Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library.

This freaking series. I swear. This is the first of three books in the Dark Duet series, and it is something. Caleb is a man intent on revenge. His own past has been one of slavery and mistreatment, so he has no qualms about inflicting the same on someone else for the sake of his vengeance. Olivia Ruiz is just a beautiful, easy target. It’s nothing personal. But when Caleb finds himself irresistibly attracted to his captive, all those carefully laid plans for revenge slowly start to come apart. Twist Me by Anna Zaires What starts as a high school romance but then jumps to years later, it’s the kind of enemies to lovers, bully romance that many readers crave with an antihero you can’t help but fall for. After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge. The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out. But when circumstances conspire for Flame to need HER help, Maddie bravely risks it all for the broken man who has captivated her fragile soul.After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. But I was wrong. Three years came and went too fast, and now he's anything but calm. Prison only gave him time to plan. While on the run, Victor strays from his primal nature as he succumbs to his conscience and resolves to help Sarai. As they grow closer, he finds himself willing to risk everything to keep her alive; even his relationship with his devoted brother and liaison, Niklas, who now like everyone else wants Sarai dead. We fight during the day, but when night comes, we play out every fantasy I’ve never allowed myself to admit to having. For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents.

A few long weeks after being reluctantly ripped from the comforting embrace of her sacred prophet’s religious commune—the only life she has ever known—a terrified Delilah is thrust into a world enveloped by evil and swimming in sin. She didn’t look at me like I was her next meal. She eyed me with disdain. Instead of vying for my attention, she ignored me and pushed me away.From bestselling authors Ker Dukey & K Webster comes the heart-stopping, internationally bestselling crime thriller Pretty Stolen Dolls. Carlton herself says that she loves characters who are morally grey so you’ve heard it from the source and have been warned about this dark fantasy romance. At age twenty-one, the timid and shy Maddie is content to live within the confines of her new home—safe from the outside world, safe from harm and, strangely, protected by the Hangmen’s most volatile member; the heavily pierced and tattooed, Flame.

Despite being kidnapped and forced into the bed of another, she’s finally able to unleash the cravings and feelings she’s always had but could never explore with her boyfriend. Cole must love the idea of brainwashing because it’s been a focus on several of her books I’ve read and this one is no different.

Less Intense Dark Romances

When I finally got her, it felt like I was on top of the world. I was going to help the team win another championship, going into the draft, and had Lyla by my side.

The “ Sinners Anonymous” series by Somme Sketcher, for all those who love an overprotective hero, who is also in the mafia. These dark romance books also don’t always have a dominant male. There are versions out there that feature a strong yet submissive male lead. Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.Same time. One roof. Two restless souls. We kept our promise for three years. On the fourth, Kellan made a decision, and I was left to deal with the consequences. But in the lethal political web of the Veretian court, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country. She knows exactly what type of man Liam is, and she would rather die than give up the power she has spent her whole life building. Waking in an unfamiliar bedroom in a luxurious mansion, Claire Nichols is terrified to discover that a chance encounter led her into the cruel hands of her abductor, Anthony Rawlings. Claire has no understanding of why she's there, but it's been made abundantly clear--she is now his acquisition and every action has consequences.