Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by savage_book_review
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A dark romance that has you crying with laughter and melting into your seat at the same time? Now, I'm pretty confident in saying my tastes don't run to st@lkers with a knife, fake blood and a mask kink, but this book almost has me convinced! There are plenty of dark themes and trigger warnings aplenty, but everything is served up with irreverence and a sh!t-eating grin.
First thing's first. The dual narration of this audio version is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Elena and Jacob bring the characters of Aly and Josh to life immediately, and every emotion is just heightened by their performances. While I can imagine the book is funny enough to read, listening to them tease and taunt one another and bring the characters' inner monologues to life had me cackling! Likewise, the serious moments have you invested fully, and the spicy scenes... well damn 🥵🥵🥵. There might have been a couple of brief moments during the actual storytelling where they weren't 100% on point, but they're so brief that it really doesn't matter because they've built the characters up so well.
I like that Aly is a strong FMC, who's quite happy to stand up for herself, has a meaningful job and isn't afraid to explore her desires. She feels independent - like if the story hadn't happened she'd have been quite content with her life and her cat, with only the need for an occasional booty call and her favourite thirst trap videos to sate her desires. In short, I like that she doesn't NEED a man to 'complete' her. But, when and comes along she doesn't turn into a wilting flower and defer to him... no, she gives as good as she gets. The author has grounded this character and stays true to that vision throughout, and it's so good!
Likewise, the portrayal of Josh should be terrifying. Twisted childhood, enjoys hacking and watching Aly whetever she goes etc... he should make you feel uncomfortable from the outset. But he too has been given a personality above and beyond his circumstances, and I am here for ut!When the guy who dominates the bedroom refers to his girl's pussy cat (her pet, you heathens!) as their son, makes her bacon even though he's a vegan and generally acts like a complete cinnamon roll, he very quickly climbed the ranks of my book boyfriend list!
There is an actual storyline in here too, although it is definitely secondary to the character and relationship development. Yes, I would have liked more depth to the plot as I think that could have given even more opportunity to cement the bond between Aly and Josh, but they alone carry the book so well that it doesn't really matter all that much! It does help that the plotline is entertaining too, in a slightly farcical way.
While I've rated the book as extremely spicy and there definitely are some meltingly hot scenes, the rating is more reflective of the fact that the scenes are not 'vanilla'. Again, check your trigger warnings! And even when they're outside the bedroom, they (and by extension the reader) are constantly simmering with sexual desire and frustration.
I genuinely loved this book, and I wasn't expecting that! And I'll definitely be buying and reading more from this author and series!
First thing's first. The dual narration of this audio version is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Elena and Jacob bring the characters of Aly and Josh to life immediately, and every emotion is just heightened by their performances. While I can imagine the book is funny enough to read, listening to them tease and taunt one another and bring the characters' inner monologues to life had me cackling! Likewise, the serious moments have you invested fully, and the spicy scenes... well damn 🥵🥵🥵. There might have been a couple of brief moments during the actual storytelling where they weren't 100% on point, but they're so brief that it really doesn't matter because they've built the characters up so well.
I like that Aly is a strong FMC, who's quite happy to stand up for herself, has a meaningful job and isn't afraid to explore her desires. She feels independent - like if the story hadn't happened she'd have been quite content with her life and her cat, with only the need for an occasional booty call and her favourite thirst trap videos to sate her desires. In short, I like that she doesn't NEED a man to 'complete' her. But, when and comes along she doesn't turn into a wilting flower and defer to him... no, she gives as good as she gets. The author has grounded this character and stays true to that vision throughout, and it's so good!
Likewise, the portrayal of Josh should be terrifying. Twisted childhood, enjoys hacking and watching Aly whetever she goes etc... he should make you feel uncomfortable from the outset. But he too has been given a personality above and beyond his circumstances, and I am here for ut!When the guy who dominates the bedroom refers to his girl's pussy cat (her pet, you heathens!) as their son, makes her bacon even though he's a vegan and generally acts like a complete cinnamon roll, he very quickly climbed the ranks of my book boyfriend list!
There is an actual storyline in here too, although it is definitely secondary to the character and relationship development. Yes, I would have liked more depth to the plot as I think that could have given even more opportunity to cement the bond between Aly and Josh, but they alone carry the book so well that it doesn't really matter all that much! It does help that the plotline is entertaining too, in a slightly farcical way.
While I've rated the book as extremely spicy and there definitely are some meltingly hot scenes, the rating is more reflective of the fact that the scenes are not 'vanilla'. Again, check your trigger warnings! And even when they're outside the bedroom, they (and by extension the reader) are constantly simmering with sexual desire and frustration.
I genuinely loved this book, and I wasn't expecting that! And I'll definitely be buying and reading more from this author and series!