Epilogue
The Dark Duet, Book #3
By C.J. Roberts
ISBN# 9781484816066
Author’s Website: http://www.aboutcjroberts.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of possible spoilers*
So did you ever wonder what transpired after Livvie met Caleb at the Paseo de Colon? Did they walk off into the sunset and into their perfectly ever after kissing and holding hands as they went? Did they forget about their pasts and forge a new way? Did Caleb magically change into the perfect boyfriend? Caleb decided that it’s time to get answers to all your questions, not to mention he always felt that Livvie was a bit too nice to him in her telling of their story.
“I’m writing this because you begged. You know how I love the begging”
So this book details the end of Seduced in the Dark and what happened afterwards as told to us by Caleb. This book reads like an intimate conversation between the reader and him and I greatly enjoyed his take on things. We also get to see the struggles and inner demons that Caleb faced as he tried to reinvent himself into something better, someone worthy of Livvie’s love.
“Everything is in the process of becoming something else. It’s the law of change.” I briefly kissed Livvie’s eyelids before she could open them. “I’m in the process of becoming something else, Livvie. I hope it’s something good, something far removed from the monster you knew.”
I really liked how Caleb explained the difference between his two selves, Caleb and James and exactly who the reader was talking to.
“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 truthful answer is, “I am both.”
Caleb will always be a part of me–probably the largest part. I want to be James.
James is a 29-year-old from Oregon. He was raised by his mother and always wondered about his father. He grew up with respect for women but also a need to display his masculinity to make up for his lack of a father. He went to college but took time off before grad school to go and see the world. He met Sophia at The Paseo de Colon and fell instantly in love.
James never met anyone named Livvie. He never hurt her.
We know different. We know the truth. So, for the purposes of this story you begged me to tell–I am Caleb.
I am the man who kidnapped Livvie. I am the man who held her in a dark room for weeks. I’m the one who tied her to a bedpost and beat her. I’m the one who nearly sold her into sexual slavery. But, most importantly, I am the man she loves.
She loves me. It’s quite sick, isn’t it?”
Don’t go into this book expecting some major plot. This is just a sweet story about how Caleb and Livvie got back together and learn to get over their past to forge a new relationship that they can both live with. How they finally find the happiness and love they have always wanted, even when they didn’t realize they were seeking it out!
“Once upon a time I saved Livvie. She’s been saving me ever since.”
I really enjoyed this story. I’m glad that Livvie didn’t give in to Caleb without making him have to work for it! I loved how hard he was trying to be good, but his domineering ways couldn’t help, but shine through from time to time. As the book progressed we saw that Livvie was actually craving that side of Caleb that he was trying so hard to smother. He showed us a much more vulnerable side of himself then we have seen in the past.
“I smiled and moved back. I had her where I wanted her, but more than that–I had her where I needed her. In a place where she could admit she could forgive me for the past. In a place where we were possible.”
I also enjoyed Caleb’s interactions with Livvie’s friends, Claudia and Rubio. The part of his birthday dream that included Rubio was hilarious and probably the funniest part of the entire book! Although if you’re basing it on the dream, you wouldn’t think he liked Rubio very much.
“Give me a hand, James? I can’t seem to do anything in these ridiculously skinny pants.” Rubio is a quiet guy. My head couldn’t create inventive dialogue for him.
I couldn’t quite put the PlayStation together either.
“I’m dreaming, Rubio. I can’t put this shit together. Hold on.” I kicked the PlayStation and all the cables were magically connected.
“Nice! Someday, when Claudia stops coddling me like an infant, I hope you can teach me how to be more of a man,” Rubio said (it’s my dream–stop judging me).
“You can start by taking care of this.” I took out a pair of scissors from my pocket and cut the large hank of hair covering most of his face. There was a large round of applause.”
There were times that the book got a little dull since there was no action or new threat to the couple, no threats except themselves that is! Those times didn’t last long, thankfully. My only other complaint is the title of the book, there are so many options out there, and I wish Roberts had been a little more creative with it.
I thought it was nice that Roberts kept it open-ended that we may get to talk to Caleb again in the future. I sincerely hope that we do meet again!
“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.”
