Lights Out by Navessa Allen
- Arcadia
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
Book Details
Title: Lights Out
Author: Navessa Allen
Genre: Dark Romance
Published Date: 2024
Summary
Aly, a trauma nurse, has been secretly thirsting over a masked man who posts irresistible TikTok videos. Her biggest fantasy? For him to show up at her door, shirtless, armed, and ready to fulfill her wildest desires. One tipsy text later, that fantasy becomes reality—but not quite how she expected. The masked man starts stalking her, breaking into her home, and bringing her darkest fantasies to life. But when a second, far more sinister man sets his sights on Aly, her mysterious stalker transforms from a dangerous obsession into her unexpected protector.
Plot
The story took some time to fully captivate me due to the audiobook format that I chose, but I wouldn’t say I felt disengaged at any point. However, once the plot gained momentum, I found myself thoroughly drawn in. The pacing was consistent throughout, avoiding any rushed or dragging sections. The originality of the premise also stood out, as I haven’t delved into many dark romances before. The trope of a masked stalker felt fresh and served as an intriguing palate cleanser before returning to my usual fantasy reads. While there weren’t many subplots, the main storyline carried the narrative effectively.
Characters
The protagonists, Josh and Aly, were compelling and multidimensional, each with tragic backstories that shaped their current identities. Josh’s need for controlled violence, stemming from his traumatic upbringing with a serial killer father, felt authentic, as did Aly’s protective instincts born from her mother’s untimely death. Though I didn’t deeply connect with their struggles, I found their arcs believable within the story’s context. Their romance developed artfully from lust to love, taking the time to build an emotional connection that felt genuine. Despite some plot convenience—like Aly’s sudden mob connection—the romance remained engaging. The antagonist was intentionally one-dimensional, serving more as a plot device, while the few side characters played functional roles in the narrative. Though I didn’t notice any major transformations, subtle growths—such as Josh overcoming his fear of becoming like his father—added layers to the characters’ development.
Writing Style
The writing style was fitting for a dark romance told from a first-person perspective. It effectively captured the voices of two twenty-something characters navigating complex emotions and dark themes. The tone complemented the realism and gravity of the story, while the dialogue felt natural and meaningful, advancing both the plot and character development. Though the descriptions weren’t overly vivid, they were sufficient for the modern, real-world setting of the narrative. This streamlined approach worked well, ensuring the focus remained on the characters and their journey rather than overwhelming the reader with extraneous detail.
Overall Impression
This book offered an engaging mix of dark romance, emotional depth, and well-paced storytelling. The exploration of themes like love and overcoming trauma resonated at a medium depth, fitting the standalone format. The emotional impact was strong, eliciting laughter, anger, and suspense at different points. Though not every aspect of the characters’ journeys resonated personally, Aly’s guilt surrounding her mother’s death struck a chord due to shared experiences. The romance was compelling, even if the balance between plot and smut occasionally tipped in favor of the latter. Overall, this was a captivating read and a refreshing departure from my typical fantasy selections.
Rating
Plot Development: 4
Character Development: 3
Romance: 5
Writing Style: 4
Pacing: 4
Emotional Impact: 3
Ending/Satisfaction: 5
I would give this book 4 stars - very good; worth reading with minor flaws.
Favorite Quote:
“And yet, the slight fear of never knowing what he would do next only had me wanting him more.”
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