I’m no stranger to reading novels or spending Valentine’s Day alone. When it comes to taking part in this romantic holiday, there’s nothing better than curling up with a warm blanket, a cup of ridiculously sweet coffee, and a spicy romance novel.
For my fellow singles who love hot and steamy literature, here are the top ten books I recommend reading on Feb. 14.
- RIP by Rachel Van Dyken
This is the least spicy book on this list but has by far the best romance and plot twists of all the options listed.
This books hits on several tropes and satisfies all the cravings you could have when reading dark romance. RIP is mafia-meets-serial-killer-meets-boy-falls-first, and the list goes on. This novel will have your heart racing in no time.
- The Wolf Hotel series by K. A. Tucker
This book has no plot, just spice.
The first two books in this five-part series, Break Me and Tempt Me, are particularly spicy and have the most plot substance. It’s overly cheesy, predictable, and akin to an “uncensored” version of Fifty Shades of Grey.
If you want filth, this series is for you.
- The Fabric of Our Souls by K. M. Moronova
Not only is this book heart-wrenchingly sad, but it’s disgustingly romantic.
Calling this book dark romance doesn’t do it justice. With a page-long author’s note providing the reader with the phone number to the national suicide prevention hotline, every page reflects the real struggles of finding love amidst mental health issues.
Wynn and Liam’s search for a life worth living ends with falling for each other, giving it the perfect spice-to-plot ratio. If you like bawling your eyes out and slamming a book shut in hopes no one is reading over your shoulder, this is right up your alley.
- Once You’re Mine by Morgan Bridges
The best of the two books in the Possessing Her series, Once You’re Mine makes you question the ethics of romance authors.
The possessive love the male main character has for the female protagonist puts the dark romance stalking trope to shame. This series is everything H. D. Carlton’s Haunting Adeline series wishes it was. Hayden Bennett is the morally grey villain you love to hate as a lawyer by day and vigilante by night.
The only reason I didn’t put this book higher on the list is because the two-book series ends on a cliff hanger, and I despise cliff hangers.
- Taming Seraphine by Gigi Styx
This is a BookTok favourite for good reason.
Everyone in this book is morally grey, and the female protagonist is a bad-to-the-bone girlboss. This book is bloody, gory, and with a duo as stubborn as Seraphine and Leroi, the romance is equally as messy as their criminal escapades.
The content warning page is hefty on this novel and moves fast. If you don’t love a slow burn, then this is a good read.
- Distance by Luna Mason
The male protagonist, Keller, is the textbook definition of bad boy gone soft for a girl. Not only a mafia dark romance, the female protagonist, Sienna, is strong-willed, relatable, and witty. The chemistry between Sienna and Keller constantly brings the heat.
Even if not reading for the plot, the book dedications Mason writes are proof enough the text is for those looking to escape reality in morally grey men like Keller.
- Killian by Natasha Knight
This pick gets dark fast, and spicy even faster.
The fact this is a mafia romance has no bearing on how messed up the characters are. Knight does a beautiful job leaving the reader wanting more, giving another sliver of information just before one can piece together everyone’s tragic motives. It’s almost impossible to not root for the female protagonist because she proves everyone wrong.
The final the plot twist is jaw-dropping and gut-wrenching, making this love story even more satisfying.
- Phantom by Greer Rivers
If The Phantom of the Opera is your favourite musical, then you’ll want to read Phantom.
A modern retelling of the cult classic, this book brings ample unchecked spice to a timeless love story. The story creates the perfect space for mental illness to mean something deeper in each character’s life.
With several tropes woven into this reimagining, it’s hard to resist the spice-to-plot ratio in this version of The Phantom of the Opera.
- The Devil’s Bargain by Carin Hart
This book is sinfully spicy.
The male protagonist plays the long game, and with a nickname like “Devil” this book leaves nothing to the imagination.
With enough plot twists, compelling characters, and dark romance tropes to last a lifetime, The Devil’s Bargain is a thrilling read you’ll fall head over heels for.
- Hooked by Emily McIntire
It wouldn’t be much of a spicy romance list if I didn’t put a villain-gets-the-girl novel in first place.
McIntire’s Never After series includes a variety of fairy tale retellings where the villains get the girl from your favourite romantic stories. Hooked is the best novel in this collection because the plot twists are endless and lead to a plethora of spice. A dark reimagining of Peter Pan, this book brings an all-new meaning to the childhood story.
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In a world of spicy romance novels, there’s something for all single readers. But if you’re not sure what you want to try this Valentine’s Day, any of these suggestions will not disappoint.
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