32 Best Dark Romance Books: Discover a Dangerously Thrilling New Romance

Popular Dark Romance Books To Read

1. Tears of Tess, by Pepper Winters

Tears of Tess is the first book in a dark romance trilogy about an abducted woman. This young girl fights for her freedom but cannot escape her kidnappers and is forced to live in a world of darkness. When she tries to escape, she discovers that she is being trafficked where she is taken to Mexico and sold to a sex trafficking ring.

She is eventually sold to a man known as Q, who is very dangerous. Her boyfriend, Brax, discovers what happened and travels to Mexico to find her while at the same time, she feels begins to form an attraction to Q and she is torn between the two parts of herself. The relationship between Tess and Q is a powerful love story full of dark themes that will make you question what’s right and wrong.

“I’m offering you my pain. My blood. My pleasure…I’m offering to fight your needs with my own. I’m willing to join you in the darkness and find pleasure in excruciating pain.”

Pepper Winters, Tears of Tess

2. Fangs, by Sara Anderson

Fangs is a graphic novel about a vampire and a werewolf who fall in love after meeting at a bar and starting to date. The relationship progresses gradually throughout the novel, and they are a couple who enjoy macabre lifestyles and love horror movies, novels, and fine dining. The book is a modern take on the night’s classic creatures and a quick read. The story of Elsie and Jimmy is about stereotypes of magical creatures, evil forces, and superstitions.

“In a world where every single person, good or bad, has a voice, I hope you pick up your pen and use yours.”

Sara Anderson, Fangs

3. Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer

[Twilight](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QRIGLW? tag=work089-20) is part of a four-book series by American author Stephanie Meyer. It follows seventeen-year-old Isabella (Bella) Swan as she meets a 103-year-old vampire named Edward Cullen at her new school. She also meets his family, the Cullens, a vampire nomad family.

Bella quickly falls in love with Edward before she finds out the truth about him. She subsequently learns he is a vampire but soon realizes he is not like the other vampires. As their relationship develops, Bella has a hard time dealing with Edward’s overprotective tendencies. Edward is drawn to Bella but doesn’t want to turn her into a vampire. Bella is attracted to Edward, too, and insists that she is willing to become a vampire for him.

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…What a stupid lamb,” I sighed. “What a sick, masochistic lion.”

Stephanie Meyer, Twilight

4. Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier

Described as the novel that changed the face of British literature, *Rebecca*by Daphne du Maurier is a masterful psychological profile of a once great house gone mad. The story is set in Manderley, a massive estate once one of the most impressive in Britain. Maxim de Winter is the owner of a large, ostentatious home.

A beautiful and modest young woman catches the eye of the wealthy man, marries him, and naively believes his housekeeper and the household staff will welcome her. However, she soon realizes that the entire household and her new husband are haunted by the owner’s dead first wife, Rebecca, and the new Mrs. de Winter has no chance of winning them over.

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”

Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca

5. Interview With a Vampire, by Anne Rice

Interview With a Vampire is the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, a man who lives in 1900 New Orleans. Lestat de Lioncourt is a wealthy Frenchman who offers Louis companionship and the chance to live forever. He encourages Louis to become a vampire with the promise of eternal life.

The plot of Interview With a Vampireis centered on morality, but it also focuses on sexuality, and there is an undercurrent of sexual attraction between the two lead characters. Throughout the novel, Louis feels conflicted about being a vampire and does believe that his new powers will bring him great happiness, but there is a price that he is unsure he wants to pay.

“None of us really changes over time. We only become more fully what we are.”

Anne Rice, Interview With a Vampire

6. The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell

The Sparrow has two intertwining stories, one set in 2059 and the other in 2019. The former begins when the young astronomer, Marc, intercepts a transmission of haunting music from the planet Rakhat. The latter follows Emilio Sandoz, a Jesuit priest who leads a scientific mission to make first contact with an extraterrestrial culture. The two stories are intertwined, and the reader is given access to the thoughts and feelings of each character.

Russell explores whether religion and first contact can challenge each other. She also provides access to the sentient creatures on Rakhat. The novel explores the nature of love, faith, and evil. Mary Doria Russell is an award-winning writer whose debut novel won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award and the British Science Fiction Association Award. The Sparrow series was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including being shortlisted for the Hugo Award and the Kurd-Lasswitz-Preis.

“Watching him with one eye, she wondered if men ever figured out that they were more appealing when they were pursuing their own work than when they were pursuing a woman.”

Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow

7. Ruthless People, by JJ McAvoy

Ruthless People is centered on two Mafia offspring, Melody Nicci Giovanni and Liam Alec Callahan, who entered an arranged marriage in Chicago. They are from rival families whose fathers force them into marriage so their two families can be stronger and the bloodshed between the Irish and Italians will end.

The book has everything you’d want from a Mafia book, including drama, backstabbing, and sex. The characters are all calculating and must be many steps ahead of the people they are fighting. Liam goes into the marriage thinking that his wife will be a typical Italian wife who (in those days) would stay at home cooking and doing his bidding. But Melody is as cold and calculating as Liam, maybe even more so.

“She looks like a sweet little lamb from afar, but when you get close, you find out she skinned and ate the damn thing just to use it as a coat.”

JJ McAvoy, Ruthless People

8. Captive in the Dark, by C.J. Roberts

The plot of Captive in the Dark is about an abused girl held hostage in a dark room. While it is a little slow-paced at times, it is worth a read if you are a fan of dark romance novels. There are several good characters, but the most compelling is the protagonist, Olivia, a smart but naive girl. Ironically, she is also the one who manages to stand up to the monster who is holding her hostage.

The book is a dark sexual fantasy novel that is filled with lusty scenes and colorful language that keep the reader wanting more.

“He was my tormentor and solace; the creator of the dark and the light within.”

C.J. Roberts, Captive in the Dark

9. Nine and a Half Weeks, by Elizabeth McNeill

During a nine-and-a-half-week affair, Ingeborg Day (pen name Elizabeth McNeill) and her lover went from a typical romantic relationship to performing a series of acts that could be described as sadomasochism. McNeill’s Nine and a Half Weeks is a retelling of her true life experiences and her thoughts on how her life was altered by this affair.

When women struggled to be respected in the workplace, Day was an executive for a large corporation that also taught in small Midwestern towns. The book is an extremely graphic account of a sexually gratifying affair between two very different people. 

“So it went, a step at a time…it came about that I found myself – after the time span of a mere two weeks – in a setup that would be judged, by the people I know, as pathological.”

Elizabeth McNeill, Nine and a Half Weeks

10. Devil of Dublin, by B.B. Easton

B.B. Easton is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author who quit her stressful job as a school psychologist to become a full-time writer. Devil of Dublin is full of non-stop action, graphic violence, and dark romance. The plot centers on two contrasting characters, Darby Collins and Kellen Donovan, who first meet as children and reunite as adults. The romance is a dark and tormented love affair that endures through all their lives’ ups and downs.

The book also includes an ensemble cast of supporting characters, including Darby’s mother and a band of Irish mercenaries. The book is inspired by Irish folklore and includes a touch of magic. The main character, Darby Collins, visits Ireland once a year to visit her grandfather, who tells her tales of the mystical creatures in the trees. She is taken with the enigmatical mystical countryside and is fascinated by the story of a boy who can’t speak.

“My eyes shot open in surprise as his strong arms clamped around my waist.”

B.B. Easton, Devil of Dublin

11. The Witch and the Vampire, by Francesca Flores

The Witch and the Vampire are loosely based on the fairy tale Rapunzel. The two main characters are thrown together in a cursed forest where they must overcome their fears to save themselves. Ava is now both a witch and a vampire and needs to conceal the fact that she is also a vampire. Ava must escape foiling her mother’s intentions to destroy the town. 

Kaye, who used to be very close to Ava, is now prepared to eliminate any vampires—including Ava—that threaten the village. While covertly preparing to turn Ava in, Kaye pursues Ava and persuades her to go into the wilderness with her. The Witch and the Vampire is a great book for fantasy and romance fans. The characters are complex and intriguing, and the plot is well-paced.

“I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”

Bela Lugosi, The Witch and the Vampire

12. The Sweetest Oblivion, by Danielle Lori

In The Sweetest Oblivion, Elena Abelli is a mafia princess with a taste for the finer things in life. While Elena has the best intentions and sees herself on the side of good, she still has to survive in the complex mafia world. When she encounters the man her sister is supposed to marry, Elena falls for the cold and cynical brute.

She discovers a side of herself that she hadn’t known; a side that desires the rough world of violence, power, and control. She discovers how far she’ll go to quell her carnal yearnings for a man she thought she would disdain. This inevitably leads to an escalating situation, one that only Elena is equipped to handle. Eventually, Elena’s walls come crashing down, and she gives in to her desires.

“I swear to God, Elena, if I find out you’ve let some man touch you, I will deliver his hands to you in a box.”

Danielle Lori, The Sweetest Oblivion

13. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

*Lolita is the story of a middle-aged man who has an affair with a young girl. Described as a modern masterpiece, the novel tells the story of a man named Humbert, a professor at a university, who becomes obsessed with a twelve-year-old girl named Dolores Haze. Nabokov writes as an enigmatic, unreliable narrator. He demonstrates his rhetorical skills through a portrait of the obsessive lust of a man for a child.

Initially, many American publishers refused to publish the novel due to its controversial subject matter. Eventually, G.P. Putnam’s Sons released it, and while it faced harsh criticism in outlets like The New York Times, public interest soared. Despite the backlash, Lolita became a lasting literary sensation and remains widely discussed today.

If you’re feeling inspired to write your own dark or romantic stories, check out our best romance writing prompts for creative ideas.

“Perhaps, somewhere, someday, in a less miserable time, we may see each other again.”

Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

14. Haunting Adeline, by H.D. Carlton

Haunting Adeline is the first book in the Cat and Mouse duology that follows Adeline Reilly, a reclusive author who inherits her grandmother’s gothic mansion. When she discovers that someone has been watching her, leaving her roses and notes, she becomes entangled with Zade Meadows, a vigilante who hunts those who harm children. H.D. Carlton crafts a dark and twisted tale of obsession where the line between protector and predator blurs.

The story explores themes of stalking, vigilante justice, and forbidden attraction. Carlton is known for her ability to create morally complex characters and situations that challenge readers’ comfort zones while delivering intense emotional experiences.

“I don’t want to be saved. I want to be consumed.”

H.D. Carlton, Haunting Adeline

15. Hunting Adeline, by H.D. Carlton

Hunting Adeline continues the dark saga of Adeline and Zade from the first book. When Adeline is taken by human traffickers, Zade must navigate a dangerous underworld to find her. The sequel delves deeper into Zade’s vigilante work and the couple’s complex relationship built on obsession and twisted love.

Carlton doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, creating a story that’s both disturbing and compelling. The book explores themes of survival, revenge, and the lengths one will go to for love, no matter how dark that love might be.

“I’ll burn the world down before I let them keep you.”

H.D. Carlton, Hunting Adeline

16. Corrupt, by Penelope Douglas

Corrupt is the first book in the Devil’s Night series, centered around Michael Crist and Erika Fane. Set in a world where wealthy teenagers engage in a night of chaos called Devil’s Night, the story follows Michael’s return from prison and his obsession with Erika, who was involved in sending him there.

Penelope Douglas is known for creating intense, emotionally charged stories with morally gray characters. Her writing explores themes of revenge, redemption, and the thin line between love and hate. The Devil’s Night series has become a cornerstone of the dark romance genre.

“I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.”

Penelope Douglas, Corrupt

17. Butcher & Blackbird, by Brynne Weaver

Butcher & Blackbird follows Sloan, a serial killer who targets other murderers, and Rowan, a vigilante with his own dark methods. When they’re forced to work together, their partnership becomes something neither expected. The book combines dark humor with intense romance and plenty of gore.

Brynne Weaver brings a unique voice to dark romance, blending comedy with truly dark themes. Her characters are unapologetically morally gray, and she creates a world where readers find themselves rooting for killers while questioning their own moral compass.

“We’re both monsters, but at least we’re monsters together.”

Brynne Weaver, Butcher & Blackbird

18. Lights Out, by Navessa Allen

Lights Out is a psychological thriller that follows a woman who discovers her boyfriend might be the serial killer terrorizing their city. The story explores themes of trust, obsession, and the terrifying realization that the person you love might be capable of unspeakable acts.

Navessa Allen creates an atmosphere of constant tension and dread, making readers question every character’s motives. Her writing style combines psychological horror with intense romantic elements, creating a truly unsettling yet compelling reading experience.

“Some monsters hide in plain sight, wearing the faces of those we trust most.”

Navessa Allen, Lights Out

19. Hooked, by Emily McIntire

Hooked is a dark Peter Pan retelling where James Hook is a crime boss seeking revenge against the man who destroyed his life. When he meets Wendy Michaels, the daughter of his enemy, he plans to use her for his revenge but finds himself genuinely drawn to her.

Emily McIntire specializes in dark fairy tale retellings that subvert beloved childhood stories. Her Never After series reimagines classic characters as morally complex adults dealing with very real and dark situations, creating fresh takes on familiar tales.

“Stars are just dead things that still shine, and that’s exactly what I am.”

Emily McIntire, Hooked

20. The Ritual, by Shantel Tessier

The Ritual follows Ryat Archer, a member of an elite secret society called the Lords, and Barrington University student who becomes entangled in their dangerous world. The story explores themes of power, control, and dark rituals within an academic setting.

Shantel Tessier creates intricate plots involving secret societies and psychological manipulation. Her L.O.R.D.S. series delves into the dark side of privilege and power, exploring how far people will go to maintain control and the price of belonging to exclusive groups.

“Some games are played in shadows, where the stakes are souls.”

Shantel Tessier, The Ritual

21. God of Malice, by Rina Kent

God of Malice introduces Killian Carson, a psychology student with psychopathic tendencies, and Glyndon King, who becomes the object of his obsession. Set in an elite university, the story explores the dangerous attraction between a potential killer and the girl who might be his salvation or destruction.

Rina Kent is known for creating psychologically complex characters and exploring the darker aspects of human nature. Her Legacy of Gods series examines how trauma shapes people and the fine line between love and obsession in relationships built on dangerous foundations.

“I don’t feel guilt or remorse, but I feel you.”

Rina Kent, God of Malice

22. Does It Hurt?, by H.D. Carlton

Does It Hurt? follows Sawyer Bennett, who finds herself stranded on a yacht with Enzo Vitale, a man with connections to the mafia. What starts as a survival situation becomes a dark exploration of power, control, and unexpected attraction in an isolated setting.

H.D. Carlton continues to push boundaries in this standalone novel, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where characters must confront their darkest impulses. Her writing style combines psychological tension with intense physical attraction, creating stories that are both disturbing and addictive.

“Pain and pleasure are just two sides of the same coin.”

H.D. Carlton, Does It Hurt?

23. The Predator, by RuNyx

The Predator follows Tristan Caine, a man who kills without remorse, and Morana Vitalio, a hacker seeking revenge for her family’s murder. When their paths cross, they form an unlikely alliance that evolves into something darker and more complex.

RuNyx creates a world where violence is currency and trust is a luxury few can afford. The Dark Verse series explores themes of revenge, survival, and finding humanity in the most inhuman circumstances, with characters who operate in shades of gray rather than black and white.

“We were both predators in our own right, hunting in the same dark woods.”

RuNyx, The Predator

24. Kill Switch, by Penelope Douglas

Kill Switch is the third book in the Devil’s Night series, focusing on Damon Torrance and Winter Ashby. Damon has been in love with Winter since they were children, but his obsession has taken a dark turn. When he’s released from prison, he’s determined to claim what he believes is his.

Penelope Douglas continues to explore the psychology of obsession and the destructive nature of unchecked desire. Kill Switch is often considered the darkest book in the series, dealing with themes of mental illness, isolation, and the dangerous consequences of childhood trauma.

“I was her ghost, and she was my reason for existing.”

Penelope Douglas, Kill Switch

25. Hideaway, by Penelope Douglas

Hideaway is the second book in the Devil’s Night series, following Kai Mori and Banks, who have a complicated history dating back to their teenage years. When Kai returns to claim Banks, she must confront the past she’s tried to escape and the man who won’t let her go.

Douglas excels at creating complex relationships built on shared trauma and intense attraction. Hideaway explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the power dynamics that exist in relationships where one person holds all the cards.

“Some people are just born to be in the dark.”

Penelope Douglas, Hideaway

26. Her Soul to Take, by Harley Laroux

Her Soul to Take follows Rae, a college student who becomes involved with Leon, a demon bound to collect souls. The story blends paranormal elements with dark romance, exploring themes of damnation, desire, and the price of supernatural love.

Harley Laroux brings a unique perspective to paranormal dark romance, creating stories that are both supernatural and deeply psychological. Her writing explores the intersection of horror and desire, creating characters who must navigate both human emotions and supernatural obligations.

“Souls aren’t just taken—they’re given, willingly, desperately, completely.”

Harley Laroux, Her Soul to Take

27. There Are No Saints, by Sophie Lark

There Are No Saints follows Cole Blackwell, a man seeking revenge for his family’s murder, and Mara Eldritch, who becomes both his target and his obsession. The story explores themes of vengeance, justice, and the moral ambiguity that exists when the line between right and wrong becomes blurred.

Sophie Lark creates morally complex characters who operate in a world where traditional concepts of good and evil don’t apply. Her writing style combines intense action with deep psychological exploration, creating stories that challenge readers’ perceptions of justice and morality.

“In a world without saints, we become our own devils.”

Sophie Lark, There Are No Saints

28. The Risk, by S.T. Abby

The Risk introduces Lana Myers, a serial killer who targets those who have escaped justice for crimes against women and children. When FBI profiler Logan Bennett begins investigating her kills, a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins.

S.T. Abby creates a unique take on the vigilante justice theme, with a female protagonist who is both predator and protector. The Mindf*ck series explores themes of justice, trauma, and the psychological toll of taking the law into one’s own hands.

“Some monsters wear badges, some wear crowns, and some wear nothing at all.”

S.T. Abby, The Risk

29. God of Wrath, by Rina Kent

God of Wrath continues the Legacy of Gods series with Nikolai Sokolov, a man driven by rage and revenge, and Mia Sokolov, who becomes the target of his wrath. The story explores themes of family betrayal, revenge, and the destructive nature of unchecked anger.

Rina Kent continues to explore the darker aspects of human psychology in this installment, creating characters whose past traumas drive them to extreme actions. The series examines how family dysfunction and childhood trauma can create adults capable of both great love and terrible violence.

“Wrath isn’t just anger—it’s a way of life.”

Rina Kent, God of Wrath

30. Little Stranger, by Leigh Rivers

Little Stranger follows a woman who becomes involved with a mysterious man harboring dangerous secrets. The story explores themes of identity, deception, and the dangerous allure of the unknown.

Leigh Rivers creates atmospheric stories that blend psychological suspense with dark romance. Her writing style focuses on building tension through character development and psychological manipulation, creating stories that keep readers guessing until the very end.

“Strangers can become the most familiar faces in our nightmares.”

Leigh Rivers, Little Stranger

31. God of Pain, by Rina Kent

God of Pain features Annika Volkov and Creighton King in another installment of the Legacy of Gods series. The story explores themes of emotional manipulation, psychological warfare, and the complex relationship between pain and pleasure.

Rina Kent continues to examine the psychological complexity of her characters, creating stories that delve deep into the human psyche. Her exploration of how trauma shapes personality and relationships provides depth to what could otherwise be simple dark romance plots.

“Pain is just another language, and some of us are fluent.”

Rina Kent, God of Pain

32. Still Beating, by Jennifer Hartmann

Still Beating follows Cora and Dean, who are kidnapped together and held captive in a basement for months. Their shared trauma creates an intense bond that continues after their rescue, exploring the complex psychology of survival and Stockholm syndrome.

Jennifer Hartmann tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity while maintaining the dark romance elements. Her writing explores how extreme circumstances can create unexpected connections and how trauma can both destroy and forge unbreakable bonds between people.

“Some hearts beat in sync not from love, but from shared survival.”

Jennifer Hartmann, Still Beating

Related Reading Lists

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• Best Romance Books of All Time - Classic love stories that stand the test of time
• Authors Like Colleen Hoover - Contemporary romance writers with emotional depth
• Best Fantasy Romance Books - Magical love stories with supernatural elements
• Best Historical Romance Books - Love stories set in fascinating historical periods

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines dark romance books?

Dark romance books are characterized by complex, often morally ambiguous characters, intense emotional conflicts, and themes that explore the darker aspects of love and relationships. These stories typically feature anti-heroes, power dynamics, and situations that challenge traditional romance tropes while maintaining emotional intensity.

Are dark romance books suitable for all readers?

Dark romance books are not suitable for all readers. They often contain mature themes, explicit content, and complex psychological elements. These books are best suited for adult readers who enjoy emotionally intense stories and are comfortable with morally complex characters and situations.

What are the most popular dark romance books?

Popular dark romance books include ‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer, ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier, ‘Interview with a Vampire’ by Anne Rice, and ‘Tears of Tess’ by Pepper Winters. These books have gained widespread recognition for their compelling narratives and complex character relationships.

How do dark romance books differ from traditional romance?

Dark romance books differ from traditional romance by featuring morally complex characters, exploring power dynamics, and often including elements of danger, obsession, or psychological manipulation. While traditional romance focuses on idealized love stories, dark romance explores the more complex and sometimes problematic aspects of relationships.

Why Readers Love Dark Romance

Dark romance appeals to readers who enjoy complex characters and morally ambiguous situations. These stories often feature:

• Anti-heroes and complex protagonists who challenge traditional romance tropes
• High-stakes emotional conflicts that test the boundaries of love
• Gothic and supernatural elements that add mystery and intrigue
• Exploration of power dynamics in relationships
• Emotional intensity that keeps readers turning pages

Whether you’re new to the genre or a longtime fan, these dark romance books offer compelling narratives that will keep you reading late into the night.