Review: Love in the Light by Laura Kaye (Hearts in Darkness #2)
Note: This ARC was provided by InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.
"Okay. Here goes. Caden, I...I love you. I love you so much that I can barely remember my life before you. I love you so much that I can't imagine my life without you. I've been dying to tell you for so long, but I know we haven't been together that long. Though, to me, the number of weeks that I've known you feels completely meaningless to how attached my heart has become," she said, her voice urgent and so damn earnest. "I love you. And I'm in love with you."
When Hearts in Darkness ended, I had no complaints. I loved how unique Makenna James and Caden Grayson's romance began, and yes, it was more of a happily-for-now ending, but the closet romantic in me believed that what we saw as a memorable beginning would be the first of a lifetime of memories they would create together. So, yes, I was okay with this novella being as short as it was and being a standalone...and then Laura Kaye shocked the heck out of me when she announced that there would be a sequel! And I was like, "No way! Yes, please!" Because I quickly realized that as much as I was okay with how things ended in Hearts in Darkness, finding out what happened after that hopeful ending was something I wanted...needed...except I hadn't realized it until that possibility became one absolute reality.
After re-reading the first book, I went straight into Love in the Light and by the time I finished this second novella, I lost count of the number of times my heart squeezed in empathy for Makenna James and Caden Grayson. This is where we see them undergo challenges and difficulties--circumstances and situations that will test their relationship and their feelings for one another. It's clear in what we learn about Caden in Hearts in Darkness that the accident that cost him his mother and younger brother continues to haunt him, and his past still has that firm grip on him, only this time around, it's almost death-like in its refusal to let Caden go so that he can live the rest of his life out of the darkness weighing upon him. Makenna is his light, but struggling to let that light in on a daily basis is what will either make or break their life together.
This was a far heavier read than the prior novella in the duet. Then, we witnessed Caden's claustrophobia and his anxiety within the confined space of the broken down elevator. Here, we observe him desperately trying to keep it together for the sake of his relationship with Makenna. He wants to be the best possible version of himself to be deserving of her, but that can be difficult when you don't think you're worthy or that you will never be good enough. I shed a few tears for both Caden and Makenna as they tried to decide whether to fight for their love or retreat before declaring defeat. There were even moments that I felt so frustrated with how they were trying to deal with their issues, but I applaud how the story reiterates that any changes, especially the most necessary ones, have to be made for yourself first before for anyone else.
Aside from the ups and downs in Makenna and Caden's love story, this second in a duet brings in the element of family. Yes, it was present in the first book, but we see our main characters experience and relish how it is to be with family, especially Caden, who has no family left. I liked the protectiveness of Makenna's father and her brothers, and I could appreciate how their treatment of Caden was of varying degrees because it felt more realistic. There's also a particular moment in the story, one where Caden is trying to deal with his past in order to try to have an actual future with Makenna, that had me grabbing my box of tissues even harder. You'll know it when you get to it (or, at least, I hope you will) because it's an important turning point for them. Love in the Light is a five-plus-starred must-read and is a 2016 favorite. ♥
Release Date: 12 January 2016
Date Read: 12 January 2016
Learn more about Laura Kaye.
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