Blog Tour Stop: Review + Giveaway: Lost in Us by Layla Hagen

Lost in Us (Lost #1)
Author: Layla Hagen
Release Date: February 17, 2014
Publisher: Layla Hagen
Source: Xpresso Book Tours and Layla Hagen
Review by: Nahomi

Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . . The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking. Electrifying. And best not repeated. James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other. James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her. Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

         The premise of this book is interesting, and primarily the reason I chose to read it in the first place. I enjoyed reading about the characters and their story but there were certain aspects of this book that were infuriating! 

The main character Serena and her love interest James are complicated. Serena comes off as a hard working student who doesn’t get out much. We learn that she has just broken up with her boyfriend of 6 years because he cheated on her. But it becomes a lot more complicated as the story unfolds and we see how broken she has become.

James, Serena's love interest, is a womanizer. At first glance, he seem to be "carefree, living la vida loca" so to speak, but James is broken too. To say he has issues is a bit of an understatement but he is sweet and pays attention to details. There are several times throughout the book in which I would swoon because of something he did or said. Sometimes he seemed too good to be true, although his “issues” made him more realistic. I will say that one thing I really like about him besides his good looks, is that he’s extremely persistent. The story takes place in several places throughout northern California so I really enjoyed all of the descriptions of the different places James and Serena went to on their outings.

Now James + Serena= DRAMA on a major scale! I know every book has conflict but this was the same conflict over and over and over again until I wanted to bang my head against the wall to make it stop. Serena was infuriating! She loves him but she can’t be with him because she’s afraid he’ll walk away and that he doesn't love her because he won’t say it. Although James demonstrated he does cares for her in other ways instead saying it. I also felt the excess of drama slowed down the pacing of the book a little which is never a good thing.

Aside from what I disliked most about the book, James and Serena had a lot of sweet moment as well as steamy sex scenes. There were times I literally had to fan myself because they were so steamy. There is a certain scene in a chocolate factory that man… well you’d have to read it to understated. The secondary characters were really interesting, especially Jess, Parker and Dani. I was so happy to learn that we get more of Jess and Parker in Found in Us. I hope we get to see more of Dani too!

Overall, it was a good read and I am looking forward to reading more about the rest of the characters in the upcoming novels.

You can follow the rest of the tour here.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author. I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Blog Tour hosted by: Xpresso Book Tours