This is the story of Nico (Junior) which we met in the first book “Lights out” and Lauren.
There is no need to know the first book, but we meet Aly and Josh (and Josh’s roommate Tyler) from the first book.
Lauren is a confident sex worker with an Only Fans account which Nico is a subscriber of and is also a part owner of a play club. They booth have a history together but since their breakup haven’t seen each other (IRL) in a long time. Nicos devotion is unmatched although Lauren needs and takes her time trusting Nicos again.
I miss the humor we had in the first book. But to see how Lauren and Nico built their partnership by being honest with each other, having good communication skills and are both willing to heal from their past is a good compensation for that.
For a spicy book it’s kind of a slow burn but when we get spice it’s awesome.
I hope we get a third book in the Into Darkness series.

Caught Up by Navessa Allen

This is the second book in the Into The Darkness trilogy, but the books can be read as a stand alone, the side characters are from the previous book but would not affect the story if you have not read it. In this book we follow Lauren Marchetti and Nico 'Junior' Trocci who have previous messy history, and see how they end up re-connecting and the outcome from this. Seeing how this book ended I think it is pretty clear to see who the third book in the trilogy will be based around, and I cannot wait! I have heard so many good things about the audiobook for this one, so I may have to give that a listen as well.
Many thanks Netagalley and Quercus Books for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions

Thank you so much for Netgalley, the author and publishers for this e-arc in echange for an honest review
This is book 2 in the trilogy. I think this is darker and steamier than Lights Out (book 1) I would say I enjoyed that a little more.
This is filled with angst and passion. Total love for Nico.
I liked it this has well written funny light characters with lots of chemistry. Not one of my fav books ever but a solid read if you are into Spicy Mafia Dark Romance.

This took me ages to read, but only because I kept refusing to continue because I wanted to live in the world longer. It's like I'd put the book down and just reimagine that moment I'd just read or my brain would make lil fanfiction spin offs. I absolutely loved Lights Out and I absolutely adored Caught Up!! It's not going to be for everyone and that's okay so if you're not sure about it I would deffo check the TWs beforehand.

There's something about the way Navessa Allen writes the leads that I can't help but fall in love with. While a lot of it is a far stretch circumstantially I just get lost in this world and go along with it all.

I looooved Lauren so much! She's so badass and her friend group is hilarious! Also major love to Walter who I adore with my whole heart! Then there's Nic! Yeah he's got some red flags flying but it's fiction and somehow they're all just shifting to green (like I'm wearing the Emerald City glasses for the Wizard of Oz book I'm sure I still have somewhere). I'm also absolutely here for the Josh and Aly cameos and cannot wait to see where this series takes us next!

Okay, babes, if you're into dark romance, you have to grab Navessa Allen's Caught Up. Seriously, if you loved Lights Out, this is your next obsession.

Nico 'Junior' Trocci? He's the ultimate "I want her and I get what I want" guy. He pushed Lauren away in high school, but now she's a total glow-up, and his obsession is palpable. It's that delicious, stalker-y vibe we live for.

And Lauren? She knows he's a "walking red flag," but then she's like, "Good thing red is my favorite color." YES, QUEEN! Their chemistry is insane, and you just know those "flirtatious encounters" are gonna explode.

This book is fast-paced, super steamy, and Junior is definitely morally grey in the best way. It's all about that second chance, even with all the messed-up obstacles.

Just a heads-up, it's 18+ and dark, so check those content warnings. But if you're here for the intense, no-holds-barred passion and a hero who's deliciously dangerous, then Caught Up is your next addiction. Get ready to be obsessed!

I found this one tough to get through, so I am going to be holding out for the audiobook instead—especially since the audio for Book 1 set such a high standard. The narrators, as expected, did a fantastic job. Unfortunately, it’s the story and character development this time around that really fell short for me. Because ok one was amazing and it had so much expectations set for this that it fell short for me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Do not let my duration to read this book fool you, it was absolutely amazing. I loved this more than book one which I find crazy! But the story and the character and the spice scenes were just amazing.

I beg everyone to read this book! You can read as a standalone and I recommend listening to it on audiobook 👏

Having also read book one, I have to say I much preferred Caught Up to Lights Out. I liked that Junior and Lauren’s relationship wasn’t as aggressive and dark, as what Aly and Josh’s was. Given how the book ended, it’s easy to guess who the main characters will be in book 3.

Caught up review:

I finally had the time to pick up and read Caught up and it did not let me down! I absolutely adored Lights out and i was ready for another book by Navessa!
First of all I need to explain how much I LOVED the audiobook! Teddy Hamilton’s voice fit perfectly to Junior!
I really liked how this book wasn’t a copy and paste of Lights out and was its own separate book entirely. I LOVE a mafia man, but matched with a camgirl is utterly unmatched!
Overall this book was a really good time, I binged it in under 24 hours… Im loving the vibes of this series and can’t wait to read what Navessa comes up with next👀

… better than the first one! I know not a lot of people will agree but I di feel this was the better one in the standalone series. Deeper, filled with more angst than humor, it altered my brain chemistry

I came for the spice, but stayed for the plot! Great fun, I will explore other titles by this author now.

I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as I thought I was going to, which I am really sad about. Lights Up was hilarious, dark and sexy. This was a bit ... lacklustre in my opinion.

I enjoyed the voyeurism scenes and the beginning chapters when Junior was still watching and enjoying Lauren from afar. I found that as the book went on, I wasn't excited about the plot.

I did however really enjoy Ryan as a side character, and loved the appearances of Josh and Ally. And seeing Junior's dad getting tased? BEST PART OF THE BOOK.

But yeah, in a nutshell this was not a hit for me. SORRYYYYYYYYY I needed more darkness, more stalking, more grit :(

DNF

I really struggled to read this one, so instead was waiting for the audio to come out and listen instead as Book 1's audio version remains absolutely unchallenged in it's greatness. I'll start by saying the narrators are great, as to be expected, it's sadly the story and characters that are lacking :(

The funny banter and cringe humour of book 1 is absent and it really shows as the same charm just isn't there, which is what hooked me last time!!! I didn't warm to the characters at all and I think that in itself is where it falls short as I just keep comparing back to lights out where the characters had such life.

So glad to get the opportunity to read, or at least part read, just sad it wasn't for me!

I loved the first book and my feelings are the same for the second one. I like the characters and the spice level is perfect. Also, the covers! So beautiful and edgy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I personally didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first. The banter and “humour” felt extremely forced :( I still love love love this series and will read the next one but this one just wasn’t as good

All I can say, is Nico please get in my bed. Lauren can come too actually 🤣 I have seen some reviews about this book where people have said ‘it’s not the same vibes as lights out’ and THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT. Don’t get me wrong, Josh and Ali are my angel babies and yes, we will ride that handle any day, I loved their cameos in this book, but Lauren and Nico are just on a different level.

I absolutely loved their dynamic in this book, the opening adventure into the kink world, the way certain topics were dealt with so delicately and our poor little Nico just wanting to be a good and wholesome man. I ate this UP.
It was hot, intriguing, engaging and I loved the vulnerability these two had. The dad can suck an egg for sure, but I did like seeing more into the family dynamics and how the family worked when we were introduced in the first book.
I was kept on the edge of my seat and I read it in one sitting. Please Navessa, I need more!

This was a fun one - the vibe is different to Lights Out but more what I anticipated from a dark romance. Lights Out left me craving a little more weight to the plot and this one delivered! Handling themes around sex workers is delicate and I appreciate the author for seeking their advice beforehand - and it truly shows. The pacing wobbled a little as the romance was dotted amongst the more serious mafia plot but was still entertaining enough to keep me going. Navessa is a talented author with some room for growth and I can't wait to see how the last book in the trilogy turns out ❤

After reading the first book in the series which I enjoyed a lot I had very high hopes for this book. Unfortunately they were not met. I was missing the lightheartedness and humor that distinguished the first book. This one was rather run-on not very fun and rather more a story advocating for sex workers rights. I would still recommend the book to our customers depending on what kind of dark romance they ask for and whether this book fulfills their descriptions.

Ok Lights Out would always be a tough act to follow and I like this but LO is still my favourite! I like how the world is expanding though and am intrigued what will come next… 👀

📸🏍️📸🏍️

Premise:
Junior (Aly’s cousin, and 2nd in command to his mobster father) has just made a man ‘disappear’. And his first course of action, is to reconnect with the man’s daughter, Lauren, his first love who he hasn’t seen in 10 years.

But Lauren hasn’t forgiven him for destroying her life all those years ago. But little does she know, Junior has been stalking her through her cam work, and his obsession is strong.

📸🏍️📸🏍️

Themes / Tropes: Trust issues ; Second Chance Romance ; Stalker ; Kink club ; Camgirl FMC ; Mobster MMC ; Voyeurism.

📸🏍️📸🏍️

Lights Out was a hands down 5 star read for me and whilst I like that this one went in a different direction, and didn’t just copy and paste, it didn’t have me obsessed in the same way. I really missed the humour in Lights Out (mainly Josh’s ridiculous mind), and whilst Junior and Lauren had some fun banter, it wasn’t the same.

But looking at separately to LO, what I liked:

📸 Lauren is a fab FMC! She’s very empowered when it comes to sex and her life! And I love that in a female character, especially in a mafia romance, as sometimes the characters can be weaker. If you liked Aly, I think you’ll like Lauren!

📸 The dynamic of the two! They are both fun and freaky from the outset, especially with their first experience in the voyeur room 👀 and I love that they both don’t kink shame and allow each other to explore what they want. Plus how supportive Junior is of Lauren’s career 🫶

📸 The wider world and characters! Firstly obvs Aly and Josh make cameos and it fills my heart 🥰🥰 I love seeing them post THAT epilogue in the last book! Also Josh has new friends and I feel so proud 🫶 But also I love the potential for new books! Firstly, I knew Tyler would have potential from book 1, and I love what we saw of him this book 👀 plus I’m intrigued if anything will come of Junior’s brothers. Alec was very entertaining and Stefan is a dark horse… let’s see how far this series goes!!

📸 The spice. There’s no ride the handle moments but the kink club does not disappoint! And given Lauren’s job it’s pretty hot from the outset! I would say it’s perhaps less plot driven than the first book, but still fun! My only disappointment was the lack of the utilisation of the bike for some fun…

But bring on book 3!!

A very anticipated sequel to Lights Out!

The spice was spicing and the story had humour and excitement. Maybe it was that Lights Out was something new and interesting and the hype that surrounded it just didn’t transfer to this book. I enjoyed it but it will never beat its predecessor.