Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Caught Up: Into Darkness, Book 2 by Navessa Allen

55 reviews

sassyfitncurvy's review against another edition

5.0

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

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol

chronic_listener's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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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

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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

winchesterm89's review against another edition

4.5

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

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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). 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment

honeybeewitched87's review against another edition

2.0

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

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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

kathleenmcg's review against another edition

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I’m not comfortable with mafia darkness. So far, the book was well written, I just was put off by Junior. I hope others find the book enjoyable. It’s just not for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence

cedar_salt_citrine's review against another edition

4.25

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

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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

mj_86's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking

Moderate: Sexism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism

melmo72's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship

Minor: Vomit, Cannibalism, Alcohol

mels_reading_log's review against another edition

4.0

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If this MMC was real- 🚩🚩🚩

But since I’m in his head in this book, and can see the whys for his actions, he is a guy in love trying his best to take care of his girl the best way he knows how. Does he need therapy? Yes, definitely, but his heart is in the first place.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood

Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Murder

hrobles1009's review against another edition

2.5

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Lauren is insufferable and there was just too many tropes competing for the main plot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking