There was a time when all I craved were those cheesy feel-good romance books. You know the type… small-town romance, flirty banter, the classic happily-ever-after waiting at the end. No stress, no heartbreak. Just cozy comfort reads I could sink into like a warm blanket.
And honestly? I still adore them. Those lighthearted contemporary romance novels are perfect when I want something easy and heartwarming. But lately… I’ve fallen for something spicier. The kind of steamy romance novels that keep you up till 3 a.m., make your heart race, and sometimes even make you question your own morals. Yep… I’m talking about dark romance books.
And it’s not just me losing sleep over these. BookTok and Bookstagram are absolutely obsessed. Everyone’s trading spicy book recs, arguing over the hottest morally gray heroes, and ranking their best romance novels of all time. These aren’t your simple “sunshine and rainbows” love stories. Nope. These trending romance books hit harder, dig deeper, and give you that mix of passion, tension, and wild plot twists that leave you hooked till the last page.
Whether it’s on Kindle Unlimited romance or a must-read paperback, dark and spicy romance is literally everywhere right now… and honestly? I’m not mad about it.
1. Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Haunting Adeline is easily one of the best dark romance books to read in 2025. For Adeline Reilly, moving back to Seattle was supposed to be her reset button. A clean slate. A new chapter where she could finally breathe again. She inherits her late grandmother’s gothic mansion—creepy, haunting, and dripping with that eerie old-world vibe—and thinks she’s found her safe haven.
But here’s the kicker… Adeline isn’t actually alone in Parson’s Manor. She has a stalker. A dangerous man who doesn’t just lurk in the shadows, but steps right into her life, into her space, into her soul. And the tension? Off the charts.
If you love stalker romance books, morally gray anti-heroes, and steamy romance novels that blur the line between love and obsession, Haunting Adeline is the dark contemporary romance that belongs on your TBR right now.
And not just some random creep either. The deeper Adeline digs, the more she realizes her family’s past is dripping with secrets—obsession, betrayal, even blood. Hidden inside her great-grandmother’s old journals is a chilling truth about her phantom… and the brutal murder that still haunts her bloodline.
Now, history is ready to repeat itself. Unless Adeline does the unthinkable—fall for the very man who’s been stalking her.
This isn’t your average love story. Haunting Adeline is twisted, dangerous, and addicting in the worst (and best) way. It’s one of those dark romance books 2025 readers can’t shut up about. No surprise it’s trending all over BookTok romance recs and blowing up Bookstagram dark romance recommendations.
If you’re craving a read that’s equal parts haunting, seductive, and totally unputdownable, Haunting Adeline is hands down one of the best steamy romance novels to add to your TBR. Especially if you’re into spicy stalker romance that’ll leave you questioning everything.
2. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
If you’re into dark romance novels with morally grey heroes who blur the line between love and destruction, this one’s gonna hook you from page one.
It kicks off with a wild twist of fate—two rival killers, Sloane and Rowan. Both lethal. Both unstable. Both living in the shadows. Yet somehow, they can’t stay away from each other. What starts out as a deadly rivalry soon morphs into something far darker… and strangely addictive. Because these two don’t just take lives—they hunt other serial killers.
But the deeper you dive, the messier it gets. Their connection? It’s not just about murder—it’s about chemistry, obsession, and raw attraction. That spark? Yeah, it’s explosive. It’s dangerous. And it’s only a matter of time before their twisted bond spirals into a love story drenched in blood, passion, and betrayal.
Perfect for fans of dark romance thrillers, psychological suspense books, and stories with anti-hero romance vibes that keep you turning the page at 2 a.m.
Of course, love never comes easy when restless ghosts follow you at every turn. The past doesn’t stay buried—especially when the bodies you’ve left behind are clawing their way back. For Rowan and Sloane, every step deeper into obsession brings another reminder of the graves they’ve dug. The real question is—will they outrun this twisted game of blood and betrayal, or have they finally met the one person capable of destroying them completely?
If you’re craving steamy thriller romance novels that blend dark passion, danger, and heart-pounding suspense, this is a must-read. Honestly? It’s one of the best romance books of 2025—no surprise it’s blowing up with nonstop BookTok dark romance recommendations. Think morally grey characters, enemies-to-lovers tension, and serial killer romance tropes that keep you up way past midnight.
3. Lights Out by Navessa Allen
Lights Out isn’t your sweet, safe kind of love story—it’s one of those taboo dark romance books that pushes every boundary and makes you crave more. This isn’t your standard “boy meets girl.” It’s kink, obsession, danger, and desire all tangled up in ways that’ll leave you breathless. If you’re not open-minded, you might clutch your pearls… but if you are? Oh, this book will wreck you in the best way.
By day, Aly Cappellucci saves lives as a trauma nurse. But at night? She’s haunted by fantasies she can’t shake—being hunted, chased, captured by masked men she secretly follows online. And one mask, one man, has completely consumed her—Josh Hammond.
Josh isn’t just some random online crush. He’s a masked creator whose thirst traps have millions hooked. But Aly? She’s the follower who slips past his walls. When their worlds finally collide, it’s not just a hookup—it’s an ignition of their darkest kinks, forbidden desires, and dangerous chemistry. Together, they blur the line between fantasy and reality… and once that line is crossed, there’s no turning back.
If you’ve been scrolling through spicy BookTok romance recommendations or searching for the best dark romance novels of 2025, Lights Out is the book everyone’s whispering (and screaming) about.
But here’s the real twist—Josh isn’t the only one watching Aly. There’s another shadow lurking. Another set of eyes locked on her. But unlike Josh, this stranger isn’t here to play games. What they want is darker, more dangerous… and far deadlier than a little late-night stalking.
If you’re hooked on spicy romance novels with obsession, danger, and forbidden chemistry, Lights Out needs to be on your TBR right now. It’s the kind of dark romance thriller that keeps you wide awake at 2 a.m., flipping pages like your life depends on it. No wonder it’s skyrocketing through BookTok taboo romance recommendations and already being hailed as one of the best dark romance books of 2025.
Perfect for fans of morally grey romance heroes, stalker romance tropes, and taboo kink-driven love stories that aren’t afraid to go too far.
4. The Predator by RuNyx
Mafia dark romance books are basically the heartbeat of the genre—and this one? Hands down one of the best mafia romance novels of 2025.
Meet Tristan Caine. The enigma. The only outsider allowed inside the mob’s highest circle. His skills are legendary. His loyalty? Untested. His motives? A secret no one dares to uncover.
Enter Morana Vitalio—the ruthless, brilliant daughter of a rival mafia family. Where Tristan deals in weapons, Morana commands with code. She’s fearless, sharp, and dangerous enough to bring any man to his knees.
But when a decades-old secret resurfaces, Morana storms into Tristan’s world with one mission—kill him. What she doesn’t expect? The twisted bond already tethering them together. Suddenly, their rivalry burns hotter than gunfire. Hate turns into obsession. Enemies ignite into lovers. And every confrontation between them drips with the kind of heat that makes mafia romance fans lose sleep.
If you’re craving spicy enemies-to-lovers mafia romance, packed with morally grey heroes, dangerous passion, and addictive suspense, this book needs to be on your TBR immediately. No wonder it’s exploding across BookTok mafia romance recommendations and being called one of the sexiest dark romance thrillers of 2025.
But this story isn’t just about revenge or forbidden desire. Something far bigger is unraveling in the shadows—something that could burn their entire world to the ground. And like it or not, Tristan and Morana are bound to face it side by side, even if their hearts and loyalties are at war.
If you’re addicted to steamy dark mafia romance books with explosive chemistry, high stakes, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers tension that keeps you up till 3 a.m., this one absolutely belongs on your TBR. No surprise it’s flooding BookTok mafia romance recommendations and already being hailed as one of the best dark romance novels of 2025.
Perfect for fans who love morally grey mafia heroes, ruthless heroines, and forbidden love stories that mix passion with danger at every turn.
5. A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane
Honestly, some of the best dark romance novels aren’t set in modern cities or mafia empires—they’re in fantasy worlds and brutal epics that feel larger than life. And A Heart of Blood and Ashes is one of those rare gems that satisfies every craving.
Maddek is a barbarian warrior, born of fire and vengeance. His mission? Avenge his murdered parents and spill the blood of the corrupt king responsible. But when he learns it was the king’s own daughter who lured them to their deaths, his fury sharpens. His rage has a new target.
He’s ready to make her suffer. To take everything from her. But the woman he captures isn’t what he expected. Yvenne—the frail-looking princess—is no ruthless traitor. She’s small, fragile in body, but dangerous in mind. Her sharpest weapons aren’t forged in steel—they’re her intelligence, her cunning, and a tongue that cuts deeper than any blade.
This is dark fantasy romance at its best: enemies-to-lovers tension, brutal stakes, and slow-burn passion wrapped in a world of war and betrayal. If you’re hunting for fantasy romance books like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) but with more grit and savagery, A Heart of Blood and Ashes is a must-add to your 2025 TBR.
And here’s the twist—Yvenne doesn’t cry, beg, or plead for her life. Instead, she makes an offer that flips everything on its head: marriage. A dangerous alliance forged in blood and vengeance. Together, she and Maddek could claim their thrones, burn the king’s empire to ash, and satisfy the hunger for revenge that burns in both their hearts. And maybe, just maybe, that fire will consume them too.
This isn’t just another fantasy love story—it’s one of those fantasy dark romance books that has everything: betrayal, brutal passion, power struggles, and that intoxicating enemies-to-lovers tension you can feel in your bones.
If you’re searching for steamy fantasy romance novels in 2025 that blend epic worldbuilding with addictive spice, A Heart of Blood and Ashes deserves the very top spot on your TBR. No wonder it’s being called one of the best fantasy romance novels of the year—it’s savage, sexy, and absolutely unputdownable.
6. God of Malice by Rina Kent
We’ve all had that one classmate we couldn’t stand. But this? This dark college romance book takes that tension to a whole new, twisted level.
Glyndon King is just trying to make it through art school without drawing too much attention. But then she collides with Killian Carson—and nothing is the same.
On the outside, Killian is everything people admire. Smooth. Sophisticated. The golden boy everyone trusts without question. But peel back the charm, and you’ll find the truth: he’s a monster wearing a mask. A predator in disguise. A psychopathic medical student who’s cold-blooded, manipulative, and terrifyingly brilliant at playing people like a game.
This is the kind of enemies-to-lovers dark romance that drips with obsession, danger, and toxic chemistry so sharp it hurts. If you’re hunting for spicy college romance books from BookTok that push boundaries and keep you glued to the page, this one easily ranks among the best dark romance novels of 2025.
The worst part? Nobody else notices. To everyone else, Killian Carson is untouchable—golden boy, perfect student, future doctor. But Glyndon knows better. She sees the cracks. She sees the monster hiding behind the mask. The devil dressed up in charm. And the more she notices him, the more dangerous it becomes… because catching his attention might cost her everything.
If you’re hooked on psychopath romance books loaded with obsession, tension, and that dangerously addictive enemies-to-lovers vibe, this one’s a must-read. It’s the kind of dark college romance that keeps you breathless, flipping pages at 2 a.m. No surprise it’s exploding across BookTok dark romance recommendations and already being hailed as one of the best dark romance books of 2025.
7. The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
This isn’t just dark academia—it’s dark academia romance cranked to the extreme. Darker. Hotter. Way more twisted.
At Barrington University, the elite hide behind shadows and tradition. A secret society known only as the Lords rules campus life, where power is everything and the price is always blood. Violence isn’t just a consequence—it’s their currency. And by senior year, every Lord is handed a “chosen one.”
Enter Blakely Anderson. Her life has been picture-perfect, mapped out to the last detail. Polished. Predictable. Until she collides with Ryat—the Lord who flips her world upside down. He’s dangerous, magnetic, and for the first time in her life, he offers her something real: a choice. A way out. A chance to live her own life instead of one designed for her.
But freedom always comes with a cost. And stepping into Ryat’s world means stepping straight into the darkness. The games of the Lords aren’t harmless secrets or silly rituals. They’re twisted. Brutal. Deadly. And once Blakely is chosen, the only rule left is survival.
If you’re obsessed with dark academia romance books, secret society dark romance, or the kind of spicy college romance novels BookTok can’t stop raving about, this is one of the best dark romance books of 2025 you don’t want to miss.
What starts as a game doesn’t stay one for long. It twists. It escalates. Until suddenly, it’s no longer fun—it’s survival. The prize? Freedom. The cost? Maybe death.
If you’re obsessed with dark college romance books featuring secret societies, obsession, danger, and unrelenting spice, this one is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of story that crawls under your skin and keeps you hooked till the last page. No wonder it’s dominating BookTok dark romance recommendations and already being crowned one of the best dark romance novels of 2025.
8. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
This one’s a fan-favorite dark romance book, and honestly? It’s the perfect gateway if you’re just dipping your toes into the genre. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s dark, seductive, and twisted enough to get you completely hooked.
Think dark fantasy romance with that romantasy vibe everyone’s obsessed with—only spicier, more dangerous, and with gods who play dirtier than mortals ever could.
The story follows Persephone, the so-called Goddess of Spring… in name only. Flowers wither at her touch. Her title feels like a cruel joke. So when she escapes to New Athens, all she wants is a quiet life. Blend in. Stay low. Pretend to be mortal. Nothing wild.
But then she crosses paths with Hades—the infamous God of the Dead. In the mortal world, he’s more than a myth. He’s a kingpin, ruling a sprawling gambling empire where the stakes are steep and the house always wins. Nobody leaves his table victorious.
Until Persephone sits down for a hand of cards. And for the first time, the game changes.
If you’re craving spicy Hades and Persephone retellings, dark romantasy books, or mythology romance novels with heat, danger, and obsession, this is one of the best dark romance novels of 2025 to add to your TBR. No wonder it’s trending all over BookTok romance recommendations right now.
She loses the game. And with that single hand of cards, Persephone seals her fate. Now she’s bound by a contract with the God of the Dead himself. Her impossible task? Breathe life into the Underworld—or surrender her freedom forever.
But as Persephone struggles against the deal, something unexpected takes root. Not flowers, not spring—something far more dangerous. An attraction. Forbidden. Irresistible. Completely intoxicating. The kind of fire that could burn them both.
If you’re searching for Hades and Persephone romance retellings, or crave steamy fantasy romance novels that mix myth, magic, and spice, this book is a must. It’s easily one of the best dark romance books of 2025, and it’s no surprise it’s everywhere on BookTok romantasy recommendations right now.
9. Truly by Carmel Rhodes
The summer after senior year was supposed to be everything. Carefree nights. Beach days. Memories Truly would never forget. The best summer of her life.
But then came that party. The one she never should’ve gone to. The one that changed everything.
Because that’s where she caught his eye—Noah Tedesco. Her ex’s half-brother. The bad idea wrapped in golden skin and a dangerous smile. A hot jock with a trust fund, a bad attitude, and a chip on his shoulder sharp enough to cut anyone who gets too close. He’s reckless. He’s infuriating. He’s off-limits.
And yet… he’s impossible to resist.
If you’re into bad boy romance books, forbidden summer flings, or dark new adult romance novels, this one’s got all the heat, angst, and obsession you crave. No wonder it’s blowing up in BookTok spicy romance recommendations and already being called one of the best new adult romance books of 2025.
But now? She’s on his radar. And with Noah Tedesco, once he wants something… there’s no escape. No turning back.
This isn’t your sweet beach read—it’s one of those dark summer romance books that drips with temptation, drama, and obsession. The kind of messy, forbidden love that makes your heart race and your stomach drop in equal measure.
If you’re hooked on forbidden romance novels with bad boys, dangerous tension, and that “I know I shouldn’t want this, but I do” energy, this one belongs at the top of your TBR. No wonder it’s already being hyped as one of the best dark romance novels of 2025 and flooding BookTok romance recommendations everywhere.
10. Hooked by Emily McIntire
This isn’t your childhood storybook—it’s a dark Peter Pan retelling with a forbidden, twisted edge that will have you hooked from page one.
James has lived for one thing only: revenge. His target? Peter Michaels, the man who’s haunted him for years. And when Peter’s twenty-year-old daughter, Wendy, walks into his bar, James sees the perfect opening. Seduce her. Use her. Break her father through her.
But revenge never plays out the way it’s supposed to. The more time James spends with Wendy, the less she feels like a pawn in his deadly game. She’s sharp. Fiery. Too tempting to ignore. And soon, the line between manipulation and obsession blurs until James isn’t sure who’s in control anymore—or if he’s the one losing everything.
If you’re craving dark fairy tale romance books, forbidden age gap romance, or enemies-to-lovers retellings with spice and danger, this one’s a must-add. It’s already being hyped as one of the best dark romance novels of 2025 and blowing up across BookTok fairy tale romance recommendations.
As the heat between them intensifies and Wendy sinks deeper into James’s twisted world, one question starts to haunt her—who is she really falling for? The man who whispers her name in the dark… or the monster the world calls Hook.
This isn’t a sweet fairy tale—it’s a dark fantasy romance with a forbidden, dangerous edge that makes it utterly addictive. Seductive. Twisted. Impossible to put down.
If you’re into dark Peter Pan retellings, forbidden romance books, or spicy fantasy romance novels, this one deserves a permanent spot on your TBR. It’s already exploding across BookTok dark romance retelling recs and being hailed as one of the best dark romance novels of 2025.
11. Twisted Love by Ana Huang
The Twisted series has completely taken over BookTok—and honestly? The hype is 100% deserved. These aren’t just popular dark romance books, they’re the kind you binge in one sitting, lose sleep over, and immediately shove onto your friends’ TBRs.
It all kicks off with Alex Volkov. He’s the devil in disguise—an angel’s face hiding a soul carved out of vengeance and shadows. Haunted by a tragedy that left scars too deep to fade, Alex lives for one thing: success. Power. Control. Love? Feelings? They’ve never been part of his plan. Not until everything changes…
If you’re into billionaire dark romance books, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and BookTok spicy romance series that keep trending nonstop, the Twisted books are a must. No wonder readers are calling them some of the best romance novels of 2025.
And then comes Ava—his best friend’s little sister. Sweet. Off-limits. The one girl he should’ve stayed far away from. Watching her was supposed to be nothing more than a favor. A simple promise kept. But instead, Ava slips past every wall he’s built, igniting a fire he never knew existed. A fire dangerous enough to burn down everything—his plans, his revenge, even the world he’s built for himself.
If you’re obsessed with billionaire dark romance novels featuring broody anti-heroes, forbidden love, and that addictive “I shouldn’t want you, but I can’t stop” tension, the Twisted series is a must-read. It’s no wonder it’s blowing up on BookTok romance recommendations and being hailed as one of the best romance series of 2025.
12. Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Phantasma is the new dark romance release that’s blowing up online right now—and honestly? Every bit of hype is deserved.
The story centers on Ophelia, whose life shatters when her sister mysteriously vanishes. The only way to save her? Enter Phantasma—a brutal contest set inside a haunted mansion dripping with secrets and shadows. The prize: one impossible wish. The cost: survival. Because in this game, there can only be one winner, and everyone else is expendable.
And then there’s Blackwell. Infuriatingly attractive. Charming in the most dangerous way. Arrogant enough to make you hate him—and tempting enough to make you want him anyway. He promises he can guide Ophelia through the deadly trials, but his price isn’t something she can brush off. He wants ten years of her life. Ten years she might not even have to give.
If you’re into dark fantasy romance books with haunted mansions, deadly games, and dangerously magnetic heroes, Phantasma is a must-add to your TBR. It’s already flooding BookTok dark romance recommendations and being called one of the best dark romance novels of 2025.
Now, every move Ophelia makes is a gamble. Her life dangles by a thread. The mansion itself seems hungry for her blood. Monsters stalk her every step, waiting for her to fall. But the most dangerous gamble of all? Losing her heart to the one man she swore she couldn’t trust—Blackwell.
This isn’t just a love story—it’s a survival story drenched in danger, obsession, and forbidden desire. If you’re obsessed with fantasy dark romance books that throw you into deadly games, haunted mansions, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Phantasma belongs on your TBR.
It’s already dominating BookTok trending romance recs and being hailed as one of the best romance books of 2025—spicy, sinister, and absolutely unputdownable.
13. An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
This dark fantasy romance book drops you right into Saint Perpetua’s College—a place where ambition is currency, secrets are traded like gold, and eerie midnight ceremonies bind students tighter and tighter to its shadowy grip.
Laura Sheridan never thought she’d be caught in the cutthroat world of brutal academic rivalry. But then came Carmilla—beautiful, untouchable, and impossible to resist. Their competition is fierce, but so is the undeniable pull between them—sharp enough to cut, intoxicating enough to consume.
And as if their rivalry isn’t dangerous enough, it soon catches the eye of their poetry professor, De Lafontaine. Demanding. Magnetic. Dangerous in his own right. Under his gaze, the lines blur—between knowledge and power, between rivalry and passion, between desire and ruin.
If you’re addicted to dark academia romance books with sapphic tension, dangerous obsession, and forbidden professor-student dynamics, this one belongs on your TBR. Already flooding BookTok romantasy recommendations, it’s being hailed as one of the best dark romance novels of 2025.
As Laura and Carmilla’s connection twists from rivalry into something darker—something dangerous, maybe even forbidden—they’re forced to confront the question that could ruin them both: how much are they willing to sacrifice? For brilliance. For power. For love.
This isn’t just a schoolyard rivalry—it’s one of those dark academia romance novels steeped in obsession, sharp tension, and the intoxicating mix of intellect and forbidden desire. Every page drips with atmosphere, betrayal, and passion you can’t look away from.
If you’re hooked on sapphic dark romance, forbidden student-professor dynamics, or simply want a story that blurs the line between ambition and obsession, this is easily one of the best dark romance books of 2025. No surprise it’s already trending across BookTok dark academia romance recommendations.
14. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
If you’re craving a mix of contemporary dark romance with strong mafia dark romance vibes, you have to pick up Den of Vipers. The premise will make your jaw drop—but the spice level? Completely off the charts.
The Vipers own Roxy’s town. Every deal, every street corner, every business runs under their name. Their reputation alone is enough to make men twice their size beg for mercy. These aren’t guys you cross… ever.
But Roxy’s dad? He did. And when he couldn’t pay his debt, he did the unthinkable—he sold his daughter to the Vipers. Now, Roxy’s been thrown into their world, claimed as theirs. At least, that’s what they think. Because what they don’t know yet? Roxy isn’t the kind of girl who breaks. She’s the kind who bites back.
If you’re into reverse harem dark romance books packed with danger, obsession, and insane levels of spice, this one is a must. No wonder it’s trending hard on BookTok dark romance recommendations and being called one of the best spicy romance books of 2025.
They want everything—Roxy’s body, her soul, her complete submission. And the Vipers don’t stop until they take what they want. But here’s the twist: they can own her body, they can mark her skin, but her heart? That’s the one thing they’ll never control.
This isn’t soft, fluffy romance—it’s brutal, obsessive, and scorching hot. If you’re craving spicy mafia romance books with dark reverse harem tropes, danger, and raw intensity, Den of Vipers is a ride you won’t ever forget.
It’s no surprise this book is exploding across BookTok dark romance recommendations and being crowned as one of the best dark romance books of 2025. It’s messy. It’s addictive. And once you start, there’s no way you’re putting it down.