When Elisheva receives a scholarship to study at a prestigious art program in New York, she is horrified to realize that her professor is someone she’s already met. Last night, in fact, at a queer club. Ely is an artist and recovering addict. Her religious past in Crown Heights haunts her as she works to create art that tells her story. Wyatt Cole is a trans art professor who understands Ely’s struggle- he’s ten years sober. Can Wyatt and Ely pursue their connection or is a one night stand all they’ll share? 

A Shot in the Dark is such a beautiful and intricate book. Victoria Lee tells the story of a passionate romance between two imperfect people, both of whom are trying to be better. They cover the relationship between queerness and religion (and how they coexist), addiction and sobriety, and the power of family (biological and found). Ely and Wyatt have complicated relationships with their families. There are no easy answers, but I liked how Ely and Wyatt ultimately experienced realistic growth and some form of closure. 

Wyatt and Ely are such a lovely pairing- they share so much in common and also bring out the best in each other. The LGBTQ+ rep was excellent and thoughtful. Wyatt is trans and Ely is pan, and I related to how Ely wasn’t as concerned with labels and instead focused on the individual person. I was interested in how Lee showed the intersection of religion and queerness. Ely finds a form of Judaism that accepts her for who she is, providing hope and community. A Shot in the Dark offers plenty of reflection and shows the characters’ experiences in sobriety and staying clean. I liked how Wyatt helps Ely learn that there is no one right way to be sober. Victoria Lee has incredible range in writing and I can’t wait to see what they write next!

A Shot in the Dark is a beautiful, heartfelt, and emotional book. I would highly recommend it to anyone!  Readers who enjoy forbidden romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and found family will love A Shot in the Dark. 

Thank you so much to Victoria Lee, Ballantine, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.