Haunting Adeline was published in 2021, and has gone on t🌳o be something of a cult classic among readers who crave the incredibly dark, twisted romance that unfurls within the pages. With non-con, abuse, and spicy romps aplenty, fans of t꧂he genre are always thirsty for more.
I have to admit that Haunting Adeline and its ilk are not my favorite sub-genre of romance. I prefer something more pure, and while angst is great, I believe there is such a thing as too much. However, I’ve read enough dark, twisted romances in my time to know which books will appeal to readers of Haunting Adeline.
I mean, if a book comes with trigger warnings included before the story even begins, then you know you’re in for an interesting ride, right? The dark romance sub-genre definitely isn’t for everyone, but it has its own audience.
Here are 10 books to read if you devoured Haunting Adeline and want something similar to dive into.
The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
If you want a story of intense manipulation and gaslighting that begins as romance and ends up unbelievably dark and twisted, has you covered. It’s part of a series of books depicting the Lords, an elite secret society that can only be entered by giving your blood. Definitely intense, but if you’re a fan of Haunting Adeline, then you’re going to be pulled in by The Ritual in the same way.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
takes the themes of the dark ⭕romance genre and adds a modern twist by throwing in the algorithms of social media and their ability to give viewers exactly what they want. Admittedly, this is not as dark as Haunting Adeline, but it definitely follows ♋the same themes, and there are even some moments of comedy to be found, which serve to break up the darkness.
Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers
I’m not sure what it is about the dark romance subgenre that calls so heav🤪ily for the theme of “man owns woman even though woman doesn’t know it yet,” but that’s basically the entire premise of Little Stranger. Malachi is obsessed with his former foster sister in a way that he definitely shouldn📖’t be, and he will stop at nothing to possess her. Incredibly dark, insanely twisted, and comes with some extreme trigger warnings.
Hooked by Emily McIntire
I never thought I’d live to see the day when the story of Peter Pan was re-imagined into a dark and steamy romantic thriller, but that’s what you get when you read . It can be difficult to overcome nostalgic childhood memories of Hook and Wendy, but💧 once you get through that part, there’s a twisted tale of love, betrayal, and double lives waiting to be uncovered.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
is part of the Ruinous Love trilogy by Brynne Weaver, and of all the books on this list, I’d recommend it above any of the others because it’s the only one I’ve ever gone back to re-read. It’s a story of two people wrapped up in a competition to kill as many people as they can, but love can bloom on the battlefield, and it makes life a hell of a lot 🤪more complicated, considering they’re meant to be competing against each other.
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
With themes of infidelity, non-con, and violence all wrapped up in an unhinged storyline, is definitely up there with Haunting Adeline in terms of its darkness. Erika is obsessed with her boyfriend’s older brother, Michael, and is responsible for his friends going to prison. Michael has been watching Erika and now has the opportunity he’s been waiting for to destroy her life in every way he possibly can.
God of Malice by Rina Kent
makes it to this list because it’s not as dark as Haunting Adeline. No, it somehow manages to be impossibly darker. There are moments in this book that will make you feel ashamed to be reading it, but if you like the subgenre, you’ll find yourself unab♋le to put it down. Extreme trigger warnings for this one, including non-con and abuse. Don’t go into this expecting anything other than the darkest themes.
Once You’re Mine by Morgan Bridges
The stalker theme is strong in , with a man obsessed and a woman who knows she’s in danger but, for some reason, finds it impossible to follow her gut. The list of trigger warnings for Once You’re Mine is extensive, including murder, kidnapping, and tampering with birth control. It should go without saying by now that this is not for ꦡthe faint of heart, but you wouldn’t be here if that applied to you.
Hostage by Piper Stone
If it was the spice in Haunting Adeline that really hooked you, then let me introduce you to . It’s a reverse harem dark romance, which should tell you everything you need to know, and there are, of course, heavy non-con themes and a huge number of twisted sexual encount♔ers. However, there’s also an intriguing story that will keep you hooked as well.
There Are No Saints by Sophia Lark
is the perfect morally grey anti-hero story of a serial killer who suddenly finds himself obsessed with a potential victim. The problem is he’s not the only killer out to end her life, and now he has a choice between taking her life himself or protecting her at all costs. Although there is a redemption arc element, the emphasis is very much on the twisted mind of the serial killer f🧸ighting to retain control.
Published: Feb 1, 2025 09:12 am