A growing list of books I can’t wait to dive into — from dark romance and twisty thrillers to cozy small-town love stories and memoirs everyone’s buzzing about. These are the titles I’ve added based on hype, recs, and pure curiosity.
Sections
8
Dark Romance & Obsession
Penelope Douglas Marathon
Thrillers / Psychological
Cozy Romance
Memoir & Real Life
Romance / General
Dark Romance & Obsession
On my TBR because readers describe it as primal, intense, and addictive. I wanted something a little different than standard dark romance.
Primal Limits Omnibus Paperback Signed by Marissa Farrar
TikTok calls this unhinged, messy, and toxic in the most bingeable way. I need to see what all the chaos was about.
THAT SIK LUV
All over BookTok — dark cult vibes, forbidden romance, and heavy spice. Feels like one of those “must-reads” in the dark romance corner.
The Ritual
Recommended for mafia romance fans — lots of talk about family drama and danger. Adding it to fill that mafia itch.
Silent Vows
Love her moody style, so I need to keep going with her catalog.
Fractured Constellations: Dark Stepbrother Fairytale
Not released yet but I loved her other books, so when she announced this one, I knew it had to go straight on the TBR. Anticipation is high.
MDD
On here because readers said it’s stalker-heavy, toxic, and wild. I was curious how far it would push those themes.
I Will Break you
Sequel to I Will Break You. People say it’s darker but more emotional, so I wanted to see the full arc.
I Will Mend You
Constantly trending in the Salacious Players Club series. Readers hype it for the taboo spice and emotional depth.
Praise
Mafia romance fans rave about Sadie Kincaid’s characters. Dante was recommended for its broody hero and family loyalty themes.
Dante: A Dark Mafia, Enemies to Lovers Romance
Same world as Dante but with a more emotional focus. Readers said it balances darkness with healing, which intrigued me.
Broken: A Billionaire Marriage of Convenience Romance: Manhattan Ruthless
Added because reviews called it pure obsessive stalker romance. Possessive to the max, and apparently addictive.
Once You're Mine: A Dark Stalker Romance
The follow-up to Once You’re Mine. Everyone says book two is even darker and more unhinged — couldn’t resist adding it.
Now You're Mine: A Dark Stalker Romance
Mafia vibes, violent tension, and heavy spice. I’ve seen this recced a lot in “dark mafia romance” threads.
The Butcher
On my TBR because I really enjoyed Lights Out and wanted to dive into more of her dark romance worlds. Reviews say this one brings the same intensity and grit, so it felt like the natural next pick.
Caught Up (Into Darkness Series #2)
TikTok-famous for being “rom-com meets serial killers.” The mix of dark and hilarious made me instantly curious.
Butcher & Blackbird (Ruinous Love Trilogy #1)
Sequel to Butcher & Blackbird. Reviews say it’s darker and more emotional, so I had to keep the series rolling.
Leather & Lark (Ruinous Love Trilogy #2)
Book three in the series — apparently the darkest yet. Everyone said if you liked the first two, you won’t want to miss this.
Scythe & Sparrow (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Ruinous Love Trilogy #3)
Penelope Douglas Marathon
An early work of hers, but Douglas fans say it’s worth reading for completion. Added to see how her style evolved.
Five Brothers
Already a Douglas fan, so this TikTok-famous angsty romance felt like an essential backlist pick.
Punk 57
The long-awaited next gen Fall Away book. Readers say it has the same drama and spice but with fresh characters.
Falls Boys
Companion to Fall Boys with more focus on the female characters. Had to add it to see the full perspective.
Pirate Girls
The one that started the Fall Away series. Everyone calls it messy, toxic, and iconic for the genre.
Bully (Fall Away Series #1)
On my TBR because it’s Jared’s POV of Bully, and fans say it adds depth to his character. I haven’t read either yet, but I want both perspectives since people talk about how toxic but iconic this series is.
Until You (Fall Away Series #2)
Childhood friends turned enemies-to-lovers. Recommended as one of the most emotional in the series.
Rival (Fall Away Series #3)
Another Fall Away book — readers said it mixes trauma, redemption, and steamy tension.
Falling Away
Dark, sapphic romance with her signature angst. BookTok praised it for being bold and different.
Tryst Six Venom
Thrillers / Psychological
TikTok hype machine — marketed as dark romance meets thriller. Reviews said it’s shocking and full of twists.
Pen Pal (Standard Edition)
People call this one addictive and creepy. Added because it’s one of her top-rated thrillers.
The Teacher
Went viral for its twisty domestic thriller plot. Seemed like a must-read for fast, page-turner vibes.
The Housemaid
Not as famous as The Housemaid, but I saw it recced for fans of dark family secrets.
The Surrogate Mother|
Cozy Romance
Added for its small-town café charm. BookTok said it’s pure cozy vibes.
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Dream Harbor, Book 4)
Fall comfort in book form. I’ve seen it described as “like reading a Hallmark movie.”
The Pumpkin Spice Café (Dream Harbor, Book 1)
Couldn’t resist a bookstore romance. Added because it screams cozy + bookish comfort.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor, Book 2)
Holiday cheer, small-town romance, and cozy winter vibes. Perfect for December reading.
The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor, Book 3)
Another festive romance — people said it’s sweet, warm, and bingeable in one sitting.
The Gingerbread Bakery (Dream Harbor, Book 5)
Readers say it’s lighthearted, emotional, and fun. I wanted a lighter romance as a break from all the dark reads.
Till Summer Do Us Part
Memoir & Real Life
Heard it’s surprisingly raw and emotional. On my TBR because so many people said it changed how they saw her.
Open Book
Everyone described it as heartbreaking but important. Added because of the honesty and rawness people praised.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir
A bit of a wild card — I added it out of curiosity since it’s bound to be chaotic.
The Book of Sheen: A Memoir
Romance / General
Newer release that isn’t as taboo as Praise, but I wanted to see another side of her writing.
The Good Girl Effect
Contemporary Fiction / Emotional Reads
Added to my TBR because it’s his newest release and I’ve seen so many rave reviews about the emotional punch. I haven’t read Backman before, but this one seems like a powerful place to start.
My Friends: A Novel
📚 See Also
More of my book lists to explore.
👉 Looking for books I’ve already devoured and loved? See my Read & Loved list here.
📚 Dark Romance, Thrillers & Everything I Couldn’t Put Down
