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Lights Out by Navessa Allen — A Raw, Gritty Love Story Born from Survival

Lights Out doesn’t ask for your attention.
It demands it.

This is not a soft romance. It’s a gritty, slow-burn, urban love story wrapped in trauma, trust issues, and raw human need. Lights Out by Navessa Allen is the kind of audiobook that makes you feel like you’ve lived every line — even the ones that hurt.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Imani, a woman hardened by experience and unafraid to protect herself

• Nate, the man who isn’t here to save her — but might be the first to really see her

• how love, violence, and loyalty intersect in a world where survival always comes first

This isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a real love story, rooted in pain, resilience, and two people trying to fight the darkness inside and around them.

Here’s a quote that defines the vibe:
"We don't get soft stories. But maybe we still get love."

🎧 Tap play to hear why Lights Out is a must-listen if you're into powerful characters, broken edges, and romance that feels earned.
And if you’re into love stories that feel like war and healing at the same time, follow the show — this series is just getting started.

What is Lights Out about?
It’s a dark, emotional romance about two people with violent pasts trying to navigate trust, trauma, and desire. Imani has built walls to survive. Nate knows how to breach them — but he’s got demons of his own. The book follows their slow, layered journey into something real.

What kind of romance is this?
This is gritty, urban, trauma-informed romance with found family elements and complex moral decisions. It’s emotional, intense, and sometimes brutal — but it never stops being about love.

What are the major tropes?

• Broken heroine

• Slow burn

• Protector vibe

• Scarred characters

• Emotional healing

• Street loyalty meets intimacy

• Ride or die

Is this part of a series?
Yes. Lights Out is book one in the Into Darkness series. Each book explores a different couple but exists within the same world of characters, conflict, and redemption.

Is this considered dark romance?
It sits somewhere between dark romance and emotional contemporary romance. There’s no romanticized abuse, but there is graphic content — violence, trauma, emotional shutdown, and survival in harsh environments.

Is the audiobook intense?
Very. Both in content and delivery. The narration gives weight to Imani and Nate’s inner worlds. The pacing allows the tension — both emotional and romantic — to build naturally.

Who would enjoy this audiobook?
Listeners who loved Still Beating, Landon & Shay, Corrupt, or Heartless — books where love is messy, hard-won, and deeply satisfying. If you want more than fluff, this one delivers.

Does the story have spice?
Yes. It’s slow to build, but when it hits, it’s intense. The steam is matched by the emotion, which makes the scenes feel earned, not gratuitous.

What kind of themes does it explore?
Trauma recovery, self-worth, survival, trust, chosen family, identity, and emotional vulnerability — especially in people who’ve been conditioned to never show weakness.

📌 FAQ – Lights Out by Navessa Allen