The allure of what hides in the dark has always been part of the supernatural genre, so the existence of paranormal romance books shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The sensual appeal of vampire fangs, werewolf claws, and witchy magic has always tempted readers, many of whom are eager to combine these mystical concepts with romantic ideas—and writers were thrilled to provide.
From light and sweet to dark and lustful, the following books offer a wide range of options for anyone seeking an electrifying romance shrouded in the dark of the night.
- What are Paranormal Romance Books?
- Top 16 Paranormal Romance Books To Read Right Now
- The Best Paranormal Romance Books for Adults
What are Paranormal Romance Books?
Paranormal romance books are a literary subgenre combining romance, fantasy, science-fiction, and horror elements.
The plot and narrative of these novels tend to focus first and foremost on romance, but always feature elaborate worldbuilding that incorporates mythical creatures or supernatural abilities.
There is considerable overlap between paranormal romance and romantasy. However, it’s usually accepted that romantasy books tend to be inspired by traditional high fantasy, while paranormal romance often features contemporary settings and doesn’t necessarily feature elements derived from epic narratives.
@elisabethwheatleyWhat’s the difference between Paranormal Romance and Fantasy Romance books? I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED.♬ original sound – Elisabeth Wheatley 📚
Top 16 Paranormal Romance Books To Read Right Now
While picking the very best reads within a subgenre might be a very subjective activity, the following novels are considered by many to be among the best paranormal romance books for adults and teens.
Year One
In a world where civilization collapsed, technology receded and magic took its place. But magic and science must work together when survivors seek a greater purpose.
Year One is what happens when Nora Roberts’ signature romance tropes meet paranormal elements and science-fiction settings in a post-apocalyptic backdrop. Truly a unique concoction worth checking out.
The Awakening
by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Twins Darcy and Tory have known nothing but struggle, jumping from one foster home to another. But after their 18th birthday, they discover the truth: they are changelings.
Now among the fae, they must get familiar with this brand-new world and attend the Zodiac Academy to reclaim their throne—and defeat the four celestial heirs, who are as loathsome as they are alluring.
A Curse in Darkness
Willow Thornheart is a witch and the oldest of her sisters. As the Keeper of the Coven Thornheart, she must protect them and complete the tasks required to protect the magic at her family’s hands.
However, she is haunted by her greatest ally and worst fear—Warrick, the hellhound’s alpha, who knows she is his destined mate and is determined to protect her no matter what.
Clean Finish
Working for the manager of the Goliaths of Wrestling is no easy task, as Larkin and Seb soon find out. Larkin is an elf too eager to get to intimately know the hot beefcake wrestlers around him, while Seb is a werewolf who is too busy secretly pinning for him.
So, when Larkin has an immodest proposal for Seb, he finds it hard to say no—it’s just a little practice on the sheets. No strings attached. Right?
Twilight
Upon moving to the small town of Forks, Washington, Bella Swan finds herself inexplicably drawn to the mysterious and aloof Edward Cullen in her classroom. What she doesn’t know is that he is equally drawn to her—and her blood.
The Twilight saga is one of the best-known book series in the world. It is single-handedly responsible for elevating the paranormal romance genre to new popularity heights.
A Curse of Fate
Emmeline knows first-hand how bonding with a pack can destroy someone—she saw what happened to her mother. Since then, she has been running from shifter cities, avoiding the alphas that might trigger the fate she wishes to escape.
Until four alphas find her—and claim her.
The Wolf King
Princess Aurora feels trapped—by the castle, by her life. But everything changes the night before her arranged marriage when a powerful alpha escapes from the werewolf fighting ring and kidnaps her.
Now far away, on werewolf territory, he thinks Aurora might be the key to winning the brewing war against humans—the attraction between them was not part of the deal.
A Discovery of Witches
When Diana Bishop accidentally discovers a long-lost bewitched alchemical manuscript coveted for centuries, she sets the fantastical underworld ablaze—much to her chagrin, as she wants nothing to do with her witch lineage.
Luckily, she has the assistance of vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, even though, by all rules, witches and vampires should not be together.
Angels’ Blood
Elena Deveraux is not a regular vampire hunter—she is the best. Such is why the lethal and dangerously attractive Archangel Raphael hired her for a task that most deem impossible, including Elena herself: catching a rogue archangel.
But failure is not an option, and getting caught in the middle of an archangel’s game might be her undoing—even if her attraction to Raphael seems inevitable.
Forged in Blood
Ophelia Hart is an orphan presented with a unique opportunity to fulfill her dreams: the chance to attend Montridge University. However, her arrival forces her to come to terms with the dangerous power running through her veins—the same one that captures the attention of the Ruby Dragon Society’s vampire commanders and their mysterious sire.
Magic Bites
In a world where magic and technology clash and disable one another, Kate Daniels makes a living as a mercenary cleaning up the magical problems left over by these conflicts. But when her guardian is murdered, she takes it upon herself to claim justice—placing her at the heart of the confrontation between necromancers and shapechangers.
Slave to Sensation
The Psy use their mental abilities to rule the world and punish anyone displaying signs of desire. Meanwhile, the Changelings are human and animal, embodying the desires the Psy attempt to erase.
But now, their uneasy coexistence has ended, and war is approaching. Lucas Hunter is a Changeling eager to enact revenge on the Psy killer who murdered his packmate, and his ticket to finding them could be Sascha Duncan—an ice-cold Psy who is desperate to hide her overflowing desire.
Halfway to the Grave
Catherine Crawfield is a half-vampire eager for vengeance against her father—the vampire responsible for conceiving her and ruining her mother’s life. On her path to revenge, she becomes captive to Bones, a vampire bounty hunter who hunts other vampires.
Now partnered after an unlikely alliance, Cat and Bones find themselves working together—and facing a group of killers on their path.
A Hunger Like No Other
Lachlain MacRieve, the leader of the Lykae Clan, has been tortured for years by the vampire horde, which is why he isn’t too pleased when he discovers his predestined mate turns out to be a vampire.
But Emmaline Troy is different. She is a sheltered half-Valkyrie, half-Viking, profoundly fearful of the Lykae—until she begins to succumb to her desires.
Dark Lover
Wrath is the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the last purebred vampire on the planet. But when his right-hand man is killed, Wrath takes it upon himself to bring the late vampire’s unaware daughter into their world.
Beth Randall lived an everyday existence—until a dangerously alluring man began visiting her at night with tales of half-breeds, blood, and Brotherhood. And now, she hungers.
The Stars Are Dying
Astrae is captured twice: once by the cruel being who ironically protects her from danger and again by her own mind—and the fragmented memories she cannot remember.
Her freedom from both may lie at the Libertarium, a series of trials in which five human lands compete to win safety against the vampires. But freedom from vampires may be too late for her—she has made a deal with the mysterious Nyte, a vampire that lurks in the darkness and haunts her thoughts.
The Best Paranormal Romance Books for Adults To Venture Into The Night
The supernatural romance genre offers a window to anyone who has ever been allured by things that go bump in the dark. Vampires, werewolves, and demons all have a spot at the table, and you’re welcome to join in.
If you’re eager to explore the dark aspect of magic further, look at the lists of best dark fantasy books, horror & spooky books, body horror books, best Halloween books for adults and top zombie apocalypse books.
For edgier, taboo romances as dark as the night, consider the best dark romance books, the Haunting Adeline series, The Mindfuck series, 365 Days book series and mystery romance books that will keep you guessing.
