Hearts in Darkness

By: Laura Kaye

Narrated by: Erin Jones

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

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?

©2011, 2013 Laura Kaye (P)2013 Laura Kaye

So Sexy but Too Short

Too short but a very enjoyable ride. This is really more of a novella about a couple who meet in unusual circumstances and, as a result of being forced together, end of hitting it off very, very well. As a result, they take the relationship to the next level. They don’t waste any time. But when it works, it works. We really get only a peek at the start of their relationship; the rest has to be imagined. That’s part of what’s enjoyable about the book b/c life rarely wraps up so nicely like so many romance stories end. So it all seems quite plausible though quite uncommon. But it’s a dream many of us would love to come true. I also liked that the h and H are physically and emotionally flawed people yet still very appealing to one another. Both just seemed real, relatable, which added to the plausibility of the story. An added plus was the wittiness in the early dialogue between the H and h.
The ending, or parts of it, was the only aspect that took away from the story for me. Near the end, there was a bit of side-chair psychology that was supposed to be a wow moment; it didn’t work for me. Unlike the rest of the story, it seemed less plausible and didn’t fit; it seemed forced, like a way to point to the couple’s connection. But it came off as false, which then could’ve made the whole relationship seem shallow and only based on lust, with no substance. But I wanted to believe there was more there, so I let it slide. You have to listen to decide for yourself what you think of the rest of the ending…if you can call it that.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Short, but Oh So Sweet!!

I with this one was longer, or there were a second installment. Both main characters struggle with their self confidence, and the dark elevator they get stuck in allows them to see each other of who they really are. You can't help but fall for Caden and root for the relationship with Makenna. If you are looking for something short, this is a quick listen and very engaging. I recommend it for all romance fans. It is a good solid contemporary romance with good dialogue and character development.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Quick sweet & steamy listen

This was a sweet and steamy listen about two strangers meeting in an elevator.

Both characters were likable and believable.

Narrator was really good and kind of reminded me of Renée Raudman.

I'm be checking out more from Laura Kaye and the narrator, Erin Jones.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hearts in Darkness

Makenna and Caden meet under the most stressful of circumstances - a completely dark elevator with no power. They're stuck for several hours. They don't see one another before the power and lights go out. What I love about this story is that Makenna and Caden get a jump start on getting to know one another by talking before they ever see each other - even though they are sitting right beside of each other - so it's kind of like the beginning of their relationship is in reverse. The author is able to give them great personalities in just a short period of time and she makes me care about them, especially Caden and his fear of dark, cramped spaces.

I love Laura Kaye and enjoyed the premise of this story. I also liked that this story is novella-length - it was such an easy, fun, low-stress listen.

It’s okay

It wasn’t for me, the narrator was a much more mature women’s voice then i expected for the main character and I hard time listening to it. It didn’t match to me for her or him.

Enjoyable light read

This was a very different read, with no real tension built and no grand event, but somehow it still managed to be a really easy read that had me hooked. I loved that the main characters were smart, nice and actually know how to communicate with each other like normal people. Both were respectful and interesting- it was very refreshing not to have to listen to another book where there was drama over ridiculous things.
The story line was very staged and predictable, but who cares, it was a fun, light romance story which was a relaxing and enjoyable listen

Great short story!

I liked the fact that I could finish the book in half a day and there is a sequel!

Strangers in the dark . . .

Strangers in the dark bring an intimacy neither Caden or Mackenna would have imagined possible. This is a crazy good introduction into the makings of a beautiful romance between two unlikely people. Meeting in the dark of an elevator and learning more about each other in the dark than they would have in the light of day.

Narration was good but there could have been more emotion pushed into it.

Not sure, sorry

This book is an erotic romance.

The book is good, but I was left hanging wanting to know where is the rest of the book. The story is mostly set in an elevator.

Makenna is not having the best of days when she not only drops her phone while trying to catch the elevator, losing the battery, but to top it off she is stuck in darkness with a stranger and all she saw before her world changed was a dragon tattoo.

Caden is not the type of guy you take home to mom. He is big all over, tatted and pierced everywhere, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have issues and being trapped in an elevator set off his fears. But even in the darkness the stranger he is trapped with becomes his salvation.

Quick, Sexy Story that packs a punch!

What did you love best about Hearts in Darkness?

The fact that a novella completely captivated me - it rarely happens. I enjoy a good novella but they're usually too short - this one didn't feel like a novella.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hearts in Darkness?

Anything and everything that happened in the elevator - it was fantastic!

What about Erin Jones’s performance did you like?

She did a great job performing both parts (it's dual POV) - she wasn't over the top and made the whole listening process enjoyable.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wasn't expecting as much angst as I got but once again for a novella - it was perfection.

Any additional comments?

L-O-V-E this story to bits, I think everyone should experience it! It's a great way to get introduced to Laura Kaye's magical writing.

Light Easy Read

A sweet romance following Makenna James and Caden Grayson as they meet in an elevator during a power cut. With no lights, the only thing they can do is talk, get to know each other, and get through the night until they're rescued. Loved both these characters, and I've got to say the tattooed, pierced, bad boy is not as he seems. The fact of the matter is, these two might not have been paired in any traditional sense, but they are soul mates (in my eyes anyway). The straight laced accountant and the tattooed paramedic..........who would have thought? Light sexy enjoyable romance.

Hearts in Darkness

A unique and interesting concept with tenderness and sexual tension building throughout their time trapped in the lift together. I really enjoyed this book. The characters fit well together.
The narrator was good and really created the atmosphere.

The promise of acceptance

I have listened to this a few times. The hope of love despite the physical and emotional scars we carry is so real and honest you cannot help but read and enjoy this story of love at first...talk?...touch?.... A story of finding the one who help you heal and being brave enough to accept them despite your scars.

Fab short story. Perfect for a long car journey.

Great short story. We'll written and narrated. Left wanting to know more about the couple.
really felt the emotion and the feeling develop between the 2 of them.
Have listened to all the authors current releases and they are now on my automatic buy list.
We'll done, I look forward to more