Dark romance books are not for everyone. They explore the darkest aspects of the human experience—the controversial, toxic, taboo, and forbidden.
If you’re unafraid of disturbing content and can consume triggering content, read ahead. The following entries are some of the best dark romance books available for fans of the genre—all dark, twisted, intense, and profoundly erotic.
Haunting Adeline
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, dub/non-con, stalking. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
The first part of a duet, Haunting Adeline, features the twisted relationship between Adeline, a best-selling author who recently moved into her late grandmother’s manor and Zade, a hacker, online vigilante, and stalker who has grown obsessed with her.
The Ritual
❗ Warning(s):: Graphic violence, dub/non-con, drugging, branding, stalking. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Barrington University is home to the Lords, a secret society that demands sacrifices to maintain its status and grants its members a “Chosen One” among the female students. After leaving a toxic relationship, Blakely is chosen as Ryat’s chosen one—no matter what she says.
@jadekylielu♬ original sound – jade
Hooked
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, torture, mentions of child abuse. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
In this twisted retelling of Peter Pan, James “Hook” seeks vengeance against his long-time enemy, Peter Michaelis. Thus, when he sees his 21-year-old daughter, Wendy, he concocts the perfect revenge: seduce and use her. He didn’t expect to fall for her.
Butcher & Blackbird
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, serial killers, cannibalism, mentions of child abuse. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Sloane and Rowan are rivals. And friends, bound together by their shared hobby. That being, obviously, murder. As such, the two serial killers meet in an annual bloody game to test each other and develop their bond into something more.
The Predator
❗ Warning(s): Murder, human trafficking, suicide, mentions of sexual abuse.
Tristan is a dangerous, non-blooded member of the Tenebrae Outfit mafia. Morana is the heiress of the rival family, an unparalleled digital genius. After failing to murder Tristan, Morana succumbs to the chemistry and tension brewing between them.
Does it Hurt?
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, murder, gore, dub/non-con, kidnapping, mentions of child abuse. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Sawyer is not who she says she is and has ruined many lives for it. Enzo is a man seeking revenge—and lures her into the deep ocean for it. But when they end up stranded on a decrepit lighthouse with a sinister caretaker, Enzo might be the least of her worries.
@lifewithvictoria94 Book 10 of the year: Does it hurt? By H.D. Carlton @H. D. Carlton #booktok #blacktiktok #blackbooktok #doesithurthdcarlton ♬ original sound – Victoria Buchanan
Master of Salt and Bones
❗ Warning(s): Violence, murder, suicide, torture, manipulation, sexual assault, mentions of child abuse. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Lucian Blackthorne is the hermit ruler of a castle of bones. He is deemed a devil, perhaps the murderer of his wife and son. Isadora, a young woman with a traumatizing past, is equally shunned. But when she is hired to look after Lucian’s mother, the haunting master of the castle envelops her at once.
The Sinner
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, dub/non-con, sexual assault, murder, unsafe BDSM practices, child abuse. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
The stand-alone follow-up to The Ritual features Easton “Sin” Sinnet and Ellington Asher, students at the infamous Barrington University. “Sin” is a Lord, but all he wants is Elli. Her life has been filled with tragedies, and he’s determined to protect and make her his at any cost.
There Are No Saints
❗ Warning(s):: Graphic violence, serial killers, torture, sexual assault, dub/non-con, mentions of child abuse, kidnapping, stalking.
Mara is a struggling artist who luckily catches the eye of local celebrity artist Cole Blackwell, who takes her under his wing. Unfortunately, he is a serial killer with a penchant for turning his victims into art—and has become obsessed with her.
@kyla_cortes DARK ROMANCE BOOK REVIEW: There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark This is a stalker/serial killer dark romance. 4 stars for me and spice was a 2.5-3 peppers. The second book is already much spicier and I’m only 6 chapters in. My only complaint is that the romance feels less like falling in love and more like lust with a healthy respect and fear, but I definitely think the “romance” developes much more in book two. Stay tuned for my review on that soon! #booktok #bookish #darkromancebooks #bookreview #darkromancebookrecs ♬ original sound – Kyla
Once You’re Mine
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, murder, stalking, kidnapping, mentions of sexual assault. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Hayden Bennett is well-known as a ruthless lawyer. At night, he executes his brand of justice by killing those he deems deserving. But when he sets his eyes on Calista Green, he’s obsessed by his desire to possess her—and as it turns out, she needs his help.
Cruel King
❗ Warning(s): Sexual assault, bullying, abuse, cheating, addiction, and more.
Despite her father’s warnings, a terrible incident at a party leads to Astrid meeting Levi King—the football captain and aptly-named ruler of their Royal Elite private school. She is a wallflower, and he is a playboy ready to bully her—until he falls.
The Wallflower
❗ Warning(s): Dub/non-con, child abuse, bullying, stalking, murder, domestic violence, and more.
Maybell is an intelligent and shy wallflower who despises yet catches the eye of Drew, a wealthy jock who leads the campus’ secret society. Hoping to win the cash prize, she signs up for the campus’ yearly “The Hunt” event, only to become Drew’s prey.
Sabotage
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, sexual assault, stepsiblings, bullying, revenge, kidnapping, degradation, dub/non-con, revenge porn, and more.
Colton and Raylee are stepsiblings caught in a thrilling whirlwind of hating yet desiring one another. But despite giving him her body many times, Raylee refuses to share her heart. That is when Colton leaks a private video of them to force her hand. Let the games begin.
@tierney.reads Sabotage by Shantel Tessier is SOOOOO SPICY 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ #book #booktok #books #bookworm #bookish #bookclub #booktoker #bookrec #bookrecommendations #booktecs #bookishthoughts #bookishtiktok #smut #spicybook #subdom #novella #darkromance #darkromancebooks #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ ♬ original sound – Tierney 📚
God of Malice
❗ Warning(s): Graphic violence, sexual assault, dub/non-con, suicide and suicidal thoughts, stalking, harassment, and more.
Killian Carson is not a regular man. He’s alluring—charming and sophisticated. He uses it to disguise his cold-blooded and psychopathic tendencies. Glyndon King is the only one who can see it since she first met him at her most vulnerable—and now he’s obsessed with her.
The Sacrifice
❗ Warning(s): Dub/non-con, murder, sexual assault, CNC, degradation, and more. Visit the author’s website for a detailed list.
Set in Tessier’s L.O.R.D.S. series, The Sacrifice showcases what happens when Lords graduate from Barrington University: they’re expected to marry a Lady. Choice does not matter, but Tyson Riley Crawford schemed to make Laikyn Maisen his wife—now his revenge can start.
Vow of Deception
❗ Warning(s):: Dub/non-con, sexual assault, child abuse, violence, kidnapping, and more.
Adrian Volkov is a high-ranking member of the city’s Bratva. Winter lives on the streets and becomes the prime suspect for a crime. So when Adrian makes her choose between jail and a deal, she accepts his proposal. Now she masquerades as his late wife Lia Volkov, but her instincts tell her something is amiss.
@wrathforlifee He’s kinda p$ychot!c but it’s ok. No spoilers pleaseeee #vowofdeception #adrianvolkov ♬ midnight city (slowed reverb) (feat. kadirhho) – ciaffa & fedo DJ
When She Unravels
❗ Warning(s): Dub/non-con, kidnapping, violence, sexual assault, suicide, drug use, and more.
Damiano De Rossi is the handsome yet wicked mafia boss in Ibiza. Valentina was raised to be the perfect mafia wife to an imperfect husband. So when she runs away from the nightmare of her marriage and creates a new identity, she ends up caught in Damiano’s web.
The Best Dark Romance Book For You is Out There
This list has something for every taste—from enemies to lovers, corruption plotlines, and even more taboo subjects. However, the world of dark romance is vast and worth exploring if you enjoy indulging in the forbidden.
For more in-depth information about one of the staples of dark romance featured in this list, check articles about the Haunting Adeline series and The Mindf*ck series.
On the other hand, consider checking the best Nicholas Sparks books and Lucy Score books in order for bittersweet and gentle palate cleanser romances.
