Being on social media for a while now has really reinforced one simple truth: everyone has their own opinions. I’ve seen people post about dark romance and get tons of love and support, but I’ve also seen the comments from those who just don’t get it or don’t approve at all.
Even though I’m pretty sure those people won’t be reading this post, I still want to offer a bit of insight for anyone who’s curious or maybe even considering dipping their toes into the deep end.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I can say dark romance has brought a lot of color to my life in the best possible way.
So, what is dark romance?
To put it simply, it’s romance that doesn’t follow the usual path of two college students falling in love and sharing a sweet first kiss by the end of the book. Dark romance is about the chaos. It’s the morally gray men, the villains with too much power, and the dangerously addictive stories that make you question your sanity just a little. It’s where depravity and desire collide, and somehow, it works.
Most people don’t start off reading dark romance. I didn’t either. I started with the regular “boy meets girl” stories (granted, I was a kid), then moved on to the typical cookie-cutter romances before eventually stumbling into fanfics that were, well, a little dark and a little confusing. Everyone’s journey is different. Some people ease into it, and others just jump straight into the madness without a second thought.
Why We Stay
The fun answer? You never know when a Nico Russo or a Tobias Mitchell might show up and tell you you’re not allowed to leave.
The real answer? It’s honestly addicting.
With regular romance, I sometimes get tired of the predictable love stories. Dark romance gives me something I’ll never see in real life. It’s messy, it’s twisted, and it’s full of characters who shouldn’t be lovable but somehow are. I want to see the villains get their happy endings too.
Do we condone everything that happens in these books in real life? Of course not, unless there’s consent. We know the mafia is dangerous. We know guns are not romantic accessories. But that’s the beauty of fiction it’s all pretend. If I ever found myself in one of these situations in real life, trust me, I’d be sprinting in the opposite direction with the police on speed dial although I probably wouldn’t get away.
Still, it’s hard to put these books down. Between the unhinged plots, the ridiculous tension, and the characters who say the wildest things, it’s impossible not to get hooked. Regular romances can be just as sweet and enjoyable, and I’ve read plenty that I loved, but I’ve officially fallen into the sea of morally gray men, and honestly, I don’t think I want anyone to save me.
Here are some of my favorite reads this year