Dark romance books belong to a subgenre of the romance category that, shall we say, tests the waters in ways that other stories might not. Everything from dark mafia romance to reverse harem books to particularly steamy fantasy romance (romantasy) can apply, but let’s be clear: A standard love story with the forbidden “dating my best friend’s sister” won’t cut it.
No, these typically contain a twisted element not found in other corners of the romance novel section of the bookstore. (Yet another area of life where my Kindle has come in handy.)
From standalone must-reads to dark romance series that cover just about every trope you can think of, here are some of our favorite book recommendations to scratch the dark and spicy itch. Spoiler alert, though: please, oh please, remember to read the trigger warnings.
1. “The Siren” by Tiffany Reisz
The layers. The tension. The immaculate character work. There is no world in which rereading any book from the Original Sinners series doesn’t automatically lead me to rereading all of them—and there are A LOT. (Thank god.)
Nora Sutherlin is a notorious erotica author, and Zach Easton absolutely does not want to work with her. But what Nora wants, Nora has a tendency to get.
They strike a bargain that gets her newest book a top-notch editor and him a journey into a hidden world of BDSM he never imagined. In this world, she has him wrapped around her finger.
Full disclosure: The darkness of this series comes in waves. Just when you think you’re safe, a new character decides it’s time to come out and play. Welcome to the Underground.
2. “Lords of Pain” by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue
Mmkay. Go with me on a quick little journey, and don’t say I didn’t warn you about the dark parts of these books.
Story Austin left home a few years ago to escape an uncomfortable situation only to return with no money and no other option but to throw herself at the mercy of the very three men she ran away from. Reverse harem meets secret society meets a handful of (ahem) dubious circ*mstances in these books. Killian, Tristian, and Dimitri are far from knights in shining armor, but who needs knights when you have Lords?
The first three books of this ongoing saga follow one quartet of polyamorous partners, while each subsequent set of three follows another group, all within the same fraternity-obsessed university. Personally, I’m dying for more of the foursome from the first three books. (Dimitri, my love, they could never make me hate you…)
3. “Corrupt” by Penelope Douglas
If “Birthday Girl” and “Credence” didn’t scare you off, add “Corrupt” to the list of must-read Penelope Douglas books. The first book in her Devil’s Night series, “Corrupt” follows Erika (“Rika”) and her ex-boyfriend’s older brother Michael, who believes Rika is responsible for putting him and his three closest friends in jail years ago. But it’s tough to plot your revenge when you're attracted to your mark—or is it?
Dark romance? Extra-spicy thriller? You decide.
4. “Forbidden Fruit” on Dipsea
If the illicit nature of a hidden tryst does for you what it does for me, I highly recommend “Forbidden Fruit,” a steamy retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that explores all kinds of deep, dark desires. The full cast audiobook really brings you into the world, and the extra spicy chapters don’t leave you waiting long for the heat to build.
5. “God of Malice” by Rina Kent
Killian and Glyn are part of the generationally wealthy elite. They meet on the edge of a cliff where Killian immediately decides that Glyn is his new fixation. No, I’m not kidding. If that sparks your interest, take a good long look at the author’s note before you dive too deep into this story packed with suspense and obsession.
As the Legacy of Gods series continues, you’ll encounter mafia princes and princesses as well as a marriage of convenience, and every couple falls solidly within the enemies-to-lovers camp. But to be fair, “lovers” is a very subjective term here.
6. “Blood Orange” by Karina Halle
I may have a slight fixation on vampire stories, so bear with me as I lead you down this rabbit hole. I never could resist a good Dracula retelling.
Dahlia is a witch tasked with hunting and killing Valtu, the man who ostensibly inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous book. Sent to Venice to study under him as he works as a music professor, Dahlia can’t help but feel that something bigger and darker is happening as she attempts to get closer to her enigmatic teacher.
Meanwhile, Valtu mourns the loss of both his beloved Mina and her reincarnation some years later, and he can’t seem to understand his fixation with his newest student.
A connected (and equally twisted) series by Halle follows a group of San Francisco vampires who make a few appearances in both “Blood Orange” and its sequel “Black Rose.”
To get the full effect, start with “Black Sunshine” and enjoy. You know what? Just read everything Karina Halle has ever touched and thank me later.
7. “Wicked Words” on Dipsea
If dark, mysterious, and brooding sound right up your alley, they don’t all have to be vampires. No, some are tech billionaires with secrets—secrets like hidden dungeons designed for all kinds of depraved desires.
Adrienne Stone is tasked with writing Alexander Blackwood’s biography to help salvage his tainted reputation. Neither of them is particularly excited about the arrangement, and yet they can’t help but feel drawn to one another. Believe me, the 5 chapters in this audiobook will fly by.
8. “Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton
The Cat and Mouse Duet starts with “Haunting Adeline” and introduces Addie as she moves into her late grandmother’s home, a creepy gothic place where a number of mysterious deaths have taken place. If that’s not enough, she has a mysterious admirer who keeps leaving her, um... gifts? Mementos? No spoilers, but some of these keepsakes are not for the faint of heart.
The psychothriller elements of this story are intriguing, and I’ll once again beg you to check your content warnings. Some things that go #SpicyBookTok viral don’t come with the caution tape they deserve.
9. “Hooked” by Emily McIntire
The first book in Emily McIntire’s Never After series, “Hooked” is a Peter Pan retelling that pairs up sweet, innocent Wendy with (you guessed it) the notorious Hook. She’s a means to exacting his long-awaited revenge while he’s an escape from her sheltered life under Peter’s control. She might not have intended to wander into the bar of her father’s biggest rival, and yet, once they’re in each other’s orbit, pulling away becomes impossible.
Definitely a fractured fairy tale moreso than a fantasy, “Hooked” leans on the hallmarks of a contemporary romance but has the depth and spice of a dark and extra steamy romantasy.
Love the sound of these spicy picks? Check out Dipsea’s collection of audiobooks, particularly those under the “dark romance” tag, for even more steamy stories.
