Hearts in Darkness (Hearts in Darkness Duet Book 1)

I'm a huge fan of Laura Kaye's writing and I've heard amazing things about Hearts in Darkness so I'd actually bought a copy of this book a couple of years ago but for some reason I'd never got around to reading it. I'm not even sure why I put it off for so long because I was expecting to enjoy it but I think I kind of liked knowing I had a fab book tucked away ready for a rainy day when I might need it. Then I found out that Laura is releasing a sequel in the new year so I decided it was about time to dive in and now I'm kicking myself for not getting to it sooner because I absolutely loved this story. Considering the majority of the book is about two strangers trapped in a pitch black elevator together waiting for the power to come back on I'm kind of surprised by how fabulous it was!Makenna was digging for her phone while rushing to catch the elevator so she wasn't paying attention to the person who held the door open for her and all she saw of Caden before the lights went out was a tattooed hand. Caden just saw a mountain of shopping bags and a flash of gorgeous red hair before everything went dark and his claustrophobia sent him into a panic. It's only the sound of Makenna's voice that helps him push back his fear so he urges her to keep talking and help take his mind of things. The longer they are trapped together in the dark the more they realise how much they're enjoying each other's company but will the magic persist after the lights come back on and they get to see each other for the first time?Hearts in Darkness sucked me in from the first page, I fell in love with both of the characters and I really enjoyed spending time watching them get to know each other. Caden is the kind of guy who looks tough, and possibly a little scary, at first glance with his shaved head, tattoos and multiple piercings but he's actually incredibly sweet and has a heart of gold. He's the kind of guy I'd be happy to get stuck in an elevator with that's for sure! Makenna looks a lot more conservative but is actually really friendly, outgoing and a little bit of a tomboy. They aren't the first couple you'd put together based on looks but in terms of personality and their outlook on life they fit really well.I love that while they're so different on the surface they actually have a lot in common and you could really feel the emotional connection between them. I guess I just liked the whole idea of getting to know someone without looks playing a part in the equation and I thought Laura Kaye did a fantastic job of building up the heat between them even when they both had no idea what the other one looked like. I'm really excited that these characters are going to get a sequel too, I loved the romance and we did see a little of them after they got out of the elevator but I definitely want more and I'm looking forward to seeing them as a couple in a normal situation. Love in the Light is right at the top of my January wish list and I know for sure I'll be rereading Hearts in Darkness while I wait for it to release.

Hearts in Darkness tells the story of Makenna and Caden who get stuck in a lift. They only catch the briefest glimpse of each other before they are plunged into darkness. With nothing else to do they play 20 questions to find out about each other. Due to the darkness they have no preconceptions of looks to base their opinions on and they discover the more they find out about each other the more they like. But what will happen when the lights come back on and they can see what the other looks like.This is a wonderful short story and really well written by Laura Kaye. I loved that we didn't know what the characters looked like either until a piece of information was revealed and then it was only small hints. Would I change my opinion of them once the lights came on? It was so exciting seeing how the story would end. It is pretty hot what they get up to in the lift as well.I would have given this book 5 stars but two things stopped me. One was I wanted the book to be longer and two was the last part of the book. Whilst it was still good it was not as good as the first part. This is an enjoyable quick read and I highly recommend it. I am going to give Hearts in Darkness 4 stars.

When I first read the premise for this book, I was immediately hooked. Everything is just MORE in the dark - senses are heightened, intimacy is greater and inhibitions are thrown to the wind, after all it's easier to talk, to touch, to feel when the other person can't see you. Things like body language and a person's looks are irrelevant when all you know about them is their voice.Hearts in Darkness tells the story of two strangers who meet in a lift (or elevator if you're American) that suddenly loses power and all the lights go out. They've barely had a glimpse of each other before they're baring their souls in order to keep each other calm and distracted from the situation. And yes, it gets a little hot under the collar in there and in some ways, that's where I had to suspend a little disbelief at just how quickly this happened but then again, it's a short novel of about 100 pages and a quick read. You just have to trust in their chemistry and man, is it electric. I really did enjoy the connection between Makenna and Caden and I particularly enjoyed learning about the characters and the way they see themselves in contrast to the way they are seen in each other's eyes. I thought Laura did a fantastic job of putting the reader right there in the lift with them and I would not have minded in the least if this had been a longer book.This is the first book I've read from Laura Kaye and let me tell you something, it will certainly not be the last. I'm definitely impressed. Also, where can I find me a Caden?