10 BookTok-Obsessed Dark Romance Books You Need to Read
If there’s one place that thrives on unhinged anti-heroes, toxic tension, and romances that drag you straight into emotional chaos, it’s BookTok. Dark romance has taken over the platform — with readers recommending their favorite twisted love stories at lightning speed.
Whether you’re new to the genre or already deep in its morally-grey madness, this list highlights ten BookTok-beloved dark romances pulled from the most popular titles on Goodreads.
These books are intense, addictive, taboo, and absolutely unforgettable. Check trigger warnings first — BookTok always will — and prepare to fall into the kind of messy, chaotic love stories that readers can’t stop screaming about.
1. The Ritual (L.O.R.D.S., #1) – Shantel Tessier
One of the most viral BookTok dark romances, The Ritual pulls you into a world of dangerous secret societies, deadly rituals, and an anti-hero who practically defines “obsessed.” BookTok readers devour this book for its power dynamics and ritualistic tension — and then immediately beg for more Tessier.
2. God of Malice (Legacy of Gods, #1) – Rina Kent
Rina Kent is practically BookTok royalty, and God of Malice is one of the books that cemented it. Expect a morally corrupt hero, psychological intensity, and obsessive devotion that BookTok loves to spiral over in aesthetic edits and long, chaotic rants.
3. The Sweetest Oblivion (Made, #1) – Danielle Lori
BookTok has crowned this one of its favorite mafia romances, and it’s easy to see why. Elena and Nico’s deliciously tense dynamic, forbidden chemistry, and mafia danger make it a staple on “Books That Ruined My Life” TikToks everywhere.
4. Insatiable (The Edge of Darkness, #1) – Leigh Rivers
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For readers who want raw emotion mixed with morally questionable choices, Insatiable is a BookTok sleeper hit. TikTok creators praise it for capturing the delicate balance of obsession, brokenness, and beauty — the exact emotional cocktail BookTok can’t resist.
5. Hooked (Never After, #1) – Emily McIntire
If you’ve been on BookTok for more than five minutes, you’ve seen Hooked everywhere. A Peter Pan–inspired villain romance with cartel vibes and toxic attraction? This series practically lives on BookTok’s “dark romance starter pack” videos.
6. Nightfall (Devil’s Night, #4) – Penelope Douglas
The Devil’s Night series is a BookTok essential, and Nightfall is one of the most hyped entries. Readers adore the atmospheric tension, the villainous energy, and the morally grey cast that dominates dark romance TikTok.
7. Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1) – Brynne Weaver
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A current BookTok obsession, this serial-killer romance blends brutality, unhinged humor, and a shockingly tender slow burn. TikTok creators love calling it “the book that made me question my morals in the best way.”
8. The Sacrifice (L.O.R.D.S., #3) – Shantel Tessier
Another BookTok-heavy favorite from Tessier. The L.O.R.D.S. series is consistently featured in “dark romance that will destroy you” videos, and The Sacrifice delivers maximum obsession, danger, and gasp-worthy twists that BookTok eat ups.
9. Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1) – Navessa Allen
A rising BookTok darling, Lights Out blends gritty atmosphere with deeply emotional darkness. It’s the kind of romance TikTok creators scream about at 3 a.m., insisting, “You’re not ready for this one — but read it anyway.”
10. 4B: No Way Out – Shortbread
TikTok’s newest dark-romance addiction, Rue & Kai spins fear, desire, and danger into a hypnotic descent you won’t crawl out of easily. It’s the kind of dark romance creators lose their minds over at 3 a.m., whisper-screaming, “You’re absolutely not prepared — but you have to read this.”
