OH MY GOSH. I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK.

I was lucky enough to get an eARC of Caught Up by Navessa Allen and I’m still not okay—in the BEST way possible. If you read Lights Out and loved it, you're absolutely going to devour this one. If you haven’t read that yet, go back and read it first. Trust me.

This book follows Lauren and Nico, and the tension between them is next-level. They have history. Complicated, messy, explosive history. And seeing them thrown back together? ICONIC. You get emotional flashbacks, forbidden feelings, and SO MUCH HEAT (yes, definitely upper YA/new adult). But it’s not just about romance—there’s pain, healing, friendship, and a strong found family vibe too.

Navessa Allen writes characters that feel real. They’re raw, flawed, and sometimes make terrible choices, but you’re rooting for them anyway. I loved how Lauren wasn’t just a love interest—she had a full story, strength, and depth.

Also: the writing? Addictive. Sharp. Funny when it needs to be. And emotional when you least expect it.

This book gave me all the feels and I need more people to talk about it with!! Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC 🖤

Morally grey male leads, check. Strong, independent female, check. Lots of good banter and sexy times, double check.

Caught up is the next book in the Into the Darkness series, and it is just as good as the first one. Junior Trocci has a thing for Lo Marchetti - has had one for years, but has stayed away for her safety. Did he let her know this is why he broke her heart when they were in school, of course not, but he has still kept an eye on her over the years. Finally he has had enough and lets her know just exactly how close he has kept her, and how much he wants her.

I can’t stress enough how funny the banter in this book is - the ‘cannibal’ conversation had me laughing so much and rereading it to my coworkers. It is just a fun dark romance with enough humour to balance it all out.

Just pick up the book and read it when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for an ARC for this.

if you liked lights out by Navessa Allen you will absolutely love caught up, this book 100% tops lights out for me. it’s a protective mafia man x second chance romance. i was hooked from the beginning this story follows laura and nico second chance romance where he is determined to win his girl. its funny, spicy and just a good time

I have so many words pouring through my brain at the moment and no clear way for them to come out to here goes:

- side characters for the win!
- confessional booth...I am on fire
- Josh, Aly and kitties
- club scenes...also freaking hot
- I need more from Stefan
- loved, loved, loved the epilogue
- ah, I see who you've set up for the next book

This is darker than Lights Out which is to be expected with the mafia vibes but still has its funny moments.

Thank you Hachette and Netgalley for the eARC and because I am also watching Taskmaster while typing, I have left an honest review