“One fateful decision. Two unexpected endings. A perfect summer read!” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of The Night BeforeLila 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 … 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.
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I have enjoyed all of the books by Liz and Lisa and loved their new book. They tried something very different in this book and I thought that it was a huge success. I couldn’t put the book down until I got all of my questions answered and knew how Lila’s life was going to turn out.
This book is told in two voices — not in two time periods or by two different people but by one person – Lila Bennett – with her life split in two with different outcomes for each. In one scenario, Lila is kidnapped and forced to apologize to the people she has hurt. In the other scenario, she goes home to her husband but due to circumstances wants to make amends to the people she’s hurt. Ok, so who is this Lila Bennett. She is an attorney who fights for people even if she thinks they are guilty, she plays dirty and is really an unlikable person. Or is she? She loves her mom, even tho her mom irritates her; she loves her husband but then why is she having an affair, she loved her best friend but they why did she cheat her out of a prime job…. Lila is ruthless and arrogant and driven to be win at any cost. Can she change and become a good person? As important, who has kidnapped her? My opinion changed several times but I didn’t even imagine the ending!
So clear your calendar before you start this book and jump on the roller coaster ride that Liz and Lisa create for you! You’re bound to lose some sleep over this one!
4* Regret Stars
I get very excited when I see that Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have collaborated once again to write a thrilling read! The Two Lila Bennetts did not disappoint.
This is a dual story of the life of Lila Bennett who is a ruthless Defense Attorney and about the very bad choices she has made in her life. Not only has she hurt herself but also those close and around her. After wining a high profile case Lila is presented with two options in her life to either head home to her waiting husband or go out with her Boss Sam with whom she is having an affair with to celebrate. Her destiny is then spilt into two paths one where she is held captive and one where she is free. In both of these timelines secrets and lies are exposed and Lila is forced to address her past mistakes.
This was a very interesting read and kept me engaged until the last page was read with a twist or two along the way.
A very clever, Sliding Doors-esque novel in which a woman must face the person she’s become and choose who she wants to be. The Two Lila Bennetts is mind-bending, twisty, and unputdownable. Beautiful and eloquently crafted, this is a character driven suspense novel that had me gripped from the first page. I highly recommend!
Lila Bennett is aware of the ethical considerations implicated in the practice of criminal defense law. But she hasn’t always adhered to them. She is also well-versed in the moral dilemmas that sometimes arise in personal relationships — marriage, friendship. and interactions with colleagues. In that area of her life, she has made reckless and callous choices.
Lila’s history of questionable and, indeed, outright unethical decision-making is lengthy, dating back to well before she established herself as a successful litigator with a high-powered Los Angeles firm. In fact, were it not for some of those decisions, she would not be enjoying the well-paid career she has established. Authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke place her at a crossroad, examining the life of a woman who has permitted ambition, selfishness, and resentment to cloud her decision-making. The Two Lila Bennetts is a clever and tense thriller in which readers will find a message about how to navigate challenges. The prologue reveals that Lila is blindfolded, restrained, and being held captive. She observes, “[M]y life haunts me,” because as she awaits her fate, she examines “every fork in the road that brought me here.” After all, she notes ironically, you don’t find yourself in such circumstances “if you’ve made the best choices.”
From there, Fenton and Steinke reveal how Lila found herself in her current predicament. However, they craft Lila;s story from two perspectives, employing alternating first-person narratives. Fenton and Steinke place Lila in two kinds of jeopardy. In the second story, she has not been kidnapped, but the life she has constructed is in danger because someone knows her secrets and is determined to reveal them. Thus, in one setting, Lila faces her own mortality. In the other, she stares down the implosion of her marriage, career, and relationships.
Lila acknowledges that she has lived her life as two women — a girl girl and a bad girl reside within her. The bad girl cheers when she makes choices that are at odds with the advice and counsel the good girl gives her. That woman has a strong moral compass and is well aware of the right decisions, but Lila too often succumbs to the temptations dangled in front of her, and then justifies her choices. She lies to her husband, Ethan, a best-selling author who struggles with depression in the fact of pressure to replicate the success he enjoyed with the publication of his first book. In fact, Lila lies a lot. She has betrayed not only her husband, but her best friends, as well, in the pursuit of her goals and to advance her career. She is not unaware of how despicable her behavior has been. Does the realization come in time for her to stop behaving in self-destructive and cruel ways? If the truth is revealed, will the people how matter most to Lila be able to forgive her? Can she make amends? Will they let her? Those questions underlie and propel the story forward.
Fenton and Steinke’s take on a classic premise is contemporary, refreshing, and inventive. As the focus moves between Lila being “Captured” and “Free,” the suspense builds. Who is her captor vs. who knows and is revealing Lila’s darkest secrets? Will she escape with her life vs. can she mitigate the damage and continue practicing law? The pace is unrelenting, the consequences for Lila in the parallel realities palpable. And because of its premise, The Two Lila Bennetts is inherently thought-provoking and empathetic. Everyone has made choices they regret, and wondered what might have happened if they had chosen differently. Lila learns that her choices have made all the difference. Fenton and Steinke keep readers guessing about the identity of Lila’s tormenters and their motivation, and provide jaw-dropping but fully logical conclusions to both story lines. The result is a compulsively readable, engrossing morality play through which Fenton and Steinke reinforce that “love, loss, and betrayal can make people o the very worst things. things no one believes they’re capable of doing.” Can introspection, atonement, and determination not to repeat past mistakes make a difference? That’s the question to which Lila Bennett finds an answer. But not without consequences.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
Fenton and Steinke take an ingenious high concept—a protagonist thrust into alternate universes—to create this well-crafted page-turning thriller. Alternating chapters ratchet up the tension as defense attorney Lila Bennett’s trail of dirty deeds leaves her fighting for her life. In both scenarios, she has a lot to lose—unless she makes the right choices to earn the redemption she seeks. Listen to my Author Provocateur podcast with the authors:
http://bit.ly/2LilaBennettsContest
I had a mini-vacation planned during the time that I was reading this book, and I just have to say that it was very hard not to continue to read, even surrounded by family. This book is that good! Lila Bennett is an attorney for a prestigious law firm and is working hard to make a name for herself. But the reputation that she is getting may not be the one that she ultimately wants to have, as she finds herself kidnapped and apologizing for all of her wrong actions. This book is absolutely mesmerizing in the way that it goes back and forth from Lila in her free state and when she is captured. She is busily engaged in trying to figure out who has kidnapped her in every other chapter; in the other chapters, she is trying to straighten out her selfish life. This book teaches life lessons to all of us and makes us imagine what would happen if we were captured and forced to atone for all of our wrongdoing. Thought provoking doesn’t even begin to cover it! What a wonderful book for all readers, especially those drawn to women’s fiction with a twist.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. The opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed the back and forth style of this book. It was like reading two books in one. The story was well written and effortless to follow.
I was not a fan of the main character due to her questionable behavior, however it did not sway me away from the book.
The mystery was there and kept me guessing till the last pages. It has an unpredictable ending that left me shocked and satisfied.
#thetwolilabennetts #lizfenton #lisasteinke #bookstagram #bookreview #5star #lallahbookreview
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.
Another page turner from this Duo. This book is completely different from anything I’ve read. While I don’t think this book will be for everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed the originality. Fast paced story that alternates between two scenarios. Once I figured out what was happening, I couldn’t put it down.
Lila Bennett is a criminal defense lawyer, making quite the name for herself…not necessarily in all good ways. She is doing what she wants, not worrying about anyone else, making many bad choices. Until her life becomes split in two. She must atone for her sins. In one scenario, she is kidnapped and kept in a concrete cell. Her kidnapper knows everything she’s one, but he’s a stranger to her. Or is he? The other scene, she is escapes being kidnapped but is hunted and must face her sins one at a time. Lila makes quite the transformation, but is it too late for her? Life as she knew it is over, but what is worth saving? Lila needs to decide, come clean with those she hurt but at what cost.
Lila, although not lovable, is somewhat likable even with all her faults…and boy does she have them. The cast of characters are a mixture of good and evil. The chapters move fluidly between captured and free…as the stories move forward, overlapping with little nuances which make you think. I didn’t want it to end when it did!
I received an ARC of this book. Opinion is mine alone.
Holy cow what a book!! I stayed up past midnight last night to finish and I regret NOTHING! This book grabs you from the beginning and won’t let go! Lila Bennett is not a nice person. She is a defense lawyer and she uses anyone and everyone she can. Her life breaks into 2 pieces, one where she is kidnapped and one where she escapes the kidnapper. As she is trying to figure out who the kidnapper is, we the reader are taken on a journey of Lila’s life. Can Lila figure out which of the many people she has wronged has kidnapped her before it is too late? Ultimately this is a story of choices and consequences and I absolutely loved it! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
Definitely a 5 star read! This has everything a psychological suspense needs, to be great; drama, deceit, revenge, frightening, and you don’t have any idea who the perpetrator of this diabolical scenario is.
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke are known for strong characters and they did it again here. Most are difficult to like, as is Lila Bennett, a vicious, successful defense lawyer, who “takes no prisoners”. As her personal and professional life come to a crossroad, something needs to change in order for her to save herself. Hence she is thrust in alternative situations. In one she is the victim of a kidnapping, her kidnapper vowing to force her to make amends for everyone she has hurt. And the other, is an unknown and is intent on destroying her.
Lila recognizes the terrible person she has become, as she seeks to change, but will she survive to apologize to her husband, her friends and clients.
My thanks to #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley the the authors for the Arc in return for my personal review. I loved this intense, suspenseful novel!
Fast moving read that will keep you on your toes. I loved the Sliding Doors aspect. Lila has made some selfish and bad choices in life. What happens when she has to face the consequences for all those choices. The authors put together another great read with a twist to expose Lila. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for them ARC
Liz and Lisa have another winner with The Two Lila Bennetts. They have mastered the genre they moved into and Lila will keep you wanting more – just like their first thriller novel The Good Widow did.
Word of advise: make sure you have your calendar cleared, because The Two Lila Bennetts will keep you engulfed in the dual story (think sliding doors) long after the last word is read. Liz and Lisa will keep you guessing until the very end.
I cannot wait until more of my friends get their hands on this so I can talk to someone about this!!!!
Liz Fenton Lisa Steinke
Liz & Lisa have done it again. The Two Lila Bennetts is a deliciously dark tale of regret and retribution, of new beginnings and the road not taken. Sharp, clever, and insidious, this one shines all the way to the pitch-perfect ending.
A great book like you would expect from Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke- this one will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Lila Bennett is a successful criminal defense attorney- but she didn’t get that way by always making the best decisions- and now one decision has split her in two. In these two lives, she is being held by a captor in a concrete room. In the other, she is being hunted by someone who is determined to bring all her bad decisions to light. To escape, Lila must come to grips with her wrong decisions and begin to make amends. A thrilling ride all the way to the end!
What happens when your choices and decisions have real consequences? How do you view a person who does some bad things? Are they a bad person? Lots of things to consider as you delve into The Two Lila Bennetts. The two authors do a great job of giving you things to think about and handling the dual-timeline until things blend at the end. This was a wonderful thriller that holds you captive until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
THE TWO LILA BENNETTS by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke begins with one of the most intriguing premises that I’ve encountered in a novel and ends with two jaw-dropping conclusions. In Lila Bennett, Fenton and Steinke have created a complicated character whose life splinters into two very different directions the moment she makes a life-altering choice. Toggling back and forth, between each of Lila’s fates, Fenton and Steinke masterfully blend both threads together, propelling the stories forward with hand-wringing tension. Clever, unpredictable and obsessively unputdownable – THE TWO LILA BENNETTS is psychological suspense at its finest.
A sliding-doors tale, wonderfully written, excellent plotting. Makes you think about all the tiny choices you make and all the opportunities/tragedies you may have missed or escaped. Great book co-written by two fabulous writers. Perfect escapism.
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.
It was a riveting listen on Audible but there were two problems. One is that I already know this story because I watched Sliding Doors a gazillion times and this book stole so shamelessly from that movie that I just could not…
I mean, even down to the way it ended. Please, disguise it a LITTLE.
Second, I figured out who was holding Lila captive far too early by employing my age old trick. It’s a question I ask myself as I’m reading/listening and about 85% of the time it unearths the “bad guy”.
Stop reading now if you don’t want to know how I do it, as it is minorly spoilerish in general terms….
Still here? Okay, I ask myself who in this story, if they are not the bad guy, serves no purpose in advancing this story and may even be superfluous? This led me far too early to exactly who but the why was still really interesting.
Bottom line, if you’ve never seen Sliding Doors then go for it, you’ll love it, if you have you’ll be bugged.