My Captive in the Dark Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts is the first book in The Dark Duet series, and it pulls no punches. The story revolves around Olivia Ruiz, a young woman whose life is shattered when she is kidnapped by Caleb, a man deeply scarred by his own violent past. Caleb’s motives aren’t random—he’s intent on using Olivia as a pawn in his plan for revenge against the man who once destroyed his life. Olivia wakes to a nightmare—she finds herself trapped, isolated, and under the control of a captor who is both terrifying and oddly compelling. The bulk of the book follows Olivia’s struggle to survive, her desperate attempts to resist, and the twisted psychological connection that forms between her and Caleb. The narrative is told from both Olivia’s first-person perspective and Caleb’s third-person viewpoint, creating a layered look into their evolving relationship. The story is raw, direct, and often deeply uncomfortable, exploring power, control, trauma, and the complicated bond between captor and captive.
Why I Love This Book
I love the way Captive in the Dark pushed me out of my comfort zone. It’s not just a dark romance—it’s a full-on psychological ride, and I couldn’t look away. I felt everything Olivia felt: confusion, fear, anger, defiance, and, somehow, a twisted sense of attraction. Caleb is completely messed up, but he’s written with so much depth that I found it hard to simply hate him. I appreciate the honesty in his pain and the grudging glimpses of kindness that peek through his hard shell. Olivia’s strength and survival instincts are what kept me rooting for her, and I was amazed by her ability to adapt and keep fighting, even in the most horrifying situations. The author doesn’t sugarcoat any of the cruelty, which only made the vulnerable moments feel even more powerful. The line between hate and need gets so blurred that I started questioning my own reactions to every scene. That emotional whiplash is what makes this book unforgettable for me. I respect how the author lets everything play out in all its brutality and humanity, never trying to make things easier or softer than they are.
Who Will Like This Book
If you want romance that feels dangerous, taboo, and brutally honest, you might be drawn to this one. It’s best for readers who are looking for dark romance with real psychological depth and don’t shy away from trauma and morally gray characters. If you like stories where the villain is more than just a tormentor and the heroine’s journey is genuinely about survival, this book will leave you thinking.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains extreme content, including kidnapping, sexual violence, manipulation, psychological and physical abuse, and non-consensual situations. It’s disturbing and very much not a “safe” or “clean” read. I think it’s important to check all trigger warnings and approach with caution if you’re sensitive to dark or taboo subject matter.
Tagged As
dark romance, psychological romance, enemies to lovers, kidnapping, slavery, revenge, anti-hero, morally gray hero, Stockholm syndrome, tortured heroine, alpha male, trauma, forbidden romance, BDSM elements, series, cliffhanger, open-door romance, explicit, dual pov, cray cray romance, HEA, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
The sexual content in Captive in the Dark is very explicit and frequent, but not always consensual. Scenes are intense and graphic. The rawness and taboo nature of the steam is a huge part of the book’s impact but should be approached with care.
