Withering Hope by Layla Hagen

February 4, 2015 Kristi Cover Reveal, Reviews 0 ★★★★

Withering Hope

Layla Hagen

Published on January 24, 2015

Genres: Contemporary, Romance
four-stars

Withering Hope

As an avid reader, there are times when I get in a book funk. I can’t seem to get into any stories I read. This usually depends on my mood, or that I’m tired of reading the same old story, just with different characters. If you’re in a funk, tired of reading the same story, you need to one-click Withering Hope.

Withering Hope is refreshing as it is different. Yes, it’s a contemporary romance. Yes, there isn’t much of a twist. Yes, there is a HEA, however it is bittersweet. But Layla took the classic love tale and told it in a unique and revitalizing way.

Aimee is on her way to Brazil to marry her lover and best friend, Chris. Friends since they were infants, inseparable throughout the childhood, college sweethearts-a devoted couple who are about to begin their next chapter in life together. While Aimee sets out to Brazil to prepare for the wedding, her plans soon change when an emergency landing leaves her, and the pilot, Tristan, stranded in the Amazon rain forest.

Survival is of the upmost importance. Staying safe and alive seems impossible when the surrounding land is filled with enemies masked as animals and poison. Hardly any supplies, Tristan and Aimee soon begin to explore more than their new surroundings, and in the end, figure out what is important in life.

Through trying weeks, Aimee realizes what her heart needs while Tristan is able to make peace with a horrific past. Two different paths merge when discoveries are found within each other.

I love that there wasn’t an insta-connection between these two extraordinary characters. I love that the setting in this story gives the reader a refreshing break from the monotonous story lines being written today. I loved that I held my breathe for pages as I read the lines, desperate and hopeful these two kindred souls find peace.

I struggle with my feelings about the ending of this story. While the build up of the plot was agonizingly amazing (in the best kind of way), I wanted just a bit more closure in the end. I wanted a deeper look into what happens down the line. The epilogue was heart wrenching, and I’m still not positive if I love it or hate it. I bawled. I cried so hard that my husband thought something truly devastating happened. The last few paragraphs in this story were truly bittersweet.

Layla Hagen is proving to be an author that consistently writes beautiful love stories.