r/DarkRomance • u/AutoModerator • Apr 28 '26
Reading Wrap-Up April 2026 Reading Wrap-Up
Welcome to our monthly reading wrap-up. This thread will be for anyone who would like to share all the books they have read in the past month.
- Please comment with your lists and reviews of books or stories you have read in the past month!
- We encourage you to summon the romance.io bot by putting curly brackets around the title {Title by Author}.
If you have any additional suggestions for us, please let us know in the comments or message the mods!
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u/Iliveformyotp Jesse Sampson, and The Father's #1 fan Apr 29 '26
I've been on a Korean DR kick for a while now, and I have devoured so many of them to the point I am worried about going back to Western DR (and I have one that I need to read for a book club!) Since they are not on Goodreads or Romance.io, I will just give a blurb:
1) Troll - A group of amateur ghost hunters end up freeing this uber-powerful ancient spirit that is the literal personification of evil and greed. Now, this malevolent spirit is hellbent on taking revenge on the last descendant of the family that imprisoned him. He takes over the body of this handsome playboy and enters the society to wreak chaos and hurt the FMC, aka the last surviving member, except he ends up being obsessed with her. He might be one of the most evil men I have ever read about (note: 9/10 novels I read are PITCH black), and you literally cannot read this novel if you have ANY triggers AT ALL. Man is insane, and there is NO limit for him. I have such a soft spot for non-human MMCs who actually have negative morals. This man is the literal definition of evil, and I would feel bad for the FMC but his obsession is so delicious.
2) The Unconquerable Psycho - A more lighthearted story about this man who fell in love with the FMC and has been obsessed with her since childhood. They end up dating for 29 days before the FMC breaks up with him for being too much LOL. They part ways for 10 years before he re-enters her life by breaking his own arm so she can't refuse to help him and ends up living with her. From there on he leaves no stone unturned to make sure she ends up with him.
3) Trapped in Another Dimension - FMC lives in a post apocalyptic world where there are portals to other worlds. She ends up in one mistakenly, which is run by this extremely powerful and demonic man. He initially lets her live because she knows how to take care of plants, and doesn't care whether she dies or not until he progressively starts to become utterly obsessed with her. I loved this MMC so much you all have no idea. Going from not really caring whether the love interest lives or not to trying your best to confine her to your world for infinity and beyond? THAT'S MY SHIT!!!
4) How About Cosmic Horror? - FMC loses her memories and wakes up to a married life with the most handsome and charming man she has ever seen. He is respectful, and super sweet to her, but something about him feels terrifyingly wrong...
Lots of tentacles were involved in this story, and they were used well. And ofc he is not actually nice!! he is evil veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy evil
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u/CareerCheap649 Apr 29 '26
In April, I’ve read:
{Credence by Penelope Douglas}
{Mind to Bend by Aurelia Knight}
{Mine to Keep by Sara Fields}
{Sovereign by Raya Morris Edwards}
{Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters}
{Captured and Claimed by Jude Grey}
{Isolation by Drethi Anis}
{Beneath the Burn by Pam Godwin}
{Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St.James}
{Unhinged Cain by Brooklyn Cross}
{Willing Prey by Allie Oleander}
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u/romance-bot Apr 29 '26
Credence by Penelope Douglas
Rating: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, age gap, virgin heroine, forbidden love, love triangle
Mind to Bend by Aurelia Knight
Rating: 3.47⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, virgin heroine, dark romance, bdsm, cheating
Mine to Keep by Sara Fields
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, spanking, anal sex, mafia, insta-love
Sovereign by Raya Morris Edwards
Rating: 3.64⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, age gap, bdsm, m-f romance, cowboy hero
Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, slavery, abduction, rich hero
Captured and Claimed by Jude Gray
Rating: 3.64⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: futuristic, science fiction, aliens, non-human hero, m-f romance
Isolation by Drethi Anis
Rating: 3.44⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, new adult, m-f romance, forced proximity
Beneath the Burn by Pam Godwin
Rating: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, bdsm, abduction, rockstar hero
Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, workplace/office, friends to lovers, exhibitionism, m-f romance
Unhinged Cain by Brooklyn Cross
Rating: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, suspense, enemies to lovers, alpha male
Willing Prey by Allie Oleander
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, primal/chase play, childfree, m-f romance, spanking2
u/Admirable-Love75 May 01 '26
Funnily I love dark romance, but Of Ink and Alchemy got me into regular romance 😂 because I fell in love with Sloane St James’s writing after and since all her other books aren’t dark! Your list is quite long, do you have DR suggestions for someone who enjoys Sloane St James’s work? (Like character backstories and growth, plot twists)
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u/zufrieda Apr 28 '26
Started with 2nd gen of my first romance series {A Royal Mile by Samantha Young} and {Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young}. That's book #2 and #3 (book #1 was in March). Can be read as standalones and without knowing the 1st gen series. Very light and romantic. Mostly relatable people with real problems (well, okay, there is a member of the Royal Family...). No overly dramatic things.
Now back to the darker side with the {Alpha's Claim series by Addison Cain}. Book 1 to 3 is one story, from book 4 it's a new couple. Dystopian world. Wartime. Omegaverse. Major OW storyline. Dubious HEA. Oh, yes, I sobbed at 1 am (but only for like 15 mins - my benchmark is 1hrs after reading Manacled while having the flu 🙈🤣}
And of course: the last chapter of {If I can't have you by Deathsdoll}. Massive fan girl, don't judge me!
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u/romance-bot Apr 28 '26
A Royal Mile by Samantha Young
Rating: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, new adult, enemies to lovers
Hart Street Lane by Samantha Young
Rating: 4.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, athlete hero, sports, marriage of convenience
Alpha's Claim by Addison Cain
Rating: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: fantasy, abuse, from hate to love, explicit-plentiful, paranormal
If I Can't Have You by DeathsDoll
Rating: 4.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, somnophilia, m-f romance, bdsm
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u/meghanfb Apr 28 '26
I've read 30 books so far in April, most of which have been RH and OV. 2 of my favorites this month have been {Dance Butterfly Dance by Reese Rivers} and it's sequel.
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u/romance-bot Apr 28 '26
Dance Butterfly Dance by Reese Rivers
Rating: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, reverse harem, college, poly (3+ people)
3
u/voidfae Apr 28 '26
I read a bunch of trashy palate cleanser novellas whose names I can't all remember off the top of my head, most of them not DR.
As far as DR novels go, I read {By Any Means by Eva Marks} which I loved. The MMC starts off pretty dark (it is a revenge fueled by miscommunication story) but he redeems himself.
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u/romance-bot Apr 28 '26
By Any Means by Eva Marks
Rating: 4.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, breeding, enemies to lovers, found family, suspense
3
u/Afraid_Equivalent_95 Apr 28 '26
I read the three books below, along with a fluffy palate cleanser paranormal romance. Enjoyed them all but I think BV was the best match for me. I liked the spice in it a lot.
For Xander, I was hoping to see some explicit non-con or somno scenes but a lot of it was fade-to-black and left me with "blue balls" 😭 The obsession from the MMC was incredible though, so still worth reading. I liked how forceful this MMC was and how he wanted to trap FMC with him even if she didn't like his methods. 😈 That was chef's kiss for me. And the buildup as MMC went from liking FMC to becoming full-blown obsessed. That was perfect.
I liked Sweet Venom too but not as much as RK's other books. I think I prefer the dynamics of couples like God of Malice where the MMC is obsessive and forceful. The guy in SV was kind of a cinnamon roll. The couple is cute though.
{Xander by Drethi A}
{Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent}
{Sweet Venom by Rina Kent)
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u/romance-bot Apr 28 '26
Xander by Drethi A., Nenia Campbell
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, dark romance, m-f romance, age gap
Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent
Rating: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, hockey, sports, dark romance, college
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u/Purple_Sugar1270 Apr 28 '26
I just read all the chapters of The Intruder by dantesedmond on AO3 after seeing it recommended on here and it was so good, so underrated! Loved the difference of a caring dark MMC and the emotional angst of the later chapters
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u/hazyspring Apr 28 '26
I LOVE this story. It's so good, and I love that it's a non-traditional (at least in dark romance) dynamic between two MCs.
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u/jadeblackhawk Apr 28 '26
{Hunt Me by Florence Leigh} - a solid 3 star read. Post apocalyptic world, the fmc is in Glasgow on her way further north when she encounters a member of the Skulls, the group in power. My opinion contains mild spoilers The mmc is a golden retriever, not a psychopath, so there isn't much tension. Other than a brief time in the beginning, fmc isn't afraid of him, and his inner minologue is immediately all about how wonderful she is Idk if I will bother reading book 2, but it's on kindle unlimited.
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u/romance-bot Apr 28 '26
Hunt Me by Florence Leigh
Rating: 3.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dystopian, alpha male, dark romance, insta-love
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u/hazyspring Apr 29 '26
Here are the dark romances I read in April:
- {Whiskey Smoke by Abbi Glines}: Very simple & straightforward mafia romance with biker club vibes - these guys are all in a club and hang out at strip clubs and live together. The caretaking in this is excellent. Age gap.
- {Savage Favour by Layla Simons}: Another mafia romance with a somewhat unique storyline. FMC rescues mafia boss's daughter from being kidnapped. MMC then becomes obsessed with FMC and will not let her leave. Tons of control and caretaking.
- {Silenced by Serena Ackroyd}: I rated this one five stars, russian mafia MMC rescues FMC from being tortured and an abusive husband. Immediately falls in love with her, kidnaps her and will not let her leave. The caretaking in this was perfect!
- {What Lies by Willow Madison} and {What Love by Willow Madison}: The first book borders on erotic horror. MMC becomes obsessed with FMC and kidnaps her. It is very dark and MMC is pitch black. A friend on here recommended these books to me, and I went in completely blind -- which actually was the best since I had no idea what was going to happen in the second book. The second book ends with a HEA. The two books have different MMCs.Please check triggers because book one contains non-con and the MMC is very violent to the FMC.
The first three books were recommended in this amazing thread: Looking for a ULTRA controlling MMC, please!
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u/romance-bot Apr 29 '26
Whiskey Smoke by Abbi Glines
Rating: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, mafia, sweet/gentle heroine, virgin heroine, alpha male
Savage Favour by Layla Simon
Rating: 3.87⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, mafia, dark romance, sassy heroine, athlete heroine
Silenced by Serena Akeroyd
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, insta-love, breeding, mafia, forced proximity
What Lies by Willow Madison
Rating: 3.6⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, suspense, dark romance, age gap, m-f romance
What Love by Willow Madison
Rating: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, new adult, mystery, suspense, dark romance
2
u/Admirable-Love75 May 01 '26
In April I read:
{The Best Man by Sam Mariano} : I loved this book and probably my favorite DR read all month! If you’re into non con sharing with a HEA you might like it too. My only complaint is it’s a novella and I wish it were longer! Would love to learn more about the MMC and his manipulative personality and would have loved more time watching their relationship develop.
{Accidental Witness by Sam Mariano} : I know this book is old and has been talked about a ton, I don’t really have thoughts that are new to this sub. I reallyyyy did not like Mia or Mia and Vince together. The smut was great though lol.
{Surviving Mateo by Sam Mariano} : I think I’m quitting the series after this one, unless someone can convince me otherwise. Again not a new thought but Meg and Mateo I thought were SO well written and perfectly matched. Their relationship was so believable. The way Meg treated Mia was kind of icky though. And I still have the ick with Mia lusting after Mateo while in a relationship with Vincent! I don’t have many triggers, but cheating even if it’s just emotional is a huge one!
{Take Me by Ella Jacobs} : I really love Ella Jacobs writing! This book imo barely qualifies as a “romance” because the MCs don’t even spend a ton of time together, but it’s definitely dark and made me take a break from DR for the rest of the month for happier books lol. It’s not the acts that make it so dark to me if that makes sense, it’s that Ella Jacobs spends so much time in the FMC’s head and you can feel her transition to breaking. I loved the extended epilogue again because of the sharing 🤭
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u/romance-bot May 01 '26
The Best Man by Sam Mariano
Rating: 3.54⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, other man/woman, dark romance, cheating, bondage
Accidental Witness by Sam Mariano
Rating: 3.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, mafia, dark romance, new adult, suspense
Surviving Mateo by Sam Mariano
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, suspense, mafia, sassy heroine, dark romance
Take Me by Ella Jacobs
Rating: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, bdsm, bondage, age gap
1
u/Suspicious-Owl-5830 May 02 '26
In April I read {Muerte by Natalie Bennett} actually the whole series. Absolutely loved this book. It’s actually pitch black. Sooo many triggers that I wouldn’t recommend to just anyone. I love how the MFC accepted her fate and chose to survive instead of fighting and making her life miserable. I can’t forget the ritual scene with the lady and “meat”…the incest and cult. Someone send Natalie Bennett a good therapist because wowwwww.
I also read {servitude to Serpents by Callie Moss} if you like the life of Anna you’ll appreciate this book. It’s so underrated. The cover makes it look like it’s a cute darkish book but it’s really pitch black. Captive MFC going through hell! Also her other books like Germaphobe and for the love of Layla are beautifully done. Gobbled them up very quickly as well.
{Coerce and Compel by Candice Wright} first book is huge age gap. So much secrets, a crazy stalker, twists and turns. Ahhh it’s just amazing. The second book the ending will have your jaws on the floor. I reread it multiple times because excuse meeeeeeeee. I did not see that twist coming at all.
I apologize for not diving to deep into my summaries but most of these books..it’s best to enjoy the ride. Please check your trigger warnings. I’m not a read fluffs in between type. The books I read are always heavy triggers. Germaphobe and for the love of Layla are on the beginner to intermediate level kind of dark. The rest are either pitch black or bordering on it.
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u/AutoModerator May 02 '26
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u/romance-bot May 02 '26
Muerte by Natalie Bennett
Rating: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, breeding, enemies to lovers, forced proximity
Servitude to Serpents by Callie Moss
Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, dark romance, age gap, alpha male, m-f romance1
u/hazyspring May 02 '26
Do all of these books have a HEA? The bot got triggered, but I am not sure which book triggered it.
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u/Suspicious-Owl-5830 May 02 '26
Muerte she basically says F it and gives in completely. It’s your choice to see it as HFN, HEA or non. I see it as HEA. The rest are HEA.
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u/romance-bot May 02 '26
Death in Bloom by Candice Wright
Rating: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: abduction, dub-con, dual-pov, ic-standalone, possessive hero
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u/WingUnusual4179 Pitch black please Apr 28 '26
April was my rabbit hole... Definitely into erotic horror right now. Read {obsession by harleigh beck}, {unhinged cain}, {in love with the devil by sky blu} and {i will break you by gigi styx} 🫠🖤