If you love Wuthering Heights, you probably lean toward romances off the beaten path. You don’t want a formulaic happy ending to make you smile, you want a little tortured angst. You probably vibe with what Shakespeare called “these violent delights.” To get your whumperflies fluttering, try some of these stories of passionate love with a touch of tragedy, Victorian gothic settings, and dark and stormy MMC’s.
King of Envy by Ana Huang
A fake engagement becomes dangerous when the “bride” falls for the best man, a billionaire with secrets of his own. Supermodel Ayana just wants to escape her abusive agency, but the building tension between the two threaten to unravel her plans, wreak havoc on emotions, and destroy reputations.
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Ruthless Devotion by Rebecca Kenney
A retelling of Wuthering Heights with a magical spin, Cathy is a banshee and Heathcliff is a necromancer. The two are drawn together but kept apart by their very natures. Stuck in a system they can’t escape, these star-crossed lovers grasp at every chance to be together. The book is spicy and intense, and the ending will surprise you.
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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
In the 1950s Mexican countryside, Noemi’s cousin Catalina falls ill and writes a strange letter to her. Noemi goes to help and finds a mysterious house with a sinister family. What is causing Catalina to be ill and what will happen to Noemi? Hint: it’s all very, very creepy.
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Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent
Unhinged and obsessive characters Gareth and Kayden embark on a toxic and forbidden romance, which can’t possibly end well, can it? Read the author’s content warnings to be sure this one is for you. If you are looking for a wild ride on the unhealthy relationship express, this book might be your ticket.
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Alchemised by SenLinYu
In a bleak world of necromancy and war, a woman struggles to access her lost memories and abilities. A romance blooms in spite of the harrowing landscape, but she is a healer and he is a killer. This epic explores what you might do for love in the darkest times.
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Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess
It’s a morally gray romance. Jess falls for Josh, but he seems a bit…racist. And Jess is black. Josh doesn’t see himself as racist, but his words and actions push Jess to the limits, wondering how much she is willing to ignore and rationalize to save their love.
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Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
Mysterious deaths at a school for girls come to light a hundred years later, when writer Merritt Emmons publishes a history of the institution. This spooky, sapphic romance explores the line between reality and the supernatural, and what happens when you dredge up the dead.
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One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Creepy woods and tarot cards create the perfect gothic vibes for this dark romance, where obstacles for two young lovers abound. Elspeth has always battled the presence in her mind, Nightmare, but hiding it from her new love interest, Ravyn, threatens to destroy not only their burgeoning relationship, but her safety and sanity too.
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Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
A friends-to-lovers romance doesn’t sound that dark, but when the two are competing serial killers? They could find a happily ever after, but they could also end up destroying each other. This surprisingly light book balances humor with the macabre and will have you rooting for a twisted love story.
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Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity
An atmospheric gothic mystery with a slow-burn romance, Weavingshaw is about a young woman who can see the dead. She must hide this knowledge to protect herself and save her dying brother. But one beautiful, tortured man knows her secret, and falling for him could destroy everything.
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