Layla

extremeeeee spoilers ahead






The writing was very basic and repetitive. It got better when we got into the paranormal aspect of the book and when there was some urgency. Other than that, the actual writing itself was not great to me.

There were a few details that I felt were put there to set something up and we never got back to it. The most notable examples is the REPEATED detail that he was actually wealthy and Layla “didn't know it yet”. It set up a moment where Layla is supposed to find this out about him and she never does.

Then there's the unrealistic responses to the relationship at the end with Aspen, the sister. Are we supposed to believe he would eventually “win her over” after her sister confesses that she's been drugged and tied up, only to play it off as a joke seconds later? He has BLOOD and SCRATCHES on his arm at the hospital and she's just a bit upset? Also, Leeds could've totally played off the wrist issue by saying they were having kinky sex (aka handcuffs) and the “drugging” could be a inside joke about sex pills (the ones that make ur sex drive go up like crazy). This couple has mentioned sex to each other before so it would not have been irregular and could've added some humor. This could've been added to make the whole Aspen situation fall away in a REALISTIC way.

I also was confused on whether or not he was IN the pool with her. I imagine it would be very, very difficult to drown someone if you're just on the edge of the pool? So I imagined him in there with her. So why was he not wet? If he was on the side, I think there should be more stress on the awkwardness and the sheer FORCE it would take to make this happen. I just think many of these details were awkward or not realistic.

I think a small note is that I think this narrator is just really unlikeable. I don't find this to be bad though. I just hated him. He seems to think he's redeemed at the end which I thought was just so typical of a man. But really, my hatred for him stemmed from his need to make everything sexual. He couldn't even kiss his girlfriend (her soul? inhabiting her old body? whatever) without thinking about wanting to fuck her. But like I said, I don't dislike the writing of this. In fact, I think it's the most realistic characterization ever.

other remarks:

why are we referencing ALEXA at the end??? i hate contemporary references so muchhhh

we never got back to the suicide note. did he successfully delete it?

even if sable was inhabiting laylas body, i still find it weird they would HAVE SEX in that possessed state....sable still has a MIND and FEELINGS and therefore should have autonomy. the book itself says she might not KNOW she is sable. so you're inhabiting the body of an innocent person and then having sex with her posssed body. i just thought this moment was inappropriate at best.

can't even count on my fingers how many times his worry and predicament were repeated to us in almost the exact same way. “ahhh i'm starting to fall out of love with layla and that's so fucked up but i LOVE willow”. if the WRITING of this emotion was better, each moment Leeds thought about this, it would feel different. it felt as if the same thing was bejng said over and over and over without variation or nuance. you don't have to fill up space to just go fill it.


all of this being said, i thought the actual plot was pretty fascinating. i especially loved the detail of the detective who was ALSO a ghost. (though, even he was a bit rushed and had very little characterization to me). i just think this could've been edited some. it was obvious this was done pretty quickly and thrillers, especially ones that are complex in this way, need to be precise and well thought out.