A review by iamivan91tx
In The Dark by Monica Murphy

4.5

After reading Fair Game, I liked it more than enough to continue this series. In the Dark is book two of The Rules series. It’s a standalone romance, meaning this isn’t part two of Jade and Shepard’s love story. These are the sort of romance novels where each book focuses on a different couple. The protagonists of In the Dark are Gabriel Walker and Lucy (whose last name wasn't mentioned, not that I recall). The former is Shepard’s best friend, who had a small but significant role in Fair Game.

Like Shepard, Gabriel doesn’t do commitment. Their sole concern is to have fun while they’re in college. Once they graduate, then they’ll be responsible adults. This means Gabriel never dates or sleeps with the same girl more than once. Things start to change as soon as this book starts. Gabriel is spending the summer with his family at their Santa Barbara beach house. The vacation would have been boring if it weren’t for a certain someone. Gabriel’s been spending a good part of his time ogling the next-door neighbor. She’s a girl around his age who likes to use the backyard pool.

This girl is Lucy, though Gabriel doesn’t know it yet. Also unbeknownst to him is that Lucy knows he’s been watching her. Rather than feeling creeped out, Lucy appreciated the attention. Gabriel doesn’t resolve to introduce himself until his younger sister, Sydney, pushes him to do it. When they meet, Gabriel and Lucy quickly feel a strong attraction toward each other. Gabriel thinks she’s one of the most alluring girls he’s ever seen. As for Lucy, she finds Gabriel so attractive she calls him “Mr. GQ” in her head.

The chemistry between Gabriel and Lucy is sizzling from the start. They don’t act on it right away, at least. Gabriel takes time getting to know Lucy, partly because he’s fascinated. And Lucy, as most Hispanic women, is not the kind of woman who would get into bed with a man soon after meeting him. But when Lucy and Gabriel finally get to first base, it’s both funny and almost disastrous. Things after that little hurdle get better. Over the rest of the summer, Lucy and Gabriel enjoy their whirlwind romance.

As the synopsis mentions, Lucy ends up attending the same college as Gabriel. She never expected this. What’s the complication? Because Lucy was staying at the beach house next to Gabriel’s, he assumed she was from a rich family. Lucy never bothered to correct him, thinking their relationship wouldn’t last past the summer. Now, Lucy is so afraid to reveal the truth that she keeps up the charade. She’s not just risking her possibly real love with Gabriel this time. Lucy and Sydney have become really good friends. Things could get awkward if Lucy’s and Gabriel’s relationship ends badly.

In the Dark was just as enjoyable to read as Fair Game. Gabriel and Lucy are compelling protagonists, especially the latter (for me). She’s a good person despite the truth she kept from Gabriel. Lucy didn’t do it because of his money or any other bad reason. As for Gabriel, he seemed pretty similar to Shep. Gabriel was a little more down-to-earth, though, and an easygoing kind of guy. Lucy is charming and driven, too. I could imagine how attractive she is as well, being Hispanic (I pictured Lucy as Kayla Compton from The Flash). The only issue that In the Dark has is the new cover. I much preferred the old one. Other than that, I really liked this book.

My rating: ★★★★ 1/2

4.5 stars - A fantastic page-turner!