Dead End: A Dark Paranormal Romance of Cursed Blood, Forbidden Love, and the Final Battle for Verbank: Dark Paths: Remastered Edition Book 5

by Ivy Whitaker

The final battle has come—and this time, there’s no running.

Shea Tobin has carried the Bearers’ curse in her blood, but now she stands as their last hope. A new evil is bleeding Verbank dry—twisting the town into a crucible of nightmares and hunting the people she’s sworn to protect.

With every step closer to the end, the line between realms frays, dragging Shea deeper into a destiny she never chose. Her ancestors whisper. Her blood burns. And the shadows demand her surrender.

But Shea has learned one love—fragile, steady, defiant—may be the only light strong enough to cut through the dark.

Now she must risk everything—her heart, her soul, her very life—to unify Verbank and save the one she loves. Because if she falters, Verbank falls.
And if Verbank falls… she loses everything.

Perfect for fans of Simone St. James, K.F. Breene, and Deborah Harkness.

Tropes & Paranormal romance • Strong witch heroine • Cursed bloodline • Psychic powers / dreamwalking • Vampire antagonists • Star-crossed love • Small-town secrets • Found family • Prophecy & destiny • Sacrifice for love • Unexpected pregnancy • Hope in the darkness • Hard-earned HEA

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Ivy Whitaker writes paranormal romance and contemporary sapphic love stories designed to make your heart ache in the best way. She’s obsessed with crafting believable characters and throwing them into unbelievable situations—because love is messy, healing is hard, and happily-ever-afters are always worth the fight.

A multi-series, multi-genre author (who has it on good authority from her partners that she’s doing a good job), Ivy lives in Western New York with her partners, her human child, and four demanding fur children. When she’s not writing, she’s probably wrangling chaos, designing something witchy, or drinking a cup of coffee she (almost) forgot she made.

Website: https://ivywhitaker.com/
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Reviews

[Tammy-Rose Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

Deep End
@ivywhitakerauthor

A few years ago I could barely balance a checkbook. And now I’m in the middle of a supernatural bitch fight
Shea ( one of my favourite lines to sum it up for me )

@hawthorn.and.aster.services thanks you both for the opportunity for letting me, e arc read the dark paths series. It only got better with each book. Making me sit at the edge of my seat in suspense and fear. How I related and connected with Shea.

How far she had come in this was such great character development, there were still moments where she was unsure but she had never wanted or known she had wanted her magic. And the responsibility they came with. I really want to be her as aspects of her cooking ( I can barely cook )

Oh my word, I was clutching at my chest, my Declan. I was in fear and close to tears. It hurt my heart like freaking hell.

All sides of the supernatural creatures are scary but also really like darn I would not want to be on any ones bad side.

I can't wait for Chloe story. You have finished Shea and Declan so well. So well deserved.

Releases 24.10.25

[Hilary Brenneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dead End” by Ivy Whitaker. Yes. Yes. It’s everything I love perfectly combined into one heck of a book.

Paranormal ✔️
Gothic Vibes ✔️
A Touch of Horror ✔️
Romance ✔️
Fantasy ✔️
Curses ✔️
A Badass Witchy FMC ✔️
Believable and Effective World-Building ✔️

“Dead End” is book five of the “Dark Paths” series. It can be read as a standalone but I read all of them and did find the context from the first four to be helpful to engage more with book five. It’s enjoyable and easy to get sucked in, though you’re in for an emotional roller coaster.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Ivy Whitaker and Hawthorn & Aster for allowing me into the world of “Dark Paths!”

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I received this book as an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review. This is the fifth book in the Dark Paths series. I did read it as a standalone (my error I didn’t initially realize it was part of a series). I found the characters interesting and loved the dark, gothic vibes. Tropes in this book include paranormal romance and a witchy FMC. I will most definitely go back and read the other books then re-read this book since I was definitely missing some context. Current rating is based on needing more backstory, however I’ve read a previous work by this author and thoroughly enjoy her writing style.

[Batty for books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was on the ARC team for Dead End by Ivy Whitaker, and this is my honest review.
I absolutely loved the cover, and the characters were interesting — especially with all the dark, paranormal vibes. But since I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, I really struggled to follow what was going on. The world and story clearly have depth, but without any earlier context, this book was so tough for me to get through. I probably would've rated it higher if I'd understood more of the backstory. So, if you've read the others, you'd enjoy it. If not, it is a book that cannot stand on its own.

[Jasmine Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth and final book in the Dark Paths series and holy hell was it a roller coaster of emotions for me.

This was my first time reading this book (thanks Ivy for making me wait all this time! 😜 )

There were a lot of moments I was worried for Shea and her group of friends. I will not spoil it but there is a part of the book I cried. Like legit cried because the emotion in the story was so deep and harrowing.

Ivy, this was amazing and I am so sad it's over!!! I cannot wait to see what comes next!!

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This for me was a paranormal, supernatural, romantasy novel. The witchy vibes were definitely my jam. The characters were emotional and real. The creatures and magic system were amazing.

Ive had the honor of reading several Ivy Whitaker novels and this is just another great addition. While this is a stand alone, I feel like the reader will get more out of it if they have read the first four books first. Shea and Declan were amazing characters and seeing them through their journey was breathtaking.

[Ladenia27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead End was an emotional and cosy read, full of magic and love.

I adored this story, although it had some heart wrenching moments, they added to the reality of the feelings.

The plot was good, and I only did not give this 5 stars because I sometimes felt a bit of repetition, but it also contributing to the story.

I would like to thank Hawthorn & Aster and the author Ivy Whitaker for giving me de opportunity of reviewing an advanced review copy and I am leaving this review for free.

[Viviana · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book 5 in a series i read it first and even tho it can be read as a standalone i went back and read book 1-4 and enjoy them and for me it didnt effect how i read the story. if you like fantasy with curse,romance, paranomal anda little bit of horror and possaibley shed a tear this for you. defintiy going to need shelf trophys for this series.