Giddyup, partners! Cowboy romance novels are the [latest books to go viral on TikTok](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/booktok-romance-books/) and it’s no wonder why. There’s something attractive about a cowhand who works the land, has old-fashioned manners, and loyally builds community. Plus, looking good in a cowboy hat and a pair of Levi’s doesn’t hurt. Hotter than a campfire and sweeter than a prairie breeze, these cowboy romances are sure to lasso your heart.

## 1. “[Done and Dusted](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123179008-done-and-dusted)” by Lyla Sage
![Done-and-Dusted-by-Lyla-Sage](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/yZWrj6jkW2Nqh0TSBLuYD/9cf9f72ac5d1d73f05a3240b15f1f8c9/Done-and-Dusted-by-Lyla-Sage.jpg)

Clementine “Emmy” Ryder successfully achieved her dream of escaping her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming and becoming a professional horse rider. But when a horse racing accident leaves her unable to ride again, she finds herself lost. In the midst of an identity crisis and without a job, she has no choice but to return home to Meadowlark.

Once there, she’s reunited with her brother’s best friend and local bad boy, Luke Brooks. Around town, Luke is known for three things: teaching kids how to ride horses by day, tending the local bar he owns by night, and breaking hearts in between. When their witty banter and light jabs spark something else between them, Emmy thinks that maybe Luke is exactly what she needs to get back in the saddle.

The first in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, this cowboy romance is an Amazon #BestofBookTok bestseller.

## 2. “[Kit McBride Gets a Wife](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60018596-kit-mcbride-gets-a-wife)” by Amy Barry
![Kit-McBride-Gets-a-Wife-by-Amy-Barry](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/gglMN8T7kohJY7xeuSSjE/52d4c78f173a6b71672462b37963d5cc/Kit-McBride-Gets-a-Wife-by-Amy-Barry.jpg)

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” meets “Little House on the Prairie” in this popular cowboy romance. When blacksmith Kit McBride’s younger sister, Junebug, gets fed up with cooking, cleaning, and picking up after him and her three other older brothers, she places an ad in the local paper for a mail-order bride.

Maddy Mooney’s eccentric boss is determined to answer the ad, so Maddy gets dragged along to Buck's Creek, Montana. Maddy hasn’t had an easy go of it since moving from Ireland to the United States, and the wild and rowdy McBride brothers are just what she needs to lift her spirits—especially Kit.

“Kit McBride Gets a Wife” is a contemporary romance that will have you holding your stomach from laughter and swooning with each page.

## 3. “[Flawless](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60755618-flawless)” by Elsie Silver
![Flawless-by-Elsie-Silver](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1Sf0XAWCMWQR1hnb97k3lL/d7b2b6ec269b88382ceec1115f18643e/Flawless-by-Elsie-Silver.jpg)

The first book in the viral Chestnut Springs series from TikTok, “Flawless” follows professional bull rider Rhett Eaton. When Rhett’s big mouth and bad jokes land him and his career in hot water, his agent puts him under constant supervision. Rhett’s new babysitter? His agent’s daughter, Summer Hamilton.

Summer knows that if you mess with the bull, you get the horns, but she won’t be scared off by Rhett Eaton. This ain’t her first rodeo. She’s spunky, sharp-tongued, and determined to prove herself to her father no matter what Rhett may or may not want. It’s not her fault that she can see him for who he really is, underneath all his bravado. Neither of them ever expect for their relationship to grow from professional to personal. A few rolls in the hay don’t have to change anything—but it changes everything.

## 4. “[Wild Hearts](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/wild-hearts-series/)” by Dipsea
![wild hearts ii](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5T1akatLpUYrNiRybXc0WN/2f3870c8e52a973052b7c0bbabd158c8/500-479_OffseasonII_SarahAliceRabbit-fs8.png)

Desperate to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and her demanding desk job, Jessa decides to take some time off and live out her cowgirl fantasy by volunteering at a ranch in Iowa. Excited to reconnect with nature and get her hands dirty, she’s disappointed to be sidelined by her new boss Charli and relegated to mundane office work. Hudson, one of the ranchers, invites her to play hooky and gives her advice on how to get on Charli’s good side. But as they rest near a lake, Jessa can’t take her eyes off how Hudson’s beautiful, dark skin glistens in the water.

She never expected her connection to nature would include a steamy outdoor tryst, but Jessa loves surprises. Another unexpected development? Not only does Charli warm up to her, but things actually get ~heated~ between them—something that makes Hudson deliciously jealous.

Explore all sides of Jessa’s love triangle in this six-part [sapphic romantic](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) Western.

## 5. “[Wild Rain](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43701060-wild-rain)” by Beverly Jenkins
![Wild-Rain-by-Beverly-Jenkins](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5KwvNpqoRe5zpHUGgPFRf9/21fe7868b8b4343ec4a14516f7ab2e79/Wild-Rain-by-Beverly-Jenkins.jpg)

From veteran romance author Beverly Jenkins comes the second book in her historical romance Women Who Dare series. Set after the Civil War, “Wild Rain” follows Spring Lee, a self-reliant—albeit, grumpy—female rancher in the Wyoming mountains. She’s had a rough past and has put love on the back burner for the foreseeable future. But when Garrett McCray—a reporter looking to do a story on Black doctors—shows up, this begins to change.

Garrett traveled to Wyoming from his home back east to do a story on Colton Lee. But, when he arrives out West, he finds himself far more interested in Colt’s sister, Spring. When Garrett is thrown from his horse and injures his knee, Spring offers to let him ride out the impending blizzard and stay at her cabin while he heals. Garrett is patient and kind, and he doesn’t rush Spring into opening up. But, when she does, something fiery and unexpected blooms between them.

Fans of Nora Roberts and Diana Palmer will love this cowboy romance that has nearly a 4.5 star rating on Goodreads!

## 6. “[Alive and Wells](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199239864-alive-and-wells)” by Bailey Hannah
![Alive-and-Wells-by-Bailey-Hannah](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/cT3UiZxpMBSjRWzwrG02w/eaed1648837babf5768c574b9e4b9bca/Alive-and-Wells-by-Bailey-Hannah.jpg)

On the run from an abusive husband, Cecily Strong flees her life in the big city and finds refuge in the last place she expected: a cattle ranch. She refuses to be a victim and is determined to make herself useful, even if it means working more closely with her grumpy new boss.

Austin Wells is gruff, non-nonsense, and has his hands full running his family ranch. Thoroughly unimpressed by city folk and still processing his own recent heartbreak, he plans to ignore Cecily until she leaves...just like the other women in his life. But her stunning beauty and bright attitude are hard to resist. When her past catches up with her, he fights to keep her safe—falling for her in the process.

## 7. “[Pinedale Falls](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/pinedale-falls-series/)” by Dipsea
![Pinedale-Falls-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2hxX4hwWwEFnLKvah4mQbX/7fc40f4a702d2f839d7e5c690ed10593/Pinedale-Falls-by-Dipsea.jpg)

If you’ve ever read a [super steamy romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/) and wished you were the main character, “Pinedale Falls” is your chance. Immerse yourself in this original audiobook that follows Dan and Wilder, two cowboys in Pinedale, Wyoming. You’ve come to work on their ranch, eager to learn the ropes and stay out of trouble. But things aren’t that easy—especially when you discover that Dan and Wilder are both werewolves.

When Dan takes a romantic interest in you, Wilder steps in to protect you from a situation that could turn dangerous. At least, that’s what he thinks he’s doing. But maybe he just wants you for himself.

Step into your own love story with this four-part paranormal Western romance!

## 8. “[Between the Vines](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196297415-between-the-vines)” by Grace Elena
![Between-the-Vines-by-Grace-Elena](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2A427nVtqgIhnStSxT8bxS/f74f17f44fd057d54e6552c71db22449/Between-the-Vines-by-Grace-Elena.jpg)

The first book in the Alpine Ridge series, this popular cowboy romance follows Camila Morales, a hard worker with a positive attitude who moves to a small town in Tennessee to take over an abandoned vineyard. Her new home happens to be next door to grumpy cowboy Bennett Moore, an ex-Marine who loves being alone and hates tourists. Though he has a tough exterior, Camila’s warm personality burns through and ignites an unexpected romance between them.

Featuring a strong Latina character—and tropes like grumpy/sunshine, small town life, and an age gap romance—this is one cowboy romance book you’ll want to add to your Kindle wishlist stat!

## Ride off into the sunset with a cowboy romance

Whether it's the allure of the cowboy or the Western setting, stories about falling in love on the range keep roping in readers. And if you’re looking for even more cowboy romances, Dipsea’s original spicy audiobooks have fresh storylines, voices that you’ll daydream about, and moments that will give you goosebumps. Sign up for a [30-day free trial](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?f=2&promo=signup30d) and hear for yourself!

Giddyup, partners! Cowboy romance novels are the [latest books to go viral on TikTok](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/booktok-romance-books/) and it’s no wonder why. There’s something attractive about a cowhand who works the land, has old-fashioned manners, and loyally builds community. Plus, looking good in a cowboy hat and a pair of Levi’s doesn’t hurt. Hotter than a campfire and sweeter than a prairie breeze, these cowboy romances are sure to lasso your heart.

## 1. “[Done and Dusted](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123179008-done-and-dusted)” by Lyla Sage
![Done-and-Dusted-by-Lyla-Sage](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/yZWrj6jkW2Nqh0TSBLuYD/9cf9f72ac5d1d73f05a3240b15f1f8c9/Done-and-Dusted-by-Lyla-Sage.jpg)

Clementine “Emmy” Ryder successfully achieved her dream of escaping her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming and becoming a professional horse rider. But when a horse racing accident leaves her unable to ride again, she finds herself lost. In the midst of an identity crisis and without a job, she has no choice but to return home to Meadowlark.

Once there, she’s reunited with her brother’s best friend and local bad boy, Luke Brooks. Around town, Luke is known for three things: teaching kids how to ride horses by day, tending the local bar he owns by night, and breaking hearts in between. When their witty banter and light jabs spark something else between them, Emmy thinks that maybe Luke is exactly what she needs to get back in the saddle.

The first in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, this cowboy romance is an Amazon #BestofBookTok bestseller.

## 2. “[Kit McBride Gets a Wife](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60018596-kit-mcbride-gets-a-wife)” by Amy Barry
![Kit-McBride-Gets-a-Wife-by-Amy-Barry](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/gglMN8T7kohJY7xeuSSjE/52d4c78f173a6b71672462b37963d5cc/Kit-McBride-Gets-a-Wife-by-Amy-Barry.jpg)

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” meets “Little House on the Prairie” in this popular cowboy romance. When blacksmith Kit McBride’s younger sister, Junebug, gets fed up with cooking, cleaning, and picking up after him and her three other older brothers, she places an ad in the local paper for a mail-order bride.

Maddy Mooney’s eccentric boss is determined to answer the ad, so Maddy gets dragged along to Buck's Creek, Montana. Maddy hasn’t had an easy go of it since moving from Ireland to the United States, and the wild and rowdy McBride brothers are just what she needs to lift her spirits—especially Kit.

“Kit McBride Gets a Wife” is a contemporary romance that will have you holding your stomach from laughter and swooning with each page.

## 3. “[Flawless](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60755618-flawless)” by Elsie Silver
![Flawless-by-Elsie-Silver](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1Sf0XAWCMWQR1hnb97k3lL/d7b2b6ec269b88382ceec1115f18643e/Flawless-by-Elsie-Silver.jpg)

The first book in the viral Chestnut Springs series from TikTok, “Flawless” follows professional bull rider Rhett Eaton. When Rhett’s big mouth and bad jokes land him and his career in hot water, his agent puts him under constant supervision. Rhett’s new babysitter? His agent’s daughter, Summer Hamilton.

Summer knows that if you mess with the bull, you get the horns, but she won’t be scared off by Rhett Eaton. This ain’t her first rodeo. She’s spunky, sharp-tongued, and determined to prove herself to her father no matter what Rhett may or may not want. It’s not her fault that she can see him for who he really is, underneath all his bravado. Neither of them ever expect for their relationship to grow from professional to personal. A few rolls in the hay don’t have to change anything—but it changes everything.

## 4. “[Wild Hearts](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/wild-hearts-series/)” by Dipsea
![wild hearts ii](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5T1akatLpUYrNiRybXc0WN/2f3870c8e52a973052b7c0bbabd158c8/500-479_OffseasonII_SarahAliceRabbit-fs8.png)

Desperate to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and her demanding desk job, Jessa decides to take some time off and live out her cowgirl fantasy by volunteering at a ranch in Iowa. Excited to reconnect with nature and get her hands dirty, she’s disappointed to be sidelined by her new boss Charli and relegated to mundane office work. Hudson, one of the ranchers, invites her to play hooky and gives her advice on how to get on Charli’s good side. But as they rest near a lake, Jessa can’t take her eyes off how Hudson’s beautiful, dark skin glistens in the water.

She never expected her connection to nature would include a steamy outdoor tryst, but Jessa loves surprises. Another unexpected development? Not only does Charli warm up to her, but things actually get ~heated~ between them—something that makes Hudson deliciously jealous.

Explore all sides of Jessa’s love triangle in this six-part [sapphic romantic](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) Western.

## 5. “[Wild Rain](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43701060-wild-rain)” by Beverly Jenkins
![Wild-Rain-by-Beverly-Jenkins](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5KwvNpqoRe5zpHUGgPFRf9/21fe7868b8b4343ec4a14516f7ab2e79/Wild-Rain-by-Beverly-Jenkins.jpg)

From veteran romance author Beverly Jenkins comes the second book in her historical romance Women Who Dare series. Set after the Civil War, “Wild Rain” follows Spring Lee, a self-reliant—albeit, grumpy—female rancher in the Wyoming mountains. She’s had a rough past and has put love on the back burner for the foreseeable future. But when Garrett McCray—a reporter looking to do a story on Black doctors—shows up, this begins to change.

Garrett traveled to Wyoming from his home back east to do a story on Colton Lee. But, when he arrives out West, he finds himself far more interested in Colt’s sister, Spring. When Garrett is thrown from his horse and injures his knee, Spring offers to let him ride out the impending blizzard and stay at her cabin while he heals. Garrett is patient and kind, and he doesn’t rush Spring into opening up. But, when she does, something fiery and unexpected blooms between them.

Fans of Nora Roberts and Diana Palmer will love this cowboy romance that has nearly a 4.5 star rating on Goodreads!

## 6. “[Alive and Wells](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199239864-alive-and-wells)” by Bailey Hannah
![Alive-and-Wells-by-Bailey-Hannah](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/cT3UiZxpMBSjRWzwrG02w/eaed1648837babf5768c574b9e4b9bca/Alive-and-Wells-by-Bailey-Hannah.jpg)

On the run from an abusive husband, Cecily Strong flees her life in the big city and finds refuge in the last place she expected: a cattle ranch. She refuses to be a victim and is determined to make herself useful, even if it means working more closely with her grumpy new boss.

Austin Wells is gruff, non-nonsense, and has his hands full running his family ranch. Thoroughly unimpressed by city folk and still processing his own recent heartbreak, he plans to ignore Cecily until she leaves...just like the other women in his life. But her stunning beauty and bright attitude are hard to resist. When her past catches up with her, he fights to keep her safe—falling for her in the process.

## 7. “[Pinedale Falls](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/pinedale-falls-series/)” by Dipsea
![Pinedale-Falls-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2hxX4hwWwEFnLKvah4mQbX/7fc40f4a702d2f839d7e5c690ed10593/Pinedale-Falls-by-Dipsea.jpg)

If you’ve ever read a [super steamy romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/) and wished you were the main character, “Pinedale Falls” is your chance. Immerse yourself in this original audiobook that follows Dan and Wilder, two cowboys in Pinedale, Wyoming. You’ve come to work on their ranch, eager to learn the ropes and stay out of trouble. But things aren’t that easy—especially when you discover that Dan and Wilder are both werewolves.

When Dan takes a romantic interest in you, Wilder steps in to protect you from a situation that could turn dangerous. At least, that’s what he thinks he’s doing. But maybe he just wants you for himself.

Step into your own love story with this four-part paranormal Western romance!

## 8. “[Between the Vines](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196297415-between-the-vines)” by Grace Elena
![Between-the-Vines-by-Grace-Elena](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2A427nVtqgIhnStSxT8bxS/f74f17f44fd057d54e6552c71db22449/Between-the-Vines-by-Grace-Elena.jpg)

The first book in the Alpine Ridge series, this popular cowboy romance follows Camila Morales, a hard worker with a positive attitude who moves to a small town in Tennessee to take over an abandoned vineyard. Her new home happens to be next door to grumpy cowboy Bennett Moore, an ex-Marine who loves being alone and hates tourists. Though he has a tough exterior, Camila’s warm personality burns through and ignites an unexpected romance between them.

Featuring a strong Latina character—and tropes like grumpy/sunshine, small town life, and an age gap romance—this is one cowboy romance book you’ll want to add to your Kindle wishlist stat!

## Ride off into the sunset with a cowboy romance

Whether it's the allure of the cowboy or the Western setting, stories about falling in love on the range keep roping in readers. And if you’re looking for even more cowboy romances, Dipsea’s original spicy audiobooks have fresh storylines, voices that you’ll daydream about, and moments that will give you goosebumps. Sign up for a [30-day free trial](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?f=2&promo=signup30d) and hear for yourself!

It’s time to get swept up in a steamy Western romance—we got you. Lasso these 8 cowboy romances for your bookshelf and thank us later!

Saddle up! These are the best cowboy romances on BookTok

cowboy-romance

Ready to take your next solo sesh to a whole new level? That's what Dipsea is for.

Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in.

Dark romance books belong to a subgenre of the romance category that, shall we say, tests the waters in ways that other stories might not. Everything from dark mafia romance to reverse harem books to particularly steamy fantasy romance ([romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-romantasy/)) can apply, but let’s be clear: A standard love story with the forbidden “dating my best friend’s sister” won’t cut it. 

No, these typically contain a twisted element not found in other corners of the romance novel section of the bookstore. (Yet another area of life where my Kindle has come in handy.)

From standalone must-reads to dark romance series that cover just about [every trope](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romance-tropes/) you can think of, here are some of our favorite book recommendations to scratch the dark and spicy itch. Spoiler alert, though: please, oh please, remember to [read the trigger warnings](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/).

## 1. [“The Siren” by Tiffany Reisz](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/)
![The-Siren-by-Tiffany-Reisz](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1jCM7pvij4vclKWQdCHcJ5/7abf09bedde23ba19acdf4e80ceca7ce/The-Siren-by-Tiffany-Reisz.jpg)

The layers. The tension. The immaculate character work. There is no world in which rereading any book from the Original Sinners series doesn’t automatically lead me to rereading all of them—and there are A LOT. (Thank god.)

Nora Sutherlin is a notorious erotica author, and Zach Easton absolutely does not want to work with her. But what Nora wants, Nora has a tendency to get. 

They strike a bargain that gets her newest book a top-notch editor and him a journey into a hidden world of BDSM he never imagined. In this world, she has him wrapped around her finger.

Full disclosure: The darkness of this series comes in waves. Just when you think you’re safe, a new character decides it’s time to come out and play. Welcome to the Underground.

## 2. [“Lords of Pain” by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56986379-lords-of-pain)
![Lords-of-Pain-by-Angel-Lawson-and-Samantha-Rue](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2h2myjro7CIovEucyfaOtB/4974918a0452c9b37d87c2fd0fa6b48b/Lords-of-Pain-by-Angel-Lawson-and-Samantha-Rue.jpg)

Mmkay. Go with me on a quick little journey, and don’t say I didn’t warn you about the *dark* parts of these books.

Story Austin left home a few years ago to escape an uncomfortable situation only to return with no money and no other option but to throw herself at the mercy of the very three men she ran away from. Reverse harem meets secret society meets a handful of (ahem) dubious circumstances in these books. Killian, Tristian, and Dimitri are far from knights in shining armor, but who needs knights when you have *Lords*?

The first three books of this ongoing saga follow one quartet of polyamorous partners, while each subsequent set of three follows another group, all within the same fraternity-obsessed university. Personally, I’m dying for more of the foursome from the first three books. (Dimitri, my love, they could never make me hate you…) 

## 3. [“Corrupt” by Penelope Douglas](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58124274-corrupt)
![Corrupt-by-Penelope-Douglas](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/HQSWU6F5zNS2x9u2VFr97/3b9e12b640cbe76e49b83321ba2733d2/Corrupt-by-Penelope-Douglas.jpg)

If “Birthday Girl” and “Credence” didn’t scare you off, add “Corrupt” to the list of must-read Penelope Douglas books. The first book in her Devil’s Night series, “Corrupt” follows Erika (“Rika”) and her ex-boyfriend’s older brother Michael, who believes Rika is responsible for putting him and his three closest friends in jail years ago. But it’s tough to plot your revenge when you're attracted to your mark—or is it?

[Dark romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dark-romance-books/)? Extra-spicy thriller? You decide.

## 4. [“Forbidden Fruit” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/forbidden-fruit-series/)
![Forbidden-Fruit](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6sHvw58Sn5quED9g38Qkmw/f98e30338533406710145e6170386992/Forbidden-Fruit.jpg)

If the illicit nature of a hidden tryst does for you what it does for me, I highly recommend “Forbidden Fruit,” a steamy retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that explores all kinds of deep, dark desires. The [full cast audiobook](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/full-cast-audiobooks/) really brings you into the world, and the extra spicy chapters don’t leave you waiting long for the heat to build.

## 5. [“God of Malice” by Rina Kent](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208415817-god-of-malice)
![God-of-Malice-by-Rina-Kent](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/42dQWM7od2oNCEM1r5JRty/b6616a290720df3af266848da35647bb/God-of-Malice-by-Rina-Kent.jpg)

Killian and Glyn are part of the generationally wealthy elite. They meet on the edge of a cliff where Killian immediately decides that Glyn is his new fixation. No, I’m not kidding. If that sparks your interest, take a good long look at the author’s note before you dive too deep into this story packed with suspense and obsession.

As the Legacy of Gods series continues, you’ll encounter mafia princes and princesses as well as a marriage of convenience, and every couple falls solidly within the enemies-to-lovers camp. But to be fair, “lovers” is a very subjective term here.

## 6. [“Blood Orange” by Karina Halle](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58245394-blood-orange)
![Blood-Orange-by-Karina-Halle](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4Q8lmKSEQmtNTpTE1yyUiJ/8977380818f2424df493d8f277c5b6ad/Blood-Orange-by-Karina-Halle.jpg)

I may have a slight fixation on vampire stories, so bear with me as I lead you down this rabbit hole. I never could resist a good Dracula retelling.

Dahlia is a witch tasked with hunting and killing Valtu, the man who ostensibly inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous book. Sent to Venice to study under him as he works as a music professor, Dahlia can’t help but feel that something bigger and darker is happening as she attempts to get closer to her enigmatic teacher. 

Meanwhile, Valtu mourns the loss of both his beloved Mina and her reincarnation some years later, and he can’t seem to understand his fixation with his newest student.

A connected (and equally twisted) series by Halle follows a group of San Francisco vampires who make a few appearances in both “Blood Orange” and its sequel “Black Rose.” 

To get the full effect, start with [“Black Sunshine”](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57236414-black-sunshine) and enjoy. You know what? Just read everything Karina Halle has ever touched and thank me later.

## 7. [“Wicked Words” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/wicked-words-series/)
![Wicked-Words-on-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6GWCUgsJwoUEXoHF2eXh7/fd7202defb6cf40a5554c887af0bad56/Wicked-Words-on-Dipsea.jpg)

If dark, mysterious, and brooding sound right up your alley, they don’t all have to be vampires. No, some are tech billionaires with secrets—secrets like hidden dungeons designed for all kinds of depraved desires. 

Adrienne Stone is tasked with writing Alexander Blackwood’s biography to help salvage his tainted reputation. Neither of them is particularly excited about the arrangement, and yet they can’t help but feel drawn to one another. Believe me, the 5 chapters in this audiobook will fly by.

## 8. [“Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58763686-haunting-adeline)
![Haunting-Adeline-and-Hunting-Adeline-by-H.D.-Carlton](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/21D12ZwvibRjmVAJSvb8dR/b52061ac8a7e80ad4c97305050840b48/Haunting-Adeline-and-Hunting-Adeline-by-H.D.-Carlton.jpg)

The Cat and Mouse Duet starts with “Haunting Adeline” and introduces Addie as she moves into her late grandmother’s home, a creepy gothic place where a number of mysterious deaths have taken place. If that’s not enough, she has a mysterious admirer who keeps leaving her, um... gifts? Mementos? No spoilers, but some of these keepsakes are not for the faint of heart.

The psychothriller elements of this story are intriguing, and I’ll once again beg you to check your content warnings. Some things that go [#SpicyBookTok viral](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/spicy-booktok/) don’t come with the caution tape they deserve.

## 9. [“Hooked” by Emily McIntire](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58545703-hooked)
![Hooked-by-Emily-McIntire](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/ct0fiVlQzdJa568ea1iRg/65fa9ca1dc4bd05c25df84f0511ea78c/Hooked-by-Emily-McIntire.jpg)

The first book in Emily McIntire’s Never After series, “Hooked” is a Peter Pan retelling that pairs up sweet, innocent Wendy with (you guessed it) the notorious Hook. She’s a means to exacting his long-awaited revenge while he’s an escape from her sheltered life under Peter’s control. She might not have intended to wander into the bar of her father’s biggest rival, and yet, once they’re in each other’s orbit, pulling away becomes impossible.

Definitely a fractured fairy tale moreso than a fantasy, “Hooked” leans on the hallmarks of a contemporary romance but has the depth and spice of a dark and [extra steamy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/) romantasy.

__Love the sound of these spicy picks? Check out Dipsea’s [collection of audiobooks](https://www.dipseastories.com/), particularly those under the [“dark romance” tag](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/dark-romance-tag/), for even more steamy stories.__

Dark romance books belong to a subgenre of the romance category that, shall we say, tests the waters in ways that other stories might not. Everything from dark mafia romance to reverse harem books to particularly steamy fantasy romance ([romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-romantasy/)) can apply, but let’s be clear: A standard love story with the forbidden “dating my best friend’s sister” won’t cut it. 

No, these typically contain a twisted element not found in other corners of the romance novel section of the bookstore. (Yet another area of life where my Kindle has come in handy.)

From standalone must-reads to dark romance series that cover just about [every trope](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romance-tropes/) you can think of, here are some of our favorite book recommendations to scratch the dark and spicy itch. Spoiler alert, though: please, oh please, remember to [read the trigger warnings](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/).

## 1. [“The Siren” by Tiffany Reisz](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/)
![The-Siren-by-Tiffany-Reisz](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1jCM7pvij4vclKWQdCHcJ5/7abf09bedde23ba19acdf4e80ceca7ce/The-Siren-by-Tiffany-Reisz.jpg)

The layers. The tension. The immaculate character work. There is no world in which rereading any book from the Original Sinners series doesn’t automatically lead me to rereading all of them—and there are A LOT. (Thank god.)

Nora Sutherlin is a notorious erotica author, and Zach Easton absolutely does not want to work with her. But what Nora wants, Nora has a tendency to get. 

They strike a bargain that gets her newest book a top-notch editor and him a journey into a hidden world of BDSM he never imagined. In this world, she has him wrapped around her finger.

Full disclosure: The darkness of this series comes in waves. Just when you think you’re safe, a new character decides it’s time to come out and play. Welcome to the Underground.

## 2. [“Lords of Pain” by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56986379-lords-of-pain)
![Lords-of-Pain-by-Angel-Lawson-and-Samantha-Rue](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2h2myjro7CIovEucyfaOtB/4974918a0452c9b37d87c2fd0fa6b48b/Lords-of-Pain-by-Angel-Lawson-and-Samantha-Rue.jpg)

Mmkay. Go with me on a quick little journey, and don’t say I didn’t warn you about the *dark* parts of these books.

Story Austin left home a few years ago to escape an uncomfortable situation only to return with no money and no other option but to throw herself at the mercy of the very three men she ran away from. Reverse harem meets secret society meets a handful of (ahem) dubious circumstances in these books. Killian, Tristian, and Dimitri are far from knights in shining armor, but who needs knights when you have *Lords*?

The first three books of this ongoing saga follow one quartet of polyamorous partners, while each subsequent set of three follows another group, all within the same fraternity-obsessed university. Personally, I’m dying for more of the foursome from the first three books. (Dimitri, my love, they could never make me hate you…) 

## 3. [“Corrupt” by Penelope Douglas](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58124274-corrupt)
![Corrupt-by-Penelope-Douglas](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/HQSWU6F5zNS2x9u2VFr97/3b9e12b640cbe76e49b83321ba2733d2/Corrupt-by-Penelope-Douglas.jpg)

If “Birthday Girl” and “Credence” didn’t scare you off, add “Corrupt” to the list of must-read Penelope Douglas books. The first book in her Devil’s Night series, “Corrupt” follows Erika (“Rika”) and her ex-boyfriend’s older brother Michael, who believes Rika is responsible for putting him and his three closest friends in jail years ago. But it’s tough to plot your revenge when you're attracted to your mark—or is it?

[Dark romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dark-romance-books/)? Extra-spicy thriller? You decide.

## 4. [“Forbidden Fruit” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/forbidden-fruit-series/)
![Forbidden-Fruit](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6sHvw58Sn5quED9g38Qkmw/f98e30338533406710145e6170386992/Forbidden-Fruit.jpg)

If the illicit nature of a hidden tryst does for you what it does for me, I highly recommend “Forbidden Fruit,” a steamy retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth that explores all kinds of deep, dark desires. The [full cast audiobook](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/full-cast-audiobooks/) really brings you into the world, and the extra spicy chapters don’t leave you waiting long for the heat to build.

## 5. [“God of Malice” by Rina Kent](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208415817-god-of-malice)
![God-of-Malice-by-Rina-Kent](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/42dQWM7od2oNCEM1r5JRty/b6616a290720df3af266848da35647bb/God-of-Malice-by-Rina-Kent.jpg)

Killian and Glyn are part of the generationally wealthy elite. They meet on the edge of a cliff where Killian immediately decides that Glyn is his new fixation. No, I’m not kidding. If that sparks your interest, take a good long look at the author’s note before you dive too deep into this story packed with suspense and obsession.

As the Legacy of Gods series continues, you’ll encounter mafia princes and princesses as well as a marriage of convenience, and every couple falls solidly within the enemies-to-lovers camp. But to be fair, “lovers” is a very subjective term here.

## 6. [“Blood Orange” by Karina Halle](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58245394-blood-orange)
![Blood-Orange-by-Karina-Halle](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4Q8lmKSEQmtNTpTE1yyUiJ/8977380818f2424df493d8f277c5b6ad/Blood-Orange-by-Karina-Halle.jpg)

I may have a slight fixation on vampire stories, so bear with me as I lead you down this rabbit hole. I never could resist a good Dracula retelling.

Dahlia is a witch tasked with hunting and killing Valtu, the man who ostensibly inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous book. Sent to Venice to study under him as he works as a music professor, Dahlia can’t help but feel that something bigger and darker is happening as she attempts to get closer to her enigmatic teacher. 

Meanwhile, Valtu mourns the loss of both his beloved Mina and her reincarnation some years later, and he can’t seem to understand his fixation with his newest student.

A connected (and equally twisted) series by Halle follows a group of San Francisco vampires who make a few appearances in both “Blood Orange” and its sequel “Black Rose.” 

To get the full effect, start with [“Black Sunshine”](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57236414-black-sunshine) and enjoy. You know what? Just read everything Karina Halle has ever touched and thank me later.

## 7. [“Wicked Words” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/wicked-words-series/)
![Wicked-Words-on-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6GWCUgsJwoUEXoHF2eXh7/fd7202defb6cf40a5554c887af0bad56/Wicked-Words-on-Dipsea.jpg)

If dark, mysterious, and brooding sound right up your alley, they don’t all have to be vampires. No, some are tech billionaires with secrets—secrets like hidden dungeons designed for all kinds of depraved desires. 

Adrienne Stone is tasked with writing Alexander Blackwood’s biography to help salvage his tainted reputation. Neither of them is particularly excited about the arrangement, and yet they can’t help but feel drawn to one another. Believe me, the 5 chapters in this audiobook will fly by.

## 8. [“Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58763686-haunting-adeline)
![Haunting-Adeline-and-Hunting-Adeline-by-H.D.-Carlton](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/21D12ZwvibRjmVAJSvb8dR/b52061ac8a7e80ad4c97305050840b48/Haunting-Adeline-and-Hunting-Adeline-by-H.D.-Carlton.jpg)

The Cat and Mouse Duet starts with “Haunting Adeline” and introduces Addie as she moves into her late grandmother’s home, a creepy gothic place where a number of mysterious deaths have taken place. If that’s not enough, she has a mysterious admirer who keeps leaving her, um... gifts? Mementos? No spoilers, but some of these keepsakes are not for the faint of heart.

The psychothriller elements of this story are intriguing, and I’ll once again beg you to check your content warnings. Some things that go [#SpicyBookTok viral](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/spicy-booktok/) don’t come with the caution tape they deserve.

## 9. [“Hooked” by Emily McIntire](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58545703-hooked)
![Hooked-by-Emily-McIntire](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/ct0fiVlQzdJa568ea1iRg/65fa9ca1dc4bd05c25df84f0511ea78c/Hooked-by-Emily-McIntire.jpg)

The first book in Emily McIntire’s Never After series, “Hooked” is a Peter Pan retelling that pairs up sweet, innocent Wendy with (you guessed it) the notorious Hook. She’s a means to exacting his long-awaited revenge while he’s an escape from her sheltered life under Peter’s control. She might not have intended to wander into the bar of her father’s biggest rival, and yet, once they’re in each other’s orbit, pulling away becomes impossible.

Definitely a fractured fairy tale moreso than a fantasy, “Hooked” leans on the hallmarks of a contemporary romance but has the depth and spice of a dark and [extra steamy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/) romantasy.

__Love the sound of these spicy picks? Check out Dipsea’s [collection of audiobooks](https://www.dipseastories.com/), particularly those under the [“dark romance” tag](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/dark-romance-tag/), for even more steamy stories.__

BookTok is obsessed with these scorchingly spicy dark romance books and audiobooks. Come to the dark side with these irresistible picks.

9 spicy romance books to satisfy your darkest cravings

close-up-shot-of-a-black-rose

The world of romance books is an endless treasure trove of passionate encounters and swoon-worthy love stories. Tucked away inside that world is an even deeper and wider array of lesbian romance, which (believe me) is full of so much sapphic goodness you could die of happiness — just ask my Goodreads “to-be-read” list. 

Much to our delight, LGBTQ+ fiction has carved its mark on literature, but sometimes finding a good lesbian romance novel can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. We’ve got you covered. From new releases to audiobooks to timeless classics that shaped the genre, here are some of the best books featuring sapphic love. 

## 1. [“The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52258.The_Price_of_Salt_or_Carol)
![The-Price-of-Salt-by-Patricia-Highsmith](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7Ez0AFEcXYEyqykzqCR85n/8b42b360e0303611382456155db21721/The-Price-of-Salt-by-Patricia-Highsmith.jpg)

As far as lesbian books go, you’d have a hard time finding one more iconic than this one. The movie “Carol” (a Christmastime favorite in my house) was based on this groundbreaking novel that follows shopkeeper Therese as she meets and falls in love with New York socialite Carol. 

Highsmith, who also wrote “Strangers on a Train” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” was better known as a thriller writer and initially published “The Price of Salt” under the pseudonym Claire Morgan. This is her only book with an explicit relationship between women and her only novel that approaches [happy ending territory](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/lesbian-happy-ending/). Well done, Trish. 

## 2. [“Meeting Millie” by Clare Ashton](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/104903227-meeting-millie)
![Meeting-Millie-by-Clare-Ashton](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5ZMo3VOyeE2LA7MoClUEbV/cc38fe8448a53271c655cee73fead254/Meeting-Millie-by-Clare-Ashton.jpg)

I could start an entire book club based on academia cuteness, and this would be pick number one. The first of Ashton’s ongoing Oxford Romance series, “Meeting Millie” introduces excitable, enthusiastic Millie and reserved, buttoned-up Charlotte in their first year of law school at Oxford University before an uncomfortable mishap turns their friendship sour. When Charlotte returns to Oxford years later, she unexpectedly reunites with Millie after years apart. Friends turned estranged pals turned lovers? Talk about a [slow burn](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/slow-burn-romance/). 

These characters are messy and layered and complex. There are no perfect archetypes here, and at times, yes, they say the wrong things and get stuck in their feels, which makes the relationships of this story feel that much more true to life.

## 3. [“Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” by Ashley Herring Blake ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54756850-delilah-green-doesn-t-care)
![Delilah-Green-Doesn’t-Care-by-Ashley-Herring-Blake](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3W4OecrnyB3L7F7ksSskXs/ed638b802f88765aeb990475a49638c8/Delilah-Green-Doesn_t-Care-by-Ashley-Herring-Blake.jpg)

This contemporary romance pulls no emotional punches. Just when you think you’re getting  [enemies-to-lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/enemies-to-lovers-books/), you realize it’s a little more complicated than that. Delilah’s stepsister Astrid is getting married, Delilah has been hired to photograph the wedding, and bridesmaid Claire is just as stunning as she was back in high school. 

When Claire hits on Delilah by accident, not recognizing her, it sets off a whole chain of adorable encounters. What if Astrid and her friends never hated Delilah like she thought? What if Claire had a crush on her this whole time? Just go ahead and stock up on Kleenex in advance, okay? 

The Bright Falls series goes on to follow Claire’s two best friends as they find romance of their own (all sapphic — we love to see it). “Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail” and “Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date” are just as heart-twistingly sweet, and all three are ideal for readers in need of a tear-jerking happy ending.

## 4. [“Something to Talk About” by Meryl Wilsner ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52915426-something-to-talk-about)
![Something-to-Talk-About-by-Meryl-Wilsner](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4XqhtSTWeKiPM3sFehvhsv/93b88e1c28b4beb1731e39ee808c0194/Something-to-Talk-About-by-Meryl-Wilsner.jpg)

A friend of mine gave me a copy of “Something to Talk About” and I texted “THANK YOU” the next day. Jo, a Hollywood tycoon, gets photographed whispering something to her assistant, Emma. Jo immediately has a PR crisis on her hands: the public thinks she and Emma are a couple right before Jo’s new film is about to launch. Suddenly, they can’t go anywhere without being followed by the paparazzi. The problem is...they’re kind of perfect together! 

Wilsner’s more recent release [“Cleat Cute”](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65214313-cleat-cute) is an equally charming [sports romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sports-romance-books/) that follows two women’s soccer stars Grace and Phoebe as they try to make the U.S. Women’s National Team before the World Cup. Swoon! 

## 5. [“The Detour” by Meryl Wilsner on Dipsea ](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/the-detour-series/)
![The Detour](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1cCtEFS43NpbeAyBUm2DhW/65c494d09e84d3a3dfbd5e70418bb4de/500-905_Detour3_Midjourney.png)

Okay, yes, we’ve established that Meryl Wilsner absolutely knows what they’re doing in terms of delightfully sapphic stories. We couldn’t let this list continue without mentioning that [they’ve also written for Dipsea’s audiobook collection](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/meryl-wilsner-brings-sapphic-summer-spice-to-dipsea/). 

Alex thought escaping her past was as simple as putting her hometown in the rearview mirror. But when her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere on her cross-country road trip, things get complicated… 

To start, she’s rescued by a sweet-talking local mechanic named Sierra who needs at least a few days to fix her car. And what’s worse, Alex finds herself attracted to her. Sierra’s small-town sensibilities seem to clash with Alex’s city-girl mentality at first, but the two can’t resist the pull that draws them closer and closer.

On a personal note: I am DYING for more episodes. Pretty please, Meryl? Dipsea?

## 6. [“Read Between the Lines” by Rachel Lacey](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57518631-read-between-the-lines)
![Read-Between-the-Lines-by-Rachel-Lacey](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4Fn7JCvWh8kYHwaZZ7v2v2/636c65caaf77df16299db5509af7fd72/Read-Between-the-Lines-by-Rachel-Lacey.jpg)

If you loved “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry and wished for a sapphic version (I sure did), this is your next read. Better yet, if you watch “You’ve Got Mail” every September (I will die on the hill that it’s a fall movie), here you go. 

Manhattan bookshop owner Rosie has a real soft spot for online romance author Brie, and the two of them hit it off immediately, swapping messages back and forth. The problem? Brie is a pseudonym, and the real woman behind the internet love stories is Jane, who works for the property developer that’s about to terminate the lease for Rosie’s beloved bookstore. I devoured this in one Sunday afternoon sitting. 

## 7. [“Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51179990-written-in-the-stars)
![Written-in-the-Stars-by-Alexandria-Bellefleur](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1KrIr56tXRhgFaQYzzG9Ms/adb5f531c279665b210ff133b3bf931b/Written-in-the-Stars-by-Alexandria-Bellefleur.jpg)

I love romance, I love Seattle, and I love a good twist on a classic. Check, check, check. 

Heartwarming and sweet, “Written in the Stars” is a contemporary “Pride and Prejudice” retelling that brings together free-spirited astrologer Elle with structured and serious actuary Darcy. A blind date kicks things off, a fib keeps things going, and a fake dating agreement makes things interesting. Opposites attract with a holiday backdrop, but you don’t have to wait for Christmas to appreciate this heartwarming pick. 

## 8. [“One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860443-one-last-stop)
![One-Last-Stop-by-Casey-McQuiston](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4cvWslMgk9Zn9pbf3x3202/13ccbe36f2e128288c2028d980f62778/One-Last-Stop-by-Casey-McQuiston.jpg)

McQuiston’s “Red, White & Royal Blue” is my comfort read, so when “One Last Stop” was published just two years later, I didn’t hesitate. I clicked “pre-order” without a second thought. 

August is fumbling to find her feet in New York City when a chance (and super embarrassing) encounter on the subway introduces her to Jane, a heart-of-gold lesbian punk stuck in a time loop from the 1970s. The romance is adorable, though in my humble opinion, it’s the ragtag band of misfits that makes this story really special. Annie Depressant, August's drag star neighbor, is my personal favorite. 

## 9. [“The Ticket” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/the-ticket-series/)
![The-Ticket-on-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5cMk301XA7snLIX93tfMIu/49f91d31e76574845dd85f7e1ce3416d/The-Ticket-on-Dipsea.jpg)

[Sapphic love](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) amid stunning travel destinations? This audiobook from Dipsea totally hooked me from the first episode. Juliette and Reese meet up once a month, never in the same place twice, and every trip is even more romantic and bucket list worthy than the last. With each meet-up, they explore their emotional (and physical) connection in unique ways, from role-playing to some intriguing location choices. 

This was an instant favorite for me, but I may be biased. I’m a total sucker for a British accent.

## 10. [“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32620332-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo)
![The-Seven-Husbands-of-Evelyn-Hugo-by-Taylor-Jenkins-Reid](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/58ysyheCkLMSY3X0xYf5gx/349e2a80bcfd5e1c69c590eb5afa1b4c/The-Seven-Husbands-of-Evelyn-Hugo-by-Taylor-Jenkins-Reid.jpg)

Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo may have been married to a crowd of successful suitors, but the real story at the heart of this book is her heartfelt connection with the one and only Celia St. James, the great and forbidden love of her life. The tale unfolds as Evelyn relays her life story to biographer Monique, whose own life intertwines with Evelyn’s in a surprising (and completely gut-wrenching) twist.

__Looking for more lesbian love stories? Explore the Dipsea app’s collection of [sapphic audiobooks under the Her + Her tag](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/her-her-tag/).__

The world of romance books is an endless treasure trove of passionate encounters and swoon-worthy love stories. Tucked away inside that world is an even deeper and wider array of lesbian romance, which (believe me) is full of so much sapphic goodness you could die of happiness — just ask my Goodreads “to-be-read” list. 

Much to our delight, LGBTQ+ fiction has carved its mark on literature, but sometimes finding a good lesbian romance novel can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. We’ve got you covered. From new releases to audiobooks to timeless classics that shaped the genre, here are some of the best books featuring sapphic love. 

## 1. [“The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52258.The_Price_of_Salt_or_Carol)
![The-Price-of-Salt-by-Patricia-Highsmith](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7Ez0AFEcXYEyqykzqCR85n/8b42b360e0303611382456155db21721/The-Price-of-Salt-by-Patricia-Highsmith.jpg)

As far as lesbian books go, you’d have a hard time finding one more iconic than this one. The movie “Carol” (a Christmastime favorite in my house) was based on this groundbreaking novel that follows shopkeeper Therese as she meets and falls in love with New York socialite Carol. 

Highsmith, who also wrote “Strangers on a Train” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” was better known as a thriller writer and initially published “The Price of Salt” under the pseudonym Claire Morgan. This is her only book with an explicit relationship between women and her only novel that approaches [happy ending territory](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/lesbian-happy-ending/). Well done, Trish. 

## 2. [“Meeting Millie” by Clare Ashton](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/104903227-meeting-millie)
![Meeting-Millie-by-Clare-Ashton](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5ZMo3VOyeE2LA7MoClUEbV/cc38fe8448a53271c655cee73fead254/Meeting-Millie-by-Clare-Ashton.jpg)

I could start an entire book club based on academia cuteness, and this would be pick number one. The first of Ashton’s ongoing Oxford Romance series, “Meeting Millie” introduces excitable, enthusiastic Millie and reserved, buttoned-up Charlotte in their first year of law school at Oxford University before an uncomfortable mishap turns their friendship sour. When Charlotte returns to Oxford years later, she unexpectedly reunites with Millie after years apart. Friends turned estranged pals turned lovers? Talk about a [slow burn](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/slow-burn-romance/). 

These characters are messy and layered and complex. There are no perfect archetypes here, and at times, yes, they say the wrong things and get stuck in their feels, which makes the relationships of this story feel that much more true to life.

## 3. [“Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” by Ashley Herring Blake ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54756850-delilah-green-doesn-t-care)
![Delilah-Green-Doesn’t-Care-by-Ashley-Herring-Blake](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3W4OecrnyB3L7F7ksSskXs/ed638b802f88765aeb990475a49638c8/Delilah-Green-Doesn_t-Care-by-Ashley-Herring-Blake.jpg)

This contemporary romance pulls no emotional punches. Just when you think you’re getting  [enemies-to-lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/enemies-to-lovers-books/), you realize it’s a little more complicated than that. Delilah’s stepsister Astrid is getting married, Delilah has been hired to photograph the wedding, and bridesmaid Claire is just as stunning as she was back in high school. 

When Claire hits on Delilah by accident, not recognizing her, it sets off a whole chain of adorable encounters. What if Astrid and her friends never hated Delilah like she thought? What if Claire had a crush on her this whole time? Just go ahead and stock up on Kleenex in advance, okay? 

The Bright Falls series goes on to follow Claire’s two best friends as they find romance of their own (all sapphic — we love to see it). “Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail” and “Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date” are just as heart-twistingly sweet, and all three are ideal for readers in need of a tear-jerking happy ending.

## 4. [“Something to Talk About” by Meryl Wilsner ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52915426-something-to-talk-about)
![Something-to-Talk-About-by-Meryl-Wilsner](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4XqhtSTWeKiPM3sFehvhsv/93b88e1c28b4beb1731e39ee808c0194/Something-to-Talk-About-by-Meryl-Wilsner.jpg)

A friend of mine gave me a copy of “Something to Talk About” and I texted “THANK YOU” the next day. Jo, a Hollywood tycoon, gets photographed whispering something to her assistant, Emma. Jo immediately has a PR crisis on her hands: the public thinks she and Emma are a couple right before Jo’s new film is about to launch. Suddenly, they can’t go anywhere without being followed by the paparazzi. The problem is...they’re kind of perfect together! 

Wilsner’s more recent release [“Cleat Cute”](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65214313-cleat-cute) is an equally charming [sports romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sports-romance-books/) that follows two women’s soccer stars Grace and Phoebe as they try to make the U.S. Women’s National Team before the World Cup. Swoon! 

## 5. [“The Detour” by Meryl Wilsner on Dipsea ](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/the-detour-series/)
![The Detour](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1cCtEFS43NpbeAyBUm2DhW/65c494d09e84d3a3dfbd5e70418bb4de/500-905_Detour3_Midjourney.png)

Okay, yes, we’ve established that Meryl Wilsner absolutely knows what they’re doing in terms of delightfully sapphic stories. We couldn’t let this list continue without mentioning that [they’ve also written for Dipsea’s audiobook collection](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/meryl-wilsner-brings-sapphic-summer-spice-to-dipsea/). 

Alex thought escaping her past was as simple as putting her hometown in the rearview mirror. But when her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere on her cross-country road trip, things get complicated… 

To start, she’s rescued by a sweet-talking local mechanic named Sierra who needs at least a few days to fix her car. And what’s worse, Alex finds herself attracted to her. Sierra’s small-town sensibilities seem to clash with Alex’s city-girl mentality at first, but the two can’t resist the pull that draws them closer and closer.

On a personal note: I am DYING for more episodes. Pretty please, Meryl? Dipsea?

## 6. [“Read Between the Lines” by Rachel Lacey](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57518631-read-between-the-lines)
![Read-Between-the-Lines-by-Rachel-Lacey](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4Fn7JCvWh8kYHwaZZ7v2v2/636c65caaf77df16299db5509af7fd72/Read-Between-the-Lines-by-Rachel-Lacey.jpg)

If you loved “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry and wished for a sapphic version (I sure did), this is your next read. Better yet, if you watch “You’ve Got Mail” every September (I will die on the hill that it’s a fall movie), here you go. 

Manhattan bookshop owner Rosie has a real soft spot for online romance author Brie, and the two of them hit it off immediately, swapping messages back and forth. The problem? Brie is a pseudonym, and the real woman behind the internet love stories is Jane, who works for the property developer that’s about to terminate the lease for Rosie’s beloved bookstore. I devoured this in one Sunday afternoon sitting. 

## 7. [“Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51179990-written-in-the-stars)
![Written-in-the-Stars-by-Alexandria-Bellefleur](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1KrIr56tXRhgFaQYzzG9Ms/adb5f531c279665b210ff133b3bf931b/Written-in-the-Stars-by-Alexandria-Bellefleur.jpg)

I love romance, I love Seattle, and I love a good twist on a classic. Check, check, check. 

Heartwarming and sweet, “Written in the Stars” is a contemporary “Pride and Prejudice” retelling that brings together free-spirited astrologer Elle with structured and serious actuary Darcy. A blind date kicks things off, a fib keeps things going, and a fake dating agreement makes things interesting. Opposites attract with a holiday backdrop, but you don’t have to wait for Christmas to appreciate this heartwarming pick. 

## 8. [“One Last Stop” by Casey McQuiston](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54860443-one-last-stop)
![One-Last-Stop-by-Casey-McQuiston](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4cvWslMgk9Zn9pbf3x3202/13ccbe36f2e128288c2028d980f62778/One-Last-Stop-by-Casey-McQuiston.jpg)

McQuiston’s “Red, White & Royal Blue” is my comfort read, so when “One Last Stop” was published just two years later, I didn’t hesitate. I clicked “pre-order” without a second thought. 

August is fumbling to find her feet in New York City when a chance (and super embarrassing) encounter on the subway introduces her to Jane, a heart-of-gold lesbian punk stuck in a time loop from the 1970s. The romance is adorable, though in my humble opinion, it’s the ragtag band of misfits that makes this story really special. Annie Depressant, August's drag star neighbor, is my personal favorite. 

## 9. [“The Ticket” on Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/the-ticket-series/)
![The-Ticket-on-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5cMk301XA7snLIX93tfMIu/49f91d31e76574845dd85f7e1ce3416d/The-Ticket-on-Dipsea.jpg)

[Sapphic love](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) amid stunning travel destinations? This audiobook from Dipsea totally hooked me from the first episode. Juliette and Reese meet up once a month, never in the same place twice, and every trip is even more romantic and bucket list worthy than the last. With each meet-up, they explore their emotional (and physical) connection in unique ways, from role-playing to some intriguing location choices. 

This was an instant favorite for me, but I may be biased. I’m a total sucker for a British accent.

## 10. [“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid ](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32620332-the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo)
![The-Seven-Husbands-of-Evelyn-Hugo-by-Taylor-Jenkins-Reid](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/58ysyheCkLMSY3X0xYf5gx/349e2a80bcfd5e1c69c590eb5afa1b4c/The-Seven-Husbands-of-Evelyn-Hugo-by-Taylor-Jenkins-Reid.jpg)

Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo may have been married to a crowd of successful suitors, but the real story at the heart of this book is her heartfelt connection with the one and only Celia St. James, the great and forbidden love of her life. The tale unfolds as Evelyn relays her life story to biographer Monique, whose own life intertwines with Evelyn’s in a surprising (and completely gut-wrenching) twist.

__Looking for more lesbian love stories? Explore the Dipsea app’s collection of [sapphic audiobooks under the Her + Her tag](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/her-her-tag/).__

More and more LGBTQIA+ literature is heating up the romance genre (thank goodness). Here are 10 of our favorite lesbian romance books to add to your shelf.

Top 10 lesbian romance books: Classics, rom-coms, and audiobooks

lesbian-romance-books

A quick scroll through BookTok will tell you that fantasy romance books (also known as romantasy) are having a moment like none other. Set in dramatic made-up worlds and filled with intense storylines, tortured and complicated characters, and a copious amount of drama and tension, fantasy novels are hard to resist and make for some of the best books around. 

Due to their high stakes and deep emotion, fantasy romance books are the perfect stage for the fan-favorite enemies-to-lovers romance trope. Maybe the characters are sworn enemies forced to work together to save the world, or perhaps they’re forced to dislike each other due to family history or tradition. Maybe they’re on opposite sides of the fight (hey, everyone loves a misunderstood villain!) or maybe they simply don’t like each other. 

Whatever the reason, the main characters in enemies-to-lovers fantasy books aren’t thrilled to be in each other’s company. And when that annoyance bubbles over, the sparks fly, tensions flare, and we readers are in for a treat. 

Here are some of the best enemies-to-lovers fantasy books that just might have you up ‘til dawn reading.

## 1. [“From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52831200-from-blood-and-ash)
![From-Blood-and-Ash](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3sSYcgiBA35IHdEAxiNSGd/48557fde57350a3cd0e2e8d9d3aeea70/From-Blood-and-Ash.jpg)

Poppy may be used to living in solitude (as the Maiden, her life isn’t really her own) but she sure isn’t happy about it. She’s bored, restricted, and wants out, but she’s bound by duty. Whether she wants it or not, this is her lot in life. 

Enter Hawke, a new guard assigned to protect her. For the first time she can remember, she isn’t bored. With Hawke around and under her skin, Poppy is riled up and angry, questioning everything she knows, and willing to test the boundaries of her caged life for the first time. 

## 2. [“The Bridge Kingdom” by Danielle L. Jensen](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53921926-the-bridge-kingdom)
![The-Bridge-Kingdom-by-Danielle-L.-Jensen](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5Zibzdtpz5aUEI8Bxd2Dk7/86d0da8f4cee83bd5585f33f8978dbe4/The-Bridge-Kingdom-by-Danielle-L.-Jensen.jpg)

Lara has trained her whole life to take down King Aren, the monarch of an enemy kingdom. When offered the chance to Trojan Horse her way into the kingdom under the guise as a bride (sent as a gift to keep the peace, of course), Lara seizes the opportunity.

Once she’s behind enemy lines though, she starts to question everything she thought she knew about the war and this rival kingdom. And as she spends more time with the king she swore to hate, the more she wonders if everything she thought she knew is wrong.

The first four books in this bingeable series are out now with two more planned for the future.

## 3. [“Wings of Winter” by Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/wings-of-winter-series/)
![Wings-of-Winter-by-Dipsea-small](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2LxXAy5azxnAxxZjuFVdRp/4b9e83e87037dca84edce1fc60a0137a/Wings-of-Winter-by-Dipsea.jpg)

Twilight girlies, this is our time. If a love story about a tortured immortal reluctantly falling in love with a human set against the backdrop of a Hunger Games style battle sounds like your jam, then run over to the Dipsea app for this spicy audiobook!

Told in 13 chapters, “Wings of Winter” centers around Rowan, a fae prince, and you (plot twist! You’re the main character in this story!). The story starts the night before The Gleaning, a deadly tournament between mortals and immortals alike. Rowan feels a magnetic, captivating, protective pull to you and he’s so annoyed about it. 

You aren’t intimidated by him one bit and his insistence on protecting you is more than just annoying, it’s insulting. You may be a human, but you can stand your ground! Avoiding each other would be easy if it weren’t for that stupid magnetic attraction.

Between flirting with death *and* Rowan, you’ve got your hands full! As The Gleaning rages on, the stakes grow higher and the feelings between you and Rowan only grow deeper.

Once you’re done with this steamy story, check out the [behind the scenes of how “Wings of Winter” came to life](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/the-making-of-wings-of-winter/)!

## 4. [“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_3)
![Fourth-Wing](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6uaNfA3SoTYdayDozQs6cf/12cef574313eba6620c2cf6dece921fa/Fourth-Wing.jpg)

When Violet is forced into training to be a dragon rider, survival is the only thing on her mind. With her mom as commanding general, there are plenty of enemies to be found at Basgiath War College. Chief among them? Xaden, the strong, intimidating, and infuriating wingleader. As if trying to bond a dragon wasn’t enough stress!

Violet and Xaden’s families have a rocky (to put it lightly) history and Violet would like nothing more than to avoid the spotlight of Xaden’s attention. But as Violet gets her feet under her and starts training, she finds herself thrown together with Xaden again and again, much to *everyone’s* annoyance. 

It’s the first book in [The Empyrean](https://www.goodreads.com/series/362915-the-empyrean) series, so once you finish “Fourth Wing,” you can dive right back in with “Iron Flame.” Then, you’ll have to join the rest of us in waiting for “Onyx Storm,” the next book in this must-read series, to drop in January 2025.

## 5. [“Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove)
![Serpent-&-Dove-by-Shelby-Mahurin](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2ziG53vStxnctvn6vxpdvj/062fad64bf0805fe1b5f9d76c03e0c1f/Serpent-_-Dove-by-Shelby-Mahurin.jpg)

After fleeing her coven, Louise takes up shelter in the city of Cesarine. While she’s forsaken all magic, her abilities as a witch have to stay hidden, or else she’ll be burned. Reid is a faithful servant to the church, trained to hunt and kill witches to keep his people safe. 

While these two shouldn’t be anywhere near each other, they're bound for life after a series of events leads to marriage. More than ever, Louise works to keep her identity as a witch under wraps. Reid may be her husband on paper but he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if he found out who she truly is…right?

These two are on each other’s nerves from the start! And when that annoyance bubbles over…watch out! It’s not a super-steamy book ([we cover those here](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/)), but when the spice hits, it *hits*!

## 6. [“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince)
![The-Cruel-Prince](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4H0F9mgxjATSkuFUQEpV5L/34d8b0d5c998e2ed3fd9742de7ef9675/The-Cruel-Prince.jpg)

Jude was only a kid when her parents were killed and she and her sisters were kidnapped and brought to live under the ruling of the High Court of Faeries. As a human, she feels constantly out of place and inferior to the faes, who all look down on her due to her mortal status.

Cardan is the especially cruel faerie prince with zero regard or patience for humans, Jude included. After years of feeling like she doesn’t fit in, Jude is determined to secure a spot in the High Court—even if that means taking on Cardan, the cruelest of them all.

While this book lacks spicy scenes (it’s categorized as Young Adult) it still delivers on the tension and angst expected from the enemies-to-lovers trope! If you liked “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo or the “Shatter Me” series by Tahereh Mafi, you’ll love this.

## 7. [“Powerless” by Lauren Roberts](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75513900-powerless?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=mbr1pJLabs&rank=1)
![Powerless-by-Lauren-Roberts](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3tprmmvNuhZGsW9HJYa276/e9d1462da657ce0a5e0691e930227dd5/Powerless-by-Lauren-Roberts.jpg)

In the kingdom of Ilya, being Ordinary isn’t just looked down upon​​—it’s illegal. Paedyn is determined to keep her head down and stay out of the spotlight. Posing as a Psychic is the only way she won’t be outed as Ordinary in a kingdom of Elites.

Paedyn’s plan to fly under the radar is going swimmingly until she unknowingly saves the life of one of the kingdom’s princes and is subsequently thrown into the Purging Trials. The competition is designed to showcase the talents of the Elites, which poses a slight problem since Paedyn is Ordinary. Can Paedyn fool everyone, royalty included, and come out on top?

If you liked the Dance of Thieves series, you’ll enjoy this!

## 8. [“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_7) 
![A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2ncJE7Lhc1uNEA9FQVFfC5/e869d795b771ca8351bf6c16b7c66a5f/A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses.jpg)

Yup, it’s the book you’ve heard *everyone* talking about—fans call it ACOTAR, pronounced “aco-tar,” to save some syllables. ACOTAR kickstarts a 5-book (and counting) series that gets better and better with each book.

Feyre, a human, is hunting near the border of her world to try to keep her family from starving. She kills a wolf, but her life comes crashing down when she discovers the wolf was actually a faerie and she’s kidnapped by Tamlin, another faerie, and brought to enemy land.

But as she settles in, Feyre realizes this world isn’t as perfect as it appears on the surface. And Tamlin? He’s not nearly as bad as she first thought (it’s not a direct retelling, but there’s a Beauty and the Beast vibe here!).

Without giving too much away (this is a spoiler-free zone!), you’re going to need (and want) to read the whole series to get the true enemies-to-lovers experience. Things really take off in the second book, “A Court of Mist and Fury!”

## 9. ["Bride” by Ali Hazelwood](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829-bride?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13)
![Bride-by-Ali-Hazelwood](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7pwvgo9dfcCaFlTUbwZYMY/6585e73e2d845c59b63eeee2b82dc5f6/Bride-by-Ali-Hazelwood.jpg)

As any good “Twilight” fan knows, werewolves and vampires go together like oil and water, and “Bride” showcases this rivalry so well!

Misery is the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre in the country. In order to keep the peace between the Vampyres and the Werewolves, she’s forced into an arranged marriage to Lowe, the Alpha Werewolf (aka public enemy number one). They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but the closer Misery and Lowe get, the more the line between love and hate blurs. 

This is a stand-alone book, so you can check it off your TBR quickly and dive back into the pile of good books waiting to be read!

## 10. [“The Serpent and the Wings of Night” by Carissa Broadbent](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60714999-the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12)
![The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2J5cIksmSGToqpJNIE4qLo/eaa55c4fc5ca8f14d8ddadc7bbd0d30f/The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night.jpg)

Oraya may be a human but she was raised as the adopted daughter of a vampire king. While most people in her world see her as nothing but a tasty snack, she’s determined to carve a place for herself by entering the Kejari, a Hunger Games-esque tournament.

She has plenty of enemies in this tournament and chief among them is Raihn, a particularly powerful and dangerous vampire. While Oraya doesn’t trust Raihn one bit, her best shot at survival is to form alliances. And striking up a deal with one of the most dangerous rivals in the game seems like a winning (if dangerous) strategy. 

Aligning with Raihn is one thing, but trusting him is another. But as the Kejari rages on, Oraya finds herself drawn to the rival that could be her greatest downfall. If you [love a slow burn](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/slow-burn-romance/), this romantic fantasy book series is for you.

## 11. [“Kingdom of the Wicked” by Kerri Maniscalco](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52735921-kingdom-of-the-wicked)
![Kingdom-of-the-Wicked-by-Kerri-Maniscalco](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1C1kbsRtGjyzAFBE8zulXj/4319eb0de84ba6826ccbd4a8ea2aebb0/Kingdom-of-the-Wicked-by-Kerri-Maniscalco.jpg)

Emilia is a witch on a mission seeking vengeance after her twin sister’s murder. Wrath is one of the Wicked, also known as the demon princes of hell. 

Emilia has been warned about the Wicked for her entire life, but she’s desperate for answers, justice, and vengeance. When Wrath offers his help, she accepts it, albeit reluctantly. Though Wrath maintains that he’s on Emilia’s side, can she trust him or will she lose everything? 

## 12. [“The Shadows Between Us” by Tricia Levenseller](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35702241-the-shadows-between-us)
![The-Shadows-Between-Us-by-Tricia-Levenseller](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1p7v4iJIQI7710RQJsJ68o/50d5375f6c2061972a00e47a0748bb80/The-Shadows-Between-Us-by-Tricia-Levenseller.jpg)

While it’s not clear what powers the Shadow King actually *has* (the rumor mill is swirling on this one!), Alessandra doesn’t care. She wants the power for herself and she will stop at nothing to get it.

She plans to woo the king, marry him, and take the throne and power for herself. Simple, right? Well it *would* be if everyone else wasn’t trying to kill him too! In order for her plan to work, Alessandra needs to keep the Shadow King alive long enough to be made queen. She may be cunning, but is she a match for the Shadow King himself?

__Find even more stories you love on [Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/discover/), the app for original spicy audiobooks. You can even filter by tag, like [Enemies-to-Lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/enemies-to-lovers-tag/) or [Romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/fantasy-tag/), to find the right story.__

__Keep adding to your TBR with our other [romance book recommendations](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/categories/romance/)!__

A quick scroll through BookTok will tell you that fantasy romance books (also known as romantasy) are having a moment like none other. Set in dramatic made-up worlds and filled with intense storylines, tortured and complicated characters, and a copious amount of drama and tension, fantasy novels are hard to resist and make for some of the best books around. 

Due to their high stakes and deep emotion, fantasy romance books are the perfect stage for the fan-favorite enemies-to-lovers romance trope. Maybe the characters are sworn enemies forced to work together to save the world, or perhaps they’re forced to dislike each other due to family history or tradition. Maybe they’re on opposite sides of the fight (hey, everyone loves a misunderstood villain!) or maybe they simply don’t like each other. 

Whatever the reason, the main characters in enemies-to-lovers fantasy books aren’t thrilled to be in each other’s company. And when that annoyance bubbles over, the sparks fly, tensions flare, and we readers are in for a treat. 

Here are some of the best enemies-to-lovers fantasy books that just might have you up ‘til dawn reading.

## 1. [“From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52831200-from-blood-and-ash)
![From-Blood-and-Ash](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3sSYcgiBA35IHdEAxiNSGd/48557fde57350a3cd0e2e8d9d3aeea70/From-Blood-and-Ash.jpg)

Poppy may be used to living in solitude (as the Maiden, her life isn’t really her own) but she sure isn’t happy about it. She’s bored, restricted, and wants out, but she’s bound by duty. Whether she wants it or not, this is her lot in life. 

Enter Hawke, a new guard assigned to protect her. For the first time she can remember, she isn’t bored. With Hawke around and under her skin, Poppy is riled up and angry, questioning everything she knows, and willing to test the boundaries of her caged life for the first time. 

## 2. [“The Bridge Kingdom” by Danielle L. Jensen](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53921926-the-bridge-kingdom)
![The-Bridge-Kingdom-by-Danielle-L.-Jensen](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5Zibzdtpz5aUEI8Bxd2Dk7/86d0da8f4cee83bd5585f33f8978dbe4/The-Bridge-Kingdom-by-Danielle-L.-Jensen.jpg)

Lara has trained her whole life to take down King Aren, the monarch of an enemy kingdom. When offered the chance to Trojan Horse her way into the kingdom under the guise as a bride (sent as a gift to keep the peace, of course), Lara seizes the opportunity.

Once she’s behind enemy lines though, she starts to question everything she thought she knew about the war and this rival kingdom. And as she spends more time with the king she swore to hate, the more she wonders if everything she thought she knew is wrong.

The first four books in this bingeable series are out now with two more planned for the future.

## 3. [“Wings of Winter” by Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/wings-of-winter-series/)
![Wings-of-Winter-by-Dipsea-small](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2LxXAy5azxnAxxZjuFVdRp/4b9e83e87037dca84edce1fc60a0137a/Wings-of-Winter-by-Dipsea.jpg)

Twilight girlies, this is our time. If a love story about a tortured immortal reluctantly falling in love with a human set against the backdrop of a Hunger Games style battle sounds like your jam, then run over to the Dipsea app for this spicy audiobook!

Told in 13 chapters, “Wings of Winter” centers around Rowan, a fae prince, and you (plot twist! You’re the main character in this story!). The story starts the night before The Gleaning, a deadly tournament between mortals and immortals alike. Rowan feels a magnetic, captivating, protective pull to you and he’s so annoyed about it. 

You aren’t intimidated by him one bit and his insistence on protecting you is more than just annoying, it’s insulting. You may be a human, but you can stand your ground! Avoiding each other would be easy if it weren’t for that stupid magnetic attraction.

Between flirting with death *and* Rowan, you’ve got your hands full! As The Gleaning rages on, the stakes grow higher and the feelings between you and Rowan only grow deeper.

Once you’re done with this steamy story, check out the [behind the scenes of how “Wings of Winter” came to life](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/the-making-of-wings-of-winter/)!

## 4. [“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_3)
![Fourth-Wing](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6uaNfA3SoTYdayDozQs6cf/12cef574313eba6620c2cf6dece921fa/Fourth-Wing.jpg)

When Violet is forced into training to be a dragon rider, survival is the only thing on her mind. With her mom as commanding general, there are plenty of enemies to be found at Basgiath War College. Chief among them? Xaden, the strong, intimidating, and infuriating wingleader. As if trying to bond a dragon wasn’t enough stress!

Violet and Xaden’s families have a rocky (to put it lightly) history and Violet would like nothing more than to avoid the spotlight of Xaden’s attention. But as Violet gets her feet under her and starts training, she finds herself thrown together with Xaden again and again, much to *everyone’s* annoyance. 

It’s the first book in [The Empyrean](https://www.goodreads.com/series/362915-the-empyrean) series, so once you finish “Fourth Wing,” you can dive right back in with “Iron Flame.” Then, you’ll have to join the rest of us in waiting for “Onyx Storm,” the next book in this must-read series, to drop in January 2025.

## 5. [“Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024139-serpent-dove)
![Serpent-&-Dove-by-Shelby-Mahurin](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2ziG53vStxnctvn6vxpdvj/062fad64bf0805fe1b5f9d76c03e0c1f/Serpent-_-Dove-by-Shelby-Mahurin.jpg)

After fleeing her coven, Louise takes up shelter in the city of Cesarine. While she’s forsaken all magic, her abilities as a witch have to stay hidden, or else she’ll be burned. Reid is a faithful servant to the church, trained to hunt and kill witches to keep his people safe. 

While these two shouldn’t be anywhere near each other, they're bound for life after a series of events leads to marriage. More than ever, Louise works to keep her identity as a witch under wraps. Reid may be her husband on paper but he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if he found out who she truly is…right?

These two are on each other’s nerves from the start! And when that annoyance bubbles over…watch out! It’s not a super-steamy book ([we cover those here](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/super-spicy-books/)), but when the spice hits, it *hits*!

## 6. [“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince)
![The-Cruel-Prince](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/4H0F9mgxjATSkuFUQEpV5L/34d8b0d5c998e2ed3fd9742de7ef9675/The-Cruel-Prince.jpg)

Jude was only a kid when her parents were killed and she and her sisters were kidnapped and brought to live under the ruling of the High Court of Faeries. As a human, she feels constantly out of place and inferior to the faes, who all look down on her due to her mortal status.

Cardan is the especially cruel faerie prince with zero regard or patience for humans, Jude included. After years of feeling like she doesn’t fit in, Jude is determined to secure a spot in the High Court—even if that means taking on Cardan, the cruelest of them all.

While this book lacks spicy scenes (it’s categorized as Young Adult) it still delivers on the tension and angst expected from the enemies-to-lovers trope! If you liked “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo or the “Shatter Me” series by Tahereh Mafi, you’ll love this.

## 7. [“Powerless” by Lauren Roberts](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75513900-powerless?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=mbr1pJLabs&rank=1)
![Powerless-by-Lauren-Roberts](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3tprmmvNuhZGsW9HJYa276/e9d1462da657ce0a5e0691e930227dd5/Powerless-by-Lauren-Roberts.jpg)

In the kingdom of Ilya, being Ordinary isn’t just looked down upon​​—it’s illegal. Paedyn is determined to keep her head down and stay out of the spotlight. Posing as a Psychic is the only way she won’t be outed as Ordinary in a kingdom of Elites.

Paedyn’s plan to fly under the radar is going swimmingly until she unknowingly saves the life of one of the kingdom’s princes and is subsequently thrown into the Purging Trials. The competition is designed to showcase the talents of the Elites, which poses a slight problem since Paedyn is Ordinary. Can Paedyn fool everyone, royalty included, and come out on top?

If you liked the Dance of Thieves series, you’ll enjoy this!

## 8. [“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50659467-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_7) 
![A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2ncJE7Lhc1uNEA9FQVFfC5/e869d795b771ca8351bf6c16b7c66a5f/A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses.jpg)

Yup, it’s the book you’ve heard *everyone* talking about—fans call it ACOTAR, pronounced “aco-tar,” to save some syllables. ACOTAR kickstarts a 5-book (and counting) series that gets better and better with each book.

Feyre, a human, is hunting near the border of her world to try to keep her family from starving. She kills a wolf, but her life comes crashing down when she discovers the wolf was actually a faerie and she’s kidnapped by Tamlin, another faerie, and brought to enemy land.

But as she settles in, Feyre realizes this world isn’t as perfect as it appears on the surface. And Tamlin? He’s not nearly as bad as she first thought (it’s not a direct retelling, but there’s a Beauty and the Beast vibe here!).

Without giving too much away (this is a spoiler-free zone!), you’re going to need (and want) to read the whole series to get the true enemies-to-lovers experience. Things really take off in the second book, “A Court of Mist and Fury!”

## 9. ["Bride” by Ali Hazelwood](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829-bride?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13)
![Bride-by-Ali-Hazelwood](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7pwvgo9dfcCaFlTUbwZYMY/6585e73e2d845c59b63eeee2b82dc5f6/Bride-by-Ali-Hazelwood.jpg)

As any good “Twilight” fan knows, werewolves and vampires go together like oil and water, and “Bride” showcases this rivalry so well!

Misery is the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre in the country. In order to keep the peace between the Vampyres and the Werewolves, she’s forced into an arranged marriage to Lowe, the Alpha Werewolf (aka public enemy number one). They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but the closer Misery and Lowe get, the more the line between love and hate blurs. 

This is a stand-alone book, so you can check it off your TBR quickly and dive back into the pile of good books waiting to be read!

## 10. [“The Serpent and the Wings of Night” by Carissa Broadbent](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60714999-the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12)
![The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2J5cIksmSGToqpJNIE4qLo/eaa55c4fc5ca8f14d8ddadc7bbd0d30f/The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night.jpg)

Oraya may be a human but she was raised as the adopted daughter of a vampire king. While most people in her world see her as nothing but a tasty snack, she’s determined to carve a place for herself by entering the Kejari, a Hunger Games-esque tournament.

She has plenty of enemies in this tournament and chief among them is Raihn, a particularly powerful and dangerous vampire. While Oraya doesn’t trust Raihn one bit, her best shot at survival is to form alliances. And striking up a deal with one of the most dangerous rivals in the game seems like a winning (if dangerous) strategy. 

Aligning with Raihn is one thing, but trusting him is another. But as the Kejari rages on, Oraya finds herself drawn to the rival that could be her greatest downfall. If you [love a slow burn](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/slow-burn-romance/), this romantic fantasy book series is for you.

## 11. [“Kingdom of the Wicked” by Kerri Maniscalco](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52735921-kingdom-of-the-wicked)
![Kingdom-of-the-Wicked-by-Kerri-Maniscalco](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1C1kbsRtGjyzAFBE8zulXj/4319eb0de84ba6826ccbd4a8ea2aebb0/Kingdom-of-the-Wicked-by-Kerri-Maniscalco.jpg)

Emilia is a witch on a mission seeking vengeance after her twin sister’s murder. Wrath is one of the Wicked, also known as the demon princes of hell. 

Emilia has been warned about the Wicked for her entire life, but she’s desperate for answers, justice, and vengeance. When Wrath offers his help, she accepts it, albeit reluctantly. Though Wrath maintains that he’s on Emilia’s side, can she trust him or will she lose everything?

## 12. [“The Shadows Between Us” by Tricia Levenseller](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35702241-the-shadows-between-us)
![The-Shadows-Between-Us-by-Tricia-Levenseller](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1p7v4iJIQI7710RQJsJ68o/50d5375f6c2061972a00e47a0748bb80/The-Shadows-Between-Us-by-Tricia-Levenseller.jpg)

While it’s not clear what powers the Shadow King actually *has* (the rumor mill is swirling on this one!), Alessandra doesn’t care. She wants the power for herself and she will stop at nothing to get it.

She plans to woo the king, marry him, and take the throne and power for herself. Simple, right? Well it *would* be if everyone else wasn’t trying to kill him too! In order for her plan to work, Alessandra needs to keep the Shadow King alive long enough to be made queen. She may be cunning, but is she a match for the Shadow King himself?

__Find even more stories you love on [Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/discover/), the app for original spicy audiobooks. You can even filter by tag, like [Enemies-to-Lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/enemies-to-lovers-tag/) or [Romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/fantasy-tag/), to find the right story.__

__Keep adding to your TBR with our other [romance book recommendations](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/categories/romance/)!__

These 12 stellar enemies-to-lovers fantasy books will have you cheering for the main characters to get together all while set in a magical world.

12 enemies-to-lovers fantasy books to get lost in

Person reading enemies to lovers fantasy books

If you’re familiar with wildly popular bestsellers “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas or “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros, then you’re familiar with [romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-romantasy/). It’s different from gothic or paranormal romance — this mega-popular genre is a mix of romance and fantasy. In addition to the love story, people read romantasy romance novels for in-depth world-building, supernatural elements, high stakes, and adventure.

But what if I told you that some of the best books in the romantasy genre were actually part of a subgenre? Introducing your next obsession: dark fantasy romance. 

Dark fantasy romance books have all the elements of romantasy mixed with [dark romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dark-romance-books/). They’re more dangerous, more violent...even deadly. Main characters have usually experienced trauma and their romantic relationships aren’t filled with meet-cutes and grand gestures. These books may even come with trigger warnings. 

And yet, readers on [BookTok can’t put them down](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/booktok-romance-books/). Because for every hardship a couple may face, their love is that much stronger. So, fire up your Kindle or hit up your local bookstore and check out some of the best dark fantasy romance books below!

## 1. “[Gild](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56483061-gild)” by Raven Kennedy
![Gild-by-Raven-Kennedy](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6m5QjFzVBE3VeaWGwjIR0h/f33539f13441062b07e50680a9eae17c/Gild-by-Raven-Kennedy.jpg)

The first book in The Plated Prisoner series, “Gild” is a dark fantasy romance book retelling of the King Midas myth. After losing her parents at a young age and falling victim to the world’s cruelties, Auren is rescued and gold-touched by Tyndall Midas, the king of Highbell, the sixth kingdom of Orea. Now, years later, she’s grown up within her gold flesh in a gilded cage, loving a man who promises to love her in return, though his actions say otherwise.

While Auren just wants to live her life in peace, away from the leering eyes of powerful men, Midas has busied himself with defeating his enemies—particularly Ravinger, the king of the fourth kingdom.

When Auren breaks free of her cage, her world is turned upside down. Her allies become enemies, enemies become allies, and a love blooms in the most unexpected of places. If you like faes, slow-burn romances, fairy tales, and strong female characters, this is one romantasy series you can’t miss.

## 2. “[Lady of Darkness](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62987104-lady-of-darkness)” by Melissa K. Roehrich
![Lady-of-Darkness-by-Melissa-K.-Roehrich](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7IUxOCQ47EkV3HOpZ2oGiI/f4a8b8812753eb02794300d2337da8bb/Lady-of-Darkness-by-Melissa-K.-Roehrich.jpg)

Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series won’t be able to put down book 1 of this five-part series that’s ranked as one of Amazon’s “Best of BookTok” reads.

Scarlett Monrhoe is one of the Wraiths of Death, a trio of deadly assassins made up of her and sisters. Her lonely life has consisted of nothing but death and destruction, until one day, she’s given a job that presents her with an unexpected reward: revenge against the Fae Fire prince who killed her mother.

She sets out on her mission with new determination, only to get distracted when children from her home of the Black Syndicate start disappearing. Now she’s out to do something she hasn’t done in a long time—save lives instead of taking them. With the help of her found family, an old love, and a mysterious new acquaintance, Scarlett goes on a quest that changes her life.

This [enemies-to-lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/enemies-to-lovers-trope/), slow-burn romance features fae, witches, and shifters, all wrapped up in a world-building marvel.

## 3. “[Forbidden Fruit](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/forbidden-fruit-series/)” by Dipsea
![Forbidden-Fruit-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3i4YqLlYIkC0JeODiUUZy2/7dc801f7da97cfb3d57ab8c4734276af/Forbidden-Fruit-by-Dipsea.jpg)

This dark fantasy romance audiobook is a steamy Hades and Persephone myth retelling. As the Goddess of Spring, Persephone should be happy when she’s inducted into the Pantheon and a bacchanal is thrown in her honor. 

Instead, she finds herself sneaking away for some peace and quiet, which is when she encounters Hades. Intrigued by his dark presence, she follows him to the Underworld and has an unexpected respite filled with pleasure.

When her duty to Mount Olympus calls to her, she and Hades come up with an arrangement: She’ll spend part of the year fulfilling her godly obligations...and the other part in the Underworld with him. Each time with him grows their connection and she finds herself longing for his touch whenever they’re apart. 

Is it possible for them to have their happy ending? Find out in this original 11-part audiobook series!

## 4. “[Zodiac Academy: The Awakening](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46261182-the-awakening)” by Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham
![Zodiac-Academy-The-Awakening-by-Susanne-Valenti-and-Caroline-Peckham](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1tQTHn2bZ2uzNbJ89V2vn2/e13f558c2db567662b5f4a78d01b5554/Zodiac-Academy-The-Awakening-by-Susanne-Valenti-and-Caroline-Peckham.jpg)

Where Hogwarts is a school of mostly well-behaved witches, the Zodiac Academy is anything but. The college is filled with ruthless and wild young adults who are all some type of supernatural: werewolves, vampires, sirens, and every type of shifter you can imagine. They also accept fae and have two new attendees: twin Gemini sisters, Darcy and Tory.

When Darcy and Tory found out they’re heirs to the throne of Solaria, they didn’t realize it’d be so hard to claim that throne. Before they can rise to power, they have to attend the Zodiac Academy and prove that they’re the most powerful supernaturals out there. Being twins born in the month of Gemini makes them the rarest Elementals ever known—something the four Celestial Heirs at their new school are not too pleased about.

With their astrology-entwined powers, the twins must learn their craft, avoid falling in love with sexy monsters, and watch their backs at all costs.

## 5. “[The Serpent and the Wings of Night](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60714999-the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night)” by Carissa Broadbent
![The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2J5cIksmSGToqpJNIE4qLo/eaa55c4fc5ca8f14d8ddadc7bbd0d30f/The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night.jpg)

One of TikTok’s most popular book recommendations for dark fantasy romance fans and a New York Times bestseller, “The Serpent and the Wings of Night” follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king. Tired of living in a world where she’s only seen as prey, she decides to enter Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of Death.

Fighting against the best-trained warriors is one thing, but winning is another. To succeed she’ll need the help of Raihn, her greatest enemy. He’s a [vampire (hot)](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/why-vampires-are-sexy/), her father’s rival, and a ruthless killer who can’t be trusted. But none of that matters. Not even her unsettling attraction and growing desire for him matters. The only thing that matters is surviving.

Follow Oraya’s journey in book one of the “Crowns of Nyaxia” series!

## 6. “[The Final Strife](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54440543-the-final-strife)” by Saara El-Arifi
![The-Final-Strife-by-Saara-El-Arifi](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2TaRmg3NCsoYWiIuNra6JB/a9d7038510d397ee83ff410a18f0917a/The-Final-Strife-by-Saara-El-Arifi.jpg)

Inspired by Ghanaian mythology, this first book in the Ending Fire trilogy follows Sylah, a blue-blood destined to spark a revolution. But all the fight in her disappeared the moment she witnessed her family’s murder. Things seem hopeless for a working class girl like herself until she meets Anoor, the red-blooded princess of the kingdom she wants to destroy.

After years of emotional abuse, Anoor has no loyalty to her mother, the queen of the empire. Instead, she finds herself drawn to Sylah. When the pair join forces with Hassa, a clear-blooded servant desperate for change, they suddenly find resolve that they can make a difference after all. Together, the three begin a fight for freedom...falling in love along the way.

An Amazon Editor’s pick for Best Fantasy and Sci-Fi with an almost 4.5 Goodreads rating, this [sapphic romance book](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) features a friends-to-lovers trope, a bisexual love triangle, BIPOC main characters, captivating world-building, and twists and turns you’ll never see coming.

## Delve into dark romance
Dark fantasy romance books offer a thrilling escape into enchanted worlds. From ruthless political empires and supernatural schools, to falling for deadly faes and assassins, embrace the shadows and read about love blooming in the most unexpected places.

And for even more dark fantasy romances, check out [Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/)! Sign up for a [free trial](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/) to experience an audio-first approach to romance that lets you experience characters in a whole new way.

If you’re familiar with wildly popular bestsellers “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas or “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros, then you’re familiar with [romantasy](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-romantasy/). It’s different from gothic or paranormal romance — this mega-popular genre is a mix of romance and fantasy. In addition to the love story, people read romantasy romance novels for in-depth world-building, supernatural elements, high stakes, and adventure.

But what if I told you that some of the best books in the romantasy genre were actually part of a subgenre? Introducing your next obsession: dark fantasy romance. 

Dark fantasy romance books have all the elements of romantasy mixed with [dark romance](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/dark-romance-books/). They’re more dangerous, more violent...even deadly. Main characters have usually experienced trauma and their romantic relationships aren’t filled with meet-cutes and grand gestures. These books may even come with trigger warnings. 

And yet, readers on [BookTok can’t put them down](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/booktok-romance-books/). Because for every hardship a couple may face, their love is that much stronger. So, fire up your Kindle or hit up your local bookstore and check out some of the best dark fantasy romance books below!

## 1. “[Gild](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56483061-gild)” by Raven Kennedy
![Gild-by-Raven-Kennedy](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6m5QjFzVBE3VeaWGwjIR0h/f33539f13441062b07e50680a9eae17c/Gild-by-Raven-Kennedy.jpg)

The first book in The Plated Prisoner series, “Gild” is a dark fantasy romance book retelling of the King Midas myth. After losing her parents at a young age and falling victim to the world’s cruelties, Auren is rescued and gold-touched by Tyndall Midas, the king of Highbell, the sixth kingdom of Orea. Now, years later, she’s grown up within her gold flesh in a gilded cage, loving a man who promises to love her in return, though his actions say otherwise.

While Auren just wants to live her life in peace, away from the leering eyes of powerful men, Midas has busied himself with defeating his enemies—particularly Ravinger, the king of the fourth kingdom.

When Auren breaks free of her cage, her world is turned upside down. Her allies become enemies, enemies become allies, and a love blooms in the most unexpected of places. If you like faes, slow-burn romances, fairy tales, and strong female characters, this is one romantasy series you can’t miss.

## 2. “[Lady of Darkness](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62987104-lady-of-darkness)” by Melissa K. Roehrich
![Lady-of-Darkness-by-Melissa-K.-Roehrich](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7IUxOCQ47EkV3HOpZ2oGiI/f4a8b8812753eb02794300d2337da8bb/Lady-of-Darkness-by-Melissa-K.-Roehrich.jpg)

Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series won’t be able to put down book 1 of this five-part series that’s ranked as one of Amazon’s “Best of BookTok” reads.

Scarlett Monrhoe is one of the Wraiths of Death, a trio of deadly assassins made up of her and sisters. Her lonely life has consisted of nothing but death and destruction, until one day, she’s given a job that presents her with an unexpected reward: revenge against the Fae Fire prince who killed her mother.

She sets out on her mission with new determination, only to get distracted when children from her home of the Black Syndicate start disappearing. Now she’s out to do something she hasn’t done in a long time—save lives instead of taking them. With the help of her found family, an old love, and a mysterious new acquaintance, Scarlett goes on a quest that changes her life.

This [enemies-to-lovers](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/enemies-to-lovers-trope/), slow-burn romance features fae, witches, and shifters, all wrapped up in a world-building marvel.

## 3. “[Forbidden Fruit](https://www.dipseastories.com/audiobooks/forbidden-fruit-series/)” by Dipsea
![Forbidden-Fruit-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3i4YqLlYIkC0JeODiUUZy2/7dc801f7da97cfb3d57ab8c4734276af/Forbidden-Fruit-by-Dipsea.jpg)

This dark fantasy romance audiobook is a steamy Hades and Persephone myth retelling. As the Goddess of Spring, Persephone should be happy when she’s inducted into the Pantheon and a bacchanal is thrown in her honor. 

Instead, she finds herself sneaking away for some peace and quiet, which is when she encounters Hades. Intrigued by his dark presence, she follows him to the Underworld and has an unexpected respite filled with pleasure.

When her duty to Mount Olympus calls to her, she and Hades come up with an arrangement: She’ll spend part of the year fulfilling her godly obligations...and the other part in the Underworld with him. Each time with him grows their connection and she finds herself longing for his touch whenever they’re apart. 

Is it possible for them to have their happy ending? Find out in this original 11-part audiobook series!

## 4. “[Zodiac Academy: The Awakening](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46261182-the-awakening)” by Susanne Valenti and Caroline Peckham
![Zodiac-Academy-The-Awakening-by-Susanne-Valenti-and-Caroline-Peckham](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1tQTHn2bZ2uzNbJ89V2vn2/e13f558c2db567662b5f4a78d01b5554/Zodiac-Academy-The-Awakening-by-Susanne-Valenti-and-Caroline-Peckham.jpg)

Where Hogwarts is a school of mostly well-behaved witches, the Zodiac Academy is anything but. The college is filled with ruthless and wild young adults who are all some type of supernatural: werewolves, vampires, sirens, and every type of shifter you can imagine. They also accept fae and have two new attendees: twin Gemini sisters, Darcy and Tory.

When Darcy and Tory found out they’re heirs to the throne of Solaria, they didn’t realize it’d be so hard to claim that throne. Before they can rise to power, they have to attend the Zodiac Academy and prove that they’re the most powerful supernaturals out there. Being twins born in the month of Gemini makes them the rarest Elementals ever known—something the four Celestial Heirs at their new school are not too pleased about.

With their astrology-entwined powers, the twins must learn their craft, avoid falling in love with sexy monsters, and watch their backs at all costs.

## 5. “[The Serpent and the Wings of Night](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60714999-the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night)” by Carissa Broadbent
![The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2J5cIksmSGToqpJNIE4qLo/eaa55c4fc5ca8f14d8ddadc7bbd0d30f/The-Serpent-and-the-Wings-of-Night.jpg)

One of TikTok’s most popular book recommendations for dark fantasy romance fans and a New York Times bestseller, “The Serpent and the Wings of Night” follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king. Tired of living in a world where she’s only seen as prey, she decides to enter Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of Death.

Fighting against the best-trained warriors is one thing, but winning is another. To succeed she’ll need the help of Raihn, her greatest enemy. He’s a [vampire (hot)](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/why-vampires-are-sexy/), her father’s rival, and a ruthless killer who can’t be trusted. But none of that matters. Not even her unsettling attraction and growing desire for him matters. The only thing that matters is surviving.

Follow Oraya’s journey in book one of the “Crowns of Nyaxia” series!

## 6. “[The Final Strife](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54440543-the-final-strife)” by Saara El-Arifi
![The-Final-Strife-by-Saara-El-Arifi](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2TaRmg3NCsoYWiIuNra6JB/a9d7038510d397ee83ff410a18f0917a/The-Final-Strife-by-Saara-El-Arifi.jpg)

Inspired by Ghanaian mythology, this first book in the Ending Fire trilogy follows Sylah, a blue-blood destined to spark a revolution. But all the fight in her disappeared the moment she witnessed her family’s murder. Things seem hopeless for a working class girl like herself until she meets Anoor, the red-blooded princess of the kingdom she wants to destroy.

After years of emotional abuse, Anoor has no loyalty to her mother, the queen of the empire. Instead, she finds herself drawn to Sylah. When the pair join forces with Hassa, a clear-blooded servant desperate for change, they suddenly find resolve that they can make a difference after all. Together, the three begin a fight for freedom...falling in love along the way.

An Amazon Editor’s pick for Best Fantasy and Sci-Fi with an almost 4.5 Goodreads rating, this [sapphic romance book](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sapphic-books/) features a friends-to-lovers trope, a bisexual love triangle, BIPOC main characters, captivating world-building, and twists and turns you’ll never see coming.

## Delve into dark romance
Dark fantasy romance books offer a thrilling escape into enchanted worlds. From ruthless political empires and supernatural schools, to falling for deadly faes and assassins, embrace the shadows and read about love blooming in the most unexpected places.

And for even more dark fantasy romances, check out [Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/)! Sign up for a [free trial](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/) to experience an audio-first approach to romance that lets you experience characters in a whole new way.

Fall under the spell of these 6 dark fantasy romance books that have BookTok drooling. We’ve got delightfully steamy reads you’ll want to read ASAP.

These 6 dark fantasy romance books are wickedly enchanting

woman-reading-a-book

Like [BookTube](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/booktube) and [Bookstagram](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bookstagram/?hl=en) before it, [BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/BookTok) is TikTok’s community of readers, and spicy BookTok focuses on romance books with extra steamy scenes. Spicy romance books have flooded BookTok accounts in droves (lucky us), but finding them isn’t always easy. How do you finesse the algorithm to steer clear of the milder romance novels and heap on the heat?

No matter how much smut you’re already accustomed to, trust us: There’s so much more, and the lovely creators on BookTok are eager to help you find it. There are hundreds of spicy BookTok books to scratch any itch, and there are a number of ways to curate your FYP (“for you page”) on TikTok to align with the preferences on your Goodreads profile. Thank us later, and prepare to overstock your Amazon wishlist with more [Hades and Persephone retellings](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/forbidden-fruit-series/) than your TBR can handle. A [Kindle unlimited account](https://www.amazon.com/Browse-Kindle-Unlimited-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=9069934011) is highly recommended.

### Where do I start? 

BookTok is packed with book recommendations from sweetly steamy to downright filthy. Whatever you’re into, it helps to start by letting TikTok know that it’s spice you’re after in the first place. Some tags to follow are [#spicybooks](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/spicybooks), [#steamyreads](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/steamyreads), [#smuttok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/smuttok), [#steamybooktok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/steamybooktok), and #spicybooktok. More will emerge as you refine your preferences, but these are a great place to start. 

As with any element of TikTok, the algorithm will adjust to your tastes as you go. Even once it knows you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers contemporary workplace romance, you might find that you adore “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry and maybe aren’t so into “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood. The platform won’t know about your dislike for a fake dating trope until you’ve “liked” and “disliked” certain videos, so give it time. The app will learn. 

### Who should I follow? 

There are hundreds of accounts devoted to recommending and reviewing spicy reads, but if you’re new to this side of BookTok and want to become more involved, there are a handful of users to start following, beginning with the source: writers!

Plenty of authors join TikTok to promote their titles and engage with readers. Authors like Nisha Sharma ([@nishawrites](https://www.tiktok.com/@nishawrites)) write both adult and young adult romance (from “Dating Dr. Dil” to “The Letters We Keep”), while Sierra Simone ([@sierrasimone](https://www.tiktok.com/@thesierrasimone?lang=en)) and Katee Robert ([@authorkateerobert](https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkateerobert?lang=en)) fall strictly under “grown-ups only.” “American Queen” by Simone is perfect for anyone who thought “The West Wing” needed a lot more heat, and once you’ve read “Neon Gods” by Robert, you’ve got to check out [Forbidden Fruit](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/forbidden-fruit-series/), a spicy audiobook on the Dipsea app.

Carrie Aarons ([@authorcarriea](https://www.tiktok.com/@authorcarriea?lang=en)) has an endless list of contemporary, trope-riddled, and swoon-worthy romances (“Foes and Cons” is a favorite) while Ana Huang’s ([@authoranahuang](https://www.tiktok.com/@authoranahuang?lang=en)) “Twisted Love” is on the darker side—always remember to read the trigger warnings! 

Once you’re following your favorite authors, publishers are next. Companies like Entangled ([@entangledpub](https://www.tiktok.com/@entangledpub?lang=en)), Berkley ([@berkleypub](https://www.tiktok.com/@berkleypub?lang=en)), Bloom Books ([@read_bloom](https://www.tiktok.com/@read_bloom?lang=en)), and Harlequin ([@harlequinbooks](https://www.tiktok.com/@harlequinbooks?lang=en)) are all excellent about sharing news with their beloved BookTokers. Keep an eye on some of the giveaways and trends they like to kick off from time to time. You might learn how to get some books for free here and there. 

Not to be overlooked are the accounts that make BookTok so special, and that’s the readers themselves! Caroline ([@salty_caroline_reads](https://www.tiktok.com/@salty_caroline_reads?lang=en)) does a one-sentence reviews wrap-up at the end of every month, Kendra ([@kendra.reads](https://www.tiktok.com/@kendra.reads?lang=en)) co-hosts a romance book podcast called “Bring Your Own,” and no one dissects the latest page-to-screen adaptation like Ayman ([@aymansbooks](https://www.tiktok.com/@aymansbooks?lang=en)).

Kaven ([@kaven_books](https://www.tiktok.com/@kaven_books?lang=en)) and Maggie ([@maggiemaebereading](https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiemaebereading?lang=en)) are romantasy lovers who jump at the chance to gab about “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas but are also on their way to becoming authors themselves. TikTok videos about their works in progress are interspersed with plenty of “here’s a book I read and loved.”

### What reads does spicy BookTok recommend? 

Depending on what you’re into, there’s a subgenre for everyone, and BookTok recommendations span every trope, no matter how specific. Better yet, plenty of them intersect for a, shall we say, well-rounded experience...

- __Historical romances__ popular on spicy BookTok include “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon, the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, and Evie Dunmore’s books (Sebastian in “Bringing Down the Duke” is an *immaculate* book boyfriend).
- __Contemporary romances__ like “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace, “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy, “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang, and “Twice in a Blue Moon” by Christina Lauren have all made the rounds across BookTok, and more pop up every week. 
- [__Dark romances__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/) such as “Den of Vipers” K.A. Knight, “Black Sunshine” by Karina Halle, “Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton, “Zodiac Academy” by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, and “Credence” by Penelope Douglas all come with a hefty set of trigger warnings, but many readers love the way these books explore intense themes.
- [__Fantasy romances__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romantasy-books/) (or romantasies) include “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros, “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout, “A Touch of Darkness” by Scarlett St. Clair, and “Rhapsodic” by Laura Thalassa, but this is far from an exhaustive list. [Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/moonshadowe-chronicles-series/) and [Wings of Winter](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/wings-of-winter-series/), two original spicy audiobooks on the Dipsea app, put gorgeous spins on this popular subgenre. 

### What trends should I look out for? 

One of the best ways to engage with spicy BookTok is to participate in one of its trends, which circulate through the community quickly! These are as easy and quick as a filter that tells you your favorite [praise phrase](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/praise-kink-tag/) (sometimes the classic “good girl” needs a twist, no?) or as involved as a role-playing scene (no, not *that* kind) to go along with a quick sound bite about to go viral. 

The moment a sound starts getting popular, BookTok will find a way to make it about reading, so jump in if a trend resonates with you and you have an idea to put your own unique spin on it.

Some trends will appear around the time of a new book’s release. “Fourth Wing” definitely had its share of time on BookTok with audio clips like, “A dragon without its rider is a tragedy; [a rider without their dragon is dead](https://www.tiktok.com/music/Welcome-to-the-Fourth-Wing-7236062353995860778?lang=en),” and Sarah J. Maas’s second Crescent City book “House of Sky and Breath” had all of us in a chokehold with, “[Ruhn Danaan, crown prince of the Valbaran fae](https://www.tiktok.com/music/sunet-original-7004921150409034501?lang=en).” (He needs his own book, *ASAP*.) 

Many BookTokers also do weekly or monthly round-ups sharing what they read, so pay close attention on the weekends and around the start of a new month for their recs. This is also a great time to pop into the comments! What have you read that they might like? What’s on their TBR that’s also on yours? Engagement with these videos helps continue to train the algorithm to show you more of what you want.

### Explore and have fun!

Spicy BookTok is as varied as the books and readers involved, and as soon as you’ve gotten a sense of what you’re after, TikTok will help sort out the rest and keep you in the circles you love most.

If you like the sound of the steamier side of BookTok, [check out Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/), the app for spicy audiobooks. Made by professional writers and top-tier narrators, each story will sweep you off your feet.

Like [BookTube](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/booktube) and [Bookstagram](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bookstagram/?hl=en) before it, [BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/BookTok) is TikTok’s community of readers, and spicy BookTok focuses on romance books with extra steamy scenes. Spicy romance books have flooded BookTok accounts in droves (lucky us), but finding them isn’t always easy. How do you finesse the algorithm to steer clear of the milder romance novels and heap on the heat?

No matter how much smut you’re already accustomed to, trust us: There’s so much more, and the lovely creators on BookTok are eager to help you find it. There are hundreds of spicy BookTok books to scratch any itch, and there are a number of ways to curate your FYP (“for you page”) on TikTok to align with the preferences on your Goodreads profile. Thank us later, and prepare to overstock your Amazon wishlist with more [Hades and Persephone retellings](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/forbidden-fruit-series/) than your TBR can handle. A [Kindle unlimited account](https://www.amazon.com/Browse-Kindle-Unlimited-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=9069934011) is highly recommended.

### Where do I start? 

BookTok is packed with book recommendations from sweetly steamy to downright filthy. Whatever you’re into, it helps to start by letting TikTok know that it’s spice you’re after in the first place. Some tags to follow are [#spicybooks](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/spicybooks), [#steamyreads](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/steamyreads), [#smuttok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/smuttok), [#steamybooktok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/steamybooktok), and #spicybooktok. More will emerge as you refine your preferences, but these are a great place to start. 

As with any element of TikTok, the algorithm will adjust to your tastes as you go. Even once it knows you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers contemporary workplace romance, you might find that you adore “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry and maybe aren’t so into “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood. The platform won’t know about your dislike for a fake dating trope until you’ve “liked” and “disliked” certain videos, so give it time. The app will learn. 

### Who should I follow? 

There are hundreds of accounts devoted to recommending and reviewing spicy reads, but if you’re new to this side of BookTok and want to become more involved, there are a handful of users to start following, beginning with the source: writers!

Plenty of authors join TikTok to promote their titles and engage with readers. Authors like Nisha Sharma ([@nishawrites](https://www.tiktok.com/@nishawrites)) write both adult and young adult romance (from “Dating Dr. Dil” to “The Letters We Keep”), while Sierra Simone ([@sierrasimone](https://www.tiktok.com/@thesierrasimone?lang=en)) and Katee Robert ([@authorkateerobert](https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkateerobert?lang=en)) fall strictly under “grown-ups only.” “American Queen” by Simone is perfect for anyone who thought “The West Wing” needed a lot more heat, and once you’ve read “Neon Gods” by Robert, you’ve got to check out [Forbidden Fruit](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/forbidden-fruit-series/), a spicy audiobook on the Dipsea app.

Carrie Aarons ([@authorcarriea](https://www.tiktok.com/@authorcarriea?lang=en)) has an endless list of contemporary, trope-riddled, and swoon-worthy romances (“Foes and Cons” is a favorite) while Ana Huang’s ([@authoranahuang](https://www.tiktok.com/@authoranahuang?lang=en)) “Twisted Love” is on the darker side—always remember to read the trigger warnings! 

Once you’re following your favorite authors, publishers are next. Companies like Entangled ([@entangledpub](https://www.tiktok.com/@entangledpub?lang=en)), Berkley ([@berkleypub](https://www.tiktok.com/@berkleypub?lang=en)), Bloom Books ([@read_bloom](https://www.tiktok.com/@read_bloom?lang=en)), and Harlequin ([@harlequinbooks](https://www.tiktok.com/@harlequinbooks?lang=en)) are all excellent about sharing news with their beloved BookTokers. Keep an eye on some of the giveaways and trends they like to kick off from time to time. You might learn how to get some books for free here and there. 

Not to be overlooked are the accounts that make BookTok so special, and that’s the readers themselves! Caroline ([@salty_caroline_reads](https://www.tiktok.com/@salty_caroline_reads?lang=en)) does a one-sentence reviews wrap-up at the end of every month, Kendra ([@kendra.reads](https://www.tiktok.com/@kendra.reads?lang=en)) co-hosts a romance book podcast called “Bring Your Own,” and no one dissects the latest page-to-screen adaptation like Ayman ([@aymansbooks](https://www.tiktok.com/@aymansbooks?lang=en)).

Kaven ([@kaven_books](https://www.tiktok.com/@kaven_books?lang=en)) and Maggie ([@maggiemaebereading](https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiemaebereading?lang=en)) are romantasy lovers who jump at the chance to gab about “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas but are also on their way to becoming authors themselves. TikTok videos about their works in progress are interspersed with plenty of “here’s a book I read and loved.”

### What reads does spicy BookTok recommend? 

Depending on what you’re into, there’s a subgenre for everyone, and BookTok recommendations span every trope, no matter how specific. Better yet, plenty of them intersect for a, shall we say, well-rounded experience...

- __Historical romances__ popular on spicy BookTok include “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon, the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, and Evie Dunmore’s books (Sebastian in “Bringing Down the Duke” is an *immaculate* book boyfriend).
- __Contemporary romances__ like “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace, “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy, “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang, and “Twice in a Blue Moon” by Christina Lauren have all made the rounds across BookTok, and more pop up every week. 
- [__Dark romances__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/) such as “Den of Vipers” K.A. Knight, “Black Sunshine” by Karina Halle, “Haunting Adeline” by H.D. Carlton, “Zodiac Academy” by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, and “Credence” by Penelope Douglas all come with a hefty set of trigger warnings, but many readers love the way these books explore intense themes.
- [__Fantasy romances__](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romantasy-books/) (or romantasies) include “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros, “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout, “A Touch of Darkness” by Scarlett St. Clair, and “Rhapsodic” by Laura Thalassa, but this is far from an exhaustive list. [Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/moonshadowe-chronicles-series/) and [Wings of Winter](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/wings-of-winter-series/), two original spicy audiobooks on the Dipsea app, put gorgeous spins on this popular subgenre. 

### What trends should I look out for? 

One of the best ways to engage with spicy BookTok is to participate in one of its trends, which circulate through the community quickly! These are as easy and quick as a filter that tells you your favorite [praise phrase](https://www.dipseastories.com/tags/praise-kink-tag/) (sometimes the classic “good girl” needs a twist, no?) or as involved as a role-playing scene (no, not *that* kind) to go along with a quick sound bite about to go viral. 

The moment a sound starts getting popular, BookTok will find a way to make it about reading, so jump in if a trend resonates with you and you have an idea to put your own unique spin on it.

Some trends will appear around the time of a new book’s release. “Fourth Wing” definitely had its share of time on BookTok with audio clips like, “A dragon without its rider is a tragedy; [a rider without their dragon is dead](https://www.tiktok.com/music/Welcome-to-the-Fourth-Wing-7236062353995860778?lang=en),” and Sarah J. Maas’s second Crescent City book “House of Sky and Breath” had all of us in a chokehold with, “[Ruhn Danaan, crown prince of the Valbaran fae](https://www.tiktok.com/music/sunet-original-7004921150409034501?lang=en).” (He needs his own book, *ASAP*.) 

Many BookTokers also do weekly or monthly round-ups sharing what they read, so pay close attention on the weekends and around the start of a new month for their recs. This is also a great time to pop into the comments! What have you read that they might like? What’s on their TBR that’s also on yours? Engagement with these videos helps continue to train the algorithm to show you more of what you want.

### Explore and have fun!

Spicy BookTok is as varied as the books and readers involved, and as soon as you’ve gotten a sense of what you’re after, TikTok will help sort out the rest and keep you in the circles you love most.

If you like the sound of the steamier side of BookTok, [check out Dipsea](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/), the app for spicy audiobooks. Made by professional writers and top-tier narrators, each story will sweep you off your feet.

Jump into the dreamiest corner of TikTok: spicy BookTok! We’ll introduce you to the best creators and book recs and help you make the algorithm work for you.

Spicy BookTok 101: Who to follow + what to read

SpicyBookTok

share-image-dusk

Get the story behind the spicy story, and meet the team building the next-gen of romance.

Dipsea | Blog

## Frequently Asked Questions

---

### __What is Dipsea?__

Dipsea is the app for spicy audiobooks and more, featuring your favorite tropes and irresistible characters. Crafted by a team of professional writers and top-tier narrators, it’s next-gen romance created by and for women.

You can download Dipsea in the App Store, Google Play Store, or browse audiobooks [here](https://www.dipseastories.com/discover/). 

### __What can I listen to with a free trial?__

You’ll get access to the entire Dipsea library when you sign up for a free trial. Choose an annual or monthly subscription and explore 1000+ spicy audiobooks, romance novels, sleep scenes, and steamy sounds. 

### __How often is there new content?__

New content is released each week and with thousands of stories to explore, there’s plenty to discover.

### __Who are the people behind the app?__

We're a [women-led team](https://www.dipseastories.com/about/) of writers, producers, and engineers who are obsessed with making the very best audio romance. Every story on Dipsea has been created by us. And we partner with an incredible network of narrators to guarantee the quality of every single story.

### __What makes Dipsea different?__

We like to think of Dipsea as HBO for your ears. It isn’t just your average romance audiobook—it’s like the juiciest scenes from your favorite spicy story, but better… Crafted with care by our team of professional writers, voice actors, and audio producers, each story in our library is a high-quality, immersive sonic experience. And because our content is created by women, the female gaze is always front and center.

### __Can I work for Dipsea?__ 

We’re only as great as the people we work with, and we’d love to meet you. Check out the current opportunities for working with us:

- [Work with us](https://angel.co/dipsea/jobs)
- [Voice act for us](https://www.dipseastories.com/voice/)  


Read the FAQs to find out what Dipsea is and learn more about the team behind it.

Dipsea FAQ

FAQ-v2

Ready to explore a new side of yourself? That's what Dipsea is for. 

### #BookTok
Maybe Fourth Wing was your gateway drug into romance, maybe the Netflix show Bridgerton inspired a deeper dive, or maybe you read Fifty Shades of Grey ten years ago and the algorithm is just catching up to you. But if you've been scrolling through #BookTok on TikTok lately, you've probably started seeing Gothic-looking book covers adorned with skulls, roses, and the occasional shirtless man in stark black and white.

Welcome to the dark side—let’s explore the wild world of dark romance. We’ll show what you can expect from dark romance authors, the common tropes in these love stories, and some book recommendations for you to explore dark themes. 

### What is dark romance?
Let's get one thing straight: Dark romance isn't for everyone. It's not about kisses, butterflies, and happy endings where the heroine rides off into the sunset with her love interest. No, dark romance is a subgenre of romance that’s all about the messy, complicated, and sometimes downright twisted side of love and relationships. It (sometimes) even explores themes of violence, abuse, and trauma.

That's what makes dark romance so addictive to its fans. It has all of the most delicious themes common in most romance—love, chemistry, and spice. But where most romance keeps its characters unequivocally good and its themes light, dark romance is not afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and relationships. 

This genre delves into taboo themes like power dynamics, obsession, and fear. And its characters often walk a very thin line between good guy and bad guy.

### 3 common tropes found in dark romance
There is a diverse spectrum of dark romance novels. While some popular BookTok books are full-on stalking fantasies, many are closer to a beach read with a dose of darkness. Let’s explore three common themes that tie the dark romance genre together.

__1. Morally gray characters and anti-heroes__

The male protagonists of dark romance are often flawed, not-so-good guys who may engage in questionable or even criminal behavior. They might even be a straight-up serial killer. Often, they’ll stop at no cost to protect what they love (usually, their girl). 

In a typical romance, a love interest might quit bull riding for his lover or practice figure skating lifts with her. Dark romance MMCs tend to ruthlessly destroy the lives of (or in some cases, like, actually kill) any man who’s ever wronged their beloved. Kind of a different storyline!

__2. Internally consistent (but not traditional) moral codes__

The men of dark romance may not abide by a traditional definition of right and wrong, but they do usually have a code they live by that is consistent with their own morals, and tend to be extremely pragmatic in a violent and unjust world. 

Zade of Haunting Adeline has no qualms killing people if they are violent men who prey on the weak (women and children). 

Draco in Manacled (a popular Harry Potter fanfic with a juicy enemies to lovers trope) will do anything to protect and defend his mother, and is also critically aware that if he didn’t do the Dark Lord’s dirty work, someone else would.

Hades in Forbidden Fruit, a spicy audiobook on Dipsea, refuses to play by the rules of the other gods. He’s happy to let them think that Persephone is kept in the Underworld against her will, because he will do absolutely anything to have her. 

But whether the MMCs in dark romance are villains or just seem like villains, across the board they are willing to be the “monster” if it means protecting, loving, and cherishing their princess. And while the men (and gods) of dark romance certainly aren’t good, they are usually only bad for a very good reason. 

__3. Taboo themes and intense emotional journeys__

Dark romance novels often explore controversial topics such as obsession, captivity, violence, BDSM, and dubious consent or non-consensual acts. The flawed characters of this genre are often working through childhood trauma or otherwise living in violent circumstances that have shaped their ruthless attitudes and informed their personal moral codes. 

These themes create a sense of intensity and extremity which heighten the drama and addictiveness of the stories, but these challenging topics also act as deep paths of connection between the main characters. They can heal, protect, and cherish each other in a world that has been cruel to them or does not understand them. 

### Books recs for beginners

For those just starting their journey into the tantalizing world of dark romance, dipping your toes into the genre can be both thrilling and slightly intimidating. To ease your way into this spicy realm, here are five popular dark romance books that serve as perfect entry points for beginners:

"Still Beating" by Jennifer Hartmann: This gripping standalone novel introduces readers to a world where love and danger collide in unexpected ways. Following the tumultuous relationship between a young woman named Ava and a mysterious man with a troubled past, "Still Beating" explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. With its compelling storyline and complex characters, this book is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

"Hawke" by Jescie Hall: If you're a fan of steamy romance with a hint of suspense, "Hawke" is the perfect choice. Set in a small town where secrets run deep, this novel follows the forbidden romance between a brooding bad boy named Hawke and a fiercely independent woman named Liv. As their attraction intensifies, they must navigate the dangerous consequences of their love in a town where everyone has something to hide. With its sizzling chemistry and edge-of-your-seat suspense, "Hawke" is a must-read for fans of dark romance.

The Never After series by Emily McIntire: Dive into a world of forbidden love and dark magic with this captivating series. Set in a dystopian future where society is ruled by ruthless leaders, these books follow the journey of a young woman named Elara as she navigates a dangerous romance with a mysterious stranger named Kael. Filled with twists, turns, and heart-pounding suspense, "The Never After series" will keep you guessing until the very end.

"Does It Hurt?" by H.D. Carlton: For readers who enjoy their romance with a side of psychological intrigue, "Does It Hurt?" delivers in spades. This chilling tale follows the twisted relationship between a young woman named Lily and a seductive stranger named Jack. As Lily becomes entangled in Jack's dark world of obsession and manipulation, she must confront her deepest fears and desires. With its haunting prose and spine-tingling suspense, "Does It Hurt?" is a must-read for fans of psychological dark romance.

”Wicked Words” an audiobook on the Dipsea app: When celebrity biographer Adrienne Stone's father passes away, he leaves the family estate to her reckless brother. But her brother, burned by his debts, is forced to sell it to notorious tech mogul, Alexander Blackwood. In a twist of fate, Adrienne finds herself agreeing to write Alexander's biography and, despite their initial animosity, she discovers a man far different from what the headlines suggest. With its blend of intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists, "Wicked Words" will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

### Trigger warnings and critiques of dark romance
There are a few critiques of dark romance and dark fantasy that often come up.

Some people argue that this subgenre romanticizes and glorifies toxic relationships and unhealthy behaviors. There's a concern that readers, especially younger ones, might internalize these problematic dynamics and view them as desirable or acceptable in real life. 

Critics also point out that the power imbalances and non-consensual elements in many dark romance stories can be triggering or harmful to readers who have experienced trauma or abuse. There's a fine line between exploring these themes in a fictional setting and glamorizing them, and some believe that dark romance writers cross that line. 

However, at Dipsea we think that dark romance provides a safe space to explore these darker themes and fantasies without real-world consequences. And we’re confident that readers are capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. Ultimately, as with any genre, it's up to individuals to decide what they're comfortable with.

In most dark romance books, there are trigger warnings which will tell you what to expect beforehand. If you’re worried about encountering content that disturbing or upsetting, make sure you read these warnings ahead of time!

### Explore the dark side of romance
Fiction plays a unique role in everyone’s lives and we’re not here to shame you! 

If you have a fresh download on your Kindle or are browsing Amazon listings, you can check trigger warnings and content warnings on Goodreads. 

If you’re listening on a spicy audiobook platform like Dipsea, you can get all the information you need in the tags before you press play.


### #BookTok
Maybe Fourth Wing was your gateway drug into romance, maybe the Netflix show Bridgerton inspired a deeper dive, or maybe you read Fifty Shades of Grey ten years ago and the algorithm is just catching up to you. But if you've been scrolling through #BookTok on TikTok lately, you've probably started seeing Gothic-looking book covers adorned with skulls, roses, and the occasional shirtless men in stark black and white.

Welcome to the dark side—let’s explore the wild world of dark romance. We’ll show what you can expect from dark romance authors, the common tropes in these love stories, and some book recommendations for you to explore dark themes. 

### What is dark romance?
Let's get one thing straight: Dark romance isn't for everyone. It's not about kisses, butterflies, and happy endings where the heroine rides off into the sunset with her love interest. No, dark romance is a subgenre of romance that’s all about the messy, complicated, and sometimes downright twisted side of love and relationships. It (sometimes) even explores themes of violence, abuse, and trauma.

That's what makes dark romance so addictive to its fans. It has all of the most delicious themes common in most romance—love, chemistry, and spice. But where most romance keeps its characters unequivocally good and its themes light, dark romance is not afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and relationships. 

This genre delves into taboo themes like power dynamics, obsession, and fear. And its characters often walk a very thin line between good guy and bad guy.

### 3 common tropes found in dark romance
There is a diverse spectrum of dark romance novels. While some popular BookTok books are full-on stalking fantasies, many are closer to a beach read with a dose of darkness. Let’s explore three common themes that tie the dark romance genre together.

__1. Morally gray characters and anti-heroes__

The male protagonists of dark romance are often flawed, not-so-good guys who may engage in questionable or even criminal behavior. They might even be a straight-up serial killer. Often, they’ll stop at no cost to protect what they love (usually, their girl). 

In a typical romance, a love interest might quit bull riding for his lover or practice figure skating lifts with her. Dark romance MMCs tend to ruthlessly destroy the lives of (or in some cases, like, actually kill) any man who’s ever wronged their beloved. Kind of a different storyline!

__2. Internally consistent (but not traditional) moral codes__

The men of dark romance may not abide by a traditional definition of right and wrong, but they do usually have a code they live by that is consistent with their own morals, and tend to be extremely pragmatic in a violent and unjust world. 

Zade of Haunting Adeline has no qualms killing people if they are violent men who prey on the weak (women and children). 

Draco in Manacled (a popular Harry Potter fanfic with a juicy enemies to lovers trope) will do anything to protect and defend his mother, and is also critically aware that if he didn’t do the Dark Lord’s dirty work, someone else would.

Hades in Forbidden Fruit, a spicy audiobook on Dipsea, refuses to play by the rules of the other gods. He’s happy to let them think that Persephone is kept in the Underworld against her will, because he will do absolutely anything to have her. 

But whether the MMCs in dark romance are villains or just seem like villains, across the board they are willing to be the “monster” if it means protecting, loving, and cherishing their princess. And while the men (and gods) of dark romance certainly aren’t good, they are usually only bad for a very good reason. 

__3. Taboo themes and intense emotional journeys__

Dark romance novels often explore controversial topics such as obsession, captivity, violence, BDSM, and dubious consent or non-consensual acts. The flawed characters of this genre are often working through childhood trauma or otherwise living in violent circumstances that have shaped their ruthless attitudes and informed their personal moral codes. 

These themes create a sense of intensity and extremity which heighten the drama and addictiveness of the stories, but these challenging topics also act as deep paths of connection between the main characters. They can heal, protect, and cherish each other in a world that has been cruel to them or does not understand them. 

### Books recs for beginners

For those just starting their journey into the tantalizing world of dark romance, dipping your toes into the genre can be both thrilling and slightly intimidating. To ease your way into this spicy realm, here are five popular dark romance books that serve as perfect entry points for beginners:

"Still Beating" by Jennifer Hartmann: This gripping standalone novel introduces readers to a world where love and danger collide in unexpected ways. Following the tumultuous relationship between a young woman named Ava and a mysterious man with a troubled past, "Still Beating" explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. With its compelling storyline and complex characters, this book is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

"Hawke" by Jescie Hall: If you're a fan of steamy romance with a hint of suspense, "Hawke" is the perfect choice. Set in a small town where secrets run deep, this novel follows the forbidden romance between a brooding bad boy named Hawke and a fiercely independent woman named Liv. As their attraction intensifies, they must navigate the dangerous consequences of their love in a town where everyone has something to hide. With its sizzling chemistry and edge-of-your-seat suspense, "Hawke" is a must-read for fans of dark romance.

The Never After series by Emily McIntire: Dive into a world of forbidden love and dark magic with this captivating series. Set in a dystopian future where society is ruled by ruthless leaders, these books follow the journey of a young woman named Elara as she navigates a dangerous romance with a mysterious stranger named Kael. Filled with twists, turns, and heart-pounding suspense, "The Never After series" will keep you guessing until the very end.

"Does It Hurt?" by H.D. Carlton: For readers who enjoy their romance with a side of psychological intrigue, "Does It Hurt?" delivers in spades. This chilling tale follows the twisted relationship between a young woman named Lily and a seductive stranger named Jack. As Lily becomes entangled in Jack's dark world of obsession and manipulation, she must confront her deepest fears and desires. With its haunting prose and spine-tingling suspense, "Does It Hurt?" is a must-read for fans of psychological dark romance.

”Wicked Words” an audiobook on the Dipsea app: When celebrity biographer Adrienne Stone's father passes away, he leaves the family estate to her reckless brother. But her brother, burned by his debts, is forced to sell it to notorious tech mogul, Alexander Blackwood. In a twist of fate, Adrienne finds herself agreeing to write Alexander's biography and, despite their initial animosity, she discovers a man far different from what the headlines suggest. With its blend of intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists, "Wicked Words" will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

### Trigger warnings and critiques of dark romance
There are a few critiques of dark romance and dark fantasy that often come up.

Some people argue that this subgenre romanticizes and glorifies toxic relationships and unhealthy behaviors. There's a concern that readers, especially younger ones, might internalize these problematic dynamics and view them as desirable or acceptable in real life. 

Critics also point out that the power imbalances and non-consensual elements in many dark romance stories can be triggering or harmful to readers who have experienced trauma or abuse. There's a fine line between exploring these themes in a fictional setting and glamorizing them, and some believe that dark romance writers cross that line. 

However, at Dipsea we think that dark romance provides a safe space to explore these darker themes and fantasies without real-world consequences. And we’re confident that readers are capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. Ultimately, as with any genre, it's up to individuals to decide what they're comfortable with.

In most dark romance books, there are trigger warnings which will tell you what to expect beforehand. If you’re worried about encountering content that disturbing or upsetting, make sure you read these warnings ahead of time!

### Explore the dark side of romance
Fiction plays a unique role in everyone’s lives and we’re not here to shame you! 

If you have a fresh download on your Kindle or are browsing Amazon listings, you can check trigger warnings and content warnings on Goodreads. 

If you’re listening on a spicy audiobook platform like Dipsea, you can get all the information you need in the tags before you press play.


Safely explore the dark side of romance books by learning what dark romance is, common tropes and trigger warnings, and what to expect from this spicy genre.

What is Dark Romance?

What is Dark Romance? Tropes, trigger warnings, and book recs

Sure, you’ve heard of [#BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/booktok?lang=en), but what about [#SpicyBookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/spicybooktok?lang=en)? Scroll for just a few minutes and you’ll be flooded with spicy romance novels packed with all of the sweet moments and [tropes we love](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romance-tropes/) with the addition of open-door steamy scenes.

From contemporary romance to romantasy, sports romance to historical romance, you won’t find any fade-to-black scenes in these books! Between the loveable characters, incredible plots, and steamy scenes, these spicy books will have you blushing and swooning all at once. Apologies in advance to your TBR, because these 15 steamy romance recs are must-reads!

## 1. “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey
![It-Happened-One-Summer-by-Tessa-Bailey](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/39zbGUFCBywDGW3Rav2cIp/b2eb6e989b590b60ddb684ded18d8e37/It-Happened-One-Summer-by-Tessa-Bailey.jpg)

Piper’s parents send her away to Westport, a small seaside town, as a punishment for being popular (OK, maybe more accurately it’s because she caused chaos, but still! Free Piper!). 

Westport is a far cry from her glamorous life in Los Angeles. Enter Brendan, a fishing captain who has gotten under Piper’s skin since the moment she showed up and doubts she has what it takes to make it without her parents’ money and connections. As she finds her footing in this new town, her path keeps crossing Brendan’s—and neither one of them is happy about it.

Tessa Bailey is a spice and banter QUEEN, and this book is no exception. If you love the grumpy/sunshine trope and loveable but ditzy Alexis from Schitt’s Creek, you will love Piper and this rom-com book. 

## 2. “Pucking Around” by Emily Rath
![Pucking-Around-by-Emily-Rath](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3GojCarDp5DRLEadWa0Evh/315f04f063309d070f05ac50cd72b3ea/Pucking-Around-by-Emily-Rath.jpg)

This book has it all: enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, polyamorous romance, the spiciest scenes, hockey! Seriously, what’s not to love?

Rachel has just taken a new job as a doctor for an NHL team. One of the first people she meets? Jake, who she had an unforgettable one-night stand with in Seattle…who also happens to be one of the team’s star players. Sparks are also flying between Rachel and Caleb, her neighbor and equipment manager for the team (and Jake’s best friend). Enter Illmari, the team’s grumpy goalie, whose trust Rachel is determined to win. What she doesn’t count on is winning his heart too. 

There’s a prequel novella and two collections of bonus chapters, plus other books in the series focusing on some of the side characters from “Pucking Around.” This book is so good and I want to live in this world forever.

## 3. “The Local” by Dipsea
![The-Local-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1NA7sd81KwhSeSHsnkQYn6/315dbbc315a9093cfb5b7b0194cd3a0c/The-Local-by-Dipsea.jpg)

Sabrina is an American living in Ireland and her new flat is right above a bustling pub (not exactly conducive to her studying). Killian is the hot bartender who is one part charming and one part irritating. What starts as innocent flirty banter across the bar quickly devolves into more and they can’t decide if they love or hate each other. 

This [audiobook is split into 11 chapters](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/the-local-series/) (plus bonus content!) and each one clocks in around 10 minutes. The steam is steaming, the Irish accent will melt you into a puddle, and you’ll get full-body chills from the way this spicy audiobook transports you into the moment. Go find your headphones! 

## 4. “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood
![The-Love-Hypothesis-by-Ali-Hazelwood](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/BsPpYqzqORcsW9M0a18cO/10b2a1eaabffdd259f4b8dca8128d934/The-Love-Hypothesis-by-Ali-Hazelwood.jpg)

Olive is a post-doc student at Stanford. Adam is the grumpiest (and hottest) professor in the department. After she accidentally kisses Adam (in her defense, she just kissed the first man she saw, she didn’t know it was him), Olive is convinced she’s going to be fired and maybe even deported back to Canada. But surprisingly, Adam agrees to a fake relationship to keep her nosy friends from meddling in her love life.

This book has tension, stolen glances, longing feelings, forced proximity (they have to share a hotel room!) and all the best parts of a grumpy/sunshine duo. It’s a slow burn but when they catch fire—watch out! While the story is told from Olive’s POV, we do get one chapter from Adam’s POV that is just *chef’s kiss*. This spicy romance book will leave your heart overflowing. 

## 5. “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang
![Twisted-Lies-by-Ana-Huang](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5dgWHsuGCjhioI7KpXtEA1/873d8ca97d29ad71db2105ffa33a344c/Twisted-Lies-by-Ana-Huang.jpg)

Stella thought her stalker had disappeared but he’s returned to her life and she’s terrified. Living on her own (even though she’s in one of D.C.’s safest buildings) isn’t making this easier. 

Christian owns Stella’s building and lives in the penthouse. He knows Stella through mutual friends (the couples from the other books in the Twisted series!) and wants to keep her safe so he proposes a solution: They pretend to date so her stalker will back off. This might have worked if her stalker didn’t mean BUSINESS. He continues to try to get to Stella, driving her closer to Christian, who will do anything to protect her.

If you like your [romance to have a dash of darkness](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/), morally gray men, lots of plot twists, and heaps of spice, you’ll love this.

Oh and PS: While it’s the fourth book in the Twisted series, it can totally be read as a standalone.

## 6. “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace
![Icebreaker-by-Hannah-Grace](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6IV7RE9UZKtUugKZLwv0W9/1a7fabeaff5439d2bbc73671a4e73c4b/Icebreaker-by-Hannah-Grace.jpg)

After an incident leaves one of the school’s rinks inoperable, the hockey and skating teams have to train on the same ice. 

And that ice isn’t big enough for Anastasia, a figure skater, and Nate, a hockey player. They butt heads repeatedly, before eventually settling into a truce when Nate steps up to fill in for Anastasia’s injured skating partner. As the weeks pass, there’s no denying their connection (seriously, their chemistry could melt the ice they are skating on). Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you—this book is steam city!

## 7. “Wrecked” by Lauren Asher
![Wrecked-by-Lauren-Asher](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1eBFpDj2ef9ajLjGauLmJM/01968267275fb96ece5a00c78545a8aa/Wrecked-by-Lauren-Asher.jpg)

Lauren Asher’s billionaire Dreamland series gets a lot of love (as it should!) but don’t sleep on the Dirty Air series!

Wrecked is the third book in the series, which follows a group of F1 drivers. Jax is F1’s resident bad boy—a title he has worked hard to keep. Elena is the PR pro brought in to help him clean up his act, so naturally they get along like cats and dogs. But as we get to know them more, these two are more alike than they seem. Jax is haunted by his future and Elena is haunted by her past, but together they somehow find a way to live in the present. 

There’s angst, sadness, love, hope, and SPICE (looking at you, London Eye scene). This book is real and messy and emotional and outstanding. You can read it as a standalone, but the rest of the books in the series are incredible as well. 

## 8. “A Not So Meet Cute” by Meghan Quinn
![A-Not-So-Meet-Cute-by Meghan Quinn](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2giBXKI2evx6oMwExkueNr/b001e575ca6c4f2a4aee41d64970d6b7/A-Not-So-Meet-Cute-by_Meghan_Quinn.jpg)

Lottie is sick and tired of being single so she decides to take matters into her own hands the only way she knows how: by walking through Beverly Hills and hoping to stumble upon a rich, hot, single man (honestly, a relatable queen). On her hot girl walk, she stumbles across Huxley, a billionaire who is in a bit of a situation because he accidentally told a super-important client that he and his fiancée are expecting a baby, when in reality he’s very single.

In an attempt to save his business deal from going south, Huxley convinces Lottie to be his loving (fake) fiancée. But Lottie has a mind of her own, which means these two are constantly caught up in hilarious hijinks. Plus, the more time they spend together faking it, the more real it all seems. This is the first in a three-part series following Huxley and his two brothers. If you’re a fan of Meghan Quinn, you may have been introduced to these guys in one of her other books!

## 9. “The Mistake” by Elle Kennedy
![The-Mistake-by-Elle-Kennedy](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7lp4gB4RVFa10UuTgfLR3R/a8c91dea2e543d3ff4f3022504bf27db/The-Mistake-by-Elle-Kennedy.jpg)

Logan is a defenseman for the Briar University hockey team and the team is fresh off winning the championship. He’s got it all but unfortunately, he’s down bad for his best friend’s girlfriend, Hannah, and he feels awful about it. He meets Grace by total accident (literally showed up at her dorm looking for someone else) and they hit it off. But he’s worried he is leading Grace on when he’s got feelings for someone else so he calls it off (in the worst possible way). 

Grace is determined not to let some hockey player ruin her sophomore year. She might have fallen for Logan freshman year but she was young and naive. She won’t make the same mistake again. But Logan is determined to win her back and he’s willing to do anything to gain her trust. It’s funny, witty, sweet, Logan is the [perfect book boyfriend](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/men-written-by-women/), and I would do anything to stay in the Briar University world forever. 

And luckily for me (and you) we can! This spicy romance book is the second of a five-book series, there’s a four-book series set in the same universe, and the first two books of a new next-generation series are out now.

## 10. “Scarred” by Emily McIntire
![Scarred-by-Emily-McIntire](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/EF5wHa2H6TNkwzvpOjEfS/26f8d80fef17c46024f0f2817e14083d/Scarred-by-Emily-McIntire.jpg)

Nobody makes you root for a villain like Emily McIntire! Tristan is the second-born prince (the spare to his brother’s heir) and he’s plotting to overthrow him and steal the crown.

Sara is brought to the palace to wed the future king and her goal is to gain his trust and use that to take him down. She has no love for the king or his dangerous, trouble-making brother. But nothing brings people together like a shared hatred for something (or someone) else and before long, Sara and Tristan are finding it hard to stay away from each other. It’s dark and fiery, and Tristan may not be the good guy, but man do we root for him!

This book series flirts with some of the themes of dark romance books without getting too dark. And while each book isn’t a literal retelling of your favorite fairy tales, you can definitely see the influence.

## 11. “Punk 57” by Penelope Douglas
![Punk-57-by-Penelope-Douglas](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7DQGOxvt4E35L0creQqFBV/652fb2fdedf25fe15a980ce78e651005/Punk-57-by-Penelope-Douglas.jpg)

Misha and Ryen were paired as pen pals during fifth grade and over the years built an unshakeable bond despite never actually meeting in person. They keep things strictly anonymous and without knowing each other’s full names or what each other looks like, they are able to confide in one another about anything and everything.

This arrangement is going just fine until Misha stumbles across a social media profile that looks like it could belong to Ryen. He tempts fate and does some digging on her—which will change their relationship forever.

## 12. “Reluctantly Yours” by Erin Hawkins
![Reluctantly-Yours-by-Erin-Hawkins](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2XsGxzLMi3XwXGEsDd3mGr/e5cf82a49a6f509d72d6ec5c969de5f0/Reluctantly-Yours-by-Erin-Hawkins.jpg)

Chloe is the editorial assistant for the head of a media company and she LOVES her job. That job is put in jeopardy when she decides to host her childhood best friend’s bachelorette party at her boss’ fancy penthouse (before you judge—the restaurant reservation fell through and Chloe has a tiny New York City apartment!!). 

She and her friends get busted mid-party, not by her boss but by Barrett, the bosses’ grumpy-and-reserved-but-super-hot son and heir to the media company. Chloe’s toast, right? Wrong! Barrett is in need of a (fake, but no one needs to know it’s fake) relationship to prove to a business partner that he’s a serious, committed guy and not a total playboy. They strike a deal: Chloe pretends to be his girlfriend and he won’t tell his mom she was partying in her penthouse. 

This book delivers all the spicy, steamy tension you would expect for a pair of rivals who find themselves in a fake dating scenario. The banter is top tier and their story is so sweet. You can read it as a standalone, but it’s the first in a series if you just want to stay lost in this world (and trust me, you do)! 

## 13. “Play With Me” by Becka Mack
![Play-With-Me-by-Becka-Mack](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1UdDQeUNpLW6dAZfqCTEwt/629d00ccbdcb60371255a82d443a79a7/Play-With-Me-by-Becka-Mack.jpg)

If you read [sports romance books](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sports-romance-books/), you know the cardinal rule: no dating your teammates' sister (especially when that teammate is your best friend and team captain).

Garrett wants to follow the rule but the more time he spends with Jenny, the more he wants to risk it all. Jenny just wants to step out of her famous brother’s shadow and stand on her own two feet. She really loves the unlikely friendship she’s formed with Garrett (after an embarrassing start but who's keeping track) and is caught off guard by how easily her feelings of friendship turn into something more.

Garrett and Jenny are so funny and sweet with each other but they know how to bring the heat too. This is the second book in the series and while you can read it as a standalone, why would you want to when the other books are just so good??

## 14. “Heartless” by Elsie Silver
![Heartless-by-Elsie-Silver](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5X9cHVIAKdTV7SKMWBfDDd/7848b151974aa10251c664c4af2d0983/Heartless-by-Elsie-Silver.jpg)

Cade is a tough-as-nails cowboy who runs the family ranch while raising his son as a single dad. Willa is a firecracker outsider who finds herself in need of a job in the small town of Chestnut Springs. Through the work of fate (aka Willa’s best friend and Cade’s sister-in-law, Summer) Willa agrees to nanny Cade’s five-year-old son for the summer.

She’s young, wild, funny, gorgeous, and 100% OFF LIMITS. Cade tries to keep a polite distance but every day spent with Willa, his resolve slips a little more. And Willa definitely doesn’t make it easy for him, pushing his buttons and testing his resolve any chance she gets.

This spicy romance book is the second book in the series, plus, the author has other series set in the same universe.

## 15. “Electric Idol” by Katee Robert
![Electric-Idol-by-Katee-Robert](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5wk0ESkTzCi99BaY9c1kK5/2cef33216b8179b7904506aa6061aa33/Electric-Idol-by-Katee-Robert.jpg)

You think you’ve got mother-in-law problems? Psyche would like a word! In this fantasy romance set in a modern Mount Olympus, our girl Psyche has found herself on Aphrodite’s bad side (never a good place to be) and Eros, Aphrodite’s son, has been ordered to kill her. 

Normally, a little murder would be no problem for Eros. He’s a monster, after all. But when he sees Psyche, he just…can’t. Unable to hurt her and completely perplexed as to why, he decides the only logical thing to do is marry her (obviously). Now Psyche has a super hot husband she’s not so sure about and a mother-in-law who is LESS than thrilled with her. Great.

These two are, well…electric. Run, don’t walk. And if you can’t get enough of the Greek gods, this is the second in the series (and yes, she has a book about everyone’s favorite couple, Hades and Persephone!).

__If you liked these book recommendations, check more spicy audiobooks [on the Dipsea app](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?f=2&promo=try30d).__

Sure, you’ve heard of [#BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/booktok?lang=en), but what about [#SpicyBookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/spicybooktok?lang=en)? Scroll for just a few minutes and you’ll be flooded with spicy romance novels packed with all of the sweet moments and [tropes we love](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/romance-tropes/) with the addition of open-door steamy scenes.

From contemporary romance to romantasy, sports romance to historical romance, you won’t find any fade-to-black scenes in these books! Between the loveable characters, incredible plots, and steamy scenes, these spicy books will have you blushing and swooning all at once. Apologies in advance to your TBR, because these 15 steamy romance recs are must-reads!

## 1. “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey
![It-Happened-One-Summer-by-Tessa-Bailey](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/39zbGUFCBywDGW3Rav2cIp/b2eb6e989b590b60ddb684ded18d8e37/It-Happened-One-Summer-by-Tessa-Bailey.jpg)

Piper’s parents send her away to Westport, a small seaside town, as a punishment for being popular (OK, maybe more accurately it’s because she caused chaos, but still! Free Piper!). 

Westport is a far cry from her glamorous life in Los Angeles. Enter Brendan, a fishing captain who has gotten under Piper’s skin since the moment she showed up and doubts she has what it takes to make it without her parents’ money and connections. As she finds her footing in this new town, her path keeps crossing Brendan’s—and neither one of them is happy about it.

Tessa Bailey is a spice and banter QUEEN, and this book is no exception. If you love the grumpy/sunshine trope and loveable but ditzy Alexis from Schitt’s Creek, you will love Piper and this rom-com book. 

## 2. “Pucking Around” by Emily Rath
![Pucking-Around-by-Emily-Rath](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/3GojCarDp5DRLEadWa0Evh/315f04f063309d070f05ac50cd72b3ea/Pucking-Around-by-Emily-Rath.jpg)

This book has it all: enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, polyamorous romance, the spiciest scenes, hockey! Seriously, what’s not to love?

Rachel has just taken a new job as a doctor for an NHL team. One of the first people she meets? Jake, who she had an unforgettable one-night stand with in Seattle…who also happens to be one of the team’s star players. Sparks are also flying between Rachel and Caleb, her neighbor and equipment manager for the team (and Jake’s best friend). Enter Illmari, the team’s grumpy goalie, whose trust Rachel is determined to win. What she doesn’t count on is winning his heart too. 

There’s a prequel novella and two collections of bonus chapters, plus other books in the series focusing on some of the side characters from “Pucking Around.” This book is so good and I want to live in this world forever.

## 3. “The Local” by Dipsea
![The-Local-by-Dipsea](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1NA7sd81KwhSeSHsnkQYn6/315dbbc315a9093cfb5b7b0194cd3a0c/The-Local-by-Dipsea.jpg)

Sabrina is an American living in Ireland and her new flat is right above a bustling pub (not exactly conducive to her studying). Killian is the hot bartender who is one part charming and one part irritating. What starts as innocent flirty banter across the bar quickly devolves into more and they can’t decide if they love or hate each other. 

This [audiobook is split into 11 chapters](https://www.dipseastories.com/series/the-local-series/) (plus bonus content!) and each one clocks in around 10 minutes. The steam is steaming, the Irish accent will melt you into a puddle, and you’ll get full-body chills from the way this spicy audiobook transports you into the moment. Go find your headphones! 

## 4. “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood
![The-Love-Hypothesis-by-Ali-Hazelwood](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/BsPpYqzqORcsW9M0a18cO/10b2a1eaabffdd259f4b8dca8128d934/The-Love-Hypothesis-by-Ali-Hazelwood.jpg)

Olive is a post-doc student at Stanford. Adam is the grumpiest (and hottest) professor in the department. After she accidentally kisses Adam (in her defense, she just kissed the first man she saw, she didn’t know it was him), Olive is convinced she’s going to be fired and maybe even deported back to Canada. But surprisingly, Adam agrees to a fake relationship to keep her nosy friends from meddling in her love life.

This book has tension, stolen glances, longing feelings, forced proximity (they have to share a hotel room!) and all the best parts of a grumpy/sunshine duo. It’s a slow burn but when they catch fire—watch out! While the story is told from Olive’s POV, we do get one chapter from Adam’s POV that is just *chef’s kiss*. This spicy romance book will leave your heart overflowing. 

## 5. “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang
![Twisted-Lies-by-Ana-Huang](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5dgWHsuGCjhioI7KpXtEA1/873d8ca97d29ad71db2105ffa33a344c/Twisted-Lies-by-Ana-Huang.jpg)

Stella thought her stalker had disappeared but he’s returned to her life and she’s terrified. Living on her own (even though she’s in one of D.C.’s safest buildings) isn’t making this easier. 

Christian owns Stella’s building and lives in the penthouse. He knows Stella through mutual friends (the couples from the other books in the Twisted series!) and wants to keep her safe so he proposes a solution: They pretend to date so her stalker will back off. This might have worked if her stalker didn’t mean BUSINESS. He continues to try to get to Stella, driving her closer to Christian, who will do anything to protect her.

If you like your [romance to have a dash of darkness](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/what-is-dark-romance/), morally gray men, lots of plot twists, and heaps of spice, you’ll love this.

Oh and PS: While it’s the fourth book in the Twisted series, it can totally be read as a standalone.

## 6. “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace
![Icebreaker-by-Hannah-Grace](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/6IV7RE9UZKtUugKZLwv0W9/1a7fabeaff5439d2bbc73671a4e73c4b/Icebreaker-by-Hannah-Grace.jpg)

After an incident leaves one of the school’s rinks inoperable, the hockey and skating teams have to train on the same ice. 

And that ice isn’t big enough for Anastasia, a figure skater, and Nate, a hockey player. They butt heads repeatedly, before eventually settling into a truce when Nate steps up to fill in for Anastasia’s injured skating partner. As the weeks pass, there’s no denying their connection (seriously, their chemistry could melt the ice they are skating on). Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you—this book is steam city!

## 7. “Wrecked” by Lauren Asher
![Wrecked-by-Lauren-Asher](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1eBFpDj2ef9ajLjGauLmJM/01968267275fb96ece5a00c78545a8aa/Wrecked-by-Lauren-Asher.jpg)

Lauren Asher’s billionaire Dreamland series gets a lot of love (as it should!) but don’t sleep on the Dirty Air series!

Wrecked is the third book in the series, which follows a group of F1 drivers. Jax is F1’s resident bad boy—a title he has worked hard to keep. Elena is the PR pro brought in to help him clean up his act, so naturally they get along like cats and dogs. But as we get to know them more, these two are more alike than they seem. Jax is haunted by his future and Elena is haunted by her past, but together they somehow find a way to live in the present. 

There’s angst, sadness, love, hope, and SPICE (looking at you, London Eye scene). This book is real and messy and emotional and outstanding. You can read it as a standalone, but the rest of the books in the series are incredible as well. 

## 8. “A Not So Meet Cute” by Meghan Quinn
![A-Not-So-Meet-Cute-by Meghan Quinn](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2giBXKI2evx6oMwExkueNr/b001e575ca6c4f2a4aee41d64970d6b7/A-Not-So-Meet-Cute-by_Meghan_Quinn.jpg)

Lottie is sick and tired of being single so she decides to take matters into her own hands the only way she knows how: by walking through Beverly Hills and hoping to stumble upon a rich, hot, single man (honestly, a relatable queen). On her hot girl walk, she stumbles across Huxley, a billionaire who is in a bit of a situation because he accidentally told a super-important client that he and his fiancée are expecting a baby, when in reality he’s very single.

In an attempt to save his business deal from going south, Huxley convinces Lottie to be his loving (fake) fiancée. But Lottie has a mind of her own, which means these two are constantly caught up in hilarious hijinks. Plus, the more time they spend together faking it, the more real it all seems. This is the first in a three-part series following Huxley and his two brothers. If you’re a fan of Meghan Quinn, you may have been introduced to these guys in one of her other books!

## 9. “The Mistake” by Elle Kennedy
![The-Mistake-by-Elle-Kennedy](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7lp4gB4RVFa10UuTgfLR3R/a8c91dea2e543d3ff4f3022504bf27db/The-Mistake-by-Elle-Kennedy.jpg)

Logan is a defenseman for the Briar University hockey team and the team is fresh off winning the championship. He’s got it all but unfortunately, he’s down bad for his best friend’s girlfriend, Hannah, and he feels awful about it. He meets Grace by total accident (literally showed up at her dorm looking for someone else) and they hit it off. But he’s worried he is leading Grace on when he’s got feelings for someone else so he calls it off (in the worst possible way). 

Grace is determined not to let some hockey player ruin her sophomore year. She might have fallen for Logan freshman year but she was young and naive. She won’t make the same mistake again. But Logan is determined to win her back and he’s willing to do anything to gain her trust. It’s funny, witty, sweet, Logan is the [perfect book boyfriend](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/men-written-by-women/), and I would do anything to stay in the Briar University world forever. 

And luckily for me (and you) we can! This spicy romance book is the second of a five-book series, there’s a four-book series set in the same universe, and the first two books of a new next-generation series are out now.

## 10. “Scarred” by Emily McIntire
![Scarred-by-Emily-McIntire](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/EF5wHa2H6TNkwzvpOjEfS/26f8d80fef17c46024f0f2817e14083d/Scarred-by-Emily-McIntire.jpg)

Nobody makes you root for a villain like Emily McIntire! Tristan is the second-born prince (the spare to his brother’s heir) and he’s plotting to overthrow him and steal the crown.

Sara is brought to the palace to wed the future king and her goal is to gain his trust and use that to take him down. She has no love for the king or his dangerous, trouble-making brother. But nothing brings people together like a shared hatred for something (or someone) else and before long, Sara and Tristan are finding it hard to stay away from each other. It’s dark and fiery, and Tristan may not be the good guy, but man do we root for him!

This book series flirts with some of the themes of dark romance books without getting too dark. And while each book isn’t a literal retelling of your favorite fairy tales, you can definitely see the influence.

## 11. “Punk 57” by Penelope Douglas
![Punk-57-by-Penelope-Douglas](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/7DQGOxvt4E35L0creQqFBV/652fb2fdedf25fe15a980ce78e651005/Punk-57-by-Penelope-Douglas.jpg)

Misha and Ryen were paired as pen pals during fifth grade and over the years built an unshakeable bond despite never actually meeting in person. They keep things strictly anonymous and without knowing each other’s full names or what each other looks like, they are able to confide in one another about anything and everything.

This arrangement is going just fine until Misha stumbles across a social media profile that looks like it could belong to Ryen. He tempts fate and does some digging on her—which will change their relationship forever.

## 12. “Reluctantly Yours” by Erin Hawkins
![Reluctantly-Yours-by-Erin-Hawkins](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/2XsGxzLMi3XwXGEsDd3mGr/e5cf82a49a6f509d72d6ec5c969de5f0/Reluctantly-Yours-by-Erin-Hawkins.jpg)

Chloe is the editorial assistant for the head of a media company and she LOVES her job. That job is put in jeopardy when she decides to host her childhood best friend’s bachelorette party at her boss’ fancy penthouse (before you judge—the restaurant reservation fell through and Chloe has a tiny New York City apartment!!). 

She and her friends get busted mid-party, not by her boss but by Barrett, the bosses’ grumpy-and-reserved-but-super-hot son and heir to the media company. Chloe’s toast, right? Wrong! Barrett is in need of a (fake, but no one needs to know it’s fake) relationship to prove to a business partner that he’s a serious, committed guy and not a total playboy. They strike a deal: Chloe pretends to be his girlfriend and he won’t tell his mom she was partying in her penthouse. 

This book delivers all the spicy, steamy tension you would expect for a pair of rivals who find themselves in a fake dating scenario. The banter is top tier and their story is so sweet. You can read it as a standalone, but it’s the first in a series if you just want to stay lost in this world (and trust me, you do)! 

## 13. “Play With Me” by Becka Mack
![Play-With-Me-by-Becka-Mack](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/1UdDQeUNpLW6dAZfqCTEwt/629d00ccbdcb60371255a82d443a79a7/Play-With-Me-by-Becka-Mack.jpg)

If you read [sports romance books](https://www.dipseastories.com/blog/sports-romance-books/), you know the cardinal rule: no dating your teammates' sister (especially when that teammate is your best friend and team captain).

Garrett wants to follow the rule but the more time he spends with Jenny, the more he wants to risk it all. Jenny just wants to step out of her famous brother’s shadow and stand on her own two feet. She really loves the unlikely friendship she’s formed with Garrett (after an embarrassing start but who's keeping track) and is caught off guard by how easily her feelings of friendship turn into something more.

Garrett and Jenny are so funny and sweet with each other but they know how to bring the heat too. This is the second book in the series and while you can read it as a standalone, why would you want to when the other books are just so good??

## 14. “Heartless” by Elsie Silver
![Heartless-by-Elsie-Silver](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5X9cHVIAKdTV7SKMWBfDDd/7848b151974aa10251c664c4af2d0983/Heartless-by-Elsie-Silver.jpg)

Cade is a tough-as-nails cowboy who runs the family ranch while raising his son as a single dad. Willa is a firecracker outsider who finds herself in need of a job in the small town of Chestnut Springs. Through the work of fate (aka Willa’s best friend and Cade’s sister-in-law, Summer) Willa agrees to nanny Cade’s five-year-old son for the summer.

She’s young, wild, funny, gorgeous, and 100% OFF LIMITS. Cade tries to keep a polite distance but every day spent with Willa, his resolve slips a little more. And Willa definitely doesn’t make it easy for him, pushing his buttons and testing his resolve any chance she gets.

This spicy romance book is the second book in the series, plus, the author has other series set in the same universe.

## 15. “Electric Idol” by Katee Robert
![Electric-Idol-by-Katee-Robert](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/5wk0ESkTzCi99BaY9c1kK5/2cef33216b8179b7904506aa6061aa33/Electric-Idol-by-Katee-Robert.jpg)

You think you’ve got mother-in-law problems? Psyche would like a word! In this fantasy romance set in a modern Mount Olympus, our girl Psyche has found herself on Aphrodite’s bad side (never a good place to be) and Eros, Aphrodite’s son, has been ordered to kill her. 

Normally, a little murder would be no problem for Eros. He’s a monster, after all. But when he sees Psyche, he just…can’t. Unable to hurt her and completely perplexed as to why, he decides the only logical thing to do is marry her (obviously). Now Psyche has a super hot husband she’s not so sure about and a mother-in-law who is LESS than thrilled with her. Great.

These two are, well…electric. Run, don’t walk. And if you can’t get enough of the Greek gods, this is the second in the series (and yes, she has a book about everyone’s favorite couple, Hades and Persephone!).

__If you liked these book recommendations, check more spicy audiobooks [on the Dipsea app](https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?f=2&promo=try30d).__

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