Book Sojourner: Novella Review: Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

(Hearts in Darkness Duet #1)

April 20, 2011

112 pages

Genre: Adult Romance 18+

Contain: explicit sex, language

Source: Personal purchase

Two strangers…

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stranded in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call, the pin-striped accountant catches only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights go out.

Four hours…

Caden Grayson is amused when a harried redhead dashes into his elevator fumbling her bags and cell phone. 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.

One pitch-black elevator…

To fight fear, they must 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?

For such a short little book, this baby packed it in. Two strangers trapped in an elevator in the dark. Could be the makings of a horror movie. Could be the makings of endless hours of awkward silence. Or could be the makings of love at first ~~sight~~ sound. And this little beauty delivered a steamy, yet heartfelt, romance.

Makenna and Caden drew me in right from the start. The concept of getting to know someone without having fully seen them was really well done. I loved how Makenna and Caden connected. Loved how there was this almost simultaneous slow progression of getting to know each other combined with the intense chemistry and heated building up between them. And heat there was! These two not only instantly bonded in a friendship, but also scorched the pages with their newfound intimacy.

Honestly, it's a bit ridiculous to buy into two strangers essentially falling in love (and lust and love) in a few hours. But when a story is well-written, and characters are well-fleshed out, it's easy to connect and believe. And I came to believe in Makenna and Caden's new relationship. I got to know them, felt their connection, sizzled with their heat, and couldn't help but to root for them. I'm super excited to see where their relationship goes next!