Lights Out: An Into Darkness Novel. By Navessa Allen. Audiobook

Emma Smith

The audiobook? Absolute perfection. The narration was impeccable, and the character chemistry? A masterclass. I was particularly captivated by Josh's instant, unwavering declaration of them as a family of three. And yes, I'm mentioning the audiobook twice - it was that flawless. A true standout.

Now, let's be clear - I'm no stranger to explicit content. But even I found some moments here pushed the envelope. Kitchen utensils as props? While I admire creative risk-taking, that particular choice briefly shattered the immersion for me.

This novel frequently draws comparisons to Hunting Adeline and Butcher and the Blackbird. While I haven't explored those titles yet, the consensus suggests Lights Out offers the mildest ride of the three. Hunting Adeline wasn't on my radar, but Butcher and the Blackbird is - and now I'm considering a comparative deep dive. All in the name of literary research, of course.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the mafia subplot emerged as a personal highlight. It injected a necessary layer of gritty, high-stakes momentum that beautifully counterbalanced the intense romantic dynamics.

A crucial note for readers: every interaction here is fiercely consensual, with both characters fully invested in their intricate games. Don't let the premise deter you. This story delivers genuine warmth, too - I found myself smiling more than once, especially during Josh's tender conversations with her cat. Those moments were pure delight.

***

Book Review: Lights Out by Navessa Allen
Book Description
The viral TikTok sensation delivers a stalker-dark romance that burns with intense heat, razor-sharp banter, and a love story that defies convention. Are you ready for this ride?

I want someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

Trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci isn't shopping for new kinks. She's perfectly content with the one she's curated: an obsession with the masked men she follows online. In her fantasies, nothing could top them - unless one appeared shirtless, tattooed, and waiting in her bedroom. She dreams of being hunted by one specific man, of him chasing her down to fulfill their darkest mutual desires. She never imagined a single drunken text could transform those dreams into her terrifying new reality.

I crave what most people fear - darkness and depravity over light and simple love.

Josh Hammond has built a life in the shadows, but his digital persona tells a different story. By night, he posts masked thirst traps for millions of adoring fans, but only one follower has truly captured his focus: Aly. After discovering her comment begging him to break into her home wearing a mask, he decides to grant her forbidden wish.

Together, Aly and Josh plunge into their deepest, most dangerous fantasies. But they remain dangerously unaware that Aly has attracted another, far more sinister attention. As the threat escalates, Josh must evolve from predator to protector, forcing him to confront a brutal question: how far is he willing to go for the woman who has become his ultimate obsession?