Best Dark Romance Books 2023

"Let's be clear. While I stay here, no kissing, no hugging," Aiden Anderson said without breaking his gaze at Jessamine, his best friend since third grade. "You're my best friend... You're like a sister to me and my only family. I don't want to be reckless and lose you in the end." "I was only teasing you, Aiden. I'm not losing you as well. You're the only man I trust besides my father," Jessamine assured him. Jessamine turned her back on him, fighting the tears, unsure why her heart was disappointed. A part of her brain said she would rather die with heartache than admit to him that she wished there was more to their friendship, but her heart screamed something else. She wanted to be reckless with him and gave her heart the freedom to love him more than best friend, but how could she admit to him she loved him when Aiden assured her he would disappear from her forever if they crossed the boundary of their friendship?

They say once you meet your mate, your life will change forever. For Dahlia, meeting her mate is her worst nightmare. Because she is already tangled in the sheets of the infamous gods, Alpha twin brothers, Hades and Valerian. And now Dahlia has to choose. Her mate, where sparks rush at every touch? Or one of the two brothers who had captured her heart since the beginning? Unfortunately, fate is as twisted as it is beautiful. When she saw the way Hades looked at his own mate, she ran. She ran into the arms of Tatum, her mate, and ultimately gave in to the bond she thought was best for her. But will she stay when he shows his true colors, shows just how toxic a mate bond can be? Will the Alpha brothers be there to mend her broken heart after she is left broken and bruised by her own fated mate? And, will they show her what it truly means to be mates? They say once you meet your mate, your life will be changed forever. For Dahlia, however, meeting her mate has been her worst nightmare. Because before that, she is already tangled in the sheets of the infamous Alpha twin brothers, Hades and Valerian, who want her and only her. Even after meeting their mates, their eyes are only set on her, and now Dahlia is caught in a dilemma where she has to choose. Unfortunately, fate is as twisted as it is beautiful. When she saw the way Hades looked at his own mate, she ran into the arms of Tatum, her mate, and ultimately gave in to the bond. But will she stay when he shows just how toxic a mate bond can be? Torn between Alphas, Dahlia finds herself torn between mates.

Isla Davina is a woman who will do everything for her family. As most people say ─ the eldest child of the family is one of the bravest people in the world. She sold herself to someone she did not know in exchange for money. When she gets naked, she's getting dressed for work. Tobias Adam Martin, best friend of Isla Davina, pretending to be poor, fat, nerd and weak but little did the people know he is the only heir and CEO of M&M Company, (Marshall&Martin Company), one of the richest and successful businesses in Asia. He bought her best friend, Isla, in exchange for her body. What if she finds out that the man who bought her and the Adam Marshall who has been her best friend for very long years are the same─ person?

"As what?" I asked with sarcasm evident in my voice. "As my sex slave," Matteo Russo said, and I choked. I didn't just choke but I laughed out my heart. This had to be a joke. Laura Vento never got anything from her parents, except being sold to Antony Brown to pay off a debt. Her only chance of freedom is to pay off the money. Laura has a plan, to work her ass off so she can be free. Everything was going smoothly until she met the notorious mafia leader Matteo Russo, whose reputation precedes him. Matteo is a man with no emotions but when he meets Laura- The gorgeous red headed stripper, he knew he has to have her- no matter the cost

Xavier Woods is a biker with a secret and an obsession with a woman he should not want but does. Rei Draven navigates the aftermath of an unexpected event, striving to rebuild her life. As a divorced mother of three, her world is shaken again when the man from her dreams appears and challenges her to embrace love. Can troubled soul Xavier mend Rei's shattered heart? What unfolds when love is presented unexpectedly? Will Rei take a leap of faith into love or run? Set in a small town, this is a love story between two destined individuals, the delicate balance of light and darkness, hope and despair, and the profound impact of love.

Aurora, an outcast omega with no wolf and no mate, is despised by her pack and mocked by her family. Her only desire is to belong, but instead of love, she faces hatred. Her life takes a dark turn when the Moon Goddess mates her to Kale, the arrogant and ruthless son of the Alpha. On their fated night, Kale rejects her after trying to take advantage of her. This shattered her heart and she flew for life when Kael sent werewolf to kill her. Fleeing for her life, Aurora crosses into forbidden vampire lands and is cornered. Just as death seems inevitable, she is rescued by Draven, the Vampire King. A powerful, cold ruler with no mate for over a thousand years, Draven feels an unexpected pull toward Aurora. Against vampire tradition and centuries of animosity between their species, he claims her as his mate, offering her safety and a chance at love. But peace comes at a cost. Aurora's hidden power, linked to her mysterious lineage, sparks tension between werewolves and vampires. The truth of her heritage exposes lies told by her pack, revealing that she is far more dangerous than anyone imagined. As both sides seek to destroy her, Aurora must navigate a world full of betrayal and war. With Draven by her side, she has the chance to rise and become a queen, feared and revered. But with enemies around every corner, will love be enough to protect her, or will the power within her bring about her downfall

"Have you ever seen an naked man before?" I asked as she steps into the shower. "No..." she shuddered. "Very good." I turned off the shower, took her cheek in my hand, and start kissing her delectable lips. She was moaning as her hand still clasps to mine, and her other hand awkwardly touched my slippery naked chest. ***** He was cursed by a sorceress to hell where he exhausts decades of his life crawling his way up until he becomes the king that rules the dark lands in the pit of hell. For hundreds of years, he longed to be human again, to breathe in the fresh air of the earth above. He was waiting until the right time, the right key that could set him free back above the pit of darkness. But he was not ready when that key turned to be a very beautiful innocent woman that was mated to him, the descendant of the sorceress herself. ******* From a very young age, she had been alone survival. Her parents had died in a tragic accident, according to the police report. But she knew it wasn't an accident, it was fate as her elders had explained to her days after the incident. Her elders also guided her all through her adolescent life, up until she reached adulthood. Then they unveiled her true destiny as they told her that she was to set the dark lord free. She was skeptical but mesmerized when she saw the handsome, arrogant, controlling lord of darkness. She was not ready when her elders told her that she was mated to him. ******** Will the innocence break down his arrogance? Will her bubbly personality crushed by his controlling attitude? Follow me and uncover the story of a man and woman from different worlds. *********

The end of the world was upon us, but there weren't enough spots for evacuation. The roars of the zombies echoed in my ears as my fiancé, Oliver, gritted his teeth and pulled me onto the rescue vehicle—securing the last available seat. I arrived safely at the survivor base. Lina, his first love, did not. The zombies tore her apart. Oliver still went through with our marriage, but I never expected that he had only done so to make me suffer. In his eyes, I was the one who had killed Lina. If she had to endure such agony, then I should, too. For five years, he hated me. My life was worse than that of a stray dog scavenging for food on the street. On the day my divorce was finalized, he kidnapped me, dragged me into the wilderness, and wrapped his fingers around my throat. Then, he threw us both into the swarm of the undead. When I opened my eyes again, I was somehow reborn on the day the apocalypse began. The rescue team was shouting impatiently, "One more! We have room for one more—hurry!" I turned to Oliver, watching his hesitation. Then, with a quiet smile, I took a step back and let someone else have the last seat.

**This is the sequel to University of Love. It can be read as a stand alone book. ** Ember has grown up believing she had no wolf, magic or dragon. Her twin, Ash, on the other hand has had it all. Deciding it best to transfer to a human high school, she ends up meeting her mate, a hybrid just like her. Her mate brings out her dormant wolf, causing Ember's life to unravel. She thought she would be happier once she got her wolf, instead her life has only gotten more complicated. Having been decieved before, Ember has a hard time accepting the mate bond. Can she overcome her past to find happiness with her mate? What happens when a siren comes into play? Can she stay the course and accept her mate? *********************** I went to grab the microscope from the center of the table at the same time Toni did. Our hands touched and my head started to ring loudly... a terrible headache brewed. Where his hand touched mine felt like fireworks had gone off. My hairs stood on my arms, goosebumps ran through me.  I grabbed my head from all the ringing. It was so loud and strong. I squeezed at my temples, wincing at the pain.  "Mate." Toni's wolf said so silently, I almost didn't hear it.  I started getting dizzy, my head was spinning, and my vision was tunneling. Can I have a mate? I don't even have a wolf. Shouldn't he be with someone with someone that does?  "Ember?" His voice rang in my ear, but it was too late. I was falling out of my chair, passing out. I felt him catch me before I hit the floor, his touch sent fireworks through me, before the darkness took me.

Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?