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The Two Lila Bennetts
Lila Bennett’s bad choices have finally caught up with her. And one of those decisions has split her life in two. Literally.
In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.
Lila’s decorated career as a criminal defense attorney, her marriage, and her life are on the line. She must make a list of those she’s wronged—both in and out of the courtroom—to determine who is out to get her before it’s too late. But even if she can pinpoint her assailant, will she survive? And if she does, which parts of her life are worth saving, and which parts must die? Because one thing’s for certain—life as Lila Bennett knew it is over.
In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.
Lila’s decorated career as a criminal defense attorney, her marriage, and her life are on the line. She must make a list of those she’s wronged—both in and out of the courtroom—to determine who is out to get her before it’s too late. But even if she can pinpoint her assailant, will she survive? And if she does, which parts of her life are worth saving, and which parts must die? Because one thing’s for certain—life as Lila Bennett knew it is over.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2019
1429 people are currently reading
9510 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fenton
11 books1,683 followersLiz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for over thirty years and survived high school and college together. They’ve co-authored nine novels, including the Amazon Charts bestseller, The Good Widow.
In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship.
They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs.Connect with Liz and Lisa on Instagram at @lisaandliz or at www.lizandlisa.com.
Connect with Liz and Lisa on social media: www.lizandlisa.com
Instagram: @lisaandliz
FB: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Substack: lizandlisa
In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship.
They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs.Connect with Liz and Lisa on Instagram at @lisaandliz or at www.lizandlisa.com.
Connect with Liz and Lisa on social media: www.lizandlisa.com
Instagram: @lisaandliz
FB: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Substack: lizandlisa
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,000 reviews
March 11, 2020
3.5 stars with a parallel universe touch rounded up to 4, exhilarating, mind bending, twisty,
questioning , WTH is going on, am I trapped at Fringe’s universe stars!
AMAZING FORMULA OF THIS BOOK:
One pinch of “Sliding Doors”( rom-com, drama of Gwyneth Paltrow from 1998), you gotta take out
the romance parts!
*Two pinches of “Edge of Tomorrow”- ( take out all the science fictional parts and uncomfortable
space suits, also throw Tom Cruise away from the equation forever! Keep Emily Blunt if it’s
necessary, she’s adorable)
*Add half cup of “Coherence” by getting rid of the horror parts.
*Put some legal drama, mystery, whodunit theme, twist all the ingredients with your burning brain cells, raising questions AND…..
VOILA !!!
Your 2 dimensional, surprising page-turner is ready to serve!
I love the plot, idea and story grew on me at each chapter. Because I’m always a big fan of “ KARMA IS A BITCH and REVENGE is COLD SERVED DISH” themes. So this is quiet satisfying, gripping, riveting book.
You only want to solve the puzzle and concentrate so hard so you may feel the smoke coming out from your ears! It’s normal to cough! DON’T WORRY!
Only problem for me is my disconnection with the characters. I hate each of them. At some parts, I made an evaluation list by giving points to choose “ the best worst characters of the book.”
The score is tied: ALL OF THEM! I even hated the guts of Lila and thought at some parts she got what she deserved! Maybe I was harsh punisher but this is what I felt.
So just like catching the last train might change your life, having a drink with her ex-lover/boss changed Lila’s life and pushed her into two different states. 2 PARALLEL UNIVERSES! It’s so hard to decide which one of them is shittier ( considering that she was captive of a dangerous sociopath in one of the universes, you start to think, sometimes being captive may be better than being free. )
CONCLUSION and BLENDING of two universes are well crafted and smartly written which is exactly the best part of the book!
The authors tried something new, unconventional, controversial, twisting, edgy by putting our rest of the grey cells on the fire and put the gasoline to capture our attention! It was great try and I loved their technique, hard-working, great efforts.
Only think that I don’t like the unlikeable characters but I still love this book and it’s a different gem which is so hard to find in the sea of drowning thriller books! So go, dive in, dry it and start to read it!
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questioning , WTH is going on, am I trapped at Fringe’s universe stars!
AMAZING FORMULA OF THIS BOOK:
One pinch of “Sliding Doors”( rom-com, drama of Gwyneth Paltrow from 1998), you gotta take out
the romance parts!
*Two pinches of “Edge of Tomorrow”- ( take out all the science fictional parts and uncomfortable
space suits, also throw Tom Cruise away from the equation forever! Keep Emily Blunt if it’s
necessary, she’s adorable)
*Add half cup of “Coherence” by getting rid of the horror parts.
*Put some legal drama, mystery, whodunit theme, twist all the ingredients with your burning brain cells, raising questions AND…..
VOILA !!!
Your 2 dimensional, surprising page-turner is ready to serve!
I love the plot, idea and story grew on me at each chapter. Because I’m always a big fan of “ KARMA IS A BITCH and REVENGE is COLD SERVED DISH” themes. So this is quiet satisfying, gripping, riveting book.
You only want to solve the puzzle and concentrate so hard so you may feel the smoke coming out from your ears! It’s normal to cough! DON’T WORRY!
Only problem for me is my disconnection with the characters. I hate each of them. At some parts, I made an evaluation list by giving points to choose “ the best worst characters of the book.”
The score is tied: ALL OF THEM! I even hated the guts of Lila and thought at some parts she got what she deserved! Maybe I was harsh punisher but this is what I felt.
So just like catching the last train might change your life, having a drink with her ex-lover/boss changed Lila’s life and pushed her into two different states. 2 PARALLEL UNIVERSES! It’s so hard to decide which one of them is shittier ( considering that she was captive of a dangerous sociopath in one of the universes, you start to think, sometimes being captive may be better than being free. )
CONCLUSION and BLENDING of two universes are well crafted and smartly written which is exactly the best part of the book!
The authors tried something new, unconventional, controversial, twisting, edgy by putting our rest of the grey cells on the fire and put the gasoline to capture our attention! It was great try and I loved their technique, hard-working, great efforts.
Only think that I don’t like the unlikeable characters but I still love this book and it’s a different gem which is so hard to find in the sea of drowning thriller books! So go, dive in, dry it and start to read it!
blog
June 3, 2019
I do believe I'm going to be keeping this review brief, because not only will I be discussing this one in greater detail come publication (hint hint), but I think the less you know going into this one, the better the reading experience you will have. The dual plot lines are well-executed, and the entire story felt like one of those fun "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, which was a huge hit for me. If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced psychological thriller to add to your summer vacation TBR, this one is PERFECT.
*I received a review copy from the authors.
*I received a review copy from the authors.
July 6, 2019
Choices....Actions....Consequences....
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney. She is highly successful and competitive and does not back down from a fight. She has made many bad choices over the years, even stepped on some toes to make her way to the top. What happens when her choices and actions catch up with her?
This book was told in an interesting format via dual scenarios/sections - titled "Free" and "Captured". In one Lila is going about her life when suddenly a bad choice catches up with her and it affects not only her marriage but her friendships and her career. In another scenario she is taken prisoner and held accountable for her actions. Her jailer seems to know all her misdeeds. How? and Why is she being held as prisoner?
This was a clever story and showed how karma can be a badass. Enjoyable book that looks at choices, actions and consequences. Plus, in this book we have a character who has done some bad things, but does that make her a bad person, or just a person who has done bad? It's a thought-provoking question to think about while reading this book. I must hand it to this writing duo, the two timelines seemed to reach their end at just the right pace blending the two timelines perfectly. Nothing felt rushed at the end.
I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney. She is highly successful and competitive and does not back down from a fight. She has made many bad choices over the years, even stepped on some toes to make her way to the top. What happens when her choices and actions catch up with her?
This book was told in an interesting format via dual scenarios/sections - titled "Free" and "Captured". In one Lila is going about her life when suddenly a bad choice catches up with her and it affects not only her marriage but her friendships and her career. In another scenario she is taken prisoner and held accountable for her actions. Her jailer seems to know all her misdeeds. How? and Why is she being held as prisoner?
This was a clever story and showed how karma can be a badass. Enjoyable book that looks at choices, actions and consequences. Plus, in this book we have a character who has done some bad things, but does that make her a bad person, or just a person who has done bad? It's a thought-provoking question to think about while reading this book. I must hand it to this writing duo, the two timelines seemed to reach their end at just the right pace blending the two timelines perfectly. Nothing felt rushed at the end.
I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 8, 2019
4.5*
Do you ever ponder where your life may have lead had you chosen a different path? Zigging instead of zagging? How different things really would be? Or are we destined to walk a certain road?
Lila Bennett is a ruthless, take no prisoners defense attorney. And she’s more than willing to do whatever it takes to win! Included, but not limited to stepping on anyone in her way... even those close to her.
Lila has now found herself at a cross-roads. A time when she must make certain choices. What direction will she chose, and what consequences will result.
I went into this read blind and am so glad I did! Soooo...my lips are sealed! This is one of those thrillers where the less you know the better! You’re welcome!
I’d noticed all my Goodreads friends raving about this book and knew I had to run out and buy it right away!
It’s ingenious! It’s a must read! Hope you enjoy as much as I did!😊
Do you ever ponder where your life may have lead had you chosen a different path? Zigging instead of zagging? How different things really would be? Or are we destined to walk a certain road?
Lila Bennett is a ruthless, take no prisoners defense attorney. And she’s more than willing to do whatever it takes to win! Included, but not limited to stepping on anyone in her way... even those close to her.
Lila has now found herself at a cross-roads. A time when she must make certain choices. What direction will she chose, and what consequences will result.
I went into this read blind and am so glad I did! Soooo...my lips are sealed! This is one of those thrillers where the less you know the better! You’re welcome!
I’d noticed all my Goodreads friends raving about this book and knew I had to run out and buy it right away!
It’s ingenious! It’s a must read! Hope you enjoy as much as I did!😊
August 18, 2019
This is the first book that I have read by the duo writers, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and I was very impressed with this collaboration. I will surely be looking for the next book by this duo.
Lila Bennett is a highly successful criminal defense attorney whose job it is to defend those that are presumed guilty. She is very good at convincing a jury to look at all of the evidence in a case and that without physical evidence there can be no conviction. More than once she has won cases where it was questionable whether her clients were actually innocent or guilty. She is great at her job and has risen quickly at her law firm. When she finds herself thinking about this she ruminates that “it’s not my job to know the truth; it’s my duty to give my clients the defense they are legally entitled to”.
Lila Bennett is not a nice person. She has done some ruthless things to further her career and in her personal life she has been unfaithful to her husband, Ethan, who always seems to see the good in her. She has deeply hurt her best friend and has “slept around” with whomever and whenever she wanted to, either because of personal feelings or to further her career.
After her last case she begins to feel that she has done something terrible, let a murderer loose and caused great sorrow to the victim’s sister, she comes across some damaging evidence and has to decide whether she will let it go or give it to the defense lawyer to use against her client.
She begins to feel that someone is after her to pay for the wrongs she has done. After lots of heartfelt thinking she feels that she is finally at the point where she has to make a decision as to how she will proceed with her life.
This novel quite quickly divides into two sections, the “captured” Lisa and the “free” Lisa. I found both storylines to be interesting and they held my attention.
The FREE Lisa begins to see a new path to her life but she has a lot of bridges to cross to change and it probably would mean the end of her criminal defense career. She could damage others careers in the process, in particular her personal assistant, Chase. He has been her right hand man running errands, arranging her schedule, etc. all the while he seems dedicated to Lisa.
The CAPTURED Lisa is quite a terrifying scenario. She is being held in a concrete room, hands and ankles bound with little food or water. Her captor wears a mask and neither Lila nor the reader has any idea who is out for revenge. Lila searches her mind through all of the cases that she has won, all of the friends and colleagues that she has hurt. No one seems to match the build and voice of her captor. She remembers what the sister of the murdered woman in her last case said to her “Karma’s a bitch, and I have no doubt you’ll get yours”. Could she have hired someone to capture her? There are so many questions, and so many possible outcomes.
This is a fast paced novel about conscience and how every action has a consequence whether good or bad. It got me thinking about making choices and how hard that can sometimes be.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a fast paced thriller with some moral lessons to be learned.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
Lila Bennett is a highly successful criminal defense attorney whose job it is to defend those that are presumed guilty. She is very good at convincing a jury to look at all of the evidence in a case and that without physical evidence there can be no conviction. More than once she has won cases where it was questionable whether her clients were actually innocent or guilty. She is great at her job and has risen quickly at her law firm. When she finds herself thinking about this she ruminates that “it’s not my job to know the truth; it’s my duty to give my clients the defense they are legally entitled to”.
Lila Bennett is not a nice person. She has done some ruthless things to further her career and in her personal life she has been unfaithful to her husband, Ethan, who always seems to see the good in her. She has deeply hurt her best friend and has “slept around” with whomever and whenever she wanted to, either because of personal feelings or to further her career.
After her last case she begins to feel that she has done something terrible, let a murderer loose and caused great sorrow to the victim’s sister, she comes across some damaging evidence and has to decide whether she will let it go or give it to the defense lawyer to use against her client.
She begins to feel that someone is after her to pay for the wrongs she has done. After lots of heartfelt thinking she feels that she is finally at the point where she has to make a decision as to how she will proceed with her life.
This novel quite quickly divides into two sections, the “captured” Lisa and the “free” Lisa. I found both storylines to be interesting and they held my attention.
The FREE Lisa begins to see a new path to her life but she has a lot of bridges to cross to change and it probably would mean the end of her criminal defense career. She could damage others careers in the process, in particular her personal assistant, Chase. He has been her right hand man running errands, arranging her schedule, etc. all the while he seems dedicated to Lisa.
The CAPTURED Lisa is quite a terrifying scenario. She is being held in a concrete room, hands and ankles bound with little food or water. Her captor wears a mask and neither Lila nor the reader has any idea who is out for revenge. Lila searches her mind through all of the cases that she has won, all of the friends and colleagues that she has hurt. No one seems to match the build and voice of her captor. She remembers what the sister of the murdered woman in her last case said to her “Karma’s a bitch, and I have no doubt you’ll get yours”. Could she have hired someone to capture her? There are so many questions, and so many possible outcomes.
This is a fast paced novel about conscience and how every action has a consequence whether good or bad. It got me thinking about making choices and how hard that can sometimes be.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a fast paced thriller with some moral lessons to be learned.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 8, 2019
FOUR STARS
Can we get an AMEN?🙏
Psyche suspense writers are pulling out all the stops this year. Just when we were getting dragged down with the same ole same ole….we have authors like Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke sticking it to us with a great big switcheroo.
What is going on? J. P. Delaney introducing robots into his newest thriller, The Perfect Wife? Kimberly Belle shaking up the traditional story format in Dear Wife?
And now the heavens have blessed us with The Two Lila Bennetts. It is technically a page turning, addictive, suspense thriller. But, believe me…you will be questioning every page and wonder how in the world this is going to be cleaned up at the end.
Despite your initial misgivings you WILL have, I am here to tell you that it works. Just go with it. Embrace the uniqueness🙌
I feel like the psyche suspense gods have heard our prayers. They know how tiresome the trope has become. They have sent some angels in the form of genius writers. Thank you. Thank you.
Now, let’s have some more please!
Thanks to Netgalley and the authors for letting me read this and post my honest review!
Can we get an AMEN?🙏
Psyche suspense writers are pulling out all the stops this year. Just when we were getting dragged down with the same ole same ole….we have authors like Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke sticking it to us with a great big switcheroo.
What is going on? J. P. Delaney introducing robots into his newest thriller, The Perfect Wife? Kimberly Belle shaking up the traditional story format in Dear Wife?
And now the heavens have blessed us with The Two Lila Bennetts. It is technically a page turning, addictive, suspense thriller. But, believe me…you will be questioning every page and wonder how in the world this is going to be cleaned up at the end.
Despite your initial misgivings you WILL have, I am here to tell you that it works. Just go with it. Embrace the uniqueness🙌
I feel like the psyche suspense gods have heard our prayers. They know how tiresome the trope has become. They have sent some angels in the form of genius writers. Thank you. Thank you.
Now, let’s have some more please!
Thanks to Netgalley and the authors for letting me read this and post my honest review!
August 2, 2019
How much can one choice impact a life?
In The Two Lila Bennetts this question is explored by offering two alternate storylines simultaneously. Successful criminal defense attorney, Lila, has made some questionable decisions in work and in play. Some might call her ambitious, others selfish - She knows no bounds. In one story, Lila is taken and held hostage, forced to face a list of people she hurt in the past. In the other, Lila is caught making some of these bad decisions and must decide how to address them in order to move forward.
“Maybe all we are is a sum of our choices, each one leading us down a different path, each with its own unique outcome. The notion that each decision holds that much power is overwhelming, and I squeeze my eyes shut to shake the thought away.”
I loved the execution of this and enjoyed both of the storylines, which is not always the case for me in books with multiples. One thing I couldn’t help but notice though, due to its repetition, was the amount of times the book included “not unkindly” when referencing the tone a character used. There’s nothing wrong with this description but a change up (rudely, sharply, shortly, etc.) would have been nice. This is the first book I’ve read by duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and I liked it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In The Two Lila Bennetts this question is explored by offering two alternate storylines simultaneously. Successful criminal defense attorney, Lila, has made some questionable decisions in work and in play. Some might call her ambitious, others selfish - She knows no bounds. In one story, Lila is taken and held hostage, forced to face a list of people she hurt in the past. In the other, Lila is caught making some of these bad decisions and must decide how to address them in order to move forward.
“Maybe all we are is a sum of our choices, each one leading us down a different path, each with its own unique outcome. The notion that each decision holds that much power is overwhelming, and I squeeze my eyes shut to shake the thought away.”
I loved the execution of this and enjoyed both of the storylines, which is not always the case for me in books with multiples. One thing I couldn’t help but notice though, due to its repetition, was the amount of times the book included “not unkindly” when referencing the tone a character used. There’s nothing wrong with this description but a change up (rudely, sharply, shortly, etc.) would have been nice. This is the first book I’ve read by duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and I liked it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2019
Well okay it is official, this writing duo is on my "must read" list! Whew holy psychological thriller. I have always loved their books in the past but this just took it to a new level. Admittedly I have never seen the movie Sliding Doors, I know **gasp** but I can defiantly get the picture of what inspired this book. Such a thrilling, unique crazy concept of the different paths a life can take based on your decision making process. All actions result in a consequence, whether good or bad. Some choices may threaten your actually being and life as you know it.
Lila Bennett is a very successful defense attorney. Did she get to the top by just plain old hard work or did she instead do ANYTHING it took to get to the top? This girl is ruthless in and out of the courtroom. It doesn't matter who she hurts or who she takes down in the process. She "screws over" her husband, best friend, former friends- I mean really there are too many to list. So when this story splits in two, with chapters labeled Free Lila and Captured Lila I had no idea what to think. Who is hell bent on making Lila pay for her past actions?
This book took a terrifying turn as Lila is kidnapped by some creepy hooded monster that makes it clear she is going to pay for what she has done in her life. My mind was racing to figure out who this was but Lila had too many enemies to even guess. Free Lila also is dealing with terrifying daily encounters that prove that someone is intent on revenge. Either way Lila is forced to face her past.....who knows everything she has done? Who wants her to pay? Will Lila be able to get out alive in either scenario? Can she turn her life around? Or is it too late?
This book was such a edge of your seat page turner. This unique take on life and consequences kept me flipping the pages until late into the night. Loved it! Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing for this gorgeous ARC physical copy. Thank you to Lisa & Liz for yet another fantastic book!
Lila Bennett is a very successful defense attorney. Did she get to the top by just plain old hard work or did she instead do ANYTHING it took to get to the top? This girl is ruthless in and out of the courtroom. It doesn't matter who she hurts or who she takes down in the process. She "screws over" her husband, best friend, former friends- I mean really there are too many to list. So when this story splits in two, with chapters labeled Free Lila and Captured Lila I had no idea what to think. Who is hell bent on making Lila pay for her past actions?
This book took a terrifying turn as Lila is kidnapped by some creepy hooded monster that makes it clear she is going to pay for what she has done in her life. My mind was racing to figure out who this was but Lila had too many enemies to even guess. Free Lila also is dealing with terrifying daily encounters that prove that someone is intent on revenge. Either way Lila is forced to face her past.....who knows everything she has done? Who wants her to pay? Will Lila be able to get out alive in either scenario? Can she turn her life around? Or is it too late?
This book was such a edge of your seat page turner. This unique take on life and consequences kept me flipping the pages until late into the night. Loved it! Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing for this gorgeous ARC physical copy. Thank you to Lisa & Liz for yet another fantastic book!
November 19, 2019
3.5 Stars
A Clever and twisty suspense Novel that was entertaining and the plot held my interest throughout.
Lisa Bennet’s career as a criminal defence attorney and her marriage are on the line after bad life and work choices have finally caught up with her and one of those decisions has split her life in two and she finds herself in a situation of her own doing.
Every action has a consequence and we find that played out in this twisty and clearly plotted novel. I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing right up to the end. It is a slow paced novel and yet this didn’t bother me as it was well plotted and quite different from the last few run of the mill suspense novels I have read.
We have all Made choices in life good or bad where later we wonder if we had just gone the other way where would our life have taken us.
An easy and entertaining read with lots of flawed characters and just enough twist and turns to keep readers on their toes. I didn’t love the ending but I didn’t hate it either.🤗
A Clever and twisty suspense Novel that was entertaining and the plot held my interest throughout.
Lisa Bennet’s career as a criminal defence attorney and her marriage are on the line after bad life and work choices have finally caught up with her and one of those decisions has split her life in two and she finds herself in a situation of her own doing.
Every action has a consequence and we find that played out in this twisty and clearly plotted novel. I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing right up to the end. It is a slow paced novel and yet this didn’t bother me as it was well plotted and quite different from the last few run of the mill suspense novels I have read.
We have all Made choices in life good or bad where later we wonder if we had just gone the other way where would our life have taken us.
An easy and entertaining read with lots of flawed characters and just enough twist and turns to keep readers on their toes. I didn’t love the ending but I didn’t hate it either.🤗
August 15, 2019
Given how many books I read, I always love finding one that takes the traditional narrative structure and tweaks it a bit. That's the case with Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke's new thriller,
The Two Lila Bennetts
, and it's definitely part of the book's appeal.
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney. Are some of the clients she defends actually guilty of their crimes? Probably. She doesn't really want to know the answer to that question, but she knows everyone is entitled to a defense, so why shouldn't it be her providing it?
For a lawyer, Lila isn't the most upstanding person. She's definitely made some bad choices, especially in her personal life. She knows she's betrayed some of the people who are closest to her, who've trusted her more than anything, but she can't seem to stop herself. She feels remorse, she really does, but...no one's perfect.
But one night, everything changes—well, sort of. Her life suddenly splits into two. In one life, she is kidnapped, held hostage by someone who knows a lot about her, down to the wine she enjoys a glass or two (or three) of every night. Her captor holds her life in his hands, and demands she atone for her sins, righting her many wrongs. Or else. In the other life, she doesn't get kidnapped, but someone is methodically looking to destroy her, making public all of her misdeeds.
She has to figure out which one of the many people she's hurt and/or betrayed is trying to destroy her, or worse. Will examining her life lead her to be a better person, one who learns from her mistakes, or will she just slip back into her old habits? Does she even want to change? If she does, what does that mean for the life she leaves behind?
One of the strengths of The Two Lila Bennetts lies in the twists and turns that Fenton and Steinke have skillfully crafted, as well as the element of surprise, which explains my briefer-than-usual plot summary. The book alternates chapters between "Free" and "Captured," and the authors ratchet up the tension bit by bit, until you're just dying to figure everything out.
I had never read anything by Fenton and Steinke before, but I really like the way they tell a story, teasing out details little by little. If I struggled with anything, it was that I really didn't like Lila very much, so I had a hard time feeling sympathetic for the ordeals she was going through. But even with an unsympathetic character, the authors made sure I couldn't tear myself away from the book.
This was an addictive thriller that had me racing through to the finish. You'll find yourself hooked on Lila's story, and wondering how it's all going to end. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one wind up as a movie one day!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney. Are some of the clients she defends actually guilty of their crimes? Probably. She doesn't really want to know the answer to that question, but she knows everyone is entitled to a defense, so why shouldn't it be her providing it?
For a lawyer, Lila isn't the most upstanding person. She's definitely made some bad choices, especially in her personal life. She knows she's betrayed some of the people who are closest to her, who've trusted her more than anything, but she can't seem to stop herself. She feels remorse, she really does, but...no one's perfect.
But one night, everything changes—well, sort of. Her life suddenly splits into two. In one life, she is kidnapped, held hostage by someone who knows a lot about her, down to the wine she enjoys a glass or two (or three) of every night. Her captor holds her life in his hands, and demands she atone for her sins, righting her many wrongs. Or else. In the other life, she doesn't get kidnapped, but someone is methodically looking to destroy her, making public all of her misdeeds.
She has to figure out which one of the many people she's hurt and/or betrayed is trying to destroy her, or worse. Will examining her life lead her to be a better person, one who learns from her mistakes, or will she just slip back into her old habits? Does she even want to change? If she does, what does that mean for the life she leaves behind?
One of the strengths of The Two Lila Bennetts lies in the twists and turns that Fenton and Steinke have skillfully crafted, as well as the element of surprise, which explains my briefer-than-usual plot summary. The book alternates chapters between "Free" and "Captured," and the authors ratchet up the tension bit by bit, until you're just dying to figure everything out.
I had never read anything by Fenton and Steinke before, but I really like the way they tell a story, teasing out details little by little. If I struggled with anything, it was that I really didn't like Lila very much, so I had a hard time feeling sympathetic for the ordeals she was going through. But even with an unsympathetic character, the authors made sure I couldn't tear myself away from the book.
This was an addictive thriller that had me racing through to the finish. You'll find yourself hooked on Lila's story, and wondering how it's all going to end. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one wind up as a movie one day!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
April 23, 2019
Like the skill of a Sushi Chef Artisan, this one is sliced to perfection with dueling scenarios.
The Two Lila Bennetts has been crafted by the talented writing duo of Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. Once again, it's a literary collaboration with just the right amount of twists and turns. The authors themselves refer to a sliding door concept. Do you get on the train just before the doors slam shut? Or do you stand on the platform and decide to take a cab instead? The outcome of your life can be changed forever.
We meet Lila Bennett, a succesfully ambitious criminal attorney in Los Angeles. Our gal Lila is certainly not the poster child for compassionate behavior. She's got a selfish streak a mile long. Her initials should have been M.E.. Lila is married to Ethan, a once successful novelist, who has had nothing but writer's block and depression since his one and only hit several years ago. Lila isn't one to hold hands. Lila builds relationships where there shouldn't be brick and mortar.
Back to those sliding doors.......
Fenton and Steinke have us turning a page to find Lila on the stone floor of a dark and damp room. Her hands and feet are tied tightly. No one hears her cries for help. But a masked stranger enters and tells Lila that she is being kept for a reason. Miserable and terrified, Lila's legal negotiations don't seem to be working here. These chapters will be entitled "Captured".
The flip side to this will be chapters entitled "Free" where Lila is able to go about her usual routine in life. And these "sliding doors" will be the highlight of this storyline. Are there lessons to be learned here for a wayward life? Will there be a touch of a Charles Dickens Christmas Carol triumph in buying "the fatted goose in the shop window" on Christmas morning? Or will Lila be weighed down into oblivion by her constant lies and deceitfulness? Someone may not have a good outcome.
The Two Lila Bennetts is quite the read in the hands of these creative authors. Just the ticket for a perk for your summer reading.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for the opportunity.
The Two Lila Bennetts has been crafted by the talented writing duo of Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. Once again, it's a literary collaboration with just the right amount of twists and turns. The authors themselves refer to a sliding door concept. Do you get on the train just before the doors slam shut? Or do you stand on the platform and decide to take a cab instead? The outcome of your life can be changed forever.
We meet Lila Bennett, a succesfully ambitious criminal attorney in Los Angeles. Our gal Lila is certainly not the poster child for compassionate behavior. She's got a selfish streak a mile long. Her initials should have been M.E.. Lila is married to Ethan, a once successful novelist, who has had nothing but writer's block and depression since his one and only hit several years ago. Lila isn't one to hold hands. Lila builds relationships where there shouldn't be brick and mortar.
Back to those sliding doors.......
Fenton and Steinke have us turning a page to find Lila on the stone floor of a dark and damp room. Her hands and feet are tied tightly. No one hears her cries for help. But a masked stranger enters and tells Lila that she is being kept for a reason. Miserable and terrified, Lila's legal negotiations don't seem to be working here. These chapters will be entitled "Captured".
The flip side to this will be chapters entitled "Free" where Lila is able to go about her usual routine in life. And these "sliding doors" will be the highlight of this storyline. Are there lessons to be learned here for a wayward life? Will there be a touch of a Charles Dickens Christmas Carol triumph in buying "the fatted goose in the shop window" on Christmas morning? Or will Lila be weighed down into oblivion by her constant lies and deceitfulness? Someone may not have a good outcome.
The Two Lila Bennetts is quite the read in the hands of these creative authors. Just the ticket for a perk for your summer reading.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for the opportunity.
August 26, 2019
4.5 Stars!
Special shout out to the authors Liz and Lisa for coming to Chicago (where I live) and visiting my IRL book club to discuss this book! They were kind enough to give us all ARCs and finished copies of their book. I honestly think this book may be their best yet!
Lila Bennett is successful and has a husband who loves her. Her career is great but unfortunately she continues to make bad choices. This story takes us through two timelines of Lila's life - one where she makes one decision and one where she chooses the other. In one life she is kidnapped by someone who knows a lot about her and is holding her captive. The other life she doesn't get kidnapped but rather her secrets start to spill out and she must right all of her wrongs.
Each story line goes challenges Lila to think about what she has done in the past and why she has chosen to do certain things that she knows is only sabotaging herself and those around her. She must face what and who she has been wronging all her life. Neither one or the other story line is better, they just address the same wrongdoings in different ways.
As I said before, I think that this is Lisa and Liz's best book that I've read to date. I have never read a story like this one - with two story lines for the same character at the same time happening. I thought it was a great approach and honestly it really worked. I was rooting for both Lila's the entire time but was intrigued to find out what happened to both in the end. I thought this was a great, fast paced thriller and it definitely keeps you wanting more.
I loved the theme of this book. Taking a look at what you've done wrong or mistakes you've made in the past and having a chance to make them right again. That is something not a lot of people get to do. This story even made me reflect on my own life and wrongdoings that I should make right sometime in my life. So not only was this book engrossing but it also was thought provoking. My favorite kinds of stories!
Thank you again to the Authors, Lisa and Liz, and Lake Union Publishing for my copies of this book!
My mind begins to drift, not back to sleep, but to every fork in the road that brought me here.
Special shout out to the authors Liz and Lisa for coming to Chicago (where I live) and visiting my IRL book club to discuss this book! They were kind enough to give us all ARCs and finished copies of their book. I honestly think this book may be their best yet!
Lila Bennett is successful and has a husband who loves her. Her career is great but unfortunately she continues to make bad choices. This story takes us through two timelines of Lila's life - one where she makes one decision and one where she chooses the other. In one life she is kidnapped by someone who knows a lot about her and is holding her captive. The other life she doesn't get kidnapped but rather her secrets start to spill out and she must right all of her wrongs.
Each story line goes challenges Lila to think about what she has done in the past and why she has chosen to do certain things that she knows is only sabotaging herself and those around her. She must face what and who she has been wronging all her life. Neither one or the other story line is better, they just address the same wrongdoings in different ways.
As I said before, I think that this is Lisa and Liz's best book that I've read to date. I have never read a story like this one - with two story lines for the same character at the same time happening. I thought it was a great approach and honestly it really worked. I was rooting for both Lila's the entire time but was intrigued to find out what happened to both in the end. I thought this was a great, fast paced thriller and it definitely keeps you wanting more.
I loved the theme of this book. Taking a look at what you've done wrong or mistakes you've made in the past and having a chance to make them right again. That is something not a lot of people get to do. This story even made me reflect on my own life and wrongdoings that I should make right sometime in my life. So not only was this book engrossing but it also was thought provoking. My favorite kinds of stories!
Thank you again to the Authors, Lisa and Liz, and Lake Union Publishing for my copies of this book!
August 25, 2019
I’ve actually read several books now by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and have loved them so I was quite looking forward to The Two Lila Bennetts. Immediately it becomes clear this writing team was trying to expand into something completely different with this story giving readers a split in what could be happening to the main character with one version of her captured and an alternate being free.
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney who comes to a point in her life where all of her actions and decisions have led to two possible consequences. In one scenario Lila has been taken hostage by someone who seems to know a lot but she can’ t recognize. Then in her other reality Lila is still free but needs to come up with who in her career or home life could be after her.
Jumping into this story I could still see the strong writing style of the authors that I’ve come to expect. For me however I was a little iffy starting out if I really liked the ” free” and “captured” split in the book, definitely a unique way to go about writing a book so it took a bit of getting used to. That being said though despite the slower start due to the style I still enjoyed this one overall giving it 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney who comes to a point in her life where all of her actions and decisions have led to two possible consequences. In one scenario Lila has been taken hostage by someone who seems to know a lot but she can’ t recognize. Then in her other reality Lila is still free but needs to come up with who in her career or home life could be after her.
Jumping into this story I could still see the strong writing style of the authors that I’ve come to expect. For me however I was a little iffy starting out if I really liked the ” free” and “captured” split in the book, definitely a unique way to go about writing a book so it took a bit of getting used to. That being said though despite the slower start due to the style I still enjoyed this one overall giving it 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 25, 2019
In The Two Lila Bennetts, Lila has been living a life of ambition and immorality, defending criminals who are probably guilty and stepping all over everyone she cares about in her effort to get to the top. When she makes another bad decision, we see her life take two different directions, one in which she is kidnapped, and one in which she is not.
The two diverging story lines are both individually compelling enough. After all, who hasn't thought about what their lives could be if they had made a different choice back in the day? But the book blurb made it seem as if some sort of sci-fi thing was going on where her life is split in two, which isn't the case. We just follow two separate story lines of Lila's life after she does and doesn't do something. That's all.
One thing that is somewhat annoying is how big of a deal the book makes of Lila's transgressions. Sure, she does immoral things, but some are just part of her job and the rest isn't any worse than what probably half the population have done. And we spend so much time in Lila's mind while she analyzes her life and feelings and thinks about how wrong she is. It's exhausting. I know the overblown self-ruminations are just par for this genre, but it greatly contributes to why I didn't enjoy this more.
I did find the pacing of the two story lines to be quite good, and I was equally invested in both. The twist at the end for one of the stories is interesting, though if you think about it, you can come to the conclusion much earlier. And the twist for the other story wasn't really necessary. In the end, all that overwrought self-recrimination aside, the story lines themselves made for an entertaining and decently fun read.
The two diverging story lines are both individually compelling enough. After all, who hasn't thought about what their lives could be if they had made a different choice back in the day? But the book blurb made it seem as if some sort of sci-fi thing was going on where her life is split in two, which isn't the case. We just follow two separate story lines of Lila's life after she does and doesn't do something. That's all.
One thing that is somewhat annoying is how big of a deal the book makes of Lila's transgressions. Sure, she does immoral things, but some are just part of her job and the rest isn't any worse than what probably half the population have done. And we spend so much time in Lila's mind while she analyzes her life and feelings and thinks about how wrong she is. It's exhausting. I know the overblown self-ruminations are just par for this genre, but it greatly contributes to why I didn't enjoy this more.
I did find the pacing of the two story lines to be quite good, and I was equally invested in both. The twist at the end for one of the stories is interesting, though if you think about it, you can come to the conclusion much earlier. And the twist for the other story wasn't really necessary. In the end, all that overwrought self-recrimination aside, the story lines themselves made for an entertaining and decently fun read.
September 28, 2019
2 - 3 stars. I realise I’m totally out of step with other readers but I was soooo bored. Lila Bennett is a Defence Attorney. This book tells two alternative stories of Lila Bennett, one where she’s captured and made to address her sins and the other where is is free and makes life changing choices about which I couldn’t have cared less. The alternative storyline is not unique, I’ve read similar books and I don’t have a problem with that, my problem lies with the writing. Apart from Carrie, the characters are unlikeable and she isn’t in the story long enough to change my mind about this book. Lila is self obsessed and ruthless but in Free Lila she changes personality overnight. Right. Very believable. The constant questions that Lila asks throughout the book seriously got on my nerves (there was a lot of eye rolling and teeth clenching. Not pretty) and I’ll be honest when she is captive I actually wanted her captor to shoot her to be done with it. Some of the dialogue between those two is so trite I think Enid Blyton could have done better. Anyway, I’d better stop now as I think I’ve said enough except I’ve only got myself to blame as I’ve read another book by this duo and I didn’t like that either. I really am stopping now .......
September 19, 2019
Review to follow...
August 26, 2019
Dear Reader,
Do you remember the movie Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow? You know, the one where her life splits into two when she misses her train? I remember seeing the movie for the first time in the theater years ago and holding my breath as the movie toggled back and forth between Gwyneth's character’s two lives-and I cried my eyes out at the end! We consider it one of our all-time faves, and it was the inspiration for The Two Lila Bennetts.
I hate to play favorites, but of all of our previous protagonists, I'm most fond of Lila. She's a good person who has done some bad things. She's whip-smart but also self-destructive. She's highly confident but also harbors deep insecurities about who she has become. In short, she's complicated. When one decision causes a deep fissure in her life that sends her soul catapulting down two separate paths, Lila Bennett faces a reckoning of sorts, causing her to re-evaluate every choice that has led her there.
We hope you enjoy reading The Two Lila Bennetts as much as we enjoyed writing it. And we love hearing from you--you can find us at Instagram at @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Or come check out our website, www.lizandlisa.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter or shoot us an email.
Happy Reading! xoxo
Do you remember the movie Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow? You know, the one where her life splits into two when she misses her train? I remember seeing the movie for the first time in the theater years ago and holding my breath as the movie toggled back and forth between Gwyneth's character’s two lives-and I cried my eyes out at the end! We consider it one of our all-time faves, and it was the inspiration for The Two Lila Bennetts.
I hate to play favorites, but of all of our previous protagonists, I'm most fond of Lila. She's a good person who has done some bad things. She's whip-smart but also self-destructive. She's highly confident but also harbors deep insecurities about who she has become. In short, she's complicated. When one decision causes a deep fissure in her life that sends her soul catapulting down two separate paths, Lila Bennett faces a reckoning of sorts, causing her to re-evaluate every choice that has led her there.
We hope you enjoy reading The Two Lila Bennetts as much as we enjoyed writing it. And we love hearing from you--you can find us at Instagram at @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Or come check out our website, www.lizandlisa.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter or shoot us an email.
Happy Reading! xoxo
November 11, 2019
Sliding Doors, A Christmas Carol, and Freaky Friday rolled into one!
3.5 Rounded Up.
Meet Lila Bennet – an ambitious, aggressive criminal defense attorney with an impressive case-win rate.
One Monday evening she rushes for the elevator, and upon reaching the parking level, her boss invites her for a drink. Lila will never know how crucial her next choice is – that from then on her life will be divided in two, and that there’s repercussions for both.
Her two paths play out for the remainder of the novel.
Chapters titled ‘Captured’ – Lila accepts the drink, and later that night is chloroformed, kidnapped, and held prisoner
Chapters titled ‘Free’ – Lila declines the drink, and eludes her kidnapper, but the people she's wronged are everywhere, and they're coming for her.
I specifically chose this one to read because the notion of parallel storylines exploring the notion of fate, and how a split second decision can alter a person's life course has always fascinated me. It was also interesting how the two universes overlapped, and that there were instances where Lila felt the residue effects of what was happening in her other life. Lila reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge – she was unlikeable, haunted by ghosts, with her past actions catching up with her, as well as the consequences of the way she treated people coming back to bite her in the arse.
Fun, light and fluffy, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's going to be a serious thriller, because it's not. For example, Lila taunts, jokes with, and shares a beer with her kidnapper, which I didn't get, isn't really my thing, but it was a well done, entertaining story with an unexpected satisfying ending. It helped that Lila was a despicable character whom I got a kick out of watching her life unravel. There's a hefty list of suspects in both Lila's professional and personal life to sift through, and even though I guessed who and why was behind the kidnapping, it wasn't until the later stages of the novel, when practically everyone else had been eliminated.
I predict this will be a summer hit!
I'd like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke for the e-ARC.
Out now!
3.5 Rounded Up.
Meet Lila Bennet – an ambitious, aggressive criminal defense attorney with an impressive case-win rate.
One Monday evening she rushes for the elevator, and upon reaching the parking level, her boss invites her for a drink. Lila will never know how crucial her next choice is – that from then on her life will be divided in two, and that there’s repercussions for both.
Her two paths play out for the remainder of the novel.
Chapters titled ‘Captured’ – Lila accepts the drink, and later that night is chloroformed, kidnapped, and held prisoner
Chapters titled ‘Free’ – Lila declines the drink, and eludes her kidnapper, but the people she's wronged are everywhere, and they're coming for her.
I specifically chose this one to read because the notion of parallel storylines exploring the notion of fate, and how a split second decision can alter a person's life course has always fascinated me. It was also interesting how the two universes overlapped, and that there were instances where Lila felt the residue effects of what was happening in her other life. Lila reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge – she was unlikeable, haunted by ghosts, with her past actions catching up with her, as well as the consequences of the way she treated people coming back to bite her in the arse.
Fun, light and fluffy, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's going to be a serious thriller, because it's not. For example, Lila taunts, jokes with, and shares a beer with her kidnapper, which I didn't get, isn't really my thing, but it was a well done, entertaining story with an unexpected satisfying ending. It helped that Lila was a despicable character whom I got a kick out of watching her life unravel. There's a hefty list of suspects in both Lila's professional and personal life to sift through, and even though I guessed who and why was behind the kidnapping, it wasn't until the later stages of the novel, when practically everyone else had been eliminated.
I predict this will be a summer hit!
I'd like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke for the e-ARC.
Out now!
July 9, 2019
4.5 stars!!
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been slaying the game together as a writing duo for years now, but nothing comes close to their upcoming mystery novel, The Two Lila Bennetts . Their upcoming mystery novel solidifies them as a force to be reckoned with! Told under two realities, Lila must come to terms about her behavior with her career and with her personal life. Without giving much away (you can read the synopsis if you want more of the backstory), Lila is a defense attorney and she is notorious for working with some of the most vile and cruel people in the courtroom, only to provide them protection under the law. She doesn't treat her marriage or friends with the respect they deserve. Until she is forced to realize that her behavior needs a change, Lila is enjoying the fruits of her labor. Once Lila is faced with the horrible reality that her behavior has vicious consequences, she must decide what is important to her most.
I know that small synopsis is so vague, but honestly that is the most important takeaway from The Two Lila Bennetts . This story is told in a unique way, that at first can be difficult to follow. It starts off as one storyline and then folds into two different, but equally as gripping realities. As the story unfolds in both worlds, it eventually comes together as one strong, amazingly told story. The writing in this book is the strongest I've ever seen from Lisa and Liz, and that says a lot because the duo know how to write a story! It's honestly the best beach read of 2019—I read it in one day, and would've 100% finished it if I was laying on a beach chair enjoying the sun! It's a light mystery, and it doesn't go too dark for the the more squeamish readers, so you can definitely enjoy this book without worry! The Two Lila Bennetts allows the reader to determine what exactly makes a person "good" or "bad", and it gave me the chance to determine my own actions in life as well. Rarely does a book provide such a profound experience.
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been slaying the game together as a writing duo for years now, but nothing comes close to their upcoming mystery novel, The Two Lila Bennetts . Their upcoming mystery novel solidifies them as a force to be reckoned with! Told under two realities, Lila must come to terms about her behavior with her career and with her personal life. Without giving much away (you can read the synopsis if you want more of the backstory), Lila is a defense attorney and she is notorious for working with some of the most vile and cruel people in the courtroom, only to provide them protection under the law. She doesn't treat her marriage or friends with the respect they deserve. Until she is forced to realize that her behavior needs a change, Lila is enjoying the fruits of her labor. Once Lila is faced with the horrible reality that her behavior has vicious consequences, she must decide what is important to her most.
I know that small synopsis is so vague, but honestly that is the most important takeaway from The Two Lila Bennetts . This story is told in a unique way, that at first can be difficult to follow. It starts off as one storyline and then folds into two different, but equally as gripping realities. As the story unfolds in both worlds, it eventually comes together as one strong, amazingly told story. The writing in this book is the strongest I've ever seen from Lisa and Liz, and that says a lot because the duo know how to write a story! It's honestly the best beach read of 2019—I read it in one day, and would've 100% finished it if I was laying on a beach chair enjoying the sun! It's a light mystery, and it doesn't go too dark for the the more squeamish readers, so you can definitely enjoy this book without worry! The Two Lila Bennetts allows the reader to determine what exactly makes a person "good" or "bad", and it gave me the chance to determine my own actions in life as well. Rarely does a book provide such a profound experience.
July 4, 2019
The Two Lila Bennnetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke - wow! This is a book that I had seen a lot around the book world and was looking forward to reading. I have read previous books by this duo and knew that I was in for a fun read. And it certainly was. I read almost half of this book in one sitting.
In this sliding doors style story we meet Lila Bennett - a lawyer who gets the bad guys off, who works too hard and is having an affair with her boss and best friends husband. She has made some bad decisions in her life. And with one decision we see 2 ways that her life could go. In one scenario he is taken hostage and locked up by a stranger who seems to know a lot about her. She is forced to confront her life errors and make good on them. In her other life she is free, and life carries on. A story about making choices and how they impact not only yourself but those around you.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
In this sliding doors style story we meet Lila Bennett - a lawyer who gets the bad guys off, who works too hard and is having an affair with her boss and best friends husband. She has made some bad decisions in her life. And with one decision we see 2 ways that her life could go. In one scenario he is taken hostage and locked up by a stranger who seems to know a lot about her. She is forced to confront her life errors and make good on them. In her other life she is free, and life carries on. A story about making choices and how they impact not only yourself but those around you.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
March 4, 2019
Dear Reader,
Do you remember the movie Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow? You know, the one where her life splits into two when she misses her train? I remember seeing the movie for the first time in the theater years ago and holding my breath as the movie toggled back and forth between Gwyneth's two lives-and I cried my eyes out at the end! We consider it one of our all-time faves, and it was the inspiration for The Two Lila Bennetts.
I hate to play favorites, but of all of our previous protagonists, I'm most fond of Lila. She's a good person who has done some bad things. She's whip-smart but also self-destructive. She's highly confident but also harbors deep insecurities about who she has become. In short, she's complicated. When one decision causes a deep fissure in her life that sends her soul catapulting down two separate paths, Lila Bennett faces a reckoning of sorts, causing her to re-evaluate every choice that has led her there.
We hope you enjoy reading The Two Lila Bennetts as much as we enjoyed writing it. And we love hearing from you--you can find us at Instagram at @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Or come check out our website, www.lizandlisa.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter or shoot us an email.
Happy Reading! xoxo
Do you remember the movie Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow? You know, the one where her life splits into two when she misses her train? I remember seeing the movie for the first time in the theater years ago and holding my breath as the movie toggled back and forth between Gwyneth's two lives-and I cried my eyes out at the end! We consider it one of our all-time faves, and it was the inspiration for The Two Lila Bennetts.
I hate to play favorites, but of all of our previous protagonists, I'm most fond of Lila. She's a good person who has done some bad things. She's whip-smart but also self-destructive. She's highly confident but also harbors deep insecurities about who she has become. In short, she's complicated. When one decision causes a deep fissure in her life that sends her soul catapulting down two separate paths, Lila Bennett faces a reckoning of sorts, causing her to re-evaluate every choice that has led her there.
We hope you enjoy reading The Two Lila Bennetts as much as we enjoyed writing it. And we love hearing from you--you can find us at Instagram at @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Or come check out our website, www.lizandlisa.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter or shoot us an email.
Happy Reading! xoxo
July 14, 2019
I received a free e-copy of The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton from NetGalley for my honest review.
Lila Bennett is a well known and ruthless defense lawyer in LA. Lila does whatever it takes to win and get what she wants and needs.
Then, one evening after a victorious court win, her life is split in half. She has two choices; go out for a drink with someone higher up or the other go home and be with her husband. From that night on, her life was split in two.
In one In one she is kidnapped by someone who knows all her secrets and wants her to funner for them. and in the other she is free but it being hunted by someone.
A very exciting and engaging psychological thriller that will not disappoint.
Lila Bennett is a well known and ruthless defense lawyer in LA. Lila does whatever it takes to win and get what she wants and needs.
Then, one evening after a victorious court win, her life is split in half. She has two choices; go out for a drink with someone higher up or the other go home and be with her husband. From that night on, her life was split in two.
In one In one she is kidnapped by someone who knows all her secrets and wants her to funner for them. and in the other she is free but it being hunted by someone.
A very exciting and engaging psychological thriller that will not disappoint.
February 2, 2020
This book was very unique and twisty!! You hear two sides of one story. One "Captured" and one "Free"! This was very cleverly written and I do not want to spoil it. If you can go into this one not knowing much about it, do it!! I think you will enjoy it more that way! It's definitely a great summer thriller and I did not have this figured out! I wasn't necessarily a fan of Lila as a person! Her bad decisions made her an unlikeable character for me. But overall, definitely a fun, different kind of thriller!!
August 24, 2019
Love authors Liz and Lisa -they kept me guessing right up until the reveal! Must go see Sliding Doors now...
Lila Bennett’s life is not run of the mill. She is a young, upwardly mobile criminal defense lawyer, has had the challenging experience of defending the guilty on more than one occasion, and has stepped on some toes along the way to achieve her success. Questions regarding her moral and ethical decisions plague her psyche when it comes to her job and her past personal life choices, and to add to her confusion, conflicting emotions when it comes to her best friend’s husband has lead her to make some recent choices that could jeopardize her own marriage.
Lila’s life could go in two different directions…Rest of REVIEW AND Q AND A on https://booknationbyjen.com/2019/08/2...
Lila Bennett’s life is not run of the mill. She is a young, upwardly mobile criminal defense lawyer, has had the challenging experience of defending the guilty on more than one occasion, and has stepped on some toes along the way to achieve her success. Questions regarding her moral and ethical decisions plague her psyche when it comes to her job and her past personal life choices, and to add to her confusion, conflicting emotions when it comes to her best friend’s husband has lead her to make some recent choices that could jeopardize her own marriage.
Lila’s life could go in two different directions…Rest of REVIEW AND Q AND A on https://booknationbyjen.com/2019/08/2...
April 3, 2019
Sliding Doors with a suspense twist and a morally gray heroine to root for despite her many mistakes. I raced through this one and enjoyed every page.
August 9, 2019
Very very clever writing and kept me hooked and made me think
August 14, 2019
I believe that we are the results of the many choices that had been offered to us. Good or bad choices, we are who are are because of it. So, can someone change enough to break his path?
I really loved the two Lilas. It demonstrates my thinking, that depending on your choices, your path can be different. But at what cost?
The ending sounded a little bit rushed to me, but overall, I did like the book. Did not see coming any of the twists and turns!
I recommend this book if you like to be blindsided, and recommend not reading too much about it before starting it.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the complimentary e-copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really loved the two Lilas. It demonstrates my thinking, that depending on your choices, your path can be different. But at what cost?
The ending sounded a little bit rushed to me, but overall, I did like the book. Did not see coming any of the twists and turns!
I recommend this book if you like to be blindsided, and recommend not reading too much about it before starting it.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the complimentary e-copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 5, 2020
My very first Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke book and man was it a weird one. You will quickly figure out where The Two Lila Bennetts gets its name from, and it was reminiscent of those choose your own adventure books.
I thought the book was a little slow overall, but it didn't read that way. The Two Lila Bennetts was such a quick book and I was very caught up in the mystery of who kidnapped Lila. I'm not going to say anything about the plot because I think it's best to go in blind, but I will say that I was very much a fan of the ending and that’s what made this a 4-star read for me. If you are a fan of the writing team that is Liz & Lisa then I would definitely recommend checking out The Two Lila Bennetts and I can't wait to read all their other books to see how they compare!
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I thought the book was a little slow overall, but it didn't read that way. The Two Lila Bennetts was such a quick book and I was very caught up in the mystery of who kidnapped Lila. I'm not going to say anything about the plot because I think it's best to go in blind, but I will say that I was very much a fan of the ending and that’s what made this a 4-star read for me. If you are a fan of the writing team that is Liz & Lisa then I would definitely recommend checking out The Two Lila Bennetts and I can't wait to read all their other books to see how they compare!
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an advance review copy of this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.
July 9, 2019
4.5 stars!
Bravo to awesome writer duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for taking a major risk with their new novel, The Two Lila Bennetts - a risk that more than pays off, in my opinion.For fans of Gwyneth Paltrow's film Sliding Doors or Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel, Maybe in Another Life, The Two Lila Bennetts asks a question about just how much one decision can impact the rest of our lives.
Lila Bennett, a tough criminal defense attorney with seemingly low morals is our character who ends up on the angel/devil on her shoulder path here. The reader gets to explore how things would play out for Lila based on one important decision she makes and how her future is changed as a result. Given that Liz and Lisa are thriller superstars, of course, one of the paths takes her down a dark turn that will have you wondering "whodunnit" and more importantly, why.
I'm keeping this review short and simple to avoid spoilers as this one plays out really well, with some great surprises, but I dare say, I think Liz and Lisa have outdone themselves here and I hope you all agree.
Thank you to Lake Union for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Bravo to awesome writer duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for taking a major risk with their new novel, The Two Lila Bennetts - a risk that more than pays off, in my opinion.For fans of Gwyneth Paltrow's film Sliding Doors or Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel, Maybe in Another Life, The Two Lila Bennetts asks a question about just how much one decision can impact the rest of our lives.
Lila Bennett, a tough criminal defense attorney with seemingly low morals is our character who ends up on the angel/devil on her shoulder path here. The reader gets to explore how things would play out for Lila based on one important decision she makes and how her future is changed as a result. Given that Liz and Lisa are thriller superstars, of course, one of the paths takes her down a dark turn that will have you wondering "whodunnit" and more importantly, why.
I'm keeping this review short and simple to avoid spoilers as this one plays out really well, with some great surprises, but I dare say, I think Liz and Lisa have outdone themselves here and I hope you all agree.
Thank you to Lake Union for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
July 19, 2019
okay, I loved how clever Liz and Lisa were to take the idea of a parallel universe to lay out Lila’s life before her with two different ways her life could go.
Lila Bennett has made one bad decision after another, and her lies are catching up to her. As a criminal defense attorney, she sees one life where she’s taken hostage by a stranger that knows too much about her secrets and bad choices. In another life, she is being blackmailed by all the secrets of her past.
It’s a race to survival in this fast paced mystery! I flew through this book and it gave me all the ‘Maybe in Another Life’ vibes, which I loved.
3.75 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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