Heaven in the Dark

by Tina Wright

[Lynn]

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***