r/DarkRomance

I have been searching top and bottom for books with mmc like zade meadows for FOUR YEARS. And I think a lot of people don't understand what I'm actually looking for when I talk about zade. Bc it's always recommendations like {the ritual by Shantel tiessier} {god of malice by rina Kent} {that sik luv by jescie hall} or something similar. I gave all of those a 3 or lower star because I went into those book thinking it was either similar to haunting Adeline or the MMC was similar. And NONE of it is true!!

The only book that is close and I mean very very close.. a book that should've been recommended but I just happened to find it on my own is {under your scars by Ariel Anderson} so I'll just describe what I'm looking for.

MMC needs to be:

•Stalker

•Obsessed

•Gets jealous

•NOT MEAN TO THE FMC (idc what yall think ; Zade was not mean to Addie at ALL not ONCE not even during the non con scenes)

•Will literally do anything for her

•NEVER thinks of her as just some toy AT ANY MOMENT

•DOES NOT meet her bc he is suppose to kill her

•Literally a gushy bear when it comes to her

•If she isn't alive then he offing himself (bonus points if he makes that very clear to us readers and her)

•Speaks romantically🥹

•DARK HAIR :)

•Bonus points if they are in the MMC is in his 30s

•Bonus points if they meet randomly ..........

The silencer from under you scars had all this down pact. He had all zade qualities tbh the storyline was even similar at some parts..

Now I know this might be a lot or kind of hard to narrow down. But it's been a long 4 years and only one book has made me feel like the cat and mouse duet and made me have the same giggly feeling zade made me have... except for under your scars... oh and my dreadful darling but it didn't give me zade vibes or his qualities but the book was good and I love the mmc.

Okay I'm rambling, k bye... thhhaaaaaanksss🫶🏼

Tell us what you're reading right now. Did you finish any dark romance books this week?

• Summon the romance.io bot by putting curly brackets around the title.
• Describe the plot. What's it about?
• Provide trigger warnings, if applicable.
• What do you like or dislike about it?

Happy reading! 📚

So I've seen on here and heard on Tiktok that one of the things that distinguishes whether a book is a dark romance, horror erotica, or horror romance is that Romance has a happily ever after and now I'm afraid because one of the books I was excited for in my TBR doesn't have a Happy ending (Tiktok told me) and I'm the kinda person who kinda needs a happy ending because my mental health will spiral. Soo, I'm kinda curious if it's true. What does that make the book in my TBR, and will it be worth the depression I'll go into?

I started reading to know what the hype was about. Read all TWs carefully. Ventured in with fingers crossed. I'm on somewhere post chapter 20. I'm not flinching because of the graphic descriptions of dark themes, but the over-descriptive smut scenes.
I feel the mystery aspect of it is much more interesting than Zade's behaviour. Again, NOT dissing the book, may be it is just me but sometimes it's like some sexual scenes are unnecessary. Chapter 16, got it, it's power play and whatnot. But please, for the love of God... I want to know more about the mystery!
I am all for good smut, but this feels a bit overdone. That's why I had DNF-d Den of Vipers. I don't know if I should even continue. But because I actually want to know the mystery part of it, I might just go ahead.
What are your thoughts on this?

Let's just say I have an affinity for Data from Star Trek, and I also love dark romance. Give me some recs for dark romance with mmcs who are robots or androids.

I have never read a single one, so I'm very curious if there are any!

Limits/Hard No's: Incest, no HEA, and cheating.

Just finished An Inheritance of Monsters by Cate Corvin, and here's my issue – the mood was perfect, but absolutely nothing else about this book worked for me.

The positive:

The dark, gothic, eerie atmosphere? Yes, please! More books should have settings like this!

The problem:

The FMC had no spine. She lacked any agency and never asserted herself in any way.

The aliens were depicted as truly scary at first, but once the romantic relationship became part of the story, all of it turned to mush. Scary cover art, cutesy content.

No tension in the love interest dynamic – no push and pull, nothing on the line.

The ending did not make any sense.

What I'm looking for now:

The FMC who stands her ground – who asserts herself, thinks on her feet, and has opinions that influence what happens.

Aliens who retain their non-human qualities – scales, tentacles, claws, strange anatomy – and don't pass for humans with a couple of alien traits.

Darker dynamics – dubcon situations where the FMC loses something by complying, tension in getting to the point of romance. I want to feel the tension, not bypass it.

Big differences in size ("it won't fit!") – a huge plus in this case.

Preferably standalone or a short series, but not against a longer one either.

Give me your darkest and weirdest monster recommendations. 🦑

hidden marriage romance book recs plssss..

can i get some recs where the mmc and fmc are in a secret marriage like they work in same office and nobody knows or better if they both run their own companies but have to merge for a deal and only their secretaries know about the relationship. or something similar to the comic our secret marriage in which fmc is a college student and mmc( businessman) is a guest lecturer and nobody except for their friends and family knows about them.

bonus if there isn't much difference in their age 5-7yrs is fine but not more and also if their families are supportive.

ie - a cute moment between fmc and mmc's brother where he accidentally calls her SIL in front of the staff and then they both just act as if nothing happened.

I'd love if both the characters show jealousy and little possessiveness towards each other.

scenes like colleagues or college students making moves on fmc which makes the mmc lose his cool are welcome..

the book doesn't have to start with them being in love , it can be an arranged marriage where they both are trying to adjust and keep the relationship hidden from everyone except for their families.

i welcome all the spice and romantic tension 🤗🤗 . it can be a dark romance or just a soft romance but pls make it contemporary although historical will work as well but no fantasy or aliens.

Just finished chapter 1, and I gotta know, is the MMC always going to mention Molly throughout the book?

I know she's an important character to him, but is he always gonna bring her up, especially when he compares her to the FMC?

It's not exactly a quality I'm liking of the book's MMC so far tbh...

Can I have some recs where the MMC is completely unhinged. I'm not talking about the usual, I'm going down the mental illness road. The ''That guy needs to be put down or he is going to kill her'' road. Give me a real toxic MMC, not the big wolf who ended up being a puppy. He doesn't respect her limits , he hurts her in every possible way. He can't let her go, he suffocates her. His is not a hero and will never be. His not a bad guy with a reason. He's not trying to be soft for the FMC to fall in love. He doesn't care he doesn't need her love.

The bad guy stays bad and he actually ends up worst.

Oh and also the FMC is the biggest doormat ever ! She 's actually pathetic .. I don't want independent, badass, brat , confident FMC. She is weak and stays weak she doesn't grow a backbone.

I prefer AO3 ( the most unhinged stories are over there; our authors have talents and mental issues for our greatest good )

Big NO :

Harem and Sharing.

Other than that, no limits.

It's a free game.

Let's do your worst !

You know those dreaded words, the ones spoken by your guy best friend who you have zero romantic interest in. The guy who you have known for years, and truly, you thought only viewed you as a friend. Valued you as a friend- nay- a person. And then one day at midnight you are talking about something more heavy or even lightly sexual and he hits you with the:

“Can I tell you something?”

A chill runs up your spine, because you know… You know he’s about to tell you that for the past 5 years of friendship that he’s been in love with you, that he “didn’t want to ruin the friendship” or whatever other bullshit line they feed you so it doesn’t seem like he were waiting in the lurch. But of course, he was.

Anyways, I’m looking for a book like this! I want some unrequited love from FMC to MMC. I want him to be hopelessly in love with her but she vehemently views him as a friend. She does value him. Just not like that.

I want to see this man beg for her to love him back. And her to reject him. I want to see him break inside and then take her anyway. Tired of hearing the chorus of “nos” and somehow forces her into a relationship with him. Turn the sweet guy into a monster because he couldn’t have her nicely. So he takes her instead.

Please have: noncon, forced relationship, ott MMC, I need FMC to have a backbone, a HEA is a must!

Please no: RH, Rina kent, Deathsdoll, Sam Marino, water sports, anal

I'm not on her patreon anymore so idk ,please lemme know if she updated about book 4

For all my ao3 people out there! I started a new one: Take What’s Yours by isalikesporridge. It is a WIP but so good so far.

Very well written and the tension is 10 out of 10! She is a very sheltered, religious woman. He is a doctor and older than her by like 20 something years. She starts to work for him as his secretary and he starts to become obsessed with her.

Based on the tags he eventually kidnaps her.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/90350691/chapters/240182786

My guess is that it could have something to do with the fact that a lot of dark romance readers are straight women. If that’s the case, they may already be less likely to seek out FF romance, and even less likely to be interested in a dynamic where both characters are feminine.

And just to be clear, I’m not judging anyone who likes FF romances with a more masculine character. I’m genuinely curious as to why it’s so hard to find romances between two feminine characters.

I desperately want to read a book in which MMC forces his wife/girlfriend to leave her job...he is very possessive and doesn't want FMC to have a job...and I want fmc to go against her and he uses all his force to get her to leave the job...or FMC wants to have a job and he doesn't let her...

I have no trigger warnings and ao3 recs are also fine...he can get abusive,and locks her in home etc...

Please give me something!!! Help this poor lady out here!!!!!

I am looking for books similar to this work in progress story on Ao3. The blurb is, “In an attempt to escape a life she has little control over, Eden steps into the world of ‘professional companionship’ for ultra-wealthy. One client draws her into a dangerous game of desire and control.”

I am looking for a DR with escort, or “paid companionship” plot… age gap and power imbalance. Bonus for enigmatic MMC with mysterious backstory. Any recs would be appreciated! I hope this Ao3 author continues the story at some point because the trope has me in a chokehold!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/76891136/chapters/204746951?view_adult=true

PLS PLS SUGGEST ME SOME GOOD BOOKS THAT HAVE THIS DYNAMIC

“He slapped/ spanked my clit” (usually as punishment but is a turn on)

I literally can’t visualize it!?! Like I understand what all the words mean but it seems so awkward and not hot in my head lol

I was scrolling Instagram and got a blurb for a book where the MMC discovered the FMC cuts herself. At first he was furious that someone had hurt her. When she didn't answer he realized she does it to herself. I think it was HS but I'd prefer if it was a college/uni setting.

I love non-con and power imbalances. Extra points if its professor/student or any age gap tbh. I dont really have any TWs. Id prefer no OW drama but fake flirting to make the FMC jealous is okay. As long as it doesn't go past that.

Mods don't remove this post. Just a humble request. I don't have anywhere to talk about this.

My profile on here is pretty honest and open; I ask for recs, comment on things I like and everything a person should use reddit for. Recently I shared an opinion on cruel MMCs over a standard community. Expected the downvotes, but not the harassment that came with it.

Somebody took the time to go on my profile. Stalked my age and labelled me as an Indian man (I'm an Indian woman btw) who asks for "disturbing rape porn" and "violent MMCs" and "without a HEA." They copied everything from my posts and comments.

Is this how we're trying to support women? By targeting real ones without any context, just based on what they read?

If that person would have actually made efforts in stalking; they would have seen I'm a writer, shit post memes, cats, and interact in various places. But they picked and choose whatever suited their need.

I wasn't attacking anybody. I just put an opinion and expected the typical downvotes. But being disrespectful and literally labelling and "exposing" me was what put me off.

Similar thing happened in the horror community with me. Since DR has some limitations, I went there for recs. My ask was the opposite of "rape erotica" but anyways. I expected that shit from horror community.

People care more about the feelings and morality of fictional characters rather than actual human beings.

Edit: One thing I wanted to add: if this was the opposite, that is, the non-con dynamics were reversed or I was asking for MM or some femdom, I wouldn't have gotten a reaction this extreme. When it comes to MF dynamics and the victim is a woman, only then the pitch-forks are gathered. A double standard which I understand, but despise with all my heart.

Please don’t judge 🙈
I’m looking for books where the MMC spanks/punishes the FMC for every little thing, with immediate/in the moment consequences.

For example, they’re driving somewhere at night and he pulls the car over and bends her over the hood for a quick correction.
She defies him at home and he so yanks her sweatpants down and he spanks her briefly.
Another example is her getting sassy with him at a park so he drags her behind some bushes and uses a switch.
Maybe she married someone she thought was sweet and didn’t know he would treat her like this.
Or maybe he finds out she did something and the moment he gets home he immediately punishes her & she doesn’t understand what she did wrong & the suddenness of it has her in tears.
OR maybe she’s single and comes home to find her stalker waiting in her bedroom with his belt.

Basically, I want the shock of how unexpected it is. Bonus points if the FMC is too stunned in the moment to fight or escape him.

I do like both doormat fmcs and ones that fight back, so recs for either is fine.

I don’t really have limits, but I definitely don’t want an established BDSM relationship. I don’t want this to be consensual.
The FMC is against and aghast at what he does to her. 😂

Also, not a hard limit, but I will say I’m not super keen on exhibitionism. Punishments in private/semi-private are preferred, although it’s okay if people can hear it from the next room.

Oh and no alien books please. And no reverse haram.

The spanking can be light or severe. But I’d rather there not be a scenario where he threatens her with it again & again, but it never happens. Or he decides to punish her severely but things quickly turn into sex before the punishment can escalate to what was promised.

Incest & pseudo-incest is fine. Such as a father & his adult daughter re-uniting, and him realizing she needs a firm hand. Or a brother coming home from college and becoming aware of his (18+) sister getting involved with the wrong crowd and him laying down the law.

The best example that I have read thus far is the Jackson Brothers series.
{Marshal’s Law by Maddie Taylor}.
They’re historical cowboy romances, and that’s honestly the only genre where I have found this specific scenario. The men in those books literally punish the FMCs prolifically and for the smallest things.
I remember one scene where she says something shocking and so the mmc stops the wagon and drags her over to a fallen tree for spanking with his belt.

I would LOVE to see these types of scenarios in a contemporary dark romance.

Another example is {God of Pain by Rina Kent}. I believe their relationship started with them being acquaintances and him suddenly punishing her for her behavior. She was shocked and didn’t speak about it with anyone after. And he kept doing it to her, without any romance starting up for quite a while into the story.

A few Penelope Douglas books have something a bit like what I’m asking for. But it’s usually just one scene in the entire book. Like {Credence by Penelope Douglas}.

Help a girl out pls. 👉👈 I feel like most “dark romances” with spanking are all bdsm, and it’s just not scratching that itch for me.
I literally have started writing a lot of these scenarios because I haven’t found them elsewhere, but my ADHD has me hopping from new idea to new idea so I haven’t completed one yet. 🥹