The words “For Lila, forever” adorned the front of the envelope in blue ink, the handwriting all too familiar. But it didn’t matter what it said. I didn’t have the heart to open it.We couldn’t be together. Not after everything …Leaving Rose Crossing, Maine was one of the most painful moments of my life—or at least it was until the day I came face-to-face with Thayer Ainsworth again. After a … Ainsworth again.
After a decade of searching, he’s found me, and he wants to know why I quit my housemaid job and left his family’s island estate without so much as a goodbye. But I’m bound by a devastating secret much bigger than the two of us, and telling him the truth has consequences.
Looking into the eyes of the only man I’ve ever loved, I tell him the only thing I’m allowed to: never contact me again. And when he’s gone, I sit down and finally open his letter.
Only it isn’t a letter at all.
And it changes everything.
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Have you read any of Winter Renshaw’s work yet? If so, then you know her style and can relax and kept swept away in what she’s created here. If not, this is a great place to start because you will absolutely fall in love with the characters of Thayer and Lila. She takes us from young love to adult romance. There’s plot twists, the evil of money and manipulation, lies and secrets all twisted together while these two individuals try to maneuver their way through an emotional rollercoaster they’ve been set on by fate. I think this is probably my new favorite from her collection of work I’ve read.
I love a good Winter Renshaw book, her writing is addicting and consuming. This one kept me on my toes and was a great read. Thayer and Lila were perfect for each other. Their relationship was hopeful and sweet. The build-up in this book was a bit long and once we were over the hump it went pretty fast. I would have liked to have that a bit more even, especially for this long of a book. I love Winter’s ability to not only tell us things but show us as well – it added a lot to this book. There isn’t a lot of smoking hotness in this book but the romance was done with a skill I’ve come to love from this author. While “secret baby” is not normally a trope I read, I did enjoy this book a lot. There is a bit of past and present storytelling in this book, but Winter handled it well. I hope you check this one out.
Such a beautiful story one to read while sitting on or dreaming of a beach. Winter took us away to a secluded island which holds many secrets where time almost ands still.
As soon as Thayer sees Lila the mysterious and beautiful Californian girl arrive on his Grandfather’s island he is instantly taken with her. Despite warnings to stay away from her he cannot help himself and needs to meet her.
Lila’s grandparents have worked for Thayer’s Grandfather as custodians for the island for many years, but Thayer has never known Lila to visit before and wonders why now? He starts to pursue her to find out her secret not expecting to fall in love with her.
This is a beautiful slow burning romantic story, of forbidden love, secret looks, touches and meetings. Lila and Thayer try to hide their love from their families but after Thayer leaves for school at the end of the summer and Lila realises that she is pregnant the family has to know. Grandfather Howard Bertram immediately strikes an unforgiveably cruel bargain with Lila and her Grandparents making them disappear and start a secret life far away from the island.
When Thayer comes back he is horrified to find Lila gone and begins a search for her that continues for almost 10 years. Lila struggles to build a new life and Thayer fulfills his Grandfather’s ambitions for him, but he is left sad and empty as he misses Lila.
At the story reaches its climax some very unexpected and twisted secrets are revealed which turn Thayer’s and most of all Lila’s lives upside down.
A heartbreaking story of two people so much in love and driven apart by an old man’s cruelty and ambition. Winter gives us amazing characters in Lila and Thayer. Lila who is beaten down but still gets back up and works hard to make a life, Thayer whose love for Lila never fades and who never gives up hope of finding her. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby when you read this you will need them.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Pre-law student Thayer Ainsworth can’t stay away from the beautiful Lila even though his grandfather warns him not to fraternise with the help. Lila Hilliard has been told by her grandparents she’s not to hang out with their employer’s grandchildren but she can’t resist the handsome Thayer. When Thayer returns from school to find that Lila and her grandparents have left, he vows that he’ll look for Lila forever if he has to. Will Thayer be able to overcome the obstacles between them?
For Lila, Forever is a sweet, emotional and steamy story that you won’t be able to put down
Fresh, flawless writing. Beautiful, romantic and heartfelt story.
I’m already half way through the bibliography of this author and have to say every new book is better than the previous one. Soon I need to start giving more stars than 5. This book is perfectly written, plot flows effortlessly and suddenly reader gets immersed so deeply in the story that doesn’t even notice that the end is getting close. It was a great pleasure to read it. Simply flawless.
Loved the main characters from the beginning. I really liked the characteristics of the protagonists so hard to find these days in real life or in books and films. I loved how romantic, sweet, pure and heart-warming their love were. The twists, lies, hidden truths stand on their way to be together. Being persistent was always enough for Thayer to get what he wants. Till now he always got what he set his mind to achieve. Would it be the same with Lila? Or the evil trying to keep them apart will win?
“Forever is a promise. Love is a promise. Someday, too, is a promise. I’m a man of my word and no amount of time or distance, no amount of unanswered questions will ever change that. She’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted. I won’t rest until she’s in my arms again.”
I cried, I smiled, I laughed my heart broke and then was put back together. I spent great time with the characters and was smitten by the way the story was delivered with immaculate writing. Can’t wait for another release. This author is on my one-click list!
This book will have you believing in love, it will be having you believe in second chances and it will teach you to never give up on love.
I fell in love with Lila and Thayer’s story from the moment I started it and I kept falling deeper and deeper for these two. This story spans across a ten-year time period and during that time Thayer doesn’t ever once give up on Lila. He so easily could have given up on her, finished his college career and law school, but he never once stopped. He wasn’t going to stop looking, to stop finding the girl that stole his heart at 19 years old.
Lila is strong and at times she didn’t even realize how strong she truly is. After going to live with her grandparents after a tragedy, she meets the ever-persistent Thayer. Of course, that summer with Thayer forever changed her life and the life of her grandparents who took her in. Despite the hardship and struggles she didn’t let that get her down, she worked hard for herself and her family to provide the best life possible. She would do anything in her power to protect her family. Thayer was so much different than I expected. His grandfather came from money and seemed to control the money for the rest of the family. He wasn’t a spoiled, stuck up rich kid like you would assume, but he was a man who stayed true to himself, to his morals. He kept his promises and he followed his heart to get what he truly wants in life. Not to mention, the man is totally swoon worthy!
This story was a beautifully written, second chance romance that was well deserved and full of so much love, hope and promises. This book truly deserves more than 5 stars and is a MUST READ of 2019.
Wow, what a fantastic story from Winter Renshaw. It’s a great story of first love and second chances which I personally love.
When we first meet Thayer we find a young man who is idealistic, handsome and all around nice guy. Lila is a young women who has had a rough time and unexpectedly moves in with her grandparents who just happen to be Thayer’s grandfathers housekeeper and groundskeeper. When Thayer meets Lila during his summer visit he instantly wants to get to know her even though his grandfather forbids it. The more time passes the more he wares Lila down. Lila wants to stay far away from Thayer, she knows his type and he seems way to be good to be true, but as she spends time with Thayer the more she starts to fall for him, and then everything changes. Flashforword 10 years and Thayer finally finds the girl of his dreams but does Lila still want him.
I really love the style in which Ms Renshaw writes this story. Told in the past and present this is a fast paced story that has a lot of layers. Told in dual POVs we get both sides of Thayer and Lila’s story which is great. If I had one complaint it’s that we get to see more of Thayer’s life during the 10 years they are separated, I would have liked to spend time understanding his choices in work and personally. That being said For Lila Forever is still a great romance and well worth the time.
What happens when you fall for the “wrong” and family steps in? A roller coaster of a ride! Thayer seemed too perfect to Lila and she knew she should stay away, but charm can go a long way. After a summer together life changed and Lila disappears leaving Thayer wanting answers. Great back and forth age switch, pulls the story along well. The ending….perfect!
Aaaaw, holy sweetness!
This book made me happy. In a way it’s both a romance and a love story, in the way it spans over time. I feel it’s a bit more of a love story, even though we get the HEA. I really like how everything grows as the story is revealed. The characters and the story are all well developed. Well written and Thayer and Lila will make you believe in love if you ever doubted it.
Ms Renshaw has written a gorgeous, sweet and heartwarming love story within the pages of For Lila, Forever. A story of forbidden first love which, despite obstacles in the way and the passage of time, manages to remain steadfast and true. Even though they only have one summer together Thayer and Lila form a bond which can’t be broken, even when they’re torn apart in the cruelest of circumstances. Their stolen hours together are charming, not over the top and have just the right amount of steamy moments, although there’s nothing hugely graphic. However, behind the smiles and family traditions not everything is as it seems. Secrets are kept and lies are told. Little do they know, but those skeletons are about to start rattling and the events of that summer will change the course of their lives forever.
The book is divided into four parts, which alternate between the past and the present. Sometimes stories which do this are confusing but in this instance this actually works really well and they are easy to follow. Each part contains several chapters, allowing the story to flow and means you’re not continually bouncing from one to the other. Thayer and Lila are easy to love and I was rooting for them to ultimately get their happy ever after. I would’ve preferred some elements of their story to be fleshed out a little more and some parts were glossed over, leaving me wondering about their outcome. Nevertheless, I would say that overall, this is a well written, sweet tale of young love, of a strong, resilient young woman and a tenacious young man. An easy, enjoyable read.
°**° Finding her was only the beginning. °**°
Winter Renshaw is an auto-one-click for me. Every single time. And from the first word in this book, I was hooked
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You’ve seen and read the huge number of reviews, and every favourable one is spot on. This story of true love in the face of family secrets and lies, all accomplished through the power of money in the hands of a manipulative man, held me in thrall for the entirety of the book. At the pinnacle is Thayer’s Grandfather, a man who uses money to bend and control the lives of those around him. Rose Crossing Island is his domain, and having the entire family spend every summer gave him opportunity to remind them of their obligations to him. Despite repeated warnings, forbidden teenaged love still blossomed.
Ms Renshaw’s writing is so deep that I felt every moment between Thayer and Lila. I felt the chemistry when their eyes met as Lila arrived on the Island to live with her grandparents after the death of her mother, through to the excitement of first love. Always though, I felt the shadow of a bitter man looking to crush that beautiful budding romance underfoot. I also felt Thayer’s loss as he realises what his Grandfather has done. The old man thinks he succeeded, but in this case, the hinted at family skeletons finally tumbled out of the closet!
Thayer and Lila are characters to be admired. In spite of the circumstances forced onto them, they kept their integrity intact and continued to feel the love that was created in just one summer on the island. Oh my, Thayer is just gorgeous in his tenacious search for Lila. His love came through so strong, I could almost touch it. And on her part, Lila could have been bitter, but for her, family was everything. She’ll keep her word because she has to, breaking both of their hearts in the process.
Thayer isn’t giving up on them though, “Forever is a promise. Love is a promise. Someday, too, is a promise.”
Love and sincerity vs. Money and manipulation – this book contained every emotion, and kept me on tenterhooks the entire time. Another great book from Winter Renshaw. 5 Stars.
The latest book from Winter Renshaw is a contemporary romance told in dual POV about a journey of a summer love to ten years later when they meet up again and all the ugly truths come out. Thayer and Lila meet on his family’s island where he holidays for the summer and she is there tending to their needs, being the granddaughter of the care takers. He was infatuated from first sight and after she learnt to trust him, they started their forbidden relationship.
I read this book in one sitting, entranced by this couple. Thayer was very attentive and had a sense of optimism that was infectiously sweet. Even though Lila was the total opposite, she had a work ethic and strong personality that I admire. I enjoyed the layout of the book with the storyline alternating from past to present. It gave the novel a sense of anticipation and it was very easy to follow. I was swept along with the build up of the rendezvous in the initial summer and how Thayer came about finding Lila again. What I did struggle with was the quickness to their reconciliation. I would have like to see them discover each other again, as people change a lot in ten years. We never did find out what Thayer’s tattoos were about, that still has me thinking. The epilogue gave me a conclusion that made sense and made me smile for all the outcomes.
** Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.
Unforgettable love, tragedy, betrayal, secrets and loss. Thayer is nineteen attending Yale for pre-law. He goes to his grandfathers estate in Rose Crossing. Lila is eighteen and she has to move from Santa Monica to Rose Crossing to live with her grandparents after a loss. The chemistry and friendship these two have is so endearing. Fast forward ten years later and Thayer has finally found Lila. Will Thayer find out what made Lila disappear from his life? Winter Renshaw has written another phenomenal book. This gives us a detailed storyline from past, present and an exceptional epilogue with fantastic characters we can’t help to root for. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
While I enjoy this authors stories I found this was a bit disjointed. Told in 4 parts alternating between past & present this is the story of Thailer & Lila, who is the family’s new maid. I found some of the chapters a bit short as they were in alternating POV’s. Perhaps there was someway the flow could’ve been better.
Having said that I did enjoy the story as there are a few blindsides as well as twists.
As always there is a villain in the form of the grandfather who wanted total control of his family through his riches & was quite diabolical.
I just think there needed to be a bit more detail in between the past & present.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 3.5*
For Lila, Forever by Winter Renshaw is such a beautifully written book that is full of angst, twists, feels, heat, drama and heart. This is not an easy read but one full of emotion, heartbreak- so much that you will need tissues when reading. This story will break you and then you will get put back together like humpty dumpty in such a powerful and magical way. It’s a story about star-crossed lovers whose love is so powerful yet is denied for over 10 years until they end up back in each other’s lives. Thayer and Lila are pure Magic in this story. Without giving too much away, they are given the chance at a 2nd chance at love but will the secret from the past blow up in their face and cause that chance to disappear?
This truly was a great read and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the last word. Thayer and Lila had me rooting for them to get their long awaited HEA. Their love was definitely worth it and so sweet. Ms. Renshaw continues to write refreshing characters and plots. I look forward to the next book eagerly.
My Rating: 4.8 stars ******
This is a beautifully written second chance romance about Thayer and Lila. A week after her mom dies, Lila comes to live with her grandparents on Rose Crossing Island. She is told to not get involved with Thayer or Westley. Their grandfather tells them the same thing. Now, we know they’re not going to listen, lol. Thankfully, they don’t and we get to read about it, but there are a few twists I didn’t see coming. Grab your copy and read what happens.
Another beautiful story by Winter. I loved Thayer, Lila & MJ. I was rooting for them the entire time and was so happy with the ending. I finished this book in one sitting.
For Lila, Forever
By Winter Renshaw
Main Characters: Lila and Thayer
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
Chalk this book into another home run by Winter Renshaw. Their love was never supposed to happen but then there is fate or destiny. Thayer came from a wealthy family and Lila came to the island to stay and work with her grandparents as a housemaid at his grandfathers (Mr. Bertram’s) estate. He told each of them to stay away from each other. This story had a little of everything I love in a book, sweet H but with steam. Loved watching the two fall in love and how sure Thayer was that they would be together when he returned from his year at school. Then there are the surprises, shocks, heartaches, and separations. I don’t know how she does it but Winter consistently tops her other books time and time again. Loved this contemporary second chance romance. Highly recommend you read it.
For Lila, Forever is the just the perfect second chance love story. There is young love and twists and turns that follow that will make you feel like you are on the roller coaster ride of your life. Winter Renshaw has delivered two wonderful characters that you will fall in love with from page 1. The only thing I wished for when finished was more, more Thayer and Lila and their story. I did not want it to end. I loved every minute of this book.
Grab your tissues for this amazing epic love story!
From the opening scenes we can feel Thayer’s pain as he searches for answers while protecting his secret. The emotional intensity of this romance cannot be understated – the writing brilliantly takes us through every painful, hopeful, joyful step throughout the years as Thayer and Lila find their way to their HEA. This is a story that will consume your heart, one that you can’t put down until you’re gasping, sobbing, and cheering at the oh-so-satisfying ending.
These are superbly written characters, ones you care deeply about almost before you even know who they are. Their love story is the stuff of legends, their hearts remaining true despite all the odds, all the obstacles, all the years, and all the secrets. It was simply beautiful to read, and it’s one I’ll be rereading again and again. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.