Week 24 Review: Caught Up

From Goodreads:

From the viral TikTok author of the stalker romcom, LIGHTS OUT, comes Navessa Allen's second book in best-selling The Into Darkness Trilogy, upping the ante with voyeurism and play club kink.

"I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted."

Nico "Junior" Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don't get to have women like her. It's why he pushed her away back in high school and kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior's innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. Watching Lauren from a distance isn't enough; he needs to make her his.

"He's ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color."

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she's developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who?

My Review:
I had such a fantastic time reading this book! That it's a second chance romance, on top of the other elements of this story, with the kinks and the darkness, absolutely had a great time with this sequel! I'm so glad that we got this story! Plus the fact that she's Catholic, and he was raised in the church which explains the tag line on the cover...yeah, that one scene was pretty spicy! 

Junior and Lauren had a thing when they were in high school, but it ended messily, because of who their fathers were, who didn't approve of the relationship-and so he denied that it happened, which wasn't great for her. But now those barriers are gone, and he's free to reconnect to her, not that he had lost track of her.

The fact that she's a cam worker, is fighting for protections, and is open with her sexuality was refreshing to read. She knew what she liked, and was the one introducing Junior to this world. I hadn't thought about it, but yeah, the masculinity culture of mobs aren't the most accepting of any homosexual activity, including watching another guy on stage. So I'm glad that it was mentioned, though it was more of a one off thought, not really explored in the story, it was still there. 

The complicated relationship between Nico and his dad was a big part of this book. Nico does not like him, doesn't want to be a part of this life and being the one who would go down if they got caught. So of course he wants out. The question was what it was going to take to get out-and what he would go to. Loved how that turned out and came together! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to continue on with this series! 

Author: Navessa Allen
Series: Into Darkness Trilogy #2
Read: June 10th, 2025
Source: Library/Bought 
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Slowburn
Published: June 10th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars