Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

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Book Review – The Dark Duet (Epilogue) by CJ Roberts

Book Review – The Dark Duet (Epilogue) by CJ Roberts

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5 stars!

WOW!! 

A few months ago, very late one night, C.J. Roberts released the beginning of an epilogue to THE DARK DUET and I utterly blown away by how amazing it was. Not long after she announced that it would be turned into a full-length epilogue book. This is that book.

SPOILER WARNING

  • IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE DARK DUET, DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW!! Instead, go to my review of book #1 and start there.
  • If you have read the first 2 books, then this is a spoiler-free review.

The Dark Duet series is one of my all-time favorite stories and so when I found out that there was going to be an epilogue my heart literally just stopped for a moment!! I couldn’t even read it right away because even just the possibility of it brought back a whole slew of strong, heart-clenching emotions I had wrapped up after having finished the series.

My heart was pounding pounding POUNDING. Every detail of the story and my connection to the characters came flooding back to me. From the very first line I was just propelled *right* back to the exact moment that the story had left off. I was right there. My whole heart was involved, instantly. I was *with* it every word of the way. I’m not kidding – it was perfect! 

In this epilogue we get to see the story from Caleb’s POV. It takes us back to that scene at the end of book #2 and moved forward from there but this time showing us the story through his eyes…

“I missed you every day, Kitten. Every. Fucking. Day.”

I loved that it felt exactly like Caleb was talking right to me. Ok, us. Ok, the readers. But I can pretend it was me. I felt like it was me. My world just shut down and it was just me hanging onto every detail of the story he told.

The tables were turned in this book and we got to see his frustrations at being in the position of needing HER acceptance. He always had been dominant by nature and so it was a true sign of his love for her that he kept trying to hold himself back and give HER exactly what she needed from him.

“I had gone through all sorts of scenarios in my head prior to making contact with Livvie. However, her passive aggressive behavior toward me was not one of them. My mind is much more problem/solution oriented. Mad at me? Scream at me. Punch me if you’re up to it. Please don’t smile at me sweetly, act like nothing is wrong and then leave me disillusioned. And before you say anything, yes — I realize how fucking ironic my words are. I have played my fair share on mind games with Livvie. It doesn’t mean I liked being on the other side. No man does.”

He tried to play nice and, he was a good person at heart (we all know this) but the truth of it is that he is not nice. He’s not your white picket fence. He’s your dark-and-twisted. But he’s also the guy who loved her with his whole heart and it just broke my mine to see him trying SO hard.

“I know you deserve to be happy. I know you deserve someone… better, but I’m selfish. I want you. I want you bad enough to try and be someone better.”

I loved watching them rediscover each other. They had one hell of a history together but this was like starting fresh to a certain extent – removed from the nightmare, and in a new environment with new hopes and new possibilities.

“No, Kitten. I’m not okay,” I whispered. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take for me to be okay. I just know that as long as you’re with me, there’s a chance that one day… I might be.”

I loved that this truly was an Epilogue in every sense of the word. To me, an epilogue is the happily ever after and with Caleb and Livvie, it wasn’t just a question of slipping into one as so many other book couples do because after the intensly dark and emotional journey of the first two books, it was believable that they would have to work hard to find the exact balance of happy that worked for them. This Epilogue wasn’t just another book in the series, but rather a detailed and focused continuation of how they rebuilt their lives and their relationship.

It’s not often (okay, it’s not ever) that we get to see something like this – an epilogue turned into an entire book. We’ve been through the nightmares and the pain of their journey through the dark but now it was time for them both to find a way to live in the light.

I loved that there was no external drama in this book – it was all focused on the main characters. It literally just showed the struggles of two people try to move on from what they’d been through. It showed the emotional conflict, the questions, the uncertainties, the desires, and most strongly the knowledge that they both needed each other more than anything else in the world. They’d been through so much together and just had to find the way to live with that.

The truth of it is that what happened to Livvie was not okay. What happened to Caleb was not okay. But just because bad things happen, it doesn’t mean there can be no moving forward.

“I didn’t want to hurt her. I loved her. I didn’t know how to do it like normal people. I didn’t know how to tell her how scared I was.”

Their happily-ever-after wasn’t fairy tale perfect but at the same time, I absolutely loved the message it conveyed that even people with the most utterly fucked up pasts could still find their slice of happiness – however unconventional it might be. The point is that they found what worked for them. And that was just absolutely beautiful.

“I know it’s odd between us. How could it not be? We don’t know each other in this world, but I’ve seen you at your worst, and what I know is that you’d do anything to protect me. That’s enough for now. The rest will come.”

I think that this story was so important to tell because after the events that they lived through in the first two books, in order to fully connect with and understand what made them able to move on to their future while living with their pasts, the explanation was necessary to fully show the readers more than just their love for each other but the literally process of how they came to their decisions.

I truly feel that Caleb and Livvie’s story has now come full circle. There are few stories out there that take the time to actually give the readers such a complete picture of the ‘happily ever after’ and it’s a rare and special thing for the readers to experience especially considering the strong levels of emotional connection that bonded us to the characters in the first two books.

The journey they have been through is one of a kind. Twisted. Fucked up. Scarring. Beautiful.

“I had come to understand our relationship would be riddled with moments where the past sucked all the joy out of the present. My only hope was that with enough time, Livvie and I would build memories capable of trumping our beginning.”

 

If you haven’t read this series yet, I strongly urge you to give it a shot. It is truly in a category on its own. It will test you. Test you to the very possible limit. But oh-my-GOD is it EVER worth it!!

This entire series has a beautiful but utterly RAW and honest intensity to it. It just pulls at your heart. You can’t help but be drawn in. C.J. Roberts’ writing is addictive. Its compelling, beautiful, and deeply evocative. She is honestly one of the most talented authors I’ve read.

I won’t lie though, this story is NOT for the faint of heart. It is captivating, yet deeply twisted… very disturbing and yet truly beautiful. It is gritty and powerful. But honestly, if you feel brave enough to give it a go, its one of *those* stories that you won’t forget.

“I’d kill for you, Livvie. I’d die for you.”

Series rating:  5 ++ stars!

** SERIES READING ORDER **

Book #1: CAPTIVE IN THE DARK
Buy for Kindle| Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #2: SEDUCED IN THE DARK
Buy for Kindle| Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

Book #3: EPILOGUE
Buy for Kindle | Buy in Paperback | Read my Review

 

 Epilogue - The Dark Duet PROMO

Comments

  3. Oh wow, I am going to need to read this, especially after this post! Crazy though that the book description sounds so dangerously enticing in such a bad way (bad of course meaning both bad and good). Thanks for sharing this one, adding it to my TBR list now 🙂

    Reply

  5. Okay, I have now read all of these books and will just say… AMAZING! This series was great and the epilogue was wonderful!

    Reply

  20. So excited for this book. Cannot wait to hear what Caleb has to say. It will be different hearing his POV.

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  25. I’ve read the first one, got the second one on my kindle and this would be great to win so I can read the whole thing!!!!! Thank you for the giveaway.

    Reply

  35. Id love to win a signed copy of this one! I love this series and CANT wait to get my hands on this book. I really enjoy a book with a jerk as a hero ;))

    Reply

  37. Definitely one of the best series I have ever read! So different in every beautiful & painful way!

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  42. Captive and Seduced messed with my head, big time! I can not wait to hear Caleb speak and get his take on things. I NEED to see them happy for closure.

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  52. omg! what great review! oh my! i really really want to read it now!!!!!! plsssssss… *sigh will keep all my fingers toes ams and everything crossed! tee hee

    Reply

  58. Please please please! I absolutely LOVE this series! Definitely would be fan girling if I got my hands on one:)

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  59. I CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL THIS BOOK IS OUT!!!! Caleb has become my obsession I swear! I never get tired of reading the dark duet. Once I get the epilogue book in my hand….I know it’s going to be a problem!! I’m literally going crazy right now! GAHHHHH the anticipation!! I need this book so BAD. I can’t breath..I can not breath!!!!!!!!!!! I must have this book. It’s my lifeline! I got this ice box where my heart used to be(omarion) from Caleb withdrawal! I’m suffering here!! I NEED IT!!!!!!! lol but seriously I really do want the book. o.O like really REALLY bad. Anyways thanks for the GIVEAWAY! ^_^ “fingers crossed..toes crossed tongue crossed..(legs crossed cause I’m a ladyyy ; )” Hope I amused some of you <3

    Reply

  63. I loved the first two books and can’t wait to read the other side view. I loved the first two chapters that was shared and can’t wait for more.

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  66. I loveeeeeeed the Captive In The Dark series like crazy!!!!!!
    Would be utterly, savagely, fangirl-ly (even though its not a word) happy if I win this book! 🙂
    By the way, loved the review!
    Keep rocking!!!! 😀

    Reply

  71. OMG, I cannot wait for this book, love The Dark Duet Series, Love CJ Roberts, and I love you and your giveways!!

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  90. I have the first two but havent read them yet. Can wait til this one comes out. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  93. I love this series so much and have been waiting for this to be out since I heard about it! Also thank you so much for this giveaway!

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  96. I cannot wait for this book. 2 weeks feels like an eternity. And God bless C.J. for making this a full length book. A few chapters would never have been enough Caleb.

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  101. Great Giveaway and I can’t wait to read the epilogue of this great story.
    Great Review by the way <3

    Reply

  122. I already have both the other books in print. Winning this book signed would make an amazing completion to my series. So fingers crossed and hoping like all heck I win this!!! Squeeeeeee!

    Reply

  124. I’m very impatient for the book. Very!
    Can’t wait for it, fantastic review!! 🙂
    And great giveaway!!

    Reply

  125. This is my absolute favorite series. Thank you for the chance to win a signed copy. I can’t wait to read Epilogue!

    Reply

  130. Oh my god, I need this soooo bad! But want to re-read captive and seduced before moving on to this… I know though that I won’t be human.. I read captive and seduced the first time, I did not get out of bed for 2 days straight.. Didnt go to work, didn’t leave the house.. Went to the toilet and ate a little, the rest was just reading non stop… Couldn’t tear away from the books…

    Reply

  146. Cool giveaway. Thanks for the chance. Haven’t gotte to this series yet. Good luck to all who enters.

    Reply

  157. If it is possible, I want to read this even more now! So excited to read Caleb’s pov and get back into this amazing series! One of my all time faves! Thanks for the chance to win and your thoughts!

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  158. Can I just say that this is one of my favorite series and I would just cry if I won this? Thanks for the giveaways!!

    Reply

  168. Oooh Caleb’s POV!! This series is on a whole other level. I cannot wait to read this!
    Thanks for the giveaway! xx

    Reply

  173. Haven’t read the series but it’s on my TBR list. I thik I will wait for Epilogue to be released before I start reading the series. 🙂

    Reply

  181. I loved the Dark Duet series and couldn’t stop thinking of them for so long and I have been impatiently waiting for the Epilogue! Thank you so much for the chance to win!

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  200. Love the cover. Are the scars part of the story? Haven’t read this series yet. Would love to though… 😉

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  203. I was so enraptured by this series I read it again. It is by far one if the only books I wish I never read so I could experience the feelings I had the very first time I read them

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  204. Best series I read last year. I would rate these more than the measly 5 stars Amazon allows us to give. Can’t wait for the next one.

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  209. I’m thinking what everyone is thinking! I love this series and cannot wait to read Epilogue!

    Reply

  214. The Dark Duet books are one of my favorite series! Absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to read this one!

    Reply

  224. LOVED this series. I don’t usually go for something “dark” no pun intended when I read for enjoyment but surprised how caught up in the story I was. I would recommend these to try something new for a change.

    Reply

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