Separate Ways

by Jensen Parker

In a world full of monsters, she must fight the darkness or let it consume her.

Camille Torres survived a living nightmare. Every member of the Band remembers what they went through five years ago, but no one carries the weight like her.

Eight people went missing from their small town. The police said it was a bear attack, but Camille and her friends know the truth, and it’s much worse. Together, the unlikely group of misfits put a stop to the real monster terrorizing their town…Or so they thought.

When Camille returns to Ashbury for the first time since that fateful summer, she must face everything she left behind, including Graham Stevens—the boy who broke her heart. She does her best to avoid him, but it’s hard when he’s part of the friend group, and now she’s the outsider. But it’s only for a week, and as long as she doesn’t let any lingering feelings for him get in the way, she’ll make it out on the other side unscathed. Who knows, maybe they can even learn to get along again—as friends.

But when one of their own goes missing, Camille knows it’s not a coincidence. It’s happening again, but no one believes her, except for Graham, and he isn’t going to let her face it alone. The longer she’s home, the more she can feel it…The darkness she tried to leave behind is awake, and this time, it threatens to consume her.

Separate Ways by Jensen Parker is a paranormal romantic suspense horror standalone novel set in the late 1980s, releasing on October 16, 2026.

TROPES INCLUDE:

Paranormal
Second Chance
Romantic Suspense
Horror
Small Town in the 80s
Found Family
Family Secrets
Magic + Monsters

TW INCLUDE:
Death (mentioned and on page)
Blood & Gore
Violence
Drinking
Sexually Explicit Content (on page)
Explicit Language
Grief
Dark Themes

652 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2026

About the author

Jensen Parker writes contemporary romances filled with angst, passion, and a happily ever after! With a passion for storytelling that blends heart and grit, Jensen crafts romance novels that dive into the complex relationships of everyday life and love. She studied English at Loyola University Chicago and Harvard University in Boston. When she's not writing, you'll find her spending time with her family, cooking, or planning the next vacation.

Reviews

[Emily Tudor · Rating 5 out of 5]

i would actually die for these characters. YOU NEED THIS ON YOUR TBRRRR!!!!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading slump be gone! Separate Ways is a Stranger Things inspired paranormal romance that will suck you right in! This story is filled with found family, band of misfits, chosen one, magic, paranormal activity, murder mystery, second chance, and so much more! It’s the perfect spooky season read that you must add to your October TBR IMMEDIATELY. I devoured this, reading it in ONE SITTING after over a month long reading slump. Thank you Jensen for giving us this fantastic story and giving me the chance to read and review it early.

P.S. If you also have a deer phobia, just pretend that Carbos is a HP movie style were instead—works fabulously.

[ash😈 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite Jensen read to date.

The emotion. The thrill. The amount of times I said ‘what in the actual fuck!?’

This book literally had me at the edge of my seat and found myself not wanting it to end.

[Klarissa Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an arc

For being her first paranormal romance I am hooked! Jensen first had me in her grasp with the wrestling series she released. 😱 It has such stranger things inspiration that’s what had instantly drawn me into it! If you have yet to add this to your TBR I highly recommend! Love Camille and Graham with all my heart from this point forward!

Happy Release Day to Separate Ways

[Samantha Ivy (novelsbysamantha) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a paranormal romance that gives The Mummy vibes, you’re in for a treat with Separate Ways by Jensen Parker. This book is perfect for the ‘ber months. You will be wanting to finish in one day with how good this book is. This book will make you wanna rewatch The Mummy like I did because of the vibes it gives off. Realistically, I can give this 5 stars but this was more of a 6 star read for me. I highly recommend this.

[Brianna Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect cross over vibes of supernatural x stranger things x scooby doo! I was HOOKED from page one and I am so convinced this is the best book Jensen has ever written. I found myself so immersed in this world she has built which was full of suspense, paranormal magic and monsters and pure kicking your feet romance.

In typical Jensen fashion there were twists that had you going: GIRL NO YOU DIDN'T and gave very untrustworthy vibes. But of course in typical Jensen fashion she redeemed herself in the best way so I guess I can forgive her. 😉

I could read this book over and over again and not complain about it. If you love romantic suspense with all the best tropes like found family, second chance and its always been you then PICK THIS UP IMMEDIATELY HEHEHE.

Thank you Jensen for the ARC 🖤

[Danielle Ruffino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO good! If you’re looking for the perfect fall paranormal romance look no further! This world that Jensen has created is so vivid I felt like I could see everything so clearly. There was also no shortage of gigging kicking your feet romance. I’m always weak for a second chance romance, and this delivered. If you are a fan of Stranger Things x Vampire Diaries x Supernatural I guarantee you will love this book!

We follow FMC, Camille and her long time boyfriend Gray in their small town of Ashbury, Ohio. Our story begins in 1982 when suddenly paranormal activity strikes. The Band thinks they have destroyed the evil, but when disappearances begin again in 1987 it becomes clear all is not what it seems! I was on the edge of my seat this entire adventure. I care so deeply for these characters.

[Elena Andorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!

First off I need to thank @JensenParker for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC!!

This was a perfect read for the season we are in! While reading i told multiple people to put Oct 16th in their calendar so they can read this!

Cam, Gray, the band, Rowen and Cadus will forever live rent free in my head! The characters and plot had me hooked throughout the entire book! I loved and hated them all while screaming at the author for certain parts of the book! I wanted to cry and throw it.... but I trusted the process and kept reading! And WOW!!!

If you love romance, paranormal, mystery, twists and turns, suspense, heartache, horror, love.....then this book is a MUST READ!!!
I cannot rave enough about this book!!

Jensen keep writing these books, you truly knocked it out of the park!!!

[kaci king · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many words that come to mind when talking about how brilliant Jensen’s work is, but for Separate Ways, there’s only one that fits.

Perfect.

This one blends thriller and romance with eerie vibes and just the right amount of spice. From the atmosphere to the tension between Gray and Camille (now two of my favorite characters of hers), it’s destined to be your perfect fall read.
Seriously… this is my top read of 2026. I can’t wait for everyone else to experience it.

[Jensen Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a work of love for almost four years, and it might be my favorite story I've worked on and written. I love these characters SO much, and I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sit back, relax (if you can), and follow the Camille, Gray, and the rest of the Band on their journey to stop the monster(s) terrorizing the small town of Ashbury. 🖤

[Miriam “MJ” Al-Qhowdhaib · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love this book. It’s creepy and had me on the edge of my seat. THE. WHOLE. TIME. I adore Jensen’s characters as always and the characters in this book deserve allll the love. This was her first paranormal book and she truly knocked it out of the park. I cannot wait to read this book again with my friends and family for book club!!

[Olivia Ariens · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so good! Very stranger things / Wednesday coded. Highly recommend !!!

[Rachael Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! Jensen keeps you on the edge of your seat! Not gonna lie, I may have dreamt about her monsters while reading this one. While not scary per se, this book is perfect for spooky season. Camille is perfection, taking a stand no matter the cost. She loves so much that even with her soul gone she still protects those she loves. Im obsessed with the band, and really couldn't stand Nora!