Navessa Allen has done it again. I absolutely loved Lights Out, and was a little scared that this sequel wasn't gonna live up to the hype (the hype being josh 🥵🥵) but oh my gosh - Caught Up is such a sexy, dark and fast paced companion to Lights Out, weaving effortlessly into the world that has already been built while still giving us a fresh, intimate perspective that stands completely on its own. Seeing overlapping events and characters from a new angle added so much depth to the story, it felt like peeling back emotional layers I didn’t know were there.

Can we just talk about Nico for a second? Cause Josh was hot, but Nico has that whole 'she's mine' 'touch her an you die' attitude and damn 🥵. These books and those characters compliment eachother so well.

Amazing sequel, absolutely loved the characters and the story line, already in line waiting for book 3!! 😂

thank you @netgalley for my ARC. I was over the moon to be selected for this!!

5⭐️

✨4.5 stars ✨
🌶️ 5 spice 🌶️

"I don’t want to clip your wings, Lo. I want to see you fly.”

Navessa Allen has done it once again. This book consumed my life.

First off, thank you to Quercus Books for approving me for this arc on netgalley! here is my honest review as always

What to expect in this
* Dark romance/rom com
* Stalker
* Past betrayal
* Second chance
* MMC mob ties
* FMC camworker
* Spicy as hell
* Funny side characters

What a ride this was. I am absolutely LOVING this series. I will say that I think I loved this one even more than Lights Out which is saying a lot because I adored it.

I found this to be so easy to read. It was simply written but was so entertaining that you did not want to put it down.
I was loving the relationship with Junior and Lauren. A lot of push and pull and not an easy relationship. It was built originally on a lot of distrust that they had to rebuild. I thought it was nicely done. And the spice. Oh my lord I needed to fan myself. This got kinky my friends. I loved the way that it was explored in this.

I loved the side characters and seeing Aly and Josh again. Lights out I felt was a lot more comical where this one has the humour and more emotion to it.
I had so much fun reading this. I highly recommend reading this series!!

Check TWs and CWs
Happy reading 🩶

Someone at NetGalley thinks I am a very good girl 😏

I got approved for the ARC of Caught Up by Navessa Allen and I haven’t recovered.

We’re talking knife-carrying mob men, ten years of stalker-level devotion, and the spiciest second-chance romance you’ve ever seen. Junior said “if I can’t have her, I’ll just subscribe to her OF for a decade” and y’know what? Respect.

Back in high school, Junior and Lauren were in love - until her dad beat him bloody, his mob boss dad (think Tony Soprano but without the therapy) threatened her, and Junior ghosted to keep her safe. But ofc he was watching her from afar for ten years as her top OF subscriber (and occasional stalker). Now her douchebag dad’s gone, and Junior’s ready to win her back. Problem is: she’s pissed, and he’s obsessed. And I’m EATING IT UP.

This book is HOT. We have an FMC who is a sexually liberated queen and I loved the dynamic that it was HIS comfort zone being left and HIS new experiences rather than the usually MMC-led spice.

But it’s not just spice, it’s smart! There’s thoughtful sex worker rep, non-binary characters who feel fully real, and a chef’s kiss exploration of Catholic guilt and community shame.

Also Lauren is hilarious, and I would die for her dog.

Only complaint? He’s described as 5’10. Be serious. That man is 6’4 in my mind and that’s canon.

Navessa does it again. Bring on book three. 🔥

Caught Up by Navessa Allen is a dark romance that delivers! 🌟 While the plot was mostly predictable, it was satisfying to see the characters' journeys unfold. I loved the representation of sex workers and the advocacy for their rights - it's so important to see these themes explored in literature. The diverse cast, including characters using they/them pronouns and same-sex relationships, added depth and authenticity to the story. The setting was perfectly woven into the narrative, and the appearances by familiar characters from the previous book were a lovely touch. With its steamy content and complex characters, this book is a must-read for fans of dark romance. 🔥

After finishing Lights Out, which completely stole my heart, I honestly thought, “No way the sequel can live up to this.” And yet… Caught Up said, “Hold my wine.”

I adored Lights Out for its humor (and let’s be real – Josh 😂). But Caught Up? Oh, Caught Up came in hot. Less chaos, more spice. Way more “OMG where’s my vibrator” moments. And I was here for EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

Navessa Allen continues to bless us with characters that feel so real, I genuinely forget they’re fictional. Junior and Lauren? Just as addictive, hilarious, and swoon-worthy as Josh and Aly. And the moment Junior called her Lo? I melted into a puddle of emotional goo. 🫠
(Side note: I have a thing for the nickname Lo – one of my all-time fave books has characters called High and Lo, so I took that as a sign from the romance gods.)

This book gave me steam, giggles, butterflies, and a TBR hangover. I loved every second. I’m now officially obsessed with Navessa Allen’s storytelling. Her banter? Top tier. Her characters? Unfairly lovable. Her pacing? Chef’s kiss.

If you loved Lights Out, Caught Up will catch you up in ALL the best ways (yes, I said it, no regrets). I’m already counting the days till her next book drops.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5⭐ I didn't realise how much I missed Aly and Josh until they turned up in this book.

Caught Up was a really enjoyable read and there are several moments in this book where it really shines (the confessional scene, oh my god). However in my opinion the characters and the vibes of the book are not as strong as the first.

Mainly because at it's heart it's a second chance romance meaning things are already messy. Junior and Lauren have a very intense relationship, filled with a lot of differing emotions which sets a very different mood for the book compared to the first.

Lights Out was very fun and silly. Caught Up does have those simmering away in the background but at the forefront it's angry and filled with dark drama.

I still had a great time reading it, I'm just not obsessed with this one as I was the first.

However the set up for the third book. Yes please!! I need to see that chaos!!

This book was amazing. i loved the first book in this series but this one was soo much beter!
The spice and romance got me from the first page!
i will reread this book many times!

This was... fine? After loving the first book, I went into Caught Up with high expectations, especially since I usually love mafia romances. Nico "Junior" Trocci had the setup to be a compelling morally grey character, "a walking red flag", and Lauren’s transformation from sweet and bookish to confident and bold had potential. The beginning definitely grabbed me — I was totally hooked for the first 80 pages or so.

But somewhere along the way, the spark dimmed. I found myself missing the gritty tension, danger, and darker action that usually make mafia romances so addictive. The chemistry between Junior and Lauren was definitely there, but it didn’t leave a lasting impact. I kept waiting for something bigger to happen, but it never quite delivered.

Overall, the characters were okay, the story was okay, but it just didn’t hit as hard as I’d hoped. I wanted more intensity, more stakes, more emotions. Still, not a bad read — just not one I’ll be obsessing over.

This book was everything I didn’t even know I needed. I have never felt so seen by a story before. Navessa really hit it out of the park for this one.

This book was so good at exploring kinks, so good at addressing the issues that sex workers face, but also so good at showing it’s a career path worth celebrating.

I absolutely loved everything about Lauren and Junior and their story. If I could rate this infinite stars, I truly would.

Big thank you NetGalley, Quercus books and Navessa Allen for the opportunity to read this ARC!

If you loved Lights Out, you’ll enjoy this one too! This book was spicy 🌶️ funny and fast over, but also delves into some other topics which I personally think really pushed this book to have more depth than the first one.

Lauren and Junior are vastly different to Josh and Ali, they’re more serious and the stakes are higher, with many a red flag 🚩 but Junior goes above and a little too far beyond making sure Lauren is safe all whilst trying to find ways to start his own second chance at life and with Lauren.
I loved the chemistry between these two, the spicy scenes were fast and furious and just WOW.

Lauren has the BEST friends in the world and I loved their banter, and how much they care for one another.

I absolutely loved seeing Josh and Ali from Lights Out from Junior and Lauren’s POV’s!
The first book was probably my absolute favourite but Caught Up just takes it to a whole new level and Navessa really stepped up the game and made the second book so much more well rounded.

I think I smell a third book in the works?! If so, count me IN!

I somehow managed to get an arc of this book and I loved every minute of reading it! I was skeptical of it living up to Lights Out but it was just as fun and such a different story!

Navessa Allens writing is witty, fun, spicy, heart warming and had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout!

Did I love Nico (Junior) as much as Josh? No! But I loved that he had a completely different more serious personality. We love a moody man that is OBSESSED with his woman. 🤭

I loved Laurens roommates and the scene with the baseball bat/questionable ‘weapon’ had me laughing out loud 😆 Everyone needs a Ryan and Taylor in their lives!

I loved the FMC and MMCs backstories and the second chance love story mixed in with the mafia storyline was just *chefs kiss. 🤌🏼 The topic of sex work in a dark romance book was done incredibly well and loved that it dipped into those darker topics without changing the characters personality for the sake of the relationship!

I cannot wait for the next one! Thanks Navessa Allen and Quercus Books for the digital arc! 🙌🏼

This was so fun! Way to up the ante after Lights Out, I was emotionally invested in both characters, I loved the relationship between Lauren and her flatmates. It was inclusive, sexy, and a riot to read. 4.5!

After absolutely devouring lights out I was so excited to be sent the arc for caught up!
Nico is part of the mafia but wants to get out. Lauren is a sex worker/ cam girl that had her heart broken by Nico a decade ago and swears she’ll never fall for him again…. Nico has been protecting and watching Lauren for the last 10 years and wants to make up for all the time they lost.
We have a very high stakes, stalker energy, crazy plot and I was here for it!
I really liked Lauren as a character, she was strong and confident but I felt she folded so so quickly for Nico every time he did something she didn’t like. I feel like the ending was quite rushed, it didn’t have the same energy that lights out had and I felt some plot was missing. The scene in the church however will live rent free in my head.
Loved the moments we had Josh and Aly in the chapters and it was interesting getting to know Nico more in this book and his motivation.
It didn’t quite hit the same as lights out but I still really enjoyed it!
3.5 stars!

I received an early copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own .

Oh my goodness she’s done it again! Another 5 star masterpiece from Navessa Allen!

I thought I couldn’t love anyone as much as I loved Josh and Aly but Lauren and Nico are just as good. There’s just something about the way she writes these relationships that make them realistic but captivating. The plot has drama and twists, but not in a way that will break your heart.

Spicy, funny and just perfect, couldn’t put it down and read it in a day including most of a night…sleeps not essential anyway right?

Camgirl, Mob man, stalker, protective MMC, kickass unapologetically herself FMC, voyeurism, bondage, public scenes (that confession scene was hot - you’ll understand when you get there) this thing has it all. Especially loved the cameos from our favourite lights out couple!

Never stop writing!

I loved lights out, it was funny and spicy. A good mix. Lights out and Caught up are not what I would class as dark romance. More contemporary spicy romance.
Caught up just didn’t reach that level. I felt like the whole ‘I am what a I am and I’m proud’ was constantly mentioned and pushed. Like we get it, cool. The second half was definitely much better but overall felt rushed. 3.5 stars.

Omg this was such a fun (horny) time. I really enjoyed Lauren and Junior’s story and every single spicy scene (of which there are MANY) was phenomenal. I think my favourite scene was probably the confessional booth…hehe

Navessa gave us another hot as f*ck MMC with Junior! Dark haired, tattoos, morally grey and a BIKER. I really loved Lauren too and what her character represented for the sex work industry. We also get reunited with our loves Aly and Josh.

I loved how this book was a second chance in a couple of ways - a second chance at love for Lauren and Junior, but also Junior’s second chance at life and living a life that he wants for himself. I loved how these things intertwined and enjoyed every second of this.

Thank you to Quercus Books, Navessa Allen & NetGallery for the eARC.

3.5 ⭐️
The tropes, the trigger warnings and description got me really excited for this and I squealed when it landed in my inbox.

This was a fun read, I devoured it quickly and the characters were likeable. I loved that we met an unashamed FMC, bold and brazen who fought a bottle between head and heart over a conflicted, motorbike rising mob FMC.
The tension and yearning in the spicy scenes was perfect (the confession booth 🥵) and the play club was such a fun location and tied in well with the plot.

Having said that I had hoped for more of the feet kicking banter from Lights Out which this book didn’t have. And that’s okay, it was still enjoyable and a good read in its own right
I can definitely see Tyler & Stella’s story coming next!

4.25⭐️
Thank you to Quercus Books, NetGalley and Navessa Allen for this highly requested eARC of Caught Up. This is not an easy eARC to get your hands on and I am one of the lucky ones who got it!

Much like the majority of readers in 2024 I was swept up in the story of Lights Out and was obsessed with Josh & Aly’s story. The moment Caught Up was announced as a follow up sequel focused on Aly’s cousin Junior, I was so excited, it instantly went on my TBR.

The one thing I will say from the get go, is do not go in expecting this to be exactly like Lights Out. Because of how exciting, funny, exhilarating and just bonkers Lights Out was it was always going to be tough act to follow. I spent the first 20% a little annoyed because I was waiting for it to give me the humour that Lights Out did and be like Lights Out. Once I let go of that expectation and the story started to get it’s pace I sat back and started to really enjoy it. This is not Josh & Aly, this is about Junior & Lauren.

The MCs had previous history in this so we spend a good time of the story understanding their past and what led them to be where they are. We are introduced to a lot more side characters in this book who help elevate the story. Caught Up has a slightly darker tone and not as much humour as Lights Out.

If you thought Lights Up was spicy, brace yourselves because Caught Up said “Hey hold my beer”. There is one particular scene that I think will have people talking for a while. This was me…
🫢😮‍💨

I had a fun time reading this. I liked how different the spice/kink was in Caught Up. There was a whole underground world that was explored in this story and it made for an interesting read and what I think is going to set it apart from Lights Out. I still haven’t listened to the Lights Out audio so I think once this comes out I’ll do both of them after the other. 😂😂

1.5⭐️ I missed all the silliness of the first book and I’m thinking maybe the audiobook really made the first book?

There was no plot, like 3 things happened the entire book. I don’t understand why he chose now to come back into her life (the threats made 10 years ago could have still happened..). No stakes or urgency involved.

The characters were fine but so boring with nothing to do in the story. Lauren’s character development, was just ‘maybe I shouldn’t push people away’, when she had a VERY valid reason to do this! It felt so forced and practically none existent.

Just insta-lust, it was immediate. Straight away I knew more about how turned on Lauren was to both their actual characters. It was just paragraphs and paragraphs. And I like books with smut/spice, but this was SO much to the point it didn’t feel normal.
It felt the lust was there to detract was the fact they had no chemistry apart from that. One of their few actual conversations, ends in him shouting at her and saying something that she should have cut him out her life completely.

Maybe the audiobook will make it more enjoyable? But this just wasn’t for me at all which is such a shame because I really enjoyed the first book.

This was a good book that many will probably really like!
Right of the bat this one is completely different to Lights Out and i must say I did not like Caught Up as much.
I enjoyed Nic and Laurens chemistry and the way they worked through the past and their emotions and hardships.
However;
For me, this one lacked the humor the first one had and the middle was a little drawn out and the ending was a bit rushed for me.
Overall, there was something this book lacked and I cannot pinpoint what and it fell a little flat for me. I didn't get the amazing feeling with this one like I do so many romance and dark romance books that I have loved.