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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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse
Sex work,
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Medical content, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
dark
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
🎧
I really enjoyed this book! My expectations were low from all the incredibly mixed reviews, but I think it was really good. It’s different from Lights Out, and not in a bad way. It’s just a different storyline and different characters. It’s not going to be exactly like the first one. So, I think people going into this book expecting it to be really similar to Lights Out is part of the problem. Because this is a good book.
I mean cmon. Nick yearned for his girl. And a man that yearns… earns. He also groveled and got on his knees begging for forgiveness for the past.
I love that it was more than a mafia type romance. I wouldn’t even consider to be mafia romance tbh. Nick just happened to be in the mafia, but kept it separate from Lauren. They had history. So, it was also like a second chance romance and childhood (well, more like teenage hood) to lovers.
And I loved the characters. Lauren was confident in herself and her body. She didn’t let anyone shame her for what she did. Sure, she may have given Nick one too many chances, but it was different because of the way she knew him and his past and his family. She knew who he was deep down. And after learning the reasons he did what he did, it just made her that much more understanding.
And Nick; like I said. A man who yearns… earns. He earned his way with Lauren. And the things he did for her? O. M. G. He did wrong to ANYONE that even talked bad about her. Let alone the people who hurt her. He was watching after her the whole time they were apart after high school, and that was so sweet (and before you think otherwise, maybe just don’t read dark romance. It’s not for everyone).
Plus, the spice?? I loved it. It was sooo good.
And don’t forget, Josh and Ally were mentioned, too. Nick had mentioned something about how Josh isn’t meant for stealth and it was just so funny because Nick clearly didn’t know about Josh’s antics with Ally😂 But I also loved the fact that Lauren knew right away because she recognized Josh’s tattoos. I found that little part between them all so hilarious.
Overall, this book was so good. I really enjoyed it and I enjoyed the narrators (I listened to the audiobook). I recommend this book. Just don’t expect it to be a copy of Lights Out.
I really enjoyed this book! My expectations were low from all the incredibly mixed reviews, but I think it was really good. It’s different from Lights Out, and not in a bad way. It’s just a different storyline and different characters. It’s not going to be exactly like the first one. So, I think people going into this book expecting it to be really similar to Lights Out is part of the problem. Because this is a good book.
I mean cmon. Nick yearned for his girl. And a man that yearns… earns. He also groveled and got on his knees begging for forgiveness for the past.
I love that it was more than a mafia type romance. I wouldn’t even consider to be mafia romance tbh. Nick just happened to be in the mafia, but kept it separate from Lauren. They had history. So, it was also like a second chance romance and childhood (well, more like teenage hood) to lovers.
And I loved the characters. Lauren was confident in herself and her body. She didn’t let anyone shame her for what she did. Sure, she may have given Nick one too many chances, but it was different because of the way she knew him and his past and his family. She knew who he was deep down. And after learning the reasons he did what he did, it just made her that much more understanding.
And Nick; like I said. A man who yearns… earns. He earned his way with Lauren. And the things he did for her? O. M. G. He did wrong to ANYONE that even talked bad about her. Let alone the people who hurt her. He was watching after her the whole time they were apart after high school, and that was so sweet (and before you think otherwise, maybe just don’t read dark romance. It’s not for everyone).
Plus, the spice?? I loved it. It was sooo good.
And don’t forget, Josh and Ally were mentioned, too. Nick had mentioned something about how Josh isn’t meant for stealth and it was just so funny because Nick clearly didn’t know about Josh’s antics with Ally😂 But I also loved the fact that Lauren knew right away because she recognized Josh’s tattoos. I found that little part between them all so hilarious.
Overall, this book was so good. I really enjoyed it and I enjoyed the narrators (I listened to the audiobook). I recommend this book. Just don’t expect it to be a copy of Lights Out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
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
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Sexual assault