Villains who love to the point of obsession, characters who bare the bloody wounds of their trauma, lovers who will kill to protect what’s theirs — these are among the hallmarks of dark romance books. Once relegated to a niche corner of indie publishing, these irresistibly twisted tales have begun making their way onto mainstream publishers’ lists as readers express a growing appetite for books that push the boundaries of love, morality and fear. We all feel the pull of the dark side sometimes, and these novels allow us to peer into that void, then close the book and walk away with our souls intact and a happily ever after. For some, the journey can even help soothe old emotional scars.
My new book, “Tourist Season,” lives at the crossroads of dark romance, thriller and romantic comedy. Its serial killer protagonists are monsters shaped by suffering and grief, yet there are moments of absurdist humor and swoony romance to balance out the heavier, twisted parts. And that’s the beauty of the genre: It’s a spectrum. Some books sparkle with glittery obsidian, while others plunge deep into the pitch-black abyss. Either way, they invite us to question what we’re willing to forgive in the name of love.
The novels below span the spectrum of darkness. Please read responsibly (and check the content warnings for each book before diving in).
Wicked Is the Reaper
by Nisha J. Tuli
I’ll be gentle to start: “Wicked Is the Reaper” is the lightest book on this list, making it a great entry point into the genre. This romantasy novella is a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” following a woman named Rowan and the menacing fae named Wicked who drags her to his secluded home in the woods to become his captive bride. But Rowan is no damsel in distress. This is a quick, fun and spicy read — a great amuse-bouche before you plunge further in.
Insatiable
by Leigh Rivers
On the opposite side of the darkness spectrum sits “Insatiable.” Years ago, Stacey broke Kade’s heart, and he’s been watching her ever since, killing anyone who gets too close. Now he’s coming back to claim the woman he hates. Rivers fearlessly explores the ripple effects of trauma in a story that’s filled with tension, heartbreak and electric chemistry. This one will tear your heart right out of your chest before tossing it back in and sewing you up. Enjoy!
Crucible
by B.B. Reid
In this captivating retelling of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Aurelia is a disgraced celebrity whose plane crashes in the remote Canadian wilderness, leaving her the sole survivor. Instead of three bears, however, she finds three brutal, reclusive mountain men — and she doesn’t have to choose just one bed. “Crucible” is the first book in Reid’s self-published Men of the Wilds duology, which was recently picked up by Bloom Books and will be getting a mainstream rerelease early next year.
Rink Rash
by Santana Knox
Knox’s Sapphic, rivals-to-lovers romance is set in the gritty and chaotic world of women’s roller derby. Vera Havik, a.k.a. Havoc, returns to her old derby team battling grief and addiction, and her black cat of a captain, Madeline Maddox (Mad Maddox on the track), isn’t exactly thrilled to have the maverick jammer back in the mix and shaking up her carefully controlled world. This book does not shy away from heavy topics like mental health and the winding road to recovery. But it is also full of heart, and the payoff is worth the devastation along the way.
A Lesson in Deceit
by Allie Shante
The first book in a new dark academia duology, Shante’s paranormal romance follows Riley Monroe, a human woman who enrolls at a supernatural college (where the “co-” in co-ed refers to humans and magic wielders) hoping to find answers after a tragic event turns her world upside down. It’s got a great mystery, with plenty of twists and turns, plus three men who keep distracting Riley from her studies and investigations. This one is lighter on the darkness scale, and scorching hot.
Does It Hurt?
by H.D. Carlton
Carlton is one of the heaviest hitters of the dark romance genre, best known for the stalker romance “Haunting Adeline.” “Does It Hurt?” is a stand-alone novel about a shark expert, Enzo, who wants revenge on Sawyer, the woman who stole his identity. His plan for retribution goes awry after he lures her to his boat, and the pair find themselves capsized on a strange island with an even stranger lighthouse keeper. This enemies-to-lovers story blends mystery, spice and heavy themes in an unforgettable setting.
Death Valley
by Karina Halle
What would happen if you mixed “Yellowstone” with zombies and morally gray characters? You’d get “Death Valley” — a dark cowboy romance. Aubrey Wells hires Jensen McGraw, a rancher and wilderness guide, to help her find out what happened to her sister, who has been missing for three years. Together, they have to navigate not just unforgiving terrain but also deadly secrets, desire, mistrust and, yes, even the undead. It’s a fun time!
Priest
by Sierra Simone
Simone’s 2015 novel is one of my all-time favorites, not only because I love the forbidden tale of a priest forsaking his vows, but also because the characters are so beautifully rendered. Father Tyler Bell becomes obsessed with Poppy, a beautiful, disillusioned woman who comes to his church to confess her sins. The super hot romance that eventually unfolds sends Tyler into a spiritual crisis, while Poppy grapples with guilt. “Priest” is a compelling exploration of faith, desire and redemption.
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