Caught Up: Into Darkness Trilogy By Navessa Allen Book Review
Obsession, dark humor, and spicy romance all rolled into one? “Caught Up” by Navessa Allen, the second book in the Into Darkness trilogy, dives right into that intense mix.
Here’s the scoop: this is a dark romance about Nico “Junior” Trocci, a morally gray, possessive guy with a violent past, and Lauren “Lo” Marchetti, a strong, independent woman who’s unapologetically herself , a confident camgirl involved in the world of play clubs. The story follows their electric, complicated connection as Junior becomes obsessed with Lauren, even though he knows she’s “off-limits.” You get all the tension of a slow burn, high-heat romance set against crime-family drama, secrets, and betrayals. But don’t worry, it’s not super dark or bleak , the book balances heavy themes with sharp wit and some dark humor.
What really makes this book stand out is its honest take on sex work and kink, woven naturally into the story without judgment. The characters feel real and flawed, and the chemistry between Junior and Lauren sizzles with sharp banter and emotional depth. Plus, the heroine’s roommates and recurring characters from the first book add fun and humor to what could otherwise be a pretty intense story. The audiobook version even gets lots of praise for bringing all of this to life.
That said, it’s not a perfect fit for everyone. Some found the pacing a bit slow or the plot less gripping compared to the first book, “Lights Out.” A few missed the lighter tone and humor that made the original so memorable. And if you’re after a neat, happy-go-lucky romance, this isn’t it , expect morally complex characters, intense possession, and some darkness.
From my perspective, if you enjoy stories with edgy, unapologetic heroines and heroes who are obsessively protective rather than classically “nice,” you’ll probably like this. Fans of mafia-lite romance with a kink-positive vibe and spicy scenes will find a lot to love. But if you’re sensitive to themes like stalking, verbal abuse, or crime-family violence, or if slow-burning tension frustrates you, it might not be your thing.
All in all, “Caught Up” is a bold, spicy ride with real emotional layers and plenty of shoutouts to empowerment and sexual agency. If you want a romance that’s a little dark, a little twisted, but full of heat and heart, this is a solid pick.
If that sounds like your kind of story, definitely check it out. And if you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what you thought!