Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away.
After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.
He is what he is.
Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.
4 stars
When I first read the blurb for Love in Darkness, I was so surprised that Alex and Madison were no longer together. Things ended quite well with the first book, so why on earth are we starting in such sad circumstances?
Reading the story, you'll realize that there are more vital matters at play aside from romance and love. Not that love is a trivial thing that can be dismissed, but when certain realities come in, there are always choices that will have to be made. Those choices won't always make you happy, but you'll make them nonetheless because it seems to be the right thing to do--and the best thing for other people.
On the other hand, who are we to decide what's best for others, especially if they are adults themselves who can make their own choices?
One thing I learned and loved the most about Love in Darkness is the realization that by choosing to let a person go and be free to do what he/she wants in life, you are actually removing at least one choice from their hands. And sometimes that choice you deprived them of is actually the one thing they want in life, the one thing that can make them happy. But now they cannot have it because you've taken it away from them.
That's the dilemma Alex faced. It's what he subjected Madison to. I'm just glad that they are not drama queens who would "go out and have fun" after breaking up, and later face even more problems and angst than they could ever wish for.
Alexander is the center of this story. It was interesting to see him make adult choices. His mother's worsening condition broke my heart, and to see him go through it himself was more heartbreaking. I can totally understand his decisions, but he's just one lucky bozo that Madison has a will of steel. She continued to love Alex even though everyone told her they're both bad for each other.
(spoiler: highlight the next lines at your own peril!----> Her letter telling Alex that she finally understood his reasons for breaking up, and that she's going to move on for both their sakes...
For a minute there I felt as though I were in Alex's shoes! Hopeless and disheartening.. but honestly she couldn't move on. :) Thank God for that!<---- end of spoiler)
The ending for Love in Darkness was more satisfying for me than Castles on the Sand. I know that it will never be all happiness and rainbows for them in the future, but it's a comfort to know that they will definitely continue to love each other, to be strong and to face any future problems TOGETHER.
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