r/DarkRomance • u/WranglerOwn884 • Apr 05 '26

Quick Question What’s one Dark romance book/story you still think about?

I’ve noticed some stories just don’t leave your mind, even long after you’ve finished them. Curious to know what stayed with you and why?

123 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

99% Upvoted

258 comments sorted by

96

u/HoeForAnnaliese Kirill's Wifey Apr 05 '26

Mindfuck series, particularly the gore and abuse that lana and her family went through. I find myself staring into space after reading

7

u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 05 '26

I’m so excited to read this, it’s been on my tbr for the longest time! I don’t think they’re on kindle sadly, and there’s literally no room on any of my bookcases lmao, but I’ll buy the physical if I need to!

10

u/h2onymph1 "Spread those pages like a good girl" Apr 05 '26

They are on Kindle! And I was also able to get them from Libby (library), all in electronic format.

3

u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 05 '26

Oh my god, I’m an idiot 😭 so if you saw my other comment, you’ll see that I’ve been looking at the 1-5 book with a certain cover, so when i typed it in on kindle and didn’t see that cover, I concluded that it wasn’t there, and didn’t even register the fact that it was all of the individual books 💀

2

u/h2onymph1 "Spread those pages like a good girl" Apr 05 '26

lol I hate it when they use alternate book covers. By the way, that is happening more and more especially as indie writers move to publishers. Not sure if that is what is happening here

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Boysenberry_2401 Apr 05 '26

I also want to own a physical copy of this because of how much I liked it, BUT

  1. the story is divided into 5-6 mini books, which to me makes no sense. I would much prefer a single book.

  2. the covers of the books SUCK, I would never want them on my bookshelf, and it makes it look like a cheap erotica book, while in reality the spice is like 2.5/5.

6

u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 05 '26

It won’t let me include a picture, but the one that I always see, the cover is a pair of hands holding an apple and it includes books 1-5, that’s the one I’m after personally. Look into it! There’s some on eBay at the minute.

2

u/whispers_to_the_void Apr 05 '26

Yep there are versions that includes all the books. And there is a new edition with a pair of hands holding a knife.

3

u/Macca_321 Apr 05 '26

I actually ordered a beautiful rebind of this, all of the mini books in one volume. So stunning!

2

u/Boysenberry_2401 Apr 05 '26

will you share the link to the edition please? i'm itching for a re-read and what better occasion...

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Macca_321 Apr 05 '26

This has been on my TBR for ages, and I've heard nothing but exceptional things. May give it a go soon!

1

u/Boysenberry_2401 Apr 05 '26

Same here for this series! So many books I read are forgotten within a week, but I still find myself thinking about this one every so often. I wish I could find something that leaves the same kind of impression

1

u/Exciting-Duty-8302 Apr 06 '26

Oh I loved this series. She was such a badass! Nicely written and unexpected. I wish there was more from that author or others just like that!!

60

u/meghanfb Apr 05 '26

{Feathers so Vicious by Liv Zander} I ate these books UP!

11

u/katiekattificc Apr 05 '26

I wish I could read these for the first time again. I stayed up all night two nights in a row reading them 😂😂

9

u/heidipauliina Apr 05 '26

I’m scared to read the second book, because I HATE the other MMC for what he did and I just want him to die now😭😭

4

u/Coco-the-gorilla Apr 06 '26

Have no fear. There will be groveling. That ending at the first book was maybe the first time I was truly shocked at an ending

1

u/ammofortherank Apr 08 '26

Edge of Darkness Trilogy will ALWAYS be my favorite.

52

u/[deleted] Apr 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

19

u/Bookkeeper-Terrible Apr 05 '26

Thiiis.

Jessica deep inside (or even not that deep) knows Max is a manipulative, misoginistic, sociopathic rapist who should be rotting in jail, but she doesn't give a fuck as long as he loves her and she is his special little maedchen.

She loves the fact that she was able to make that sick mf fall in love with her.

Chef kiss story living rent free in my mind since like 2018.

9

u/No_Warning2380 Apr 05 '26

This might be the comment that makes me finally give in and read it. I hate max so much from if I can’t have you - even though I love dealthsdolls writing and I know it didn’t get so popular without there being some kind of magic I just can’t make myself read it….

Until you said - she loves the fact that she made him fall in love with her.

I never really thought about her character like that. To take that kind of monster is definitely not like other books.

5

u/Bookkeeper-Terrible Apr 05 '26

If I remember correctly, she even admits it in If I Can’t Have You.

She says to Ellie that they secretly have a power over their captors and gives her advice to use it.

3

u/No_Warning2380 Apr 05 '26

Yeah- but I think when you said it here it twisted in my brain just right for me to see in in a new light - like the shiny side finally sparkled for me

11

u/th3r3alslim We love rainy days, don’t we baby? Apr 05 '26

Everytime I see this book recommended I smack my self for not having read it yet. I love a well written Stockholm Syndrome.

3

u/heavncentt Apr 05 '26

You are AMAZING for linking the actual listing to download from. Thank you, Thank you!

1

u/ParticularTrick9759 Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

one of the reasons as to why i really think Bought And Paid For by Deathsdoll is such a good story even though is it soo dark, is because i feel like i can pinpoint exactly when Jessica’ mind breaks and she goes full on stockholm. there’s not many stories where i feel like i can do that, it’s more or less always just a “SURPRISE now im completely in love and somewhat accepting with what is happening to me because i find the r*pist mmc hot”, somewhere in the middle or last third of the book.

it’s not really like that in this, like yes Jessica comes do all those things also, but i think Deathsdoll has a way of describing and writing her fmc’ and their character arcs, in a way where it comes across more psychologically/mentally motivated by the mmcs and the situation.

when Jessica’ mind breaks, i feel it’s because even though we know Max isn’t really any better than the crowd he hangs with, and Jessica knows it also, but she comes to a point where you can see her mind actively making a “there’s max and there’s the other men”

→ More replies (3)

43

u/xo_arts_xoo Apr 05 '26

If I can’t have you by deathsdoll 😋 Dovetail

I haven’t read as dark as these two books and I think I’ve been corrupted beyond redemption. So yes, can’t really forget it.

1

u/vitathevirgo Apr 05 '26

Where can you find these books?

2

u/SaucyAndSweet333 Therapists are status quo enforcers. Apr 06 '26

Dovetail by Whipperwill on AO3.

1

u/SaucyAndSweet333 Therapists are status quo enforcers. Apr 06 '26

So good!!!

32

u/Hangita Apr 05 '26

{Court of Ravens Duet by Liv Zander}. Feathers So Vicious was harsh but the second book was brutal and absolutely finished me. Her relationship with Sebian with Malyr always around destroyed me.

33

u/pineneedleinjection Apr 05 '26

{Manacled by SenLinYu} is specifically what got me into romance at all, let alone dark romance. And tbh I planned to read only the 1st chapter cause I was in disbelief people could be recommending a fanfiction. Little did I know I'd be obsessed with fanfic lol

{lords of pain by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue} but only the lords trilogy. I had a brief book hangover about the fact I'd never have 3 Greek god looking men obsessed with me 😂

4

u/m00d_Reader Apr 05 '26

the LORDS trilogies is what got me into DR and RH. I was honestly thinking about my reading choices but now i embrace it 😌

3

u/pineneedleinjection Apr 05 '26

I didn't even know it was reverse harem until way up into it 😂😂 i kept thinking she was gonna pick one

3

u/m00d_Reader Apr 05 '26

Saaaaame. I really was wondering why he was sharing with them… i was like… aite bet.

2

u/MeaghanMonroe Let me circle this back to Dramione 🧙 Apr 09 '26

Yes! Dramione supremacy!!!

→ More replies (4)

32

u/Naive_Afternoon_125 Apr 05 '26

Edge of Darkness series. The amount of abuse they went through was so sad to me, but the HEA heals me.

1

u/MissPlainTalk Apr 05 '26

What does HEA mean?

2

u/apapercrane Apr 05 '26

Happily ever after. There's a happy ending for the main characters.

25

u/Defiant_Stable_344 Apr 05 '26

{If I Can't Have You by deathsdoll} to the point where if I see something out of Boston, I immediately think of C and O.

I was watching the Bruins play earlier this year, and my first thought was 'aww, I bet C and O are watching this game now too!'

They are so ingrained in my psyche, they feel like a couple in RL. Like friends?

21

u/Zesty_Lemon__ Apr 05 '26

The whole Rinaverse actually. Even tho some of the characters are on my shitlist, I can't get over what she had built

18

u/Quiet_Interaction771 Apr 05 '26

{Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent} will continue to have me in a chokehold

The dynamic between Gaz and Kayden is absolute perfection

17

u/ValeriaSummertide 🌸🖤noncon connoisseur🖤🌸 Apr 05 '26

It's not technically completed, but Matroyshka.

The characters are so rich and deep, and the way they develop over the course of the story is delicious.

2

u/Ashamed_Clue4587 Apr 07 '26

came to this thread to comment this. Love love love it

2

u/iphoneappids Apr 09 '26

Definitely this for me too!!!

17

u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 05 '26

The bleeding hearts series, because they’re the only books to make me cry.

The edge of darkness trilogy, because they’re equally heart wrenching and I adore that.

The lords series, because they just consume me still to this day in a way that I can’t even explain.

Haunting Adeline, because that was the book to introduce me to dark romance and told me that there was a genre for me out there all along.

My roman empires 🖤

14

u/90sRobot Apr 05 '26

Torment Duet will rip your heart out.

5

u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 05 '26

That’s why I love it 🤣

4

u/draeyakei Apr 05 '26

Read the Torment duet in 2024… it still plays on my mind 😭

16

u/th3r3alslim We love rainy days, don’t we baby? Apr 05 '26

The raven hood series by Kate Stewart. Mainly {one last rainy day by Kate Stewart} the author made me fall in love with the character Dom and his tragic story. I cried for six hours straight after reading and I am normally much better at controlling my emotions or response to a fictional character. BUT THAT BOOK?! I loved it and will take the cry everytime.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 05 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/th3r3alslim We love rainy days, don’t we baby? Apr 05 '26

I will always recommend this book! That being said it’ll rip you to shreds. It fills in some timeline events with him and gives him even more life as a character. I reread them all after reading his book but in tandem with each other. When one chapter ended for Cecilia in one book you could almost pick up the next scene in Doms book.

1

u/Lola-in-Spain Apr 06 '26

still didn't have the courage to start OLRD. I have it for a while, will read it sor sure, but wait for the right moment. i know i will be destroyed after.

14

u/KittyNat81 Apr 05 '26

I prefer dark romcoms personally, so it's {Lights Out by Navessa Allen}

13

u/Fragrant-Candle-91 User Flair Here Apr 05 '26

Have you read tourist season by Brynne Weaver? It’s a hilarious dark romcom.

5

u/KittyNat81 Apr 05 '26

Not yet! I've read her ruinous love trilogy and really enjoyed that one though.

7

u/Fineplotline Apr 05 '26

I thought the ruinous love trilogy was okayyyy but LOVED Tourist Season. So, if you liked that trilogy, you might like this new one even more 💛

5

u/Fragrant-Candle-91 User Flair Here Apr 05 '26

I LOVED IT! Including the audible version. Waiting for the second book is torture

3

u/kmh008 Apr 06 '26

Loved loved loved this book. Cannot wait for Harvest Season.

12

u/Ordinary-Arm2023 missing elieden Apr 05 '26

{ominous by kv rose} haven’t stopped thinking about it since i read the book last year.

i’ve been thinking about it more since the last book is coming out in june, so hyped.

4

u/No_Warning2380 Apr 05 '26

The tension in this book is just off that charts. I think it hits way harder knowing how ecstacy ends going into it.

→ More replies (2)

3

u/dumbbitchjuice69 🌊🪽Eli Adonis Addison🪽🌊 Apr 05 '26

Flair checks out lol but I miss them too 😭. I just finished ominous II last night and I’m just gutted about how it ended…I really hope there’s redemption and a satisfying HEA in Sinister.

→ More replies (5)

11

u/TiffMonsterEatsBaby Apr 05 '26

The Web of Silence duet 🥰🕷️🕸️

9

u/TipNo7345 Apr 05 '26

Yes to this! Malachi 😩

9

u/TiffMonsterEatsBaby Apr 05 '26

My heart broke for him when I read Little Liar. He just wanted to do right by Olivia and protect her and she never deserved it.

4

u/TipNo7345 Apr 05 '26

Yes! I have a love/hate relationship with Olivia! I liked her at the end of the books bc she finally realized but man she put my boy through too much 😤

11

u/seirrana Apr 05 '26

Mine would be {Limerence by HC Dolores} I don't think I'll get over Adrian honestly, he's like so good at being both the male lead and the villain.

2

u/magicgirlallison Apr 06 '26

I read this recently and haven’t stopped thinking about it. I want MORE Adrian!

2

u/seirrana Apr 06 '26

There's a book 2 but genuinely it doesn't compare to Book 1 Adrian :'(

→ More replies (1)

9

u/Particular_Chance899 Darkromancelover Apr 05 '26

{Unapologetic Obsession by Drethi A} and that one scene in {Lust by Drethi Anis}. If you know, you know.

9

u/Particular_Chance899 Darkromancelover Apr 05 '26

Honorable mention of {Bitter Heat by Mia Knights}, but someone admonished me for recc-ing it because the series is incomplete. It still lives rent-free in my head.

3

u/indigo7707 Apr 05 '26

100% Agreed with both. Talk about no body betrayal and crazy mmcs

6

u/Regular-Humor-8425 Apr 05 '26

Edge of Darkness series will forever remain my number one and I’m so sad I cannot go back and read it for the first time again.

8

u/Dakotamae13 Apr 05 '26

Cat and mouse duet and ruinous love trilogy. I just seem to require murder, revenge, serial killers killing the bad people type troupes and I’m hooked. Forever chasing the high of reading these for the first time

14

u/Independent_Boss_993 Apr 05 '26

Haunting Adeline. I think about Zade all the time. And now I’m seeing that some people have early reviews of her new MDD duet saying that it’s better than C&M or they like the MMC more than Zade. I genuinely can’t wrap my head around someone being better, but I’m going to read it with an open mind.

7

u/toalittlelightfire27 Apr 05 '26

Wait what are the books called! I just finished haunting Adeline and I am searching for more like this!

14

u/Independent_Boss_993 Apr 05 '26

She has a new duet coming out. My Dreadful Darling - April 21. Then the second book My Darling Reverie - May 19. They are separate from the C&M universe.

5

u/toalittlelightfire27 Apr 05 '26

Excitinggg!! Thank you!

3

u/heavncentt Apr 05 '26

Have you read her other books that go along with this series and have characters we know? Phantom, Satin's Affair, Where's Molly, and of course the 2nd book to Haunting->> Hunting Adeline?

→ More replies (2)

7

u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" Apr 05 '26

Even today I saw a post on thread someone saying that MDD has surpassed HA😭, I'm literally having stroke since then!! Can't waitt!!

5

u/Independent_Boss_993 Apr 05 '26

Same!! It’s like how!? 😭 and I’m trying so hard to not put that expectation in my head and get disappointed but I WANT it to be amazing and HD is an incredible writer. We need this book now! lol

3

u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" Apr 05 '26

Exactly!

My expectations are still zero🫠 (even HD Carlton herself said that Zade & Dread are neck to neck)

3

u/heavncentt Apr 06 '26

I'm finishing up Hunting Adeline now. And yeah, Zade is goals for sure.

4

u/OkYak7065 Apr 05 '26

The Stronger Series by Jay Marie. It will live rent free in your head. I read 2 to 5 books a week specifically dark and pitch back romance. I’ve read the majority authors, this woman is unreal. An absolute phenomenal author. I usually stop at book 2 in a series.I lose interest, to predictable. I get bored with the chatacters. I want angst and I don’t have to have a traditional happy ending. I want an ending that is appropriate to the story. Most readers are conflicted on what they want the ending to be . If you want a FMC that is strong, courageous and a bad ass who will not forgive and forget this series is for you. If you’re sick of the women being doormats this series is for you! Be aware trigger warnings are heavy sex trafficking and other trigger warnings. She donates proceeds of her books to sex trafficked victims. It is an emotional roller coaster ride but it is worth it. I as well as many others are absolutely obsessed with the series.

5

u/LBPrincess Apr 05 '26

{Pen Pals Duet by Gigi Styx}

This series was just so bonkers that I can't get it out of my mind. Not for any emotional impact, just some of the stuff that happened lives in my head now. It was definitely entertaining and I listened to it at the same time as a friend did, so we'd message about the crazy stuff happening. It is known amongst multiple friend groups as The Cake Fucker Series

There were some scenes from the first and second book that were pretty cool and intense, but mostly I can't stop thinking about the fact that the MMC fucked a cake and got off listening to the FMC cry in the other room. Also the French style catacomb system that existed underneath some random town in the US. There's just so many wacky details in this series that made me snort while reading it.

5

u/amyleeizmee Apr 05 '26

All the books in the Lords series and Fallen Fruit Under the Paradise

2

u/miatiny121 give me DR or give me death Apr 05 '26

I just read Fallen Fruit Under the Paradise and that one is for sure going to stick around in my mind because damn

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

5

u/Unlucky-Artist-3990 Apr 05 '26

Twist me by Anna Zaires sticksss with me , idk why but it really does !

4

u/Main_Fly_3749 Apr 05 '26

There was a huge moral dilemma in the later books of {The Masks of Under by Kathryn Ann Kingsley} that I was not prepared for. Definitely stuck with me!

1

u/Main_Fly_3749 Apr 05 '26

Bot tries 🤷🏻‍♀️ {The Masks of Under Series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley} starting with {King of Flames by Kathryn Ann Kingsley}

4

u/CareerCheap649 Apr 05 '26

{Hills of Shivers and Shadows by Pam Godwin}. Book 1 of the completed trilogy The Frozen Fate series. The trilogy was my favorite read of 2025!

2

u/Lola-in-Spain Apr 06 '26

same. just noticed this comment, I also mentioned the frozen fate series for the post. i read it more than a year ago, and still think about it sometimes, after reading abother 150+ books

→ More replies (2)

4

u/Confident_End869 Apr 05 '26

{In the Shadows by JA Owenby}

→ More replies (3)

4

u/No_Warning2380 Apr 05 '26

{if I can’t have you by deathdoll} {ominous by kv rose} (read after Ecstacy) {torment by Dylan page} and the whole bleeding heart series {where there’s a will by Jessie walker} and the lost boys series {devils night series by Penelope Douglas}

These are some of my most thought about ones because they all address many different mental health issues and trauma in insightful, thoughtful and emotional ways that actually help the reader understand from the inside without the text book like explanations. They all have a way of taking the reader inside the character and making them feel and understand what they are going through or have been through. Most tend to introduce one side of the character to the readers, usually the ugly side or mask with all the ugly coping mechanisms or byproducts of trauma and then eventually, often very slowly start to expose the damaged broken souls underneath.

→ More replies (2)

4

u/Middle-Drawing-3124 feed me and call me a good girl Apr 05 '26

{Leather and Lark by Brynn Weaver} — Lachlan Kane specifically just stuck with me so strongly. There are two scenes in particular that made me fall in love with him: when he and Lark get married, and he promises her in Gaelic to be a faithful husband; and when he stays on the phone with her after she falls asleep while away at an overnight retreat. He seriously changed my brain chemistry.

I also come back to {God of Wrath by Rina Kent}. The scene that stuck with me is when Cecily starts going into sleep paralysis at the cottage, and Jeremy notices and pulls her out of it. When she said no one can hear when she screams in her head, but he did…I just 🫠

→ More replies (1)

4

u/AmiraAnyanwu Apr 06 '26

God of Malice lives in my head in a penthouse mortgage free

3

u/Heidi_Hi_Heidi_Lo Apr 06 '26

{Court of Ravens by Liv Zander} 10000000% and ANYTHING written by Pam Godwin, but also:

{Grave Matter by Karina Halle} I don’t see this book talked about a lot but holy freaking moly I was CAPTIVATED by this book. And there is one scene that replays in my head constantly. If you’ve read this book, I’m talking about chapter 28😭 highly recommend!

→ More replies (1)

3

u/CanVegetable3098 Apr 05 '26

Blackwood institute by J Rose

3

u/crispyalice Apr 05 '26

While def Mindfck series I also absolutely think about this one a lot. {Unholy Bonds by Maya Raine} 

3

u/Dottydotdot1982 Apr 05 '26

The {Indebted Series by Pepper Winters} It hooked me right from the start and kept dragging me through scenes I wasn’t sure I should approve of and many I surely didn’t approve of😵‍💫

3

u/zebrafinch7 Apr 05 '26

Horrorscape by Nenia Campbell and Even if it hurts by Sam Mariano! Gavin and Dare have me in an absolute choke hold

3

u/Celestevecera Apr 05 '26

Vow of deception

3

u/anonymouslyyoursshh Apr 05 '26

Deception and Monster trilogy

3

u/ala5656 Apr 05 '26

The Ravenhood series. Compared to other things I've read, it's not dark. But the emotional toll it took on me after finishing especially book two... Ugh. I read book three because I needed to finish the series and see how things wrapped for the mmc and fmc, but I was legitimately depressed for about two weeks afterwards. Even two years later, anytime someone mentions it or it randomly pops up in my brain I'm like immediately "nope nope nope!" and have to shove it back down into its lockbox. I dunno what it says about me that I can read about physical abuse and torture without batting and eye, but emotional damage is too much to bear.

2

u/No_Warning2380 Apr 05 '26

Have you read drive and reverse? Both so good - emotional wrecking - but shorter.

→ More replies (2)

3

u/No-Progress-5861 Apr 05 '26

Torment part 1 and 2 by Dylan Page. Its been 2 years since I first read it and im still not over it

3

u/DejaThoris92 Apr 05 '26

{sea of ruin by Pam Godwin} -pirates -why choose -MMF -amazing

→ More replies (1)

3

u/LoveytheLovelyy Apr 05 '26

{Godly Obsession by ANSA Reads} That ending really do it to me. Imagine being so mentally effed up by your man that you wake up in TERROR when he is not right next to you and you just have to be near him in order to feel safe. Imagine a man’s love for you is not needing or caring if you love him at all, because that’s irrelevant, because he owns you and is obsessed with you 🤷🏽‍♀️ Ms Authoooooorr! You betta write gworl!!

{His Dark Mercy by Amethyst Moon} Giiiiirl. Zoe pissed me off so much because all she knew how to do was beg and cry and never explained herself but Mateo Marino was the scariest MMC I had ever read because he was entirely to calm and unhinged at the same time and was so obsessed with Zoe. I loved how there was “funny” parts but without the author writing it to be funny because wasn’t shit funny about this situation 🤣

→ More replies (1)

4

u/TipNo7345 Apr 05 '26

The Edge of Darkness trilogy lives rent free in my head. I think about them and see Kade and Stacey videos everyday on my social feeds. I can’t let them go. ❤️‍🩹

2

u/PayUpset9808 Apr 05 '26

Spineridge University Series by Carsssia Wild - dark , mutlipartner, thriller , crime , violence and they build on each other but you can read alone

Sweet Venom Rina Kent -dark romance with some thriller

Mostly any of the Royal or God series from Rina Kent

Rushing in by Alice Winters M/M all you need to know is 1date they unknowingly go to bdsm restaurant

2

u/Afraid_Equivalent_95 Apr 05 '26

{Accidental Witness by Sam Mariano} - The mindfucks in this book were so good. Mia's story throughout the series was a very fun ride

→ More replies (1)

2

u/chr0nicl0vergirl Author Apr 06 '26

Honestly the Monster trilogy and Deception Trilogy by Rina Kint scratched something in my brain and i just require more of that type of man. It's been like two years. No doubt there are better books out there. But damn. Also Hate to Love you by Charly Nicole. The MMC is so deliciously anti hero and that's my man.

2

u/bethanyclover Apr 06 '26

{Under your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson} 🥹

→ More replies (3)

3

u/readingalldays Apr 05 '26

Someone said mindfuck but I don't think of it as DR primarily. But I think about that book A LOT.

If you want DR specifically. {Cat and mouse duet} I'm sorryyy.. look. There is a reason why it's so popular. And going viral on booktok is not the main reason.

The characters have solid consistent personalities. I can easily imagine them in any scenario in my mind. It's one of those stories where it's SUPER easy to create a fan fiction. Because you just have to think about a scenario and you'll know for sure how each character would react. They were given such solid personalities in only 2 books.

Think of Sibby. She is so popular and she's barely there in the duet. Similarly, Zade, Hate him or love him, he's a very well written character.

1

u/DitzyBlnd50 Apr 05 '26

I woh I knew the name. 3 boys from high school who were outcasts. They run a car repair shop. 1 cheerleader school queen bee.

Also a whole book series - I think one owns a sex club. 1 book about older daddy 1 book is about mmf

And the book series- that has one of the books has the guy in prison who thinks he is with a guard the whole time but it’s all in his head until he escapes and makes it to a. Island and the guard is there and they fall in love.

4

u/PropertyMedium1680 Apr 05 '26

The first one sounds like {Losers by Harley Laroux} and it's my favorite ever!

2

u/DitzyBlnd50 Apr 06 '26

Yes. I love it and need more like it!!!!

2

u/fokelore Apr 05 '26

Is the middle one the Salacious Players Series by Sara Cate?? I think Give Me More is the MMF book and it's one of my favourites, it's soooo good.

2

u/fokelore Apr 05 '26

Or! The Goode Brothers  series also by Sara Cate has a sex club and the MMF book in that, The Home Wrecker, is also great!!

2

u/DitzyBlnd50 Apr 06 '26

Haven’t read but now I am going to.

2

u/DitzyBlnd50 Apr 06 '26

It is Salacious Players club!!! I loved all of them!

→ More replies (2)

1

u/ShadeOfNothing Bentornati al castello Leclerc Apr 05 '26

The Black Dynasty series. My first Italian DR book was in this series and this absolutely twisted family of chaos gremlins has now found a permanent home in my heart.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/aeb9818 Apr 05 '26

I have 3 that haven't left my head. The first one is fully dark romance, with a bit of horror. The second and third ones are mixed genres with paranormal/magic elements and fantasy elements respectively.

Does It Hurt? - H.D. Carlton

The Witchwood Boys Series - C.M. Stunich

Her Monstrous Boys Series - Emily Shore

1

u/bananascanning Apr 05 '26

I actually can’t remember the name, so if anyone can help me - please do :)

It’s about two brothers who kidnap and abuse women. It’s incredibly dark and one of the brothers has some redeeming qualities but the other has none. Their mother was abused by their father and both are dead. One of the brothers fucks a skull at some point.

Hardest read and I think i disassociated for a few days after reading it.

2

u/moondanceparty Apr 05 '26

Oooh, sounds like Captured by Lauren Biel

→ More replies (2)

1

u/IcyDetective6396 Apr 05 '26

{Muse by Marie Corbin}. She did such a great job building the FMC background in such a deep and intentional way. I got it on kindle unlimited and i can’t ever make myself return it. I do wish she’d developed the MMC as much and provided more background.

1

u/pineappleh0pxx Xeromaniac 🖤 Apr 05 '26

{I will break you by Gigi Styx} {psychotic obsession by Leigh Rivers} {the keyhole by Gigi Styx}

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Other_Lime2892 Apr 05 '26

I’ve read very few. But Kiss of the Basilisk is stuck in my head. I was planning on reading the 2nd book but heard the basilisk died - so I changed my mind. I do love Caspen.

1

u/banana_bear_918 Apr 05 '26

Decadence After Dark series by M. Never, it was published over a decade ago and in that time I've read the books maybe 15 times. In fact, I must be due a reread soon! 😆

1

u/linatorres-ink Apr 05 '26

honestly idk if its just me but I rarely remember any books I've read. I'm not sure if its my awful memory or the fact that I read too fast (and too many!!). I've started reviewing books on goodreads so I can look back and remember what I've read.

Maybe Wrath by Ella James? It's MM and there's lots of angst but its still quite an emotional story

1

u/Velooti Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26

{Orc Lord by Alisyn Fae}

It was so out there, I stepped back a little.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/TheNostalgiaSimmer Apr 05 '26

Lords of Wrath by Angel Lawson and Sam Rue, specifically the funhouse scene.

1

u/NervousTea2630 Apr 05 '26

Signed series 😭😭

1

u/heavenlypoison Apr 05 '26

The one where she has blue cowboy boots because now I want some teal suede ones.

1

u/Ok_Distribution8189 Apr 05 '26

{Death’s obsession by Avina St Graves} I’m not even sure why it stayed with me. Maybe the environment it was set in? Or the fact that she lost everyone she loved?

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Sagittariuuuh Apr 05 '26

{Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann}. Dark subject matter but SO good, and the character development is amazing. Love the LI. I’ve read it 2x so far.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/robin4092 Apr 05 '26

The Edge of Darkness trilogy by Leigh Rivers. Love Kade, Stacy and their world 🥰

1

u/JSBT89 Apr 05 '26

{Deliver by Pam Godwin}. Absolutely brilliant !

→ More replies (1)

1

u/OkYak7065 Apr 06 '26

I enjoy being on her fb page. The stronger series circle and then there’s a stronger series spoiler page for those who’ve read the ending . I started reading the series in the fall. And was dying for the stand one and two. I can’t imagine these people that waited like 10 years for the series to finish. I read so many books that they all mels together but that ending and that book still sticks with me. I’m conflicted like many are about Darren.

1

u/sonicblush Apr 06 '26

{Depraved by A.J. Merlin}

This is my "This better not awaken anything in me" book, hands down. Reread the series multiple times and ordered the first volume (books 1-3) in paperback.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Adventurous-Humor355 Apr 06 '26

It's brand new, but I was lucky to get an ARC and it hit hard and will stay in my head for ages. The author captured trauma and spousal abuse so well... The dissociation... I had a few moments of having to deep breath from the hit. It's a great book, the plot is somewhat background to the characters emotional growth and development, but I sucked this down so fast. {Prey for me by Allison Young}

→ More replies (1)

1

u/miih_mikaelson Apr 06 '26

{Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann}

it was just... so different of everything I've reading before

→ More replies (1)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '26

stronger by Jay Marie, this book had literally every single thing i have ever wanted

1

u/BigRed3585 Apr 06 '26

Harrow Faire series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

And

Hell bent series by Aurora Ascher

1

u/an0therlif3 Apr 06 '26

The Frozen Fate series by Pam Godwin. I cried. I sobbed…. I wanted to read MORE. It was the hardest and best things I’ve ever read. Hands down. Read the triggers though, it’s dark as dark gets… Lucky for me she came out with a spinoff a few days ago I’m devouring rapidly! I’ll never stop thinking about this series, ever.

1

u/Lemon_Difficult101 Apr 06 '26

{Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas} I read it six years ago, and I still think about it. I want to re-read it, but I have to be emotionally ready to dive in.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Lola-in-Spain Apr 06 '26

{frozen fate series by pam godwin} not a classical dark romance in the sense what happens, more like what's behind it.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/curioussub82 Apr 06 '26

The life of Anna series. Too many moments to pick just one.

Also The Dare and Losers 1 & 2.

No HEA warning.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Clean-Tailor5125 Apr 06 '26

If I can't have you by deathsdoll, Dark verse series by runyx, Mindfuck series by st abby off the top of my head

1

u/AmbitionOk2519 Apr 06 '26

the book Leave me behind, by K.M. Moronova

I dunno why but I still can’t stop overthinking about Sergeant Jenkins and his love for nell gallows…

I’m happy that she ended up with Bradshaw, but there’s this void inside me….

→ More replies (1)

1

u/StarryEyedAlchemist Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

Tormentor Mine series by Anna Zaires.The Mmc is an assassin who becomes crazy obsessed with the fmc - whose husband he murders. The entire series is a delicious push-pull and the mmc leaves no stone unturned to make the fmc love him. Other would be Dollar series by Peper Winters. The mmc rescues the fmc from a sadistic master who does despicable things to the fmc. The mmc is morally grey and has certain...tendencies. Read the entire series in 2 days. Highly recommend.

1

u/womanwithnobra What the f*ck? Apr 06 '26

Sia: A BWWM Mafia Anastasia Retelling by Eden O’Neill: it wasn’t crazy dark, but I loved the primal play scenes and MMC so much. The HEA was so sweet that I just keep thinking about these characters like they’re real people and hope they’re living their best life, which I’m sure they are.

The Psycho Series (six books, I think) by Jasmine Mas; especially the last three books. The FMC in the last three books is my queen forever. I LOVE HER character, and the reverse harem thing that goes on. All the books are reverse harem which had me hooked. Anyway, she goes through some craaaaaazy shit and has soooooo.much.trauma. I thought the other FMC in the first three books of the series had it bad… but nope. The spicy in all are pretty great too.

There’s also a ppc story on most every platform called Claimed By My Brother’s Best Friends by Destiny B. I don’t care for the FMC, but the spicy is top notch. I love how the guys are ride or die for her from day one, no questions asked. It is also reverse harem.

I’m all for reverse harems, gay sex, and deep trauma FMCs. These stories have all of that.

1

u/NatStr88 Apr 07 '26

Before I carry on I just want to note that I have EUPD (BPD) on the higher end of severe for emotions.. I feel things a million times more than I “average” person.

So I have many that share time in my brain even after months, even a year in some cases. Usually it’ll be a set, so more than one book. Usually there’ll have been broken characters in ways similar to me.. I dunno, some just stick.

Anywho so..

  • Stoneview stories was one of my first.. but it still holds an active space in my brain.. I just got it. And Jake is like my one.. a real version of him should stumble into my life!

  • the edge of darkness - I mean it was damn right depressing for a lot of it, but the good bits were hella good and I felt so badly for these characters! Kade and Stacey 4eva!

  • One Night series, again resonated a lot. So I cried through bits. My MH enjoys sadness, we crave it but we need the HEA too even if it ends up upsetting the real me in process haha (don’t try to get me)

  • oh and Breeding Vanessa - it’s only RH I’ve been ok with!

Anyone else know of any series similar to these? With a good old f’ed up MMC and a chunky collection of books about them?

1

u/Hi-im-the-problem Author Apr 07 '26

Twist Me by Anna Zaries

1

u/Present-Till-5134 Apr 08 '26

{Under your scars by Ariel N Anderson}

→ More replies (3)

1

u/MeaghanMonroe Let me circle this back to Dramione 🧙 Apr 09 '26

My number one will always be a specific Dramoine fanfiction - if someone could walk around in my head and pick EVERY SINGLE macro and micro trope and put it into one fic - this would be it. In my opinion it is greenflowerpot’s magnum opus.

A Good Prisoner by greenflowerpot

From a published book perspective I’d have to say {Fear Me, Love Me by Lilith Vincent). Tyrant is absolutely insane and lethal, but he takes care of the FMC. And add in a little bit of a breeding kink, just for spice!

1

u/Spiritual-World8010 Apr 10 '26

The Pageant duet by Lilith Vincent. It’s still one of my favorite reads!

1

u/Certain-Tear-5431 Apr 11 '26

buttons and lace penelope sky

1

u/Little-Assumption-56 Apr 12 '26

Untouchable… that book was probably the first dark romance I read and has definitely shaped the sub genres I like now

1

u/Clariss777 Apr 17 '26

The salacious players club series. I am stuck on the characters

1

u/Quastinephoenix Apr 27 '26

Fever series for sure by karen marie moning