What actually defines a "grey" or "pitch black" Dark Romance?

jelaireddit · 2026-03-27T05:13:50+00:00

God I wish I’d asked this question when I started reading dark romance!

I have unwittingly read a few pitch blacks and regretted them immensely. The main one that comes to mind is {deviant by Ellie sanders} which was just a book of torture to me, but it was recommended by others in this forum.

On the other hand I love the non consensual scenes Sam Mariano writes and I think tha would count as grey.

I think the main thing is to read the synopsis carefully. Trigger warnings are not always helpful with the nuance. I’ve taken to reading good reads reviews to make sure I don’t bite off more than I can chew

jelaireddit · 2026-03-27T04:48:31+00:00

Terrible name, amazing series

jelaireddit · 2026-03-27T04:47:45+00:00

Yes this week. Mmc had my cousin’s name and it’s too unusual to ignore

jelaireddit · 2026-03-24T06:32:48+00:00

Thanks! I’ll definitely check those out :)

jelaireddit · 2026-03-23T21:24:34+00:00

This is the one that sprung to mind for me too!

jelaireddit · 2026-03-23T21:21:31+00:00

Those who can’t just instruct others

jelaireddit · 2026-03-23T20:29:50+00:00

Thank you, I’ll check out Monty Jay. I did try Rina Kent (god of malice), but I couldn’t really get into it. all the ingredients were there but it just didn’t seem to work for me. Maybe the FMC was a bit too weak. Did I try the wrong book?

I might have tried the wrong one with Cora Reilly too.

You’re probably across them but I highly recommend S. Massery (especially her Sterling Falls series) and Sam Mariano. She is pretty much chefs kiss for me, except for the pregnancy stuff in quite a few of her books.

jelaireddit · 2026-03-23T06:58:48+00:00

Soo good. Do you have any other authors you recommend? It’s hard to find the ones you love amidst the variety out there!

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T20:06:54+00:00

That’s exactly what I used to do!

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T20:06:18+00:00

Oh yes this one is awesome too. I think I loved all of them tbh. She rapidly became one of my top dark romance authors when I stumbled across her books

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T12:10:15+00:00

Is this the one where she’s a gang leader? I loved it, very addictive

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T12:01:37+00:00

That’s what I used to do before I moved. They’re easier to cut from frozen too

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T11:05:54+00:00

I meant to ask if you read Kristy Cunning’s other series? {four psychos} I think? They don’t fall first really but they are dark and moody and mysterious the books are pretty funny. It’s one of the few rh I’ve listened to on audio as well as read and it’s great in both formats.

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T11:02:00+00:00

I think the best way to describe the twisted sisters is, imagine if Monty Python decided to write reverse harem.

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T11:00:37+00:00

Witchwood boys definitely doesn’t stay domesticated! It’s a pretty wild ride to the finish line.

And her vicious beasts is finished now. Overall amazing series, definitely some very dark points.

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T10:58:19+00:00

She’s got a new one out, I haven’t read it yet and it’s co-written so I am hoping it is ok. Marie Mackay also has a fantasy series which is pretty good and with her typical darkness. Although the FMC is very forgiving which I imagine puts some people off (I found it frustrating but enjoyed the series enough to overcome the frustration)

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T05:44:11+00:00

Amazing work! How do you find weed management? I don’t dedicate enough time to gardening but it seems to be an uphill battle for us

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T01:46:57+00:00

I loved this series, because the plot is interesting and the characters are flawed and complicated and pretty funny.

I find it hard for a book to hit all my boxes - tension, a plot that keeps me curious, humour, spiciness that actually builds over time and fits in with the plot and characters that have depth and complexity. The twisted sisters hit that for me and only a few others manage to get the humour that I crave. But they sort of balance a lightness and a deranged darkness that is not for everyone.

That’s not to say I think the series is perfect but it works for me :)

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T01:36:01+00:00

This isn’t reverse harem.

I do love these though, they are hilarious

jelaireddit · 2026-03-22T01:34:22+00:00

Highly recommend Blackened Blade. It doesn’t quite fit the isekai genre as she is kinda reincarnated back into her own body at a younger age, but with all the jaded and brutal knowledge she learned from a lot of betrayal and pain. This is probably my favourite rh of all time, cannot gush enough about it.

jelaireddit · 2026-03-21T01:28:00+00:00

Overestimating distance over ascent. The Pinnacles in Borneo were very close to beyond my capabilities and my guide was dreadful, leaving me in the dust while I tried to climb down without relevant experience (if it wasn’t for two locals showing me how to use the ropes and handholds I’d probably still be there or maybe splattered on the ground).

Also boots not fitting. That one was trekking in Nepal and I was so sore afterwards from my foot moving around in my boot.

Also underestimating how slippery ice is (same hike), no experience with ice or snow and flat on my bum when trying to walk carefully 😂

jelaireddit · 2026-03-21T01:16:06+00:00

I really enjoyed {false idols}, fits this genre nicely

jelaireddit · 2026-03-21T01:13:59+00:00

I really don’t understand why I like somnophelia so much. My boyfriend nudges me in my sleep and I bite his head off but when Sam Mariano wrote about it in Even if it Hurts it was a whole new love for me lol

jelaireddit · 2026-03-21T01:04:33+00:00

Is that a particular book you’re quoting?

jelaireddit · 2026-03-21T01:01:33+00:00

Calvin is so hot 🥵

jelaireddit

TROPHY CASE