Best Dark Romance Books

The highest-rated books featuring the Dark Romance trope, ranked by readers and listeners. Browse 50 titles across Romance, Fantasy, Thriller.

Read more

Dark romance strips away the sanitized version of love and shows what happens when two people find connection in dangerous, broken, or morally gray spaces. These stories deliver a specific thrill: watching someone fall for a character who shouldn't be lovable, or watching a damaged protagonist finally trust another person. The emotional payoff comes from intimacy that feels earned through real stakes—whether that's physical danger, emotional trauma, or the character's own darkness that could destroy everything.

You'll find dark romance spanning fantasy epics, contemporary thrillers, and literary fiction. Expect morally complex protagonists, high-tension relationships, explicit content, and plots where love isn't salvation so much as survival. These books don't shy away from the messiness of real attraction.

  1. 1
    A Court of Mist and Fury cover

    A Court of Mist and Fury

    A Court of Thorns and Roses • Book 2

    by Sarah J. Maas

    ★ 4.89 BLT Score (3.3M ratings)
    ★ 4.63 Goodreads (3.3M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  2. 2
    One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince cover

    One Last Rainy Day: The Legacy of a Prince

    Ravenhood Legacy • Book 1

    by Kate Stewart

    ★ 4.81 BLT Score (55.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.53 Goodreads (55.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  3. 3
    A Court of Mist and Fury (Part 2 of 2) cover

    A Court of Mist and Fury (Part 2 of 2)

    A Court of Thorns and Roses [Dramatized Adaptation] #2, Part 2 • Book 2

    by Sarah J. Maas, Melody Muze, Anthony Palmini, Amanda Forstrom, Nora Achrati

    ★ 4.69 BLT Score (15.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.77 Goodreads (15.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  4. 4
    It Ends with Us cover

    It Ends with Us

    It Ends with Us • Book 1

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.65 BLT Score (4.7M ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (4.7M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  5. 5
    A Court of Mist and Fury (Part 1 of 2) cover

    A Court of Mist and Fury (Part 1 of 2)

    A Court of Thorns and Roses [Dramatized Adaptation] #2, Part 1 • Book 2

    by Sarah J. Maas, Melody Muze, Anthony Palmini, Henry W. Kramer, Jon Vertullo, Amanda Forstrom

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (19.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.7 Goodreads (19.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  6. 6
    Twisted Lies cover

    Twisted Lies

    Twisted • Book 4

    by Ana Huang

    ★ 4.57 BLT Score (707.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.16 Goodreads (707.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  7. 7
    Bad Bishop cover

    Bad Bishop

    Society of Villains • Book 1

    by L.J. Shen

    ★ 4.54 BLT Score (53.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.24 Goodreads (53.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  8. 8
    The Perfect Fit cover

    The Perfect Fit

    by Sadie Kincaid

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (85.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.06 Goodreads (85.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  9. 9
    Beyond the Veil cover

    Beyond the Veil

    The Grey Wolves • Book 5

    by Quinn Loftis

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (14.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.48 Goodreads (14.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  10. 10
    Hunting Adeline cover

    Hunting Adeline

    Cat and Mouse • Book 2

    by H.D. Carlton

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (617.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.07 Goodreads (617.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  11. 11
    Declan cover

    Declan

    Gold Team • Book 5

    by Riley Edwards

    ★ 4.41 BLT Score (3.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.65 Goodreads (3.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  12. 12
    Dark Desire cover

    Dark Desire

    Dark • Book 2

    by Christine Feehan

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (32.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (32.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  13. 13
    Kyle cover

    Kyle

    Gold Team • Book 3

    by Riley Edwards

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (2.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.56 Goodreads (2.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  14. 14
    Too Late cover

    Too Late

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.31 BLT Score (556.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.03 Goodreads (556.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  15. 15
    Kingdom of the Cursed cover

    Kingdom of the Cursed

    Kingdom of the Wicked • Book 2

    by Kerri Maniscalco

    ★ 4.30 BLT Score (222.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (222.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  16. 16
    Wuthering Heights cover

    Wuthering Heights

    by Emily Brontë, Jennifer Donnelly

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (2.2M ratings)
    ★ 3.9 Goodreads (2.2M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  17. 17
    Madame cover

    Madame

    Salacious Players Club • Book 6

    by Sara Cate

    ★ 4.26 BLT Score (46.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (46.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  18. 18
    Irish cover

    Irish

    by Brittanee Nicole

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (6.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (6.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  19. 19
    Beast cover

    Beast

    Devil's Blaze MC • Book 7

    by Jordan Marie

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (3.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.43 Goodreads (3.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  20. 20
    Embers cover

    Embers

    Heart of the Inferno • Book 4

    by Nicole Fanning

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (844 ratings)
    ★ 4.39 Goodreads (844)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  21. 21
    Incubus Inc. cover

    Incubus Inc.

    Incubus Inc. • Book 1

    by Randi Darren

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (1.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (1.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  22. 22
    Detonate cover

    Detonate

    Beneath the Mask • Book 2

    by Luna Mason

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (27.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (27.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  23. 23
    Transfer cover

    Transfer

    The Retrieval Duet • Book 2

    by Aly Martinez

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (6.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (6.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  24. 24
    His Tesoro cover

    His Tesoro

    Empire of Royals • Book 1

    by Emilia Rossi

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (29.9K ratings)
    ★ 3.84 Goodreads (29.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  25. 25
    Brainwashed cover

    Brainwashed

    Alabaster Penitentiary • Book 3

    by Nyla K.

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (7.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (7.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  26. 26
    Tongue's Target cover

    Tongue's Target

    Ruthless Kings MC: Las Vegas • Book 10

    by K.L. Savage

    ★ 4.17 BLT Score (1.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.48 Goodreads (1.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  27. 27
    Black Tie cover

    Black Tie

    Black's Bandits • Book 2

    by Lynn Raye Harris

    ★ 4.16 BLT Score (1.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.47 Goodreads (1.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  28. 28
    Cruz cover

    Cruz

    Dark and Dirty Sinners' MC • Book 5

    by Serena Akeroyd

    ★ 4.15 BLT Score (3.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (3.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  29. 29
    Second-in-Command cover

    Second-in-Command

    Men of Hidden Justice • Book 2

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 4.14 BLT Score (1.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (1.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  30. 30
    The Roman cover

    The Roman

    The Florentine • Book 3

    by Sylvain Reynard

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (2.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.27 Goodreads (2.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  31. 31
    Iron & Bone cover

    Iron & Bone

    Lock & Key • Book 3

    by Cat Porter

    ★ 4.12 BLT Score (2.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (2.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  32. 32
    The Commander cover

    The Commander

    Men of Hidden Justice • Book 3

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 4.11 BLT Score (2.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (2.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  33. 33
    Five Brothers cover

    Five Brothers

    by Penelope Douglas

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (89.2K ratings)
    ★ 3.81 Goodreads (89.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  34. 34
    Tongue: A Ruthless Underworld Novel: Ruthless Kings MC cover

    Tongue: A Ruthless Underworld Novel: Ruthless Kings MC

    Ruthless Kings MC: Las Vegas • Book 8

    by K.L. Savage

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (3.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.28 Goodreads (3.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  35. 35
    Nightfall cover

    Nightfall

    Devil's Night • Book 4

    by Penelope Douglas

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (140.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.27 Goodreads (140.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  36. 36
    [Fifty Shades Darker] [By: E L James] [April, 2012] cover

    [Fifty Shades Darker] [By: E L James] [April, 2012]

    Fifty Shades • Book 2

    by E.L. James

    ★ 4.10 BLT Score (979.7K ratings)
    ★ 3.83 Goodreads (979.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  37. 37
    The Wings That Bind cover

    The Wings That Bind

    Bloodwing Academy • Book 3

    by Briar Boleyn

    ★ 4.09 BLT Score (1.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.37 Goodreads (1.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  38. 38
    Filthy Disciple cover

    Filthy Disciple

    The Disciples • Book 6

    by Cassandra Robbins, Serena Akeroyd

    ★ 4.07 BLT Score (2.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (2.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  39. 39
    Remy cover

    Remy

    by Eden Summers

    ★ 4.07 BLT Score (2.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (2.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  40. 40
    The Phantom of the Opera cover

    The Phantom of the Opera

    by Gaston Leroux

    ★ 4.07 BLT Score (281.0K ratings)
    ★ 3.96 Goodreads (281.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  41. 41
    Hungerstone cover

    Hungerstone

    by Kat Dunn

    ★ 4.06 BLT Score (32.2K ratings)
    ★ 3.92 Goodreads (32.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  42. 42
    Lovely Venom cover

    Lovely Venom

    Quinlan Empire • Book 3

    by Deborah Garland

    ★ 4.06 BLT Score (824 ratings)
    ★ 4.31 Goodreads (824)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  43. 43
    Behind a Closed Door cover

    Behind a Closed Door

    by J.D. Barker

    ★ 4.05 BLT Score (6.8K ratings)
    ★ 3.93 Goodreads (6.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  44. 44
    In Walked Sin cover

    In Walked Sin

    Touch • Book 5

    by Stoni Alexander

    ★ 4.02 BLT Score (1.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.52 Goodreads (1.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  45. 45
    Dante cover

    Dante

    Chicago Ruthless • Book 1

    by Sadie Kincaid

    ★ 4.02 BLT Score (81.4K ratings)
    ★ 3.9 Goodreads (81.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  46. 46
    Enraptured cover

    Enraptured

    Vampire Awakenings • Book 4

    by Brenda K. Davies

    ★ 3.98 BLT Score (2.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.43 Goodreads (2.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  47. 47
    Loving Mayhem (Court of Mayhem Book 1) cover

    Loving Mayhem (Court of Mayhem Book 1)

    Court of Mayhem • Book 1

    by Layla Frost

    ★ 3.97 BLT Score (221 ratings)
    ★ 3.86 Goodreads (221)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  48. 48
    Playboy King cover

    Playboy King

    Underworld Bride Trials • Book 1

    by Meg Xuemei X

    ★ 3.97 BLT Score (6.6K ratings)
    ★ 3.88 Goodreads (6.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  49. 49
    Bad Blood cover

    Bad Blood

    House of Comarré • Book 3

    by Kristen Painter

    ★ 3.96 BLT Score (2.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.02 Goodreads (2.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  50. 50
    The Boss cover

    The Boss

    Men of Hidden Justice • Book 1

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 3.96 BLT Score (3.5K ratings)
    ★ 3.94 Goodreads (3.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Browse Related Lists

Dark Romance Books Dark Romance Audiobooks Forbidden Love Slow Burn Workplace Romance / Boss-Employee Forced Proximity Enemies to Lovers Second Chance Romance Small Town Romance Fated Mates / Soulmates Grumpy / Sunshine Reunion Romance Protector Romance Opposites Attract All Tropes

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →