Dark romance novels have intense emotions, complex characters, morally ambiguous storylines, and ugh, don’t we love a tortured anti-hero! If you love your love stories with a side of danger, mystery, and psychological depth, you’re in for a boundary-pushing adventure.
Whether your usual fare is historical romance, contemporary romance, or fantasy romance, there’s a dark romance book for everyone. Here’s a list of the most gripping dark romance books that will keep you hooked. Prepare to add to your TBR on Goodreads, Libby, or Amazon.
Oh, and spoiler alert: These book recommendations are absolutely not for everyone. Don’t skip over the trigger warnings. Good old fashioned mafia romance is one thing. A love story about serial killers is quite another. It’s worth checking the content warnings to be sure the story will keep you delighted, not dismayed.
1. “Haunting Adeline” and “Hunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton
This dark romance duology (known as the “Cat and Mouse Duet”) quickly made the rounds across social media (#SpicyBookTok in particular) with its spooky, gothic backdrop. Addie’s grandmother was murdered, her killer never found, and Addie now lives in her house, stalked by the mysterious and enigmatic Zade.
Yes, we can all acknowledge stalking is seriously bad, but Zade is…compelling? Alarmingly hot? Undeterred by Addie’s adept emotional manipulation? These books are a wild ride, but I’m telling you: Prepare thyself for some legitimate moral confusion.
2. “Captive in the Dark” by C.J. Roberts
C.J. Roberts’ “Dark Duet” was my introduction to dark romance, and phew! What a way to start. “Captive in the Dark” introduces us to the twisted and complicated relationship between Caleb and Livvie. Kidnapping, psychological manipulation, and an abductor’s dark past blend into a story that's as unsettling as it is riveting. Its follow-up, “Seduced in the Dark,” goes even deeper and (if you can believe it) gets even darker.
3. “Wicked Words” on Dipsea
Billionaire romance? Don’t mind if I do. This audiobook follows Adrienne, a celebrity biographer whose family estate is sold to the infamous Alexander Blackwood. The catch fits deliciously into the “forced proximity” trope: Adrienne must write Alexander’s biography to repair his tainted image. This story tickles my eardrums in all the best ways.
4. “Sinners Anonymous” by Somme Sketcher
Ahh, you heard me mention mafia romance, and you came straight here, didn’t you? What else are you in the mood for? Age gap? Enemies-to-lovers? You’ll find them both in this story about Rory and Angelo, a mob boss’s fiancée and the same mob boss’s nephew. Intrigued yet?
5. The Made series by Danielle Lori
Speaking of mafia romance! Starting with “The Sweetest Oblivion” and continuing on through “The Maddest Obsession” and “The Darkest Temptation,” Danielle Lori’s Made series follows one couple at a time within a network of mob families. These boys are tragic and possessive, and these ladies deal with A LOT. You’ve been warned.
6. “Twist Me” by Anna Zaires
This was another of my early introductions to dark romance. More abduction—I’m sensing a pattern? Maybe I should talk to someone about this…
When Nora is kidnapped by a stranger and taken to a private island, her world turns upside down. Julian is dangerous and domineering, and their connection is both incredibly intense and a textbook example of Stockholm Syndrome. Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions, and better yet, it’s a series that connects to Zaires’ “Capture Me” books.
7. “Tears of Tess” by Pepper Winters
How many captor book recs can I put on this list, you ask? Let’s find out.
Tess Snow's life is shattered when she is kidnapped during a trip to Mexico. Her new master, Q Mercer, is a complex, tortured soul with dark desires, but he’s also a savior on a god-like mission to rid the world of human trafficking. Somehow, though, Tess is his weak spot, and whatever noble intentions Q might have started with go out the window in her presence.
8. “Gothikana” by RuNyx
Part “Beauty and the Beast” retelling, part “Dracula,” and all haunting romance, “Gothikana” made a splash across TikTok with its forbidden teacher/student dynamic. All the dark romance book girlies were adding it straight to their Kindles. Corvina and Vad just can’t fight fate, after all, especially not with a century-old mystery just begging to be unraveled.
9. “The Ritual” by Shantel Tessier
Secret society? Tell me more. Try a secret society that largely revolves around lots (and lots) of breathtaking spice and a couple who thrives in, let’s say, dubious situations. Ryat and Blakely aren’t for everyone, but they sure do know how to keep things interesting.
10. “Deviant King” by Rina Kent
If bully romance or even billionaire romance is your thing, this is the dark romance read for you. Anyone who enjoyed Ana Huang’s “Twisted Love” or “Kings of Sin” should consider this a must-read.
Elsa has lost some crucial memories from her past by the time she arrives at her elite new prep school and meets Aiden, who swears to destroy her. Soon, though, he’s coming up with every excuse he can think of to spend more and more time with her, even if it involves punishments she doesn’t understand and starting rumors intended to damage her forever.
11. “Credence” by Penelope Douglas
I really wasn’t kidding around about those trigger warnings. This book is in a league all its own. When Tiernan loses both parents and is suddenly sent away to live with her father’s stepbrother and his two sons in Colorado, things get interesting fast (and not necessarily in a sweet or snuggly way). Please don’t say I didn’t warn you. Jake, Noah, and Kaleb are NOT good guys.
Listen to dark romance that will give you chills
Dark romance books push the boundaries of traditional romance, exploring the shadows and complexities of love. Whether you're new to the genre or a seasoned fan, these books deliver unforgettable stories that linger long after you’ve turned the last page.
For more romance stories, check out Dipsea’s collection of original steamy audiobooks. You can filter by tag, including “Dark Romance,” for stories that fit the vibe you’re going for.
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