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Darlington Circus: The Eternal Act

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Nicole discovers she's been reincarnated once again where she reunites with her eternal husband and the enchanting immortal circus. As memories resurface, she grapples with the mystery of her past life's tragic demise. Defying her usual submissive nature, she confronts Bellamy and Velar, who hold the keys to her forgotten past. As Nicole delves deeper, she must navigate a love triangle, restore the circus's magic, and confront evil forces targeting the Ringmaster's magic. The story unfolds with themes of identity, love, sacrifice, and memory, culminating in a heart-wrenching decision that changes everything.

406 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2024

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S.K. Hinkley

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5 stars
12 (38%)
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12 (38%)
3 stars
3 (9%)
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4 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Alyssa J.
357 reviews17 followers
October 8, 2025
This was very fun! Full of magic and surprise, some spice & that ending omg….
Profile Image for My.Mystique.Books.
34 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2025
Don’t get me wrong! I really enjoyed this book. The story was exhilarating and kept you on your toes the entirety of the way, but I do feel the writing composition could have used a bit more work and the story could have been stretched out more.
Some parts seemed very rushed and others I just wish I had more of an explanation or backstory.
There were three different plot points that could have been individual books in themselves and felt rushed throughout.
Overall, the story itself fit together quite well and it left me wanting more! A page turner that will keep you wondering what happens next.
If you’re into circus stories, vampires, witches, magic, love triangles, and plenty of spice, then this book is for you!
Profile Image for Holli Mattox.
89 reviews8 followers
October 16, 2025
Stars:4.5⭐️
“Welcome home Mrs Darlington.” -A love that will find you in every lifetime. Imagine being immortal and having that one true love. Then imagine your love dying, being reincarnated, and reintroducing them to the life you built together OVER AND OVER AND OVER!!! Oh boy. I have so many feelings and so many questions. Do we hate Sage? Do we like Sage?? I have big feelings about Sage. I devoured this book! New love, old love, love lost…I don’t want to give away too much, but I can’t wait to see what else is in store for Darlington Circus. And YES, this ends on a heck of a cliffhanger!!
Profile Image for Natasha Morris.
120 reviews4 followers
November 23, 2024
I was captivated from the 1st paragraph of this incredible novel.

There are witches, vampires, fae, werewolves, ogre, goblin, mortality, immortality….this has it ALL.
This is like no other circus, it’s full of magic.

Nicole is mortal. She dies and is reincarnated, each time , being brought into a new family and without her knowing who she is, she finds herself back with her circus family each time.

This time she has a little brother, Lucca. His parents decide it’s okay for him to travel with his sister and join the circus.

Danger strikes as the elders swoop in one day and take Lucca. Will he be found before they kill him and be reunited with Nicole……
Profile Image for Stephanie Bennett.
196 reviews3 followers
November 16, 2024
Magnificent, compelling, and majestic. Love the authors writing and imagination. The characters and the descriptions of the circus and jubilee are spectacular and believable. There is dark romance, found family, magic, reincarnation, vampires and witches galore. This story is gripping from beginning to end and is one of my favorite books I have ever read.
Profile Image for Katie.
127 reviews5 followers
March 17, 2026
I received this book through yhr Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.

I was disappointed by this book, which is a real shame because I had been looking forward to reading it since winning the Giveaway. Admitting that makes me feel bad, especially since the author was sweet enough to send a signed copy.

Going off the description, I was expecting something with Caraval vibes: a traveling, mysterious circus that pops up unexpectedly at each location, run by a troupe of immortals kept alive by magic, with some sort of twisty/tricky something going on that needs solving. I was *not* expecting the BDSM element, which might be my own fault. I guess I should have paid more attention or done a little more digging. When I read “defying her usual submissive nature” in the blurb, I didn’t think to place it in that context, assuming that it referred instead to the MC typically having a meek or mild personality. The BDSM/”Daddy”/”Babygirl” stuff isn’t personally *my* cup of tea (though I have nothing against those who enjoy it), and I felt there was enough potential in the story (reincarnation, magic, vampires, witches, etc.) without needing that added in.

I was also uncomfortable with the age difference between Nicole and Bellamy. We are told she was sixteen the first time they met, with Bellamy being described as presenting as though he is in his thirties. We are told their connection was instantaneous. The text reads “our relationship has always been unconventional” and that immortals “don’t adhere to the same rules as humans when it comes to love and relationships.” Immortals might not, but some of the readers surely do. And it’s hard to look at Bellamy the same after reading the rape/murder scene when he catches Nicole with Velar together in her most recent past life.

I’m also not sure how I feel about using the concepts of Samsara and tantric sex as a ritual for reincarnation. It felt appropriated, especially since the concepts are used outside of their original contexts when they are sacred and significant concepts of faith in the real world.

I also felt this book could have benefited from more editing. There are places where the punctuation is off, and places where the sentence structure is awkward (at least, to me). The passages could have used more shaping and fine-tuning.

But the concept for the story itself was an interesting and strong one: Bellamy helps found the Darlington Circus in the late 1700’s, only for a witch to cast a curse making everyone in the circus immortal except for Nicole, who reincarnates immediately each time she dies. This means they have to find her and lose her again every lifetime. Except *this* time, for some reason, it has taken them fifty years for her to reincarnate. When Bellamy loses his magic and the residents of Jubilee get locked in, the core group (Nicole, Bellamy, Eve, and Velar) must seek out the witch who cursed them to try to get her to help them reopen Jubilee. After doing so, Bellamy finds himself hunted by elder witches, intent on stealing his magic back, and he must seek the help of the Undying Council, and the book reaches its climax with an all-out war between the elder witches and the immortals at Bellamy’s side.

The execution and the added elements just weren’t for me, though if you’re into the BDSM, "let’s share her" love triangle themes, you might enjoy the book far more than I did, especially if you’re looking for a vibe read. So this review is mostly a matter of personal taste, though I do wish the writing were stronger.

I'm sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brianna Engelhardt.
23 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2026
Spoilers- because I can’t write this without it.

Oh boy. We were off to a good start, honestly at first glance, I thought I would like this book better than the first.

So many plots, not enough follow through.

We start the book from Velar’s point of view, basically swearing that he’s going to exact revenge on Bellamy for literally f-ing Nicole to death. But does he follow through with that vow? No. No, he does not. In fact, he and Bellamy are still best buds.

When Nicole regained her memory and realizes how she died in her last life, she basically just moves past it. Umm…WHAT?! Ma’am, he unalived you. I’m starting to feel like their relationship is less kink and more toxic and she is trapped in this vicious cycle and doesn’t even know that she’s in an unhealthy relationship.

Speaking of Nicole, one would think someone who has been reincarnated several times would develop a sense of self preservation, right? Not Nicole she does nothing that she’s told to do even if it’s for her own safety – is out into danger without a plan immediately regrets it, and then either gets hurt or worse. Like girl, you are human, what are you gonna do that these strong immortal people can’t? Maybe stay put where you’re supposed to be and you’ll see 30 in this lifetime, yeah?

How was her 10-year-old brother allowed to quit school,move away from home, and join the circus how was this allowed?

also, wasn’t Sage supposed to be like the super bad evil witch? Now she’s living in jubilee and on good terms with everyone that she literally cursed and is the reason that Nicole is mortal and has to perform a certain *ahem* ceremony so that she can reincarnate every single time she does something stupid that gets herself unalived.

Nicole is so indecisive. She doesn’t know what she wants. She’s extremely immature for someone who has lived several life times and it was very frustrating as a reader to be on the second book now and see absolutely no sort of character growth from her or anyone really.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for 🐷Shay loves books🐷.
313 reviews15 followers
October 31, 2025
Wow! What a ride! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to get the 2nd one! The way this book had me invested!! I was nothing like I ever expected, it was so much more!

Nicole is a mortal, who everytime she dies is reincarnated and her husband and friends are magical and immortal and they run Darlington circus. Darlington is a traveling circus and they have to keep traveling to keep everyone safe. Bellamy is her husband and he’s the leader and ring master of the circus.

When he accidentally kills Nicole, he is devastated and never stops looking for where she has reincarnated to. When he finally finds her and she is back where she belongs, things start to unravel but Nicole has lost all her memories, she doesn’t remember what happened or why. As her brother joins the circus, and things start to go crazy, things happen that were not expected!

This book kept me turning the pages and I fell in love with the characters!!
Profile Image for Diandra J..
12 reviews
Read
March 17, 2026
Okay, so Darlington Circus: The Eternal Act was such an interesting concept.

I really enjoyed learning about Nicole’s past lives—that whole reincarnation element kept me invested, and I loved seeing how pieces of her story started to come together over time. The idea of the circus existing across lifetimes is so unique and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

The ending for Nicole definitely has me curious. I’m really interested to see where her life—and her love—is going next, especially with the love triangle starting to take shape.

I also thought the Dom/Sub dynamic was a different touch. I found myself wishing it was explored a little more because I feel like that could add so much depth and tension to the relationships moving forward.

For me, the beginning took me a minute to find my footing with everything that was happening, but overall I think this is a really creative start to a series, and I’m curious to see how everything develops in the next book.
Profile Image for Wildfire2780 Ali .
26 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2025
Darlington Circus by S.K. Hinkley is a beautifully haunting blend of magic, fate, and love that transcends lifetimes. The reincarnation trope, the mysterious circus setting, and the pull of a love triangle kept me completely intrigued.

That said, a few parts felt a bit repetitive — like scenes or emotions that circled back one too many times — but the atmosphere and the tension still carried the story through.

I loved the world-building and the emotional undercurrent that ran through every page. It’s the kind of book that makes you question what’s real and what’s destiny, and leaves a little bit of magic lingering after you turn the last page.
Profile Image for Phillip John.
53 reviews8 followers
May 20, 2025
A haunting, magical love story that lingers in your bones.
I was absolutely swept away by Nicole’s journey. The emotional weight of her past lives, the aching beauty of her reunion with her eternal husband, and the bittersweet atmosphere of the immortal circus were so vivid, I could feel them. The love triangle was surprisingly tender and never felt forced, it reflected her inner turmoil more than anything. The twist with Bellamy and Velar left me stunned. I cried at the end. It wasn’t just fantasy, it was heartbreak, healing, and rebirth all rolled into one.
Profile Image for Marty Thayer.
16 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2026
To be open, I received this book as a free giveaway from Goodreads. I also apologize up front for taking so long to finish the book, I was 60 pages from finishing and had eye surgery where I couldn’t read for 4 weeks. It was a torture because I really enjoyed this book and the premise. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I will say that I have ordered the next book anxiously awaiting its arrival to continue this adventure, and will recommend to anybody that likes this format to read it! Thank you SK Hinkley and Goodreads!
Profile Image for A. Paige.
Author 6 books26 followers
October 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

Darlington Circus is a hauntingly magical story of love, memory, and sacrifice. Nicole’s journey of rediscovering her past lives, navigating a love triangle, and uncovering the truth behind the immortal circus kept me hooked from start to finish. The atmosphere is rich and enchanting, and while a few moments felt a little rushed, the emotional payoff was powerful. A captivating, romantic fantasy that lingers long after the final page.
Profile Image for Alana.
105 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2026
A fascinating storyline. I listened to this on Audible and the narration was decently done. Overall, the idea behind how she is fated to return each lifetime to her immortal family was really interesting. The chaos that ensues within this lifetime of hers seems to have just begun, I look forward to seeing where this goes!

For individuals who do not like when someone calls their lover “daddy” here’s your warning. There are reasons behind why she does it, but just a warning.
Profile Image for Elissa.
53 reviews9 followers
July 11, 2025
I just finished Darlington Circus: The Eternal Act by SK Hinkley, and I’m honestly blown away. The mix of past lives, eternal love, and the magical circus setting pulled me in completely. Nicole’s journey, especially the way she steps into her strength, was so powerful. Emotional, mystical, and beautifully written. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Kellie Jackson.
388 reviews10 followers
December 23, 2025
This has a whole whirl wind of magic and fantasy mix into it and it makes for a fun read. This does start off on the slower end but ends with a banger. The spice is spicing and leaves you wanting more within that category I must say. If your into the circus world along with all things vampires, witches, werewolves and more this would totally be for you!
Profile Image for Magnolia Xen.
Author 3 books16 followers
September 9, 2025
I loved the world that the author built. The character development was great. If you love magic, found family and life defining love you will love Darlington Circus. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Susie.
120 reviews
April 6, 2026
I loved the story line of a traveling circus with reincarnation and immortals mixed in. There were so many different characters which was fun to see mixed in the story.

There were some parts I thought could use more attention, and then other parts I thought could use less attention.

I loved how the reincarnation played out. The love triangle had me captivated. The world building was awesome. It will be fun to see how certain things play out in the next book.
Profile Image for SK Hinkley.
39 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2025
Darlington Circus: The Eternal Act by SK Hinkley
★★★★★
/ By Jennifer Jackson / December 6, 2024
A darkly enchanting read.

Nothing exciting ever happens to Nicole, a young woman from a small Pennsylvania farming town. She has aspirations and goals, but her family isn’t wealthy and her opportunities are limited. This particular October, however, brings more than chilly autumn weather. A local reporter has a story that will change Nicole’s life: Darlington Circus is in town! No ordinary three-ring spectacle, the elusive Darlington Circus is said to have real magic within its tents. Though tickets are prohibitively expensive, nothing will prevent Nicole from meeting her destiny, even if she doesn’t yet understand the significance of it. So she steps through a mysterious doorway into a world more fantastical than any newscaster could ever convey. It turns out that Nicole isn’t just visiting this traveling circus, she is an integral part of the community. Shocking truths come rushing in, revealing that Nicole is so much more than the nineteen-year-old art student she thought she was. She is a reincarnated wife, submissive to the dominant ringmaster, Bellamy. The entire circus has been cursed with immortality, except for Nicole, and not everyone is happy about it. As she settles back into the role she was born to play, details about her past lives, including events leading to her most recent death, slowly come to light. With conflicted feelings, Nicole learns that even when most of your friends are immortal, death isn’t the only thing that hurts.

Prepare for a spectacle like no other because the kinkiest show on Earth has arrived in the dark romantasy novel, Darlington Circus. A nomadic circus with a broader purpose, this traveling show is only one aspect of the magical world SK Hinkley invites readers to revel in. Ancient conflicts drive the action and plot, while powerful relationships shape the tone of this supernatural tale. Nicole is the center of attention, but her loyalties extend to friends, lovers, and her mortal family. Some relationships push hard against traditional boundaries, as with Nicole, the husband who claims her, and the vampire who will do anything for her. Others pull at heartstrings, such as Nicole’s connection with her dear friend Eve and with her younger brother. For fans of dark romance, explicit scenes will leave you torn between desire and outrage as they challenge social conventions. Beyond Nicole’s compelling journey of self-discovery is the broader storyline surrounding the stability of the circus and the magic that fuels it. The author has a talent for building suspense and expanding the mesmerizing world while laying the groundwork for future installments. An urban fantasy novel suitable for mature audiences, Darlington Circus is a darkly enchanting read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next incarnation.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews