22 Authors Like Penelope Douglas: Your Next Dark Romance Obsession

Discover our collection of the best authors like Penelope Douglas. If you like taboo-breaking romance novels with well-developed characters, these are for you.

New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas writes romance and contemporary fiction novels. As an author who doesn’t believe in taboo, she has some steamy storylines that break the rules of the romance genre. Douglas was a shy child, always walking away from experiences because of a fear of failure. That all changed when she left home and went to college.

During her young adult years, Douglas discovered a love for travel and adventure, spending significant time in Asia before returning to the United States to attend graduate school in New Orleans. In college, she also started writing, which led her on a path of self-discovery that transformed her life.

Since becoming a romance author, Douglas has been on the bestsellers list for the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. In all, she has 26 books to her name. These books are in three series, the Devil’s Night, Fall Away, and Hellbent series, which house most of her works, but she also has six standalone novels. These include Punk 57 and Birthday Girl.

In 2025, Douglas continues to push boundaries in the dark romance genre, with her latest releases exploring even more complex psychological themes and forbidden relationships. Her influence on contemporary romance has grown significantly, inspiring a new generation of authors to tackle controversial subjects with nuance and emotional depth.

If you’re a fan of these dark romance books, consider these authors like Penelope Douglas to fill your reading list.

Must-Read Authors Like Penelope Douglas

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1. Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren is the pen name of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, a pair of authors that publish contemporary romance novels and teen fiction under their combined name. The duo met in 2009 when they were writing fanfiction online and started writing together a year later. The team has 18 New York Times bestselling novels, and their books are translated into over 30 languages.

In 2024 and 2025, Christina Lauren has continued to dominate the romance market with their signature blend of steamy scenes and emotional depth. Their recent releases have shown increased sophistication in handling complex relationship dynamics, making them a perfect match for Penelope Douglas fans who appreciate psychological complexity alongside heat.

The two most famous series attributed to them are Beautiful Bastards and Wild Seasons. Sweet Filthy Boy, the first novel in the Wild Seasons series, won the Romantic Times Book of the Year Award in 2014.

“Life is built of these little horrible moments and the giant expanses of awesome in between.”

• Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy

2. Tillie Cole

Born in England, Tillie Cole graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in religious studies. After graduation, she spent ten years traveling the world alongside her husband, who was a professional rugby player, while working as a teacher. Cole penned her first novel after those escapades, and today she is a writer of contemporary romance, dark romance, young adult, and new adult novels.

Cole’s recent work has gained significant recognition in the dark romance community for her ability to tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity while maintaining the emotional intensity that readers crave. Her 2024 releases have been praised for their exploration of trauma and healing, themes that resonate strongly with Penelope Douglas enthusiasts.

Cole’s first book, Sweet Home, was published in 2013 and has since become a cult classic in the romance community.

“One day, my sweet girl, some lucky man will come and help you understand the very meaning of love.”

• Tillie Cole, Sweet Home

3. K. Webster

USA Today bestselling author K. Webster keeps much about her personal life private. As a voracious reader, she has published over 150 romance books that cover almost every genre style. The author lives in the Midwest with her family and enjoys researching aliens in her free time. Her first book, Apartment 2B, was published in 2014, and hasn’t looked back since.

K. Webster has become a powerhouse in the taboo romance genre, consistently delivering books that push boundaries while maintaining emotional authenticity. Her 2025 releases have shown remarkable growth in character development and psychological depth, making her an essential read for fans of complex, morally ambiguous romance.

What sets Webster apart is her fearless approach to controversial subjects, handling them with the same unflinching honesty that makes Penelope Douglas’s work so compelling.

“With one last glance over my shoulder, I feel whole knowing that they are happy. That’s my last thought as I find peace. At last.”

• K. Webster, Apartment 2B

4. Elle Kennedy, 1979 -

Elle Kennedy hails from Canada and writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense books. Before starting her writing career, Kennedy attended York University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2005. She is quite a successful author with titles on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists.

Kennedy’s Off-Campus series has been one of her most successful, with releases in over 20 countries and titles on multiple bestseller lists. In 2025, her latest works have evolved to include darker themes and more complex relationship dynamics, appealing to readers who enjoy the psychological depth found in Penelope Douglas’s novels.

The Deal, the first book in the series, was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee and continues to attract new readers to the romance genre.

“Sometimes people sneak up on you, and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”

• Elle Kennedy, The Deal

5. Sierra Simone

Sierra Simone is a USA Today bestselling author from the Kansas City area. As a self-proclaimed introvert, she has works published in 10 different languages and continues to produce new books every year. Simone started her literary career in 2015 with The Awakening of Ivy Leavold, the first book in the Markham Hall series.

Simone’s work stands out for its exploration of taboo themes within historical and contemporary settings. Her ability to blend explicit content with deep emotional storytelling has earned her a devoted following among readers who appreciate the same boundary-pushing elements found in Penelope Douglas’s work.

Her 2024 and 2025 releases have been particularly praised for their psychological complexity and unflinching examination of power dynamics in relationships.

“Perhaps these doubts were galvanizing. They were all pointing to something—that either my heart or my life were in danger, and that perhaps I should leave.”

• Sierra Simone, The Awakening of Ivy Leavold

6. L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is the author of contemporary romance and new adult novels who lives in Florida. Her books feature strong women who conquer alpha males; several have been Amazon’s number-one bestsellers. Shen sells books in 20 different countries. Her first book, Tyed, was published in 2015, but one of her most famous, Vicious, came out in 2016.

Shen has become synonymous with angsty, emotionally complex romance that doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects. Her recent works continue to explore themes of redemption, obsession, and the fine line between love and hate—elements that make her a natural recommendation for Penelope Douglas fans.

Shen currently has four series, Sinners of Saint, All Saints High, Boston Belles, and Cruel Castaways, as well as multiple standalone novels.

“I loved her when I hated her. And I loved her when I didn’t want anything to do with her. I was so crazy about her, the lines had blurred together. Feelings were mixed, emotions twisted together.”

• L.J. Shen, Vicious

7. Pepper Winters

Though Pepper Winters was raised in Hong Kong, she has roots in England and tapped into those roots to write English-language novels. With nearly 40 books in nine languages, she has been quite successful. In 2013, she published Tears of Tess, her first book, which became a Top 20 Amazon bestseller.

Winters specializes in dark romance that explores the psychological depths of complex relationships. Her work often features morally ambiguous characters and situations that challenge readers’ expectations, much like Penelope Douglas’s novels. Her recent releases have continued to push boundaries while maintaining the emotional authenticity that defines quality dark romance.

The book was the first in the Monsters in the Dark trilogy, which made a name for her in the romance author world.

“You stole my loneliness. I may have given you wings, but you’ve become my gravity. I’ll never be free of your force.”

• Pepper Winters, Tears of Tess

8. Ana Huang

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Ana Huang has sold her books to over two dozen foreign publishers. Huang’s writing career started in 2013 with All I’ve Never Wanted, a standalone novel. In her books, readers find strong women and alpha males, and the stories are filled with angst and steam.

Huang’s Twisted series has become a phenomenon in the romance community, with her 2021 book Twisted Love gaining massive popularity on social media platforms. Her ability to create addictive, emotionally intense romances with morally complex characters has made her a favorite among readers who love Penelope Douglas’s work.

Huang loves to travel and uses her travels to make her books engaging and colorful, bringing authentic settings and cultural elements to her contemporary romances.

“If you let lesser people determine your self-worth, you’ll never reach higher than their limited imagination.”

• Ana Huang, Twisted Love

9. Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey writes hot stories that end in a happily ever after. A Long Island, New York resident where she lives with her family, Bailey strives to create strong and memorable characters. While her books are steamy, they are also quite character-centric.

Bailey’s recent evolution toward darker, more psychologically complex romances has made her increasingly popular among Penelope Douglas fans. Her 2024 and 2025 releases have shown remarkable depth in exploring power dynamics and emotional complexity while maintaining her signature heat level.

Bailey published her first book, Protecting What’s His, in 2013 and continued publishing multiple books a year later. She has several series, including Line of Duty, Broke and Beautiful, and Crossing the Line.

“Often times, people make questionable decisions. And even though they already taste the fat regret sandwich headed their way, they do it with a smile.”

• Tessa Bailey, Protecting What’s His

10. Cora Reilly

Cora Reilly is a romance author known for her bad-boy characters. She published young adult novels before starting her career as a romance author. Reilly lives in Germany and travels extensively. The author also holds a law degree but abandoned her dreams of being a lawyer for a writer’s life.

Reilly’s specialization in mafia romance and morally ambiguous characters has made her a standout in the dark romance genre. Her exploration of power, loyalty, and forbidden love creates the same addictive reading experience that Penelope Douglas fans crave.

Reilly published her first romance books in 2014 with Voyeur Extraordinaire, Bound By Honor, and Not Meant to Be Broken. Many of her books are in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles series.

“I guess waxing was like giving birth. During labor, women swore to themselves that this was their last child, and as soon as the pain was forgotten and they saw the reward for their efforts, those words were null and void.”

• Cora Reilly, Voyeur Extraordinaire

11. Jennifer L. Armentrout, 1980 -

Jennifer L. Armentrout publishes both contemporary romance books and teen fantasy books. The prolific author didn’t start as a success and had many rejections before publishing her first book in 2011. Armentrout started writing at a young age, completing her first novel while sitting in algebra class in high school.

Armentrout’s ability to create intense, emotionally charged romances with supernatural elements has made her work appealing to readers who enjoy the psychological complexity found in Penelope Douglas’s novels. Her recent adult romance releases have shown increased sophistication in handling mature themes and complex relationship dynamics.

As an adult, she has published both for publishing houses and as a self-published author, making her a hybrid writer. Many of her books are part of a series, and The Covenant Series is popular, starting with Half-Blood, which she published in 2011.

“Need covers itself with love, but need… need is never love. Always beware of the one who needs you. There is always a want behind a need, you see.”

• Jennifer L. Armentrout, Half-Blood

12. Eris Adderly

Eris Adderly does not follow conventions when writing her romance books. Known for their strong characters, slight fantasy vibe, and untamable characters, Adderly’s books are hot. She aims to write subversive romance books for people who hate the genre.

Adderly’s unconventional approach to romance makes her particularly appealing to readers who appreciate Penelope Douglas’s willingness to break genre rules. Her work often features mythological elements and complex power dynamics that challenge traditional romance conventions.

The self-published author launches many of her books as Kindle books before publishing them in paperback. Several of her books, like The Mortal Coil: Medousa & Perseus, feature characters from mythology.

“And that voice. Sliding, toying with him, just out of sight. Challenging.”

• Eris Adderly, The Mortal Coil: Medusa & Perseus

13. Mia Sheridan

Mia Sheridan is a New York Times bestselling author passionate about true love stories. Her romance novels aren’t quite as steamy as those of Penelope Douglas, but they are excellent stories that fans will enjoy. One of her bestsellers, Leo, is a new adult contemporary romance book about two best friends who vowed as children to make a life together, only to be pulled apart as adults.

Sheridan’s strength lies in her ability to create emotionally resonant stories that explore deep psychological themes. While her work may be less explicit than some others on this list, the emotional intensity and complex character development make her appealing to Penelope Douglas fans who appreciate substance alongside steam.

When they find each other again, a mystery unfolds along with romance. Sheridan published Leo in 2013.

“Everyone tells a story about who they are in their own head. That story defines you, dictating all your actions and all your mistakes.”

• Mia Sheridan, Leo

14. Roni Loren

Roni Loren started writing romance novels at age 15, and this eventually grew into a successful career. The author holds a graduate degree in social work and worked as a mental health counselor for many years before retiring to write full-time. The knowledge of therapy does show up in her writing as she creates emotionally complex characters.

Loren’s background in psychology brings a unique depth to her exploration of complex relationships and trauma, themes that resonate strongly with Penelope Douglas readers. Her recent works have gained critical acclaim for their authentic portrayal of healing and personal growth within romantic relationships.

The author won the RITA Award twice and is a HOLT Medallion winner. The Ones Who Got Away is one of her more popular series, and she published its first novel in 2018.

“Broken glass still made art. Sometimes the most beautiful kind.”

• Roni Loren, The Ones Who Got Away

15. Colleen Hoover, 1979 -

American author Colleen Hoover started her writing career as a self-published author, but she quickly grew a following and began being chosen by publishing houses. As a graduate of Texas A&M Commerce with a degree in social work, she published Slammed, her first novel, in 2012.

While Hoover’s work spans various romance subgenres, her exploration of complex emotional themes and morally ambiguous situations has made her incredibly popular among readers who appreciate psychological depth in their romance. Her massive social media following has helped bring mainstream attention to many of the themes explored in dark romance.

When book blogger Maryse Black gave Slammed and its sequel five stars, the books quickly made their way to the New York Times bestseller list and were picked up by Atria Books. In 2023, Time magazine named Hoover one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

“Don’t take life too seriously. Punch it in the face when it needs a good hit. Laugh at it.”

• Colleen Hoover, Slammed

16. Eve Dangerfield

As a young girl, Eve Dangerfield often swiped her grandmother’s paperback romance novels, giving her a love for the genre. As an author, she writes genre-defying works from her home in Melbourne. Act Your Age is her 2017 novel and the first book in a series by the same name.

Dangerfield’s fearless approach to controversial subjects and complex power dynamics makes her work particularly appealing to Penelope Douglas fans. Her ability to blend explicit content with genuine emotional depth has earned her a devoted following in the dark romance community.

Dangerfield’s books feature complex heroines with specific needs and the men who fulfill those needs, exploring themes of dominance, submission, and emotional vulnerability with remarkable nuance.

“You’re stronger than anyone thinks you are.”

• Eve Dangerfield, Act Your Age

17. Penelope Ward, 1947 -

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Penelope Ward has a panache for writing steamy romance novels. Ward grew up in Boston and worked as a television news anchor as a young woman. As an adult, she moved to Rhode Island with her family and started writing.

Despite sharing a first name with Penelope Douglas, Ward brings her own unique voice to contemporary romance. Her work often explores second chances, family dynamics, and the complexity of modern relationships with the same emotional intensity that Douglas fans appreciate.

Stepbrother Dearest, her fourth book published in 2014, was a number one New York Times bestseller. Her 2016 novel, RoomHate, is one of her popular standalone books and debuted at number two on the bestseller list.

“The way I see it, if you want to cheat on someone, you should just break up with them. Cheating is for cowards.”

• Penelope Ward, RoomHate

18. Skye Warren

An author known for her dark romance books, Skye Warren often reaches the Amazon bestseller list with her works. The New York Times bestselling author has sold over two million copies of her books and is a Texas resident. Beauty Touched the Beast and Below the Belt were her first two books published in 2011.

Warren’s expertise in dark romance makes her an obvious choice for Penelope Douglas fans. Her exploration of power dynamics, psychological complexity, and morally ambiguous characters creates the same addictive reading experience that defines quality dark romance.

In all, she has 68 books under her name. Her Endgame series, which started with The Pawn in 2016, is one of her more popular series and showcases her ability to create complex, multi-layered narratives.

“Except what remains of the woman that she had been? If you have to change to be loved, then how much is that love worth?”

• Skye Warren, The Pawn

19. Penny Wylder

Penny Wylder is known for her wild romance tales. While she does strive to achieve happily ever after in her books, she also weaves plenty of steam into them. Wylder keeps much of her personal life private. While she has several novellas to her name, her novels are what stand out.

Her 2017 novel Big Man is one of these, telling the story of a young woman who returns to her small town to run into a childhood friend who has grown into an attractive alpha male. Wylder’s focus on intense chemistry and alpha male characters appeals to readers who enjoy the same elements in Penelope Douglas’s work.

“She’s not ready for a wild man. She likes tame, placid little city boys.”

• Penny Wylder, Big Man

20. Saffron A. Kent

Saffron A. Kent went to college to be a writer, earning her graduate degree in Creative Writing. After graduation, she moved to New York City with her husband and started writing. A USA Today bestselling author, Kent is known for her contemporary and new adult romance books.

Kent’s academic background in creative writing brings a sophisticated approach to romance that appeals to readers who appreciate literary quality alongside emotional intensity. Her work often explores themes of identity, power, and personal growth within romantic relationships.

The author currently writes for Bethany Weaver of the Weaver Literary Agency, and she skillfully uses social media for marketing her new releases. The Heartstone series, which starts with her 2018 novel Medicine Man, is a popular choice for new readers.

“Because I was born with more than blood in my veins. I was born with strength. I was born with courage to fight. I’m a warrior.”

• Saffron A. Kent, Medicine Man

21. Rina Kent

Rina Kent is an international bestselling author who writes intricate romance stories with villainous alpha males. Kent found her love for bad boys at a young age when she fell in love with a villain in a movie, only to have him be killed off as the story unfolded. This made her realize she loved the villains, and she started writing about them.

Kent’s focus on morally ambiguous male characters and complex psychological dynamics makes her work particularly appealing to Penelope Douglas fans who appreciate antiheroes and controversial relationships. Her ability to make readers root for the “villain” is a testament to her skilled character development.

Her Royal Elite series, which includes Steel Princess, her 2019 novel, is a great place to start reading her books and showcases her talent for creating addictive, emotionally complex narratives.

“You know, people react differently when someone breaks their heart. Some would lick their wounds and run. Others would keep their distance and hide.”

• Rina Kent, Steel Princess

22. Shantel Tessier

Shantel Tessier has 64 books on the market today. This Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author lives in Oklahoma with her family, which is her top priority. Romance novels are her cup of tea when she is writing, and she has many series in her name, including Dare and the Dark Kingdom series.

Tessier’s prolific output and consistent quality have made her a reliable source for dark romance readers seeking their next obsession. Her ability to create intense, emotionally charged narratives with complex characters makes her work particularly appealing to Penelope Douglas fans.

Code of Silence, which she published in 2020, is the first book in The Dark Kingdom series and demonstrates her skill at crafting psychologically complex romance.

“You belong to me now, Haven. And it’s time to go home.”

• Shantel Tessier, Code of Silence

Why These Authors Appeal to Penelope Douglas Fans

What unites these authors is their willingness to push boundaries and explore the darker, more complex aspects of human relationships. Like Penelope Douglas, they understand that the most compelling romances often exist in the gray areas between right and wrong, love and obsession, power and vulnerability.

These authors share Douglas’s commitment to creating multi-dimensional characters who defy easy categorization. Their male protagonists are often antiheroes—flawed, dangerous, but ultimately redeemable through love. Their heroines are strong-willed individuals who can match their partners’ intensity and complexity.

In 2025, the dark romance genre continues to evolve, with these authors leading the charge in creating more psychologically sophisticated narratives that challenge readers’ expectations while delivering the emotional intensity and steam that defines quality romance fiction.

Whether you’re drawn to the psychological complexity of L.J. Shen, the taboo-breaking themes of K. Webster, or the villain worship of Rina Kent, you’ll find plenty to love in the work of these talented romance writers who understand that sometimes the most forbidden love stories are the most compelling.