Hey girl, hey. Welcome back. This summer is about to get real spicy.
We all know I’m a romance girly until I die, but my TBR caught on fire when I added some dark romance and romantasy into the mix. Sorry, not sorry. Give me ridiculous chemistry, characters I become way too emotionally attached to, and enough spice that I have to casually turn my Kindle brightness down when my husband can read over my shoulder? I’m in.
These four series are dark, chaotic, and definitely not books I’d recommend without telling you to check the trigger warnings first. Like, seriously. Check them. We’ve got fantasy, serial killers, stalkers, and enough morally questionable characters to make me reconsider my taste in fictional people.
So, if your TBR isn’t already out of control, or you have zero self-control like me, here are four extra spicy series that deserve a spot on it.
From Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
What It’s About:
Poppy has spent her entire life as the Maiden, following rules she never chose and preparing for a future already decided for her. Then Hawke enters her life and makes her question basically everything she’s ever been told.
Who Will Love It:
If you want a fantasy series that will hijack your personality for a few weeks, start here. Just have the next book ready because you’re not going to want to wait. I’m currently on the edge of my seat waiting for the last book, and I’m not handling it well.
I don’t know how to explain how quickly this series consumed my life. Every time I finished a book, I immediately needed the next because Jennifer L. Armentrout apparently enjoys letting me think I’ve figured everything out before destroying my theory three chapters later.
The fantasy never felt overwhelming because you’re figuring everything out alongside Poppy. And the chemistry and banter between Poppy and Hawke? Absolutely worth the hype. The spice builds as the series goes on, and I promise the tension is worth it.
The Ruinous Love Trilogy by Brynne Weaver
What It’s About:
Romance, serial killers, dark humor, and somehow some of the sweetest relationships I’ve read. Those things probably shouldn’t work together, but Brynne Weaver makes it work ridiculously well. Each book follows a different couple while keeping the characters and stories connected, so I got a new romance without having to say goodbye to the people I was already attached to.
While I loved the entire trilogy, Leather & Lark was my favorite. There was just something about Lark and Lachlan that got me. Something about a man who really tries just does it for me. The relationship, humor, and chemistry? I loved all of it.
And we’re calling this extra spicy for a reason. One chapter had me horrified, the next had me laughing out loud, and suddenly I was blushing. The emotional whiplash somehow worked for me.
Who Will Love It:
If your sense of humor is a little dark and you’re willing to become weirdly emotionally attached to fictional serial killers, welcome. You’ll fit right in. Please check the trigger warnings before reading these!
The Into Darkness Series by Navessa Allen
What It’s About:
The series starts with Lights Out, a dark stalker romance involving social media, masks, and a man named Josh who has absolutely no business being as lovable as he is.
I picked up Lights Out expecting dark romance and spice. I was not expecting to laugh nearly as much as I did. Josh is intimidating, protective, completely ridiculous, and somehow giving golden retriever energy while also being a morally questionable stalker.
Again, these things should not work together. Apparently that’s a theme in my reading life.
The rest of the Into Darkness Series keeps that same mix of dark romance, humor, and questionable characters I will happily defend. Navessa, girl? Chef’s kiss. The way you made me fall for Tyler? You deserve an award.
Do not read over someone’s shoulder. Do not try this at home. That’s all I’m saying.
Who Will Love It:
If you love morally gray men but need them to have a personality beyond being tall, scary, and emotionally unavailable, read this series. You’ll laugh, blush, and probably question your taste in fictional men at least once. And, yes, check the trigger warnings! What? At least I’m predictable.
The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy by Brynne Weaver
What It’s About:
Apparently one Brynne Weaver trilogy wasn’t enough for me, so naturally I immediately needed another.
The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy brings more dark romantic comedy, morally questionable characters, danger, and Brynne Weaver’s very specific ability to make me laugh during situations where I probably shouldn’t be laughing. These books feel a little different from the Ruinous Love Trilogy but still have everything I love about Brynne’s writing. The humor is dark, the characters are complicated, and the chemistry is ridiculous.
I never know what I’m going to get when I turn the page. I could be laughing, stressed, slightly horrified, or suddenly reminded that I’m reading an extra spicy romance. Sometimes all four happen in the same chapter. Brynne really is a girls’ girl, if you know what I’m saying.
Who Will Love It:
If serial killers don’t ruin your reading vibe and you finished the Ruinous Love Trilogy immediately wanting more Brynne Weaver, start here. Clearly, one trilogy of murder, morally questionable characters, and spice wasn’t enough for me either. Again, trigger warnings. Please. I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I mean it.
So…Which One Should You Read?
If you’re here strictly for the spice, honestly, all four understood the assignment. If fictional characters tend to completely take over your personality, I don’t think there’s a wrong choice. I’ve accepted that I get way too emotionally attached to people who do not exist.
Each series took over my reading life in a different way. One made me disappear into a fantasy world, two made me question why I’m so willing to root for murderers, and another introduced me to a masked stalker I somehow found adorable.
I’m learning a lot about myself through these series and this post, apparently.
One tiny warning before you add these to your TBR: don’t blame me if your laundry sits in the dryer for an extra day or your dishes mysteriously don’t get done. I’m not saying I ignored responsibilities because I needed to know what happened next…
…but I’m also not saying I didn’t. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
If you’ve read any of these, please tell me your favorite. And if you have another extra spicy series I need to read, I obviously want to know. My Goodreads TBR is already wildly out of control, but I’ve accepted that being a little psychotic about Goodreads is simply part of who I am at this point.
