Arc reviews
An arc means 'Advanced Review Copy'. It means you read an early copy of the book before it is published. On this page you find my reviews of arc's I read. You will also find the releasedates with the review and links where you can buy the book. On the page 'Sins I get to read soon', you can find the most recent books that are to release soon. Thanks to all the authors who trust me with their story's to read and review!
Caution!
Always check the trigger/content warnings for every book before you start reading it.
If you have any doubts or if it might trigger you, definitely do not read it.
Your mental health is the most important thing.
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Burned by Maddison Lily & Mazikeen Nieve
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : None Genre : Dark contemporary fiction
Tropes : Emotional abuse, domestic violence, gaslighting, grief, child loss, alcohol abuse, trauma, not a love story and control
Pages: 204
Release : 26-09-2026
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 5/5:
The plot of this book is zo great. It Is well paced and very good written. The plot is a very emotional and hits home for me.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I can’t say I enjoy the book because it isn’t a happy story. But I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how the story would end. So it is a very catching book.
Artistry 5/5:
This story is written so well, I felt what they were feeling. It is written from one perspective and I felt her struggles and pain. It is a very emotional and sad story but with a nice build-up at the end for the MMC.
Characters 5/5
The characters are very well written and believable. They came really to live in my mind while reading this story.
Judd is a real piece of work after he starts drinking and Izzy is a woman who slowly lost herself in the situation. It was so real her fears and pain.
Heart 5/5:
I read the book in one sitting because it is written so incredibly well and feels so real..
Thank you, Maddison and Mazikeen, for having the courage to write about these kinds of topics. It is a very difficult and painful subject, yet a reality for far more people than we realize.
For me, there was a very painful sense of recognition regarding alcohol and how you deal with it in the face of fear and pain.
I recommend this book to everyone and am very curious about the next book, "Betrayed."
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Stone & Silence by Jess Ashwyn
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romantasy
Tropes : Betrayal, isolation, Morally grey demon MMC, slow-burn, dark secrets, mysterious letters and hidden kingdom.
Release : 11-08-2026
This book is the debut of Jess Ashwyn! And what a debut. I’m not directly a romantasy lover but this book caught me.
Serayna is a girl who has to live in isolation in a watch tower to pay off a debt of her father. She doesn’t what is in the tower. Than she gets mysterious letters from Z about someone who is coming to get her out of there. When things start to go wrong there is Varek and not Z.
Z is a prince demon. He is the one who send Varek to her. He falls hard for her but is it al slow. She is human and he is demon. And the realm she lives in after going with Varek are all demons. The place she is taught is gone and demons are dangerous.
I really enjoyed the book. I am so looking forward to the next part. The open end is with so much suspense, that I was a frustrated I couldn’t go further in the story.
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Her favorite sin by K.M. Avery
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : pastor x parishioner, love triangle, murder, domestic abuse, FMC / FF romance, Bi-awakening, Virgin FMC and forbidden romance
Pages: 214
Release : 05-08-2026
Plot 5/5:
The plot was great. The storytelling and has a good pace. I loved the twists and unexpected turns. Especially at the end.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I devoured this book. I couldn’t stop reading it and read it in a couple of hours.
Artistry 5/5:
The story is very well written. The story sucked me completely in and made me doubting my own sanity.
Characters 4/5:
Wow did I liked the characters in this story. Grace with her sins, Boe with his problems and then Hope. Was she a double faced character in this story. Maybe there would be some more background on Elijah and Boe.
Heart 5/5:
This book was a real rollercoaster with it’s twists and turns. It is full with lies, lust, betrayal and revenge. I really enjoyed it. This is not a book for the faint-hearted.
Do you like a good dark and very sinfull story than you have to read this book.
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Until Death or Defeat by Adrianna Cross
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Forced marriage, mafia x bratva, enemies to lovers, touch her and die, unaliving and grave digging
Pages: 258
Release : 01-08-2026
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 4/5:
I really liked the plot. It is well paced. I loved all the twists and turns in this story. Also the suspense building is very good. It ends in a cliffhanger.
Enjoyment 4/5:
I kept reading and couldn’t put it away except when I really had to. The story takes you slowly in but before you know you can’t get out of it.
Artistry 4/5:
The story is very well written. It goes smooth and is well paced. There was not a thing for me what took my out of it.
Characters 5/5
Wow the characters are so enjoyable. The MMC who is a new Pakhan of the Bratva has lost his girlfriend before and didn’t thought he could love again. The FMC is an Italian mafia princess who wants to take over from her father but that is not allowed because she is a woman. Also the MMC’s brother is so well written.
Heart 5/5:
I really enjoyed this book. It was not a spicy book. But when there was a spicy scene, it really was spicy. This is a great start of “The Until Death duet” novel for Adrianna. I can’t wait for part 2 of this book.
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Mortala by Alair Novak and Tiffany White
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Age gap, dad’s friend, stabby FMC, bodyguard x psyochopath, grumpy x storm, he falls first, slowburn, mental health rep, addiction, angst, she watches him sleep, hand necklaces, daddy’s girl and family trauma.
Pages: 379
Release : 31-07-2026
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 5/5:
Wow this story is so good. The plot is never dragging. The story is easy to follow and very nice paced. It is not a light read and you for sure read the trigger warnings before start reading. The plot is so well crafted. This story is full om unexpected twists and other revelations.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I really enjoyed this book. I even stayed up sometimes just because I couldn’t stop reading. I just was all in the story. It took me really for a ride.
Artistry 5/5:
The story is written really well. The story is so good you almost live it yourself when reading. There are for sure some heavy mental health topics and other dark matters.
Characters 5/5:
The characters are so good. They are really coming to live for me in this story. It it so great that both write a character. An what for characters.
Sadie is a hardheaded, strong and hard woman. Sadie is lost in her thoughts many times during this book and I felt it that way when reading. I felt so sorry for her.
Elias has is own problems. He is very protective over Sadie. At first this is an assignement but it becomes a real love. He is trying to forget his problems so he can be the strength Sadie needs. They doesn’t have a sweet happy love story.
Heart 5/5:
This book has me devastated and ruined but it also build me up at the end. This story is phenomenal. I for sure will not forget this book soon. I can’t wait for the second part of this duet.
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Craved by Ryan Mundy
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Touch her and die, stalking, age cap, kidnapping, hitman, slowburn and breath play.
Pages: 626
Release : 31-07-2026
This is book 2 of “The Marked for Ruin” series.
I had trouble coming into the book because is it slow burn story. But the book is so worth it to go through this slow parts. It is a great story about two damaged people who both holding secrets for each other but for a different reason.
I really liked the tension, twists and the emotions. So many happens and things just catches up on them.
I hadn’t read books from Ryan Mundy but I am for sure going to read Tarnished and get more background story. It is for sure not my last read from her.
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Crazed concessions by K.M. Avery
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark rival romance
Tropes : Morally grey MMC, Dom/sub, biseksual, obsession, cam-girls and betrayal.
Pages: 194
Release : 31-07-2026
What a great carnaval themed dark romance story bij K.M. Avery.
It was a hell of a ride this little book. Quick to read but full of suspense and spice.
This book has all kinds of twists. It is a great story telling and great characters. Full of stalking, love, blood, carnaval and kink. I loved Lux and Cherry. I think there can be much more story for these two.
Are you looking for a great quick story, then read this!
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Whispers of shadows by Royalty Sky
Rating : ⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : FMC assassin x Don target, slow burn, enemies to lovers, touch her and die, secret destiny, forced proximity, power imbalance.
Pages: 300
Release : 31-07-2026
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 2/5:
The pace of the story didn’t feel right. I also didn’t like the rewind in the story by different character views/chapters.
Enjoyment 2/5:
I really wanted to read this book but it wasn’t it for me. It was difficult to follow by the way the chapters are build and to much repetition.
Artistry 2/5:
The story can be good. It is not written well for me. The repetition of some things (sometimes multiple times on one page) and the rewinding in time between chapters made me almost stop reading.
Characters 3/5
The characters are well believable. I missed some explanation about what a Noahlim was!
Heart 2/5:
The story for sure has potential but the way it is written doesn’t do it for me. It’s to repetitive and not well to follow throughout the chapters. I’m sorry for the author who for sure put a lot of heart and time in this book.
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Cry baby by SK Pryntz
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Taboo erotic horror
Tropes : Bullying, torture smut, sex trafficking, mental health rep, violent scenes and taboo elements.
Pages: 148
Release : 30-07-2026
Wow!
I read this book in only a couple of hours. This book ruined my own sanity.
Quote: “Paint me with your tears, Picasso”
There were so much twists and unexpected elements that I start doubting myself.
I really loved it and for sure am going to read more of her.
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Twin Flame by Julie S. Blake
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Forced proximity, touch her and die, age cap, one bed, rivals to lovers and found family.
Pages: 506
Release : 30-07-2026
It was a real thrill to read this book. It is about a real love triangle with twins.
Sara is only 19 years old but so strong. Joe and Liam are twins who both love her. I really love the way this book is keeping you on the edge of your seat. Every time you think of who Sara should be with, it changes.
It is a very emotional book. I was crying, laughing and it was chaotic. A very good debut for Julie. So great I gut to arc read it.
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Forced promises by Alexis Abbott
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Forced proximity, arranged marriage, age gap, grumpy x sunshine (but make it dark and lethal).
Pages: 478
Release : 28-07-2026
Quote: “The riverbed guided our streams together. I believe that, no matter how the past might change, our currents would have always found a way to converge.”
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 4/5:
The plot was really good. The story is well written and well paced. I liked the storytelling.
Enjoyment 4/5:
This book was really good. I for sure would recommend this book if you like a good dark mafia romance.
Artistry 4/5:
The story is very well written. This writing style is good and very enjoyable. It is written in a very emotional way with much depth.
Characters 4/5
The characters Evelyn and Laszlo are very good. Both have a lot of trauma from the past. When their paths crossed, they both just wanted each other but that wasn’t an option in the beginning. They slowly grow to each other. It feels like these two are really destined to be together and heal each other.
Heart 4/5:
I really enjoyed this dar mafia romance story. It was full of good emotional parts and past trauma. The story has much depth and I liked it all.
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Claim by S.M. Racie
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark rival romance
Tropes : Morally grey MMC, power play, obsession, 2 boys and 1 girl.
Pages: 157
Release : 28-07-2026
It was my first read from this author.
But what was this a really good and quick read. The story is full of suspense, steaminess and chaos.
I really liked the characters Garett, Chance and Claire. There is so much chemistry between them. The storytelling is also great.
A real recommendation for a quick, intens and steamy read.
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Heir of Decay by Tamar Shaw
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Tainted bloodline, resisting fate, morally grey allies and scars of legacy
Pages: 650
Release : 30-07-2026
This is the 3th book in the “Shadow gods” series.
I did start with the 3th book without reading 1 and 2 first but this didn’t ruined anything.
You really need to get to know Ivar and Zorah. There are many layers to find and get to know them really. I loved all the characters and the story. The book has good twists and I liked the storytelling.
If you are a dark romance reader than you for sure have to read this book. I will certainly going to read part 1 and 2 also. I can’t wait for the next part.
I was so grateful for the arc reading opportunity.
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Owned by NW Eaton
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Contemporary romance
Tropes : Found family, billionaire FMC, Fake relationship, brother’s best friend and reverse age cap.
Pages: 379
Release : 23-07-2026
This is book 3 in “The lasting impressions series”.
I really loved this story about Leo and Ria. It is a really addictive slow burn love story.
Leo had loved Ria for a really long time but didn’t do anything with it because she is his best friends sister. And on top of that she is also his boss. But when it comes to his chance he is there on all the points needed for her.
Ria is a really successful and strong FMC. I really love her. I really like how the story let her feel love in all the good and right ways.
My conclusion is that it is a really good, addictive and emotional book. Just read it.
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Imperial Desire by Luna Sads
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Captive, Pitch black MMC, violence, blood, gore, explicit sexual content and look at her and you burn.
Pages: 316
Quote: "A nightmare covered in flash and bones with no heart."
Release : 14-07-2026
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 4/5:
Wow the plot of this story grows even better in this second book. It is so catching. I liked the twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Very well paced and even better then book 1 if you ask me. And what an ending again.
Enjoyment 5/5:
I so enjoyed this book. I devoured it. I read even partly through the night. I just wanted to know how it would go.
Artistry 4/5:
The book is written very well and beautiful. It is told mostly from one perspective but I could follow throughout the whole story of both the characters. It is very engaging and full of suspense. It is very dark and unhinged.
Characters 5/5
Wow the characters grew even more on me in this book. In book 1 we met all of them already but I now know them even better. I need to know more of them.
Oh my god Judas is so unhinged and pitch black. I liked him before but I starting to like him even more. Yes he is unhinged, dark and has very bad problems with anger but I really like to see how he is struggling with what Sera does with him without her knowing it.
Sera is so stuck between two monsters and is only felt captive for a time now. She feels she is a pawn in a game. Yes she hates Judas but at the same time she craves him. She keeps fighting him and he doesn’t like that but she isn’t going to let him break her completely.
Heart 5/5:
I like a dark mafia romance but Luna makes it another level. This book is so dark and unhinged. I just wanted to read more and more. I read the first book Venemous Desire
and now book 2 Imperial Desires. I really need book 3 of this trilogy. I need to know the rest of the story.
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Harlow by A.D. Wilde
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Enemies to lovers, hitman MMC, age cap, stabby FMC, priest’s daughter, forced proximity, primal play, revenge, slowburn, pierced MMC and revenge plot.
Pages: 427
Release : 14-07-2026
This book is very well written. The storyline is so flowing.
I just read this book in 1 go. I really didn’t want to put it away. I only did that when is really was needed.
This is not just a love story. She is a very fierce, loud and don’t give her shit because she doesn’t like that. She is a very strong and fierce woman but underneath is a lot of hurt. I really like FMC’s like her. Harlow is it for me.
Lynx is a really dark and deadly guy. He is quit but ruthless. A real morally grey hitman. So great to see how Harlow gets to him. I really enjoyed that.
This book is full of plot twists and I really love the plot revenge. A very addictive book.
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Beautiful Chrysalis by Luna Larkin
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark paranormal vampire romance
Tropes : Morally grey MMC, obsession, fated mates, toxic and extreme power imbalance.
Pages: 315
Release : 10-07-2026
This book really got to me. It was my first book from Luna.
I needed some time to come into the story but then I was fully engaged.
I really loved Orion and how he is into things like science. He also is dark throughout the whole story. It doesn’t change. Also Kat who is a human is great. They are a great fit for each other.
This book has a great and interesting plot and ends in a cliffhanger. So you have to read the next book. And I can’t wait to read more from Luna.
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The monster within: The devils knights by Alexandra Shaw
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️Genre : Dark motorcycle club romance
Tropes : Morally grey MMC, Touch her and die, obsessive MMC, psychological warfare and trauma and masking.
Pages: 341
Release : 17-07-2026
This is the second book of “The Devils Knight series”.
This book blows my mind and kept me completely occupied.
What a great story about Lottie and Murphy. He is an surgeon and she is a student. He is wrong on so many levels but with her he is finding so much within himself. He is a reallt morally grey guy with specific needs. And still they are great in the story.
The book has a lot of spice, love, suspense and tension.
If you like dark romance. I would say don’t wait, buy the book and start reading.
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Milk & Tears by Jenny Oswald
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark gothic romance
Tropes : Demon & human, lactation, grief and loss, curse and isolation.
Pages: 76
Release : 01-07-2026
Thank you so much for the arc opportunity Jenny.
I made this review using the peach rating system by Erin Smith.
Plot 3/5:
The plot was a little chaotic at the beginning for me. The pace was a little slow at the start and at the end a little too fast for my liking. The setting and the events are brilliant. I really liked the emotional side of the plot.
Enjoyment 4/5:
I really liked the book. It got me and I couldn’t stop reading it. I only stopped when live got in the way.
Artistry 4/5:
The story is very well written. It’s poetic and beautiful. I found nothing that pulled me out of this story.
Characters 4/5
Vera is a great character and has a well written background. Vaeris as well has a very good written background. I enjoyed this characters coming together. Also the few other characters are believable.
Heart 4/5:
I really enjoyed this book. I never expected it to be so emotional and spicy at the same time. The ending feels a little rushed for me but it doesn’t takes away from the story. I really want to read more from Jenny Oswald.
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Billionaire’s vengeance by Vivienne Fawkes
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Slow-burn, revenge romance, emotional, angry, small town, second chance and forced proximity.
Pages: 374
Release : 03-06-2026
It is a great book when you like revenge romances.
This MMC Alex holds his grudge very long. It is an emotional story with much grief and unresolved issues.
There is a strong chemistry and tension between the MMC and FMC. There is a mystery around the two of them. This makes it so good and you don’t want to put the book away. I really liked the slow-burn and mystery. It is a good dark romance with some deeper and intense moments. Just as I like in a good book.
I am ready for the next book and see how Vivienne Hawkes takes this further.
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Crimson night heir by Alexa Michaels
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Look at her and die, forced proximity, Obsessive MMC, workplace romance.
Pages: 339
Release : 18-06-2026
𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒘. “𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓, 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚-𝒃𝒐𝒎𝒃, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆.”
Book 3 of “The Boston Underworld series”.
Wow this book is so great!
I like the fact that Rae is such a stubborn and fierce lady. She is not about to get herself in trouble. But when it comes to Dominico Grimaldi it goes wrong.
She is a maid at his grandparents house. She was coming her to get her life on track. She doesn’t expect to fall in love and become the one that the new mafia don wants as his!
Dominico knows he wants Rae when he laid eyes on her the first time. It consumes him.
He is just not a mafia gangster but has a great heart and wants her.
I already are looking forward to the next book of this series.
Goodreads
Amazon.nl
Amazon.com
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Fractured by Shan Lynn
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark fantasy romance
Tropes : He falls first, Rage from grief/love, fate vs balance, prophecy, plot twist and found family.
Pages: 245
Release : 12-07-2026
I was addicted by this book from page 1. I couldn’t stop reading.
It is book 2 in of “The Frequency trilogy”.
I recommend you read book 1 first. Then you can read this book so much better. I liked this part 2 so much more than the first book. In this book we get what we need to know about Jasper and did I loved it. I really like how Jasper’s character is made. The story is flowing and reads very easy.
I can’t wait for the next part.
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Etiquette of the Cruel by Jane Carmine
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark mafia romance
Tropes : Touch her/him and die, enemies to lovers, BDSM. Power exchange, morally black characters, vengeance and revenge.
Pages: 338
Release : 14-07-2026
Great debut novel from Jane Carmine.
I like the way it is different from many dark mafia romances. Adelina is a great powerful FMC. People fear her and she doesn’t need any man. Cezar is a really unhinged MMC.
It is a book with a great cat and mouse game between the MMC and FMC. It is a love between 2 broken people and not just a nice love story. I liked that the side characters are also well described and very well added to the story.
I liked that the FMC is the strong and lethal lady and he is also strong and lethal but to her just a little puppy.
I will read more books of Jane Carmine for sure.
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The Scent of Crazy by D.A. Valerian
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Morally grey MMC and FMC, Mutual slaking, He falls first and hard, enemies to lovers, unhinged and dark, revenge,
violence, murder, touch her and die.
Pages: 398
Release : 7-07-2026
What a great and different story.
It is a really quick catching book and I couldn’t stop reading it. I had to pull out of my kindl just to do the things that needed to be done.
She is stalking him and he starts stalking her. They don’t know it from each other. The story has many dark and unhinged parts. The are not a usual couple and that makes is just as addictive to me. I like the way they come together and how they match.
I really liked the humor in this book. So dark but so funny at the same time.
This book is part 1 of “the red flag series”. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
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The Heir Clause by Gigi Kiru
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark contemporary romance
Tropes : Arranged marriage, slowburn, filthy mouthed MMC, surveillance, He falls first and hard.
Pages: 740
Release : 2-07-2026
What a great slowburn book.
I like how good all the characters are in this book. The MMC and FMC are so stubborn, it is really bad for both them. I loved the kindness of Leonie towards Orion his father. How she reads to him. So loving and kind. But I also love Orion and how he wants to make Leonie feels good but she thinks he wants to control her.
I also think it is so good that Orion doesn’t want to take her but waits until she wants him. He is not selfish at all towards her. He must be reckless and hard in his business but not towards her.
The story might start with secrets and all but the love in this book is overwhelming and they don’t know themselves how to handle that.
Some parts were a bit repetitive of it bit long but I nevertheless couldn’t put the book away.
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The devil’s bride by Quinn Noir
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark maffia romance
Tropes : Enemies to lovers, jealousy, possessive MMC, maffia, murder, age cap, violence, touch her and die, forced proximity, kidnapping, breeding kinks, trauma bonding, praise kink and pregnancy.
Pages: 382
Release : 01-07-2026
This is book 2 of “The villains & brides”series.
I arc read the first book “The serpents bride” first and that book is so good. I received the second book also as an arc reader. I was thrilled to read further.
Oh my god this book is also so good. I really couldn’t stop reading. I like the fact that is a story on itself but with the characters from the first book in it. It was good to read that Chiara and Leo from book 1 also are further in their lives in this book. It also great that the main characters both have a troubled and clear backstory in the book. Through reading the book you really feel their survival, sacrifice and love for each other.
It is a thrilling, dark, and addictive book. I’m excited to read the next book.
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The weight of surrender by Cillian Ashe
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark erotic romance
Tropes : BDSM, Dominance, marriage trouble, explicit sexual content, betrayal, obsession, forced proximity.
Pages: 485
Release : 30-06-2026
This is the first book of “The surrender trilogy”.
I think it is a very intense book. It is a well written and recognizable story for people. It was for me. How life goes on and you lose yourself in it.
I liked the way how the book suspense is building and also how the BDSM is introduced.
I thought the turns in the book were surprising but makes me want to read the next books for sure, because I really want to know how it goes further for them.
A really great book.
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Dirty Detective by Mary Johnson
Rating : ⭐⭐ Spice : 🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark phychological romance
Tropes : Blackmail, embezzlement, violence, explicit sexual content.
Pages: 78
Release : 10-07-2026
It is a very small and quick to read book.
The book is about a woman who is accused of embezzling money from her boss. The detective gives her a way to stay out of jail by blackmailing her.
Of course the blackmail eventually goes wrong and he wants more than sex. The book has a strange and quick turn at the end.
It is not my kind of book and I don’t think this fits in dark romance.
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Broken by Maddison Lily & Mazikeen Nieve
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : None Genre : Dark contemporary fiction
Tropes : Emotional abuse, survival, IVF, violence, physical abuse, heavy emotional damage.
Pages: 164
Release : 01-07-2026
I read the book very quickly. It’s a heartbreaking story and for sure no love story.
When I started reading the book, I really quick could relate partly to the story of Kate. She is so in love and willing to do the things Jax wants. Yes she has her doubts but does it also.
The story is sad and I like the way it ends with Kate climbing up.
I think the writers did a really good job on this subject. It is a very real situation in which many women and men are stuck. I can’t wait for the next book from this writers duo.
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Touched by Sephyrra
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark gothic horror romance
Tropes :Postpartum grief, touch her and die, he knows her, invisible entity romance, body worship, plussize FMC, murder, mystery
Pages: 266
Release : 29-06-2026
If you love dark and mystery you have to read this book.
I’m so glad this book is about an middle aged plussize woman. Sephyrra writes so beautifully about the connection between the unseen “Ashe” and Freya and how beautiful she is.
The entity has a personality and a very real presence in this story. This made me want to know how it is going to end.
I thought the book was slow starting but soon it grapped me. At the end it completely got me messed up. There are so much curves and twists in this story. You have to read this book for yourself and see how good it is.
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Venemous Desires (Blind Desires book 1) by Luna Sads
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark Maffia Romance
Tropes : Emotional conflict, murder, captivity, rape, strong language, very explicit sexual scenes, stalking, abuse, cane play, manipulation, forced relationship, obsession, gaslighting, bloodshed, virginity.
Pages: 409
Release : 30-06-2026
This is a seriously unhinged book. What a great setup for this trilogy.
I have never before read a dark mafia romance where the MMC is so incredibly dark and dangerous. The book grabbed me quite quickly and I couldn't stop reading. There are a number of twists that I really had to figure out, but that made it impossible to stop.
It does have a spectacular open ending, though, which makes me eager for the next book.
Goodreads
Amazon.nl
Amazon.com
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Crimson Kiss by Alexcis Morris
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Paranormal romance
Tropes : Reverse age cap, fated mates, BDSM, billionaire CEO, strangers to lovers, paranormal, vampire and human, blood play, kidnapping, torture.
Pages: 179
Release : 19-06-2026
What a great start for a new paranormal series.
Rhea is a vampire who is looking for her beloved. In the meantime she is a cam girl with the name Ruby Bite on a website and does she work in a vampire bar. One night she meets Sterling in the bar and time stood completely still. She instantly knows he is her beloved.
Sterling is a billionaire CEO who meets Ruby Bite on the website. He is her greatest fan and donator. He is obsessed with her and tries to find her. When it finally works they are in for a very hot and steamy relationship.
Goodreads
Amazon.nl
Amazon.com
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Asylum by A.E. Chenier
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice : Geen Genre : Gothic romance
Tropes : Captivity, psychiatric practices, mental illness, psychological deteriation, historical sexism, control, obsession, restraining, gaslighting, delusions and hallucinations, power imbalance.
Pages: 172
Release : 09-06-2026
Wow this was a really great book.
I am not a fan of historical romances or settings but this story is catchy. I never suspected that the story wasn’t what it seemed. It is a great psychological book for me. I didn’t stop reading and the plot twist was great. I didn’t see that coming.
The mental illness is a very difficult topic but this writer did a great job throughout the book about this topic.
It is a great dark, gothic, psychological and thrilling story. I surely recommend to read Asylum for yourself. But be ready to be wowed.
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Controlled by him by Claire Sinclaire
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Forced proximity, forced marriage, possesive MMC, murder, dark maffia boss, do freedom, enemies to lovers, slow burn, control, lies, family betrayal, fires, explosive chemistry, overprotecting, claiming, touch her and die.
Pages: 371
Release : 05-06-2026
I finished the book in 2 days. I like it very much.
It is an incredibly gripping book and I could really relate to the FMC. She is very stubborn and definitely not planning to break or just give in to the MMC. This is a great book if you like an MMC that clings to power, control and even obsessive protection over her.
There is a very explosive chemistry between the MMC and FMC. It is trule a slow-burn book but so addictive because you want to know the ins and outs.
I think it is a good book. It is nice that it contains mystery and also a really good story about why the FMC is with the MMC.
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Part Wolf by A.D. Gallo
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Spice : Geen Genre : Romantic fantasy
Tropes : Forbidden love, academy, wolves
Pages: 430
Release : 01-06-2026
This isn't a dark romance but a romantic fantasy. It is a book what is easy to read and you can't put it down. I simply couldn't stop reading.
The book is about Winter and Lochan. They are in the same academy and don't know each other. The have a very strong pull towards each other but that is forbidden and can bring them both in very great danger. Lochan has to be strong and stay away from the strong feeling and pull towards Winter. Winter is slowly learning what Lochan is but is not affraid at all.
The book is very slow but interesting. You keep reading because you want to know what happens to the both of them. When you think finally something is happening, the book ends on an cliffhanger. A great setup for a second book. I can't wait how it is going further for Winter and Lochan.
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A bad habit called conscience by Genia Protas
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Genre : Dark maffia romance
Tropes : Touch her and die, forced marriage, kidnapping, near death, Morally grey MMC, slow burn.
Pages: 346
Release : 31-05-2026
Wow I was hooked on this book from page one.
How Elena saves him and comes to know who he is and what he is. She doesn’t know at the moment she saves him that her life will never be the same.
Dante is used that people fear him and obey. Than he meets Elena who sends him fury and just doesn’t seem to fear him. He isn’t used to that. From the start he feels something and she secretly does too.
It is a great written story I think. It is slow burn but addicting and I couldn’t stop reading.
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The devil’s obsession by Calla Soren
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice : 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark maffia romance
Tropes : Enemies to lovers, lies and betrayal, maffia boss, murder, kidnapping, near death, violence, drugs, forced proximity.
Release : 29-05-2026
Wow, this is a such a good book. I read it in one go. I just could not put it away.
The devil is claiming a daughter because of a gambling debt. He is just not prepared for the stubborn girl he gets. She doesn’t want to give in and just will not shut up. She is just stubborn and mouthy. He is not prepared for the obsession he is about to develop for this girl. When they finally give in to the feelings it is very hot and steamy. Even an accidental pregnancy en very much danger.
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The serpent's bride by Quinn Noir
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark maffia romance
Tropes : Child abuse, forced proximity, forced marriage, possesive MMC, murder, dark maffia boss, age cap, captivity, enemies to lovers, slow burn, near death, touch her and die, drugs.
Pages: 381
Release : 22-05-2026
I really enjoyed reading this book very much. I couldn't put it away. I just continued reading. The MMC forces the FMC in a marriage to get his fathers will. Instead he is just falling in love for this girl hard. The only thing is thinking about is protecting what is hid. And he will die trying. The FMC just wants to escape to go back to her siblings and away from "The Serpent". But she falls in love with him.
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Scars so lovely by Heidi Stark
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Genre : Dark romance
Tropes : Stalking, psychological games, obsession, touch her and die.
Pages: 436
Release : 13-05-2026
I liked it very much but it isn't as dark as i thought. It is more a psychological game what Soren is playing with Ivy. There are for sure some dark moments in the book. It is certainly well written and I couldnt stop reading.
The only thing I really missed in the book is the background of the MMC and FMC. Why is he stalking her and what exactly happend to her?
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