7 Books Featuring Villain Romances

There’s something undeniably magnetic about a villain—those characters who dance on the edge of morality, their charisma as dangerous as it is irresistible. They may make us gasp in disbelief or shudder with fear, but more often than not, we find ourselves drawn to them. It’s the forbidden allure—the fact that they are often the very thing we know we shouldn’t want—that makes villain romances so utterly tantalizing.

What happens when love ignites between a heroine and a villain? You get passionate, high-stakes relationships filled with intrigue, redemption, and plenty of moral ambiguity. These books take you deep into the hearts and minds of characters who blur the line between hero and villain, where love is anything but simple.

Ready to indulge in some deliciously dark romance? Here are seven books featuring villain romances that will make your heart race and your mind question everything you thought you knew about love.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

For fans of: Magic, faeries, and forbidden passions

Feyre Archeron is no stranger to danger. But when she’s taken to the magical land of the fae, she quickly discovers a whole new level of peril—and desire. Tamlin, the faerie lord who initially appears to be her captor, is far from the simple villain he seems to be. As Feyre’s feelings for him grow, she’s drawn into a web of politics, power, and passion that threatens everything she knows.

🔥 Why it’s a wild ride: Tamlin may be the ultimate bad boy, but it’s not just his power that calls to Feyre—it’s the vulnerability she uncovers beneath his seemingly cold exterior. Their romance is laced with danger, sacrifice, and heated tension. The world-building and character arcs are as complex as the ever-evolving love between Feyre and Tamlin, and you’ll find yourself entranced by their push-and-pull dynamic.

2. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

For fans of: Retellings, revenge, and forbidden love

In this retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, Shahrzad enters the sultan’s palace with a single goal: revenge. Each night, the sultan, Khalid, marries a woman and has her executed by dawn. Shahrzad plans to take his life in exchange for the death of her best friend, but as she spends more time with Khalid, she discovers a man tortured by his own secrets.

💔 Why it’s compelling: Khalid is the ultimate tragic antihero. His darkness pulls you in, but his hidden pain and vulnerability are what make you fall for him. The chemistry between Khalid and Shahrzad is electric, igniting in scenes that are just as thrilling as they are romantic. Their love is one of opposites, where hatred turns to passion and revenge becomes redemption.

3. The Shadows by J.R. Ward

For fans of: Vampires, complex relationships, and steamy tension

In The Shadows, the beloved Black Dagger Brotherhood series continues with the story of Trez, a vampire with a dark past and a dangerous present. When Trez meets iAm, a fellow warrior, he’s immediately intrigued, but it’s the forbidden attraction that burns between them that threatens to destroy everything.

💋 Why it’s unforgettable: Trez is a villain in the sense that he’s constantly fighting against his own destiny, tangled in guilt and self-loathing. But when he meets iAm, their sizzling chemistry ignites a passion that forces both of them to confront their deepest fears and darkest desires. Trez’s journey from antihero to a man worthy of love is a slow burn, and the love he finds is as intense as the stakes surrounding him.

4. Vicious by L.J. Shen

For fans of: Enemies-to-lovers, power dynamics, and intense tension

Vicious is a classic villain romance, and then some. Emilia and Vicious share a history of hatred, betrayal, and endless desire. From the first time they meet, their connection is palpable—yet poisonous. Vicious is cruel, arrogant, and relentlessly selfish. But beneath all that darkness, there’s an undeniable chemistry that neither can resist.

💥 Why it’s a thrilling ride: Vicious is everything you love about a villain—damaged, powerful, and always on the edge of moral ruin. But his connection with Emilia is magnetic, pulling both of them into a passionate, toxic relationship that’s impossible to escape. Emilia is no weakling either—her fiery spirit and unwavering strength make her the perfect match for Vicious. Their romance is messy, intense, and totally addictive.

5. The Queen of Snow by Laura Byron

For fans of: Fantasy, revenge, and magical intrigue

Set in a world where magic reigns, The Queen of Snow introduces us to the notorious villainess, Snow White. In this story, Snow isn’t just a fairytale princess but a powerful ruler with a past clouded by tragedy and vengeance. When she falls for her enemy, the stakes couldn’t be higher as their love threatens to unravel everything she’s built.

❄️ Why it’s captivating: Snow is an icy queen with a sharp edge. She’s ruthless, clever, and utterly commanding, which makes her an irresistible force in her world. Her relationship with her dark lover is laced with danger and passion, and as the story unfolds, you’re caught in a whirlwind of forbidden love, betrayal, and redemption.

6. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

For fans of: Witches, warriors, and magical romance

Louise le Blanc is a witch on the run, determined to escape the oppressive church that hunts her kind. When she is forced into marriage with Reid Diggory, a witch hunter, sparks fly in ways neither expected. Lou’s dark powers and her sharp wit clash with Reid’s dedication to his duty, making their slow-burn romance a delicious, dangerous ride.

⚡ Why it’s irresistible: Reid is the villain you love to hate—a man bound by duty, honor, and a vow to rid the world of witches. Lou, on the other hand, is unapologetically rebellious, a woman of power and secrets. Their chemistry is electric, and as their connection deepens, so does the tension between duty and desire. The world they live in is one of danger, magic, and betrayal, but at the heart of it all is a love that could destroy them both.

7. Cruel Prince by Holly Black

For fans of: Faeries, political intrigue, and forbidden love

Jude was just a child when her parents were murdered by the faeries, and now she lives among them, determined to earn her place in their world. But the cruel Prince Cardan makes her life miserable at every turn, taunting her, belittling her, and driving her to the edge. Yet despite his cruelty, Jude finds herself drawn to him—caught in a web of power, desire, and danger that neither of them can escape.

💔 Why it’s so addictive: Cardan is the quintessential villain—manipulative, arrogant, and absolutely wicked. But Jude isn’t a damsel. She’s strong, calculating, and more than capable of standing up to his cruelty. Their dynamic is filled with hate, passion, and power struggles, and the slow-burn romance between them is a wild ride of attraction and tension.

The Bottom Line:

Villain romances aren’t just about bad boys—these stories explore the messy, complicated, and sometimes twisted nature of love. They challenge the idea of what makes someone truly bad or good, offering characters who are flawed but also deeply human. These books are for those who crave high-stakes drama, heart-pounding tension, and romances that are as dangerous as they are irresistible.

If you’re ready for more of these deliciously dark love stories, we’d love to hear about your favorite billionaire romance novels. Share your top picks—let’s dive into those high-stakes, high-reward love affairs!