Unlike such old genres as fiction, history, and epic, dark romance has only appeared a decade ago. Nowadays, it is one of the most demanding genres among adults who look for a spicy plot. It is a subgenre of romance, yet it involves dark themes such as:
- betrayal
- obsession
- violence
- revenge
- manipulation
- control
- toxic relationships
- enemies
These are the topics we may all experience in our lives, however, witnessing and discussing them can be emotionally difficult.
Dark romance books are quite intense as they push readers’ boundaries. You may find books of this genre edgy and suspenseful but you certainly can’t argue the fact that such topics draw your attention and make you want to explore them.
The listed topics will especially become interesting for readers who experience such events in their own lives: they will certainly want to compare their story and see how victims survived.
And while some readers will be able to identify themselves with dark romance book characters, otherwise will simply enjoy escaping a reality and exploring a thrilling fictitious narrative.
The Idea of Dark Romance Books
While reading horror stories, the idea is to convey fear and suspense through the story, as well as the characters’ interactions and actions. While reading fantasy, readers want to explore magical events and mystical features.
So, what is the purpose of dark romance? While romance creates a love story, dark romance explores love during intense events. Note that dark romance books don’t praise toxic relationships but show the challenges two people have to go through to save their love.
And since more and more people become interested in psychology and understanding others’ motives, dark romances can be not just gripping due to their engaging plots but educational.
In dark romance books, heroes almost always have a difficult, traumatic, or morally compromising past. Authors often delve deeply into these backstories in order to:
- justify their behavior
- shed light on their challenging journey
- to highlight the difficulties they face in the present because of their past
- build an emotional depth
Writers show no excuse for morally dark characters but use them to create complex stories that engage readers from the first page.
Characters in Dark Romance Books
Dark romance books introduce readers to toxic, damaged, and dangerous characters, often explaining what events in their lives made them this way. In this part of our review, we would like to give you examples of common characteristics of dark romance books.
- Antihero: Often a mafia boss who does dirty business and kills, but shows respect and love to his family and partner.
- Survivor: Such characters are usually introduced as cold and aggressive due to past traumas. As the plot evolves, survivors transform into loyal, tender and protective and instantly become likeable by the readers.
- Morally grey characters: These are characters who like drama and chaos while showing love and dedication to their partner, and often have good intentions.
- Controlling character: They are presented as jealous, controlling and manipulative causing drama in relationships and damaging their loved ones. Such characters struggle to trust and have low self esteem.
Innocent character: Such characters are presented to readers for comparison with antiheroes. They always end up dragged into a dark world challenged by power and survival.
Top 7 Dark Romance Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down
We have carefully chosen the 7 best dark romance books that you can read at My Passion right now. Get into these stories filled with scandal, heartbreak, revenge, and passion, reading several chapters for free.
#1 The Alpha’s Unwanted Mate
The Alpha’s Unwanted Mate contains dark romance and elements of fantasy. This is a gripping story of Celeste, a girl who was always dreaming of being loved deeply by her fated mate. When destiny ties her to Zillon Macre, her lifelong crush and future alpha, she hopes for happiness. Instead, she is left in the shadows, unwanted and overlooked, especially as he longs for her twin sister.
This book explores themes of rejection, emotional resilience, and self-worth and will certainly be appreciated by fated mates topic fans.
#2 Mistaking A Billionaire For A Gigolo
Mistaking A Billionaire For A Gigolo is one of the emotionally intense dark romances at My Passion that follows Charlotte, a young woman who was betrayed by her fiancé at their engagement party. She is looking for a moment of vengeance, and she gives herself to a mysterious stranger. They spend only one night. She doesn’t know he is a powerful man who can offer her more than just one passionate night.
The story discusses the topics of betrayal and revenge, as well as described desires we as adults experience. Mistaking A Billionaire For A Gigolo will take you on an emotional journey with twists that will give you goosebumps.
#3 The Alpha King’s Hated Slave
The Alpha King’s Hated Slave can be characterized as a dynamic dark romance that follows Princess Danika, enslaved by King Lucien. He is broken by trauma and fueled by vengeance, and sees the princess as only a toy. However, the princess shows her resilience and strength, which triggers the King’s unexpected kindness.
This story discusses love-hate relationships, with which many readers might be able to relate to. The fans of psychological stories and complex characters will certainly love to read this book. The Alpha King’s Hated Slave has an erotic touch and mentions of BDSM, so it is strictly recommended for an adult audience.
#4 Barren Mother Gives Birth To Sextuplets To The Hot CEO
Barren Mother Gives Birth To Sextuplets To The Hot CEO is another 18+ dark romance that follows Amy, whose world shatters when she discovers her husband cheating and mocking her infertility. Amy’s heart is broken because she has never seen such a betrayal coming. Now, a poor young woman seeks one night of escape with a stranger, then disappears. However, six years later, she returns with six children and finds out that their father is now her domineering CEO.
This story is a pure dark romance that contains betrayal and revenge, yet has notes of contemporary romance that explore a hopeful future.
#5 Alpha Ren
Alpha Ren is a suspenseful story about Alpha Ren, who presents himself as dangerous and powerful. Homeless and desperate, Brielle sneaks into his isolated estate, only to discover his dark secret. She can’t help but fall for him, and at the same time, understands she is now in danger too. Will she figure out how she can continue to be in a relationship with this dangerous man or will she run away?
The book explores the connection between an alpha character and an innocent character. Readers will be able to delve into the gripping story of forbidden romance with steamy scenes.
#6 Pregnant With My Enemies Baby
Pregnant With My Enemies Baby starts with a passionate kiss that Elena shares with a stranger called Knight Blaze on New Year’s Eve. She believes that fate brought them together, but the handsome guy she instantly fell in love with leaves her the next day. Soon Elena learns she is pregnant. A young woman is forced to raise her baby alone until fate throws Knight back into her life.
This story could have been a perfect contemporary romance, but the drake themes, like betrayal and enemies, add a spicy touch to it, making it more realistic.
#7 The Rogue Lycan Princess
The Rogue Lycan Princess talks about Shadow Raven Hawks, a rogue omega who has learned to keep her distance. However, fate leads her to Alpha Califf Stone – ruthless, controlling, and irresistible. They get instantly bound by an undeniable connection, and their fiery attraction escalates into a dangerous relationship. Shadow starts losing her wolf, powers, and safety, but Califf steps in to protect all she has left.
This dark romance book explores several themes: taboo relationships, inner monsters, and power. And if you love fantasy and fated mates stories, The Rogue Lycan Princess is the book you can’t skip.
Dark romance books show readers a dark side of love, which allows some to escape reality and enjoy intense fictions, while others compare their complex relationships with book characters and learn what traumas and issues can lead to toxic behaviors in relationships.
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