Dark romance isn’t just about love—it’s about obsession, danger, and passion that burns just a little too hot. These stories dive into morally gray heroes, powerful anti-heroines, and relationships that walk the thin line between love and destruction.
If you love forbidden desires, enemies-to-lovers tension, and the kind of romance that makes your heart pound, this list is for you. From mafia kings and ruthless billionaires to paranormal predators and deadly games, these books will pull you into their dark worlds and refuse to let go.
Ready to surrender to the shadows?
1. Haunting Adeline – H.D. Carlton
This stalker romance follows Adeline, a gothic romance author, and Zade, a dangerous man who becomes obsessed with her. As she tries to uncover a chilling mystery in her grandmother’s old house, Zade lurks in the shadows, protecting her in his own twisted way. This book is dark, intense, and not for the faint of heart.
2. The Maddest Obsession – Danielle Lori
A mafia romance featuring a cold, disciplined FBI agent and a wild, unpredictable woman who lives by her own rules. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their worlds couldn’t be more different. Packed with tension, slow-burn passion, and an unforgettable love story, this book is a must-read for mafia romance lovers.
3. Vicious – L.J. Shen
Vicious is the ultimate bully romance featuring an ice-cold, wealthy anti-hero and the girl he never stopped tormenting. When Emilia returns to his world years later, Vicious is determined to make her life hell… until their chemistry proves too intense to ignore. A dark, addictive enemies-to-lovers read.
4. Twist Me – Anna Zaires
Nora is kidnapped by Julian, a powerful and ruthless billionaire, and taken to a secluded island. He’s possessive, controlling, and claims he’s keeping her for her own good. A dark, captive romance with an undeniable pull between danger and desire.
5. Corrupt – Penelope Douglas
A twisted psychological romance where Erika finds herself tangled in a dangerous game with her ex-boyfriend’s older brother and his group of masked men. Dark secrets, revenge, and intense passion collide in this hauntingly seductive read.
6. The Ritual – Shantel Tessier
A secret society. A dangerous initiation. A heroine caught in a deadly game with the ruthless, dominant alpha who’s determined to claim her. This book is a spicy dark college romance with intense power dynamics and an irresistible anti-hero.
7. The Sinner – Shantel Tessier
A brutal, possessive hero. A forbidden love story filled with secrets, lies, and a love that defies the odds. This book is packed with spice, suspense, and a romance that feels just a little too dangerous.
8. Kiss of Vengeance – S. Young
A paranormal dark romance featuring vengeful vampires, deadly secrets, and an intoxicating love story that defies fate. When Fionn, a vampire hunter, crosses paths with Rose, their connection becomes impossible to deny—even as their world threatens to tear them apart.
9. Ricochet – Keri Lake
A dark revenge romance following a broken man with nothing left to lose and the woman who gets caught in his path of destruction. This book is raw, emotional, and filled with scorching tension.
10. The Sweetest Oblivion – Danielle Lori
She’s the good girl. He’s the ruthless, possessive mafia enforcer she’s been promised to. A slow-burn, forbidden mafia romance with explosive chemistry and a story full of tension, betrayal, and dark passion.
11. Vow of Deception – Rina Kent
A twisted marriage-of-convenience story where the heroine is forced into a contract with a cold, ruthless man who may not be what he seems. Lies, betrayal, and obsessive love make this book a dark and gripping read.
12. Does It Hurt? – H.D. Carlton
A psychological thriller romance set on a deserted island where the heroine is trapped with a mysterious, dangerous man. The tension is sky-high, the mind games are intense, and the romance is full of forbidden heat.
13. Carnal Urges – J.T. Geissinger
A kidnapper-victim romance where the heroine is kidnapped by a mafia hitman—but refuses to go down without a fight. Their chemistry is fiery, the banter is sharp, and the love story is unexpectedly deep.
14. The Darkest Temptation – Danielle Lori
A Russian mafia romance featuring a heroine who stumbles into the arms of a cold, vengeful man who has every reason to destroy her. A slow-burning, possessive love story filled with secrets, betrayal, and obsession.
15. Deviant King – Rina Kent
A bully romance where the school’s cruel king sets his sights on a girl who refuses to break. Twisted games, steamy tension, and a hero you’ll love to hate make this book impossible to put down.
16. King of Wrath – Ana Huang
A billionaire romance where the heroine is forced into an arranged marriage with a cold, powerful man who sees her as nothing more than a pawn. But the more they push each other, the harder the tension ignites.
17. The Confidence of Wildflowers – Micalea Smeltzer
A forbidden age-gap romance between a girl and her much older, mysterious neighbor. Dark secrets and emotional twists make this an intense and addictive read.
18. Her Soul to Take – Harley Laroux
A paranormal dark romance where the heroine is unknowingly tied to a demon who’s been sent to claim her. A seductive, wickedly dark love story full of supernatural intrigue.
19. Still Beating – Jennifer Hartmann
A devastating, kidnapped-together romance where two enemies must survive the horrors of captivity—and the even more terrifying emotions that follow. Heartbreaking, dark, and unforgettable.
20. The Mindf*ck Series – S.T. Abby
A serial killer romance like no other. A FBI profiler falls for a mysterious woman—without realizing she’s the very killer he’s hunting. Twisted, shocking, and insanely addictive.