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norwayellesea's review against another edition
3.0
The blurb and the cover sold this book to me as well as the European setting, which is a refreshing change for me. Heaven In The Dark is the standalone début novel by Tina Wright and the first book in a two part series.
Allie Miller is an American student in Prague. She's been alone since her parents death at the age of fourteen; taken into care in her adopted country as there was no one else to look after her. As an adult, she's spent two years at the same university her parents worked, studying to be a teacher. That is until fate steps in and turns Allie's world upside down.
David Swift is an Italian business tycoon, turning the family textile mill into a world-wide brand for high-end leather accessories. He's astute and takes matters into his own hands when he defuses a potentially difficult meeting with a contact, taking away far more than he intended. What is he going to do with his new purchase?
On the whole the narrative kept my interest as Allie and David's world's collide after he pays off a Russian associate planning on trafficking Allie to the highest bidder. What happens next could have been so much more if we were able to feel, empathise and understand Allie and David's motivations. I'm not a fan of inst a-love but this doubt can be overturned if the writer manages to convincingly make the attraction believable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any chemistry between David and Allie so their relationship seemed awkward. In fact the dialogue between them was rather stilted most of the time, especially David's.
I enjoyed the setting in Milan, learning some insightful information about this Italian city. I just wish the plot had moved a little slower to include more depth of character for the protagonists.
***arc generously received by the author in exchange for an honest review***
Allie Miller is an American student in Prague. She's been alone since her parents death at the age of fourteen; taken into care in her adopted country as there was no one else to look after her. As an adult, she's spent two years at the same university her parents worked, studying to be a teacher. That is until fate steps in and turns Allie's world upside down.
David Swift is an Italian business tycoon, turning the family textile mill into a world-wide brand for high-end leather accessories. He's astute and takes matters into his own hands when he defuses a potentially difficult meeting with a contact, taking away far more than he intended. What is he going to do with his new purchase?
On the whole the narrative kept my interest as Allie and David's world's collide after he pays off a Russian associate planning on trafficking Allie to the highest bidder. What happens next could have been so much more if we were able to feel, empathise and understand Allie and David's motivations. I'm not a fan of inst a-love but this doubt can be overturned if the writer manages to convincingly make the attraction believable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any chemistry between David and Allie so their relationship seemed awkward. In fact the dialogue between them was rather stilted most of the time, especially David's.
I enjoyed the setting in Milan, learning some insightful information about this Italian city. I just wish the plot had moved a little slower to include more depth of character for the protagonists.
***arc generously received by the author in exchange for an honest review***
linathebookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
When I read the blurb for this book I expected something complex, emotional and dark. Sadly, the book did not reach my expectations. The book deals briefly with captivity but other than that it is not as edgy as it seems.
Allie was abducted but quickly after her kidnapping she was saved by David, a powerful man. As he takes her under his wing, feelings start growing between them.
I had a few issues with the story. The main one was the insta-love. That is a deal- breaker for me. I want development and a bit of drama and this story went straight into the romance part. I found it a bit unrealistic. I wanted the heroine to have suspicions about the man who paid such a huge amount to save her, I wanted her to question everything after being abducted.
My second issue was that I couldn't connect with the characters, I couldn't feel their connection; I read about it but I didn't feel it.
The writing was good but I was disappointed by the execution. This had potential but...
3 Stars
When I read the blurb for this book I expected something complex, emotional and dark. Sadly, the book did not reach my expectations. The book deals briefly with captivity but other than that it is not as edgy as it seems.
Allie was abducted but quickly after her kidnapping she was saved by David, a powerful man. As he takes her under his wing, feelings start growing between them.
I had a few issues with the story. The main one was the insta-love. That is a deal- breaker for me. I want development and a bit of drama and this story went straight into the romance part. I found it a bit unrealistic. I wanted the heroine to have suspicions about the man who paid such a huge amount to save her, I wanted her to question everything after being abducted.
My second issue was that I couldn't connect with the characters, I couldn't feel their connection; I read about it but I didn't feel it.
The writing was good but I was disappointed by the execution. This had potential but...
3 Stars
ellesea's review
3.0
The blurb and the cover sold this book to me as well as the European setting, which is a refreshing change for me. Heaven In The Dark is the standalone début novel by Tina Wright and the first book in a two part series.
Allie Miller is an American student in Prague. She's been alone since her parents death at the age of fourteen; taken into care in her adopted country as there was no one else to look after her. As an adult, she's spent two years at the same university her parents worked, studying to be a teacher. That is until fate steps in and turns Allie's world upside down.
David Swift is an Italian business tycoon, turning the family textile mill into a world-wide brand for high-end leather accessories. He's astute and takes matters into his own hands when he defuses a potentially difficult meeting with a contact, taking away far more than he intended. What is he going to do with his new purchase?
On the whole the narrative kept my interest as Allie and David's world's collide after he pays off a Russian associate planning on trafficking Allie to the highest bidder. What happens next could have been so much more if we were able to feel, empathise and understand Allie and David's motivations. I'm not a fan of inst a-love but this doubt can be overturned if the writer manages to convincingly make the attraction believable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any chemistry between David and Allie so their relationship seemed awkward. In fact the dialogue between them was rather stilted most of the time, especially David's.
I enjoyed the setting in Milan, learning some insightful information about this Italian city. I just wish the plot had moved a little slower to include more depth of character for the protagonists.
***arc generously received by the author in exchange for an honest review***
Allie Miller is an American student in Prague. She's been alone since her parents death at the age of fourteen; taken into care in her adopted country as there was no one else to look after her. As an adult, she's spent two years at the same university her parents worked, studying to be a teacher. That is until fate steps in and turns Allie's world upside down.
David Swift is an Italian business tycoon, turning the family textile mill into a world-wide brand for high-end leather accessories. He's astute and takes matters into his own hands when he defuses a potentially difficult meeting with a contact, taking away far more than he intended. What is he going to do with his new purchase?
On the whole the narrative kept my interest as Allie and David's world's collide after he pays off a Russian associate planning on trafficking Allie to the highest bidder. What happens next could have been so much more if we were able to feel, empathise and understand Allie and David's motivations. I'm not a fan of inst a-love but this doubt can be overturned if the writer manages to convincingly make the attraction believable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any chemistry between David and Allie so their relationship seemed awkward. In fact the dialogue between them was rather stilted most of the time, especially David's.
I enjoyed the setting in Milan, learning some insightful information about this Italian city. I just wish the plot had moved a little slower to include more depth of character for the protagonists.
***arc generously received by the author in exchange for an honest review***