Member Reviews
Ooooookkkkkk wait a minute, just one dang minute. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The two leads are perfection - hilarious, supportive, confident. This plot of this dark rom-com is intriguing with excellent pacing. This one sent me flying to social media to learn more about this author (and cry because I missed a special edition opportunity). I will recommend this all day long. Come for the story, stay for Fred. And the narration? TOP TIER!!
DNF @ 35%
I honestly had such a hard time getting into this book. I saw so many people talking about how good it was but it felt weird. Insta lust can be done in a way where it’s good but this kinda wasn’t one of them for me. This was weird
WOW. What can I say about this besides I absolutely devoured it and loved e v e r y second of it.
If you enjoyed the Mindf*ck series and Butcher and Blackbird, imagine they had a baby and you’d get Lights Out.
The characters are so much fun, the story was written as if I was a fly on the wall. I love all things masked men and this one did not disappoint.
I have not enjoyed an audiobook recently as much as I enjoyed this one. The narrators are two of my absolute favorites.
I liked the writing style and the audiobook narrators. This book was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. The relationship build-up was really entertaining and the humor is good too.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
I originally read this book chapter by chapter as Navessa released them on her website. I was HOOKED. I am so happy for her that a publisher picked up this book. The narrators were perfect and this audiobook only enhanced the experience.
Well, that was different from what I expected. It had the most extensive list of trigger warnings, so I am still determining what I was expecting. It was a darker and spicier book than the cover lets on. It made Butcher and Blackbird seem like YA. I usually read fantasy or horror, so it was far from what I would read in my comfort zone. Are you supposed to love a stalker? I mean, I actually liked Josh. Awkward. The audiobook narration was superb and brought the story to life. I enjoyed that it was more than just a romance. It had a wild and twisty storyline with actual crime elements.
I received an ARC audiobook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Select, Slowburn.
OH MY GODDDDD
I love this book so much. This book is going on my list of favorite audiobooks of the year AND forever favorite rereads when I need a feel good book.
Yes there’s darker themes. Yes there’s accidental murder. Yes there’s stalking and kink mask shit but it was funny as hell okay?!
Aly and Josh might be my new favorite couple everrrrr. Their banter and humor was top fucking tier! I loved how easy their relationship came to be. That Aly knew exactly what she wanted and went for it.
The car scene when they first “meet”?! Jesus Christ I had to take a breather. 😅
I haven’t laughed like this during a book in so long! It’s seriously such a good book and amazing audio production!
I’m first and foremost a Jacob Morgan fan. 👏🏼👏🏼 this one was no different. I believe this is my first audiobook by Elena Wolfe but I will for sure keep a look out for her in the future as she did FANTASTIC in this one!
Lights Out is a stalker, erotic, dark romance. It was wild. Josh’s father was a famous serial killer and he was afraid that is like him. Allie is a nurse who Josh is obsessed with and she lusted after his masked alter ego online. This book feels like it was trying to be a cross between Butcher and Blackbird and Haunting Adeline. However, it was a little too sweet for being a dark romance. Don’t mistake that this IS a DARK romance, so check trigger warnings. While Josh and Allie have darker desires, they weren’t psychopaths. They don’t do bad things just to do them, but the way they made the cat Freddy their “baby”. The bad people were secondary characters. It was erotic as I thought it would be. There wasn’t a lot of character growth in this. It was entertaining. I listened to the audiobook. Jacob Morgan and Elena Wolfe did a fantastic job with the duet narration! I would recommend the audiobook.
TW: Stalking, death of a parent in the past from a car accident, famous serial killer for a parent, mafia, rapist and murder off page, talk of accidental cannibalism, child abuse memories, PTSD.
For the fans of Butcher and Blackbird, this is SO for you. If you are looking for a dark rom com full of witty banter and some amazing spice, Lights Out is definitely a book to add to your TBR. After coming across a reel about riding a knife I knew I had to check this book out. Allen definitely did not disappoint. SPICE LEVEL - 5/5, FIVE STAR READ.
Five HOLY SHIT Stars
Nooooooo!!!! I'm not ready for it to be over!
These two narrators will always be an instant YES from me. So much so that I wasn't 100% sure on this book before I started it but knew I was diving in anyway. I am SO FREAKING GLAD I did. From start to finish I loved this book. RIP to my tiktok algorithm.
The viral TikTok stalker dark romance, burning with high heat, hilarious banter, and a love story like you’ve never seen before. Can you handle the ride?
Aly is a trauma nurse with a mask kink. She's so busy at work and those videos are her secret indulgence. After one stressful night at work she texts a guy she had been hooking up with a screen shot and an invitation. He declined.
Josh is a computer hacker who's just trying to keep out of the public eye. In his quiet time he has a secret identity on the internet as a masked man. A masked man who has taken a special interest in one of his followers. One of Aly's comments catches his eye, she offhandedly begs him to break into her house wearing a mask, so he does.
I'm not exactly understanding the negative reviews. I get that this isn't as Dark Romance as some other stuff people are reading but that doesn't mean it doesn't fit the category. It just means you've desensitized yourself with even darker romances.
Anyway, HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this story. All opinions are my own.
Check the trigger warnings.
I loved this book!!! It reminded me of an upbeat version on Haunting Adeline and Butcher & Blackbird.
It was awesome to see these two not only get to play out their kinks but explore mentally and emotionally why they had them. I appreciated the constant checking in with themselves personally. The mmc was SWOON WORTHY, and I could not stop blushing at how sweet he was. Which caught me off guard for a dark romance. I also loved that the mfc was strong mentally and physically, super smart, knew her strengths, and had a good heart! Overall, this had some 🥵 scenes, but it didn't overtake the plot.
I did the audio, and it was a fantastic duet. I will listen to Jacob Morgan read the alphabet! Thank you, Netgalley, for this advanced audio.
I loved the indie version of this book and I've been DYING to listen to the audiobook. The narrators are perfect. The story HYSTERICALLY HOT! I'm obsessed. This is gonna be my all time favorite audiobooks.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen was a dark stalker romance that quickly grabbed my interest, and had me needing more from start to finish. Aly and Josh's journey to HEA was full of spicy twists and deadly turns and I finally let out a happy sigh of relief when these two found happiness together.
Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan perform this audiobook in duet-style narration which was perfectly suited for the audiobook. This book has a lot of immersive dialogue between characters that suits this narration style. Elena's seductive tone encompassed Aly's vulnerabilities, desires, and strength as voiced what she truly wanted in life. Jacob's warm, alluring voice captured Josh's dominant, possessive nature perfectly but also showcased a charismatic protective side as well. Both narrators bring the heat and the humor with the steamy hot connection between Aly and Josh.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was an intriguing take on a TikTok viral video that inspired this story.
Yes! Yes, please!
Lights Out is amazing and sets the standard! The narration by Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan is absolutely next level. And that voice modulator... stick a fork in me, I am DONE!
The way the story unfolded between Aly and Josh is beautiful and unexpected. Fred is, of course, the star!
Aly is fierce and confident, I love that about her. She is a seasoned nurse and the way it is tied into the story's plot felt so authentic to me.
Josh, oof, where to begin. First, *add to cart*! Second, he is so layered in his thoughts and personality. He's hot, he's a masked man, he has this online thirst trap persona... but he is so much more than that. Josh is emotional, deep, navigating insecurities and very real to him fears... while also being obsessed with Aly and wanting to make her his in every way.
I know this book will be a comfort read (and soon to be listen) to me as I have already read it three times straight through, and some chapters more than that.
Navessa, should you read this, YOU are absolutely amazing! You've gained a loyal obsessive reader. I cannot wait for the rest of the series and to see where the characters take us! I hope that we can get a movie of my babies!!
Thank you! and an extra thank you to Zando. <3
I loved the smut in this book. The mafia plot was not the best but it was done well. I will read more books from this author.
OMG, this was fire! It’s definitely a dark romance that I absolutely devoured! Between all the spicy, the triggers, and the witty humor this book is just amazing!
If you are a fan of You or Butcher & Blackbird you need to read this book!
I listened to the audiobook and the narration is one of my favorites! I want to listen to more by Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan.
****Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Slowburn/Zando for my gifted copy in turn for an honest review!
4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars on Goodreads
Let me start by saying that this is the first dark romance that I have read. There have been books with similar themes in some of the paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels I’ve read, but this was my first real introduction to this particular genre. I have heard many, many things about other books that are I this category, and just haven’t gotten around to reading them. Maybe that will change as I am curious how they compare.
When our FMC, Aly, discovers the TikTok channel of a masked man doing deliciously suggestive things, she is hooked. As she becomes more and more obsessed with the idea of the masked man doing dark and dangerous things to her, she becomes more brazen and assertive in the comments section of his newest videos. But will Aly get more than she asked for when she find herself on the masked man’s radar after all?
This book has a lot of spice, so you can’t say you weren’t warned. Also, definitely make sure to check the TWs at the beginning of the book as it does have dark themes throughout. The characters are morally grey, and I liked to see how things lightened in some parts and darkened in others. It made Josh and Aly seem more alive/human as we all experience that light/dark spectrum in our own lives. Some more so than others (looking at you Aly).
I listened to this book on audio, and thought that the narrators did a fantastic job. The pacing was great, no weird mouth breathing. Lol! Both narrators were great with diction, clarity, and volume, and I really appreciated that they were both roughly the same speed. I’ve listened to books with multiple narrators a lot lately and often find that I have to adjust the playback speed every time they switch, which is annoying. I did not have that issue with this book.
Overall, I’d rate this 4 stars! While I hope no one would go to this extreme in real life, it definitely works for fiction.
🧚🏻A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley, Dreamscape - Slowburn, and author Navessa Allen for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this audiobook! Both narrators were great! Easy to understand & great emotion.
The book however was extremely long. I think had it been a bit shorter, it would have easily been a 5 star review for me.
The epilogue was probably my favorite part of the book!
Thank you Netgalley dreamscape media and slowburn/zando for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. Ok beasties zando / slowhurn I'm gonna need every arc moving forward a firm autioapprove and instantly send me arcs of all your titles. Holy holy holy this was soooo dang goood and whew what a ride I will absolutely need a copy for my forever shelf.
5/5☆
This was not butcher & blackbird vibes. I’ve been seeing that all over reviews. The intro where they list out all the content warnings is just about the only thing that reminded me of B&B. Neither of them are serial unalivers. The MMCs father was one but that’s not the main storyline. B&B went over the top with all the slayings. That’s what makes that book so different and special. The gross out, over the top, shock value. This book was not that.
This book was 100 percent stalker romance. Not serial unaliver dark romance. I’ll be honest to say I may not have read this one because of the whole scary mask, 6’5” super shredded and completely covered in tattoos is a hard eye roll for me. 😂 The stalking part where they cyber hack you and learn everything about ya. Breaking and entering into your home. Having all sorts of crazy wild 🥵 and the person still not knowing your identify. That’s one thing.. 😂 But being super hot after you take the mask off, shredded, perfect tattoos, and a computer genius is a bit much for me. 😂
All that said… this was a super fun read. And both characters were very funny at times. The storyline was good. It was way too long for me. If it were 100 pages less it would have been a 4 star. When I speed up duet narration to 2.5 just to get it over with.. meh
3.5 stars. Duet narration audiobook performed BY
Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan. If you’re gonna read this go audiobook. These two are fantastic together.
Favorite quote. “OK, but how are you going to tell your wife that you just got this girl pregnant?”