Smut Fanatics: Laura’s Review of Love in the Light (Hearts in the Darkness, #2) by Laura Kaye

Synopsis

Two hearts in the darkness…

Makenna James and Caden Grayson have been inseparable since the day they were trapped in a pitch-black elevator and found acceptance and love in the arms of a stranger. Makenna hopes that night put them on the path to forever—which can’t happen until she introduces her tattooed, pierced, and scarred boyfriend to her father and three over-protective brothers.

Must fight for love in the light…

Haunted by a childhood tragedy and the loss of his family, Caden never thought he’d find the love he shares with Makenna. But the deeper he falls, the more he fears the devastation sure to come if he ever lost her, too. When meeting her family doesn’t go smoothly, Caden questions whether Makenna deserves someone better, stronger, and just more…normal. Maybe they’re too different—and he’s far too damaged—after all…

What I Loved

I was so excited to find out there was a continuation of the Hearts in Darkness story. I didn’t get nearly enough Makenna and Caden as I wanted, so I was happy to finally get more of them! A lot happens in this story which I really liked because it included a lot of plot and character growth! The story picks up a little while after Hearts in Darkness ends; Makenna and Caden have steadily built up their relationship from their time in the elevator and have laid down a solid foundation for something serious to grow from. The love between the two of them is very apparent and they just can’t seem to keep their hands off each other which I freaking loved!

I really liked the character of Makenna the most, she’s a very grounded headstrong protagonist who was easy to relate to. As a reader, she made it easy for me to become emotionally involved in not only her story but the overall plot making it hard to put the book down every single time I picked it up. Even through all her struggles and hard times I still loved and supported her and that just proved to me how well the Makenna character was written.

The same can be said for Caden as well. As he struggles with his PTSD and depression it was hard not fall in love with him. Even as a reader, if it’s something you’ve never gone through it was easy to fall in love with him and become emotionally involved in his story as well.

I really liked that the book switched points of views so we not only got to see Makenna’s struggles but Caden’s as well. Even though you might not have agreed with some of the character’s decisions at least you got to see the whys and understand things than if you never got that person’s point of view.

Not So Much

I really don’t have any complaints about this book over all. Obviously I’m a sucker for romance and all that but there were some parts of this story that did have me cringing because it was just a little too cheesy for me.

This story took one some very real gritty realities and that was great, but then there would be these corny lines and I’m like ugh let’s lay off cheesiness. But that’s just me, I’m not a huge fan of hearts and rainbows so I’m not going to completely knock a book for having them in there. I will deduct a star only because there wasn’t a ton of surprises for me in this story, everything was very predictable and that’s great and but I’m a sucker for a bombshell.

To Sum It All Up!

Overall this was a heartwarming story to give closure to a really cute beginning. Makenna and Caden from the very start seemed to really complement each other even though they physically didn’t look like they should belong together. Makenna’s understanding and loving personality was exactly what Caden needed in his life to let him come to terms with his past and help him build a future of happiness.

Like I said before a lot happens in this book, Makenna and Caden face a lot of ups and downs in both their lives separately and together. Caden has a lot to face personally before he can move forward with Makenna and you get to see all of that as the story moves along which I really loved. Plus, you get introduced to a lot of characters in Makenna’s life which adds nicely to the character development and overall plot foundation.

The story was a little corny at times but I think the happily ever after gave closure to this series. The sexual chemistry that was there from the first book was very much alive in this one as well which leads to some very hot moments between Makenna and Caden and I loved it! This was a great story filled with lots of emotions but a very happy ending.

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