Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Book Review: Deconstructing Lila by Shannon Leigh

Title: Deconstructing Lila (Elementals, #1)
Author: Shannon Leigh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 350 pages
Release Date: September 2014
Print ISBN: 978-1-62266-389-7
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-390-3
Imprint: Select Contemporary

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Preservationist Lila Gentry returns to her small Texas hometown to restore the famous Chisholm Trial whorehouse where her great-great grandmother was a madam in the 1880s. On her agenda is winning back Jake, the one that got away. But how do you rope a man who doesn’t want to be wrangled?
Jake lives by one creed: Keep it simple. His ex showing up in town, and rehashing old feelings complicates his life and makes him think about things he’D rather forget.
When Lila’s restoration project is threatened before it even begins, she turns to Jake for help. Working together stirs up old feelings but while Lila and Jake always sizzle between the sheets – or wherever the moment takes them – it will involve some sweet-talking and finesse to bring these two together.
MY REVIEW: Years after she left home to start over, Lila heads back to her hometown to win back the only man she's ever loved: her Highschool sweetheart and husband. With a mystery to solve and a man to win, Lila embarks on her two biggest projects ever: renovate her great-grandmother's former whorehouse, restoring her family's legacy and get her husband to fall back in love with her. 
Jake was doing just fine without Lila in his life... Or so he thought up until the minute she waltzed back into his life looking better than ever. He pushed her away to give her a better life and continued going through the motions of his own without ever living. Now he's been giving a second chance and he'd be a fool to waste it.
Deconstructing Lila is well-written, audience capturing, and amazing. I loved the fact that this book was not just about winning over a man. Sure, there was a lot of that, but I also loved the mystery and the family history of Lila and the infamous whorehouse once ran by a great grandparent of hers.
The relationship between the characters reminded me a lot of Sweet Home Alabama, one of my favorite movies, so I was caught up in their separation and her coming home to fight for him, hoping that things would work out. Both characters are very likable although sometimes I really did want to smack some sense into Jake. Lila is successful, beautiful and talented. She's also brave, witty, and determined. I really admired her strength and her bravery to go back home and fix the past. As for Jake I admired his fight and his strength. I could understand why he pushed Lila away beforehand but I felt sorry for him that he never allowed himself to fully live and appreciate life in all their years apart. Together I thought they balanced each other and made a perfect couple. 
Shannon Leigh spins a tale of courage and bravery, love, second chances and new beginnings. Deconstructing Lila is one book you do not want to miss out on! 
4.5 STARS!


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