“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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The style is unique, and it takes the reader a few changes to get used to the way this book is written.
My favorite L&L book yet! Totally original and gripping.
When I finished this book, my first thoughts were “What? Wow! Just wow! What did I just read?” And that ending! I’m still trying to process it. This is definitely a tale that gave me a book hangover and I can’t wait to read it again.
The amazing writing duo, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have created another fabulous page-turning story that will keep you on edge of your seat. And it will have you scratching your head at the ending as you try to process their entire brilliant creation.
This is a book that I can’t quit thinking about. It needs to go on your TBR list right now! What an awesome story Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Thanks for the amazing ride—I look forward to taking this trip again.
It was like reading about Lila who had a twin named Lila and had the same life.
Was confusing first, then things became clear.
It was weird how in one scenario Lila thought she said or did the same action in the other scenario.
Even in real life our actions have consequences, Lila found that out twice.
It was a good read, a lot of back information on characters, which is a good thing.
The ending was shocking!!! I guess you have to cut one life to live the other
I’ve enjoyed books by these two authors before but this one is nothing like those. This book was a huge WOW with lots of in between WOWS. I never expected this story. It is so well done that you won’t know what hit you. This was such a good book. From the very beginning to the explosive ending. Though I did figure out who was the bad person I still was surprised to actually read it. How could he…
Lila Bennett has it all. She’s a powerful attorney with a powerful law firm. She’s at the top of her game in all things. She’s married to the love of her life and has a best friend who can’t be beat. But was that enough? She has a mother who loves her unconditionally and always has. So why does Lila Bennett feel spit? What about her life is lacking?
This book will keep you guessing until the very end. It will have you turning pages so fast you won’t know what hit you. It’s definitely one that will have you going through ups and downs. You will love to hate Lila Bennett but you will also truly love her and feel so sorry for her. What she goes through in her life will have you rooting for her yet what she does to others will make you think maybe she deserves some of it. One part made me truly catch my breathe hard.
I cried, laughed, cringed, held my breath, crossed my fingers. Yes for her to make it I actually crossed my fingers. LOL This is one very well written thriller. A psychological thriller you won’t soon forget. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book.
Well written, great characters, just the right amount of a tearjerker and the perfect ending to both Lila Bennett’s stories. I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you #NetGalley and #Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book.
A huge 5 stars and would be more if possible. I highly, highly recommend this book.
An intriguing, fast-paced read.
My BFF called me on release day and said you have to get this book immediately. So of course, I did and I promptly finished within 24 hours.
I enjoyed the chapters alternating between Free and Captured. I felt it added to the suspense of the train wreck of Lila’s life. I could imagine this being made into a movie. I think it would capture the attention of the audience right away.
If you are sensitive to coarse language (F word) then beware as it is present in this book. It does not feel excessive though. Don’t let that stop you from reading this intriguing book.
A perfect read for the last few summer weekends at the beach or lake.
I am a complete sucker for the nth not taken story. I loved the Sliding Doors and the Broadway musical If/Then with Idina Menzel, both variations on how life would have been different because of one simple choice. The Two Lila Bennetts explores this idea within the psychological thriller genre and it doesn’t disappoint. I definitely kept turning the pages to see where each of Lila’s storylines would go. Liza is flawed, complex and sometimes unlikeable, but I rooted for her, for both hers, the whole way through. A fast paced thrill ride to put in your beach bag.
The Two Lila Bennetts is actually the story of one woman. It’s the parallel universe concept, and I always think about the butterfly effect because it’s a similar theory. Lila, the main character, makes a choice, not a major decision, and is henceforth split in two(no, not literally). Theoretically, choice a takes her life in this direction, and choice b takes Lila in a totally different direction. The parallel realities are free and captured for reasons I will not explain. Lila’s character is sympathetic yet not completely likeable. She’s funny and engaging and offputting all at once. The story is fascinating because of the ever elusive what if scenarios. We’ve all thought about this concept at some point. If I went to a different college…..If I had stayed home…….If I’d never gotten married…..and on and on. I loved reading about the reality of one choice splitting in two directions. Can a single act really change the course of an entire life? I guess it doesn’t matter because how would we know? This story approaches those deep theoretical questions floating out there in the universe. It’s a ponderous engrossing and entertaining read that I definitely recommend.
The publisher’s summary of The Two Lila Bennett’s by Liz Fenton and Lisa Stenke made me want to read this book. I will try to not give too much away, since this is a page turner that will suck you in from the start.
Liz Fenton and Lisa Stenke have once again written an amazing book. I loved Girls Night Out and this book tops it. The story draws you in at the start and holds you to the end. The tension builds and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a psychological thriller that must be read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who this genre and is looking for a compelling read.
Thank you #Netgalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for approving my request. The opinions in this review are solely my own.
This writing pair does it again with a thriller that kept me up late reading and will stay with me for days.
I loved the way this book kept me guessing the whole time! It was full of suspense and mystery. I loved trying to figure out what was happening throughout the whole book! They’ve got another winner!
(4.5) This book here, hard to put down. A real page turner and so very unique. I’ve never read anything like this. The two different storylines for Lila Bennett are so clever and very well done. These two authors’ books just keeps getting better and better. The movie SLIDING DOORS was mentioned by the authors in their acknowledgments as well as by other reviewers. This is a movie that has been on my watch list for a long time and now that I’ve read this book, I feel that I need to watch the movie! This is most definitely a book to put on your summer reading list.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The two Lila Bennett’s is a great summer read. Lila Bennett is a top notch criminal defense lawyer for a well-known firm. She has cheated on her husband, betrayed her best friend, and did whatever to win the case. Told in a dual story format, the reader alternates from reading the Capture plot and the Free plot. Both plots allow Lila to look at her past life and answer for past wrongs. You will need to read and decide for yourself.
Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a twist turny edge of your seat book! It kept me guessing to the end. Another great book by these two authors! Just might be their best book yet!!
Wow, wow, wow!! This is the best psychological suspense book that I have ever read! This is their best book to date. I was absorbed into the pages. I had to keep turning the pages till the mind blowing ending! Lila Bennett has made some wrong choices and choices can determine our fate, or is fate just that, fate, predetermined outcomes. We all have to live with the choices we make, with the consequences of our actions. Lila is facing her demons and it may destroy her. This is told in two perspectives. Captured and Free. Each chapter alternates between the two. This works great! You have two different outcomes of her choices and you won’t believe it! Superbly written by two extremely talented authors. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will be left with your mouth hanging open. You will know her inside and out. The way this story is told is so creative. I absolutely loved this book! Jaw dropping ending! My favorite quote is this and it is so true: “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,” Think about that. Grab this book or you will regret that choice.
5 Stars
The Two Lila Bennett’s
Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
July 23, 2019
Lake Union Publishing
Another fantastic thriller from the dynamic duo of Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke! I read their last book Girls Night out and loved it and this book, The Two Lila Bennetts is FANTASTIC. I loved the “sliding doors” type of two lives, but have to say Liz and Lisa did it better! The twist and conclusion were just as I expected from these authors: Psychologically creeptastic! The characters are well done and a believable and at times a relatable read. We all have secrets, right? Dare I say it’s my favorite of this Duo thus far? I loved it and recommend it to anyone that loves a Fab psychological thriller with complex characters and more twists than Chubby Checker.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my early reader copy.
WOW! Kudos to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke , Authors of “The Two Lila Bennetts”, for writing such a captivating, enthralling, intense, riveting, suspenseful and chilling mystery. I was just going to check “The Two Lila Bennetts” out for just a moment, and was so engrossed I finished this in one sitting. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller. This is quite a thought-provoking story and has the feel of the movie “Sliding Doors” with actress Gwyneth Paltrow , or a Twilight Zone episode on TV, or even Alfred Hitchcock. This story can be interpreted in several ways. Is it two characters and two different universes, or one character split with mysterious purposes? In any event, I can promise you a shocking adventure while reading this book.
The author describes her dramatic cast of characters as complex and complicated. Lila Bennett is a Defense Attorney, who is aggressive and determined. Most of her clients could be guilty, but Lila has the reputation of being a winner. Lila has made poor choices in her life, and it looks like it is time for pay-back. There are a number of characters that want revenge on Lila. It looks like in this parallel universe, Lila’s life or lives will soon be over as she knows it. Who? What? How? Why? When?
I highly recommend this amazing novel for those readers who enjoy an intense, shocking and suspenseful story.