The Best Gothic Dark Romances to read this spooky Season
This Post features The Best Gothic Fantasy Romance Books to Read in 2023.
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I’ve carefully selected only the best gothic fantasy romance books releasing in 2023 that you don’t want to miss.
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These are all new titles with a dark and gothic atmosphere, lots of romance, antiheroes, and conflicted heroines.
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Grab a coffee and let’s delve into the Book List!
What is a Gothic Romance?
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Gothic romance is a subgenre of gothic literature, named after the architectural style of Gothic architecture.
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Gothic architecture is primarily characterized by its incredibly tall cathedrals with pointed arches, aiming to bring people closer to God by reaching great heights.
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This architectural style is often associated with feelings of anxiety and an eerie aura, which eventually inspired literature that tried to capture these unsettling emotions.
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Gothic fantasy romance books aim to recreate this dark atmosphere, featuring Gothic buildings, ominous alleyways, and an overall creepy vibe.
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Another popular subgenre is dark academia, which incorporates many Gothic elements into a college or high school setting.
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In Gothic dark romance, the heroine is typically tormented by her past or has faced significant conflicts, often leading her to make difficult decisions throughout the story.
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The hero in a Gothic fantasy romance book is what we now commonly refer to as the ‘antihero.’ It’s safe to say that Gothic romance played a significant role in popularizing morally grey characters (and I’m very grateful for that xD).
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In Gothic fantasy romance books, the hero is typically dark, conflicted, and doesn’t always act in the best interests of the heroine. He is not your typical soft cinnamon roll.
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This type of hero has become a common element in contemporary fantasy romance, especially in stories featuring the enemies-to-lovers trope.
The Best Gothic Fantasy Romance Books to Read in 2023
Academic rivals to lovers, dark academia gothic atmosphere and mystery
Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, sheās had no choice. Her tattered copy ofĀ AngharadāEmrys Myrddinās epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys himāis the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddinās family announces a contest to redesign the late authorās estate, Effy feels certain itās her destiny.
But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston HĆ©loury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddinās legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against themāand the truth may bring them both to ruin.
Why you should read it
If you want to completely immerse yourself in a gothic fantasy romance book with a haunting atmosphere, A Study of Drowning is for you.
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Ava Reid really captures the mystery and eerie aspects of gothic dark romance to give us a truly unique setting.
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Effy Sayre, our heroine, is an architecture student who gets the chance to apply to renovate her favorite authorās house. But the stakes get high when the other contestant, Preston Heloury, also competes for the coveted prize.
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Effy Sayre completely breaks away from the typical Young Adult stereotype ofĀ “I’m not like the other girls.” She isn’t your typical girl full of confidence, an expert in fighting. She is vulnerable, anxious, and I think she is a character whom anyone can identify with.
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A Study in Drowning is perfect for fans of Divine Rivals who want an academic rivals-to-lovers story with a love interest that is not your typical morally grey character
Spooky small town romance, haunted house gothic and dark atmosphere
Opal is a lot of thingsāorphan, high school dropout, full-time cynic and part-time cashierābut above all, she’s determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper. One that gets them out of Eden, Kentucky, a town remarkable for only two things: bad luck and E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth century author ofĀ The Underland, who disappeared over a hundred years ago.
All she left behind were dark rumorsāand her home. Everyone agrees that itās best to ignore the uncanny mansion and its misanthropic heir, Arthur. Almost everyone, anyway.
Opal has been obsessed with The Underland since she was a child. When she gets the chance to step inside Starling Houseāand make some extra cash for her brother’s escape fundāshe can’t resist.
But sinister forces are digging deeper into the buried secrets of Starling House, and Arthurās own nightmares have become far too real. As Eden itself seems to be drowning in its own ghosts, Opal realizes that she might finally have found a reason to stick around.
Why you should read it
Starling House is October’s read in Reese Witherspoon’s book club, and it’s one that I was closely following before its release. No wonder it was picked by this well-known actress in her Book Club group. Just for the cover, it invites you to buy it!
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Opal has been living in Eden, a small town in Kentucky, but she wants a way out of this eerie small town to give her brother a better life.
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She begins to think her luck is up when she gets a job to take care of the mysterious Starling House, the former home of a reclusive children’s author. There she will meet the sole heir to the manor, the eerie Arthur Starling, who seems to keep a lot of secrets.
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This book is told from Opal’s first-person perspective and Arthur Starling’s third POV perspective. It’s not common to see two POVs in this type of gothic fantasy romance book, so it was an interesting addition nonetheless.
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Starling House is the perfect mid-level spooky read, with a heavy focus on romance and small-town spooky vibes.
Edgard Allan Poe retelling, major gothic vibes and mid spicy romance
Princess Imogen of Goslind has lived a sheltered life for three years at the boarded-up castleāshe and the rest of its inhabitants safe from the bloodyĀ mori rojaĀ plague thatās ravaged the kingdom. But Princess Imogen has a secret, and as King Stuart descends further into madness, itās at great risk of being revealed. Rations dwindle each day, and unhappy murmurings threaten to crack the facade of the years-long charade being played within the castle walls.
Nico Mott once enjoyed a comfortable life of status, but the plague took everyone and everything from him. If not for the generosity of a nearby lord, Nico may not have survived theĀ mori rojaās aftermath. But does owing Lord Crane his life mean he owes him his silence?
When Lord Crane sends Nico to search for more plague survivors in the castle, Nico collides with a princess who wants to break out. They will each have to navigate the web of lies theyāve woven if theyāre going to survive the nightmares ahead.
Why you should read it
In this Edgar Allan Poe retelling of The Masque of the Red Death,Ā a deadly plague has reduced the Kingdom to ashes, and the mad king and nobles hide themselves in Eldridge Hall to avoid falling ill.
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But they live a completely blatant lie, living behind the castle’s walls, totally oblivious to what is happening in the outside world.
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Imogen, the princess of Eldridge Hall, will meet Nico Mott, who lives outside the castle and is sent by Lord Crane to search for more survivors. Together, they will delve into the depths of Eldridge Hall and confront the mad king and the secrets that lie behind.
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A Multitude of Dreams provides an interesting perspective and Jewish representation. We learn how Jewish people were often blamed for being the harbingers of plagues, and our heroine suffers from this unfair prejudice.
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The setting is somewhat similar to Europe during the Black Plague, and overall, this book has some major gothic dark romance vibes.
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I love books that are set during the Black Plague (and video games as well!!), and if they have romance and fantasy elements, even better!
Cozy Dark academia romance with a hot ghost boyfriend and mystery
Radcliffe Prep. The third most haunted school in the country, where a student disappearance isnāt uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father.
Not literally, of course. She doesnāt believe in ghosts. Going to her dadās school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was.
But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybeāprobablyādefinitelyāa real ghost. And an annoying one at that.
When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the libraryās secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did.
Except following her fatherās footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances arenāt just myth. And if she isnāt careful, sheāll be next.
Why you should read it
In this cozy gothic romance, we meet Este, who has enrolled in Radcliffe Prep school in order to try to be more in contact with her deceased father, who went there as well.
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But just on her first day, she meets a mysterious student, Mateo (love his name!!), who convinces her to go to the forbidden section of the library.
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There he steals a powerful book, and later on, Este is framed as the thief. Now, in order to avoid expulsion, she must find this mysterious book and the boy who stole it.
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The Library of Shadows deserves to be read just for the cover. Look at that gorgeous art!! In addition, Mateo, the MMC (Main Male Character), is just a total cinnamon roll, and I really loved how cute he was with Este. He was my favourite character by far.
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I totally recommend this novel if you’re looking for a gothic fantasy romance book with a hot ghost boyfriend and mystery.
Gothic Fantasy Romance with vampires in the world of Serpent& Dove
Six months have passed since CĆ©lie took her sacred vows and joined the ranks of the Chasseurs as their first huntswoman. With her fiancĆ© Jean Luc as captain, she is determined to find her foothold in her new role and help protect Belterra. But whispers from her past still haunt her, and a new evil is risingāone that CĆ©lie herself must vanquish, unless she falls prey to the darkness.
Why you should read it
I can’t help but be a little ‘biased’ with The Scarlet Veil.
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Shelby Mahurin is the author of the well-known fantasy romance Serpent & Dove .
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The Scarlet Veil is set in the same world as “Serpent & Dove” and followsĀ CeliĆ©, who had an important role in that trilogy.
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But going back to this book, you don’t need to read “Serpent & Dove” before this one because it is a completely different series. (although be aware that the events in The Scarlet Veil will definitely spoil the ending of the Serpent & Dove trilogy for you!! )
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I have a soft spot for gothic fantasy romance books with vampires. They’re one of my favourite paranormal creatures, and if they’re coupled with kings and princes, even better.
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In The Scarlet Veil, we follow Celie, who has become a Chasseur(hunter) and is dedicated to chasing evil creatures. She crosses paths with a dangerous vampire king, who will do everything in his power, using his charm and looks, to convince CeliƩ that he is not the culprit of the dead bodies found drained of blood.
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I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but this is just an exquisite slow-burn romance packed with tension and gothic vibes. The Scarlet Veil mixes a lot of vampire media folklore (The Vampire Diaries, Interview with the Vampire, Buffy’) in a gothic setting with castles and vampires.
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You don’t want to miss this gothic fantasy romance book for anything in the world!
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Dark academia with strong gothic vibes and a spicy student-teacher romance
An outcast her entire life, Corvina Clemm is left adrift after losing her mother. When she receives the admission letter from the mysterious University of Verenmore, she accepts it as a sign from the universe. The last thing she expects though is an olden, secluded castle on top of a mountain riddled with secrets, deceit, and death.
An enigma his entire life, Vad Deverell likes being a closed book but knowing exactly everything that happens in the university. A part-time professor working on his thesis, Vad has been around long enough to know the dangers the castle possesses. And he knows the moment his paths cross with Corvina, she’s dangerous to everything that he is.
They shouldn’t have caught each other’s eye. They cannot be. But a chill-inducing century-old mystery forces them to collide. People have disappeared every five years for over a hundred years, and Corvina is getting clues to unraveling it all, and Vad needs to keep an eye on her.
Why you should read it
Gothikana Ā got a lot of hype in 2022 and is making a comeback now that the spooky season of 2023 is right around the corner.
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It’s a fan favorite with all the gothic and spooky elements we crave at this time of the year.
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Dark academia? Check.
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A gothic and dark heroine (Merlina-like)? Check.
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A, broody, tall, and handsome love interest who happens to be her teacher (aka our favorite forbidden romance trope)? Check.
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Add to all this an almost 4/5 in the spice department, and you’ve got a book that will fulfil your needs for gothic dark romance books.
Gothic fantasy romance with Sakura Card captor vibes
Gripped by a tyrant king and in the thrall of dark magic, the kingdom is in peril. Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the lastāand most importantāone remains to be found: the Twin Alders. If theyāre going to find the card before Solstice and set free the kingdom, they will need to journey through the dangerous mist-cloaked forest. The only one who can lead them through is the monster that shares Elspethās head: the Nightmare.
And heās not eager to share any longer.
Why you should read it
Two Twisted Crowns is the highly anticipated final instalment in the duology of The Shepherd King, a perfect gothic dark romance with numerous fantasy and magical elements set in a medieval backdrop.
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The first book, One Dark Window, captivated readers and achieved instant success thanks to its perfect cover (it’s just so gorgeous!) and its original story.
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Elspeth Swindle harbours a dark secret within her. A monstrous, ancient being resides in her consciousness, occasionally granting her his power. Elspeth calls him her ‘nightmare.’
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Together with the handsome Captain of the Destriers, they must collect the 12 Providence Cards, which seem to be connected to the strange mist enveloping the kingdom and the nightmare in Elspeth’s consciousness.
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In Two Twisted Crowns, Elspeth and Ravyn continue their journey to collect all the Providence Cards, but they must make haste because the nightmare in Elspeth’s head is growing more powerful each day, with the imminent danger that she may lose her body and mind to this creature.
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For a full review of One Dark Window click here
Queer Dark academia with gothic elements, ghosts and mystery
The students in Corbin Collegeās elite academic society, Magni Viri, have it allāfree tuition, inspirational professors, and dream jobs once they graduate. When first-gen college student Tara is offered a chance to enroll, she doesnāt hesitate.
Except once sheās settled into the gorgeous Victorian dormitory, something strange starts to happen. Sheās finally writing, but her stories are dark and twisted. Her dreams feel as if they could bury her alive. An unseen presence seems to stalk her through the halls.Ā Ā
And a chilling secret awaits Tara at the heart of Magni Viriāone that just might turn her nightmares into reality; one that might destroy her before she has a chance to escape.Ā
Why you should read it
All That Consumes Us is perfect for the spooky season, immersing you in the full dark academia atmosphere.
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Tara receives an invitation to join the exclusive secret society at Corbin College known as Magni Viri, which grants privileges to its members. Without hesitation, she accepts the offer, thrilled to have more time for her writing.
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However, as Tara begins to write, strange things start happening. She gradually loses her grip on reality, awakening each morning to find pages written without any recollection of the act.
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To make matters worse, the members of Magni Viri aren’t what she initially thought.
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Tara is convinced that a dark secret lurks among the society’s members, somehow linked to the mysterious occurrences in her life.
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This book is a must-read for fans of gothic dark romance, offering an eerie atmosphere with dark academia vibes and well-executed queer representation.
This sums up my Book list with The Best Gothic Dark Romances to Read in 2023
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My Top picks in this Fantasy Gothic Romance List are The Scarlet Veil and Two Twisted Crowns.
My Top picks: The Best Gothic Fantasy Romances to Rean in 2023
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