction by depicting it as merely a romance novel.
The book's significance lays in the web of faulty thought-patterns established when abuse is present in the home during early childhood, and in the main character's dismantling their prior perceptions of how they fit into the world around them. Unsteady foundations make precarious footholds for both Lila and Ethan, as they fight to break free from their noxious families and pain, even as they continue to be their own worst antagonists. The brutal reality of how long-term consequences play out due to the dysfunctional choices of others is clearly portrayed as the two struggle to find coping mechanisms and ways to sedate the pain, years later.
It is in Lila and Ethan's conquering drug and sex addiction that, as the numbness they've been fostering for years begins to slowly fade, that they are forced to come to terms with the demons that lay within; and perhaps even more frightening, acknowledge their unsettling growing attraction.
A digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher for purposes of review.
While superficially, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan is set in the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas, its true landscape lays within the treacherous darkness secreted within the title characters' separate pasts.
In the same meaningless way describing an ocean as being deep is factually correct, yet misses the point entirely, it would be simplistic and lacking to the point of irrelevance to limit Jessica Sorensen's work of fiction by depicting it as merely a romance novel.
The book's significance lays in the web of faulty thought-patterns established when abuse is present in the home during early childhood, and in the main character's dismantling their prior perceptions of how they fit into the world around them. Unsteady foundations make precarious footholds for both Lila and Ethan, as they fight to break free from their noxious families and pain, even as they continue to be their own worst antagonists. The brutal reality of how long-term consequences play out due to the dysfunctional choices of others is clearly portrayed as the two struggle to find coping mechanisms and ways to sedate the pain, years later.
It is in Lila and Ethan's conquering drug and sex addiction that, as the numbness they've been fostering for years begins to slowly fade, that they are forced to come to terms with the demons that lay within; and perhaps even more frightening, acknowledge their unsettling growing attraction.
A digital copy of this book was provided by the publisher for purposes of review.
Want to read
September 11, 2013
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?
January 18, 2014
This is one is the most emotional books I've read! I had to stop and take a long break before coming back to it. Finally finished today and I feel bare!
Lila drove me nuts! I didn't know if I wanted to hug her or slap her, love her or hate her. She was just a nutcase, but I couldn't help but love her!
Ethan, GAWD, he's the perfect boyfriend. I am absolutely in love with him. I don't know how he did it, he just gave and gave and gave and became the reason for Lila to finally come out of her darkness and become a better person and helped her realize that she's worth being loved! I just love him so much.
If you're looking for angst and frustration, this story is it!!! Don't look else where!!!
I've loved all of Jessica Sorensen's work and this did not disappoint, even through my frustration with Lila!
Lila drove me nuts! I didn't know if I wanted to hug her or slap her, love her or hate her. She was just a nutcase, but I couldn't help but love her!
Ethan, GAWD, he's the perfect boyfriend. I am absolutely in love with him. I don't know how he did it, he just gave and gave and gave and became the reason for Lila to finally come out of her darkness and become a better person and helped her realize that she's worth being loved! I just love him so much.
If you're looking for angst and frustration, this story is it!!! Don't look else where!!!
I've loved all of Jessica Sorensen's work and this did not disappoint, even through my frustration with Lila!
November 15, 2013
Candy canes and red lacy bras! Seriously, it was killing me to know Ethan and Lila were giggling and laughing over a private joke and I had no idea what it was!
I love knowing. This story finally ties all that together for us. It pulls the private jokes and banter, dark back stories and current drama. It answers all those "Why on EARTH did Lila and/or Ethan just react that way?"
and, although I loved finding all that out, it just wasn't quite a giggly, romantic loving book like I had hoped. It was drama and angst and turmoil - and that was good too, it just wasn't what I was looking to read at the moment.
I love knowing. This story finally ties all that together for us. It pulls the private jokes and banter, dark back stories and current drama. It answers all those "Why on EARTH did Lila and/or Ethan just react that way?"
and, although I loved finding all that out, it just wasn't quite a giggly, romantic loving book like I had hoped. It was drama and angst and turmoil - and that was good too, it just wasn't what I was looking to read at the moment.
November 5, 2013
I love, love this series!! I was so happy we could have Ethan and Lila story. These to broken and unloved people are just perfect for each other.
full review to come.
full review to come.
November 14, 2013
Love this authors style ... Book kinda dragged getting places.
January 19, 2014
~ 4.5 Hearts ~ ARC received for a honest review
This was such an poignant, angst filled read that completely tore at my heart strings, The first half was read with such a heavy heart and it wasn't until I hit the half way point, that I started to see a glimmer of hope for both the main characters.
The prologue for "The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" definitely got my attention. It set the scene for the rest of the book in terms of giving us an insight into both characters tragic pasts but going some way into explaining why the characters were as fucked up as they were (and trust me, these two were well and truly fucked up). It took a horrific incident to make Ethan wake up and smell the coffee but with Lila, well her road was already a long and painful one and she hadn't even begun to acknowledge her problems... her coping methods further sending her on a downward spiral. Reading those pages completely crushed me because all I could see was a young girl desperate for attention, affection and love.. something she had never been shown. Instead she'd been made to feel worthless, useless and very much the failure of the family.
I couldn't even begin to imagine what that would feel like... to have those that are supposed love and support you unconditionally constantly belittle and berate you. But Lila hid it all well behind a facade. Her behavior didn't shock me. It was just so sad and at times made for a torturous, soul destroying read.
Unfortunately things would get worse... in fact Lila would need to hit rock bottom before I saw a change. Even then, it wasn't voluntary. It took a wake up call from Ethan before I saw her turn that ever so important corner.
Ethan was such a beautiful character. Despite fighting his own demons, he was definitely a more grounded person. He was aware of what he needed to do to move forward with is life but fear prevented him from taking those steps. Being as selfless as he was, he always put Lila first. Whenever she was in trouble, whenever she called, he was there.
And in her darkest hours, he would make the ultimate sacrifices and break every rule he'd made. I secretly did a happy dance because I knew that ultimately, these two would save each other.
Lila and Ethan's journey definitely wasn't an easy one, both as individuals and as a couple. In fact, despite the temptation being there, they both fought the attraction... Ethan more so than Lila.
His little slip ups had me rooting for them and his sudden realisations of what he was doing left me feeling like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over me. The chemistry was there but to be honest, "The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" wasn't just a love story. In fact for me it was secondary to everything else the couple were going through. It was about how past events had deeply affected and even defined each character and how they had to come to terms with their demons in order to move forward. Don't get me wrong, when the relationship shifted from friendship to more, it definitely sent my heart into overdrive and sent my mind all giddy. Those uplifting moments were definitely welcomed because on the whole, this book was heavy going.
"The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" was a gripping, fast paced read which I devoured as quickly as I could. The writing was flawless and even with flashbacks thrown in, it flowed perfectly. I absolutely love Jessica's writing style. She puts so much emotion into every page that you can't help but get sucked into the story line throwing your heart and soul into every line you read. And the characters always get you... their brokenness, their tragic pasts leave you rooting for a HEA for them. This book was no exception. If you're looking for a story that is beautiful, yet tragic, that will leave your heart feeling that it's been ripped into a million pieces and then taped back together, then definitely pick "The Temptation of Lila And Ethan" up. It can be read as a standalone and it does have a HEA. The epilogue does set us up nicely for the final installment of Ella and Micha's relationship in "The Ever After of Ella and Micha."
This was such an poignant, angst filled read that completely tore at my heart strings, The first half was read with such a heavy heart and it wasn't until I hit the half way point, that I started to see a glimmer of hope for both the main characters.
The prologue for "The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" definitely got my attention. It set the scene for the rest of the book in terms of giving us an insight into both characters tragic pasts but going some way into explaining why the characters were as fucked up as they were (and trust me, these two were well and truly fucked up). It took a horrific incident to make Ethan wake up and smell the coffee but with Lila, well her road was already a long and painful one and she hadn't even begun to acknowledge her problems... her coping methods further sending her on a downward spiral. Reading those pages completely crushed me because all I could see was a young girl desperate for attention, affection and love.. something she had never been shown. Instead she'd been made to feel worthless, useless and very much the failure of the family.
Lila. you'll never make it. Lila, you're worthless. Lila, you're messing up this family. No one will ever love you if you don't change into something they can love. Be perfect. Be beautiful. Because no one will want you if you're not.
I couldn't even begin to imagine what that would feel like... to have those that are supposed love and support you unconditionally constantly belittle and berate you. But Lila hid it all well behind a facade. Her behavior didn't shock me. It was just so sad and at times made for a torturous, soul destroying read.
But I can smile on the outside, show the world how happy I am, since that's what important, even if I'm dying on the outside.
Unfortunately things would get worse... in fact Lila would need to hit rock bottom before I saw a change. Even then, it wasn't voluntary. It took a wake up call from Ethan before I saw her turn that ever so important corner.
Ethan was such a beautiful character. Despite fighting his own demons, he was definitely a more grounded person. He was aware of what he needed to do to move forward with is life but fear prevented him from taking those steps. Being as selfless as he was, he always put Lila first. Whenever she was in trouble, whenever she called, he was there.
She lets everyone touch her, but not because she's a slut. I don't believe for one second that she is. There's something hidden inside her that she's trying to cover up with sex. I can see it in her eyes sometimes, when she gets really quiet. Sadness. Self doubt. Self torture, even.
And in her darkest hours, he would make the ultimate sacrifices and break every rule he'd made. I secretly did a happy dance because I knew that ultimately, these two would save each other.
Lila and Ethan's journey definitely wasn't an easy one, both as individuals and as a couple. In fact, despite the temptation being there, they both fought the attraction... Ethan more so than Lila.
“I’m not looking for a relationship. They’re ugly, raw, brutal, painful, life destroying. They exist only in the hearts of the needy and I don’t need anything from anyone. I’m perfectly content being alone, hiding in the desolate place inside myself.”
His little slip ups had me rooting for them and his sudden realisations of what he was doing left me feeling like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over me. The chemistry was there but to be honest, "The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" wasn't just a love story. In fact for me it was secondary to everything else the couple were going through. It was about how past events had deeply affected and even defined each character and how they had to come to terms with their demons in order to move forward. Don't get me wrong, when the relationship shifted from friendship to more, it definitely sent my heart into overdrive and sent my mind all giddy. Those uplifting moments were definitely welcomed because on the whole, this book was heavy going.
"The Temptation of Lila and Ethan" was a gripping, fast paced read which I devoured as quickly as I could. The writing was flawless and even with flashbacks thrown in, it flowed perfectly. I absolutely love Jessica's writing style. She puts so much emotion into every page that you can't help but get sucked into the story line throwing your heart and soul into every line you read. And the characters always get you... their brokenness, their tragic pasts leave you rooting for a HEA for them. This book was no exception. If you're looking for a story that is beautiful, yet tragic, that will leave your heart feeling that it's been ripped into a million pieces and then taped back together, then definitely pick "The Temptation of Lila And Ethan" up. It can be read as a standalone and it does have a HEA. The epilogue does set us up nicely for the final installment of Ella and Micha's relationship in "The Ever After of Ella and Micha."
“The way he watches me every time I gasp in pleasure makes me feel beautiful, not filthy, wanted, not used.”
I rated this book 4.5 Hearts.
February 9, 2022
I was really hoping that this was going to start off different, like not present time. This was just fair and par for the course with this series. This one had the most potential though.
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