Dead Daze: A Pitch-Black Second Chance

by J.A. Huss

6 Months. No Answers. No Closure. No Contact.

ScarletSins
Check here if you've moved on. I have a new apartment.
Check here if you've forgotten him. I write in coffee shops now.
This is my life. Normal. Safe. Boring. I date men who don't know my real name. I drink lattes and pretend I'm someone who drinks lattes.
Why am I doing this?
Because the alternative is admitting I'm still his.
Six months. No answers. No closure. No contact.
I'm fine.

Watcher
Check here if you've given her space. I follow from three cars back.
Check here if you've stopped watching. I've memorized her new coffee order.
This is my restraint. No cameras. No contact. No crossing the lines she drew. I watch her pretend to write. Pretend to date. Pretend to be someone who forgot me.
Why am I doing this?
Because she asked me to leave her alone.
Then she laughed at his joke.
And I remembered—I never agreed to let her go.

Some monsters know how to wait. Others just learn when to stop.

Second Chance Pitch Black
She Ran/He Followed
Jealous MMC
Stalker Hero
He Never Let Go
Obsessed
He Reads Her Books
She’s Mine
Touch Her and Find Out
Pitch Black MMC
Claimed by a Billionaire
The Chase
Age Gap
Power Imbalance
Did I Mention Pitch Black?

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

J.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.

After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.

So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

Reviews

[Sharon in SF · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in the series must be read first to understand all the nuances of Scarletta and Caleb as individuals and as a "couple". Dead Daze picks up six months after Scarletta's return from Story Island where Caleb had planned a dark fantasy Christmas to enjoy with her. Things went horribly wrong, and Scarletta returned traumatized after what she witnessed...or did she? She asked Caleb to grant her space to wrap around her new normal, and he has kept his distance to a certain point. But she's also suffering from serious writer's block, and can't seem to find the groove in her erotic serial she used to publish on line. Caleb attempts to interfere, but it backfires, and she gets even madder at him. I loved the introspective realizations Scarletta goes through at the conclusion.
I will say this story ends on a happily ever after, but the road to get there is paved in dark imaginings. It's not a typical "dark" romance which I appreciate, and those looking for a formulaic story need to just sit back and enjoy the ride (fodder!) author JA Huss takes us on!

[Marie Meow Meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I really hope we get more from Scarletta and Caleb because they are so smoking hot. I love how unapologetic they are, especially Caleb, for liking what they like. There are no excuses. He likes violence and control and combining them into orgasms. She likes fear and submission and that's how she gets off. I'm tired of people (I'm looking at you other authors) kink shaming those who might have what some consider unusual tastes in the bedroom. (Ok Caleb is a bit extreme but you get where I'm coming from).

These two were basically made for each other. They were two halves of the same soul. It was the perfect Valentine's Day read. It doesn't seem like it would be a romantic book, but under the blood and death, it really is.

I hope there is a mini story for every holiday on JA Huss's Patreon or something. With an extra one for my birthday. June 28 if anyone is taking notes. OK thanks!

[ChristinaB.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Daze leans fully into the darkness, but it never feels hollow or dramatic just for the sake of it. There’s an emotional sharpness to this story that makes it feel honest and raw — especially when it comes to Scarletta. Watching her embrace her desires and finally allow herself to open up adds so much depth to her.

I loved Caleb and Scarletta together. They’re combustible in the best way, wrapped up in that addictive push-and-pull dynamic. Caleb is intense and deliberate, but it’s the way he truly sees Scarletta — and protects her — that gives their connection real weight. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the vulnerability threaded through it that makes their relationship hit harder.

The tension builds steadily from start to finish, and by the time I reached the end, I wasn’t even close to ready to say goodbye. I would’ve happily read another hundred pages — and a very extended epilogue.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I read this book in one sitting (yes, at work), and it was absolutely amazing. Dead Daze brings everything full circle in a perfect blend of darkness and love, and I loved every second of it. It’s a flawless ending to a very dark romance trilogy, and I was fully here for it.
Scarletta’s surrender at the end was chef’s kiss. And Caleb? A complete psycho, but somehow still the better choice. He loves Scarletta in his own twisted way and would do absolutely anything for her.
The buildup to the ending was really well structured, and I was satisfied seeing another bad man taken out. The only thing I wished for was a bit more closure, especially regarding the person who helped Volk in the second book, and having some scales balanced brought to those involved in the snuff film ring in this one.

[Mimiorphee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series reaches its end with Dead Daze, but I wouldn't mind a fourth book, that's how good it gets.
Caleb and Scarletta's tumultuous story gets as dark and possible, but it was also super fun to read, with exceptional lines that had me bursting out laughing.
Don't look for redemption, there's none. Acceptance, second chance, funding yourself is what the book, and the series is about. Sexy? Yes. Gritty? Also. Chaotic? Bold? Definitely.
It's everything I love in books.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pitch black! The darkest trigger warning read! Don’t set foot here if this is not your jam!

However it’s totally mine and I am here for Julie’s storytelling. Epic! Scarletta and Caleb share their black hearts and her realization of it in this book is most certainly an arrival. They fit together and it is just as simple as that. I loved Scarletta’s transformation.

Fast paced, jaw dropping crazy, but oh so much fun!

[Christine Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in the series and wow it was epic
Scarletta is trying to move on and get through each day
She has more money than she could ever need and a new apartment
But something is missing
Does she miss him?
She won't let it and goes to reinvent herself and then she meets Ryan
But Caleb is watching x

[Reva Coomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ending....

I loved the ending so much! I'm not going to go into it, of course, because who wants to spoil it. Let me just say....this is just what my January needed. Dark and spicy. Depraved in the best way. Not a deep "make you think" plot, but still a fantastic JA book. If you know, you know....and if you don't..... WHAT are you waiting for?

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes please more!!

I love how in the EOBS she explains the love between these two characters. I want more of that real. I'm messed, well me too and you are my person. Its refreshing because there are so many of us who are messed up in our own different ways and just wanted to be excepted not fixed

[Cassandra Yuzak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more.

The first 2 books were hot and Spicy but this one just felt kinda flat. The last bit of the book with Ryan is where it got good again. I did enjoy seeing Caleb spiral for a bit but after the first 2 it just didn't really hit for me. I would love to see more of them and Scarletta working with Caleb and the after effects they enjoy.

[Pam Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alluring Trilogy

First...YES please Julie...give us more Scarletta and Caleb! I will say that Author JA Huss never disappoints and never ceases to amaze this reader. The stories we tumble into will often leave you breathless, always satisfied, and frequently longing for more. Thankfully she's prolific and her mind seemingly knows no bounds, which I love about her.

[Jacki Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited on bated breath for this, stayed up late to read right after midnight. I loved the first two, and this one just didn’t do it for me. Not super sure why but it just didn’t feel like it belonged.

[Mand Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan( 🤬 )tastic

A truly fantastic twisted dark romance in which dark just isn't pitch black enough.
These three books, i have been thoroughly enamoured. I have not put them down.
Does Caleb save Scarlleta? Or does she save herself ?
Either way, their journey together woah.

[Deborah Tabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 3rd and last book in the series was a must read. It was good from start to finish. Great read!