Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye is a novella I read last summer (2011) but it stuck with me, so I just re-read it and loved it just as much again. Girls, if you love you man inked, this guy has it! We all know that elevators seem to electrically charge a situation, and this elevator ride was certainly charged!
Makenna is an accountant. She is having a bad day, juggling too much stuff and trying to make it to the elevator to get home while answering a call at the same time. As she trips into the elevator, dropping her phone, she quickly glimpses a big, tattooed hand belonging to a tall man holding the door. Caden is tattooed, scarred, shaved almost bald & pierced. He sees her stumble in, muttering to herself, her red hair covers her face but he feels an instant pull to her, or maybe he just finds her humorous. Then…..the lights go out, it’s pitch black and the elevator stops.
Caden is a paramedic, but is claustrophobic, and begins to have a panic attack. Makenna calms him down, and while waiting the 4-5 hours to be rescued, these two form an amazing connection that is emotional, touching and filled with sizzling chemistry; despite (or because of) the fact that these two barely had a chance to even glimpse at each other before being plunged into total darkness.
Caden was all gruff, scary bad boy on the outside, but a sweet, warm, considerate teddy bear inside. Makenna was funny, compassionate, and understanding. They were both filled with insecurities that you would never think either has by looking at the outside. The relationship that developed over those hours was intense because the darkness allowed them to speak freely without preconceived notions and insecurities regarding appearance, nor external distractions taking away from the conversation.
This book is 112 pages that you will gobble up in one sitting. The attraction is huge and you will find yourself smiling throughout. The story is told in alternating POVs which I really enjoyed. In fact, the author backtracked a bit on each POV switch so we can see both sides of the same scene.
The only dislike I had was it was too short!!! I would love to read a sequel and find out how this great couple fared. I will certainly pick up more by this author.
Rating: 5 stars for story, 4 for heat
With the amount of books I read, many of them jumble together, especially because I tend to look for ones with similar themes (alpha men, BDSM, bad-boy etc). After one year, this one still stood out perfectly and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. This, in fact, is one I will read again. It was an interesting and touching take on “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. I highly recommend this book for a unique, quick read.
Purchase Hearts In Darkness at
Amazon | BN.com
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shatony says
That is so true …I had the pleasure of finding one of laura’s books the vampires consort…and decided to see what else she had, I saw hearts in darkness..and I right away followed her on twitter became her friend where I’m asking her for more..no matter how much I read hearts in darkness ..I never get bored…this is really a great book to read …very much so it deserves 5 stars for sure for its truly a great read…:-)
Suzanne D. says
Read and loved this book. Very interesting twist on getting to know and falling for someone you can’t see.