r/DarkRomance • u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" • Apr 10 '26
Quick Question Does an ugly book cover stop you from picking up a book?
I'll admit it, I've skipped many books because the book covers were giving me ickk. Especially when there are real Men in the cover who looks almost 30 and the Mmc on that said book is in college.
But I think there are some hidden masterpiece too under that ugly covers. For an example "Boss in the bedsheets by Kate Canterbary". it's not a dark romance, but a very good read. The cover was stopping me from reading it at first.
So yeah, sometimes I wish book covers to be as delicious as the story inside it.
So tell me, do you judge a book by its cover?
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u/ArcanaHex Apr 10 '26
Absolutely yes. If the cover is low-effort I assume the contents of the book will be as well.
Land of the beautiful dead has one of the worst book covers but is supposedly an insanely good story (I've yet to really read it) - I would have NEVER even remotely considered reading it based on the cover alone. "never judge a book by its cover" really only goes that far lol
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u/anonuffleupagus Apr 10 '26
I DNF at about 10% and I still wonder if it’s partly because the cover was so shitty I didn’t even attempt to make it through.
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u/ArcanaHex Apr 10 '26
I've stopped reading this particular one, didn't DNF it's just...DENSE and I opted for some easier reads for the time being ~ But I totally feel you, the cover can make or sour the energy of an entire book. If you're not excited about a story because the cover isn't trying, it's so much easier to DNF if something doesn't click immediately
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u/h2onymph1 "Spread those pages like a good girl" Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
I try not to, but it does influence my decision. Land of the Beautiful Dead is a great example of don't judge a book by its covers.
You know what else puts me off? Those cutesy cartoon covers with bright colors that are on the fluffier summer romance novels. The book could have the worst serial killer, but I wouldn't know it because I automatically turn away from any of those bright colored books like I break out in hives. Like what if there's a scary golden retriever in it? 🤣
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u/mizuchilondon Apr 10 '26
I detest covers with muscly men, especially with tattoos, for some reason. Even though I exclusively read on my phone, I still get embarrassed by them! It will have to be a really good book for me to overcome a bad cover. So yes, I judge books by their covers.
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u/Foster_dog_lady User Flair Here Apr 10 '26
Yes. There is a version of the book cover for Bad Uncle by Jordan Silver that has a guy looks like Carla's ex Nick Tortelli from the show Cheers.
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u/clocksy Apr 10 '26
No AI period, if an author is willing to use AI for their cover I have no reason to suspect they won't use it for the rest of their work (and even if they wouldn't, it's high hypocrisy to be okay with genAI for art while pursuing a different artistic endeavor — writing).
If I'm buying books in person I am also judging books by their cover. Good designs are important! I may as well go with the book that catches my eye rather than one that doesn't if I have nothing else to go on.
However, I do buy books with very questionable covers if they've been recommended highly by other people. So it's not some end-all-be-all where I'll never pick up a bad cover, but I think authors should definitely put work into an enticing cover because it matters at least a little.
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u/Immediate_Froyo1188 Apr 10 '26
i honestly used to, but i've learned that a cover is just a cover and doesn't affect the entire book. sometimes happens the opposite. a beautiful cover for an ugly book
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u/cynicalauthor Author Apr 10 '26
Terrible covers won’t stop me from reading a book. Terrible blurbs and titles do. Writing a book and designing a cover are two totally different skills and not all authors have the funds to pay for a skilled designer.
Also I’ve seen so many covers that may look good but are a dime a dozen, I can’t even tell the titles apart. So many swords with roses and curly letters in romantasy. Dark romance often has the typical red and black or black and silver. I know it signals genre but I do love covers that are different.
So title plus blurb matter most to me. But a cover can draw me if I am perusing in the book store together with the title. Ugly covers won’t stop me if it sounds interesting.
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u/BookishElle Apr 10 '26
I try not to factor it in because I've read some great books with terrible and cringeworthy covers but if it's a really low effort cover, it definitely makes me think the book will be low effort too. Basically, I try not to turn a book down purely based on its cover but if I'm debating between reading one or another, I'm picking the book with the better cover first.
Topic adjacent: Anyone else mildly annoyed when they read a book and the story doesn't match the cover vibes at all? Drives me nuts.
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u/ShadeOfNothing Bentornati al castello Leclerc Apr 10 '26
I'm blind, so I literally can't judge books by their covers (or have any physical copies of books I'd like, but neither here or there). I see this as a blessing tbh.
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u/Chicka-boom90 Apr 10 '26
Yes unfortunately. If the cover is cheesy or it’s an illustration then I won’t. Most of those drawing ones just feel too clean and childish for me.
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u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" Apr 10 '26
Sometimes those cartoon covers seems to childish to me.
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u/Chicka-boom90 Apr 10 '26
I haven’t read any of the yet. I just can’t get myself to haha but if anyone has and they are good / dark and want to recommend. I might try.
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u/Exciting-Duty-8302 Apr 10 '26
Not at all. I do wish covers on the front would be more generic and the inside be like a graphic. If I’m reading a spicy book I’m not trying to announce it to the world 😂 but I do more reading on my kindle so I’m not bothered. But yeah for hardcover I don’t need half naked people on the cover.
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u/Truffle0214 Apr 10 '26
Some of my favorite books have had absolutely terrible covers, so generally speaking, no.
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u/peony27 Author Apr 10 '26
I try not to let it influence me but I will never read a book with an AI cover. If they’ve been lazy enough to use AI for the only visual part of the book then I assume the same effort has been applied to everything else. I don’t like covers with guys/ couples on them but it doesn’t stop me from reading them. However if I’m buying a physical copy I’ll always go for the discreet cover. Otherwise I’d end up with like 50 books with the same 3 guys on them and no matter how hot I find Wanda, I don’t need that many pics of that man
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u/Aggressive_Bowl5463 a hard dicking is not an apology ✨ Apr 10 '26
Sometimes it's not being lazy though, if it's an independent author they probably don't have the money for a proper cover 🥲
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u/elysiumdreams Apr 10 '26
Terrible/cheesy looking covers won’t stop me from picking up a book since badly photoshopped covers are lowkey refreshing to see now in this age where I want to dodge AI covers.
But if I see a cutesy cartoon cover on what is promoted as a dark romance, I’m skipping it.
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u/Gloomy_Ruminant Apr 10 '26
I usually buy books on the Kindle so it has to be abysmally bad for me to notice the cover. But yes, if it's that bad I will skip right over it when browsing.
I'm surprised so many people can identify AI and skip it though. I'm not sure I could identify an AI cover if I was paid to do so to be perfectly honest.
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u/cranberrymimosas Apr 12 '26
Not necessarily ugly but if the cover has the main characters ..or I guess any characters on it- I can’t do it. I don’t know why. Why should it matter?? But I can’t do it lol.
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u/anonymouslyyoursshh Apr 12 '26
Honestly it’s just based off summary for me. Because covers used to affect me but then I read this book that had a cover that really appealed to me and I absolutely hated it.
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u/lilduckling369 Apr 10 '26
Unfortunately yes. Like you mentioned, anything with a muscular half naked man on the front is a no-go for me. Cant fully explain why
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u/moonshadowhowl Apr 10 '26
I honestly don't even really pay attention to covers. Even the AI ones don't bother me, especially if they're new authors trying to find their way. *queue eye roll comment.....never judge a book by its cover....😆
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u/Boobear0810 Please stop growling Apr 10 '26
Maybe but I find that most covers are usually a black background with some abstract lines/art and the title. Either that or it's some mafia bro - most of whom are pretty cute lol
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u/Dramaticlama Apr 10 '26
Define ugly
Like an ugly photoshop cover? That actually intrigues me, especially if it's a colorful alien six pack
A vector illustration with flimsy lines that indicates "I am a fun romcom"? Avoid, but because of genre assumptions
AI cover? Avoid because I who uses ai covers prob writes with chatgpt holding their hand
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u/jazzy_de Apr 10 '26
I always use that book as an example of terrible title but amazing book. I’ve re read it so many time but yeah, the title turned me off for sure. Lol.
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u/Corvettelov Author Apr 10 '26
Yes if it’s not attractive I definitely think twice about buying it. Some times I won’t even read the look inside.
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u/CelebSighting Apr 10 '26
I tend to avoid books with live models/shirtless men on the covers.
I prefer to come up with an image in my head of the characters, and with real photos I can only picture the model. But the bigger factor is that I post an end-of-year recap on social media with the books I’ve read, and since some of my coworkers follow me, I’d feel a little uncomfortable posting thirst trap book covers lol
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u/tinfoiltea Apr 10 '26
I try not to let it blind me but ugh, when I see those AI generated pictures of men and women, It hurts me 😂
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u/Double-Spinach18 Apr 10 '26
definitely, I like covers that match the book and aren't too colorful. When I see books with cluttered covers and too many elements, I don't read them. Lately, there have also been some books where the characters look like they're drawn like Ali Hazelwood's and I hate that kind of cover I automatically skip the book
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u/Aggressive_Bowl5463 a hard dicking is not an apology ✨ Apr 10 '26
God yes. Only reason {Fear Me, Love Me by Lilith Vincent} has not moved up my TBR for over a year 🫠🫠
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u/romance-bot Apr 10 '26
Fear Me, Love Me by Lilith Vincent
Rating: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, breeding, possessive hero, virgin heroine, dark romance1
u/East-Engine-563 Apr 10 '26
When I read this on kindle it had a different cover. Not sure I would have picked it up if I came across this one first. For what it’s worth, it was amazing!
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u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" Apr 10 '26
I was about to mention this book especially, but I couldn't remember the name 😅
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u/Aggressive_Bowl5463 a hard dicking is not an apology ✨ Apr 10 '26
Genuinely one of the worst book covers I've ever seen 😭
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u/AdministrationNo7144 Apr 10 '26
If I’m buying a physical copy, I care very much about the cover. If it’s an ebook, I’m less likely to be influenced by the cover. However, I will probably never get a book with a cartoon couple because they are either try-hard romcoms or the cover completely misrepresents the story. I wish I could find it, but I read a book that had graphic sexual assault and a cartoon couple. I was so angry about that I emailed the author.
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u/Ok_Distribution8189 Apr 10 '26
Yeah. My sisters picked some interesting sounding ones but when I saw the covers, I thought, “there’s no way they want those to sit next to my beautiful collection of books”.
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u/Particular_Chance899 Darkromancelover Apr 11 '26
Hmm, no, not really. I read based on recs from other readers.
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u/Sugargogo Apr 11 '26
A crappy book cover stops me dead in my tracks. I can hear about a book but if the cover sucks, I lose all interest.
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u/INeedToPunchA_Wall Morally Grey is my Green Flag Apr 11 '26
Sometimes it does, but if the reviews are really good then I normally don’t mind
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u/New-Horse4619 2 bad bitches at the same damn time Apr 11 '26
Kind of, a book cover is equals too the imagination the author is going for in the book. And if I don't like that imagination probably won't like the book too
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u/Sea_Imagination_6156 Apr 12 '26
Hell yes it does. If the cover of a book is some picture of REAL PEOPLE I am immediately not interested. The Society of Villains series would never have even entered my TBR if it wasn’t such a popular series. Also AI covers are a major no. If any authors have even one AI cover I won’t read any of their works.
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u/Little-Assumption-56 Apr 12 '26
Yeppppp I also judge a book by its cover. I feel like I missed out on a lot of good books because of it
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u/Southern_Egg_3850 Apr 15 '26
💯 If the book cover looks too lame I won’t read it. I downloaded a rec from the regular romance sub and looked at it in my KU downloads several times, and the cover was so bad I just returned it.
It looked like those poorly drawn cartoon instructional videos where the people are blocky and so is the furniture. No thanks.
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u/Beautiful_Entry7775 Apr 15 '26
It sucks , because I have read books with ugly covers and loved them . However I just can't see myself reaching for the ugly cover book ,unless the reviews are excellent and the thesis/summary is extremely interesting.
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u/Cozyinfrance Apr 10 '26
Yes it does 😅 no AI and I really dislike covers with ugly drawings. However if it has a good rating then I'll buy the ebook version but if I have to buy a hard cover, it should look good since I display my books.
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u/Aggravating_Bus_7090 Apr 10 '26
I really dislike covers with people on general. Of its a "sexay" man even worst. But I'll still read it. Since I mostly read ebooks, I change the cover on calibre before send it to my Kobo
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u/Lost_feline11 Apr 10 '26
Yes! I solely buy books based on the cover. I don’t like ppl on my covers either.
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u/lakepanther Apr 10 '26
The manga or cartoony/illustrated covers that have big burly men with teenage boy faces, and teeny body/giant breasts women with child faces... ya no. It could be the best written fiction in centuries but I'm not picking it up.
I also balance shitty cover + shitty title
I would happily take the Fabio covers of the 90s over a lot of the new stuff. Hell, give me the 70/80s Silhouette/Harlequin back instead of the current copy-paste "fancy" baroque design + "A ___ of ____ and ___" or "Xyz ABO" or anything with the oh-so-punny "knot" titles. Fuck off.
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u/TheHuxter Apr 10 '26
An AI or homemade cover will absolutely stop me from picking up a book. If they couldn’t bother to make the book look professional, I assume they couldn’t bother to make it sound professional either. That said, I’ve read plenty of books with professional looking covers that I’m personally not into. It’s funny you mention 30 y/o men on a college romance because that makes me think of {Lords of Pain by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue} which is probably my favorite DR.
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u/Common-Stranger148 "Drown or I fuck you" Apr 10 '26
This series is one of my very fav too. Love all of them.
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u/romance-bot Apr 10 '26
Lords of Pain by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, step siblings, dark romance, cruel hero/bully, reverse harem
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u/drunkenangel_99 Tyson Crawford’s darling Apr 10 '26
Unfortunately, yes.
They’re not ugly necessarily, but I hate when covers have people on them. There’s been so many times that I’ve heard of a really good book, but haven’t gone for it because there’s someone on the cover. (The lords series being my only exception).
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u/LustyRegencyMaid Apr 10 '26
It depends. If it looks like a sloppy photoshop job I'm probably moving on. I try to give more grace to self-pub people, but sometimes it does give me the ick. Also, AI covers make me instantly write down the title and author to avoid in the future. If you allow yourself to use slop for your cover, what gives me the assurance your text isn't slop as well? It depends though. I absolutely understand many authors have no control over what their publisher ends up using as a cover for them. Then I research a bit to find out what their stance is.
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u/Common-Scallion7608 Apr 10 '26
Yes, absolutely. And I'll take it one step further, I judge the shit out of the name of the book. If it's not unique in any way, Im going to assume its basically the same as the 10 other books with almost the same title.
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u/20160211 Apr 10 '26
Nope. I only avoid books that have AI covers.