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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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
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
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,
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Cannibalism, Alcohol
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.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
It was fun and dark and spicy, all the things you'd expect from Navessa. It just needed it to push the boundaries a little more to make it a five star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Xenophobia, Abandonment
Check all kink content warnings at front of book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
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
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely love this author and her books. I'm already looking forward to Tyler's book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Abandonment