I think that you explained well how dark romance works. I think reading dark romance is all about the journey, it's dark because usually the characters have a lot of mental problems , and by that I mean that they have a lot of shit to go through to get to their HEA and THE SEX 😂! I think sex in dark romance is one of the best😁 It's also so rewarding in a way when you finished the book and it makes you think about important things like depression, anxiety and so on.
Just finished Jade West’s “Hello Stranger” and LOVED it! So I took a look at her other titles and was, like, “oh, so Hello Stranger was tame as hell... gotcha!” haha
Right?! And I was surprised the other way, because I read all her dark things first, and then Hello Stranger came out and was this emotional gut punch. Quite the change up.
Thank you for the recommendations! I'm definitely going to read Kerrigan Byrne. I'm also going to check out Birthday Girl. I know Crystal loved that one, and I'm intrigued.
I tried to recall what was my very first dark romance read and I think it was The Dark Duet by CJ Roberts. I was like holy cow! It was mind boggling but at the same time I enjoyed the reading experience. I don't usually recommend my friends the dark romances that I've read because I was afraid of their judgment. I even had a stage in my reading life that I felt embarrassed that I was reading such books. But all is well. I am currently binging Cora Reilly's Born in Blood series and it's sooo good.
Thank you so much for this video. I’m not really into dark romance but really want to explore the genre. I’ve added them all to my list, except Birthday Girl which I loved. The Highwayman didn’t work so much for me but I really enjoyed Kerrigan Byrne’s writing so I’ll be checking out How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. 😊
Enthralled and enamored by Gianna Darling made me very sad and depressed... human trafficking...sex slaves... beating...are not my thing. nowadays I always research before reading a dark romance. As always your reviews and recommendations are very helpful.❤️❤️❤️
I've read some dark stuff that included sex trafficking and the likea few years ago. Dark romance isn't usually my thing but I've been in a reading slump lately. I'm trying to finish Entwined With You but I'm bored. It started in Reflected In You and I'm sort of disappointed in Sylvia that there isn't a whole lot of conflict beside their relationship hang-ups. The last three of your recommendations sound really interesting, maybe I need to a change of pace in my normal reads. So thanks for those!
DR is not really my thing, not because of triggers but because I'm not overly interested in the more sick & twisted 'they abuse each other'/stockholm syndrome/dub-con type of story. However, I've read some at the milder end in my time and do want to try more so it was good to see some explanation here. It's also true about it like anything book related, being subjective too. I've seen Our Way by TL Swan do the rounds on Goodreads and that was something that didn't sound in the least bit 'dark' to me, just kinda angsty, so I added it to my TBR, and Kerrigan Byrne is one of a ton of HR authors I have on my list to try. Regarding Pam Godwin, I am really interested in Sea Of Ruin... but the rape that happens - is it between the MCs? That is what I'm not keen on. I'm just not interested in a supposed HEA between a rapist and their survivor. Last year I read and LOVED White Whiskey Bargain (not dark!) by Jodie Slaughter, so this year I picked up All Things Burn and really liked that too, with a bit of a caveat. Most of the DR I have read has been more along those lines, except for the Darkly, Madly Duet by Trisha Wolfe which was great... for a thriller, not so much as a romance. I also read Wishing Well by Lily White which has kind of a similar theme in that the MMC is on death row too, but the story differs and is def a romance rather than a mutual obsession. And I know that was a milder version of what she normally writes. Anyway, TFS :)
In regards to Sea of Ruin. The rape that is the hardest to bear for me is not what one of the MCs does. There is a scene that everyone mentions, where things start out very Consensually and then a character makes a choice to prove power that was unnecessary. However... he immediately grovels and we learn later why they acted that way. It is my opinion that the author had a purpose for it and proved that purpose enough that I fully forgave that character. So.... there is my thoughts.
The heroine gets raped by captors other than the MC. They just have pretty rough sex at a few points. I suggest checking out a few more in reviews on goodreads too! It's hard to explain without just telling the entire book, ya know. It's all part of the story.
Have you ever read a Addison Cain book? Those are not dark romance beginner-books. They are dark-DARK! I read "Swallow it down" and everyday I could only read 20 pages or so before I had to stop again because it was to much. She is very talented in creating completely fucked up worlds. Fascinating but really, really fucked up. I think her work is borderline not ok anymore.
Great point about Birthday Girl. I wouldn’t necessarily consider it dark, but you’re right it has the beginnings of a dark romance.
Exactly! It's got the vibe of it!
It’s such a wide array of books in dark romance. I love them but sometimes you need a fluffy romance cleanser. Great video and explanation.
I think that you explained well how dark romance works. I think reading dark romance is all about the journey, it's dark because usually the characters have a lot of mental problems , and by that I mean that they have a lot of shit to go through to get to their HEA and THE SEX 😂! I think sex in dark romance is one of the best😁 It's also so rewarding in a way when you finished the book and it makes you think about important things like depression, anxiety and so on.
I looooooove dark romance ! I think Jade West has one the best book out there 💜
Just finished Jade West’s “Hello Stranger” and LOVED it! So I took a look at her other titles and was, like, “oh, so Hello Stranger was tame as hell... gotcha!” haha
Right?! And I was surprised the other way, because I read all her dark things first, and then Hello Stranger came out and was this emotional gut punch. Quite the change up.
Thank you for the recommendations!
I'm definitely going to read Kerrigan Byrne. I'm also going to check out Birthday Girl. I know Crystal loved that one, and I'm intrigued.
And loved the tip about trying a historical dark romance first because of the 3rd person voice... so smart! Think I’ll definitely start there 🙌🏼
Oh good! Lately, Dark Historical is my sweet spot. Its good to see if you can handle it.
I tried to recall what was my very first dark romance read and I think it was The Dark Duet by CJ Roberts. I was like holy cow! It was mind boggling but at the same time I enjoyed the reading experience. I don't usually recommend my friends the dark romances that I've read because I was afraid of their judgment. I even had a stage in my reading life that I felt embarrassed that I was reading such books. But all is well. I am currently binging Cora Reilly's Born in Blood series and it's sooo good.
Thank you so much for this video. I’m not really into dark romance but really want to explore the genre. I’ve added them all to my list, except Birthday Girl which I loved. The Highwayman didn’t work so much for me but I really enjoyed Kerrigan Byrne’s writing so I’ll be checking out How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. 😊
Good morning Jenn. I totally loved Birthday Girl it was a really good book 💕. I always enjoy your book recommendations and how you talk about books 📚
Do you have any recommendations for queer dark romance? I recently read Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas and I want more!!!
Enthralled and enamored by Gianna Darling made me very sad and depressed... human trafficking...sex slaves... beating...are not my thing. nowadays I always research before reading a dark romance. As always your reviews and recommendations are very helpful.❤️❤️❤️
I really enjoyed All Things Burn and I’ve been meaning to check out Kerrigan Byrne her books sound so good
She really is amazing
I like The black dagger brotherhood series..... I would consider them dark romance..... what do you think?
Dude if that first book was LIGHT then hell! 😱
I've read some dark stuff that included sex trafficking and the likea few years ago. Dark romance isn't usually my thing but I've been in a reading slump lately. I'm trying to finish Entwined With You but I'm bored. It started in Reflected In You and I'm sort of disappointed in Sylvia that there isn't a whole lot of conflict beside their relationship hang-ups.
The last three of your recommendations sound really interesting, maybe I need to a change of pace in my normal reads. So thanks for those!
Loved this video! Also loved that choker on you girl
DR is not really my thing, not because of triggers but because I'm not overly interested in the more sick & twisted 'they abuse each other'/stockholm syndrome/dub-con type of story. However, I've read some at the milder end in my time and do want to try more so it was good to see some explanation here. It's also true about it like anything book related, being subjective too.
I've seen Our Way by TL Swan do the rounds on Goodreads and that was something that didn't sound in the least bit 'dark' to me, just kinda angsty, so I added it to my TBR, and Kerrigan Byrne is one of a ton of HR authors I have on my list to try. Regarding Pam Godwin, I am really interested in Sea Of Ruin... but the rape that happens - is it between the MCs? That is what I'm not keen on. I'm just not interested in a supposed HEA between a rapist and their survivor.
Last year I read and LOVED White Whiskey Bargain (not dark!) by Jodie Slaughter, so this year I picked up All Things Burn and really liked that too, with a bit of a caveat. Most of the DR I have read has been more along those lines, except for the Darkly, Madly Duet by Trisha Wolfe which was great... for a thriller, not so much as a romance. I also read Wishing Well by Lily White which has kind of a similar theme in that the MMC is on death row too, but the story differs and is def a romance rather than a mutual obsession. And I know that was a milder version of what she normally writes. Anyway, TFS :)
In regards to Sea of Ruin. The rape that is the hardest to bear for me is not what one of the MCs does. There is a scene that everyone mentions, where things start out very Consensually and then a character makes a choice to prove power that was unnecessary. However... he immediately grovels and we learn later why they acted that way. It is my opinion that the author had a purpose for it and proved that purpose enough that I fully forgave that character. So.... there is my thoughts.
@@TheBookRefuge Thx. I'm still a bit confused though. Are there multiple rapes? And are any of them between any of the three MCs?
The heroine gets raped by captors other than the MC. They just have pretty rough sex at a few points. I suggest checking out a few more in reviews on goodreads too! It's hard to explain without just telling the entire book, ya know. It's all part of the story.
Have you ever read a Addison Cain book? Those are not dark romance beginner-books. They are dark-DARK! I read "Swallow it down" and everyday I could only read 20 pages or so before I had to stop again because it was to much. She is very talented in creating completely fucked up worlds. Fascinating but really, really fucked up. I think her work is borderline not ok anymore.
Do you have a video with just daddy kink recommendations??
I do not yet have one of those. :) some time soon.
@@TheBookRefuge Okay great!! Thank you!! Looking forward to it!! 😍
Does anyone think it's annoying that she doesn't look straight into the camera?
You know she gets these, right? Haha. Yes, I don't try to look at the camera. Never have, unfortunately its not a skill I have ever exceeded at. haha!
I honestly didn't notice, nor did I mind.
😅🥰🥹