After Dark- Book Recommendations

Kacy and Lauren have curated two lists of book recommendations on this page for you! One for Dark Romance readers and another for those interested in finding books with specific kinks. Some books may fall into both categories while those in the Kink Connoisseur section may not be Dark Romance.

Please keep in mind, these books are for mature readers and most have trigger/content warnings. Please keep yourself safe while reading, your mental health matters.

We encourage you to purchase books from you local book store or via the author’s website. We understand that is not available to everyone and we have provided  Amazon Affiliate links for some of the recommended books below. As an Amazon Associate, Blush & Bindings earns from qualifying purchases.

Dark Romance Recs

Welcome to the After Dark- Dark Romance Book Recs. These books feature dark themes, mature content, morally grey or black anti-heroes, dirty and delicious spice and therefore are recommended only for mature 18+ audiences. These all most likely have one or more trigger/content warnings, please read closely and protect your mental health.

Different from our other Book Rec page, each book contains tropes AND any kinks that may be present in the storyline.

Check for the host heart stamp of approval!

Kacy 💜 Lauren 🩷Lindsey 💙

  • Priest by Sierra Simone (BDSM, forbidden-taboo, possessive MC) 🩷💜

    Shallow River by HD Carlton (suspense, domestic violence, kidnap, SA -Lots of triggers) 🩷

    Does it Hurt? by HD Carlton (mystery/suspense, squirting, breath play) 🩷

    Master of Salt and Bones by Keri Lake (breath play, suspense/mystery, age gap) 🩷

    Pretty Little Savage by Lucy Smoke

    The Ritual by Shantel Tessier (college, DubCon, stalker, possessive MMC) 🩷

    Seeing Red by Bailey Hannah (cowboy, cinnamon-roll MMC, tattooed) 🩷

    Hooked by Emily McIntire (retelling, revenge) 💜

    Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin (Forbidden-Taboo, BDSM)

    The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent (forbidden-taboo, age gap)

    Tempt Me by Nina West and K.A. Tucker (forbidden love, virgin FMC, billionaire, age gap, workplace romance)

    Veiled Innocence by Ella Frank (forbidden-taboo)

    Tainted Deception by Kay Riley (why choose, enemies to lovers)

    Secrets by Sophie Grace (secret society, ex boyfriend’s brother)

    Only For Him by Willow Winters

    The Prey by J.L. Beck

    Lovely Violent Things by Trisha Wolfe

  • Sugar and Skulls, Rebel Skulls MC by L.M Terry (second chance, age gap, morally grey FMC) 🩷

    Reaper’s Property by Joanna Wydle * Book Club Pick * (forced proximity, dirty talk) 💜

  • Touch Her & Die- Books that feature one or more characters in the mafia/bratva/etc. Whether thats the Russian Bratva, Italian Cosa Nostra, Irish mob, or anything in between. These are works of fiction, Dons and Pakhans please don’t come after us!

    McGowan Mafia Series by Effie Campbell (Scottish mafia) 🩷

    • Dark Escapes (bodyguard, one bed, arranged marriage)

    • Dark Enemies (arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, found family, forced marriage)

    • Dark Obsessions (stalker, DubCon-between MMC/FMC, bondage, NonCon-between FMC and other character)

    • Dark Desires (BDSM, MFM, DVP, Exhibitionism, Age Gap, forbidden love)

    • Dark Corruption (BDSM, Mistaken Identity, Sex Club, Breath Play, Degradation)

    Alfie Darling by Effie Campbell (in the McGowan Mafia world but can be a standalone) (MMF ⚔️, revenge, kidnap/captive, DP, DubCon, found family, bi-awakening, pierced 🐓, degradation ⚔️, polyamory) 🩷

    Queens & Monsters series by J.T Geissinger (interconnected standalones) 🩷

    The Made series by Danielle Lori 🩷

    Perfectly Imperfect series by Neva Altaj (interconnected standalones, possessive MMCs) 🩷

    Dante by Sadie Kincaid (forced proximity, enemies to lovers) 💜

    Vow of Deception by Rina Kent (Bratva, mystery/suspense, BDSM, billionaire) 🩷

    The Predator by RuNyx (mob assassin, enemies to lovers, mystery, fiesty FMC) 🩷

    Diavolo by T.A. Fan (marriage of convenience, doctor x criminal)

    In the Shadows by Montana Fyre (Enemies To Lovers, Why Choose, Age Gap, Forced Proximity)

    Mine by A.K. Rose (forbidden)

  • Lights Out by Navessa Allen *After Dark Book Club Pick * (mask kink, knife play, fear play) 💜 🩷

    Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton 💜 🩷

    That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall (stalker, dubcon, religious elements) 🩷

    Phantom by Greer Rivers (mental health rep, morally gray MMC) 🩷

    There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark (serial killer, thriller, possessive MMC)🩷

    Dark Obsessions (stalker, DubCon-between MMC/FMC, bondage, NonCon-between FMC and other character)

    No One has to Know by Carin Hart (captive romance, stalker, obsessed hero)

    Secret Vendetta by Kathy Lockheart

  • Mindf*ck Series by S.T Abby (revenge, violence/gore/murder, hidden identity) 🩷

    Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver (anti-heroes, piercings, anal & toy play, morally grey) 🩷 💙

    Order of Scorpions by Ivy Asher (reverse harem, badass FMC, fantasy)🩷

    Marrow by Trisha Wolfe and Brynne Weaver

  • Choosing Her Alpha by Isoellen (omegaverse, primal play, dom/sub)💜

    Corrupt Shadows by Rebecca L Garcia (paranormal, dubcon-Somnophilia) 🩷

    Mercenaries & Magic Series by Alessa Thorn (found family, interconnected standalones-must be read in order, MM in fourth book, age gaps) 🩷

    Damned Magic & Divine Fates, Queen of the Damned Series by Kel Carpenter (reverse harem, strong FMC, hidden identity, DP, dirty talk) 🩷

  • Brutal Obsession by S. Massery (sports-hockey, bully, enemies to lovers) 🩷

  • Neon Gods by Katee Roberts (retelling, exhibitionism, grumpy/sunshine) 💜 🩷

    The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe (retelling, reverse harem, kidnap/captive) 🩷💜

    Order of Scorpions by Ivy Asher (reverse harem, badass FMC, fantasy)🩷

    A Sword of Shadow and Deceit by Lucinda Dark 🩷

    My Dark Desire by L.J. Shen and Parker S. Huntington (enemies to lovers, cinderella retelling)

    Gothikana by RuNyx (dark academia)

    A Touch of Gold and Madness by K.L. DeVore (fantasy, fairytale retelling)

    Never Keep by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

  • Den of Vipers - K.A. Knight (kidnap/captive, BDSM, knife play) 💜 🩷

    Pack Darling by Lola Rock (omegaverse, MMFMMM) 💜

    Knot Your Damn Omega by Devyn Sinclair (omegaverse, BDSM, primal play) 💜

    Credence by Penelope Douglas (forbidden-taboo, MFM DP, age gap, damaged hero) 🩷

    Four Horsemen series by Sarah Bailey (found family, possessive heroes, bondage-shibari, degradation, DP, voyeurism, damaged hero) 🩷💜

    The Limit series by Marissa Farrar (Primal Play, why-choose, MMFM) 🩷

    Damned Magic & Divine Fates, Queen of the Damned Series by Kel Carpenter (reverse harem, strong FMC, hidden identity, DP, dirty talk) 🩷

    Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas (age gap, damaged hero, mental health rep, found family) 🩷

    Order of Scorpions by Ivy Asher (reverse harem, badass FMC, fantasy)🩷

Book links here are Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Blush & Bindings earns from qualifying purchases.

Kink Connoisseur Recommendations

Welcome to the After Dark- Kink Connoisseur Book Recs, this list is categorized by kink, sexual trope, sexual theme, or sexual act! These books feature mature content, and are recommended only for mature 18+ audiences.

Please check trigger/content warnings, some books may also contain multiple kinks, not listed here.

This list is ever growing, as we read more books, we will update! Check for the host heart stamp of approval!

Kacy 💜 Lauren 🩷Lindsey 💙

If you are unsure what some of these terms mean, consult our After Dark Compendium.

  • Praise Kink

    Praise by Sara Cate (workplace romance, age gap, dom/sub, forbidden, ex boyfriend’s dad, toys) 🩷

    Pucking Around by Emily Rath (sports- hockey, reverse harem, breeding kink, DVP) 🩷

    In the Shadows by Montana Fyre (Dark Mafia, Enemies To Lovers, Why Choose, Age Gap, Forced Proximity)

    Degredation Kink

    Dark Corruption (Dark Mafia, BDSM, Mistaken Identity, Sex Club, Breath Play, Degradation)

  • Bondage, Dominant/Submissive, Sadism/Masachism

    Salacious Players Club series by Sara Cate (kink positive, sex club, interconnected standalones)

    • Praise by Sara Cate (workplace romance, age gap, dom/sub, forbidden, ex boyfriend’s dad, toys) 🩷

    • Mercy by Sara Cate (age gap, forbidden, toys, fdom/sub) 🩷

    • Highest Bidder (Book 5) (age gap, billionaire, mdom/sub) 🩷

    • Madame (Book 6)(throuple, fdom/sub, FFM, single parent) 🩷

    Corrode by Sarah Bailey, Four Horsemen series (bondage- Shibari, MFMMM) 🩷

    Choosing Her Alpha by Isoellen (omegaverse, primal play, dom/sub)💜

  • Eyes on Me by Sara Cate (age gap, forbidden-taboo, exhibitionist FMC, voyeur MMC, sex club, toys) 🩷

  • Does it Hurt? by HD Carlton (dark, mystery/suspense, squirting, breath play) 🩷

    Master of Salt and Bones by Keri Lake (dark, breath play, suspense/mystery, age gap) 🩷

    In the Shadows by Montana Fyre (Dark Mafia, Enemies To Lovers, Why Choose, Age Gap, Forced Proximity)

  • A kink that eroticizes unprotected sex with the possibility of impregnation. Either with the intent of actual impregnation or just the risk.

    Pucking Around by Emily Rath (sports- hockey, reverse harem, breeding kink, DVP) 🩷

    Eyes on Me by Sara Cate (age gap, forbidden-taboo, exhibitionist FMC, voyeur MMC, sex club, toys) 🩷

    Brutal Intentions by Lilith Vincent (mafia, age gap, possessive MMC, virgin FMC) 🩷

    Dom by S.J Tilly (mafia, plus size rep, dubcon, age gap) 🩷

    Prey by LV Lane (fantasy, omegaverse, reverse harem, age gap) 🩷💜

    Cash by Jessica Pearson (Grumpy x sunshine, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, One horse)

  • The Limit series by Marissa Farrar (Primal Play, why-choose, MMFM) 🩷

    Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton (stalker, gun play, possessive MMC) 💜

    Choosing Her Alpha by Isoellen (omegaverse, primal play, dom/sub)💜

    Knot Your Damn Omega by Devyn Sinclair (omegaverse, BDSM, primal play) 💜

  • Alfie Darling by Effie Campbell (in the McGowan Mafia world but can be a standalone) (MMF ⚔️, revenge, kidnap/captive, DP, DubCon, found family, bi-awakening, pierced 🐓, degradation ⚔️, polyamory) 🩷

    Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver (anti-heroes, piercings, anal & toy play, morally grey, pierced FMC) 🩷 💙

    There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark (serial killer, thriller, possessive MMC)🩷

    Den of Vipers - K.A. Knight (kidnap/captive, BDSM, knife play, pierced 🐓, reverse harem) 💜 🩷

    Fake by Tate James (dark, college, why-choose)

    Arrows and Apologies by Sav R. Miller (dark, opposites attract, myth inspired)

    Revealing the Monster by Amelia Hutchins

    Malice Mafia by Coralee June (mafia)

  • This is specifically related to adult toys, including: vibrators, dildos, anal plugs, etc.

    Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver (anti-heroes, piercings, anal & toy play, morally grey) 🩷 💙

    Mercy by Sara Cate (age gap, forbidden, toys, fdom/sub) 🩷

    Praise by Sara Cate (workplace romance, age gap, dom/sub, forbidden, ex boyfriend’s dad, toys) 🩷

  • This refers to gun play or knife play. Where the threat of the weapon is used as a tool for fear play or blood play. Or the weapon is used as an adult toy and inserted into the body.

    Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton 💜 🩷

    Lights Out by Navessa Allen *After Dark Book Club Pick * (mask kink, knife play, fear play) 💜 🩷

    Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight (kidnap/captive, BDSM, knife play) 💜 🩷

  • Lights Out by Navessa Allen *After Dark Book Club Pick * (mask kink, knife play, fear play) 💜 🩷

    Can’t Hide Forever by Lauren Marcie (stalker, thriller, halloween, retelling)🩷

    Phantomby Greer Rivers (a phantom of the opera retelling, damaged anti-hero, mental health rep, kidnapping)

    Arran’s Obsession by Jolie Vines (dark, murder mystery, forced proximity)

    Ghosts of Halloween by Layla Fae (dark why choose- and man is it dark. Triggers all around friends)

    A Passion for Him by Sylvia Day (Regency)

    Firelight by Kristen Callihan (paranormal historical, age gap)

    Keres by Sadie Kincaid (dark, enemies to lovers, mafia, MMF)

    Burn for Me by Effie Campbell (dark, obsessed hero, mafia)

  • Books where there is a sex club featured or it is the main local setting.

    Salacious Players Club series by Sara Cate (kink positive, sex club owners, interconnected standalones) 🩷

    Dark Corruption (BDSM, Mistaken Identity, Sex Club, Breath Play, Degradation)

  • Books featuring scenes with dubious consent or consensual non consent. This could include somnophilia, willing taking a drug and consenting to acts while unconscious, consensual non-consensual scenes with rough sex elements.

    Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton 💜 🩷 (dubcon, gun play, stalker)

    That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall (stalker, dubcon-somnophilia, religious elements) 🩷

    Dark Obsessions (stalker, DubCon-between MMC/FMC, bondage, somnophilia, NonCon-between FMC and other character)

    Corrupt Shadows by Rebecca L Garcia (paranormal, dubcon-Somnophilia) 🩷

    The Ritual by Shantel Tessier (college, DubCon, stalker, possessive MMC) 🩷

    Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight (kidnap/captive, BDSM, dubcon, pierced 🐓, reverse harem, knife play) 🩷 💜

    Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers (forbidden-taboo, revenge, BDSM) 🩷

    The Darkest Temptation (mafia-bratva, age gap, captive/kidnap, dubcon)

Book links here are Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Blush & Bindings earns from qualifying purchases.

Trigger/Content Warnings

Here at Blush & Bindings, we strongly encourage readers to always check trigger/content warnings before jumping into a new book, though it may spoil some plot lines, it will ensure your mental health remains safe while exploring the literary world. We also encourage you to be mindful when recommending books to others and mention a book has trigger warnings or pass along the reminder to check them. This keeps our book lovers community safe and informed.

We will always provide content warnings in the show notes of our episodes and prior to our Book Club segment.

Dark Romance tends to have trigger/content warnings by default, and it is implied that every book recommended in the After Dark episodes and TBR may have content warnings and we ALWAYS suggest you check them.

Happy Reading and Stay Safe!

A trigger warning in a book is a statement that alerts readers that the book's content may be disturbing or upsetting. Trigger warnings are a type of content warning that are intended to help people with anxiety disorders or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) avoid content that could cause intense psychological or physiological symptoms. 

Trigger warnings can appear in a book's back jacket, on its digital detail page, or in an author's note. They allow readers to avoid content that could be harmful, help readers prevent revisiting past trauma, and keep your mental health safe.

Definition adapted from Writer unBoxed

Common Trigger/Content Warnings

These may include explicit descriptions within the storylines or mentions of it in the past. This is not a compete list.

  • Rape/Sexual Assault/Sexual Violence

  • Abuse, physical and emotional abuse/manipulation

  • Parental neglect, child abuse, pedophilia

  • Childhood emotional and physical abuse or neglect

  • Self-harm, suicide or suicidal ideation

  • Incest

  • Pregnancy, Pregnancy loss & infertility, child loss, miscarriages, and abortion

  • Infertility and forced sterilization

  • Grief/Loss- Death of a loved one, pervasive grief 

  • Physical violence including warfare fighting, killing, torture

  • Domestic Violence

  • Cannibalism

  • Rituals involving cutting and blood

  • Religious trauma (references to cults in particular), including manipulation and degradation 

  • Medical trauma / hospital settings

  • Societal inequity and discrimination

  • References to chronic physical pain

  • References to drug abuse

  • Claustrophobia 

  • Panic attacks and undiagnosed PTSD, Untreated PTSD, including flashbacks

  • Animal cruelty

  • Kidnapping/Abduction

  • Stalking

  • Body shaming

  • Sexism/Misogyny

  • Explicit language, profanity

  • Explicit, detailed sexual content. 

  • Depictions of consensual non-consensual role (CNC) play. 

  • Depictions of detailed sex scenes, kinks and behaviors that some readers might find triggering, including but not limited to: cock warming, breath play, bloody play, knife play, praise, unequal balance of experience/power, themes of dominance/submission, BDSM, impact play, rough sex, anal, adult toys, choking, spitting, genital piercings.

Affiliate Disclosure: Blush & Bindings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.