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Lunatics #1
The Lunatics: the gripping, slow-burn paranormal romance from the multi-million copy bestselling author of Lights Out
***GAME ON, the final book from the MULTI-MILLION BESTESELLING INTO DARKNESS series is OUT NOW***
From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Lights Out comes a gripping paranormal romance, perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood's Bride.
Anything can happen during a full moon . . .
Layla Fitzpatrick lives a simple life . . . for a werewolf. And that's just how she likes it-the scent of woodsy air, the ability to run free whenever she wants. Everything changes one summer night when she attends a ritual bonding ceremony. She thought she was only there to support her friend, but midway through, the magic seizes her, and Layla's suddenly mated to the most arrogant shifter she's ever met. How in the world is she supposed to spend her life with him?
Layla has no idea that man in the pristine business suit is hiding deep secrets. That Michael Kolbeck spends his nights prowling the streets of Boston, where shifters, witches, and vampires walk a delicate tightrope of uneasy peace. Layla wants to rebel against every aspect of her new life, but unless she and Michael can unlock the true powers of their mating bond, that thin veneer of peace among all supernatural beings is about to vanish.
Readers LOVE The Lunatics!
'It's like Navessa Allen has been rooting around inside my head and plucked out every single item on my wish list' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Couldn't put it down! . . . The story drew me in and I am here for it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'OBSESSED' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved it will all my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Truly bingeable . . . I absolutely could not put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Unexpected, sweet and brimming with mystery. I absolutely love the world she's created' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The pacing, tension, sub plots and slow burn are magnificent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lights Out, No. 1 New York Times bestseller, April 2025.
From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Lights Out comes a gripping paranormal romance, perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood's Bride.
Anything can happen during a full moon . . .
Layla Fitzpatrick lives a simple life . . . for a werewolf. And that's just how she likes it-the scent of woodsy air, the ability to run free whenever she wants. Everything changes one summer night when she attends a ritual bonding ceremony. She thought she was only there to support her friend, but midway through, the magic seizes her, and Layla's suddenly mated to the most arrogant shifter she's ever met. How in the world is she supposed to spend her life with him?
Layla has no idea that man in the pristine business suit is hiding deep secrets. That Michael Kolbeck spends his nights prowling the streets of Boston, where shifters, witches, and vampires walk a delicate tightrope of uneasy peace. Layla wants to rebel against every aspect of her new life, but unless she and Michael can unlock the true powers of their mating bond, that thin veneer of peace among all supernatural beings is about to vanish.
Readers LOVE The Lunatics!
'It's like Navessa Allen has been rooting around inside my head and plucked out every single item on my wish list' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Couldn't put it down! . . . The story drew me in and I am here for it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'OBSESSED' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved it will all my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Truly bingeable . . . I absolutely could not put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Unexpected, sweet and brimming with mystery. I absolutely love the world she's created' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The pacing, tension, sub plots and slow burn are magnificent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lights Out, No. 1 New York Times bestseller, April 2025.
Audible Audio
First published November 26, 2019
About the author
Navessa Allen
26 books25.8k followersNavessa Allen lives on a 200-year-old farm in rural New England with her husband, their cats, and an assorted collection of farm animals.
To keep up with her latest projects, check out her Patreon Page or subscribe to her website.
To keep up with her latest projects, check out her Patreon Page or subscribe to her website.
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October 16, 2019The Lunatics (Volume One) is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.
The official release date is November 26. As a reminder, you can read advanced chapters of it over on Patreon. This is fast-paced paranormal romance meets urban fantasy in serialized form, so each installment is between 70-80k words.
Volume One is the first 21 chapters, and Volume Two will start on Chapter 22. I plan to continuously post this series to the site, so anyone too impatient to wait for the release of the next installment doesn't have to!
The official release date is November 26. As a reminder, you can read advanced chapters of it over on Patreon. This is fast-paced paranormal romance meets urban fantasy in serialized form, so each installment is between 70-80k words.
Volume One is the first 21 chapters, and Volume Two will start on Chapter 22. I plan to continuously post this series to the site, so anyone too impatient to wait for the release of the next installment doesn't have to!
June 28, 2026
Thanks to Forever for the ARC. This is one of Navessa’s earlier books that was republished. Shifters are so fun! And I like the dynamic between the two main characters, but other than that, this was SO slow! And with the stakes being so high, I expected more electricity between the characters at times.
November 22, 2019
I'm a huge paranormal romance and urban fantasy fan so I knew going in that this was going to be just my kind of story but it's like Navessa Allen has been rooting around inside my head and plucked out every single item on my wish list for this kind of book then meshed it all together into The Lunatics. We have a strong, independent, intelligent heroine who knows what she wants from life and isn't afraid to go looking for it. Then there's a hero who is alpha without being over the top about it, he's sexy but in a more subtle way than a lot of heroes you read about and he doesn't mind when a woman is physically stronger than him. Throw in fantastic world building, a society where race, sexuality and gender seem to matter very little and a great cast of side characters and I'm hooked.
Layla and Michael are thrown together by circumstance, having a mate is not something either of them was ready for but they both accept the situation when they're accidentally bonded in a ceremony gone wrong. Neither of them is willing to rush into a relationship no matter how attracted they are to each other or how much their new bond is messing with their emotions but they're not pushing each other away or fighting it either. Instead they take time to get to know each other, they gradually build trust between them and they discuss the possibilities for their future like adults so that they're both fully on board with every choice they make. I love the slow build of their relationship, the chemistry is simmering along nicely in the background pretty much from first sight but it takes a long time before they're willing to take that step into a physical relationship.
Layla is really laid back and much more relaxed than Michael, she fully accepts her werewolf side and is happy to spend time both as a wolf and as a human. She enjoys spending time with her family and her pack and is happy to live a fairly simple life. Michael on the other hand has grown up learning how to suppress his wolf instincts, his family live in the city and they spend nearly all their time as humans. It's a careful balancing act in Boston with territory split between the werewolves, vampires and witches while the human population is completely oblivious to their very existence. For Layla living in the city is a real test, the sights, sounds and scents are completely overwhelming to her senses and she's walking on a tightrope over a field full of political landmines having no idea what wrong move could set off an explosion. Michael tries hard to help her fit in but it's fair to say his family are a nightmare and I think things are only going to get worse before they get better.
While the story doesn't end on a cliffhanger it did leave me desperate to get my hands on Volume Two so I'll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment. I have a feeling this is going to become one of my favourite series!
In interests of full disclosure I have to point out that Navessa is a very close friend of mine, however that hasn't affected this review or my rating. I purchased this book myself and these are my honest opinions of the story.
______________
One of my closest friends is officially a published author! Not that this is the first book that she's written, but it is the first one to go up on sale on Amazon. I'm so happy for her
Layla and Michael are thrown together by circumstance, having a mate is not something either of them was ready for but they both accept the situation when they're accidentally bonded in a ceremony gone wrong. Neither of them is willing to rush into a relationship no matter how attracted they are to each other or how much their new bond is messing with their emotions but they're not pushing each other away or fighting it either. Instead they take time to get to know each other, they gradually build trust between them and they discuss the possibilities for their future like adults so that they're both fully on board with every choice they make. I love the slow build of their relationship, the chemistry is simmering along nicely in the background pretty much from first sight but it takes a long time before they're willing to take that step into a physical relationship.
Layla is really laid back and much more relaxed than Michael, she fully accepts her werewolf side and is happy to spend time both as a wolf and as a human. She enjoys spending time with her family and her pack and is happy to live a fairly simple life. Michael on the other hand has grown up learning how to suppress his wolf instincts, his family live in the city and they spend nearly all their time as humans. It's a careful balancing act in Boston with territory split between the werewolves, vampires and witches while the human population is completely oblivious to their very existence. For Layla living in the city is a real test, the sights, sounds and scents are completely overwhelming to her senses and she's walking on a tightrope over a field full of political landmines having no idea what wrong move could set off an explosion. Michael tries hard to help her fit in but it's fair to say his family are a nightmare and I think things are only going to get worse before they get better.
While the story doesn't end on a cliffhanger it did leave me desperate to get my hands on Volume Two so I'll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment. I have a feeling this is going to become one of my favourite series!
In interests of full disclosure I have to point out that Navessa is a very close friend of mine, however that hasn't affected this review or my rating. I purchased this book myself and these are my honest opinions of the story.
______________
One of my closest friends is officially a published author! Not that this is the first book that she's written, but it is the first one to go up on sale on Amazon. I'm so happy for her
April 17, 2026
Bruh. A half baked lore dump at the end with medicore smut and a man that's five foot NINE?
February 17, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
If you’ve followed my reading habits for any length of time, you know I’m a huge fan of the strangers marry trope. When I saw that The Lunatics is one step up from that with a forced mating of werewolf shifters, I was so in. That is my favorite trope but on steroids.
The Lunatics: Volume One is the first part of a serial story in a published format. It is the tale of how Layla and Michael, two very different kinds of werewolves, went to a mating ceremony to support someone close to them and ended up mated together against their will. Not only do they lead very different kinds of lives, neither was looking to complicate it with another person.
There seems to be some foul magic afoot either from the goddess herself, witches or maybe the vampires. But before any of that can be addressed, they have to go up against something else…their new in-laws.
Layla comes from a pack in the woods, they live simply and with the land. Michael’s pack is in the city, they have different rules, priorities and ideas about shifting. Each will have to make compromises for the other and find a way to balance between the wild of Layla and the control of Michael.
I enjoyed getting to know the two characters and getting some hints of the challenges they will be facing. Between the danger from other pack members, the witches and the Vamps there looks to be plenty of obstacles stacked against them.
The way the mating bond worked throughout the book was also interesting and I thought it was nuanced and added to the overall story. How would marriage be if you could really tell some of the thoughts and all of the feelings you spouse was really having?
This does end at a semi-dramatic place, not really a cliff hanger but something that would make you want to pick up the next chapters right away if they were available.
If you’ve followed my reading habits for any length of time, you know I’m a huge fan of the strangers marry trope. When I saw that The Lunatics is one step up from that with a forced mating of werewolf shifters, I was so in. That is my favorite trope but on steroids.
The Lunatics: Volume One is the first part of a serial story in a published format. It is the tale of how Layla and Michael, two very different kinds of werewolves, went to a mating ceremony to support someone close to them and ended up mated together against their will. Not only do they lead very different kinds of lives, neither was looking to complicate it with another person.
There seems to be some foul magic afoot either from the goddess herself, witches or maybe the vampires. But before any of that can be addressed, they have to go up against something else…their new in-laws.
Layla comes from a pack in the woods, they live simply and with the land. Michael’s pack is in the city, they have different rules, priorities and ideas about shifting. Each will have to make compromises for the other and find a way to balance between the wild of Layla and the control of Michael.
I enjoyed getting to know the two characters and getting some hints of the challenges they will be facing. Between the danger from other pack members, the witches and the Vamps there looks to be plenty of obstacles stacked against them.
“Then it will get out eventually,” Ronald said. “You know it’s better to get ahead of her. Put it out yourself. That way you can control the way it’s done and we won’t find ourselves in an unplanned shitstorm.”
I couldn’t help it. “Which is somehow better than a planned shitstorm?”
Ronald looked at me and nodded, expression flat. “At least in a planned one you know where to stand with the umbrella.”
The way the mating bond worked throughout the book was also interesting and I thought it was nuanced and added to the overall story. How would marriage be if you could really tell some of the thoughts and all of the feelings you spouse was really having?
This does end at a semi-dramatic place, not really a cliff hanger but something that would make you want to pick up the next chapters right away if they were available.
January 12, 2025
This book would be perfect if it didn't end on a cliff hanger, and get me excited to dive into book two, only to find out that I have to pay per chapter on patreon and it never got finished. My frustration is so real because I was really enjoying the story and characters.
January 24, 2020
11 May 2020: $0.99 on Kindle
24 January 2020: FREE on amazon this weekend!! Trust me, you want this book!’
24 January 2020: FREE on amazon this weekend!! Trust me, you want this book!’
April 19, 2021
This was a great beginning to the series. It had a slow burn between the mates we get introduced to and it has me salivating for the next entry.
I loved the idea of the accidental/forced bonding of these two wolves and I loved how they handled it and were so respectful to each other.
Well I find it hard to fully judge, since this very much is volume 1 of Michael and Layla's story, I highly recommend this book if you love Fated Mates and paranormal stories.
I loved the idea of the accidental/forced bonding of these two wolves and I loved how they handled it and were so respectful to each other.
Well I find it hard to fully judge, since this very much is volume 1 of Michael and Layla's story, I highly recommend this book if you love Fated Mates and paranormal stories.
November 28, 2023
really..
I would if given more stars. But the author should of mentioned from jump street that this story would end and in order to read the rest you had to download another app where you have to pay a mouthy fee to continue this story. Never seen this before and hope I never do again. DONT START THIS BOOK.
I would if given more stars. But the author should of mentioned from jump street that this story would end and in order to read the rest you had to download another app where you have to pay a mouthy fee to continue this story. Never seen this before and hope I never do again. DONT START THIS BOOK.
August 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Four Stars
🌶️ | Minimal Spice (but not none)
The Lunatics felt like that television series Lost Girl was remade as a Hallmark movie, which is not good or bad, just the vibe I took away from it.
Michael is a big city shifter detached from his roots, while Layla is your classic backwoods werewolf, and their worlds collide when a bonding ceremony neither meant to be a part of goes haywire and forces them into a fated bond of sorts. As the novel progresses, it feels like these two can't catch a break between the antagonistic factions of Boston and Layla's own mysterious past.
Edit: I did actually up my rating after thinking about it. Partially, I was considering the bonus chapters and what they added. I don't know if these were recently written or part of an older work, but they felt different and they add quite a bit to the story for me.
I will say, I am super compelled, and this is a republish of one of Navessa Allen's older works, so I will be devouring the next one when available. I love a good urban fantasy, and this is turning into something electric that brings together modern-feeling struggles with old-world grudges. As this isn't the complete story, I felt like the ending did a lot of work to raise the stakes considerably and make me really want more.
Layla and Michael meet immediate friction as a result of their drastically different lives and beliefs. Michael is portrayed as the sort of snob contrasted by Layla's laid-back country persona, though I often felt like she was the one behaving rather snobbishly. Michael makes a hell of a lot of concessions for her–or at least offers to–and while she does sacrifice for him, this felt a bit uneven overall. I do like their relationship and the way they get to know each other; that felt quite lovely and real and like they were both trying to be there for one another despite the insane predicament they found themselves in.
The mechanics of the mating bond were really fun and intriguing. I also loved the way Michael's complete lack of understanding and Layla's moderate understanding added to the developing mystery. That is a really clever bit of writing. It is funny reading this after being familiar with Navessa Allen's later books, because aspects of their attraction and romance felt restrained in a way that I thought took away from some things. That being said, I am deeply invested in how the rest of their story plays out and what lies ahead for these two.
This is a great book for fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, & folklore/shifting enthusiasts, and it's quite a quick and easy read for the amount of things that transpire over the course of a promising first part. I wasn't as blown away as I wanted to be, but I will definitely be checking out the rest of Michael & Layla's story.
Note: This book ends on a hefty cliffhanger (there are additional chapters in the newest version to ease the sudden drop-off). I find it a bit unclear if the follow-up is published yet. Goodreads says it was in 2020, but I'm not sure exactly.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
🌶️ | Minimal Spice (but not none)
The Lunatics felt like that television series Lost Girl was remade as a Hallmark movie, which is not good or bad, just the vibe I took away from it.
Michael is a big city shifter detached from his roots, while Layla is your classic backwoods werewolf, and their worlds collide when a bonding ceremony neither meant to be a part of goes haywire and forces them into a fated bond of sorts. As the novel progresses, it feels like these two can't catch a break between the antagonistic factions of Boston and Layla's own mysterious past.
Edit: I did actually up my rating after thinking about it. Partially, I was considering the bonus chapters and what they added. I don't know if these were recently written or part of an older work, but they felt different and they add quite a bit to the story for me.
I will say, I am super compelled, and this is a republish of one of Navessa Allen's older works, so I will be devouring the next one when available. I love a good urban fantasy, and this is turning into something electric that brings together modern-feeling struggles with old-world grudges. As this isn't the complete story, I felt like the ending did a lot of work to raise the stakes considerably and make me really want more.
Layla and Michael meet immediate friction as a result of their drastically different lives and beliefs. Michael is portrayed as the sort of snob contrasted by Layla's laid-back country persona, though I often felt like she was the one behaving rather snobbishly. Michael makes a hell of a lot of concessions for her–or at least offers to–and while she does sacrifice for him, this felt a bit uneven overall. I do like their relationship and the way they get to know each other; that felt quite lovely and real and like they were both trying to be there for one another despite the insane predicament they found themselves in.
The mechanics of the mating bond were really fun and intriguing. I also loved the way Michael's complete lack of understanding and Layla's moderate understanding added to the developing mystery. That is a really clever bit of writing. It is funny reading this after being familiar with Navessa Allen's later books, because aspects of their attraction and romance felt restrained in a way that I thought took away from some things. That being said, I am deeply invested in how the rest of their story plays out and what lies ahead for these two.
This is a great book for fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, & folklore/shifting enthusiasts, and it's quite a quick and easy read for the amount of things that transpire over the course of a promising first part. I wasn't as blown away as I wanted to be, but I will definitely be checking out the rest of Michael & Layla's story.
Note: This book ends on a hefty cliffhanger (there are additional chapters in the newest version to ease the sudden drop-off). I find it a bit unclear if the follow-up is published yet. Goodreads says it was in 2020, but I'm not sure exactly.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2026
2.5 - I don’t wanna say Navessa is a one hit wonder because I love her & her personality, but so far Lights Out is the only book of hers that’s really hit.
For a paranormal, werewolf shifter romance with witches, vampires, & some high stakes, this was incredibly slow. Also, I know all MMCs can’t be over 6ft, but he is 5’9” which would be fine on its own except she’s the same height & I love a tall queen, but I prefer my fictional men to be taller as it’s less similar to real life (first world problems, I know).
The other issue I have with this: the story was originally indie published in 2019 & has now been trad published, however, it ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger…for which the sequel was never finished & not only that, but you’d have to pay PER CHAPTER on Patreon if you want some satisfaction (9 chapters worth), so I definitely feel duped. Maybe now that this is traditionally published, she’ll work on completing the follow-up after 7 years, but I’m not too optimistic that it won’t remain an unfinished story at this point.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
For a paranormal, werewolf shifter romance with witches, vampires, & some high stakes, this was incredibly slow. Also, I know all MMCs can’t be over 6ft, but he is 5’9” which would be fine on its own except she’s the same height & I love a tall queen, but I prefer my fictional men to be taller as it’s less similar to real life (first world problems, I know).
The other issue I have with this: the story was originally indie published in 2019 & has now been trad published, however, it ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger…for which the sequel was never finished & not only that, but you’d have to pay PER CHAPTER on Patreon if you want some satisfaction (9 chapters worth), so I definitely feel duped. Maybe now that this is traditionally published, she’ll work on completing the follow-up after 7 years, but I’m not too optimistic that it won’t remain an unfinished story at this point.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 14, 2024
this story grabbed my attention and held it. No grammatical issues, well thought out plot…only negative ended on a cliffhanger and no date for a next book considering this book was published in 2019..and I am not paying to join her platform to finish this story…
September 1, 2026
I actually liked the story but it cuts off twice in weird places and ends on a cliffhanger. It really isn’t clear what is going on with the trad publishing and if she’s going to continue the story or this is it. And frankly I’m over books that don’t say from the start that they aren’t a stand alone.
December 13, 2024
I wish I would have read the reviews before I started the book or at least notice that it was published on 2019 and the sequel is not out yet. This was half a book that was left on a cliffhanger to have people go to another app and pay a monthly fee to read the rest. Feels a little like I got scammed.
May 6, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
Very fast paced first installment of an addictive urban fantasy/paranormal romance that totally got me hooked and ready for the rest. Both Layla and Michael are characters I liked and I am now cheering up for.
I'm totally on board with the paranormal world being built up here and I am completely into the whole werewolf pack wars and battles against evil vampires with magic on top of it. This is exactly the kind of reading I'm looking for right now.
My only two issues with it are that certain topics were introduced kinda in a preachy way, that I didn't appreciate. And that I'm uncomfortable with the way the romance and the relationship development is left in this book. Seeing as I am reading primarily for the romance, I am particularly disappointed by this, because Volume 2 isn't even written yet.
I am tentatively excited for the next part, hoping there's more romance to it.
Very fast paced first installment of an addictive urban fantasy/paranormal romance that totally got me hooked and ready for the rest. Both Layla and Michael are characters I liked and I am now cheering up for.
I'm totally on board with the paranormal world being built up here and I am completely into the whole werewolf pack wars and battles against evil vampires with magic on top of it. This is exactly the kind of reading I'm looking for right now.
My only two issues with it are that certain topics were introduced kinda in a preachy way, that I didn't appreciate. And that I'm uncomfortable with the way the romance and the relationship development is left in this book. Seeing as I am reading primarily for the romance, I am particularly disappointed by this, because Volume 2 isn't even written yet.
I am tentatively excited for the next part, hoping there's more romance to it.
June 20, 2026
Lunatics was a fun read. It reminded me of Twilight on steroids. I’m just so annoyed by that ending! I’m assuming there’s no second book in sight because I’ve read some of her newer stuff before.
August 10, 2026
3.25/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
1/5 🌶️
August 21, 2026
Okay, that was a little chaotic.
There is so much happening all the time that it seems like either the author didn't bother to explain everything or I was too lost in the action and the tension between the characters (which btw OHMYGOD). Or maybe it was intentional but I never felt like I could fully grasp the world or what was really happening and that annoyed me a little bit.
The romance, though? That was... wow. I fell for it completely.
There is so much happening all the time that it seems like either the author didn't bother to explain everything or I was too lost in the action and the tension between the characters (which btw OHMYGOD). Or maybe it was intentional but I never felt like I could fully grasp the world or what was really happening and that annoyed me a little bit.
The romance, though? That was... wow. I fell for it completely.
August 26, 2026
I almost DNF this one. I went into it expecting a fated-mates romance with shifters, but it turned out to be much more of an urban fantasy, with shifters at war with vampires and witches. Unfortunately, the story just didn’t work for me. The plot development was extremely slow, and so much of the first 60% felt repetitive and redundant. I kept waiting for something to happen, but the story never really grabbed my attention. I also found the chemistry between Layla and Michael lacking, especially considering they’re supposed to be fated mates. The steamy scenes were decent, but by the time they happened, I had already lost interest in the characters and their relationship. I pushed through hoping the story would eventually pick up, but unfortunately, I ended up feeling pretty disappointed. I also went in thinking this was a standalone, only to discover that it ends on a cliffhanger. At this point, I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the second book.
Want to Read
June 30, 2026A new (but not really new but also kind of new) Navessa Allen book??
consider my interest piqued. will she recover from the fumble that was books #2 and #3 of Into Darkness? Or will she fall even further... only time will tell
~~~~~
Into Darkness Series:
Lights Out (#1) - ★ 4.74 stars ★
Caught Up (#2) - ★ 3.36 stars ★
Game On (#3) - ★ 1.33 stars ★
consider my interest piqued. will she recover from the fumble that was books #2 and #3 of Into Darkness? Or will she fall even further... only time will tell
~~~~~
Into Darkness Series:
Lights Out (#1) - ★ 4.74 stars ★
Caught Up (#2) - ★ 3.36 stars ★
Game On (#3) - ★ 1.33 stars ★
February 21, 2025
There is so much repetetive and unimportant info in this book that its killing me slowly, but I love shifter Romance and I love that the mates themselves weren’t toxic which isn’t a given in this genre of books , loved allen from lights out and the width of the characters is still here and I love all the funny moments. Butttt and a big but , it was such a slow romance i wanted to die also she kept asking questions about him and her had with Voice in them out, and I just couldn’t anymore. I love sister romance, but this one flopped so hard. Like how can you write something so beautiful but then can read this book don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t that bad, but it still was bad (for me) . at one point I was skipping long paragraphs because nothing was happening and also what the fuck is happening in Boston and I will not be reading the second book.
February 9, 2020
First off, know that this is NOT a complete story, it is part one of an ongoing serial of which parts two and onward have not yet been released. I did not know this when I purchased it as no mention of being incomplete and part of a serial was made in the book description.
That being said, this was an intriguing story with interesting characters and drama. If this story ever gets completed published as a single book, I will buy it because it was that good, otherwise I will not as waiting for weeks/months/years to get the next chapter is not something I enjoy.
That being said, this was an intriguing story with interesting characters and drama. If this story ever gets completed published as a single book, I will buy it because it was that good, otherwise I will not as waiting for weeks/months/years to get the next chapter is not something I enjoy.
February 10, 2026
WHERE IS BOOK TWO?!
This had me hooked and I got left on a cliffhanger! Werewolves, vampires, witches. I have so many questions.
This had me hooked and I got left on a cliffhanger! Werewolves, vampires, witches. I have so many questions.
June 18, 2026
Werewolf - mate paranormal romance from one of my favourite dark rom com writers? Sign me up. I saw the cover was newly updated (and beautiful) and I’m hoping that means that volume 2 is more of a sure thing and complete.
This was fast paced and fun, but for me, missing depth - I found it just skimmed the surface of what the story can be. I love Layla as the FMC, and even Michael really grew on me as well. I just feel like I wanted more out of it.
Layla was only going to be an observer and support her best friend at her packs mating ceremony - when all of a sudden, she ends up getting magically pulled into the ceremony and unwillingly bonded to the stuffiest wolf shifter ever - Michael. They are like water and oil, city and small town, outspoken and reserved. But now irreversibly bonded, the two must figure out their connection and Layla will be thrown into a whole new world when she goes to the city with Micheal - werewolves, witches and vampires! Oh my.
This was fast paced and fun, but for me, missing depth - I found it just skimmed the surface of what the story can be. I love Layla as the FMC, and even Michael really grew on me as well. I just feel like I wanted more out of it.
Layla was only going to be an observer and support her best friend at her packs mating ceremony - when all of a sudden, she ends up getting magically pulled into the ceremony and unwillingly bonded to the stuffiest wolf shifter ever - Michael. They are like water and oil, city and small town, outspoken and reserved. But now irreversibly bonded, the two must figure out their connection and Layla will be thrown into a whole new world when she goes to the city with Micheal - werewolves, witches and vampires! Oh my.
July 19, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was a fun, fast-paced start to an urban fantasy/paranormal romance series that immediately pulled me in. I really liked Layla and Michael, and I'm already invested in seeing where their story goes. The world was easy to get hooked on. Between the werewolf pack conflicts, vampire threats, and magic woven throughout, it had everything I was in the mood to read. My only real complaints is that I wasn't satisfied with where the romance was left by the end. Anyways, I'm looking forward to continuing the series and hoping the romance takes center stage in the next installment.
July 27, 2026
This was FUN!!!!
Thank you Forever and Navessa Allen for the e-arc and physical copy.
This was entertaining!!! From the start, them accidently getting mated together - I was hooked. Especially with the whole “opposites attract” trope, I ate up their banter and butting heads, because I knew how great they’d be together.
I do think the story leaned much more fictional than romantic, but I did still have a good time overall!! I would love to read more like this from Navessa 🤭
Thank you Forever and Navessa Allen for the e-arc and physical copy.
This was entertaining!!! From the start, them accidently getting mated together - I was hooked. Especially with the whole “opposites attract” trope, I ate up their banter and butting heads, because I knew how great they’d be together.
I do think the story leaned much more fictional than romantic, but I did still have a good time overall!! I would love to read more like this from Navessa 🤭
August 31, 2026
So so so good. Oh my gosh. Steamy wolf shifter romance with lots of touch her and die vibes. Loved. This was a quick read and was so much fun. Would turn around and read it again right now. Navessa’s writing is just so bingeworthy. Tell me why I finished this in three hours!
Did Not Finish
September 17, 202625% in, fully invested in the story line when I find out this book ends on a huge cliffhanger and book 2 is not finished with the first 9 chapters being available behind a paywall… and no recent indication of book 2 ever being completed (last chapter added in 2021)…nah I’m out.
September 4, 2026
One of those books I should've dnf-ed, sadly.
I love an urban fantasy so maybe I put too much pressure on myself to enjoy this one, but it fell so flat. It shouldn't take me to 50% to get into a book, it also shouldn't take to 75% for the plot to actually kick off, and the writing? Ugh, it is so surface level, almost to the point that it feels fanfiction-y. Another one of those books where so much is said but also, nothing is said.
I did see somewhere that this was written back in 2019 on Navessa Allen's Patreon, that people paid for access, and as far as I am concerned that is where it should have stayed. What infuriates me the most is that the plot had promise, like this could be such a good series with a bit more plotting and planning - especially with the shifter dynamic, godly mysteries and political intrigue. Oh well, at least we have Lights Out.
I love an urban fantasy so maybe I put too much pressure on myself to enjoy this one, but it fell so flat. It shouldn't take me to 50% to get into a book, it also shouldn't take to 75% for the plot to actually kick off, and the writing? Ugh, it is so surface level, almost to the point that it feels fanfiction-y. Another one of those books where so much is said but also, nothing is said.
I did see somewhere that this was written back in 2019 on Navessa Allen's Patreon, that people paid for access, and as far as I am concerned that is where it should have stayed. What infuriates me the most is that the plot had promise, like this could be such a good series with a bit more plotting and planning - especially with the shifter dynamic, godly mysteries and political intrigue. Oh well, at least we have Lights Out.
August 29, 2026
Book 3 of my 24 hour readathon 📚 Review coming next week 💖
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