Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Caught Up: Into Darkness, Book 2 by Navessa Allen

205 reviews

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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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. 

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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

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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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dark funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

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dark funny tense 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

Second in the Into Darkness series, this highly anticipated book exceeded my expectations! While still a dark rom-com, the novel didn't have quite the same tone as Lights Out, mostly because of the difference in the character's personalities. As much as I loved Josh in the first book, I was relieved and appreciative that it didn't feel like a copy & pasted MMC and made for a good separation between the two books. This book was also a lot more explorative in the world of kinks, identities and orientations than its predecessor, creating a very sex positive message. The buildup of sexual tension between Lauren, by far the most confident FMC I've ever read, and Nico, previously sheltered by his rather misogynistic mafia upbringing, blossomed at the perfect rate.

I am very intrigued to see where the final installation of this trilogy goes, with the brief setup of Tyler & Stella’s introduction in the final pages.

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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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adventurous emotional funny tense 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: No

Lights Out caught my attention more for the plot than anything else, this time round with Caught Up Navessa definitely wanted her audience to focus more on the kinks and 🌶️🌶️🌶️!! This book is definitely not for the faint hearted! 

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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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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 🌶️. 

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