When I think about dark romances that have been recommended to me over the years, the two that come to mind first definitely have to be Monsters in the Dark by Pepper Winters and The Dark Duet by CJ Roberts. Having already devoured one of those series during Dark Reads October, I knew that I had to read the other. Especially since I had already read half of The Dark Duet almost a year ago. 

Let me explain. 

Almost exactly a year ago I read Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts. I devoured it. I couldn’t put it down. Literally. I couldn’t stop thinking about Livvie and Caleb, their dark and at times depraved story, and I couldn’t stop wondering what the next book would bring for those two. I actually started that second book, Seduced in the Dark, but I had to stop. I needed a breather. The reason I needed a breather was 100% on me, and not that book, so I was determined to finish their story during Dark Reads October...and I’m really glad I did.

Seduced in the Dark was a fantastic conclusion to this duet, and it definitely had me thinking and feeling all of the things with Caleb and Livvie. Those two definitely push you to the edge. In fact, at times I think they push you over it, but in a way that works because that’s what this story is. This story is dark and twisted in so many ways. It’s about kidnapping, trauma, sex trafficking, abuse on every level, and so much more. But it’s also a story about two characters who shouldn’t be together, but you also can’t help but root for them in a crazy way. 

This duet is a story of two broken people who have a seriously dark and twisted story, who soon find that the one person they shouldn’t fall for is the the one who might just give them the absolution they never thought they’d get. 

I have to say that CJ Roberts really got me with what she created in this duet. 

She made me think and consider so much while reading this book. She made me reconsider so many things while I got what I did with Livvie and Caleb. She made me root for characters who did the wrong thing, who did bad things. But more than that, she let me see that there was hope within this story and within these characters. I might’ve had to dig a bit for it, and I might’ve had to go through so much with these characters to get to that, but I found it. 

And honestly, while reading this book I found that everything these characters went through, every life altering choice they had to make, every moment when they had to go through the worst, made what I got with them even more impactful and memorable…and it also made the last moments with them feel even more memorable.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am definitely an ending person, and I liked how CJ Roberts brought this duet and series to a close. I felt like she did a good job of reminding me why I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters and their story, while also making me work for it with all that I had until the very very end. And that felt very Caleb-esque and beyond fitting quite honestly. 

I will tell you now that Caleb and Livvie’s story is definitely not for everyone. Over the course of my reading career, and even in Dark Reads October, I have read a range of dark romances. I have even said before that a book might not be for everyone, but I do really mean that with this one. This book is dark. I know it’s not the darkest out there, but it is definitely dark and covers a range of topics that are bursting with trigger warnings. Livvie and Caleb both go through a lot. They both do things that aren’t okay, but they also allow you to understand the why behind that in a way that is truly riveting. 

CJ Roberts definitely knows how to write and craft a layered story that will have you thinking and feeling it all. She allows you to really see these characters, their flaws, and everything in between. She lets you get why they do what they do, why they stay, why they don’t, and she lets you see that even the darkest of situations and scenarios can give you something or someone you didn’t even know you needed. 

And that person might be the exact last person you should feel anything for, but they also just might change everything for you. 

And that? Well that is just part of what makes this an all consuming story that will have you second guessing everything you thought and felt as a reader. And in the end, it’ll bring you a story that is intricately layered, consuming, raw and twisted, and that will have you guessing until the very end what you’ll get with Livvie and Caleb. 

And that is the actual best. Trust me. 

I am really glad that I went back to this duet. It only took me a year to finish it (again, my bad completely), but it was worth the wait. I see why this series has stood the test of time and I know why everyone has recommended it. It was well written, consuming in so many ways, and dark in a way that pushed every boundary and moral compass I had. I shouldn’t have wanted to root for these two, yet this author made it so I had to. She made me rethink everything, and by the end of it all she had me feeling all the things for these two in a way that truly blew me away. 

I loved that so much. I loved that I finally made the time to go back to these books. I loved that Caleb and Livvie had one of the most unorthodox and dark stories I’ve read, yet I still found myself rooting for them in a way I didn’t think was possible. I loved that this book turned every thought and feeling I had on their head, and it did it in a way that I didn’t expect. 

The Captive Duet was definitely a read that gave me so much, and I can’t say enough how glad I am that I finally got to experience its well written and beyond fitting conclusion. If you are looking for a read that will captivate you on every level, push you to and over the ledge, while giving you an intense as all get out story, then run yourself to this duet this second. 

You won’t be disappointed you did.

Not one little bit. 

****

There is only 1 week left in October, which means Dark Reads October is officially almost over. 

*makes all the sad faces*

I can’t believe this blog series is almost done. I’m not ready y’all! But don’t worry, I plan to keep reading all of the dark romance after this month, and I actually already have my next couple of reads planned out to finish out the month strong. I’ve got 2 standalone reads planned for this week by two authors I’ve never read before, and I am ready! 

Be sure to stay tuned to see what I picked to read, and as always, thank you for your support of me and this blog series! It has meant everything and I can’t wait to keep sharing all of the dark and amazing reads with y’all! 

Read My Reviews:

Captive in the Dark

Seduced in the Dark

The Epilogue

Buy The Series:

Amazon

B&N

KOBO