Twisted in the Darkness: Bound by Shadows

by A.K. Neane

In a world where shadows blur the lines between desire and captivity, one young woman’s yearning for freedom leads her down a path of unexpected darkness and forbidden passion. At nineteen, she lives under the oppressive expectations of her devout parents, her spirit crushed by their rigid beliefs. Her only sanctuary is a hidden corner of the city, where a provocative mural whispers of a life she’s too afraid to grasp.

One fateful night, her silent prayers for escape are answered in the form of a mesmerizing stranger—a woman whose strength and allure are matched only by her dominance. Taken from the rain-soaked streets and bound to a luxurious prison, she awakens to a new reality where her captor holds the key to both her torment and her liberation.

As she navigates the treacherous waters of her captivity, she discovers a dark desire within herself, one that ignites a fire she can neither control nor extinguish. In the grip of a woman who commands her body and mind, she must confront her deepest fears and her most dangerous longings.

Will she find the strength to reclaim her freedom, or will she succumb to the seductive power that binds her?

“Twisted in the Bound by Shadows” is a haunting tale of possession and release, where love and cruelty dance on the edge of a knife, and the darkest passions are awakened in the most unlikely of places.

250 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2025

Reviews

[Jurnee Mccarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I absolutely loved it. Domina was just everything and more.

[Kaely Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to Beta read for this amazing book!!!!

There is so much to say but honestly you should experience it for yourself. There are twists and turns, super spicey moments that are literally perfect. It was my first sapphic novel and it was so so so good!!!!! Domina and Marianne are perfect together. Very well written, the story flows well, couldn't put it down.

Also, the ending!!!!!!! I NEED MORE!!!! I literally cannot stop thinking about this book.

[Sheila Teetor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. They didn't hesitate to jump right in with the smut. I love how the characters are developing. The ending was wow what a cliffhanger.

[Raquelio poop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woooow. I devoured this book in 4 hours. I was sucked in from start to finish. The spice was 10/10, the character development and revelations are fantastic. I cannot get enough and I need more nowwwww!!! I relate so much to Marianne and her struggles, she reminds me so much of myself. I blushed, I cried, the arc peak of the story had me scared and desperate to know what happens next. This is a fantastic read.

Marianne is stuck. Her religious parents drill into her to watch her weight, to learn to be a good christian wife to a man, and every aspect of her life under their control to their Christian expectations. Her only escape is her time online with Domina. Domina is a dom who has her sights set on Marianne and has been collecting information to execute her plan to kidnap/"rescue" Marianne from her family.


I loved this book, Id highly recommend this to lovers of dark romance

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first FF dark romance, and my first read by A.K. Neane, but it wont be my last.
This book is an age gap, BDSM style dark romance, between an older domme and a younger more innocent sub. As with any dark romance, check your triggers before you start reading. There’s a brief list in the front of the book, and a more detailed list in the back,

This book kept me on the edge, in the best way. There was so much heat, and it was so well written. I felt immersed in the world that A.K. Neane created, and I didn’t want it to end. I liked the dual point of view, and how much we learned about the characters.
There is so much depth to be found in this book, and I am so grateful that I was selected to be an ARC reader.

[Sarah Mickus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extremely wild ride. This is a dark romance with everything you need in a dark romance. FF with dominance, kidnapping, soul searching and sprinkle in a bit of suspense. We follow one of our FMC who is a shy timid woman abused by her family and has no one else in her life. Then we have our other FMC who is an independent, controlling dom. Each chapter ends ready for the reader to dive into the next to see what is going to happen. There are sensitive issues discussed in this but it also keeps your mind going and opens the doors to hard questions. Don’t sleep on this story.

[Sophia weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark sapphic romance (WLW) I won’t spoil it because all of the ups and downs are so worth the read! This is shminky😉 kinda st@lker-ish you’ll understand when you read it because you need to read it! The author writes it all so beautifully! And the huge twist at the end has you hanging on for dear life!! Definitely recommend just check your tr¡ggers before hand obviously as it is a darker themed book! 4.8/5 chili peppers!! GO READ THIS BOOK!!

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun and dark ride. If you have ever seen the show, YOU it gives those stalker vibes but sexier with WLW. You definitely get some backstory with Dominica and Marianne, that will leave you wanting more. Dominica is my favorite complex and stubborn. It's a must read! Go ahead read that book like a good girl ;).

[Shannon Katariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. I liked the plot and characters. None of the triggers got to me but they are there just in case. So please review them! This book had everything I needed to give it 5 stars. Characters. Plot. Spicy. Enough of a mystery and a bit of a cliffhanger.

[Mariah Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to be a beta reader. I absolutely loved this book. I love the different POV’s of the characters. This was a dark romance. Domina was my favorite character. Marianne embracing herself through the whole story was so amazing to reading!! I recommend this read.

[Tiffany Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky enough to BETA read this gem right here. I couldn't put it down! Get ready for this ride... it's gonna be a wet one!

[Sara Cayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing A. K. This was heart pulling, and had me glued and I mean glued to my kindle.. and that ending why 🤯

[Emily Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the amazing opportunity to alpha read this book. I’m so glad I did because this book is so hot.This is a dark romance (WLW) Age Gap Novella. This is my first Dark Romance. I’m very much pleased with how well this was written. I love the different POV. The wild ride of emotions and the way you tease us. This book is so smexy, you are so going to need something for yourself. It has a BDSM vibe and it’s a whole different level of spicy. The way the author writes there book it makes you want more and more. I desire to know more about these characters as I feel like when I read your books I put myself in the story. The way Dominica and Marianne fit together like a puzzle piece and I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with there characters and the story line. I completely devoured this book and now that you have my attention I crave more. This book is a whole new level of smutt that you just need to taste it yourself. This was exactly what I needed, pure perfection. I love the different topics brought up, it made the story feel relatable. I can’t wait to see what else I get to read by this wonderful author.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid 4.3 stars for me. This is the first book I've read from the author and it won't be my last. I will preface with the fact that dark romance is not something I read a ton of. But, I dabble from time to time. After meeting the author during reading sprints on TikTok and finding out this was a Sapphic Dark Romance, I said, say less haha Also what better time than pride month for the release! For such a short book it had a very defined plot as well as decent character growth. It left me wanting to know more about the characters and how their dynamic will continue to play out. I read this book in one sitting and putting it down was not an option. This book had me in a chokehold. The only reason I did not give it five stars was the writing. I feel like it could use a good editor or some very experienced beta readers. With the dual POV there was too much redundancy in my opinion. I was able to look past that as I don't typically judge books that way. I am here for the vibes and this book gave me all the vibes I would want and/or expect from a book of this nature. I will be recommending this book and purchasing it for friends. Check the TWs and dive in!!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to say thank you to A.K. for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Twisted in the Darkness: Bound by Shadows.
I rated this book 5 stars

This is a dark sapphic romance, and let me tell you it had me hooked from the beginning. It follows Domina and Marianne on their relationship. It isn't your common relationship, but the character building, and the way that you can relate to the characters is something that is normally hard for me to do. But this one Marianne really felt so close to home. Also this book has a lot of spice, but it is wrote very well. Just make sure to check your trigger warnings before starting. Also this book will leave you wanting more, and needing answers to some very big questions. I highly recommend this book!

[Cheyenne Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
This was my first book by the author—and definitely not my last. I don’t read a lot of dark romance, but a Sapphic dark romance? Say less. I found this during a TikTok reading sprint and was immediately hooked. Plus, the Pride Month release? Perfect timing.

For a short book, the plot was strong and the character growth kept me fully engaged. I read it in one sitting—it had me in a chokehold. My only critique is the writing; it could use a bit of polishing, and the dual POV had some repetitive moments. But honestly? The vibes were immaculate, and that’s what I came for.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

I NEED MORE!!!!! What a story between Jenny and Marianna! This is a FF story and I am here for it! Although you can read it I would have liked to hear more about how the characters were developing into themselves through the story BUT that left me on my toes to read the next book hoping to get some insight on their relationship with themselves and each other! Great read, lots of spice, check your trigger warnings!

[Anna Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. It was a quick read and I loved ever min of it.

[LAURA HAMMOND · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky and picked to read this as a arc. I don't normally read ff relationships but this had me hooked xx

[Chelsea Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing was so captivating that I forgot I was reading. The details and emotional impact of the characters helped me connect with them. I can't wait to read more from A.K Neane!

[Destiny Wilkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first true sapphic romance.
I loved it! I need to know more about Jenny and what exactly she is up to.

[Samantha AdamsMcCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianne (FMC) & Domina(FMC) they find each other with out knowing they need each other. What keeps me on my toes is the bdsm and control and the love they are starting to truly figure out.. what makes them work how Domina doesn’t want to lose Marianne1! Marianne finding her self with Domina and becomes this amazing woman to come out of her shell.
Curve women and finding there true selves this is an amazing book.

[Stefanie Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not new to dark and LGBTQ+ romances. This is however my first FF romance and I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I did have the wonderful opportunity to be an arc reader for this book, but even if I wasn’t, I still would’ve picked it up. For starters the cover is absolutely stunning. And the characters over all were great. I enjoyed the plot and the chemistry between Marianne and Domina was wonderfully executed. This book got spicy and straight to the point from the very first page and you only got more submersed in the book as the story went on. The character development was fenomenal and the way A.K neane wrote the struggles when dealing with a religious family as well as the way BDSM was portrayed was done in a way that made me want to keep reading. This is my first book by this author and it surely won’t be the last. This was a great intro book into dark FF romance and I hope I can have the opportunity to read more of their books soon.