REVIEW: Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Hearts in Darkness

Author: Laura Kaye

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Format: E-Book

Series: Standalone Novella

Page Count: 112

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult

Release Date: April 20, 2011

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; 

and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

~William Shakespeare

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

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My Thoughts 

My first thought as I began reading Hearts in Darkness was, "Dang. If I ever publish anything I write, I hope my writing is like this."  I tend to use too many words (mostly adverbs and adjectives) while I write, and Laura seems to write descriptively without saying too much.  That is a writing talent that is hard won amongst authors, in my honest, probably insufficient opinion.  That being said, the story started off sweet; we're immediately introduced to Makenna, who I will forever think of as Red, jsyk.  We learn about our main characters as they learn about each other, under unconventional circumstances that make for a GREAT freaking story.  I always enjoy this narrative tactic in a book because when a story is told this way, I usually feel a closer connection with the character(s), which proved true with HiD. 

As the story unfolded, I couldn't help but think, "what if I were in a similar situation (and unmarried, hahaha)?" One, I do not think I would not have the guts to entertain a situation so daring.  I would probably be more terrified than anything, clam up, and keep to myself.  I imagine that I wouldn't even be able to fall asleep, for fear of who this stranger could be, since I wouldn't have seen more than his arm before the situation actually became a situation.

The situation continues and I was dragged deeper into each characters lives and feelings.  The story alternates through perspectives, so we get a chance to walk through Makenna and Caden's minds. I am a HUGE fan of alternative perspectives, although usually I anticipate one characters POV than another's.  Not the case with HiD. This story gets hot. It teases you in so many ways.  When Laura titled this book, Hearts in Darkness, I had no idea how literal the darkness part was going to be.  I was thinking darkness in the sense of evil or night.  This blind (haha no pun intended) assumption on my part only added to the book for me.  Because the characters were thrust in darkness, I loved how reliant they became on there other senses.  They used their hearing, their sense of smell, touch (and even thoughts about touch) to build their connection and trust.  They weren't hindered by sight or motivated by shallow fantasies about the other based on appearances.  When I realized this, I had what I like to call an "Aha! Moment."  It was a great theory really and it works with these characters in this setting.

The passion that Laura allows to encompass her characters is amazing.  Sure, some of it must be part lust, but it goes beyond that.  Makenna and Caden have established trust between each other and since we are able to go through both of their minds, we know that, even though they don't realize it, they have the same intentions towards one another that goes beyond a one-night-stand.  That allows readers to establish trust with the characters that we won't be disappointed with the conclusion of the story, and I absolutely wasn't.

I'm rating Hearts in Darkness:

If you like romance and sarcasm, layered with sweetness, a fun plot and interesting characters then Hearts in Darkness is a book you should read.  It was great and fun and I really enjoyed the ups and downs it led me through.

Thank you for stopping by today!