Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Lights Out by Navessa Allen was a good erotic kink romance, but left a lot to be desired if reading as a dark, stalker romance. Don’t go into this expecting good plot.

No Road Home by John Fram

No Road Home by John Fram had me absolutely feral while reading. This was an amazingly perfect example of American Gothic literature and had everything I want in a novel. Great characters, clues that you don’t realize until after the fact, tragedy so real it hurts, and amazing sense of pacing.

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

I think if you are starting to pick this series up in 2024 and have been on the fence, Summer Knight by Jim Butcher will likely put you off. If you’re willing to keep trudging through, I think it will pay off. Summer Knight definitely sets the stage for later books, so if you want to see this through to the end, you’ll definitely need to pick this one up.

Forbidden Skye by Alex Crane

Forbidden Skye by Alex Crane is a fast romance read with enjoyable characters. I think if you have tokens for Amazon Vella, or have Kindle Unlimited, you should definitely give this a read!

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire

Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire is not Middlegame. It follows a different story and gets to that ending through different means. I need you to understand that when you pick this up because I see so many others disappointed that it isn’t Middlegame. This is a story where you have the pieces and have to put the puzzle together before anyone else does. There’s loyalty and devotion, and what spoke most importantly of all to me, discovering the reality of free will and choice.

Depraved by AJ Merlin

Depraved by AJ Merlin is a phenomenal dark/serial killer romance with intense spice and a fun story. This is absolutely recommended for folks that enjoy darker, kinkier romance with CNC, but also folks that understand this is fiction.

A Kiss From a Demon by Charlotte Swan

If you’re someone that is looking to get into monster romance, I definitely think A Kiss From a Demon by Charlotte Swan is a good introduction. Good spice, straight to the point, and doesn’t linger on unnecessary set dressing.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Pleasantly surprised by “Heartless Hunter” by Kristen Ciccarelli, I was drawn into a captivating fantasy romance. While light on world-building, the story’s strength lies in its compelling characters, notably Alex and Gideon, whose complex relationships with Rune adds delicious angst. The solid plot, with quick pacing and a slight twist, promises an intriguing series conclusion.

Brutal by AJ Merlin

When I say I like dark romance, Brutal by AJ Merlin is what I mean. There’s great spice, an intense relationship, and folks with some messed up ideas of what is wrong/right/sexy. I honestly 100% recommend this read to anyone that is okay with the kinks featured. It was really well written and a joy to read all the way around.

The Ties That Bind by Piper Rhodes

I have been on such a dark romance kick, that I jumped at the chance to pick up The Ties That Bind by Piper Rhodes. This was a great, short read that packed enough plot to keep the novella moving forward and just enough spice to keep it tantalizing.

The Devil’s Bargain by Carin Hart

“The Devil’s Bargain” by Carin Hart stands out as a BookTok recommendation that truly delivers. With well-suited characters, a tried-and-true narrative, and a satisfying twist, this dark romance redeems the author after a lackluster experience with “No One Has To Know.” The chemistry between Linc and Ava, along with their clear boundaries, makes for a solid, spicy read.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater is a very sweet and charming regency romance with just a bit of fantasy involved. The ending was satisfying, despite the small bumps it took to get there. I definitely think this would be a great read for young adult, and clean romance readers, especially those that love historical/regency period pieces.

The Valentine Inn by Jennifer Peel

Romance is romance, but this February, I wanted to specifically read Valentine themed romance. That’s how I ended up finding The Valentine Inn by Jennifer Peel. This was such a sweet romance and definitely out of the norm from what I usually read. This had me laughing, tearing up, and swooning all at the same time.

Here and Only Here by Christelle Dabos

Reading Here and Only Here by Christelle Dabos was a struggle. Despite its short length, the abundance of different points-of-view made it challenging to engage until around 40%. The translated nature felt clunky. As the story darkened, it became more compelling, but the scattered perspectives hindered overall enjoyment. Recommended for mature middle graders or high schoolers with a knack for navigating disjointed narratives.

No One Has To Know by Carin Hart

Despite the BookTok allure, “No One Has to Know” by Carin Hart left me disappointed. Pacing issues and an unexpected twist at the end undermined the dark romance narrative. The characters lacked depth, and the romantic elements felt uninspiring. Recommend skipping this one and trying Hart’s other works.