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challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Let’s be honest—I would give it more if I could.)
Confession time: I’m new to the dark romance world. Like, still figuring out where the spicy scenes start and the jaw-drops begin 👀. But y’all… Caught Up by Navessa Allen? Baptized me in fire. 🔥
I didn’t read this one—I listened to the audiobook 🎧, and baby, that experience was EVERYTHING. The dual narration pulled me in, but that male narrator? Whew. Sir, who gave you permission to sound like that?! I was locked in. 🫠💀
And listen—Chapter 19 deserves its own warning label.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had so many “what did he just say?!” and “wait, am I into this now??” moments that I was blushing in public. No regrets. 😅
This book gave me everything I didn’t know I needed in a romance:
💋 All the spice
🖤 A deep, moody storyline
🎭 Just the right sprinkle of banter
For someone new to the genre, it was the perfect introduction. It didn’t overwhelm, but it definitely woke me up 😏
I’m getting the physical book now so I can go back and tab those scenes. Yes, including Chapter 19. For research purposes… obviously. 📚💅🏽
So to Navessa Allen? BRAVO
You absolutely slayed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
funny
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
This was a highly anticipated read (or listen, I guess) for me! I want to give Nico and Lauren the credit they deserve while saying if you expect them to be Aly and Josh 2.0, you will be disappointed. Caught Up feels a little darker, despite touching on less heavy subject matter and still having its funny moments. I’m usually not a mafia girly and was surprised at how much I enjoyed that aspect. I loved all the supporting characters, especially Junior’s family. Fingers crossed Junior’s brothers get their own books in the future. I thought Lauren and Nico’s chemistry was good…but not great. Nico’s chapters held my attention but I found myself wanting to rush through Lauren’s and becoming irritated with her for getting upset when her mob boyfriend did, I dunno, mob shit? The character felt underdeveloped, and besides being a cam girl and having a bad dad, I doubt I could tell you anything I just read about her. Nevertheless, still a four star read and Navessa remains the reigning queen of morally grey MMCs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
this gets so much shit for being different from Lights Out but that doesn't mean it's bad? chill, people
I found this super entertaining and bingeable and really enjoyed the sex positivity + character development. we love a mmc down bad
I found this super entertaining and bingeable and really enjoyed the sex positivity + character development. we love a mmc down bad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Vomit, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
This was a fun, spicy book. It avoided the sophomore slump. I actually prefer this over the first book. I like the focus on destigmatizing sex work and the inclusion of queer characters who felt well-rounded instead of plot points. I like that Nico walked away from toxic masculinity he was exposed to so he could be a better partner to Lauren. I love that Lauren’s biggest cheerleader was her 80 year old grandma who did not use “growing up in different time” as an excuse for being a bigot. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series (the epilogue sets up a possible third book for a douchey gym bro who may secretly have a heart of gold).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Cannibalism
dark
funny
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
I read and listened to the audiobook together for an immersive experience. It is not Lights Out but I enjoyed the story, the different character personalities, spice, and cameos from Aly and Josh. Can not wait for the next book with Tyler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So I have been looking forward to Caught Up for months. I loved Lights Out & was excited to dive back into the dark rom-com world that was set up.
Junior Trocci exist in a world of violence and depravity. He stuck to the shadows and darkness his only light being Lauren - the first girl he ever loved back when they were kids. He kept away for ten years, to keep her safe. But now he wanted nothing more than to get out from under his father's thumb and have a shot with Lauren.
So, I loved Lights Out but honestly I forgot who Junior was at first, since it's been awhile since I read book one. But I was glad to be back in the into darkness world.
Junior was ruthless and dangerous. He was part of the mob and was a man who always got what he wanted and after stalking Lauren from a distance - he wanted to finally make her his.
Lauren's first love in school was Junior - but when he hurt her she becomes more closed off, not giving anyone else the chance to do so. Now she was working as a cam girl and at a members only club.
This two had baggage to get through. Between past hurts and current secrets these two were explosive in more ways than one. - They instantly had a connection that attended from when they were younger but only seemed more amplified now as adults. It was deeper than lust but neither was ready for more than something casual - at least not right off.
I loved the book, the dynamic between the characters and the world. I loved the friendships and found families too. But I didn't love it as much as book 1. The book was good & it made me laugh some. It had some steamy scenes and I couldn't wait to see how Junior and Lauren's relationship played out. But it wasn't as funny as the first. But with how it ended - I'm excited to see if there will be more in the future from other characters.
Overall it was a good steamy read.
4 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐
3 🌶️ out of 5 🌶️.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
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
I loved Lights Out, but mafia romances are my jam so I think I might have loved Caught Up a bit more. I did love seeing Josh and Ally though!
Junior's story was so good, and I loved that Lauren was fierce and unapologetically herself. I loved the sex work/advocacy aspect of this book. I also loved that kink exploration was a theme. Junior's character development was so good too.
I genuinely do not understand why Navessa Allen is getting so much hate for this book. The audiobook was *chef's kiss*, casting a queer narrator for a queer role was such good casting. I also loved Teddy Hamilton and Kasi Hollowell. I have a really hard time with the narrators being the same despite books being about different characters in a series. It's hard for me to picture them as different characters. I think the right call was absolutely made in casting new narrators. Additionally, the hate about the sex work is just straight up misogynistic at this point when everyone loved that Josh made thirst traps.
Anyway, this book was fantastic, all my love to Navessa. I have a good feeling the next book will be about Tyler, and I cannot wait!!
Junior's story was so good, and I loved that Lauren was fierce and unapologetically herself. I loved the sex work/advocacy aspect of this book. I also loved that kink exploration was a theme. Junior's character development was so good too.
I genuinely do not understand why Navessa Allen is getting so much hate for this book. The audiobook was *chef's kiss*, casting a queer narrator for a queer role was such good casting. I also loved Teddy Hamilton and Kasi Hollowell. I have a really hard time with the narrators being the same despite books being about different characters in a series. It's hard for me to picture them as different characters. I think the right call was absolutely made in casting new narrators. Additionally, the hate about the sex work is just straight up misogynistic at this point when everyone loved that Josh made thirst traps.
Anyway, this book was fantastic, all my love to Navessa. I have a good feeling the next book will be about Tyler, and I cannot wait!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Stalking
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Stalking, Abandonment
Dark humor filled story about 2 individuals who have a shared complicated past. Most of the dark content is leaning towards friendly banter- if you do not care for dark humor, explicit sexual romance details, voyerism etc. this isnt the fun book for you.