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Darkling, beloved. #3
No Way Apart
She is the marrow in my bones, without her I am hollow."
From the Amazon best selling author of "Heartless Heathens" and "No Way Out" comes the final conclusion to the "Darkling, beloved." Series:
THERE IS NO WAY INTO HER MIND
There has never been.
There is only us;
Darkling
Beloved
Soulmates
Her mind is the asylum, and we have delved too deep into the darkness to see light again.
There is no way out: not when the odds are against us. There is no way back: not when the prison is her own creation.
For better or worse, in sickness, in health, to love, to cherish
Not parted, even in death
That is my solemn vow.
No Way Apart is Book 3 in the Darkling, beloved. collection, completing the Dark Horror/Romance that begs the question: "what if love could kill us?".
From the Amazon best selling author of "Heartless Heathens" and "No Way Out" comes the final conclusion to the "Darkling, beloved." Series:
THERE IS NO WAY INTO HER MIND
There has never been.
There is only us;
Darkling
Beloved
Soulmates
Her mind is the asylum, and we have delved too deep into the darkness to see light again.
There is no way out: not when the odds are against us. There is no way back: not when the prison is her own creation.
For better or worse, in sickness, in health, to love, to cherish
Not parted, even in death
That is my solemn vow.
No Way Apart is Book 3 in the Darkling, beloved. collection, completing the Dark Horror/Romance that begs the question: "what if love could kill us?".
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Santana Knox
19 books2,009 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 90 reviews
September 20, 2026
Have you ever wondered what brain play is? Oh, you have no clue what that trigger is?
Well, this book can educate you on it, like it did for me!
My plans were derailed when I saw an email in my inbox for this arc. As someone who thinks about Darkling, Beloved constantly since I read it, I was so incredibly excited for this once it went live but having the opportunity to read / review early had me literally kicking my feet with joy.
I finished this in one sitting after rereading both No Way Out and No Way Back to make sure that I was prepared for the absolute unhingedness that would likely be occurring in this book. I will say that I did fear that No Way Apart wouldn’t live up to the love for 1 + 2 that I have but it absolutely did! Book 3 picks up with Mila and Harkins immediately after the events of book 2 so make sure you’ve read the rest of the series first!!
You want a devoted man? Demetri Harkins is 1000% exactly that man (the bonus is the literal coke can he has 👀). If it wasn’t clear to you from books 1 + 2 then it will be abundantly clear in this once the lengths he will go to for Mila. A man that would do anything to be with you, even be committed to a psychiatric ward just to follow you. And he’s muzzled for this book too (Dr. Bitey was so incredibly hot)!
Something Santana did in this was highlight what individuals who are in a psychiatric ward may have gone through. I felt the emotions, the realness of the situations that happened, the pressure that someone may feel within this facility. I felt it all and cried over it. I felt for Mila and Harkins and what each goes through within this book and I absolutely hate the fact that parts of this book are/were someone's reality.
I am absolutely devastated that this series is over. I loved it so incredibly much but while it has sadly come to an end, I adored this last book so much. Mila and Harkins are wholeheartedly and unapologetically themselves through the whole series and I love Santana for keeping them that way.
All my love for this series. Thank you so so so much Santana for allowing me to be an arc reader but also just in general for writing this series. Camila and Demetri will stay with me forever ♥️
“Trust me, Darkling. Trust that I will always come for you. Trust that I will always be there to clean up the bodies behind you and to clear the path in front of us. Trust that I will always cut down anyone who stands between you and me. If you can’t trust in yourself, then trust that in every lifetime, I will come for you. To the end, Darkling. Until I am nothing but petrichor on your tombstone.”
Some things you can expect:
🩸 psych ward setting
🩸 touch her and die
🩸 she calls him “good boy”
🩸 he’s wearing a muzzle
🩸 she learns how to use a bone saw
🩸 top tier yearning
🩸 essence of necrophilia
🩸 ECT and its side effects
🩸 somno and non-con
🩸 blood play
🩸 brain play
🩸 medical restraints
🩸 As always with this series, check your triggers and be prepared for a totally unhinged and wild ride!
Well, this book can educate you on it, like it did for me!
My plans were derailed when I saw an email in my inbox for this arc. As someone who thinks about Darkling, Beloved constantly since I read it, I was so incredibly excited for this once it went live but having the opportunity to read / review early had me literally kicking my feet with joy.
I finished this in one sitting after rereading both No Way Out and No Way Back to make sure that I was prepared for the absolute unhingedness that would likely be occurring in this book. I will say that I did fear that No Way Apart wouldn’t live up to the love for 1 + 2 that I have but it absolutely did! Book 3 picks up with Mila and Harkins immediately after the events of book 2 so make sure you’ve read the rest of the series first!!
You want a devoted man? Demetri Harkins is 1000% exactly that man (the bonus is the literal coke can he has 👀). If it wasn’t clear to you from books 1 + 2 then it will be abundantly clear in this once the lengths he will go to for Mila. A man that would do anything to be with you, even be committed to a psychiatric ward just to follow you. And he’s muzzled for this book too (Dr. Bitey was so incredibly hot)!
Something Santana did in this was highlight what individuals who are in a psychiatric ward may have gone through. I felt the emotions, the realness of the situations that happened, the pressure that someone may feel within this facility. I felt it all and cried over it. I felt for Mila and Harkins and what each goes through within this book and I absolutely hate the fact that parts of this book are/were someone's reality.
I am absolutely devastated that this series is over. I loved it so incredibly much but while it has sadly come to an end, I adored this last book so much. Mila and Harkins are wholeheartedly and unapologetically themselves through the whole series and I love Santana for keeping them that way.
All my love for this series. Thank you so so so much Santana for allowing me to be an arc reader but also just in general for writing this series. Camila and Demetri will stay with me forever ♥️
“Trust me, Darkling. Trust that I will always come for you. Trust that I will always be there to clean up the bodies behind you and to clear the path in front of us. Trust that I will always cut down anyone who stands between you and me. If you can’t trust in yourself, then trust that in every lifetime, I will come for you. To the end, Darkling. Until I am nothing but petrichor on your tombstone.”
Some things you can expect:
🩸 psych ward setting
🩸 touch her and die
🩸 she calls him “good boy”
🩸 he’s wearing a muzzle
🩸 she learns how to use a bone saw
🩸 top tier yearning
🩸 essence of necrophilia
🩸 ECT and its side effects
🩸 somno and non-con
🩸 blood play
🩸 brain play
🩸 medical restraints
🩸 As always with this series, check your triggers and be prepared for a totally unhinged and wild ride!
September 22, 2026
4.5⭐️
Santana never ceases to amaze me with her level of depravity 🤣. I was gasping, cringing and kicking my feet. I love these characters and the lack of bounds and morals they have when it comes to protecting and being with each other. I was not disappointed and easily ate this up in one sitting.
Santana never ceases to amaze me with her level of depravity 🤣. I was gasping, cringing and kicking my feet. I love these characters and the lack of bounds and morals they have when it comes to protecting and being with each other. I was not disappointed and easily ate this up in one sitting.
September 23, 2026
The fourth-wall break was PERFECT, and Demetri Harkins is 1000% the definition of a devoted man. The lengths he goes to for Mila are completely unhinged and Dr. Bitey (I will be referring to him as that always now) being muzzled? Beyond the romance, Santana beautifully captured the emotional reality of being in a psychiatric facility. It felt raw, heartbreaking, and incredibly real, and I cried for both Mila and Harkins. I’m devastated this series is over. I loved these unapologetically chaotic characters with my whole heart, and Camila and Demetri will stay with me forever. Thank you so, so much, Santana, for allowing me to be an ARC reader and for giving us this incredible series. It’s been such a privilege.
September 19, 2026
I feel like i should have reread book 1 and 2 lol but this was a great conclusion to the series. As always, this man was riding hard for his woman! The epilogue took me by surprise though so it makes me wonder if there will be more from them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
No Way Apart is Book 3 in the Darkling, Beloved collection, completing the dark horror romance that asks: what if love could kill us? 🖤🔪
Mila & Harkins are a toxic pairing who care about one thing above all else: the survival of their relationship. And yes, they're both still crazy as fuck, and I was HERE for it! 😈
Picking up where Book 2 left off felt like coming home to something dangerous. The anguish of them being separated before they claw their way back into each other's arms had me hooked from page one.
This was the ending I needed for this couple, and that final stretch? Intense doesn't even cover it. 🩸🤯
Things to know
Essence of necrophilia, emasculation, de-gloving, mastication of human parts, electroconvulsive therapy and its side effects, hallucinations not due to any diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness, murders attempted suicide, light cannibalism, borderline hypothermia, group therapy, somnophilia, non-con, abuse of medical power, blood play, unethical use of psychiatric medications and treatments, mentions of organ harvesting, brain-play, muzzling, sexual and nonsexual use of medical restraint devices, tasing, prayer-pushing.
Mila & Harkins are a toxic pairing who care about one thing above all else: the survival of their relationship. And yes, they're both still crazy as fuck, and I was HERE for it! 😈
Picking up where Book 2 left off felt like coming home to something dangerous. The anguish of them being separated before they claw their way back into each other's arms had me hooked from page one.
This was the ending I needed for this couple, and that final stretch? Intense doesn't even cover it. 🩸🤯
Things to know
Essence of necrophilia, emasculation, de-gloving, mastication of human parts, electroconvulsive therapy and its side effects, hallucinations not due to any diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness, murders attempted suicide, light cannibalism, borderline hypothermia, group therapy, somnophilia, non-con, abuse of medical power, blood play, unethical use of psychiatric medications and treatments, mentions of organ harvesting, brain-play, muzzling, sexual and nonsexual use of medical restraint devices, tasing, prayer-pushing.
Read
September 23, 2026Well… this trilogy really went completely off the rails, and somehow I loved every second of it.
This final book was absolutely insane. Mika’s story just kept getting darker, crazier and more brutal, and by this point I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next. The whole situation with the asylum and Harkins doing everything he could to get to her had me completely hooked.
Their relationship is so messed up, intense and obsessive, but at the same time, you can really feel that they are each other’s person. It’s the kind of love where you’re sitting there thinking, this cannot possibly end well… and yet you’re still rooting for them.
This entire trilogy had me on edge, but this one especially. There were so many moments where I just had to keep reading because I needed to know where the hell the story was going next. And that ending? Yeah… I definitely wasn’t prepared for that.
I don’t want to say too much and ruin anything, but if you’re looking for a dark, bloody, chaotic and completely unhinged horror romance, this trilogy is definitely one hell of a ride. Just make sure you check the TWs first because this is absolutely not for the faint of heart.
This final book was absolutely insane. Mika’s story just kept getting darker, crazier and more brutal, and by this point I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next. The whole situation with the asylum and Harkins doing everything he could to get to her had me completely hooked.
Their relationship is so messed up, intense and obsessive, but at the same time, you can really feel that they are each other’s person. It’s the kind of love where you’re sitting there thinking, this cannot possibly end well… and yet you’re still rooting for them.
This entire trilogy had me on edge, but this one especially. There were so many moments where I just had to keep reading because I needed to know where the hell the story was going next. And that ending? Yeah… I definitely wasn’t prepared for that.
I don’t want to say too much and ruin anything, but if you’re looking for a dark, bloody, chaotic and completely unhinged horror romance, this trilogy is definitely one hell of a ride. Just make sure you check the TWs first because this is absolutely not for the faint of heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
10 ⭐️
REVIEW INCOMING ✨
OH MY GOD SANTANA, THE HUMAN THAT YOU ARE
I didn’t think i’ve love this book as much as the first two, but I think this one might be the best one.
REVIEW INCOMING ✨
OH MY GOD SANTANA, THE HUMAN THAT YOU ARE
I didn’t think i’ve love this book as much as the first two, but I think this one might be the best one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was meant to be productive this weekend.
I had actual plans. Coffee made. To-do list locked down, until i checked my email and seen that wonderful Santana Knox had picked me to read her new book! Acrhallr screaming!!
I picked up the ARC of *No Way Apart* by Santana Knox, thinking i would get started before i started my house work…
That was a mistake.
Or the best mistake I've made all week.
I don't even know how to explain what just happened because I feel like I need to sit in silence for an hour before I'm capable of forming a coherent thought. This book didn't just hook me—it kept tightening its grip every single chapter until I physically couldn't put my phone down. I kept telling myself "one more chapter" like an absolute liar, and suddenly my entire morning had disappeared.
The worst part is that Santana Knox makes you trust yourself just enough to think you've figured something out before ripping that certainty away. I spent the whole book constantly changing my mind, questioning everyone, and muttering "what the fuck?" at my phone like it was somehow going to answer me.
There were moments where I genuinely had to stop reading for a second just to process what I'd read, and then I'd immediately keep going because I needed to know how it got even more unhinged.
It's dark. It's obsessive. It's the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there long after you've finished. I'm still thinking about it, which honestly feels rude.
Anyway, my to-do list never stood a chance, my productivity is dead, and I'm going to need everyone to experience this so I have people to scream with.
As always was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read, Santana Knox knows how to do deranged and we love her for it.
I had actual plans. Coffee made. To-do list locked down, until i checked my email and seen that wonderful Santana Knox had picked me to read her new book! Acrhallr screaming!!
I picked up the ARC of *No Way Apart* by Santana Knox, thinking i would get started before i started my house work…
That was a mistake.
Or the best mistake I've made all week.
I don't even know how to explain what just happened because I feel like I need to sit in silence for an hour before I'm capable of forming a coherent thought. This book didn't just hook me—it kept tightening its grip every single chapter until I physically couldn't put my phone down. I kept telling myself "one more chapter" like an absolute liar, and suddenly my entire morning had disappeared.
The worst part is that Santana Knox makes you trust yourself just enough to think you've figured something out before ripping that certainty away. I spent the whole book constantly changing my mind, questioning everyone, and muttering "what the fuck?" at my phone like it was somehow going to answer me.
There were moments where I genuinely had to stop reading for a second just to process what I'd read, and then I'd immediately keep going because I needed to know how it got even more unhinged.
It's dark. It's obsessive. It's the kind of story that crawls under your skin and stays there long after you've finished. I'm still thinking about it, which honestly feels rude.
Anyway, my to-do list never stood a chance, my productivity is dead, and I'm going to need everyone to experience this so I have people to scream with.
As always was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read, Santana Knox knows how to do deranged and we love her for it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars
What an absolutely unhinged way to continue the Darkling, Beloved Trilogy. By book three, I already knew this was never going to be a story about healthy choices, sensible decisions, or anyone sitting down and discussing their feelings like reasonable adults. LOL! And frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The relationship at the center of this series is toxic, obsessive, consuming, and so completely wrapped up in its own darkness that you can’t help but keep watching. Santana Knox has a way of making you understand that these people are TERRIBLE for each other while simultaneously convincing you that separating them might somehow be even worse.
I especially loved how deeply this one dives into the psychological side of their relationship. Love, obsession, devotion, madness... at some point the lines between them become almost impossible to find. These two don’t just love each other. They have basically crawled inside one another’s souls and barricaded the damn door.
And THAT is what makes this series so addictive. It is dark, uncomfortable, romantic in the most fucked-up possible way, and completely unapologetic about what these characters are willing to do for one another. Please check those content warnings because Santana Knox is absolutely not interested in protecting anyone’s delicate sensibilities.
No Way Apart gave me exactly the beautifully toxic madness I wanted from book three. Twisted devotion, psychological darkness, questionable morals, and a love that probably needs an exorcism instead of couples counseling.
Thanks to Santana Knox for gifting me an eARC of No Way Apart. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What an absolutely unhinged way to continue the Darkling, Beloved Trilogy. By book three, I already knew this was never going to be a story about healthy choices, sensible decisions, or anyone sitting down and discussing their feelings like reasonable adults. LOL! And frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The relationship at the center of this series is toxic, obsessive, consuming, and so completely wrapped up in its own darkness that you can’t help but keep watching. Santana Knox has a way of making you understand that these people are TERRIBLE for each other while simultaneously convincing you that separating them might somehow be even worse.
I especially loved how deeply this one dives into the psychological side of their relationship. Love, obsession, devotion, madness... at some point the lines between them become almost impossible to find. These two don’t just love each other. They have basically crawled inside one another’s souls and barricaded the damn door.
And THAT is what makes this series so addictive. It is dark, uncomfortable, romantic in the most fucked-up possible way, and completely unapologetic about what these characters are willing to do for one another. Please check those content warnings because Santana Knox is absolutely not interested in protecting anyone’s delicate sensibilities.
No Way Apart gave me exactly the beautifully toxic madness I wanted from book three. Twisted devotion, psychological darkness, questionable morals, and a love that probably needs an exorcism instead of couples counseling.
Thanks to Santana Knox for gifting me an eARC of No Way Apart. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you from the bottom of my absolutely deranged heart to Santana Knox for letting me ARC read the final installment of Darkling Beloved: No Way Out.
As with all of Knox’s books, PLEASE read the CW/TW and take care of your mental health. (Or, if you’re like me and apparently enjoy making questionable decisions, they’re spoilers and you read them at the end.)
After Heartless Heathens, Santana became an immediate auto-read and auto-buy author for me. Her books are completely unhinged, the trigger warnings are a mile long, and somehow I always find a weird form of emotional healing in them. Apparently, all I needed was a stabby main character?
No Way Out was a great conclusion to Camila and Harkins’ storyline. We got a masked Demetri (oohlala am I right?), creative unaliving, questionable decisions, and, most importantly, real emotion behind our characters. Knox somehow makes you root for people while they’re doing things that would have normally me calling the authorities.
The psychiatric ward setting was one of the most impactful parts of the book for me. The way Knox portrayed the intake process and the realities of being admitted, from 48-hour holds and pressure surrounding prayer and medication to the feeling that some staff are there for a paycheck rather than the patient’s well-being, felt painfully real. It made the story feel less like a fictional setting and more like a glimpse into an experience that many people unfortunately face.
Thank you, Santana, for bringing attention to those realities and injustices while still giving us the chaotic, stabby stories I’ve apparently decided are good for my soul.
As with all of Knox’s books, PLEASE read the CW/TW and take care of your mental health. (Or, if you’re like me and apparently enjoy making questionable decisions, they’re spoilers and you read them at the end.)
After Heartless Heathens, Santana became an immediate auto-read and auto-buy author for me. Her books are completely unhinged, the trigger warnings are a mile long, and somehow I always find a weird form of emotional healing in them. Apparently, all I needed was a stabby main character?
No Way Out was a great conclusion to Camila and Harkins’ storyline. We got a masked Demetri (oohlala am I right?), creative unaliving, questionable decisions, and, most importantly, real emotion behind our characters. Knox somehow makes you root for people while they’re doing things that would have normally me calling the authorities.
The psychiatric ward setting was one of the most impactful parts of the book for me. The way Knox portrayed the intake process and the realities of being admitted, from 48-hour holds and pressure surrounding prayer and medication to the feeling that some staff are there for a paycheck rather than the patient’s well-being, felt painfully real. It made the story feel less like a fictional setting and more like a glimpse into an experience that many people unfortunately face.
Thank you, Santana, for bringing attention to those realities and injustices while still giving us the chaotic, stabby stories I’ve apparently decided are good for my soul.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ms. Santana Knox!!! I wasn’t expecting this at all! This was BEYOND my expectations!
This is my first ARC and this was by far the most exciting read I’ve read in a while! The thrill was wildly insane, I wasn’t anticipating anything that happened in this book.
Mila&Harkins’ story continues… Harkins goes to extreme measures to be with Mila and save her from all of the insanity that she’s surrounded with. He found out how deeply she was submerged in the chaos and had no other choice but to do what he does best… k💀ll and handle business! Taking them all out one by one to save his beloved darkling. The reunion between them was something I didn’t expect, I almost cried on one part, but once Mila was back to her old self I was excited to see that revenge unfold. I enjoyed reading it all as the chaos and revenge was unfolding! There wasn’t one bit of a dull moment. This book had me in a freaking chokehold and the spice…. O goodness the spice 🥵🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Ms. Knox knows how to throw down on that spice! I wasn’t expecting it but I was here for it all. Hands down 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if I could rate It higher I would. Perfect story Darkling and Dr. Bitey forever till 🪦💀 do them part!!!! ❤️
This is my first ARC and this was by far the most exciting read I’ve read in a while! The thrill was wildly insane, I wasn’t anticipating anything that happened in this book.
Mila&Harkins’ story continues… Harkins goes to extreme measures to be with Mila and save her from all of the insanity that she’s surrounded with. He found out how deeply she was submerged in the chaos and had no other choice but to do what he does best… k💀ll and handle business! Taking them all out one by one to save his beloved darkling. The reunion between them was something I didn’t expect, I almost cried on one part, but once Mila was back to her old self I was excited to see that revenge unfold. I enjoyed reading it all as the chaos and revenge was unfolding! There wasn’t one bit of a dull moment. This book had me in a freaking chokehold and the spice…. O goodness the spice 🥵🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Ms. Knox knows how to throw down on that spice! I wasn’t expecting it but I was here for it all. Hands down 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if I could rate It higher I would. Perfect story Darkling and Dr. Bitey forever till 🪦💀 do them part!!!! ❤️
September 19, 2026
This was the PERFECT ending to the Darkling Triology and I am absolutely still obsessed with Mila and Harkins.
This is a triology so keep in mind they do need to be read in order:
No Way Out
No Way Back
No Way Apart.
That being said lets jump right in. No Way Apart takes place immediately after No Way Back. This time we’re in the asylum and trust me it gets just as crazy as you think it would. Funnily enough Mila and Harkins aren’t the only monsters you’ll meet in this story, because sometimes the monsters are the people who should be helping you.
I will say I wasn’t expecting this to actually tug on my heart strings and make me tear up. Legitimately questioning my sanity because I love Harkins and Mila together and I just wanted them to be together forever 🥺, but I also loved that it brought that unexpected emotion because at the end of the day this is a Horror Romance in my opinion. Is it even romance if there’s not a little yearning that breaks your heart a smidge?
These two are still down bad for each other and just as unhinged as they were before and if you haven’t read any of the triology now is the time to add it to your spooky season TBR because she’s a completed triology now!
What you can expect:
🖤Unhinged FMC
🩸Asylum Setting
🖤Gor3 because its still horror
🩸Diet Cannibalism
🖤Hallucinations
🩸Non consensual medical treatments
🖤 🧠 (IYKYK)
🩸Downbad and mutually OBSESSED Fmc and MMC
This is a triology so keep in mind they do need to be read in order:
No Way Out
No Way Back
No Way Apart.
That being said lets jump right in. No Way Apart takes place immediately after No Way Back. This time we’re in the asylum and trust me it gets just as crazy as you think it would. Funnily enough Mila and Harkins aren’t the only monsters you’ll meet in this story, because sometimes the monsters are the people who should be helping you.
I will say I wasn’t expecting this to actually tug on my heart strings and make me tear up. Legitimately questioning my sanity because I love Harkins and Mila together and I just wanted them to be together forever 🥺, but I also loved that it brought that unexpected emotion because at the end of the day this is a Horror Romance in my opinion. Is it even romance if there’s not a little yearning that breaks your heart a smidge?
These two are still down bad for each other and just as unhinged as they were before and if you haven’t read any of the triology now is the time to add it to your spooky season TBR because she’s a completed triology now!
What you can expect:
🖤Unhinged FMC
🩸Asylum Setting
🖤Gor3 because its still horror
🩸Diet Cannibalism
🖤Hallucinations
🩸Non consensual medical treatments
🖤 🧠 (IYKYK)
🩸Downbad and mutually OBSESSED Fmc and MMC
September 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔪 final book in the Darkling Beloved Collection
🔪 touch her and die
🔪 blood play
🔪 brain play
🔪 Asylum setting
***** please check the trigger warnings! Seriously! Check them! ***** also reading books 1 & 2 are an absolute must!
Have you ever wondered what a human brain might taste like? No! Well now you do!
This book picks up right where book 2 leaves off. I truly don’t know what to say about this book other than holy sh*t what a wild ride!
The love that Mila and Demetri have for each is so haunting beautiful. They compliment each other in such a way that you could only say that they belong in an asylum together. They will literally go through anyone who tries to get in their way of being together.
This book is filled with just as much murder, mayhem, gore, dismemberment and brutality as the first two, so buckle up and enjoy the insanity that is the unconventional love story of Mila and Demetri.
No Way Apart released on September 22, 2026
Thank you so much Santana Knox for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
I received this ARC from the Author and I am leaving my honest review.
🔪 final book in the Darkling Beloved Collection
🔪 touch her and die
🔪 blood play
🔪 brain play
🔪 Asylum setting
***** please check the trigger warnings! Seriously! Check them! ***** also reading books 1 & 2 are an absolute must!
Have you ever wondered what a human brain might taste like? No! Well now you do!
This book picks up right where book 2 leaves off. I truly don’t know what to say about this book other than holy sh*t what a wild ride!
The love that Mila and Demetri have for each is so haunting beautiful. They compliment each other in such a way that you could only say that they belong in an asylum together. They will literally go through anyone who tries to get in their way of being together.
This book is filled with just as much murder, mayhem, gore, dismemberment and brutality as the first two, so buckle up and enjoy the insanity that is the unconventional love story of Mila and Demetri.
No Way Apart released on September 22, 2026
Thank you so much Santana Knox for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
I received this ARC from the Author and I am leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT ENDING FOR THESE TWO! I LOVED THIS AND CAN'T STOP WRITING IN ALL CAPS! IT WAS SO GOOOOOD, I NEED TO BREATHE......
Ok, soooo, I read books 1 and 2 when they came out and loved them and was SO excited when a book 3 was announced, and when I got it as an arc I was beyond elated! I sat down tonight and in one sitting devoured this, at times laughing, feeling apprehension and dread, getting all teary-eyed (whattt??), and rooting hard for Demetri & Camila as they navigated this wicked insane asylum. I know enough to be prepared for SHOCK from Santana Knox, and this did NOT disappoint. I loved seeing Demetri become the more unhinged one as he worked to get to Camila, and that's saying a lot since Camila is unabashedly evil incarnate! This was satisfying, gory, and happy in the only way Demetri & Camila's story could be and I was smiling ear-to-ear by the end, but also feeling sad this trilogy is finished. What a wild, spicy, deranged, fun ride.
Thank you to Santana Knox for the advanced reader copy, this review is given wholeheartedly and voluntarily.
Ok, soooo, I read books 1 and 2 when they came out and loved them and was SO excited when a book 3 was announced, and when I got it as an arc I was beyond elated! I sat down tonight and in one sitting devoured this, at times laughing, feeling apprehension and dread, getting all teary-eyed (whattt??), and rooting hard for Demetri & Camila as they navigated this wicked insane asylum. I know enough to be prepared for SHOCK from Santana Knox, and this did NOT disappoint. I loved seeing Demetri become the more unhinged one as he worked to get to Camila, and that's saying a lot since Camila is unabashedly evil incarnate! This was satisfying, gory, and happy in the only way Demetri & Camila's story could be and I was smiling ear-to-ear by the end, but also feeling sad this trilogy is finished. What a wild, spicy, deranged, fun ride.
Thank you to Santana Knox for the advanced reader copy, this review is given wholeheartedly and voluntarily.
September 23, 2026
“If you can’t trust in yourself, then trust that in every lifetime, I will come for you. To the end, Darkling. Until I am nothing but petrichor on your tombstone.”
No Way Out is book three in the Darkling, beloved series and is a super quick read in the horror erotica genre. If you’re a fan of horror and completely unhinged romance this book should scratch that itch for you. If you’re a haven’t read the first two books in the series (like me!) I think you could still enjoy No Way Apart. I would have appreciated some backstory in the beginning and something to show why our characters are so devoted to each other, but did not need it to follow the story. This is supposedly the final book in the series but the ending leaves it wide open for future possibilities. I won’t spoil the ending here but I will say it surprised me. I love the way Santana Knox writes with thoughtful precision even when those thoughts make you question what the heck you just read. This was a wild ride and I’m glad I got to go on it. A perfect read for spooky season.
No Way Out is book three in the Darkling, beloved series and is a super quick read in the horror erotica genre. If you’re a fan of horror and completely unhinged romance this book should scratch that itch for you. If you’re a haven’t read the first two books in the series (like me!) I think you could still enjoy No Way Apart. I would have appreciated some backstory in the beginning and something to show why our characters are so devoted to each other, but did not need it to follow the story. This is supposedly the final book in the series but the ending leaves it wide open for future possibilities. I won’t spoil the ending here but I will say it surprised me. I love the way Santana Knox writes with thoughtful precision even when those thoughts make you question what the heck you just read. This was a wild ride and I’m glad I got to go on it. A perfect read for spooky season.
September 23, 2026
THIS is what I'm talking about when I say I want horror romance/splatterpunk or horror erotica. All the bløod, gøre, and just the right amount of psychosis and unhinged.
We're right where we left off on book 2. Camila has been taken away against her will to an asylum, where medicine is outdated, patients are mistreated and you have to pray away your problems. Demitri will stop at nothing...and I mean NOTHING to get Camila back. What we end up having is a gørefest that makes book 1 and 2 pale in comparison. Even though this book is a little bit slower paced than book 1 and 2, it makes sense because of the plot. It has to be slower paced.
When I say I want devotion and love between the main couple? This is what I'm talking about. This is, by far, one of my favorite erotic horrors/horror romance series in a long time. No one can top Santana's smųt, viølence and gøre. I could read it forever 😅
HEA: YES
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
We're right where we left off on book 2. Camila has been taken away against her will to an asylum, where medicine is outdated, patients are mistreated and you have to pray away your problems. Demitri will stop at nothing...and I mean NOTHING to get Camila back. What we end up having is a gørefest that makes book 1 and 2 pale in comparison. Even though this book is a little bit slower paced than book 1 and 2, it makes sense because of the plot. It has to be slower paced.
When I say I want devotion and love between the main couple? This is what I'm talking about. This is, by far, one of my favorite erotic horrors/horror romance series in a long time. No one can top Santana's smųt, viølence and gøre. I could read it forever 😅
HEA: YES
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
September 18, 2026
This book was the ending I needed for this couple
The anguish and the heart ache of them being seperated before ultimately finding their way back into each others arms had me hooked from the beginning.
The plot twist and emotional pulls keep the story flowing and holds your attention to the very end.
I finished this book in one sitting and even though I am gutted it is over this book did well by the characters and stayed true to build up of the trioligy.
It still holds all the gore, slash and humour that has been the excitement of the series since book one.
The fact that the ending leaves it open to show that they aren't changing for the world around them and just embracing the way they fit into the new world was exactly what this ended needed to be, no dramatic change, no working on making themselves better people, just living life to the fullest and doing what they love
The anguish and the heart ache of them being seperated before ultimately finding their way back into each others arms had me hooked from the beginning.
The plot twist and emotional pulls keep the story flowing and holds your attention to the very end.
I finished this book in one sitting and even though I am gutted it is over this book did well by the characters and stayed true to build up of the trioligy.
It still holds all the gore, slash and humour that has been the excitement of the series since book one.
The fact that the ending leaves it open to show that they aren't changing for the world around them and just embracing the way they fit into the new world was exactly what this ended needed to be, no dramatic change, no working on making themselves better people, just living life to the fullest and doing what they love
Review of advance copy received from Author
Third and final installment in the Darkling Beloved series. You will need to read the first two books (No Way Out, No Way Back) to get the full concept of this couple.
Please check all trigger warnings before diving into the lives of Camilla and Harkins!
Santana has given us a once in a lifetime move with these two, Harkins will go to hell and back for his little Darkling. This book is set in a psych hospital where Camilla has signed herself in after Halloween. But things aren’t what they seem here in the asylum and both our MMC and FMC are in too deep. When Harkins visits he quickly realizes things aren’t right and does the unthinkable to get himself thrown in as well. 🥹 he can’t be without her and he goes all Silence of the Lambs to prove his love and get his girl back!!
This was the perfect completion to this series! 👏🏼👏🏼
Please check all trigger warnings before diving into the lives of Camilla and Harkins!
Santana has given us a once in a lifetime move with these two, Harkins will go to hell and back for his little Darkling. This book is set in a psych hospital where Camilla has signed herself in after Halloween. But things aren’t what they seem here in the asylum and both our MMC and FMC are in too deep. When Harkins visits he quickly realizes things aren’t right and does the unthinkable to get himself thrown in as well. 🥹 he can’t be without her and he goes all Silence of the Lambs to prove his love and get his girl back!!
This was the perfect completion to this series! 👏🏼👏🏼
September 22, 2026
Was brain play on my bingo card of things I would read this year? No def not. But here we are reading about brain play and it not being what I would’ve thought. lol
But I ain’t here to judge Camila do you boo boo, we all know Dr Bitey isn’t here to judge either he just wants to be your Good Boy.
This is the last installment of the Darkling series and I’ll be honest I’m so sad cause I love this series and it’s chaotic vibes. But I think this was a beautiful way to end it all. Santana really said, hold my pen I got this. Then gave us more perfect chaos.
I was foaming at the mouth after the 2nd book just to see how this one would turn out. Once again, I was surprised and foaming at the mouth lol.
Demitri and Camilla are a perfect match, no matter what the toxic ass Dr tried to say about them.
But I ain’t here to judge Camila do you boo boo, we all know Dr Bitey isn’t here to judge either he just wants to be your Good Boy.
This is the last installment of the Darkling series and I’ll be honest I’m so sad cause I love this series and it’s chaotic vibes. But I think this was a beautiful way to end it all. Santana really said, hold my pen I got this. Then gave us more perfect chaos.
I was foaming at the mouth after the 2nd book just to see how this one would turn out. Once again, I was surprised and foaming at the mouth lol.
Demitri and Camilla are a perfect match, no matter what the toxic ass Dr tried to say about them.
September 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spice
This book was a literal TRIP!!! Like the last rest of this series it will have you saying "Ummmm they did what with what?!?!" Like did you ever wondered what brain play is? Well, this book will give you this as a trigger warning... and let's just say my FLABBERS were GASTED!!!
You want a devoted MMC? Harkins is a man that will stand 10 toes down for his girl and the man will literally get committed to a psychiatric ward to be with her.
This book was done so well and shows a whole other side you don't really expect.
What to Expect
🩸 Psych ward
🔪 Touch her and die
🩸 “Good Boy”
🔪 He wears a muzzle
🩸 Yearning
🔪 Somo and Non-Con
🩸 Blood play
🔪 Brain play 🫣
Please check your triggers and prepare for some totally unhinged things!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spice
This book was a literal TRIP!!! Like the last rest of this series it will have you saying "Ummmm they did what with what?!?!" Like did you ever wondered what brain play is? Well, this book will give you this as a trigger warning... and let's just say my FLABBERS were GASTED!!!
You want a devoted MMC? Harkins is a man that will stand 10 toes down for his girl and the man will literally get committed to a psychiatric ward to be with her.
This book was done so well and shows a whole other side you don't really expect.
What to Expect
🩸 Psych ward
🔪 Touch her and die
🩸 “Good Boy”
🔪 He wears a muzzle
🩸 Yearning
🔪 Somo and Non-Con
🩸 Blood play
🔪 Brain play 🫣
Please check your triggers and prepare for some totally unhinged things!!
September 24, 2026
4/5 ⭐️ • 4/5 🌶️
• tropes + themes •
- Erotic horror novella
- Psych. ward setting
- Good boy; yearning
- Lots of gore
- Touch her (and him) and die
• summary + thoughts •
Santana gave us 146 pages rounding out the “Darkling, beloved” novella series with just as much plot, spice, and gore we are accustomed to.
The story picks right back up from book 2’s (No Way Back) epilogue. Per usual, our MMC ends up doing whatever is necessary to get back to his beloved, our FMC. There are a lot of unsavory characters working in that ward that FAAFO.
If you want to add a quick and dirty series to your TBR that is perfect for Fall, I recommend binge reading the first 2 (all on KU) and then finishing with this one. Santana’s writing is very easy to binge and then leaves you wondering WTF did I just read, in the best way!
• tropes + themes •
- Erotic horror novella
- Psych. ward setting
- Good boy; yearning
- Lots of gore
- Touch her (and him) and die
• summary + thoughts •
Santana gave us 146 pages rounding out the “Darkling, beloved” novella series with just as much plot, spice, and gore we are accustomed to.
The story picks right back up from book 2’s (No Way Back) epilogue. Per usual, our MMC ends up doing whatever is necessary to get back to his beloved, our FMC. There are a lot of unsavory characters working in that ward that FAAFO.
If you want to add a quick and dirty series to your TBR that is perfect for Fall, I recommend binge reading the first 2 (all on KU) and then finishing with this one. Santana’s writing is very easy to binge and then leaves you wondering WTF did I just read, in the best way!
Review of advance copy
This book series was amazing. I could not put this last book down and finished it less than 24 hours. From page 1 to the end was brilliantly done. From The Author, the opening of the book, was heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I fell in love with these characters and the chemistry they both had. It was such an amazing story, and I am glad that this story was shared as I can tell it was very therapeutic. Thank you for sharing this, as it is therapy for many of us out here. Thank you too for the love and responses you give to your readers. I really hope to meet you one day. Keep up the great work, and may the darkness bless your light as it has many of out here. This series is highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In sickness.
In health.
In mürder.
In mayhem.
What a read. Make no mistake this might be a twisted “love” story. But it’s one I’ve devoured since the first book of this trilogy series. The story of Camila and Demetri is likely toxic, unhealthy, demented, unconventional in every way, but somehow it works for them when they have each other. The ever devoted protective and unhinged good boy Doberman energy Demetri gives within the words and actions of these pages match Camila’s unhinged black cat vibes. Together their a match made perfect in an untold Bonnie and Clyde story. But a lil more psycho though who’s counting. A perfect short read if you’re a fan of the series or looking for a dark taste to add to your dark and horror themed book stacks.
In health.
In mürder.
In mayhem.
What a read. Make no mistake this might be a twisted “love” story. But it’s one I’ve devoured since the first book of this trilogy series. The story of Camila and Demetri is likely toxic, unhealthy, demented, unconventional in every way, but somehow it works for them when they have each other. The ever devoted protective and unhinged good boy Doberman energy Demetri gives within the words and actions of these pages match Camila’s unhinged black cat vibes. Together their a match made perfect in an untold Bonnie and Clyde story. But a lil more psycho though who’s counting. A perfect short read if you’re a fan of the series or looking for a dark taste to add to your dark and horror themed book stacks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all, thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC, Santana. You are one of my favorite authors and you never miss!
The fact that the author pulls from personal experience for what Camila experiences in this book is heartbreaking to think about.
Hawkins is a true blue ride or die man. He went hard (no pun intended) for Mila to get her back.
*one of my fav moments... "Is this what eating 'kitty' is like?" "It's probably a bit more electric."*
Soooo much crazy shit happens and I am here for it. I was concerned for the characters and then I was laughing. I felt pretty unhinged, but thats to be expected at this point. And the ending?! I almost feel like Santana is teasing us because that is a very open ending. Lol.
The fact that the author pulls from personal experience for what Camila experiences in this book is heartbreaking to think about.
Hawkins is a true blue ride or die man. He went hard (no pun intended) for Mila to get her back.
*one of my fav moments... "Is this what eating 'kitty' is like?" "It's probably a bit more electric."*
Soooo much crazy shit happens and I am here for it. I was concerned for the characters and then I was laughing. I felt pretty unhinged, but thats to be expected at this point. And the ending?! I almost feel like Santana is teasing us because that is a very open ending. Lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2026
I NEEDED THIS! Just want the Dr. ordered to get me out of my slump! Absolutely obsessed with these two, I just can't get enough! This one was a rollercoaster and had me at the edge of my seat! I'm so glad Camila and Dr. Bitey (he will only be called that from now on) stayed true to their unhinged selves! And their devotion never falters.
The perfect finale to this deranged love story! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader. And as always check your trigger warnings ⚠️
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"I want her and only her. I want us, entwined and so deeply entangled together, that our thoughts and emotions only make sense to each other. I want her speech on my tongue, her saliva in my throat, her soul inside my chest."
The perfect finale to this deranged love story! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader. And as always check your trigger warnings ⚠️
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"I want her and only her. I want us, entwined and so deeply entangled together, that our thoughts and emotions only make sense to each other. I want her speech on my tongue, her saliva in my throat, her soul inside my chest."
Review of advance copy received from Author
We went from a maze, to a prison, now to a psychiatric ward. Santana Knox brought everything. And what won’t Harkin do for Camila is the real question. Becuase there is no limit. I do feel like this one is a bit more slower in it’s pacing then the other two. There isn’t as much action I would say like the other two but we still get tons from our two main characters. They relationship really can survive it all and this book is their final conclusions and I LOVED how it ended. I did not see the ending coming and I really loved it! As always for any Santana Knox book and for this series especially. Check your TW and enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance Reader Review as part of Santana’s Heathens 🫶🏻
I was trying to savor every second of this because I wasn’t ready for the series to end. Honestly after concluding I’m still not ready!
I jumped right in with No Way Out. Meeting Santana for the first time at the first Sinners & Stardust. I purchased it simply because her tab said professor/student, which is my weakness. Santana then asked if I had read the triggers, to which I answered I never do. They gave me many warnings but I did not heed to any of them.
Boy do I regret nothing! Thank you Santana for giving us Demetri and Mila. May they live on in a messy pile of blood! 🩸 Love you!
I was trying to savor every second of this because I wasn’t ready for the series to end. Honestly after concluding I’m still not ready!
I jumped right in with No Way Out. Meeting Santana for the first time at the first Sinners & Stardust. I purchased it simply because her tab said professor/student, which is my weakness. Santana then asked if I had read the triggers, to which I answered I never do. They gave me many warnings but I did not heed to any of them.
Boy do I regret nothing! Thank you Santana for giving us Demetri and Mila. May they live on in a messy pile of blood! 🩸 Love you!
September 22, 2026
A thrilling and fantastic end for Mila and Harkness.
Everything about this story was brilliant, exciting, and absolutely perfect.
Mila and Harkness journey through the asylum and wrestle with the notion that society gets to dictate who and what they are. A truly fantastic setting for these two chaotic characters who push the lines of sanity in every interaction.
The epilogue was a brilliant mind trip that made me jump up and down and go EEEEEE!
It's Santana Knox so, trigger warnings. All of them. And you think you know but like ... double check.
This trilogy is so unbelievably amazing. Six Stars all around.
Everything about this story was brilliant, exciting, and absolutely perfect.
Mila and Harkness journey through the asylum and wrestle with the notion that society gets to dictate who and what they are. A truly fantastic setting for these two chaotic characters who push the lines of sanity in every interaction.
The epilogue was a brilliant mind trip that made me jump up and down and go EEEEEE!
It's Santana Knox so, trigger warnings. All of them. And you think you know but like ... double check.
This trilogy is so unbelievably amazing. Six Stars all around.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Deeply dark and disturbing in the best way. This is the third and final book in the series and it gave me the exact ending I didn’t know I needed.
“I’ve always been at your mercy. It’s always been you who holds my leash.”
Poor Mila and Demetri, they just can’t seem to have a normal relationship. And I thank Santana for that profusely. The book was very colorful and imaginative with the 🔪 and shmurdrr. It was the perfect mix of love and death. I am sad that the journey is over but I am looking for are to more books by the author!
“I’ve always been at your mercy. It’s always been you who holds my leash.”
Poor Mila and Demetri, they just can’t seem to have a normal relationship. And I thank Santana for that profusely. The book was very colorful and imaginative with the 🔪 and shmurdrr. It was the perfect mix of love and death. I am sad that the journey is over but I am looking for are to more books by the author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW in exchange for an honest review✨ So if you read this book then you should know by now it’s heavy on the triggers but, in this series we love how unhinged our MMC and FMC are right?? What an amazing end to the series. The poetic justice of the doctor? * chefs kiss* ALSO I’m pretty sure she made a multiverse towards the end with Heartless Heathens and I LOVE THAT book ( and some Sonny). Santana, it was an amazing dark, and twisted wild ride and i absolutely ate it UP. PS. Can we have some Heartless Heathens???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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