Lost in Us by Layla Hagen Release Date: February 14, 2014
Pagecount: 316
Series: Lost #1
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review
Buy It: Amazon | B&N
Description from Goodreads:
Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .
The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking.
Electrifying.
And best not repeated.
James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other.
James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her.
Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.
But this book...this book is pretty much the same ol' same ol'. But it just didn't work for me. I somewhat liked the book in the beginning, because I thought the two main characters would be all romantic and sweet and get together and it'd be that way for a good portion of the book, and I'd LOVE IT. But nope. And the characters weren't exactly people I was a fan of, either. The whole novel got on my nerves way too much.
The MC, Serena, didn't really work for me AT ALL. She tried my patience so many times, and her good qualities (like her confidence and general intelligence) were not enough to counter this. For a majority of the book, I was either bored with Serena or I was irritated with her. She narrated the whole book, and she was so wishy-washy about things that she should have been quite sure about.
Normally, the love interest would make up for the MC if she was annoying me. He'd be sweet and awesome and I'd fall in love. Or he'd bring out the best in her, and I'd be cool with her. JAMES, however, got on my nerves just as much as Serena. It is a well known fact that I am the most jealous person ever. James messed with that way too much. With that one chick (was it Sophie or something? I can't remember her name) and then teasing with that other chick. I know I was supposed to feel for him and whatever, but all I wanted to do was run off and find a better love interest. I wanted a new one. I actually have a nice, hefty list of NA book boys I wish could have taken James' place. Ahhhh.
The relationship between James and Serena was too up and down. I couldn't deal with it. It made me too mad. They'd get together and I'd think that they were FINALLY in for the long haul, and then something would come up again to mess with that. And they'd break up. And not be talking. And tease each other. But they were both still extremely jealous. It was obvious to everyone that they both were still hung up on each other the whole time, which made everything even more frustrating. I was reading this book and trying to convince these characters to just STAY together. Or don't. Just pick one, because they way it was going was making me want to throw things. UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGH.
There were parts I enjoyed, however. I liked their relationship in the very beginning, before James made me not like him by doing you-know-what with you-know-who (or maybe you don't--goodness knows I don't remember her name). They did have some cute moments before they started the on-again-off-again thing. I also enjoyed James' character once he decided he was IN the relationship. It didn't bother me much that he couldn't say certain words, because actions speak louder sometimes. I trusted that he'd get there in his own time, and he didn't need Serena's pushing and ultimatums (and that's another aspect of that girl that made me want to hit her). I was also happy with the ending.
Overall, this book did not work for me. It made me angry, and the love interest never completely won me over. I ended up liking him well enough, SORT OF, but I will never forget the things he did to make me feel like a raging jealous lunatic. The main character didn't float my boat either. In the end, I liked the two together, but it was after a ride that ended up way too bumpy for my taste. However, I would not be opposed to reading the next book in the series, Found in Us. Since there are different characters, I think I may like it. Especially I had no qualms with the writing in Lost in Us. Plus, I did quite like Parker...
Wow. What I find interesting is that I have seen this book all over the place. What I have read about it made me feel like this is the review I would give. I'm glad to hear that the writing is good. In the end, even if I don't think I'd like a book if the writing gets great reviews I'll try a different book by the author. Sounds like the books are stand-alone. Good to know. I'll try one of her other books.
ReplyDeleteToo bad there was nothing unique about it to grip you!
ReplyDeleteYou do have to be in the mood for this genre, you're right.
I do like good writing though!!
Lovely review :)