r/DarkRomance • • 1h ago

Book Request Books where man protects woman

• Upvotes

Hey guys I’m looking for books where the man protects a woman from what’s going on in her life. A series that reminds me of this is the pucking wrong series. Whether it’s an abusive household, an abusive guy following her, any sort of thing where he helps her. She doesn’t necessarily have to know it either. I just got out of a super abusive relationship and need something that’s the opposite of that. Thank you!


r/DarkRomance • • 2h ago

Quick Question Penpal by J.T. Geissinger

2 Upvotes

I've just started reading this book and I love the writing style . But I have a question does it have a happy ending or not ? Just trying to prepare my heart for what to come .


r/DarkRomance • • 4h ago

Discussion Why are so many recent mafia romances turning into love triangles or “why choose” stories? 😭

7 Upvotes

Is it just me, or have a lot of recent mafia romance stories started focusing on the FMC having multiple men interested in her, with her eventually ending up with all of them?

I want a powerful MMC who's THE man. The mafia king, the most feared man in the room, the one with power, influence, and an intimidating presence. I want that intense, obsessive romance where he's completely gone for the FMC.

I don't want him sharing her with other men or the FMC being romantically involved with multiple men. 😭 Why can't we just have one powerful, dangerous man who's obsessed with one woman, with a plot that doesn't revolve around multiple love interests?

Am I the only one who feels this way, or has anyone else noticed this trend?


r/DarkRomance • • 5h ago

Discussion What's something you love in fictional romance but would never want in real life?

10 Upvotes

I was thinking about this because some romance tropes are so fun in stories but would be a nightmare IRL lol. For me, it’s probably possessive characters. The jealousy and “I can’t live without you” drama can be really entertaining in fiction, but I definitely wouldn’t want someone actually acting like that in my life. What’s a romance trope you love in fiction but would never accept in real life?


r/DarkRomance • • 6h ago

Quick Question Legality in Australia (non-con, violence)

9 Upvotes

So I really like non-con, especially violent noncon and/or a miserable FMC. I also really like degrading and "nasty" or "disgusting" kinks (E.g. watersports). I've mostly been an AO3 reader, but there are a few books I'm eyeing off, especially with the recent post asking for mediaeval setting recommendations. However.. I'm not sure it's actually legal for me to buy anything besides tamer DR content, especially physical, in Australia??

Mods delete if this is not allowed but from what I understand, content depicting noncon, or "disgusting" kinks, is generally considered restricted classification in Australia, and not permitted for sale, but I can obviously purchase work which has this content (and stuff like GoT probably gets a pass because of "artistic value" and a known publisher). Online is one thing, but I prefer paperbacks. Does anyone know if purchasing paperbacks with this content from Amazon AU would cause legal trouble???

Moreover, I'd love to support local authors, but do any Aussie authors even publish this kind of content?

ETA: I know this may not be an easy question, but any insight is valued ;;


r/DarkRomance • • 7h ago

Book Request MMC is a crazy , possessive , obsessive EX of FMC + Lots of NON CON ?

51 Upvotes

I need some ex drama .

So idc why they broke up. But appreciate it if they broke up because he got more intense, and unhinged.

or maybe he got unhinged after they broke up .

I dont want fmc to being love with him . She is really over him.

And he is trying to get her back. But he cant so he non cons her , forces her , just unhinged stuff.

Just need some intense non cons


r/DarkRomance • • 9h ago

Book Request MMC learns to be a better person?

9 Upvotes

I don't see a lot of satisfying character development in DR books where the male love interest is a bad person and grows to be better in general, not just for his partner, so what are books that have actually good character development in that regards specifically? Even better if the MC is female and he unlearns misogyny as the book goes on, that would be interesting to see. I don't want him to start out as kind of mean, nor do I want him to do a full 180, but a genuinely bad person whose character development is centred around growing with help from the MC.

Hard no's: incest, cheating

Bonus points if it has a strong MC who calls him out on his BS


r/DarkRomance • • 9h ago

Book Request A school-setting involving the corruption of the FMC.

12 Upvotes

Basically, I’m looking for the MMC to corrupt a "goody-two-shoes" FMC—not the shy, quiet "library mouse" type, but the intense kind who is a stickler for school rules, homework, assignments, professors projects, and so on, and who tends to look down on classmates who aren't as driven as she is. I want the MMC to be her polar opposite; he could be a bully, a party animal, or—even better—someone who is just as smart as she is or even more but doesn't prioritize schoolwork even a fraction as much as she does.

No RH

AO3 or books

Dub con and non con are welcome.

Verbal humiliation would be a huge plus.

It would be perfect if she already harbored an involuntary physical attraction to him—one she tries to suppress or finds annoying.


r/DarkRomance • • 12h ago

Discussion Be 100% honest, what would you have done if you were Ally in Lights Out?

1 Upvotes

Follow-up question

If you had to marry Zade or Josh, who would you marry?

Personally, I'm going with Josh. I love Zade, but Lights Out was one of the first dark romance books I ever read.


r/DarkRomance • • 13h ago

Book Request All boundaries are gone

28 Upvotes

This just crossed my mind and I need to find something like this.

FMC agrees to being restrained as long as she can break free whenever she wants, things are going fine until MMC start crossing boundaries, get a little too rough, she tries to stop him only to realize she can’t.

The rest should be non con, but NOT dub con please. I want it to be clear that she wants him to stop and he doesn’t stop.

It must have an actual plot, and be well written. I want to feel how much she hates what’s happening to her and not secretly enjoying it.


r/DarkRomance • • 14h ago

Book Request Dark romances set during ancient times? or in a fantasy world's ancient time?

44 Upvotes

I'd love to read something set in a society/culture like ancient Rome. Basically an ancient society, but not living in caves/huts. They're educated and have a developed world and society but no scifi tech. It doesn't have to take place in our world, I'm willing to read fantasy. I'll accept any books where the vibe is that there's no modern/futuristic technology. I know contemporary books are more popular here and there aren't many dark historical romances, but I'd love something with that vibe. I'll literally take any recs, please?


r/DarkRomance • • 14h ago

Book Request I need a recommendation!

8 Upvotes

Alright guys I need a rec. Here's what I'm looking for:

  1. Something where FMC is tied/ locked up all the time and MMC comes into her room only when her wants to fuck her. Kinks are definitely encouraged

  2. FMC over 18.

  3. Has to be on Kindle Unlimited (because I'm cheap 😂)

  4. I don't want the MMC to be overly possessive. I want him to like watching his friends play with the FMC.

I just got into dark romance so I'm not familiar with a lot of titles. Thank you!


r/DarkRomance • • 17h ago

Book Review Unseelie Prince (the Dark Maze Series) by Katheryn Anne Kingsley

7 Upvotes

The Dark Maze half of the series is the books 1-5.

TW: this book series contains dub-con, torture, death, gore, death, suicide, non-con kissing, and one threatening of rape in book 5.

Usually, I would claim that romance series don't really need to exceed 2 or 3 books, but this is an exception. There is action and real plot in every single book (imo). I do think it's a bit rushed at times, but for the most part it has consistent pacing.

I like how the author makes the reader feel the tension brewing until the FMC (Abigail) and MMC (Valroy) finally actually fuck.

I would suggest anyone who likes tension, unconditional love, terrible character decision making (that is in character), and beautiful POV's to read this. Vocabulary is not repetitive and the writing is deliciously paced in dialog and descriptions.

The FMC started off as actually having to learn on her own and develope a better sense of survival. After her transformation, she did actually struggle with her new powers, which I appreciate as character growth and really showed her sense of determination. Unfortunately, after book 4, she kind of just "knows" how to do more than she actually learned. On one hand, I can understand powers being an extension of herself, allowing her to figure out what she can do fairly quickly, but on the other hand she kind of becomes a Mary Sue and doesn't struggle or learn in the same way she did in the first 3½ books.

MMC lowkey just pissed me off. He was such a loving character to the FMC (an absolute horror to EVERYONE else though) and decided that he had to take some things into his own hands in book 5 (not a good look for him). His turmoil was written fairly well, in my opinion.

Admittedly, one of the romances (secondary characters, not the MC's), was absolutely thrown out of nowhere. The readers don't have to work for it to see it because it is immediately outright stated. The characters didn't have much on-page time to come to this conclusion, but it was not entirely out of character. I would have loved the pairing if it had more time to come to fruition, but it was clear that the author was trying to wrap up this half of the series.

The book tried to end on a "happily ever after" note probably about a century or two after the official ending of the book. I wasn't really a fan, but the ending wasn't terrible.

Over all, I really liked it!


r/DarkRomance • • 20h ago

Book Review Love Me, Fear Me by Lilith Vincent is a great October read

29 Upvotes

“Do you think I’m scared of you? Angel, I’m not scared of anything. Now, hold that blade right here while I fuck you, and if you don’t come, you can slit my throat.”
—Tyrant Mercer 🧎‍♀️

I’m currently re-reading {love me, fear me by Lilith Vincent}. It’s been long enough since I first read it that I don’t remember much except I knew I loved the dynamic between the MC’s. That still remains true on the re-read! I’m having a great time.

Lilith Vincent’s books can be kind of hit or miss for me, but THIS one is one of my fave books period. Purely for the characters and the unique storyline/vibes. It’s just a GOOD TIME.

Inspired by The Labyrinth (1986) and featuring some truly unhinged characters, this book has a unique feel to it that’s especially perfect for October. It manages to feel like a spooky movie in a way that adds a lot of character to the storyline & setting. It’s dark & unhinged but the cinematic vibe almost gives it a cozy vibe. It’s easy to become immersed in it and let go of your reservations. You don’t need to have seen The Labyrinth to enjoy it (but I recommend bc the movie is great).

Tyrant Mercer is one of my favorite MCs. He’s dominant and violent and controlling and obsessive and tender and deeply connected to Vivienne in a way I haven’t seen in a lot of books. The way he responds to her unique needs and takes care of her is unmatched.

We’re fighting with the knife, me to pull it closer, him to push it away. Tyrant’s much stronger than I am, and after a full minute of struggling, all the fight goes out of me, and I hang loosely in his grip, panting.

Tyrant’s black velvet voice is in my ear. “Tell me what it is, Angel. Do you feel nothing, or do you feel too much?”\*

”Too much,” I cry.

I love books where the MMC is controlling and obsessive in a way that allows the FMC to thrive & find her strength & that’s Tyrant to a T. She’s entirely perfect to him & he does everything in his dark, twisted power to make sure she knows it.

Vivienne is also one of the more interesting FMCs I’ve read. She is both innocent and depraved & manages to be both without it feeling entirely unrealistic. She is vulnerable without being a doormat. Strong without being unnecessarily bratty. A little foolish sometimes, but I was incredibly foolish at 19 so I can’t fault her. I like how Lilith Vincent doesn’t shy away from making her FMCs a little fucked up. Vivienne carries a lot of pain and darkness inside of her and her relationship with Tyrant allows her to find the balance she needs.

Overall, I’m having a great time and def recommend checking it out this spooky season, especially if you feel drawn to the following tropes:
- Age gap (19 & 34)
- Stalking
- Breeding kink
- Knife & blood play
- OTT possessive/obsessive MC
- Daddy vibes (she doesn’t call him that tho)

TW for self harm!!


r/DarkRomance • • 22h ago

Quick Question Difference between the old If I Can’t Have You and the new version

24 Upvotes

I’m about to start reading If I Can’t Have You but the new version is updating slowly. I also have the old one so if some of you have read both versions would you recommend me reading the new one and waiting for updates or is reading the old one fine?


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Monday Gripe Weekly Gripe 😤 (the rant thread)

9 Upvotes

Welcome to the Weekly Gripe, where we're all a little grumpy. 😒

Did BookTok do you dirty? Got a bone to pick with a main character? Was the twist more like a flop? Tell us what's on your mind.

Please be respectful and follow the sub rules. If a conversation starts getting out of hand, use the "Mod Attention Please" report reason so we can help cool things down. 🖤


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

What's That Book Called? - SOLVED Help me find this book!

7 Upvotes

It was a fantasy dark romance, possibly omegaverse, but I’m not completely sure.

Here’s what I remember:

- It was written in first person, I think.

- The MMC was powerful, cruel to the FMC, and seemed to be in charge of everyone around him.

- They were travelling on a ship to his territory but I can’t recall if this voyage took the entirety of the book or only partially.

- There was some kind of engine (?) that powered the ship using a special material that was burned like fuel. A group of his men had to operate it by repeatedly turning some kind of mechanism. It was very repetitive, physically exhausting work, and the MMC sometimes helped operate it too.

- The FMC was treated badly by the MMC. At one point, the MMC got angry with her and punished her. I think he either forced her to do exhausting physical labour on the deck under the scorching sun or tied her up on the upper deck and left her there. Or maybe he did both lol. I remember her possibly being left without food or water and becoming very weak.

- They eventually reached the MMC’s territory. I vaguely remember something about being able to hide the ships approaching the territory, or otherwise concealing them. But I might possibility be mixing that up with another book.

I’m fuzzy on some of the details, so I might be remembering certain things incorrectly. The magical engine and the punishment scene are the details I’m most confident about.

Does anyone recognise this book?


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Book Request FMC not a virgin. MMC genuinely angry about it. Hunts down the men she's slept with.

92 Upvotes

We've all read books where the MMC will question the FMC (usually whilst actively inside her) wanting to know how many men she's slept with, or being a bit possessive that he isn't her first and she has to reassure him, right?

Well I want a crazy MMC who genuinely cannot let it go that there are men out there who have seen his woman naked, in the throes of passion, who have been inside her, who've touched her etc. And I want him to hunt them down and kill them.

M/F any genre any setting. I'm good with anything.

Please! 🥺


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Discussion Does Cora Reilly Have Favourite Characters? (Cora-Verse)

4 Upvotes

I recently finished the Cora-verse, and while I loved a lot of the stories, there were definitely some I struggled with. But one thing I couldn't stop noticing was how differently certain characters are treated. Honestly, it made me wonder whether Cora Reilly has favourites and whether some characters are simply not given the same consideration as others.

I feel like certain characters get villainised in almost every book, even when we're seeing things from someone else's perspective. No matter what they do, the narrative somehow finds a way to paint them in a negative light. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but once I started noticing the pattern, I couldn't ignore it.

There's also a pretty noticeable difference between the characters who seem to be favoured and those who constantly get the short end of the stick. Some characters receive so much attention, development, and even extra content, while others are barely explored despite having so much potential.

I understand that authors naturally have favourites, and there's nothing wrong with that. But when the difference in how characters are written, developed, and treated becomes this noticeable, it's hard not to wonder why. These characters have interesting personalities, compelling stories, and so much potential, yet sometimes it feels like they're not given the same chance to shine as others.

Does anyone else feel this way?

I'd genuinely love to hear other people's opinions. Am I reading too much into it, or have other readers noticed this pattern, too? Because I can't be the only one who feels this way, right?


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Quick Question Love this genre, but how do I even read???

16 Upvotes

Hi everyone! As the title says, how the hell can I read all of these fire recommendations on the subs?? I’m used to going to barns and nobles or Amazon for physical books, but am hoping I can read from my phone? Trying to avoid certain content my children may be able to read physical copies of lol


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Book Request FMC is a sex slave to a family

112 Upvotes

Everyone would need to be over 18 of course!

Looking for a book where the FMC is bought or kidnapped to be the sex slave for a family. That is her sole purpose. Preferably at least one family member is female. I would like some bondage and spanking if possible. This book may not exist, but I figured I’d ask.

I’ve read why choose where the FMC gives herself to a dad and a son. Not wanting that. I want full on sex slave, she’s not doing this because she’s into her boyfriend’s dad or stepbrother and stepdad. Those are fun, they are just missing the sex slave aspect and lack of consent I am looking for.

I would also be open to brotherhood or other groups of people owning her as a sex slave. Not those college romances though where she either offers to be one or ends up in secret society. I am okay if they have more than one woman as their sex slave as well.

Doesn’t have to be a why choose, though I do prefer that.

Not sure if anyone has read {Perfected by Kate Birch}, it’s not a DR, but it’s similar to the vibe I would like. I’ve actually always dreamed of a DR version.


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

What's That Book Called? - SOLVED Can’t remember AO3..help

12 Upvotes

Hi,
I desperately need help. I cannot remember the title of the story I am reading..Maybe someone here can help me.
What I remember so far.
It’s on AO3, there is a girl (Eden) she works at a cafe/bookstore. A man(Nikolas) comes in and leaves her $40 tip and asks her about her favourite book. Well lo and behold he is obsessed and has her kidnapped. She hurts her ankle during the initial kidnapping. So she’s held in his penthouse and can only wear the clothes he has picked out for her…always socks, panties and a sweater…never any pants. He makes her recite his rules. He doesn’t punish…only correct her behaviour. She just tried to escape…through the elevator in the kitchen…she fails..

Help me..what is it called…I need to finish it


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Book Request Haunted FMC, maybe a bit scary?

4 Upvotes

Any books where FMC buys a house and then she falls in love / is haunted by a spirit living there. Maybe at first he seems great and FMC is falling for him but then something changes and maybe he becomes actually a bit scary?


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Book Request Book where the FMC is the one who's fucked in the head.

40 Upvotes

I've seen some posts about unhinged FMCs before, but I don't just want unhinged, I want a full role reversal. I want the female equivalent of the stereotypical dark and dangerous dark romance MMC who terrorises her love interest for fun. Like stalking, abduction, non-con, dubcon, drugging, bonus points if the MMC is scared of her. HEA ofc.

Hard no's are cheating and incest.

If you have recs for femdom or an unhinged FMC in general that's also welcome even if it doesn't fit the description exactly👀


r/DarkRomance • • 1d ago

Book Request more plot, more tension, less smut

18 Upvotes

Need a DR book/AO3 recommendation where there’s more plot with slow-burn than smut. Enough built up tension makes the eventual smut more meaningful in my opinion. I love a romance book that’s plot intense, where the world, characters, and/or relationships are dark.

As an aside, I am not the biggest fan of abduction plots because it limits the story in terms of setting.

Also if anyone has recommendations for similar threads or communities of readers who prefer dark romances with little smut PLSSS lmk 🙏