Review: Lila's Choice by Laura Brown

LILA'S CHOICE

Laura Brown

Blurb:

Never let your friends get involved in your personal life.

Lila and Nate learn this the hard way. They are the star-crossed lovers of Glendale High. For three years the students have waited for the two to get together. They begged Nate to put his past relationship behind him, and cringed when Lila started dating Bryce. Just your typical teenage romance, except they’re the teachers.

Lila, a guidance counselor with a sweet demeanor, has an answer for every problem, every problem but her own. A visit from childhood friend Bryce thrusts her calm world into turmoil, as emotions buried deep inside are dragged to the surface. He soon realizes what only a friend can notice and a lover regret, that Lila, unbeknownst to herself, is in love with Nate. 

Nate has seen better days. He is a history teacher stuck living in the past. Depression has kept his love for Lila unspoken, his ego frail after being cheated on.

Now Lila and Nate’s coworkers must unleash a scheme and uncover Lila’s true feelings. In a school this nosey what better way to get fast results than to involve the student population? The students are all too eager to get involved. 

If everything goes as planned Lila will have to choose between two men. If her friends fail they might destroy these three and ruin their friendship. No wonder the scheme is called Project Torture.

The Review

I found this book through another blog, Indie Review Center, and was intrigued by the book video that was made for it...

So as I started this video, my mind kept wandering back to the video as the characters came into play.  I think I picture them slightly differently but I suppose that is what makes us 'like' different book or people. We all view book people differently. I'll post my dream cast...

Bryce (only without the facial hair)

Lila

Nate (maybe a bit longer hair)

Okay, now having done that. This is a debut novel by Laura Brown. It was a very sweet read. Now, I love my raunchy Christian Grey and Gideon Cross (-Has anyone ever noticed that their initials are switched?  CG and GC LOL kind of funny LOL) kind of reads, but occasionally reading a book that is not so detailed or even explained at all is nice to break up the heat.

This is a YA Contemporary Romance. There are implications of sex, but no actual scenes. The story is about Lila having to come to terms with her true feelings even when everyone else sees it she doesn't.  

Nate has loved her for 3 years but because he's dealing with his own turmoil, he never makes a move on it. Longing and misery lead Nate into a dark stage, into a depression. You really feel for him. I liked him the minute he entered, even if he was a grumpy gloomy guss.

Now Bryce, I'm torn on him. At first I didn't like him because I really like Nate. Here Bryce is getting Lila and Nate's breaking down...

"It is. I will spend my thirtieth birthday watching the love of my life fall for some other man." ~Nate~

Okay so I understand that it isn't Bryce's fault that Nate wouldn't get off his ass and say something, but still.

Bryce and Lila have been friends since they were 5 years old. Only things have changed between them. They start to see them for the better part of 20 years. Bryce is a good guy and I did have sympathy for him in the book just wanted Nate and Lila together not him and her. LOL!

So with meddling friends (and students) how does the story pan out? With a shit ton of backfire. I really can't say much more beyond that or it will give too much away. If you are looking for a light read, full of love and turmoil. Then you should pick up this book. Nicely done for a debut novel. I wish the author all the best in her future books. I will definitely be looking for more from her.

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