CALEB SPEAKS! EPILOGUE (The Dark Duet #2.5) by CJ ROBERTS
1 June, 2013
Our Review
Warning: Contains Spoilers for The Dark Duet”
“Who am I?
Am I Caleb?
Am I James?
I’ve often asked myself this very thing and have always come up with a different answer. Perhaps the only answer that can be truthful is to say, “I am both.”
Such was the beginning of Epilogue and with these words I was drawn back into the Dark Duet series. Those words crushed me for the man who was, and is, Caleb/James.
Being up close and personal with Caleb felt……. intimate. I experienced a connection and a love for Caleb the like in which I never have before – it was as if Caleb was narrating his story to me personally. As if this beautiful, dangerous and damaged man was laying his inner most thoughts, fears and feelings bare… to ME.
“Tell me I don’t deserve you. Tell me all the things I already know.”
Caleb’s telling of his story touched me deeply and had me laughing with him, feeling happiness and sadness for him, whilst also experiencing a sense of anger both at him and with him. Stripping his emotions bare for all to see rendered me to tears and made want to reach out, touch his cheek, offer him assurance and urge him to continue. His humour charmed me and the power of Caleb’s voice culminated in emotions of every description to course through me.
“She wanted me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her…..”
Caleb’s story always demanded to be told. Well I know I wanted to hear it – and who else but Caleb could make us understand and give us the answers we so desperately craved. There was much I desired to hear. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I was completely satisfied at the end of Seduced, but if I was going to be privy to Caleb’s narrative on how Livvie and Caleb arrived at the point at the end of Seduced …well, the opportunity was one I wasn’t going to miss!! From that point, a want to know became a need to know.
“Fear is part of it.”
Why Livvie? Why did he choose Livvie, and how was she to have such an effect on Caleb……how was she able to enter his heart and break down his defenses where others hadn’t. Who was Caleb now? Was he very different to the Caleb then? What feelings did he experience that night in September of 2010, the night he met Livvie at The Paseo. I needed to know it all!
“It was only natural for her to wonder about the ways I hadn’t changed.”
Well, I could not have been more impressed with the execution and conclusion of Caleb’s words in Epilogue if I tried. CJ Roberts has indeed done Caleb, and her readers proud.
Caleb is an engaging, charming, sexy and witty narrator who completely captivated me. His is a story peppered with humour, inner conflict, cheekiness and honesty.
Did Caleb slip effortlessly back into Livvie’s life or did he have to fight like he has never fought before? How had Livvie coped without Caleb during his absence and how did Livvie move on and make a life for herself?
“I always wondered—before—if you craved me like this. Did you?”
We are afforded so much more than mere “answers” in Epilogue. CJ Roberts has written a raw tale in what I feel is an absolute must read for those of us who took Livvie and Caleb into our hearts. To bear witness to the struggle, the turmoil, the fun, the sensuality and the absolute passion between these two really is compelling reading and in no way constitutes “an alternative pov” tag.
Epilogue does not simply fill in the gaps. It manages to give us an extension of the story where the reader experiences a journey so different and intoxicating it’s akin to feeling a new phase in the lives of Livvie and Caleb. Epilogue is a frank, gritty, passionate and emotional read where feelings are stripped raw and the narrative is told in an almost voyeuristic manner. Oh yeah, I admit it….there was a time or two I actually answered Caleb, such was the intimate nature in the way he conveyed his thoughts, as if he were conversing with me personally.
“No one knew who we were or what we had been through to get to that moment.”
The sex is kinky and very, VERY hot …..oh and very, very consensual…..VERY consensual. These two have been programmed in such a way that sex, the sex they enjoy, is very much a part of them as breathing. How they express and feel, so much is sexual and experiencing the emotion built into these scenes will leave you breathless. Yep readers, these two definitely know how to get your pulse racing!
“No questions, Pet. You’ll like it. I promise. Or at the very least, I will.”
As I said, the manner in which this story is told really does make one feel like a voyeur watching two people in their most private, intimate moments and with this came the heart crashing feelings of witnessing Caleb attempting to assimilate into Livvie’s life, trying to understand the woman she was to the woman she is, addressing his guilt and desperately wanting to be part of Livvie’s life.
“My feelings toward her were on the tip of my tongue. I’d been holding the words in since the moment I had watched her walk out of my life…”
Livvie was a revelation. This girl who we all empathized with, hurt with and who made us feel so desperately for the girl who lost her youth and her innocence and who, at the hands of Caleb experienced the most harrowing, confusing and conflicting of situations and emotions…..how did Livvie survive and maintain the capacity to forgive and love? Or did she? Hers is an inner strength we admire greatly.
“I want to ask you a few questions, Caleb, and I need for you to be completely honest with me. Can you do that?”
I cannot urge readers enough to pick up and devour Epilogue as I did. To refer to Epilogue as merely “Caleb’s pov” would so far off the mark because Epilogue is, in fact, an extension of the story and an absolute MUST READ.
CJ Roberts is an author who knows how to deliver a story. This author loves, deeply loves her characters and it shows. She has never shied from telling Caleb and Livvie’s story the way “they” want it told and has always remained true to her characters, even if that has been at the discomfort of the reader and for that I admire and respect her greatly.
As a reader I love nothing more than to be tested. To be taken out of my comfort zone, to question my thought process and feel emotion to the point of tears and anger, to have my gut twisting and my heart aching….it’s what reading is all about for me and it’s bloody exhilarating. There’s nothing better, and I can tell you that has been my experience with every book in the Dark Duet Series and Epilogue is no exception.
“Tell me I’m a sick bastard and you want me out of your life forever.”
Epilogue is Caleb’s story and who better to trust with his story than the person who loves him most. CJ Roberts….. Caleb and I commend you. What a truly sensual, beautiful, emotional, provocative, passionate and raw story you and Caleb have given us.
“I know, Pet. We’ve come a long way from there. Yet, here we are….”
Caleb spoke, CJ answered and I listened. Caleb and Livvie, you own my heart.
ARC Supplied by author for an honest review
Synopsis
I’m writing this because you begged. You know how I love the begging. In fact, you probably know too many things and know them far too well.
Who am I?
Well, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I was a whore in my youth, a killer since my adolescence, and a monster as a man. I am the man who kidnapped Livvie. I am the man who held her in a dark room for weeks. But, most importantly, I am the man she loves.
She loves me. It’s quite sick, isn’t it?
Of course, there’s more to our story than can be surmised in a few short sentences, but I’m at a loss for justifying my behavior back then. I assume if you’re reading this, I don’t need to make those justifications. You’ve already made your own.
You’re reading this because you want to know about the rest of the story. You want to know what happened that warm summer night in September of 2010, the night I met Livvie at The Paseo. It was the night my life changed all over again.
It didn’t happen exactly as Livvie said. She’s been very kind to me in the retelling of our story. The truth is far more…complicated.
Other Books By This Author
87 Comments:
Leave a Reply
Latest Posts
MORE THAN I COULD by ADRIANA LOCKE
‘It’s such a simple word – just four letters. Home. But there aren’t enough letters in the alphabet in the world to capture the meaning of it.’
SWEET MEMORY (The Painted Daisies #1) by LJ EVANS
“I’m afraid I’ll fall completely, head-over-heels in love with you, and that you’ll fall back. I’m afraid we’ll discover we’re the missing pieces of each other’s souls.
The words had a beat -a rhythm- like it was a song she’d already written.
THE NEW GUY (Hockey Guys #1) by SARINA BOWEN
“All you had to do was love me.”
OUR FEBRUARY REVIEWS & MARCH ANTICIPATED UPCOMING RELEASES and so much more…
Wow! It really was FABULOUS FEBRUARY as far as our reads were concerned!
We can’t wait to share them with you and hopefully give you some reading inspiration!
We’ve got some fabulous books on our reading list this month! Check out our latest reads, our wonderful current read, and see the books we’ve added to our TBR’s for March!
MEET HATE LOVE by STEVIE J COLE
‘Blake was practically a living, breathing omen of bad luck and misfortune, and I was about to be joined at the hip with her and all her bad juju for fourteen days.’
Featured Author
COLLEEN HOOVER captured our hearts back in 2011 with her unique, warm, funny, sweet, and utterly captivating stories. Our love affair with this incredibly talented author has never waned. Colleen is one in a million!
Upcoming Releases
Be sure to keep updated on all the books headed our way by visiting our TBB Upcoming Releases Page.
Latest New Releases
We’ve got all the latest releases, so be sure to head on over to our New Releases Page!
Sales
We’ve got some amazing books currently on sale! Be sure to hop on over to our sales page and check them out!
TotallyBooked Shop
Have you checked out the fabulous items available in our shop? The Tote Bag is perfect for book signings! <3
![#NewReview & #TBBREC MORE THAN I COULD by ADRIANA LOCKE
#Standalone #SingleDad #SmalltownRomance #GrumpySunshine
💙Review Link in Bio
“One day, you’ll wake up and realise that a piece of your heart resides outside your body. You’ll feel a draw to that place no matter where you are in the world. You’ll only feel whole and content when you’re there – and that will be your home. That’s where things make sense. That’s where you’re meant to be.”
More Than I Could by Adriana Locke is such a beautiful story with wonderful sentiments about life and love. We were swept up in the romance, the friendships, the family bonds, and the small-town setting. We fell in love with Chase and Megan as well as the sassy fourteen-year-old, Kennedy. We do have a soft spot for grumpy single-dad romances and this one was a winner for us!
💙READ FULL REVIEW HERE: https://wp.me/p2WbFf-gw6
★Amazon US https://amzn.to/40eRPlW
★Amazon UK https://amzn.to/3JRcrvo
★Amazon CA https://amzn.to/3FzwPP7
- [ ] #tbbauthorrec #tbbfave #booksofinstagram #totallybookedblog #reviewblogger #booklove #bookreview #bookblogger #bookworm #bibliophile #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookbloggeruk #bookbloggerau #booknerds #bookshelf #bookaddict #booklife #tbbrec #readinglist #readingislife #authorlove
@authoradrianalocke](https://totallybookedblog.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Keep In Touch!
by
angiecbatson said:
Can’t wait to read this book!
readingbookslikeaboss said:
Fantastic review! This is one of the most anticipated reads for me this year. I can’t wait!
Willow Witch said:
Looking forward to this one 🙂
mdewell said:
How exciting. Thank u for the giveaway.
lariza_ramos said:
Can’t wait for this book to come out!
April_Lilly said:
OH MY GOD!!! I SOOOOOOO CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS! sorry it’s all in caps but this series has affected me like no other…
swahls18 said:
Can’t wait for this book!
Yvesha said:
I’m sooo excited I didn’t wanna read your post & review just yet sorry; love my suspense! Thanks for the International giveaways as always 🙂
ataleoftwobooks1 said:
I really hope this book helps me as a reader to understand Caleb. I still think he should be casterated.
mendee422 said:
I know I’ll be stalking my Kindle for this book’s release! 😉
Abbie D. said:
I am so excited tomread this series. I have heard great things!
johabella said:
This series is one of the few that stays engrained in my brain. I cannot forget a single detail of this uncomfortable, but unbelieveably amazing novel, and there is no way I am letting Caleb’s story pass me by. I HAVE to get inside his head. It’s a must-read! <3
Betty Hamilton said:
I have just ordered the first 2 books and am very much looking forward to reading all three! I would VERY much LOVE to win this one!!
DA said:
DA – how exciting – awesome to finally hear Caleb’s voice – June 13 is close and yet so far!
jks8760 said:
Loved
jks8760 said:
Loved your review! Can’t wait to read this book!
eahbalice said:
This is an excellent review! I cannot wait to read Caleb’s Epilogue. I was so blown away by the books. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts as well as the giveaway.
admin said:
Thanks everyone! Good luck and we know you are going to enjoy this book <3
kp said:
can’t wait for this book!
glam009 said:
Can’t wait to read this book!!! thanks for the review 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
freeromanceibooks said:
Thank you for a chance to win.
maria_m said:
I’m so excited for this book!!!
Fion@ said:
After reading the intro to the Epilogue, I am so anxious to read it.
mbilowus said:
Can’t wait to read this. Looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
Debbie Sad said:
Wow this is awesome I cant wait !!! I want I want I want
KaylaS said:
As heart wrenching as I know it will be, I still cannot wait to read Epilogue!!!! <3 love this post!! CJ is awesome!
anh121 said:
I was a little nervous reading this series because I didn’t know if it would be something I would like; however I ended up loving it. I am so excited to here Caleb’s POV!!
T Hammond said:
I have put off reading this series because it seems so intense. It will be nice to read all three books together, so I may just wait and read all three when Epilogue comes out. The reviews are excellent, I’m anticipating a great, albeit draining, read.
admin said:
It is definitely intense T but in Epilogue there is a humour and lightness that will give the series a new aspect. It’s a fitting end to it that’s for sure.
Good idea to read them together. You’ll love them ! 🙂 x
Kim said:
I’ve heard great things about this series!! All of the books are on my TBR list! I can’t wait to read them. Thanks for the giveaway!
megan.mgm said:
Awesome!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Susan E said:
I’ve been waiting since February for this book. Now that it’s only fifteen days away I don’t know if I can wait any longer!
abshonk said:
It’s still so far away! I can’t wait for this, already preordered!
Lacey T said:
So unbelievably excited for the Epilogue!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway 🙂
cjones_84 said:
Can’t freaking wait for more Caleb and Livvie!!!
Karen Thorp said:
I am looking forward to this book., and can’t wait to see the direction in which I hope He finds his redemption.. He aka (Caleb) did not ask for a life that he was lead/thrown into and he sure as hell never excepted too be the man he found him self to be ..only to realize that it was all a cruel hardness that no one deserve ..now the question is does he stay whom he has known all this time as him-self or does he take pcs., of that world and life and turn them around and Change whom he is in order to find the one thing he truly never knew was real …compassion!!!! this is whom I come to see and know of caleb/james that the conflict of doing whats right and knowing whats wrong are different and strong people within him., that at times it is hard to be one with out being the other and yet …neither is really whom he wants and sees him self to be…but yet at the same time he doesn’t know anyone way..cause he was never shown one…until Livvie that is … So I know that the telling of his story is going to be one of epic portion… And I give my thanks to the author CJ Roberts whom has done the must brilliant job in telling so far two (Captive & Seduced) of the must out of this world stories and I have no doubt that this one will not only hit the charts on a High but super cede them all….my congrats to the up and coming release of Epilogue and a big huge thank you for a chance a other amazing giveaway 🙂 <3
cupcakereads said:
Caleb’s POV!!!!
bellacolella said:
Iam so excited for this book and so excited for this tour! WHOOP WHOOP I cant wait to read this book I am just so excited:) has you can see!! Thanks:)
pararommom said:
I’ve heard these books are amazing! Hope to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
Shelly F. said:
Squeeeeeeeee!!!! I must own this!!! That Is All!
tink535 said:
So excited about reading this, great review Jenny 🙂
HMitch76 said:
Looking for ward to reading this! Thanks for an opportunity to win a copy.
kirstyl13 said:
Thanks for the giveaway!
adriana said:
Well, I’m excited.
dg_molly said:
This is absolutely one of my favorite series ever. Thank you for the awesome giveaway. I can’t wait to read Epilogue!
ammalek said:
Can’t wait. I always love the guys POV Thanks
Lacey T said:
So excited to read the Epilogue!! Thanks for the great giveaway 🙂
StacyHgg said:
I CANNOT wait to read this book!!!
I Loved Book 1 & 2!
🙂 ♥
caseclaire said:
So excited! Thank you for the giveaway and review!
rhowie said:
going craaaazy!!! OMG! cant wait to read this book!!!
scrapingirl16 said:
I can’t wait til this comes out!!!
Patty Tennyson said:
This is so exciting!!!
I loved the Dark Duet and can’t wait for the Epilogue!!!
Need some more of Caleb!!!!!! 🙂
Abbie Y said:
Awesome giveaway and great review!
sjmccauley said:
I love your blog!! I’m alwys looking for new books an I am definitely going to have to read this series!! Thanks for the giveaway.
alyssaxchen14 said:
I’m so excited to read it!! Can’t wait! Thank you for the giveaway!
cindy said:
When I first read Captive In the Dark and Seduced In The Dark, it was nothing like what I’ve ever read before. It was so raw, real, and disturbing in some parts, but the way the story came together was unreal. Cannot wait to read Epilogue!
lea said:
Thanks for the giveaway!! *fingers crossed*
Clara S said:
Thanks a lot for the giveaway 🙂 and awesome review
bestmom7 said:
This book sounds amazing!!! Thank you for this giveaway. sandersknc@yahoo.com
Tammi said:
I can’t wait to read this & hear more from Caleb!!
dawnbushemail said:
Gahhhh!! I can’t wait to read this!! Thank you for the giveaway!
jensantana19 said:
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
Sandy Lion said:
I considered this one of the best stories I have ever read. It floored me. Loved the 1st 2 books and cannot wait to read this new installment.
Redheaded Bookworm said:
I absolutely love this series and cannot wait til I get this book in my hands!!! Thanks so much!
ehanaghan said:
AMAZING GIVEAWAY!!!! Thanks Ladies!
sophie.withers said:
Cannot wait for this, sooooo excited could pee my pants lol xx
esined615 said:
Thank you for the chance to win!
schwartzamber said:
Thanks for the chance to win, can’t wait! Sounds amazing
Natascha vO said:
Such an amazing series! Can’t wait for the next book
Tyna said:
Love that CJ is doing so many giveaways! Two weeks is too long though. I need Caleb now!
debradiaz said:
Can’t wait to read this book!!!
zashi629 said:
Cant wait for this book!!!
Aleksandraaaa said:
I LOVE this series! Thank you for the giveaway!
hisoylaura said:
omg! cant wait for this book!!!! i loved them!!!!
kgagnon2013 said:
I love the Dark Duet series and after reading them I couldn’t stop thinking of it for so long! I have been waiting so impatiently for the Epilogue! haha Thanks for the chance to win.
sdorado said:
I can’t wait for this book…thanks for sharing and the great giveaway……
Bernadeth H. said:
I love Dark Duet and i cannot wait for the Epilogue.Thank you for the giveaway!!
Lela said:
Thank you for the giveaway!! I loove Caleb and i have a great wish for signed paperback, but i would not complain about anything as long it’s Caleb 😀
artdem said:
I guess that I am the only one who I don’t know Caleb yet. Must be great series, thank you for the chane!
Raffle name: Demitra Giote
amyjoa75 said:
Can’t wait for Epilogue!!! Love CJ Roberts!
SandyPants16 said:
I have not yet read this series but it is on my TBR list!
Renee said:
I need these books like I need air to breath!!!!
eerecinos said:
I loved this books! Can’t wait! thank you for the giveaway!
vettina said:
I can’t wait for this book
And thank you for open the giveaway internationally
WLRoberts said:
Great giveaway!
chantelle said:
Thanks for the giveaway! I am so excited to read this one!
nonaleigh said:
Looking forward to the third book! You ladies have an AWESOME blog!!!