Hearts in Darkness

I think I just thought there were too many cliches thrown in one story.

4.5 stars

My thoughts upon reread. This was a reread for me. I wanted to finally read the final book in this duology but I needed to refresh my memory on what happened in this book. You can read my original thoughts I wrote the first time I read this book down below. I pretty much feel the exact same way after reading it for the second time although because it was a reread I wasn't sucked in as much as I was the first time. I left the rating the same because I did still really enjoy it. 

4.5 stars

I loved the premise of this book. Caden and Makenna get stuck in an elevator in the dark hence the title. It's hard to know how much time goes by but I'm pretty sure this book takes place only over several hours. Before getting in the elevator neither one of them had really gotten a good look at the other one. All Caden knows is that Makenna has red hair and all Makenna noticed was a tattoo on Caden's hand. With nothing else to do they start talking and get to know each other. It's definitely insta-love which doesn't bother me but I know not everyone enjoys that trope. Although I think I would say it's more insta-lust. It was a very quick and steamy read but it also deals with past traumas and the characters insecurities. I definitely want to read the second book in this duology because I want to know what happens with these characters now that they are out of the elevator.

I went into this one with a ton of hype. Finding love in a stuck elevator... in the dark. I was totally ready to fall in love. Did I? For the most part.
This book is on the shorter side, but honestly, the story is great, the characters were easy to like and I could feel the chemistry between them. This one also made me laugh.
Cute, short, and great to read if you're in between other books. Give this one a try!

This a sweet sexy read. Perfect for the morning commute and it got me to work with a smile on my face. Sadly when I got there my elevator ride wasn't even remotely as eventful but alas one can dream. Plus wouldn't want to be trapped for even five seconds with any of my fellow riders. Seriously I was surprised at how much information about the characters [a:Laura Kaye 4805272 Laura Kaye https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1412350405p2/4805272.jpg] poured in to such a short read without any of it sounding like an info-dump and making the conversation (s) between the MCs seem believable and plausible and oh so tender. I was really happy that Makenna was a strong, smart and assertive woman who was also warm & giving, those things are not mutually exclusive though some authors seem to think so. It was also great that the reasonable moments of doubt (they've just met) are smoothed or talked over fairly quickly, and that in spite of his outer appearance the broken, delicate and soft one is Caden. I'll now make sure to carry food supplies when I get into an elevator just in case I need to share with some sexy stranger. Overall very nice. ;-)

Loved this!

I love books that put characters in situations where they are forced to deal with their issues and its even better if an unlikely romance ensues. I felt like the characters were fleshed out well and it was well written to boot. This one is a keeper!

When I first saw this guy on Cyn Mistress Kitty's profile, he immediately made an impression. And as I began to read “Hearts in Darkness”, I knew in an instant who my Caden was:




My Makenna:



I'll admit, I was initially drawn to the premise of this story. Two strangers trapped in a dark elevator together? Sounds delicious. And let's not forget that the guy on the cover is pretty delicious, too. But I soon discovered this story is so much more than a quick, illicit tryst in an elevator.

Rarely do I feel such a deep connection between two characters who've only known each other as short a time as Caden and Lacey, but the author really made it realistic and believable. “Hearts of Darkness” packs an unexpected punch, both emotionally and in terms of steam factor.

Caden has a deep set fear of dark, confined spaces, and the more I learned of his tragic story, the more my heart broke for him. My favorite kind of story is one where the characters come alive on the page, and the best way to accomplish that (for me, at least), is to tug at the heart strings and emotions. I truly felt Caden's pain.

I was so happy that Lacey felt it too, and that she felt compelled to reach out to this stranger, this man she'd never even laid eyes on. In the darkness of the elevator, time seemed to stand still as this pair shared something raw and genuine. By the time the lights kicked back on and they had to return to the “real” world and go back to being strangers, I was rooting for this couple to find their HEA.

“Peace was not an emotion with which he was much familiar, but with Makenna, he had it. And he didn't know how he'd ever give it up.”


And it was utter bliss when they did.