Scan barcode
A review by booksandmeforevermore13
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
So I picked this up after seeing reviews on Instagram. When I heard the TW list, it honestly didn't even faze me, so I don't know what that says about me. I was just here, "Yes, let's play.".
Firstly, I have to mention the narrators. I heard the audiobook for this book, and let me tell you, it was spectacular. Jacob Morgan is one of my favorite narrators, and for a good reason. He really became Josh/the masked man, brought his character to life, and truly made me understand and connect with the character better. The same goes for Elena Wolfe, who was amazing as Aly, and her narration was perfect. So all in all, the narrators have done a fabulous job, and I highly recommend that you pick it up because it definitely makes the experience 10x better.
Aly is a trauma nurse, and she has seen all there is to see and has grown accustomed to it. Her need to always be present and make sure she does all that she can to help every person who is brought into the ward stems from her own past and the tragic accident that changed her life. Although she doesn't have the time to seriously date given her job, she sometimes finds herself yearning for a connection and something more when she comes home to her mostly empty home, with the exception of her cat, Fred. Which is how she starts spending time watching the masked man on her social media to distract herself from feeling lonely and also finding herself intrigued by her own reactions to his videos. Her interactions with the masked man make her question the kinds of desires she has and just how far she is willing to go as she tries to navigate these feelings.
Josh. Damn this man. I have no words to explain just how unhinged he was, but also how ridiculously hilarious and adorable he was. His inner monologue had me cackling, and I honestly could not keep a straight face while listening to this. Having a serial killer for a father and having gone through and witnessed the things he had, Josh was convinced that he would turn out to be like his father one day, which is why he stayed to himself, not socializing or putting himself in situations that he feels might tempt or trigger something in him. That is until he meets Aly, who was his roommate and best friend's hookup. He keeps his distance, but when he finds out that Aly might be into masked men, specifically him, or rather his online persona on social media, his obsession starts growing. The more he finds out about Aly, the more she intrigues him, and he can't help himself from wanting to bring her fantasies to life. This leads to him slowly testing the waters with Aly to see just how serious she is about wanting the masked man in real life.
These two were just equally unhinged and honestly the perfect fit for each other. The way they tried to one-up each other, keeping their games going, was so much fun to watch. They were both really smart, and it was so entertaining watching them figure each other out and plan out their next moves accordingly. So much taunting, teasing, flirting, and sexual tension between them was so intense.
God, the things Josh did to take care of Aly made me swoon so hard. That man is honestly so thoughtful, protective, funny, and so soo dreamy. Watching over her at work, picking her up after a long, intense shift at work, restocking her groceries, cooking meat for her even though he didn't eat meat, plowing snow for her before she had to get to work, protecting her and keeping her safe even when he himself was hurt. Like I said, so dreamy.
What I also liked is how they helped each other reflect on themselves and come to terms with things. For Aly, being with Josh helped her realize the dark and deep desires that she tried not to give much thought to. There was some darkness in her, and Josh helped her embrace it rather than feel like something was wrong with her. For Josh, who was so convinced that he would turn out just like his father one day and felt like no one would want him because of his past, Aly helped him see who he truly was, what she saw in him, and helped himself from a new perspective from what he was made to believe for years.
Josh was such a cat dad, and that was so hilarious. I loved how Fred was smitten right from the first time Josh stepped into Aly's house. The way Josh and Aly adored their cat child was adorable and also made me laugh so hard, and Fred's reactions only made it all so much better.
The spice was exceptional, and my jaw was on the floor. Especially made better in the audiobook and due to the fact that this was a duet narration. I had to fan myself and try not to choke on my own saliva with all that these two were up to. What I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED and another reason why I was glad I picked up the audiobook is when the masked man uses the voice modulator. OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD!!!! I mean, I would've had a rough idea of the voice in my head, but nothing could've compared to reality, and I was so fucking gone.
That whole situation with Brad was so tense, and I was at the edge of my seat with how things were unfolding. Some intense nail-biting moments with everything that was happening. Aly and Josh were true partners in crime and would do anything to protect each other. Like Josh said, "The couple who slays together, stays together," and they did slay.
Firstly, I have to mention the narrators. I heard the audiobook for this book, and let me tell you, it was spectacular. Jacob Morgan is one of my favorite narrators, and for a good reason. He really became Josh/the masked man, brought his character to life, and truly made me understand and connect with the character better. The same goes for Elena Wolfe, who was amazing as Aly, and her narration was perfect. So all in all, the narrators have done a fabulous job, and I highly recommend that you pick it up because it definitely makes the experience 10x better.
Aly is a trauma nurse, and she has seen all there is to see and has grown accustomed to it. Her need to always be present and make sure she does all that she can to help every person who is brought into the ward stems from her own past and the tragic accident that changed her life. Although she doesn't have the time to seriously date given her job, she sometimes finds herself yearning for a connection and something more when she comes home to her mostly empty home, with the exception of her cat, Fred. Which is how she starts spending time watching the masked man on her social media to distract herself from feeling lonely and also finding herself intrigued by her own reactions to his videos. Her interactions with the masked man make her question the kinds of desires she has and just how far she is willing to go as she tries to navigate these feelings.
Josh. Damn this man. I have no words to explain just how unhinged he was, but also how ridiculously hilarious and adorable he was. His inner monologue had me cackling, and I honestly could not keep a straight face while listening to this. Having a serial killer for a father and having gone through and witnessed the things he had, Josh was convinced that he would turn out to be like his father one day, which is why he stayed to himself, not socializing or putting himself in situations that he feels might tempt or trigger something in him. That is until he meets Aly, who was his roommate and best friend's hookup. He keeps his distance, but when he finds out that Aly might be into masked men, specifically him, or rather his online persona on social media, his obsession starts growing. The more he finds out about Aly, the more she intrigues him, and he can't help himself from wanting to bring her fantasies to life. This leads to him slowly testing the waters with Aly to see just how serious she is about wanting the masked man in real life.
These two were just equally unhinged and honestly the perfect fit for each other. The way they tried to one-up each other, keeping their games going, was so much fun to watch. They were both really smart, and it was so entertaining watching them figure each other out and plan out their next moves accordingly. So much taunting, teasing, flirting, and sexual tension between them was so intense.
God, the things Josh did to take care of Aly made me swoon so hard. That man is honestly so thoughtful, protective, funny, and so soo dreamy. Watching over her at work, picking her up after a long, intense shift at work, restocking her groceries, cooking meat for her even though he didn't eat meat, plowing snow for her before she had to get to work, protecting her and keeping her safe even when he himself was hurt. Like I said, so dreamy.
What I also liked is how they helped each other reflect on themselves and come to terms with things. For Aly, being with Josh helped her realize the dark and deep desires that she tried not to give much thought to. There was some darkness in her, and Josh helped her embrace it rather than feel like something was wrong with her. For Josh, who was so convinced that he would turn out just like his father one day and felt like no one would want him because of his past, Aly helped him see who he truly was, what she saw in him, and helped himself from a new perspective from what he was made to believe for years.
Josh was such a cat dad, and that was so hilarious. I loved how Fred was smitten right from the first time Josh stepped into Aly's house. The way Josh and Aly adored their cat child was adorable and also made me laugh so hard, and Fred's reactions only made it all so much better.
The spice was exceptional, and my jaw was on the floor. Especially made better in the audiobook and due to the fact that this was a duet narration. I had to fan myself and try not to choke on my own saliva with all that these two were up to. What I abso-freaking-lutely LOVED and another reason why I was glad I picked up the audiobook is when the masked man uses the voice modulator. OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD!!!! I mean, I would've had a rough idea of the voice in my head, but nothing could've compared to reality, and I was so fucking gone.
That whole situation with Brad was so tense, and I was at the edge of my seat with how things were unfolding. Some intense nail-biting moments with everything that was happening. Aly and Josh were true partners in crime and would do anything to protect each other. Like Josh said, "The couple who slays together, stays together," and they did slay.