Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Author: Navessa Allen

Series: Into Darkness #1

Genre: Dark Romance | Romantic Comedy | Stalker/Kink

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

🖤✨ Why We Chose It

Sometimes a book sneaks up on you in the dark—and leaves you absolutely feral. Lights Out is equal parts deliciously twisted and laugh-out-loud funny. With a heroine who’s sharp-tongued and unbothered and a masked hero who’s giving “stabby golden retriever,” we couldn’t get enough of the chaos.

If you love:

• 🔪 Mask kink, knife play, and stalker romance

• 🐱 Banter-heavy tension with a spicy-sweet payoff

• 💥 Chaotic queens and obsessive soft boys

Then buckle up—this dark rom-com is unhinged in the best way.

📸 Book Aesthetic Moodboard 📸

“I didn’t want him morally grey. I wanted 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.”

💬 Book Club Highlights 💬

💋 Favorite Tropes

✨ Obsession-to-lovers

✨ Cat-and-mouse romance (but the mouse is a gremlin)

✨ Masked man with a soft spot

✨ Cinnamon roll killer x chaotic firecracker

🖤 Discussion Questions We Loved

• Was Josh ever truly dangerous—or just delusional in love?

• How does humor soften the darker edges of this story?

• Would you have opened your window for him? Be honest.

• How does Lights Out walk the line between romance and obsession?

  
  

🍷 Book Pairing Night: Chaos & Charisma

We went full “unhinged night in” with:

• Faceless Fizz – Blackberry + mint mocktails with edible shimmer

• Criminal Comfort Platter – Hot wings, sweet chili pretzels, and charcuterie chaos

• Fred’s Favorites – Cat-shaped sugar cookies with black royal icing and cinnamon whiskers 🐾

🖋️ Quotes That Left Us Weak

“I need so much more therapy than I’m currently getting.”

“I thought we could spend some quality time together as a family. You, me. Our maladjusted son who just scooted his butt across the carpet behind you.”

🌙 Final Thoughts

Lights Out is a bold blend of dark romance and unhinged humor. If you love books that don’t take themselves too seriously while still delivering all the spice, tension, and heart—Vanessa Allen’s debut belongs on your shelf (and in your DMs). Mask on, morals off.

📚 Rating Breakdown:

Category	Rating
Romance	★★★★★
World-Building	★★★★☆
Magic System	★★★★☆
Plot Twists	★★★★☆

📝 Join the Conversation

Did Lights Out make you laugh, squirm, or download a ski mask for no reason? Tell us your favorite scene, quote, or red flag moment—or tag us on Instagram with #RomantasyBooknookReads!