The 14 Best Dark Romance Novels You Need to Read

There was a time when all I wanted to read were those cheesy, feel-good romance novels. You know… the cute small-town love stories, the flirty banter, and the happily-ever-after waiting at the end. They were my little escape from reality. No stress, no drama. Just pure comfort reading.

And honestly? I still love those books. They’re perfect when I just want a cozy, lighthearted vibe. But now… I’ve fallen for something spicier. The kind of romance that makes your heart race, keeps you up at night, and maybe even makes you question the characters a little. Yep, I’m talking about dark romance books.

And it’s not just me. BookTok and Bookstagram can’t stop talking about them. Everyone’s swapping recs for the best romance novels that aren’t just sunshine and rainbows. These are the books with morally gray heroes, wild twists, and seriously addictive storylines. Think steamy romance novels that hit harder, dig deeper, and keep you hooked until the very last page.

1. Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Haunting Adeline is hands down one of the best dark romance books to read in 2025. If you’re into steamy, dangerous, and completely addictive stories, this one will ruin you in the best way.

For Adeline Reilly, moving back to Seattle was supposed to be her fresh start. A new chapter. With her late grandmother’s creepy gothic mansion now hers, she thought she’d finally found a place to breathe. But here’s the catch—Adeline isn’t alone in Parson’s Manor. She has a stalker.

And not just some random creep. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes her own family’s past is tangled up with shadows, obsession, and blood. Her great-grandmother’s old journals reveal a chilling story about her own phantom… and her brutal murder.

Now, history is threatening to repeat itself. Unless Adeline does the unthinkable—fall in love with the very man who’s stalking her.

This book is twisted, dark, and straight-up addicting. No wonder it’s all over BookTok dark romance recommendations and trending hard on Bookstagram. If you’re ready for a read that’s equal parts haunting and seductive, Haunting Adeline is it.

2. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

If you’re obsessed with dark romance books that give you morally grey heroes, this one’s gonna grab you fast.

It all starts with a chance encounter—two rival murderers, Sloane and Rowan. Both dangerous. Both unhinged. And somehow, both drawn to each other. What begins as a twisted rivalry quickly turns into a bond. Two pitch-black souls who just so happen to share a hobby… killing other serial killers.

But here’s the thing—friendship isn’t the only thing growing between them. The spark gets hotter. The tension turns dangerous. And soon, it’s way more than just a dark alliance. It’s attraction. Obsession. Maybe even love.

Of course, love doesn’t come easy when restless ghosts trail their every move. The bodies they’ve left behind are catching up. And the question is… will Rowan and Sloane escape this deadly game of graves? Or have they finally found the one match that could destroy them both?

If you’re hunting for steamy thriller romance novels that mix danger, passion, and edge-of-your-seat tension, this is easily one of the best romance books of 2025. No wonder it’s popping up all over BookTok romance recommendations right now.

3. Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Lights Out is not your typical romance—it’s one of those taboo dark romance books that pushes boundaries in all the best ways. It dives into kinks you don’t see every day, so yeah… you’ll need to be a little open-minded. But if you are? This story hits hard.

Aly Cappellucci is a trauma nurse by day, but at night her fantasies take over. She dreams of being hunted, chased down by masked men she follows online. One man in particular owns her thoughts—Josh Hammond.

Josh isn’t just anyone. At night, he hides behind a mask and posts thirst traps for millions of fans. But Aly? She’s the one follower who catches his attention. And when the two of them finally collide, their darkest fantasies turn into something real. Something addictive. Something dangerous.

But here’s the twist—Aly isn’t only being watched by Josh. Someone else has their eyes on her. Someone who doesn’t just want to play games. Someone far more sinister than a little harmless stalking.

If you’re craving spicy romance novels with edge, obsession, and the kind of heat that leaves you wide awake at 2 a.m., Lights Out deserves a spot on your TBR. No wonder it’s climbing fast on BookTok taboo romance recommendations and being called one of the best dark romance books of 2025.

4. The Predator by RuNyx

Mafia dark romance books are basically a must-read in the genre—and this one? Easily one of the best mafia romance novels of 2025.

Tristan Caine is a mystery. The only non-blooded member in the mob’s high circle. His skills? Untouchable. His morals? Questionable. His motives? Nobody knows.

Then there’s Morana Vitalio. The brilliant, ruthless daughter of a rival mafia family. Where Tristan plays with weapons, Morana rules with code. She’s sharp, dangerous, and fearless.

When a decades-old mystery resurfaces, Morana sneaks into Tristan’s world with one goal—kill him. But what she doesn’t expect is the hidden tie binding them together. Suddenly, hate turns into fire. Enemies into lovers. And every clash between them sparks heat you can feel through the page.

But this isn’t just about revenge or forbidden attraction. Something bigger is brewing in their world. And whether they like it or not, Tristan and Morana will have to face it together.

If you’re craving steamy dark romance with high stakes, explosive chemistry, and that addictive enemies to lovers romance vibe, this mafia story needs to be on your TBR. No wonder it’s all over BookTok mafia romance recs right now.

5. A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane

IMO, some of the best dark romance novels aren’t just mafia or contemporary—they’re fantasy books and epic period pieces. And A Heart of Blood and Ashes is one of those gems that hits every craving.

Maddek is a barbarian warrior with one goal—avenge his parents. The corrupt king who murdered them is at the top of his list. But when he learns it was the king’s own daughter who lured them to their deaths? His rage has a new target.

He’s ready to make her pay. But the woman he captures isn’t what he expected. Yvenne is small, frail-looking, nothing like the ruthless traitor he imagined. Her sharpest weapons aren’t swords or blades—they’re her wit, her mind, and that sharp tongue that cuts deeper than steel.

And then comes the twist—Yvenne doesn’t beg for mercy. She proposes a marriage. A dangerous alliance to claim their thrones and destroy the king together. Turns out, her hunger for vengeance burns even hotter than Maddek’s.

This is one of those fantasy dark romance books that has it all—betrayal, passion, power plays, and that delicious enemies to lovers romance tension that keeps you flipping pages. If you’re hunting for steamy fantasy romance novels in 2025, this one should be at the top of your TBR.

6. God of Malice by Rina Kent

We’ve all had that one classmate we just can’t stand. But this dark college romance book? Yeah, it takes that to a whole new level.

Glyndon King is just trying to survive art school when she catches the attention of Killian Carson. On the surface, he’s all charm. Sophisticated. Smooth. The guy everyone trusts.

But underneath? He’s a monster. A predator in disguise. A psychopathic medical student who’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and absolutely savage.

The worst part? Nobody else sees it. To the world, he’s golden. But Glyndon? She sees the devil hiding in plain sight. And noticing him might just cost her everything.

If you’re into psychopath romance books with heavy tension, obsession, and that dangerous enemies to lovers energy, this one’s a must. No wonder it’s blowing up on BookTok dark romance recommendations and already being called one of the best dark romance books of 2025.

7. The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

This book takes one of my fave genres—dark academia romance—and cranks it up. Darker. Hotter. Way spicier.

At Barrington University, there’s a secret society called the Lords. They live for power, and their payment? Blood. Violence is their currency. And by senior year, every Lord is given a chosen one.

Blakely Anderson’s whole life has been planned for her. Perfect, polished, predictable. Until Ryat shows up. He’s dangerous, tempting, and he offers her something she’s never had before—an option. A way out. A chance at a life that’s actually hers.

But stepping into Ryat’s world means stepping into darkness. The twisted games of the Lords aren’t just fun and secrets. They’re brutal. Deadly. And once Blakely is in, survival is the only rule that matters.

What starts as a game quickly spirals into something else—a fight where the prize is freedom, and the cost might be death.

If you’re into dark college romance books with secret societies, danger, obsession, and plenty of spice, this is easily one of the best dark romance novels of 2025. No wonder it’s blowing up across BookTok dark romance recs right now.

8. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

This one’s a popular dark romance book that’s perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into the genre. Not too overwhelming, but definitely dark enough to get you hooked.

It’s a dark fantasy romance—so if you’re already into romantasy, think of this as the spicier, slightly twisted version.

The story follows Persephone. Goddess of Spring… in name only. Flowers die at her touch, and she’s never really lived up to the title she carries. After moving to New Athens, she just wants to blend in. A quiet life. Mortal disguise. Nothing crazy.

Then comes Hades. God of the Dead. In the mortal world, he runs a gambling empire where the stakes are impossibly high. Nobody wins against him. But when Persephone plays a hand of cards, everything changes.

She loses. And now, she’s trapped in a contract with the God of the Dead himself. Her task? Create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.

As Persephone battles the impossible, something else starts to bloom—an attraction. Forbidden. Dangerous. Completely intoxicating.

If you’re looking for Hades and Persephone romance retellings or steamy fantasy romance novels that balance myth, magic, and spice, this is hands-down one of the best dark romance books of 2025. No wonder it’s all over BookTok romantasy recs right now.

9. Truly by Carmel Rhodes

The summer after senior year was supposed to be perfect. Carefree. The best summer of Truly’s life.

She wasn’t supposed to end up at that party. She wasn’t supposed to get noticed. And definitely not by him—her ex’s half-brother. Noah Tedesco. The hot jock with the trust fund, bad attitude, and chip on his shoulder big enough to crush anyone in his way.

But now? She’s on his radar. And once Noah sets his sights on something… there’s no turning back.

This is one of those dark summer romance books that mixes temptation, drama, and obsession in the messiest, most addictive way. If you’re into forbidden romance novels that make your heart race and your stomach drop, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. No wonder readers are already calling it one of the best dark romance novels of 2025 and swapping recs all over BookTok.

10. Hooked by Emily McIntire

This book is a dark Peter Pan retelling, and yeah, it sounds wild at first—but once you start reading, you’ll see just how good it really is.

James has one mission: destroy his lifelong enemy, Peter Michaels. And when Peter’s 20-year-old daughter Wendy stumbles into his bar, James sees his opening. Seduce her. Use her. Break Peter through his daughter.

But revenge isn’t so simple. The more time James spends with Wendy, the harder it is to see her as just a pawn in his game. She’s curious, fiery, and way too tempting. Soon, the line between manipulation and desire blurs until James doesn’t know if he’s playing the game anymore—or if he’s losing it.

As their relationship grows hotter and Wendy gets pulled deeper into James’s dark world, she starts to wonder who she’s really falling for. The man named James… or the monster everyone calls Hook.

If you’re craving dark fantasy romance books with that forbidden, dangerous edge, this one is a must. It’s seductive, twisted, and easily one of the best dark romance novels of 2025 blowing up on BookTok retelling recs right now.

11. Twisted Love by Ana Huang

The Twisted series is everywhere right now—and honestly? It deserves the hype. These are some of the most popular dark romance books for a reason. Once you dive in, you won’t come back up until you’ve binged every single one.

It all starts with Alex Volkov. He’s a devil wrapped in the face of an angel. Haunted by a tragedy he can’t shake. His whole life has been about success, control, and revenge. Love? Feelings? Not even on his radar.

But then comes Ava—his best friend’s little sister. Sweet, off-limits, the one person who slips past all his defenses. Watching her was supposed to be just a favor. Instead, it lights a fire in him he didn’t know he had. A fire dangerous enough to burn down the world he built for himself.

If you’re into billionaire dark romance with broody heroes, forbidden love, and that messy “I shouldn’t want you but I can’t stop” energy, the Twisted series is perfect. No wonder it’s dominating BookTok romance recommendations and being called one of the best romance series of 2025.

12. Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

Phantasma is a new dark romance release that blew up the internet—and honestly, it deserves all the hype.

The story follows Ophelia. When her sister vanishes, she realizes there’s only one way to save her. She has to enter Phantasma—a deadly contest set inside a haunted mansion. The prize? A single wish. The catch? There can only be one winner, and everyone else is fair game.

Then comes Blackwell. Charming. Arrogant. Infuriatingly attractive. He claims he can guide Ophelia through the twisted trials. But his price isn’t cheap—he wants ten years of her life.

Now, every step she takes is a gamble. Her life is on the line. The monsters in the mansion want her gone. And the most dangerous risk of all? Losing her heart to the man she swore she couldn’t trust.

If you’re into fantasy dark romance books with danger, obsession, and deadly games, this one is a must. Easily one of the best romance books of 2025 and already a BookTok trending romance.

13. An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

This dark fantasy romance book drops you right into Saint Perpetua’s College—a place where secrets are traded like cash, ambition is everything, and eerie ceremonies pull students deeper into its grip.

Laura Sheridan never expected to end up in such a brutal academic rivalry. But then came Carmilla—beautiful, mysterious, impossible to ignore. The competition between them is fierce, but so is the pull neither of them can shake.

Their rivalry soon draws the attention of their poetry professor, De Lafontaine. Demanding, magnetic, and dangerous in his own right. Under his influence, the line between knowledge, power, and desire begins to blur.

As Laura and Carmilla’s relationship turns from rivalry to something darker—and maybe even forbidden—they’re forced to face the ultimate question: how much are they willing to sacrifice for brilliance, for power, for love?

If you’re into dark academia romance novels with obsession, tension, and that mix of intellect + forbidden attraction, this is easily one of the best dark romance books of 2025. No wonder it’s trending hard on BookTok dark academia recs right now.

14. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

If you want a mix of contemporary dark romance with heavy mafia dark romance vibes, you have to read Den of Vipers. The premise is shocking, yeah—but the amount of spice? Absolutely insane.

The Vipers own Roxy’s town. Every deal, every business, every single person bows to them. Their reputation alone is enough to make grown men beg for mercy. These are not people you cross.

But Roxy’s dad did. The old man ran up a debt with the Vipers and then sold her off to pay it back. Now she belongs to them. Or at least, that’s what they think.

They want everything—her body, her soul, her submission. And they’ll stop at nothing until they take it all. But here’s the kicker: they can claim her body, but her heart? That’s one thing they’ll never own.

If you’re craving spicy mafia romance books with danger, obsession, and zero softness, Den of Vipers is a wild ride you won’t forget. No wonder it’s blowing up on BookTok dark romance recommendations and being called one of the best dark romance books of 2025.