5 New Spicy Dark Romance Books That Will Leave You Breathless This Fall
These new romances will bring plenty of spice, danger and swoon-worthy chemistry to your TBR
Key Takeaways
- These five upcoming romances bring plenty of heat to your autumn reading list.
- Choose from mafia romance, romantasy, college romance and dark fantasy.
- Each pick delivers steamy chemistry, complicated relationships and plenty of drama.
Dark romance isn’t for the faint of heart—and that’s exactly the appeal. This subgenre thrives on anti-heroes, dangerous power dynamics and relationships that ignite under pressure, like mafia bosses who’d burn the world down for the women they love, forced marriages that turn into obsession and enemies who can’t decide whether to destroy each other or fall into bed together. These books are intense, a little unhinged and yes—steamy. This fall brings a fresh wave of dark romance releases that are already leaving early readers breathless. Keep scrolling for our top five picks.
‘In the Dark’ by Shain Rose
The second book in Shain Rose’s Kept in Paradise series features Callahan Knight, the Diamond Syndicate’s most lethal weapon. He’s also the perfect person to kill Jasmina’s uncle, something she will never forgive him for. But the Syndicate doesn’t care about personal vendettas and forces the two of them to marry. As Callahan and Jasmina bond within the walls of Paradise Grove, sparks fly. (Out September 29, 2026)
What early readers are saying: “This might be my favorite Shain Rose couple and book to date! I am such a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance! Pair that with all of the marriage of convenience, ‘my wife,’ and ‘touch her and you die’ moments, plus the quick witted back and forth banter between Jas and Cal, the fierceness of Jas and the over the top protectiveness of Cal, and I was a goner for these two!”
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‘Realm of The Wicked’ by Torri Heat
After Stella’s younger sister Grace falls ill and learns she has months to live, Stella vows to do everything in her power to save her. But she never expected handsome, charming Damien, the literal devil, to appear. Stella knows better than to trust him, but when she ends up in the Fringe, a realm suspended above Hell, she might have no choice, since he’s claims he’s the only one who can protect her. What follows is a spicy, magical blend of love, lust and danger.
What early readers are saying: “Realm of the Wicked is a full length standalone novel full of spice. From beginning to end I stayed locked in, and never wanted this story to end. This was my first read by Torri Heat, and it most certainly wont be my last!”
‘Sweetly Unhinged’ by Kira Cole
The first book in Kira Cole’s Sweetly Unhinged series follows Violet after she sends an anonymous email to The Ghost, a hacker who destroys scumbags for fun. Little does she know that The Ghost is Cade, her ex-boyfriend’s brother. As the two begin to communicate more, tensions rise and soon Violet gets the urge to meet him and live out her darkest fantasies. A spicy story that will leave readers kicking their feet and curling their toes. (Out November 3, 2026)
What early readers are saying: “I’m still reeling after finishing Sweetly Unhinged! This book grabbed me from the very first email and refused to let go. Vi and the mysterious ghost had me hooked, the tension, the secrets and the way she opened up about her deepest desires were absolute perfection. And Cade, the hacker who thinks he knows everything, is in way over his head, and I loved every second of it.”
‘Obsession’ by Carrie Leighton
The third book in Carrie Leighton’s Better series is another spicy, college-set romance. When Vanessa Clark returns to Corvallis, she still hates her ex Thomas Collins, who broke her heart. But Thomas changed over the summer. The only issue is Logan, Vanessa’s other ex-boyfriend, who is always be by her side and who seems to be hiding a dark secret. Can Vanessa and Thomas figure out what Logan is hiding and work through their differences and finally get their happily ever after? (Out December 8, 2026)
What early readers are saying: No reviews for this book have been released yet.
‘Kneel Before Me’ by Lindsay Straube
If you love Lindsay Straube’s Spit or Swallow series, you won’t want to miss this upcoming prequel. Daphne Verus has spent her life giving herself to men who don’t deserve her, but when she is sent to live in the caves beneath the mountain to be trained by Kronos Seneca, a powerful basilisk who could ruin her entire life, things change. Despite their attraction, he says they can never sleep together. But as they begin to bond, Daphne begins to realize that there’s more to relationships than just sex. A super spicy tale that is not for the faint of heart. (Out September 29, 2026)
What early readers are saying: “This was my introduction to Lindsey Straube. I was eager to experience one of BookTok’s most sensational books in chronological order. Now, I see what all the talk is about! I could not put this book down! Finished in 2 days! What an addicting, banter-filled, steamy, thrill ride! Kneel Before Me, the prequel to Kiss of the Basilisk truly turned up the heat! I’m talking about the next level of spice!”
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