A Shot In The Dark by Victoria Lee is a very unique romance following a queer Jewish woman and a trans man in New York City. Ely has the chance of a lifetime when she is accepted into an art program for her photography. She will get to study under Wyatt Cole, a well known if a little elusive photographer. On her first night in New York, she goes to a club with her new roommates. She bumps into a man at the bar and they instantly have a connection while discussing sparkling water and sobriety. After a night she will never forget, Ely walks into class the next day only to find out the man she hooked up with is her idol, Wyatt.

I have read a few student/teacher romances and I have to say, the way this one proceeds is very unique and not something I have read before. I really appreciated it. This was such a strong book in my opinion. Both characters felt real and the struggles they had in their currently lives as a result of years of addiction was so well done. Ely’s struggles with her faith and trying to find herself were poignant and heartbreaking. Both characters have emotional baggage that makes it hard to open up to other people in their lives but they can confide in each other.

This book is told from both perspectives so you get to really know what these characters are thinking. Staying sober is a huge part of this book so if that’s at all triggering for you, it’s best to avoid this book. There are also discussions about death and abuse that are more hard hitting than a lot of typical romance books.

There is a third act conflict I wasn’t a fan of. It really felt shoehorned in and after two-thirds of the book being about the characters being open with each other, it just took me out of the story. Other than that, this was fantastic. This is something I would recommend to anyone looking for a romance book with a little more depth. Some romance books are just cute and have you kicking your feet and some romance books hit you in the feels. This one is the latter.

Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me an eArc of this through netgalley. This wasn’t something I would have picked up on my own but I’m so glad to have read it.