This post is all about 22 gothic romance books or horror romance books to warm your little undead heart this booilday season.
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Hello, ghosts and ghouls! Welcome to my little cozy corner of the web, Booked and Bewitched, where we chat about all things horror and mystery-related!
This week we are discussing all things gothic romance and horror romance related.
For those of you who don’t normally play this genre, a little information. Gothic romance books are a genre term used to describe works that happen in any of the more of the following. Missing persons, nannies, governesses, missing wives, old manors an castles, vampires, mad scientists, crimes, surprise inheritance, paranormal, suspense, thriller, psychology, and or amateur sleuths.
So without further ado, let’s get into these Gothic Romances! And if you need more gothic-themed entertainment choices. Go check out-
24 Gorgeously Horror Romance Books To Fill The Empty Voids On Your Nightstand
28 Epic Gothic Kitchen Goodies For Every Blackened Hearth
Unputdownable Gothic Romance Books
1. Historical gothic romance novels
So The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller grabbed my attention because it showcases the struggles of women in the 1800s. If you’ve been on the hunt for historical gothic romance novels, you can’t go wrong here.
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It’s 1875, and Alva Webster is ready for a fresh start. After three years of being pilloried in the press for fleeing her abusive husband, his sudden death allows her to return to New York where she is determined to restore a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. She is decidedly not supposed to fall in love.
But when a haunting at her new home threatens her careful plans, she must seek help from the eccentric and brilliant and – much to her dismay – very handsome Professor Samuel Moore. Alva doesn’t need more complications in her life, especially not a convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, Sam is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history—and her heart.
2. Romantic horror books for adults
Ok, Mad As A Hatter by Kendra Moreno piqued my interest with her new take on the classic Alice In Wonderland story. I’m always on the lookout for a new romantic horror books for adults to devour.
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Clara spent her whole life-fighting in courtrooms for the downtrodden, the strange ones, and the abused. It’s only natural that when a man with rabbit ears on his head comes to see her, she doesn’t blink an eye… until he opens a portal and drags her to Wonderland.
But this isn’t the world she’s read about at home. This world has been twisted, and poisoned by none other than the Red Queen.
3. Gothic Regency romance book
Ruined by M.C. Frank caught my eye because it would seem it’s taken the standard gothic trope of the cursed male and flipped it on to the female M.C. This gothic regency romance book sounds like a doozy.
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He curses the day that brought the little governess, destitute and sad, at his door eight months ago, to upset his careless if a bit meaningless existence.
How could he have guessed the terrible, evil secrets she was hiding? And now that he knows all, the truth appears wilder, even more despicable than even he could have imagined. He hadn’t counted on losing his heart to her, of course, but he did.
What he doesn’t know is that a tendril of the shadows of madness and sin that followed Beatrice to his door is still out there, looking for something to devour.
The only one who can save him from the darkness is the girl herself, but he knows he’ll never see her again. He who once prided himself on his indifference to other human beings, feels his chest constrict with pain every time he even thinks of her.
4. Classic gothic romance novels
So The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V. Russell made me think of The Others, and now I have to add it to my TBR list. This classic gothic romance novel is a must-read.
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Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of her crumbling family home. She can hear the whispers of Kingswood Manor, her place of employment. She sees the watchers by the lake, black-eyed and waiting. But Broken Oak is silent. Broken Oak is empty.
5. Best gothic romance novels
The Vanishing At Castle Moreau by Jamie Jo Wright has all the classic gothic romance tropes we all love and more. Hands down one of the best gothic romance novels.
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A haunting legend. An ominous curse. A search for a secret buried deep within the castle walls.
6. Contemporary gothic romance books
So The House Of Lost Wives by Rebecca Hardy grabbed my attention right out of the gate. It gives contemporary gothic romance books for sure.
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1813. Lizzie’s beloved older sister Esme is sold in marriage to the aging Lord Blountford to settle their father’s debts. One year later, Esme is dead, and Lizzie is sent to take her place as Lord Blountford’s next wife.
Arriving at Ambletye Manor, Lizzie uncovers a twisted web of secrets, not least that she is to be the fifth mistress of this house. Marisa. Anne. Pansy. Esme. What happened to the four wives who came before her?
7. Steamy Victorian gothic romance novels
When Night The Night Closes In by Chasity Bowling snagged me with its Hellion series tag, and now I have to read them. Reviews all lean on the Victorian gothic romance novels side and I have to admit, I’m looking forward to reading it.
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Tess Parker has traveled far from London and the Darrow School to accept a position as companion to a frail, elderly woman. But Nightleigh House is not at all what she anticipated and her less than warm welcome by the master of the house, Maximillian Nightleigh, the Earl of Finmore, leaves her questioning that decision.
Immediately, it becomes apparent that there is more going on at Nightleigh House than meets the eye. Secrets. Unseen threats… and a chilling presence that leaves her both frightened and determined to discover the truth.
8. Dark paranormal gothic romance
Who doesn’t love a good paranormal gothic romance book? Lord Of Bones by Aiden and R.K. Pierce promises us that and much more.
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I slink through shadows and steal from the deceased. It’s my passion until I steal from Death himself… Then it becomes my curse.
I’m a prisoner in the realm of the dead, at the mercy of the beast who calls this labyrinthian castle home. The walls are alive, with shifting corridors and eyes that follow me everywhere. He’s given me three days to escape. Then I become his property forever.
But what happens—after everything—if I don’t want to escape his cruel love at all?
9. Gothic romance novels Goodreads
So The Death Of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling is a gothic romance novel Goodread’s favorite, and I have to agree. I will say, this goes quite deep into the science and occult world so brace yourself for that.
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Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Caitlin Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.
10. Gothic romance novella
Sometimes you just want a quick read. Bride Of The Haunted Manor not only promises you a gothic romance novella, but it also comes with a cult following.
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I thought I was taking just another caretaker job in a sprawling English estate. How wrong I was. The Blackwood manor harbors secrets, wrapped in whispers and tragic romance. My unique gift lets me speak to spirits, and I find myself in a love that transcends life and death. But there’s more than just love and loss in these walls—a sinister force is out to claim us all.
11. Gothic mystery romance novels
I love a good mental asylum backstory, so The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick is waiting for me to pick it up. A classic gothic mystery romance novel for sure.
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Millicent Foxboro is haunted. Not by ghosts, but by the anguish of her past and the uncertainty of her future. After all, even in the progressive year of 1928, most people would balk at hiring a woman who’d spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. So when an uncommon assistantship to a reclusive Professor of mythology falls into her lap with an ungodly salary attached, her desperation for stability overrides her cautious nature.
To Millie’s dismay, the widowed Professor Callum Hughes and his estate, Willowfield, are more than she bargained for. The once magnificent home, known for its sprawling gardens and dazzling parties, is falling to pieces after the death of the professor’s fragile wife. What’s more, the staff has been reduced to the only three people not frightened away by rumors of ghosts, leaving the halls empty and languishing in bitter memories.
12. Reverse harem gothic romance
So not going to lie, the cover art got me first. Heartless Heathens by Santana Knox gives us a reverse harem gothic romance mixed with Hunchback of Noterdom vibes and I’m curious to see where it goes.
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The girl who rings the bells up in the tower, the one who talks to gargoyles. Frollo’s secret
Then they showed up, those heathens. Outcasts, just like me. But these men aren’t just dangerous, they’re heartless. They won’t abide or bend to the rules of this deranged school and the secrets it keeps from the world. Now that they’ve found me, they may never let me go. And maybe I wouldn’t want them to…
13. Modern gothic romance novels
Fangs by Sarah Andersen is a little different from most modern gothic romance novels, but don’t let that stop you. If you’re looking to expand your gothic romance wings, this is a wonderful jumping-off point.
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Elsie the vampire is three hundred years old, but in all that time, she has never met her match. This all changes one night in a bar when she meets Jimmy, a charming werewolf with a wry sense of humor and a fondness for running wild during the full moon. Together they enjoy horror films and scary novels, shady strolls, fine dining (though never with garlic), and a genuine fondness for each other’s unusual habits, macabre lifestyles, and monstrous appetites.
14. Best gothic romance novels
I’ve just started listening to Assistant To The Villain by Hannah Maehrer, and it’s wonderful. One of the best gothic romance novels I’ve dived into this year. I’m a Disney Villain queen at heart, and this is perfection.
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With an ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.
15. Spooky gothic romance novels
So I’d like to thank B.R. Myers for writing The Dreadful Splendor, a steamy gothic romance novel, that kept me up half the night reading. It hooked me right from the first word.
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Soothing a grieving nobleman should be easy for someone of Genevieve’s skill, but when she arrives at the grand Somerset Park estate, Mr. Pemberton is not the heartbroken lover she expected. The surly—yet exceedingly handsome—gentleman is certain that his fiancée was murdered, even though there is no evidence. Only a confession can bring justice now, and Mr. Pemberton decides Genevieve will help him get it.
With his knowledge of the household and her talent for illusion, they can stage a haunting so convincing it will coax the killer into the light. However, when frightful incidents befall the manor, Genevieve realizes her tricks aren’t required after all. She may be a fake, but Somerset’s ghost could be all too real…
16. Horror dark romance books
It’s not a secret that I’m not a huge gothic romance anthology reader. But Eros and Thanatos caught my eye because of its darker romance themes. A must-read for those who ride the horror romance and gothic romance line.
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Freud once theorized that human beings are subject to two drives: love (Eros) and death (Thanatos). While his psychoanalytic theory has long been expanded upon, no one can argue how fundamental love and death are to our existence. Within this collection are twelve stories that explore the fine line between these concepts
17. 80s gothic paranormal romance book
So I suppose it’s nostalgia but I’ve been heavily attracted to works set in the 80s of late. Grove Hollow by Shelby McFadden gives us a Gothic Paranormal Romance Novel and so much more with this gem.
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The year is 1985, and eighteen-year-old Jade Whitney is about to discover her family holds a secret that will change her life forever. Jade moves into her family’s grand, gilded mansion with her Great Aunt Ruth, where she begins to uncover the scandalous history of her affluent ancestors.
When Jade finds a cursed locket connected to a ghost named William, her life turns in an unexpected direction. While aiding Will in his quest to cross into the afterlife, Jade discovers a deep connection between them that goes far beyond what she could ever imagine.
18. Vampire gothic romance book
This one is for all the vampire gothic romance book lovers out here. Blood Orange by Karina Halle is the first in a series that takes the classic love tale of Dracula and flips it on its head, in the best ways.
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Dahlia Abernathy has only known revenge. When her parents were killed at an early age by vampires, Dahlia spent the rest of her life under the thumb of the Witch’s Guild being trained to kill them. Her latest mission sends her undercover to a prestigious music academy in Venice, Italy. Her goal? To kill Professor Valtu Aminoff, her teacher and the notorious vampire who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
But getting close to a dangerous vampire like Professor Aminoff is one thing. Falling for him is another. With Dahlia’s appearance disguised under a glamor spell, Valtu has no idea that the woman who has become his new dark obsession is the reincarnation of the woman he loved and lost twice before.
And Dahlia doesn’t remember that the very man she has been sent to kill is the love of her life.
19. Classic gothic romance novels
The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons is on my cozy winter reading and classic gothic romance novels lists for the quiet months. We get a fictional dive into the women who are our heroes in the horror world.
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Follow the captivating journey of Matilda, a young and courageous heroine, as she runs from her abusive uncle and finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and peril. Finding refuge in an eerie castle haunted by a tragic past, Matilda’s life takes a sinister turn. As she unravels the secrets concealed within the castle’s walls, she uncovers chilling family secrets, and forbidden romances and encounters a malevolent presence that threatens her very existence.
20. Spicy horror romance books
Raise your hand if the Headless Horseman is one of your favorite villains like myself. Hollow by Karina Halle takes this classic gothic story and puts an entirely new gothic romance vibe to it.
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Determined to get to the bottom of the murders and Brom’s volatility, Crane takes Brom under his wing to study him, and they begin to grow close, just as they do with Kat. But the more that the threesome submits to their sexual desires on the path to the truth, the more dangerous Sleepy Hollow becomes. The Headless Horseman might claim them as his next victims…if something even more terrifying doesn’t get to them first.
21. Classic gothic romance novels
Carmilla by J. Sheridan LeFanu is a gothic romance classic that you should read if you haven’t. Bear in mind it was composed in the 1800s so, you’ve been warned.
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Narrated by a young woman preyed upon by a female vampire named Carmilla. The character is a prototypical example of a lesbian vampire, expressing romantic desires toward the protagonist. The novella notably never acknowledges homosexuality as an antagonistic trait, leaving it subtle and relatively unmentioned. The story is often anthologized and has been adapted many times in film and other media.
22. Best romantic horror books
Solita by Vivien Rainn may just be the best romantic horror book of the year for me. I love the fact that we are staged in a new trope with a whole new vibe to play with.
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The Hacienda Espinosa, a yawning, black-wooded beast of a mansion nestled in the jungles of the Philippines’ Palawan Island, a house that offers Sadie nothing but a perpetual reminder of what once was, what can never be again. She is alone, save for the sound of her own lonely, broken heartbeat—that is until the day she hears another.
And it’s coming from beneath the floorboards.
This post was all about 22 gothic romance books or horror romance books to warm your little undead heart.
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