I’ve wanted to create this list for the longest time. If there’s one trope I ADORE, it’s the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope.
And it’s no surprise that you all love it too!
It’s one of the most requested tropes by readers across all communities, and by far, it’s the trickiest to get right.
But fear not! I’ve carefully selected only the best ‘villain gets the girl’ books for your enjoyment. So, get ready with your TBR list (to-be-read) to write down these ‘villain gets the girl’ gems I’m sure you’ll adore
Table of Contents
Villain gets the girl vs enemies to lovers differences:
It’s normal for people to confuse these two tropes or give recommendations of enemies to lovers as ‘villain gets the girl,’ but there are important differences between them.Ā
The ‘Enemies-to-lovers’ trope involves two people who start the story as enemies; they may hate each other but are forced to work together toward a common objective.
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The ‘villain gets the girl’ trope, on the other hand, features the story’s main antagonist entering into a romantic relationship with the lead female character.
In the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope, the antagonist is typically the main villain, or at least what the author wants us to perceive as the primary antagonist. Unlike in ‘enemies to lovers,’ the villain doesn’t share a common objective with the female lead because he is the antagonist. His love for the heroine often represents a different type of character growth.
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In an ‘enemies to lovers,’ the male love interest, while possibly a rival to the heroine, may or may not be the villain. Perhaps he is her rival but not the primary antagonist, or they share a common objective while disliking each other.
In ‘villain gets the girl,’ the love interest IS the villain of the story.
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For the narrative to progress with this plot device, there usually needs to be some form of redemption or forgiveness. The antagonist undergoes a change, and a new villain might appear, continuing the story from there on
Found guilty of murder, Yelena Zaltana faces the ultimate punishment ā execution. She awaits her fate until Valek, the security chief and assassin, offers her a reprieve. For a price.
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As the Commander’s new food taster, she must risk death, on a daily basis, by the most gruesome poisons.Ā And despite the constant danger, the more time she spends with Valek, the closer they grow.
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But the new-found attraction between them is heating to a dangerous level, because Yelena is hiding a lethal secret. She’s developed magical powers that she can’t control. And the penalty for magic is deathā¦
Why you should read it
Ā “…you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.ā
Hidden gem alert!! This 2005 fantasy romance book will be your next favorite read.
- A sexy villain who is a deadly assassin? Check.
- A smart and interesting heroine with good character development? Check.
- AGE GAP romance???!!! Check!!
Poison Study is an intriguing fantasy romance with original worldbuilding and a compelling story.
I loved the premise!! Becoming a food taster to avoid execution? Political intrigues? No one is completely good nor bad,
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And Valek…New Book boyfriend unlocked!!!
Ā I love a good slow-burn, and “Poison Study” delivered!!
The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his brideā¦
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All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen, Liesl feels that her childhood dreams are slipping away.
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And when her sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. But with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.
Why you should read it
āOnce there was a little girl who played her music for a little boy in the wood. She was small and dark, he was tall and fair, and the two of them made a fancy pair as they danced together, dancing to the music the little girl heard in her head.ā
In love with fairy tales and magical settings? Wintersong is a fantasy romance full of magic, featuring broken and damaged characters who are dark but also beautiful.
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“Wintersong” is a Labyrinth retelling, based on the popular 1986 cult movie that continues to captivate both new and older audiences alike.
In this Hades & Persephone retelling, we get an atypical heroine.
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She is described as plain, in contrast to her sister, who is the one kidnapped by the Goblin King.
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Liesl’s envy for her sister’s beauty, the Goblin King’s kidnapping, and her quest to find her… If you have seen the cult movie, you will pick up on the references quickly.
I totally recommend Wintersong if you’re in the mood for a “villain gets the girl” book with dark fairy tale vibes. You will love it!!
Similarities with the 1986 movie Labirinth
When Addie La Rue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there’s always a price – the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.
Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.
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Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.
Why you should read it
One of the best “villain gets the girl” fantasy romances and beloved by the community.
āNever pray to the gods that answer after dark.ā
In The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Addie makes a deal with the devil to escape her boring life..
But little did she know that this deal would be her doom. Not being remembered, living each day trying to find love only to be forgotten… It’s a tough life indeed.
The villain, of course, is the devil, and the relationship they have is anything but pretty. Addie hates him with all her soul, and Luc… well, he is interested in her in different ways…
āI am stronger than your god and older than your devil. I am the darkness between stars, and the roots beneath the earth. I am promise, and potential, and when it comes to playing games, i divine the rules, I set the pieces, and I choose when to play.ā
A must-read for fantasy romance fans and a true example of this addictive trope where the bad guy gets the heroine.
Layla just wants to fit in at school and go on a date with Zayne. Trouble is, Zayne treats Layla like a sisterāand Layla is a half demon, half gargoyle with abilities no one else possesses. And even though Zayne is a Warden, Layla’s kiss will kill anything with a soulāincluding him.
Then she meets Rothāa demon who claims to know her secrets. Though Layla knows she should stay away, it’s tough when that whole no-kissing thing isn’t an issue. Trusting Roth could ruin her chances with Zayne, but as Layla discovers she’s the reason for a violent demon uprising, kissing the enemy suddenly pales in comparison to the looming end of the world.
Why you should read it
Going into a backlist author’s list can sometimes be dangerous, but when we’re talking about Jennifer L. Armentrout, that’s a different story.
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Even her early works are wonderful reads, and White Hot Kiss, although not her first work, still stands as one of my favorites.
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“White Hot Kiss” has a clear YA vibe, with the protagonist in high school dealing with typical teenage problems like exams, guys, friends, and more. You may think this is not the book for you, but JLA’s writing and how she portrays Layla and her friends will put a smile on your face while reading.
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Like in any JLA book, there are hilarious situations, the heroine always gets in trouble, and we have two wonderful love interests: a total cinnamon roll, Zayne, and the villain in the story, Roth.
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Roth is a young version of Casteel from From Blood and Ash. I totally swoon for him, and there is so much more than meets the eye.
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This series was a total success, and the two love interests were so well-written that JLA created a spin-off with one of them featuring his own love story (The Harbinger series).
If you’re looking for “villain gets the girl” books, The Dark Elements series is the perfect choice.
Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.
When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organiser, Legend.
Why you should read it
āWelcome, welcome to Caraval! The grandest show on land or by sea. Inside youāll experience more wonders than most people see in a lifetime. You can sip magic from a cup and buy dreams in a bottle. But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember itās all a game.ā
“Remember… it’s all a game… or maybe not?
Caraval is the debut series from Stephanie Garber, the author of the Once Upon a Broken Heart Series.
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In Caraval we meet Tella and Scarlett, two close sisters who want to attend Caraval for the first time and learn beforehand about the magic and games of this wonderful place.
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But danger is just around the corner. When Scarlett’s sister Tella is kidnapped by Legend, the Master of Caraval, Scarlett will have to play the game – and win – to bring her sister back alive.
āBut Legend wasnāt just jaded; he was demented, adept at making people fall not only in love but also into madness.ā
I have no words for this series. Villain gets the girl, fairy tale and circus vibes, wicked characters, HUGE plot twists…
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This book is a must-read for any fan of light whimsical fantasies.
And as a further incentive… this is the series where Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, first makes his appearance as a principal antagonist.( One of the love interest in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series)
To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he canāt put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdomāand the world.
Why you should read it
When it comes to ‘villain gets the girl’ books, Tahereh Mafi is our Queen. She’s the author of Shatter Me, often considered one of the best YA dystopian romances featuring this very trope.
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So, am I surprised to see her second fantasy romance series feature this trope? NOPE, hehe.
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Alizeh, our heroine, hides as a servant from the merciless King, but as a result of a fortuitous encounter, she is now acquainted with Prince Kamran… and both cannot help but start to feel more than an attraction.
āTell me your name,” he whispered.
Why?” she asked.
He hesitated, briefly, before he said, “I begin to fear you’ve done me irreparable damage. I should like to know who to blame.ā
Ahhh, this series… Kamran is your perfect golden retriever – a cinnamon book boyfriend… It’s impossible not to love him…
But… where is the villain? Is he better than Kamran?
āCyrus,” she said patiently, “you can’t just ask a girl to marry you and then decline to answer a single question about yourself.”
“Try me.ā
I featured the cover of the second book as an example of the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope because it’s in this book that the trope becomes more notorious… yet you can catch glimpses of the villain in the first book… and I can absolutely guarantee you that you won’t know who to root for!”
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Want more villains and ‘happily ever afters’? Don’t miss out on the magic!!
Prince Tristan Faasa was never destined for the throne. That was always his brother, Michael. The same brother responsible for both Tristanās tormented childhood and the scar that mars his face. When their father dies, Michael is set to assume the throne, and Tristan is set to steal it. The leader of a secret rebellion, Tristan will stop at nothing to end his brotherās reign.
But when Michaelās new betrothed, Lady Sara Beatreaux, arrives, Tristan finds himself in the middle of a new kind of war. The kind that begs the question of whatās more importantāthe crown or the woman about to wear it.
Why you should read it
āCareful, little doe. Keep running into places you donāt belong and someone may mistake you for prey.ā āIām not afraid of being prey.ā āNo?ā He quirks a brow, leaning in until his nose skims along the side of my face. āYou should be.ā
Another excellent example of the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope.
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Tristan, the villain of Scarred, definitely needs some therapy sessions… but who could blame him?
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He has been treated poorly by his own family, and proof of that is the scar he wields on his face (courtesy their beloved family).
Scar is patiently biding his time to take the throne from his brother’s hands and avenge his father’s death.
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And then there is Sara, Michael’s fiancĆ©e (the king), the perfect bride-to-be who is hiding a dangerous secret… and whom Tristan will fall head over heels for.
Scarred is a must-read for all my girls out there who secretly rooted for Scar while watching ‘The Lion King.’ The ‘villain gets the girl’ trope at its finest (and spiciest)
King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. Iām called his precious. His favored. Iām the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart.Ā
Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.
Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged, and I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.
Why you should read it
I’ll be the villain for you. Not to you”Ā
Another perfectly written ‘villain gets the girl’ book.
A girl who lives in a cage, in love with her saviour, who can transform anything he touches into gold.
The King Midas story reimagined. If you love the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope, and most importantly, if you want a book where the love interest remains a villain for a significant part of the series, this is the series for you.
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I don’t want to give away any spoilers about the plot here because The Plated Prisoner series is best enjoyed when you go in knowing as little as possible.
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Our heroine, Auren, serves as an unreliable narrator, much like Feyre in ACOTAR. We experience the story through her unique perspective, and the plot twists in this series become even more spectacular due to this narrative choice.
Agnieszka loves her valley home, but the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia,Ā and her dearest friend in the world.Ā
Yet when the Dragon comes, it’s not Kasia he takes.
Why you should read it
Uprooted tells the story of Agnieszka, the girl who was chosen by a powerful wizard, Sarkan, to live with him for ten years in his tower.
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Sarkan serves as the story’s antagonist, and Agnieska and him have a very conflicted relationship.
Although Agnieszka tries to do everything he asks, she often makes mistakes, and some of Sarkan’s remarks are just hilarious.
āListen, you impossible creature,” he said, “I’m a century and more older than–” “Oh, be quiet,” I said impatiently.ā
It’s a perfect fairytale if you want to continue reading more of the ‘villain gets the girl’ trope!
No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra, tired of being overlooked, has a plan to gain power: woo the Shadow King, marry him, then kill him and take his kingdom for herself.
Why you should read it
The Shadows between Us tells the story of Alessandra, a ver decided heroine who has only one goal in her mind:Ā
1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.
Both Alessandra and Kallias, The Shadow King, are selfish and manipulative characters, and it won’t be as easy as she thought for Alessandra to convince the King to marry her.
First, he’s not interested; second, there are more people who want him dead.
āNo one but me is allowed to decide when Kallias Maheras, king of six realms and counting is going to die.ā
These dynamics create a lot of hilarious situations throughout the book, setting it apart from your typical YA fantasy romance novel.
āIāve an inclination to kill again,ā I say, glaring at him.
āMy little hellion. Quite the force to be reckoned with, arenāt you?Ā
A truly hidden gem you don’t want to miss, especially if you’re a Slytherin fan!!
The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigiesāhumans with extraordinary abilitiesāwho emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope to everyone…except the villains they once overthrew.
Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justiceāand in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to the villains who have the power to end them both.
Why you should read it
āI’m not your enemy.ā
In this dystopian YA series, Renegades and Anarchists are mortal enemies.
The Renegades are the “good guys,” and The Anarchists are the villains.
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Our heroine, Nova, belongs to the villains’ side, the anarchists, and has sworn to take vengeance on the Renegades who killed her uncles.
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So, who is the villain here? Well, let’s just say she ends up falling in love with one of the people she hates the most…
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With hidden identities, Boku No Hero vibes, and a great plot twists, Renegades is the perfect light read for a truly dystopian “villain gets the girl” romance.
Zahru has long dreamed of leaving the Kingdom of Orkena and having the kinds of adventures she’s only ever heard about in stories. But as a lowly Whisperer, her power to commune with animals means that her place is serving in the royal stables until the day her magic runs dry.
All that changes when the ailing ruler invokes the Crossing. A death-defying race across the desert, in which the first of his heirs to finishāand take the life of a human sacrifice at the journey’s endāwill ascend to the throne. With all of the kingdom abuzz, Zahru leaps at the chance to change her fate if just for a night by sneaking into the palace for a taste of the revelry. But the minor indiscretion turns into a deadly mistake when she gets caught up in a feud between the heirs and is forced to become the Crossing’s human sacrifice.
Now Zahru’s only hope for survival hinges on the impossible: somehow figuring out how to overcome the most dangerous people in the world.
Why you should read it
“ALL good stories start with bad decisions.”
The Kinder Poison is a 2020 release that definitely deserves more hype and recognition.
All my love goes to Zahru, the female protagonist. She is the antithesis of the ‘I’m not like the other girls’ trope.
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This trope almost always features a badass female character who often stands out because she is the chosen one, possesses incredible powers, and is portrayed as ‘different’ from the other girls. She typically isn’t interested in boys ( guys are in love with her because she is SO different ) and often holds disdain for other girls. (Celaena from Throne of Glass, for example).
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However, in Zahru’s case, her strength lies in her kindness. She doesn’t have any special powers; she is a simple girl from a small village.
Zahru is unfortunately placed in a dangerous situation, and now she must avoid the three heirs to the throne who want to capture her.
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The Kinder Poison has everything: a morally grey villain, a love triangle, and a heavily character-driven narrative.
You’ll definitely fulfil your quota of the ‘the villain gets the girl’ trope with this book.
Popular Books where the villain gets the girl
These are some super popular fantasy romances where the villain ends up with the girl.
This list is perfect for new romance readers or just a sweet reminder for us veteran fans of the gems these popular authors have given us.
Shatter Me Series by Tahere Mafi
One - if not the best- YA romance story between a villain and the heroine. He is obsessed with her.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
Perfection. A slow burn between the villain and the female lead with huge plot twists and hight stakes
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A badass heroine who fells in love with the main villain.
My Top picks: Fantasy Romances where the Villain gets the Girl
Not taking into account the most popular ones mentioned above (because those are a must-read, hehe), these are the two I would definitely pick first
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