This study guide was created using the following version of this book: Hoover, Colleen. “Layla.” Montlake. 2020.

Layla tells the story of Leeds and Layla, a young couple, who meet on the night of Layla’s sister’s wedding. Leeds performs in a band and ends up hooking up with Layla after the wedding. They connect and realize that there is more to their relationship than they originally expected.

When Sable, one of Leeds ex-girlfriends, learns of Leeds new relationship, she finds herself in a jealous rage that ends in violence. Leeds makes a full recovery and takes care of Layla while she recuperates from a gunshot to the head. Layla is different, but Leeds loves her. He remains committed to their relationship.

Leeds rents the bed and breakfast where he first met Layla and takes Layla there to continue her recovery. Eventually, Leeds proposes marriage. The bed and breakfast has been abandoned and is now for sale. Leeds considers buying the bed and breakfast for an investment, but he does not tell Layla his plans.

Layla is agitated in the bed and breakfast, but does not understand why. Leeds notices the shift in Layla’s behavior, but Leeds also begins to notice other strange things in the place. Leeds hears noises, a fire is mysteriously lit. At first, Leeds wonders if it is a continuation of Layla’s different behavior, but he soon begins to question whether or not something supernatural is happening.

Leeds investigates online and leaves questions anonymously on message boards about hauntings. When it is suggested that Leeds tries to communicate with the spirit in the house, Leeds is reluctant, but relents. The ghost in the house identifies herself as Willow and communicates with Leeds through the piano, typing on Leeds’ laptop, and eventually through possessing Laya’s body.

Leeds is unsettled by what is happening to him and Layla. Willow begins to occupy Layla’s body more and more, leading to a burgeoning relationship with Leeds and Willow. While Leeds is unsettled at the prospect of falling for a ghost, he cannot stop thinking about Willow and the connection between them.

Through the ghost forum, Leeds is put in contact with Richard, a man who arrives to talk about what to do with Willow. Soon Leeds uncovers that Willow and Layla have some shared memories, and Leeds believes that Willow is actually the ghost of Sable, whom Leeds killed when Sable shot Leeds and Layla.

Leeds does not understand his attraction to Willow and is horrified that he may feel that connection with the spirit of the person that tried to kill him and Layla. Richard puts it together that Willow is not actually Sable, but rather Layla’s ghost. When Layla and Sable were shot, both of their souls left their bodies. When Layla was brought back to life, Sable’s soul entered Layla’s body first.

Willow and Leeds concoct a plan to switch Layla and Sable’s souls, but they risk Layla dying and losing each other to do so. Leeds is able to get Layla resuscitated in time for Layla’s soul to reenter her body and send Sable away, allowing Leeds and Layla to have their happy ending.