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Darkling, beloved. #2
No Way Back
THERE’S NO WAY BACK FROM WHAT WE’VE BECOME.There is no way back. There is no way. No way back. Not from what we’ve become;
Bloodthirsty, vengeful, vile.
Some women strive to make their men better,
I VOW TO MAKE HIM WORSE.
With each life we take, we fall deeper into our own sinister desires. We were never looking for a way out, but in this prison? There is no way back from what we’ve become.
No way back is a horrific romance sequel to No Way Out, featuring graphic adult themes, revenge, and disturbing sexual and violence depictions. Not intended for readers under 18.
FOR THE READER this is a novella, it is a short read light on the plot and heavy on the spice and horror elements meant to scratch a very specific itch.
Bloodthirsty, vengeful, vile.
Some women strive to make their men better,
I VOW TO MAKE HIM WORSE.
With each life we take, we fall deeper into our own sinister desires. We were never looking for a way out, but in this prison? There is no way back from what we’ve become.
No way back is a horrific romance sequel to No Way Out, featuring graphic adult themes, revenge, and disturbing sexual and violence depictions. Not intended for readers under 18.
FOR THE READER this is a novella, it is a short read light on the plot and heavy on the spice and horror elements meant to scratch a very specific itch.
126 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2024
278 people are currently reading
2992 people want to read
About the author
Santana Knox
19 books1,797 followersSantana Knox is a Brazilian author, a South American immigrant, a mother, wife and witch.
Santana got tired of letting the voices in her head drive her crazy, and decided to write down the stories they were begging to tell instead. A lover of the unusual, and a hopeless romantic when it comes to toxic villains, Santana's books should always be taken with a grain of salt, specifically the kind that keeps demons away.
Santana got tired of letting the voices in her head drive her crazy, and decided to write down the stories they were begging to tell instead. A lover of the unusual, and a hopeless romantic when it comes to toxic villains, Santana's books should always be taken with a grain of salt, specifically the kind that keeps demons away.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 818 reviews
August 26, 2025
I’m so mad at myself for not reading this the week of Halloween because it would’ve been perfect. This was horrifying in the best way my stomach was literally turning. I kept asking myself, “Am I strong enough for this?” It seriously tested my limits, and I freaking loved every second of it.
The whole setup was so good and it kinda gave me the creeps. I mean, come on they’re doing a haunted house walk-through in an actual prison. Trust me when I say this book turns into complete mayhem.
There were parts I was literally reading through my fingers, half-covering my eyes.
It’s dark, disturbing, and the main characters are absolutely unhinged, like next-level unhinged. This is one of those books that makes you go, “am I okay?!” but you still have the time of your life. If you can help it, read this one around Halloween because it nails the spooky season vibes perfectly (also make sure you have the stomach for it, I almost didn’t survive the part with the severed arm or the axe handle 🪓 😅)
Santana I love whatever is wrong with you 😂🖤
The whole setup was so good and it kinda gave me the creeps. I mean, come on they’re doing a haunted house walk-through in an actual prison. Trust me when I say this book turns into complete mayhem.
There were parts I was literally reading through my fingers, half-covering my eyes.
It’s dark, disturbing, and the main characters are absolutely unhinged, like next-level unhinged. This is one of those books that makes you go, “am I okay?!” but you still have the time of your life. If you can help it, read this one around Halloween because it nails the spooky season vibes perfectly (also make sure you have the stomach for it, I almost didn’t survive the part with the severed arm or the axe handle 🪓 😅)
Santana I love whatever is wrong with you 😂🖤
November 14, 2024
Okay so, I didn't care for the first book, and thought I might be making a mistake by picking this up, HOWEVER, it was better than No Way Out, and it ended on a cliffhanger that made me want to continue the series, so there's that.
But in so many ways it's worse (read: darker) than book one, I truly am disgusted and traumatised. And the thing is, the plot itself does have something there, it's giving pretty good Halloween slasher flick vibes, there's just a few scenes that ruin it in between.
One scene is what I feel like a lot of people imagine happens to pedos in prison, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it in graphic detail, you know? That was too much for me so I am pretending I never read it, eyes closed, only happy thoughts etc etc.
Another one is with a cop, but something like that happened in book one already so I was expecting it. And then there's one with Naya and I feel so bad for her, and I wasn't even attached to her as a character, but damn.
If those scenes weren't in the book, easy four stars. But since they are...
Anyway, please check the trigger warnings, this is HEAVY on the horror. I do wonder if we'll get some paranormal elements thrown in because of those little crumbs at the end too.
But in so many ways it's worse (read: darker) than book one, I truly am disgusted and traumatised. And the thing is, the plot itself does have something there, it's giving pretty good Halloween slasher flick vibes, there's just a few scenes that ruin it in between.
One scene is what I feel like a lot of people imagine happens to pedos in prison, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it in graphic detail, you know? That was too much for me so I am pretending I never read it, eyes closed, only happy thoughts etc etc.
Another one is with a cop, but something like that happened in book one already so I was expecting it. And then there's one with Naya and I feel so bad for her, and I wasn't even attached to her as a character, but damn.
If those scenes weren't in the book, easy four stars. But since they are...
Anyway, please check the trigger warnings, this is HEAVY on the horror. I do wonder if we'll get some paranormal elements thrown in because of those little crumbs at the end too.
September 23, 2024
5/5⭐️ 4/5🌶️
wtf did I just read? And why did I like it? If you thought No Way Out was dark and depraved, No Way Back takes it up several levels. I don’t know whether I wanted to cringe from the gruesomeness or barf or touch myself. Erotic horror at its finest. The ending had me hype for what’s to come next. It was a wild ride to say the least.
wtf did I just read? And why did I like it? If you thought No Way Out was dark and depraved, No Way Back takes it up several levels. I don’t know whether I wanted to cringe from the gruesomeness or barf or touch myself. Erotic horror at its finest. The ending had me hype for what’s to come next. It was a wild ride to say the least.
October 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
So we are back with this toxic couple, and I truly love them they are so twisted and perfect for one another!! This year, they are celebrating their anniversary in a haunted prison. So yeah, these two have a plan, and it's bloody and a lot of drama!!
They have a side plan kill a certain someone, and they do. But something happens that breaks my heart for the couple, and we are left on a cliffhanger, and I'm so confused about what shall happen!!
The spice was 🥵🥵🥵 they really did that
Saftey- there is a scene where the 2 use a prison guard dick. He's dying, and the FMC and MMC use him for their fun. So, if you don't mind a sharing scene like the first book, i would pass.
No ow/om, no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins (he shares her with a dead cop)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Fastburn
Ohio
Chainsaws
Death
MF MFM(dead cop so yeah) FF (rape)
Sagittal bisection
transverse bisection,
teeth breaking, cops (but they die, so yay) guns
bludgeoning
torture/rape
bone breaking
mentions of infant murder
mentions of pedophiles and CSA (historical, not happening to any main characters, no descriptions),
forcible penetration
dismemberment
forced psychiatric hold
there’s honestly an unnecessary amount of fear-induced urination
Lukewarm necrophilia
sexual acts with severed body parts
fisting
Dp
Cliffhanger
So we are back with this toxic couple, and I truly love them they are so twisted and perfect for one another!! This year, they are celebrating their anniversary in a haunted prison. So yeah, these two have a plan, and it's bloody and a lot of drama!!
They have a side plan kill a certain someone, and they do. But something happens that breaks my heart for the couple, and we are left on a cliffhanger, and I'm so confused about what shall happen!!
The spice was 🥵🥵🥵 they really did that
Saftey- there is a scene where the 2 use a prison guard dick. He's dying, and the FMC and MMC use him for their fun. So, if you don't mind a sharing scene like the first book, i would pass.
No ow/om, no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins (he shares her with a dead cop)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Fastburn
Ohio
Chainsaws
Death
MF MFM(dead cop so yeah) FF (rape)
Sagittal bisection
transverse bisection,
teeth breaking, cops (but they die, so yay) guns
bludgeoning
torture/rape
bone breaking
mentions of infant murder
mentions of pedophiles and CSA (historical, not happening to any main characters, no descriptions),
forcible penetration
dismemberment
forced psychiatric hold
there’s honestly an unnecessary amount of fear-induced urination
Lukewarm necrophilia
sexual acts with severed body parts
fisting
Dp
Cliffhanger
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
Respectfully, what the fuck did I just read and why did I love it??? 😩😥🙂↕️ I mean, knowing Santana’s style, I’m not that surprised lmaoooo.
This was INSANE, in the scariest and hottest way possible. I binged No Way Back in a matter of like two hours, and I’m already begging for more of Mila and Demetri. I’m obsessed with all the twisted and depraved behavior. They’re literally the hotter, academic version of Harley Quinn and the Joker. I’m actually speechless at how well matched their darkness is. Instead of caging it in, they nurture it in one another, and it’s both gruesome and tender.
Easily one of the wildest things I’ve read in a long time, but also one of my new favorites of the year. I can absolutely see myself revisiting this every spooky season.
This was INSANE, in the scariest and hottest way possible. I binged No Way Back in a matter of like two hours, and I’m already begging for more of Mila and Demetri. I’m obsessed with all the twisted and depraved behavior. They’re literally the hotter, academic version of Harley Quinn and the Joker. I’m actually speechless at how well matched their darkness is. Instead of caging it in, they nurture it in one another, and it’s both gruesome and tender.
Easily one of the wildest things I’ve read in a long time, but also one of my new favorites of the year. I can absolutely see myself revisiting this every spooky season.
March 2, 2025
Omg I need the next one…… a cliff hanger? What are you doing to me 👀😂
I absolutely love how wild this book is, just like the first one, I couldn’t put it down!!
Please check TWs as there is some dark ones in there but if you are like me and nothing phases you then get to it 😍
I absolutely love how wild this book is, just like the first one, I couldn’t put it down!!
Please check TWs as there is some dark ones in there but if you are like me and nothing phases you then get to it 😍
August 3, 2025
Eu sugiro ler no Halloween. 🎃 . Se ele é bizarro? Sim. Se eu gostei, me diverti?? Horrores.
September 30, 2024
[A][R][C] [R][E][V][I][E][W]
𝘏𝘪, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘶𝘱, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just going to start off strong and say CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. Now repeat that sentence again out loud😂💀 Santana always crushes it with horror romance, but damn dude you officially out did yourself😈 I literally have no words to explain the book because I’m still speechless 🫠 Thank you for trusting me with your book! I really need more though sooooooo 👀
𝘏𝘪, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘶𝘱, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Just going to start off strong and say CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. Now repeat that sentence again out loud😂💀 Santana always crushes it with horror romance, but damn dude you officially out did yourself😈 I literally have no words to explain the book because I’m still speechless 🫠 Thank you for trusting me with your book! I really need more though sooooooo 👀
October 25, 2024
5⭐️
4🌶️⚠️⚠️
Uh… deranged, psychotic, diabolical. These are just a few words that come to mind when reading this book. Good lord it was a lot. I was literally speechless and in shock when I heard there was going to be another one. Of course I’m gonna read it but goodness. For a short story it has a lot going on. Towards the ending it had me in tears. Then when I actually got to the ending I was shook.
This one is still about Camilla and her professor Harkins. They stayed together and apparently they still have the same itch they had last Halloween. So when Naya invites them to go to a haunted prison for 8 hours with real inmates. Of course they are gonna go. They want to scratch that itch and they definitely do. This one was so much crazier than the last, but it was an interesting and I couldn’t put it down type of story. Just make sure to read the trigger warnings. Because it gets real.
4🌶️⚠️⚠️
Uh… deranged, psychotic, diabolical. These are just a few words that come to mind when reading this book. Good lord it was a lot. I was literally speechless and in shock when I heard there was going to be another one. Of course I’m gonna read it but goodness. For a short story it has a lot going on. Towards the ending it had me in tears. Then when I actually got to the ending I was shook.
This one is still about Camilla and her professor Harkins. They stayed together and apparently they still have the same itch they had last Halloween. So when Naya invites them to go to a haunted prison for 8 hours with real inmates. Of course they are gonna go. They want to scratch that itch and they definitely do. This one was so much crazier than the last, but it was an interesting and I couldn’t put it down type of story. Just make sure to read the trigger warnings. Because it gets real.
September 28, 2024
OH MILA MY SWEET DELICATE LOONEY TOONS MILA 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 i missed her so bad and to have her back and loonier than ever???? THATS MY BABY!!! If yall thought she was bat shit cuckoo in No Way Out then boy oh boy do i have a huge surprise for you.. love my baddie b!tch DOWN even tho she does crazy shit like c*m on * ******* **** (iykyk) it was rlly good to have demitris perspective of undying unwavering true blooded obsessive love for mila like... to be in his head was a dream cos yes my b!tch is crazy but i think the man who lives and breathes for said crazy b!tch is the looniest of them all no?????? anyways..... next book asap PLS 🤲🏼🤲🏼🤲🏼
October 2, 2024
Deranged, depraved, and absolutely gory, but I think the first one was better🥸
September 23, 2024
FABULOUS!
AMAZING!
WONDERFUL!
Absolutely missed these two babies!
AMAZING!
WONDERFUL!
Absolutely missed these two babies!
October 3, 2024
i really need to learn how to handle horror better because when i tell you this had me STRESSED 😂😂😂
mila and harkins are at it again with their fucked up way of showing love to each other. harkins is down so bad for mila and will give her everything and follow her down whatever dark path she wants to take…..like it should be 🫦
i’m sorry but THE ENDING. i need the next book now!
also…..there was one part that made me genuinely upset but i don’t want to spoil it 😭😭😭 like whyyyyy 😭😭😭😭
mila and harkins are at it again with their fucked up way of showing love to each other. harkins is down so bad for mila and will give her everything and follow her down whatever dark path she wants to take…..like it should be 🫦
i’m sorry but THE ENDING. i need the next book now!
also…..there was one part that made me genuinely upset but i don’t want to spoil it 😭😭😭 like whyyyyy 😭😭😭😭
September 28, 2024
Please note, this is horror folks!
Santana Knox..what the F**K did I just read!?! Dark, twisted depravity that’s what I read. Like, why did I enjoy that so much?!? I love these two psychos and that ending…oh dammmnnn.
Santana Knox..what the F**K did I just read!?! Dark, twisted depravity that’s what I read. Like, why did I enjoy that so much?!? I love these two psychos and that ending…oh dammmnnn.
September 24, 2024
This was such a fun read!!
Horror-erotica done beautifully🤌🏻
If you thought No Way Out was a wild ride—just wait til you see what Mila and Demitri have up their sleeves this time!
Check Trigger Warnings if that’s your thing because things definitely get freaky in this bad boy
No Way Back is SPICY, brutal, disgusting, romantic, and funny af all at the same time 😂
It was such an honor to receive an ARC of this blood-soaked baby and I loved every page! I can’t wait to see what the future may hold 🥹
Horror-erotica done beautifully🤌🏻
If you thought No Way Out was a wild ride—just wait til you see what Mila and Demitri have up their sleeves this time!
Check Trigger Warnings if that’s your thing because things definitely get freaky in this bad boy
No Way Back is SPICY, brutal, disgusting, romantic, and funny af all at the same time 😂
It was such an honor to receive an ARC of this blood-soaked baby and I loved every page! I can’t wait to see what the future may hold 🥹
October 2, 2024
Santana, what the fuck was that? Amazing, smutty, completely unhinged. I loved it. I missed these two.
October 2, 2024
I have no idea what I just read
August 11, 2025
much more gore, much more plot. Camila, what a woman you are 🤭🤭🤭 totally unexpected ending for me.
I DEVOURED the audiobook 🔥
I DEVOURED the audiobook 🔥
September 25, 2024
Why am I like this? Why did I LOVE this??
Absolutely feral! Camila and Harkins are a match made in blood and they take it very seriously! It’s Halloween, which means it’s their anniversary and Harkins has something very special planned. Not only was this whole story unhinged but it was hilarious!! I don’t think I have ever laughed so much while people were getting completely murked!
I won’t be able to get any part of this out of my head anytime soon. Perfect for a gorey, spicy little spooky read!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️.5
Absolutely feral! Camila and Harkins are a match made in blood and they take it very seriously! It’s Halloween, which means it’s their anniversary and Harkins has something very special planned. Not only was this whole story unhinged but it was hilarious!! I don’t think I have ever laughed so much while people were getting completely murked!
I won’t be able to get any part of this out of my head anytime soon. Perfect for a gorey, spicy little spooky read!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️.5
September 23, 2024
Santana is the mastermind of making me discover kinks I didn't know existed within me. Because WTF just happened and why am I craving more??
Camila and Harkins are back and bloodier than ever. These two live and breathe for each other. Killing for each other? WITH each other? Without a doubt. It's what brought them together, after all. It's Halloween again and they're immediately on the same wave length when Kyle shows up with Naya to the haunted prison attraction.
No Way Back will have you questioning the things you thought you knew about yourself. Halloween can never be the same again. Not when it's their anniversary.
Santana, thank you for letting us have early access to this novella. The cliffhanger has me starving for book 3!
As always, please check the triggers with this book.
Camila and Harkins are back and bloodier than ever. These two live and breathe for each other. Killing for each other? WITH each other? Without a doubt. It's what brought them together, after all. It's Halloween again and they're immediately on the same wave length when Kyle shows up with Naya to the haunted prison attraction.
No Way Back will have you questioning the things you thought you knew about yourself. Halloween can never be the same again. Not when it's their anniversary.
Santana, thank you for letting us have early access to this novella. The cliffhanger has me starving for book 3!
As always, please check the triggers with this book.
September 24, 2024
I was blessed (or doomed?) to be an ARC reader for this and SWEET BABY JEBUS this was gnarly!!
For such a short story, it packs one hell of a punch. PLEASE READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!
This will have you kicking your feet one second and barely holding onto your least meal in the next. (I, in fact, did not hold onto my least meal.) Still came back and finished strong and more anticipated for the 3rd book!!
So excited to be on Santana's ARC team!! 🖤
For such a short story, it packs one hell of a punch. PLEASE READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!
This will have you kicking your feet one second and barely holding onto your least meal in the next. (I, in fact, did not hold onto my least meal.) Still came back and finished strong and more anticipated for the 3rd book!!
So excited to be on Santana's ARC team!! 🖤
December 15, 2024
4⭐️
Hehehe so unhinged. I LOVE it.
Hehehe so unhinged. I LOVE it.
January 16, 2025
Que cojones
September 25, 2024
Ahhhhh my first ARC read, and I had the pleasure of it being for Santana!! This book was absolutely WILD! I can’t even explain to you how many times I had said “what the fuck” while reading this! This second book in the darkling beloved series did not disappoint. I was absolutely team Mila and Professor Harkins when I read No Way Out. Well the dynamic duo is back again, and shit is getting crazy this Halloween! If you thought No Way Out was crazy, get ready for an unhinged gory, horror, smut infested book! This was the perfect read for spooky season! So, if you love horror and gore, and of course some smut give this a read! But, please be mindful of the trigger warnings!
November 1, 2024
Again… meh
If you took out the smut in these 2 books (keep the romance though), the story would make for an awesome gory horror movie, and I would fucking love it! The mass murders on Halloween, perfect for an action packed horror movie… but the smut just feels like it’s there for smut sake; and while there is always a place for that in my heart, its just meh…
🌶️/5
Necrophilia again as in book 1 with dead guy butt plug, but the fisting with a dismembered hand was a new one…
If you took out the smut in these 2 books (keep the romance though), the story would make for an awesome gory horror movie, and I would fucking love it! The mass murders on Halloween, perfect for an action packed horror movie… but the smut just feels like it’s there for smut sake; and while there is always a place for that in my heart, its just meh…
🌶️/5
Necrophilia again as in book 1 with dead guy butt plug, but the fisting with a dismembered hand was a new one…
September 24, 2024
I received my ARC today and finished it in one sitting. It was that addictive.
I’ve been a fan of Knox since “Heartless Heathens” and this short and sweet (ha!) story was a forceful showcase of just how talented and utterly unhinged this author is. 5/5 on gore, 5/5 on spice, and 100/5 on making me laugh hysterically at scenes that should have been traumatizing. How in the world does this author shock and please so much every time??? The writing has such a fast pace, but still manages to provide tantalizing details. The plot twists…seriously?!?! She really knows how to cram so much into a small space. 👀👀👀
I’ve been a fan of Knox since “Heartless Heathens” and this short and sweet (ha!) story was a forceful showcase of just how talented and utterly unhinged this author is. 5/5 on gore, 5/5 on spice, and 100/5 on making me laugh hysterically at scenes that should have been traumatizing. How in the world does this author shock and please so much every time??? The writing has such a fast pace, but still manages to provide tantalizing details. The plot twists…seriously?!?! She really knows how to cram so much into a small space. 👀👀👀
October 15, 2024
WTF!! This was CRAZY!!! Absolutely perfect for the creepy season. It was twisted, bloody, creepy, violent, gory and titillatingly spicy, plus so much more!
The depravity was perfect, the twists and turns were deliciously gruesome, the sex was debauched and I was loving the crazy ride this story was.
What a wildly unhinged and disturbing page turner, with an ending that left me saying WTF and I can’t wait!!!
The depravity was perfect, the twists and turns were deliciously gruesome, the sex was debauched and I was loving the crazy ride this story was.
What a wildly unhinged and disturbing page turner, with an ending that left me saying WTF and I can’t wait!!!
November 6, 2024
Again I am reading a book with necrophilia and again it is a book by Santana Knox. It may sound very strange, but it is actually a very hot book. The chemistry between the main characters just cannot be described in words. Although the novel has very wild and unusual triggers, it is still interesting, intriguing and hot. Looking forward to the new novel about this sexy couple🤭🫦
January 27, 2025
This was deliciously dark, twisted, spicy and such a fun, quick read. I love Santana and her twisted sense of humor that she adds to this book. And as an Ohio girly, I'll be sure to stay away from any haunted prison tours! 😂
October 4, 2024
This book was absolutely unhinged and I LOVED it! Don’t get me wrong I’ll read anything Santana writes at this point, but the haunted prison tour meets murder mayhem was amazing. It was psychotic, smutty, and I was HOOKED. And I’m sorry but that ending?! Um yes!!! I cannot wait to see what comes next 👀
I lied.
I can’t stop thinking about this novella it was soooo good. I have to update it to a 5🤷🏼♀️
I lied.
I can’t stop thinking about this novella it was soooo good. I have to update it to a 5🤷🏼♀️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 818 reviews