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dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half of this book started out really well, but I feel like it went a bit downhill from there. I had high expectations from Lights Out, but this book seemed to lack in a lot of places. There was definitely a lot less humorous elements, and honestly, I thought the plot was a little weak. After the halfway point, things just felt a little repetitive and as though they weren’t going anywhere.
I have to say I LOVED Junior, and I really enjoyed seeing more of the Mafia elements and Junior’s friendship with Josh. Unfortunately, I didn’t really care too much for Lauren’s plotline and couldn’t really connect with her.
Navessa Allen does a great job with inclusivity and representation. The diversity felt effortless, and it was nice to see such a vast array of characters in a book like this one.
I have to say I LOVED Junior, and I really enjoyed seeing more of the Mafia elements and Junior’s friendship with Josh. Unfortunately, I didn’t really care too much for Lauren’s plotline and couldn’t really connect with her.
Navessa Allen does a great job with inclusivity and representation. The diversity felt effortless, and it was nice to see such a vast array of characters in a book like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Sexism, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nico “Junior” Trocci is a man who gets what he wants. This time, what he wants is Lauren Marchetti. She’s off limits. They have history and he broke her heart ten years ago. She’s sweet & vibrant - a stark difference from his violent life working for his father in the mob. It’s become too much for him and he wants out. He looks Lauren up online and finds that she’s no longer the shy girl he knew from high school but a beautiful and successful cam girl. He’s obsessed and he needs to see her in person. Once they run into each other old feelings are rekindled. But Lauren can’t stop thinking about her favorite subscriber or the masked man that comes into the local kink club. As the pieces fall together, will the truth lead them to their ultimate desires? Only time will tell which door they choose to enter. Watch & find out for yourself. 🔥
This book was so much fun! I loved the audiobook narration. The main characters and side characters were equally enjoyable to me. Lauren’s roommates are the type of supportive besties you want to have in real life. The LGBTQ+ representation was evenly spread throughout the book in the FMC, side characters and other club members. The sex work representation was well written overall, but I wish Lauren’s advocacy work for sex workers’ rights had gotten a little more attention/elaboration. The possessive obsession Nico has with Lauren is full of yearning and desire. GET ME IN THAT CONFESSIONAL ASAP. 🥵 Josh & Aly do make appearances and I have to say they’re still my favorites. 🫶🏼 Josh’s golden retriever friendship with grumpy Nico was fun to read. I was a little disappointed that this book is marketed as having bike content but other than Nico having one as his ride, there isn’t the bike content I think people are hoping for. For fans of Fred (Lights Out) - there is a dog in this book! Heads up, this book is a darker vibe and is not as funny and full of banter like Lights Out. I loved this one but I think it rekindled my love and appreciation for the first book. I’m a little nervous for book three (because I think Tyler is a douchebag) but I know Navessa will kill it again!
⚠️ Please research all trigger warnings before reading this book! ⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The best thing about this book was Navessa's writing style. She does a great job at infusing every character and relationship with unique qualities. I didn't particularly love the plot of this book though. It absolutely revolves around Junior and Lauren's relationship, but the sprinkling in of all the side characters and side quests made it hard for me to be invested. It was easy to see the conflict coming from a mile off and had this been by any other author, I would have DNF (I really, really hate the miscommunication trope). The celebration of and respect for sex work was a pretty cool theme throughout.
Story moral: let people find their own happiness and consider yourself lucky if you're along for the ride.
Story moral: let people find their own happiness and consider yourself lucky if you're along for the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Cannibalism
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is darker than the first book (Lights out), but that shouldn't be a deterrent to reading it. Just be prepared for it if you've read the first book and are expecting the same book with a different font. you will not find that here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Stalking
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Vomit, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Caught Up (Into Darkness Book 2)
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
She was my match, my queen, and I would spend the rest of my life worshipping her like one if she let me.”
---------------------------------------
Tropes:
✨ Second Chance romance
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Mafia Dark Romance
✨ HE’S OBSESSED
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Camgirl fmc x Mafia Biker mmc
I'm finding putting my feelings about this book into words difficult. I knew not to expect the same of this book as we got from Lights Out. However, I did expect to have more banter, humor, likable characters/ character connection, and plot twists than we received from this book.
Did I hate this book? No. Did I absolutely love it like Lights Out? No. This story had so much potential, and I could see Navessa's vision for this book, which I do respect. It just missed the mark for me, and I am so sad that it wasn't the same calibur for me as Lights Out.
I did enjoy Nico! I loved his character and his devotion to Lauren. He was definitely a man obsessed, and he exhibited true "touch her and die vibes." I feel like he was as expected, and I really enjoyed the few bits of humor he delivered. He can honestly stalk me anytime 🤣. I also enjoyed his mob/mafia storyline and wish we got more of it!
I have to be honest, much of my downfall with this book is Lauren, our fmc. And as some may assume, it was not actually not about her profession, but her overall personality. She was very self-centered. Very "me, me me" and how things benefited her, how they affected her, how they harmed her. I found her to not be considerate or understanding of Nico at all, even after she "forgave" him of his mistakes in their past. Also, the back and forth of her inner dialogue was too much. P.S. I did not enjoy her friends either, especially Taylor.
I did really enjoy the glimpses we got of Josh and Aly! It was nice to have them so included in this book! Also, I do look forward to book 3 and seeing if it can deliver some of the elements missed in this book.
Also, of course, I loved Teddy Hamilton in the narration. He can do no wrong. Jason June and Kasi Hollowell did a good job as well.
---------------------------------------
“Run, Lauren,” I said, unable to stop myself. “Make it good for both of us.”
⚠️Warning⚠️
Language, high spice, adult content, and MANY more (see full list of triggers on her page or under the book listing).
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
She was my match, my queen, and I would spend the rest of my life worshipping her like one if she let me.”
---------------------------------------
Tropes:
✨ Second Chance romance
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Mafia Dark Romance
✨ HE’S OBSESSED
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Camgirl fmc x Mafia Biker mmc
I'm finding putting my feelings about this book into words difficult. I knew not to expect the same of this book as we got from Lights Out. However, I did expect to have more banter, humor, likable characters/ character connection, and plot twists than we received from this book.
Did I hate this book? No. Did I absolutely love it like Lights Out? No. This story had so much potential, and I could see Navessa's vision for this book, which I do respect. It just missed the mark for me, and I am so sad that it wasn't the same calibur for me as Lights Out.
I did enjoy Nico! I loved his character and his devotion to Lauren. He was definitely a man obsessed, and he exhibited true "touch her and die vibes." I feel like he was as expected, and I really enjoyed the few bits of humor he delivered. He can honestly stalk me anytime 🤣. I also enjoyed his mob/mafia storyline and wish we got more of it!
I have to be honest, much of my downfall with this book is Lauren, our fmc. And as some may assume, it was not actually not about her profession, but her overall personality. She was very self-centered. Very "me, me me" and how things benefited her, how they affected her, how they harmed her. I found her to not be considerate or understanding of Nico at all, even after she "forgave" him of his mistakes in their past. Also, the back and forth of her inner dialogue was too much. P.S. I did not enjoy her friends either, especially Taylor.
I did really enjoy the glimpses we got of Josh and Aly! It was nice to have them so included in this book! Also, I do look forward to book 3 and seeing if it can deliver some of the elements missed in this book.
Also, of course, I loved Teddy Hamilton in the narration. He can do no wrong. Jason June and Kasi Hollowell did a good job as well.
---------------------------------------
“Run, Lauren,” I said, unable to stop myself. “Make it good for both of us.”
⚠️Warning⚠️
Language, high spice, adult content, and MANY more (see full list of triggers on her page or under the book listing).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Stalking
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perhaps I judged lights out too harshly (actually no, that book needs help). Caught up was much better. I don’t care so much for erotica so I did skip around quite a bit but I really liked the story telling on this one and the very slight cliffhanger/hint to another book at the end.
Navessa is good at creating interesting characters and propelling a story line at the length an ADHD reader would appreciate. I wish she would stop leaning so heavily on existing pop culture, internet colloquialism, and boomer humor. Some scenes that were supposed to show lightheartedness felt like they were missing a 80s laugh track, ick. There’s also a character that uses “they” pronouns which I actually liked but unfortunately they were just tossed in there to further the plot without having any real substance. And again, animal sidekicks that have the intent of showing the males gentle alpha side — lazy lazy lazy writing.
Ton of repeat kinks, phrases, and themes. But, I do like Nick’s story better than Josh’s cause it’s not filled with self-deprecating humor.
I also found it tough to think about how 2 books of hers in a row show mutual secret pining spanning over years, receptive attention to Italian features, and cannabalism warnings (much more detailed and disturbing this time). You okay girl? Do better
Navessa is good at creating interesting characters and propelling a story line at the length an ADHD reader would appreciate. I wish she would stop leaning so heavily on existing pop culture, internet colloquialism, and boomer humor. Some scenes that were supposed to show lightheartedness felt like they were missing a 80s laugh track, ick. There’s also a character that uses “they” pronouns which I actually liked but unfortunately they were just tossed in there to further the plot without having any real substance. And again, animal sidekicks that have the intent of showing the males gentle alpha side — lazy lazy lazy writing.
Ton of repeat kinks, phrases, and themes. But, I do like Nick’s story better than Josh’s cause it’s not filled with self-deprecating humor.
I also found it tough to think about how 2 books of hers in a row show mutual secret pining spanning over years, receptive attention to Italian features, and cannabalism warnings (much more detailed and disturbing this time). You okay girl? Do better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Murder
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Caught Up was about as dark as I can personally go, and I had a fun time with it.
If you’re looking for as much humor as there was in Lights Out you aren’t going to find it here, though there are still definitely moments of levity and irreverence. This book has a more serious tone, and it carried through the characters, the spice, and the “plot” (it was very loose).
Speaking of the spice… oooh boy was it hot! There was a lot of kink exploration, so if that’s not for you I’d recommend you skip this one.
I’ll probably read the next book from the library as well when it comes out. 3.5 stars
If you’re looking for as much humor as there was in Lights Out you aren’t going to find it here, though there are still definitely moments of levity and irreverence. This book has a more serious tone, and it carried through the characters, the spice, and the “plot” (it was very loose).
Speaking of the spice… oooh boy was it hot! There was a lot of kink exploration, so if that’s not for you I’d recommend you skip this one.
I’ll probably read the next book from the library as well when it comes out. 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved it so much. It wasn’t as funny as the first but it was still amazing. Plus I adore how are these men obsessed with their women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder