This book sounded so good and i was so looking forward to reading it. However although it started well i got confused very quickly. The author put i think maybe too much into this book! Such a shame as it started so well! Maybe the book wasn't for me.

I really gave this one a shot but ultimately it wasn't for me. I tried to but just wasn't feeling it.

Ultimately, I could not finish this novel -- the writing style felt confused, strange, and at times, immature. I rarely DNF books but this style left me scratching my head and not in a way that made me intrigued for what came next. The plot summary sounded interesting but I'm quite let down by the result. I ultimately don't believe in "pushing" through titles only to berate them later, as I read for pleasure. While I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, it just was not for me.

Unfortunately I didn't now finish this one. I didn't like the storyline or the writing style as I was hoping.

I'm afraid to say this book just wasn't for me. I never really got into it and forced my way through it.

I thought the premise of this book was interesting (a women finds 12 jurors staring at her but realizes she has no memories of how she came to be trying a case in court, or anything before that moment for that matter). However, the plot felt like it was being pulled in a dozen different directions, none of which seemed to logically lead to the big reveal around 95% of the way in. This book was hard for me to read - I had to force myself to pick it up and keep reading. There was a lot happening in terms of the plot, but also it somehow felt extremely slow. Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me.

***ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I can not get into this book , the woman's voice in my head is really bothering me and I am finding it very confusing and having a hard time getting into this . Just seems off and not a book for me , I am so sorry that I could not get into this, I don't DNF books very often like maybe 3 to 5 times a year and I read alot of books .

I am sorry, but thank you so much for gifting me this ARC, I wish it tons of success .

Respectfully Another Read by Angie

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of The Trials of Lila Dalton by L.J. Shepherd. After I finished this book I wished I had loved it more. It all came together, but it was a tough road to get there. The writing was confusing and I wish there had been hints about what was happening earlier so I didn’t feel so lost as I was reading. While I loved the premise of this book, it just wasn’t for me.

The Trials of Lila Dalton – L.J Shepherd
All of a sudden, Lila is standing in a court room, with no idea how she got to be there. She has no memory of who she is, why she is there, and what’s going on. As she looks around her, she puts together that the man on trial has been accused of a mass murder, and she is in fact his lawyer.
As Lila continues to carry on with no memory, she discovers she has a daughter, and she is possibly being held hostage until Lila gets the mass murderer acquitted. She receives notes and phone calls, all leaving her on edge.
As well as having no memory, trying to get a murderer acquitted, find her daughter she can’t remember, she also deals with the issue of being trapped on a small British island with no way to access the world outside this island to find answers.
Can Lila pull this off and get her memory and her life back?
The premise of this book had me excited and I couldn’t wait to dive right in. Unfortunately, for me it fell flat. I found the book to be slow and lacking action. Mostly likely intended to be a slow burn, but it fell so flat for me, that I honestly can’t remember how the ending played out. However, some credit is due because this book really did have potential, and hopefully any books that come in the future will have just a bit more umph! Everyone has to start somewhere! In the end, sadly I opted for 2 stars. I just needed something more.

This book was pretty good, it sucked me in right away and I could wait to get to the end to figure it out. It was well written, but slightly confusing especially at the end. The ending was definitely not where I thought this was going, but still very good!!

A brilliant story for fans of compicat3d, suspenseful legal thrillers. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend xx

Thrilling and addictive. I devoured this book and highly recommend it to my fellow book worms. This is a entertaining and well written book that will stay with the reader for a long time.

This books starts off very intriguing! I was hooked for sure! It has a nice pace. There is a lot of legal jargon that I wish there was a glossary for, but besides that I really enjoyed this book. it took an unexpected term which I quite enjoyed, but I can see where others may not. Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC

This book had so much potential but ended up being very confusing, Excellent premise but the story behind it was very confusing to say the least.

L.J. Shepherd's debut novel, "The Trials of Lila Dalton," is a unique legal thriller with a twist. The story opens with Lila Dalton awakening in a courtroom with no memory of how she got there or why she's defending a man accused of mass murder. Set on an isolated island where the most serious crimes are tried, Lila must navigate this high-stakes case while grappling with her fragmented memory.

The premise is quite compelling, and Shepherd brings authenticity to the courtroom scenes, language/jargon, and legal nuances. The world-building of Assumption Island adds a unique dimension to the story, almost making the island a character in its own right.

However, I found the book is not without its flaws. While the legal details are immersive, they can occasionally become overwhelming, especially for readers unfamiliar with the jargon. Character development feels somewhat slight, with secondary characters coming across as stereotypical. The plot, initially tight and suspenseful, beginan to feel overly complex as new twists were introduced, leaving some threads unresolved by the end.

Nevertheless, "The Trials of Lila Dalton" was an engaging read. Its blend of legal drama and psychological thriller, combined with a unique setting and a high-stakes plot, makes it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre and legal aspects. Overall, I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Im still confused as to what I read. It was both confusing and entertaining at the same time. But definitely not for everyone.

I really couldn’t even tell you what I just read but it was entertaining enough that I had to see it through the end. This book won’t be for everyone but if you do decide to read it , enjoy the ride

There were too many things happening in this story for me to keep up. I was confused from the beginning until the end and not in a "whodunnit" sort of way. The main character was confusing, her confidents were confusing, her foes were confusing. I still am not really sure what I just read.

I'm on the fence with this one. I think the book had legs, but for me it wasn't what I was hoping for. I like thriller/mysteries but I'm not sure this one was my cup of tea. I thank netgalley for giving me the arc for my review. And I look forward to trying other L.J Shepherd books.

What I Didn’t Like:
-This book touts itself as a locked room mystery. The fun of those is always in the idea that you have a small contained group of suspects. In this case you have an entire island, most of whom you aren’t familiar with through the story. That gives it an odd vibe.
-There’s a lot going on in this one that just defies logic and confuses the reader. I’m not sure I’m satisfied with the explanations either.
-The big reveal was clunky and awkward.

What I Did Like:
+Compelling opening chapters. This is one of those books that captures your curiosity quickly. Just the opening chapter was enough to get me hooked.
+There are a LOT of complicated layers to this story but it’s somehow not overwhelming. You peel back those layers slowly and get completely buried in the story.
+The ending has the capability to shock even seasoned readers.

Who Should Read This One:
-This is designed for readers who like puzzles that are more than they appear, are deep thinkers, and like an interesting ending.

My Rating: 3 Stars
Well done but definitely niche. If you’re not a deep puzzle fan, you may not love this one.