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Lou Stock
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A Shot in the Dark Kindle Edition

by Lou Stock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 388 ratings
Life had never been simple for Miki Quinten. Her mom had died when she was eight, and in the aftermath of their loss, her father turned his grief into alcoholism, inadvertently converting their home into a melting pot of debauchery. Unwilling to be put into the foster system, Miki takes control of her own life and becomes invisible to almost everyone but her best friend and godmother. 

It stayed that way until her junior year in high school and the sudden, unexpected crash landing of Childress High’s star defensive end, Dustin Hill, into her life. The unlikely pair are thrown together and discover they have more in common than either of them thought, and before either Miki or Dustin are prepared an unbreakable bond is formed between them. The only problem is, Dustin’s already in a relationship, and his controlling family have made it clear they want him to stay there.

Against Miki’s better judgment the two grow closer until fate’s twisted sense of humor intervenes and everything in Miki’s world is scattered, plunging her into a crisis she’s not sure she will ever recover from.

This angst-filled tale of young love, heartbreak, and what it takes to thrive when love destroys you will keep you turning the pages without fail
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  1. Print length
    500 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 12, 2018
  4. File size
    2.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An awing and heart shattering contemporary romance full of grit and overwhelming rawness. Romance will never be the same again..." -MammieBabbie Book Blog


"This incredible author not only can tell a story but has the writing chops of a master. Prepare to have your heart ripped out -- and then restored." - Author Elizabeth SaFleur

"A Shot In The Dark is the kind of book that reminds me why I read and read and read, on a never-ending quest to find the next story that will leave me feeling like I am right now." - Author Victoria L. James

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07B47KYZG
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 12, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 500 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1985025132
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 388 ratings

About the author

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Lou Stock

Lou Stock

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Lou Stock has always lived in a world of her own, continuously lost in her imagination. Whether in the forests that backed up to her home in Aberdeen when she was only six years old, the unique landscape of Singapore she discovered at eight, or the rolling woodlands that rolled up to Dartmoor during her teen years, there have always been new worlds to explore.

Now an adult living in Oakhurst, Texas, and surrounded by forests there are stories to tell. When she's not writing, Louise can be found hanging out with her family, crazy pup, or at the computer lost in her creativity of her successful graphic design business, LJDesigns.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
388 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers describe this book as a heartfelt love story that moves them emotionally, with great writing and compelling characters. Moreover, they appreciate the story's pacing that draws them in throughout, and its romance, with one customer noting it's a beautiful masterpiece. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its structure, with one customer highlighting how the twists and turns lead to a perfect ending.

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15 customers mention "Heartwarming story"12 positive3 negative

Customers describe this book as a heartfelt love story that moves them emotionally, with one customer noting how it grabs them by the heartstrings.

"Twist and turns but with HEA. Love at its very essence,Betrayal at its best.Well thought out and written book. Thank you!!!" Read more

"...Her unwavering love, her fierceness protected Miki all along. Everyone wishes such godmother for her kids...." Read more

"...It defied my expectations! It made me swoon, angry, cry, smile and cry some more. Definitely such a good read...." Read more

"...The title hits different after reading it. This might be the saddest book I've ever read. Keep a box of tissues nearby." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it's a national best seller.

"...I am glad she finally lets her heart love again, it is a really good book but definitely is an emotional roller coaster!" Read more

"...Additionally, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book...." Read more

"...Definitely such a good read. I did put it down half way through unsure of whether my heart could recover, I’m glad I came back to finish it...." Read more

"...This incredible author not only can tell a story but has the writing chops of a master...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting that it flows effortlessly, while another mentions it's a fast and easy read.

"...Love at its very essence,Betrayal at its best.Well thought out and written book. Thank you!!!" Read more

"...To honor memories. LJ Stock’s writing flowed effortlessly. I was not reading a story I was living another's life...." Read more

"I want to start by saying this book is written well and keeps you engaged throughout. Additionally, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book...." Read more

"I went into this thinking it was another love story a fast easy read. It defied my expectations!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling, with one customer noting they could feel the emotions of the characters.

"...I stop here with the plot. This book is essentially character driven. And what fabulous characters!..." Read more

"This book has completely pulled me in. The characters have such strong depth and the ups and downs of the plot leave everything in question." Read more

"...Funny. Great twists. Slightly predictable but I loved it. Characters were compelling and I read this in 1 day!" Read more

"You gonna love this one. For me, I loved the support characters, but I am not sure about the way things turned out." Read more

7 customers mention "Story length"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story length of the book, appreciating its twists and perfect ending.

"Twist and turns but with HEA. Love at its very essence,Betrayal at its best.Well thought out and written book. Thank you!!!" Read more

"Super cute. Funny. Great twists. Slightly predictable but I loved it. Characters were compelling and I read this in 1 day!" Read more

"...This incredible author not only can tell a story but has the writing chops of a master...." Read more

"...those words are needed to attain the intelligence, depth, and richness of this story...." Read more

4 customers mention "Romance"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the romance in the book, describing it as a beautiful masterpiece.

"Super cute. Funny. Great twists. Slightly predictable but I loved it. Characters were compelling and I read this in 1 day!" Read more

"...I adored both Miki and Dustin. Together, they are so sweet and lovable as a duo...." Read more

"...And I fell in love with the twist to the story. A beautiful masterpiece!! So in love with these characters" Read more

"...for love, torment, torture, and happiness all rolled up into one stunning novel, this is the one for you...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, with one mentioning it keeps them engaged throughout.

"This book has completely pulled me in. The characters have such strong depth and the ups and downs of the plot leave everything in question." Read more

"I want to start by saying this book is written well and keeps you engaged throughout. Additionally, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book...." Read more

"...Having said that, I love this book. It drew me in, grabbed me by the heartstrings, pulled me in further, scrambled my emotions, made me fall in love..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars HEA
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Twist and turns but with HEA. Love at its very essence,Betrayal at its best.Well thought out and written book. Thank you!!!
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  • J. Minick
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreakingly sweet.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Ok. To start the other comments are correct in needing tissues. Grab them for the end of part one....

    **almost spoilers**

    This book makes you fall in love with the Main characters love they share throughout part one. It is unexpected and just sucks you in believing that their life together is going to work out, Until the end of the first part. The other comments hint at loss well its a BIG ONE. It breaks you. Then the second part begins (jumping 14 years ahead by the way...)
    After the first part you have to finish the second to see how she makes it through her life and if she gets her HEA. I love how they twisted stuff around and once you get into the second part your mind starts spinning like no... thinking about new love interest and things start clicking. I am glad she finally lets her heart love again, it is a really good book but definitely is an emotional roller coaster!
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  • Sophie
    5.0 out of 5 stars I smiled. I swooned. I hurt. I rejoiced. In one word: I felt.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    5 emotional stars

    This book has been highly recommended by my friend Michelle Chen
    Her selling pitch was a mix between Full Tilt and The Sweet Gum Tree.
    How could I resist especially when Michelle has never stirred me wrong so far?

    I went in blind not even reading the blurb
    That's usually the best way for me to experience a book on blind faith trusting my friends

    Now six boxes of used tissues later and red rimmed eyes I can honestly say that Michelle was right and that it will not be my latest LJ Stock book!
    She is a “new to me” author in 2018 that I will add to my new favorites right alongside Kate Sterritt and James J Cudney all discovered this year. “Anonymous” author of The Siver Cage is another new author deserving a class of his own…

    I don't want to spoil your fun and there is a part one and a part two in this book.

    I will be minimalistic on the plot.

    Miki is 16 self-sufficient and the daughter of an alcoholic. She lives in a small town in Texas and given her father's activities hosting unsavory guests she has learned to blend in. To hide in plain sight. To go unnoticed.

    “Hardly anyone would miss me if I left. I was the ghost who was barely in existence, on the edge of everyone’s peripheral, but I’d long ago taught myself to blend into the scenery for self-preservation. “

    She lost her mom at a tender age and has been raised by her godmother Jen even if she technically lives under her father's roof.

    Let's applaud Jen here as that woman, right alongside her daughter Megan has been Miki's backbone and family. Her unwavering love, her fierceness protected Miki all along. Everyone wishes such godmother for her kids.

    On a Friday night Miki will bump against the town's golden son Dustin. He is the local football star. So out of Miki's league. He is the sun she was the moon. He basked in everyone's adoration even if he did not look after it.

    “Dustin Hill was a senior at Childress High, and he was also the best defensive end the school had ever had, and the reason the team had a chance at State this year, which made him the best-known person in town. The boy was revered by everyone and worshipped by most, and I was always surprised when he didn’t have the drill team rolling out a red carpet everywhere he went.”

    Miki was always fading in the background.

    “Invisibility was a natural reaction to my unique situation.”

    Surprisingly Dustin is far from a jock. He has depth, intuition, sensitivity, intelligence and has a secret.
    Both will connect like they have never connected before.
    They were meant to happen.

    I stop here with the plot.

    This book is essentially character driven. And what fabulous characters!
    Miki was brave and selfless.

    Dustin was the hero most dream of. He caught me in his web. I was mesmerized by his charm and charisma.

    The purpose of the story is about a path you have to walk. It's about the twists that cruel mistress we call Fate can impart upon you.
    It's about resilience and second chance.
    How you choose to react to grief and loss. Faced with trauma you have a choice. Either wallow in your pain forgetting everyone around you. Blaming fate or others. Becoming angry and bitter.
    Either trying to go on. For others who love you. To honor memories.

    LJ Stock’s writing flowed effortlessly. I was not reading a story I was living another's life.

    I cried buckets once more in the train and of course just before work when I was all doled up with mascara and all.
    I smiled. I swooned. I hurt. I rejoiced. In one word: I felt.

    Recommend it? Wholeheartedly!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Ashlyn Shilling
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book has completely pulled me in. The characters have such strong depth and the ups and downs of the plot leave everything in question.
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  • LindsB
    3.0 out of 5 stars not for me but probably a hit for others
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I want to start by saying this book is written well and keeps you engaged throughout. Additionally, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book.
    However, I am personally not a fan of these types of stories and if I had known that this story was such a story I would have never started it. I am sure there will be TONS of people that love this book and I can understand why. That all being said, this is just not the story for me
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be a movie!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Super cute. Funny. Great twists. Slightly predictable but I loved it. Characters were compelling and I read this in 1 day!
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  • Kara’s Books
    4.0 out of 5 stars If Angst Is Your Thing
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    You gonna love this one. For me, I loved the support characters, but I am not sure about the way things turned out.
    One person found this helpful
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  • walle
    5.0 out of 5 stars pleasantly not what I was expecting
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I went into this thinking it was another love story a fast easy read. It defied my expectations! It made me swoon, angry, cry, smile and cry some more. Definitely such a good read. I did put it down half way through unsure of whether my heart could recover, I’m glad I came back to finish it. It was definitely worth it!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ashley T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tearing up
    Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, I don't normally give 5 stars. This book made me cry, and laugh and cry some more. I found the recommendation on one of my favorite authors fb pages. I was in the middle of a book slump. Not being able to get into reading. I started this book and couldn't put it down. I'm glad I found it. Talk about pulling all the heartstrings.
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  • Cheshire
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a perfect storm of words, sentences and characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have had this book on my Kindle for a couple of years, ever since I read Lou's collaboration with Vic James. I hadn't read it because I had a feeling it might break my heart. I was right it did and to say I sobbed is an understatement. That being said, Lou managed to put my heart back together and give it an extra little shine by the end of this gorgeous story of growth and love. The writing was sharp and beautiful and wrapped itself around my soul, never to let go. I have so much to say but can't without giving parts of the story away and yet I want to write pages of why this book is so amazing. It's not just the incredible prose and the descriptive narrative that Lou mixes together effortlessly, it's the characterisation that shoots this book to epic proportions. This love story has a destination that you pray for and you're taken on a journey of twists and turns and a route that you never considered to get there. Once you do reach the end you will most probably stare at your book or your kindle and wonder how the hell you get over this book. It has constantly been in my thoughts for the three days I've been reading it, feeling every emotion and pondering the what ifs—to me that is a mark of a brilliant story and an amazing story teller. I can not recommend this book enough. Yes you will cry, both sad and happy tears, but ultimately you feel your heart will swell with love for these characters and their love stories.
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  • Alana
    5.0 out of 5 stars That was a wild ride
    Reviewed in Australia on April 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Wow! This book made me feel all the emotions! Love, laughter, heartbreak! I couldn't believe the wild ride I was just taken on. I could not put this book down. It was a great read!
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  • Miss Morelli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfektion!!
    Reviewed in Germany on February 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Dieses Buch ist mit Abstand eines der besten Bücher, dass ich je gelesen habe!!!! Es ist ein zweiteiliges Buch. Die erste Hälfte spielt in der Vergangenheit, die sich jedoch wie die Gegenwart liest. Der 2. Teil spielt heute und ist gleich wunder-, wunder-, wunderschön.
    Eine Leserin schrieb auf GR sie habe bei 30% aufgehört, weil nichts besonderes passiert, sie könne die hohen Bewertungen nicht nachvollziehen. Sie hätte einfach nur weiterlesen sollen!!!! Das Buch ist slow burn.... aber die Geschichte braucht das.... L.J. Stock hat alles richtig gemacht. Dieses Buch verdient 50 * Sterne.
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  • Claypot_reads
    4.0 out of 5 stars Second chance at love
    Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was an emotional story with plenty of angst and heartbreak but ultimately you get the HEA we all want.
    Report

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