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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
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
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:
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
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
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.
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
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The best thing about this book was Navessa's writing style. She does a great job at infusing every character and relationship with unique qualities. I didn't particularly love the plot of this book though. It absolutely revolves around Junior and Lauren's relationship, but the sprinkling in of all the side characters and side quests made it hard for me to be invested. It was easy to see the conflict coming from a mile off and had this been by any other author, I would have DNF (I really, really hate the miscommunication trope). The celebration of and respect for sex work was a pretty cool theme throughout.
Story moral: let people find their own happiness and consider yourself lucky if you're along for the ride.
Story moral: let people find their own happiness and consider yourself lucky if you're along for the ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol
dark
fast-paced
80% smut with a very loose story.. if that's your thing then go for it!
Why/how did she break into his apartment to tazer him?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking
Minor: Cannibalism, Murder, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
Perhaps I judged lights out too harshly (actually no, that book needs help). Caught up was much better. I don’t care so much for erotica so I did skip around quite a bit but I really liked the story telling on this one and the very slight cliffhanger/hint to another book at the end.
Navessa is good at creating interesting characters and propelling a story line at the length an ADHD reader would appreciate. I wish she would stop leaning so heavily on existing pop culture, internet colloquialism, and boomer humor. Some scenes that were supposed to show lightheartedness felt like they were missing a 80s laugh track, ick. There’s also a character that uses “they” pronouns which I actually liked but unfortunately they were just tossed in there to further the plot without having any real substance. And again, animal sidekicks that have the intent of showing the males gentle alpha side — lazy lazy lazy writing.
Ton of repeat kinks, phrases, and themes. But, I do like Nick’s story better than Josh’s cause it’s not filled with self-deprecating humor.
I also found it tough to think about how 2 books of hers in a row show mutual secret pining spanning over years, receptive attention to Italian features, and cannabalism warnings (much more detailed and disturbing this time). You okay girl? Do better
Navessa is good at creating interesting characters and propelling a story line at the length an ADHD reader would appreciate. I wish she would stop leaning so heavily on existing pop culture, internet colloquialism, and boomer humor. Some scenes that were supposed to show lightheartedness felt like they were missing a 80s laugh track, ick. There’s also a character that uses “they” pronouns which I actually liked but unfortunately they were just tossed in there to further the plot without having any real substance. And again, animal sidekicks that have the intent of showing the males gentle alpha side — lazy lazy lazy writing.
Ton of repeat kinks, phrases, and themes. But, I do like Nick’s story better than Josh’s cause it’s not filled with self-deprecating humor.
I also found it tough to think about how 2 books of hers in a row show mutual secret pining spanning over years, receptive attention to Italian features, and cannabalism warnings (much more detailed and disturbing this time). You okay girl? Do better
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Murder