10 Dark Romantasy Books with Wickedly Good Enemies-to-Lovers

There’s nothing quite as delicious as tension-filled banter, blood-stained loyalty, and a romance that burns slow but hits hard. If you're into morally gray love interests, twisted fates, and worlds full of shadows and seduction — this list of dark romantasy books with enemies-to-lovers vibes will absolutely ruin you (in the best way).

These reads are perfect for fans of ACOTAR, The Shadows Between Us, or anything involving sharp tongues, sharper blades, and even sharper cheekbones.

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

Trope Tags: Fae, Enemies to Lovers, Beauty & the Beast Retelling, Slow Burn
Feyre’s journey into the Spring Court is the start of a spiral into love, war, and fae politics — but it’s her fiery tension with a certain dark-haired High Lord that makes this book a romantasy staple.

2. The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Trope Tags: Vampires, Competitions, Found Family, Forbidden Romance
Oraya is human in a world ruled by vampires, and she must fight in a deadly tournament to survive. Her alliance with Raihn, a mysterious rival, ignites a romance full of danger and betrayal.

3. The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Trope Tags: Villain Romance, Political Intrigue, Dark Fantasy
Alessandra has a plan: seduce the Shadow King, marry him, then kill him. But he might have plans of his own. A quick, sharp standalone that delivers sass, darkness, and sizzling chemistry.

4. King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

Trope Tags: Arranged Marriage, Vampires, Enemies to Lovers
Isolde marries the vampire king to secure peace — but hatred turns to desire, and secrets turn to war. Dark, spicy, and full of power struggles

5. To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker

Trope Tags: Dark Fairytales, Age Gap, Protective Antihero
A twisted Rapunzel retelling with emotional trauma, slow-burn obsession, and gothic beauty. If you like your romance brooding and your love interests broken, this is for you.

6. Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross (Book 2 of Divine Rivals)

Trope Tags: Star-Crossed, War-Torn Romance, Enemies to Lovers
Set in a magical, WWI-inspired world, Iris and Roman are caught in a war between gods and mortals — but their romance, born of rivalry and misunderstanding, hits every emotional note.

7. A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

Trope Tags: Fae Marriage, Hidden Magic, Forced Proximity
Luella is taken to marry the Elf King, but her hatred and fear quickly unravel into something much more tangled. Perfect for fans of fae lore and sweet-burn romances.

8. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

Trope Tags: Assassin Wife, Spy vs. Spy, Enemies to Lovers
Lara is trained to infiltrate and destroy a rival kingdom — but she didn’t expect to fall for the enemy king. Full of twists, betrayals, and fierce longing.

9. A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker

Trope Tags: Magic Awakening, Memory Loss, Hidden Identity
A thief is pulled into a realm of royalty, power, and a deadly prince who believes she murdered his family. Their dynamic? Untrusting, intense, and undeniably electric.

10. These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan

Trope Tags: Fae Courts, Betrayal, Spicy Triangle
A girl caught between two fae princes, each with their own agendas. One is kind, the other is cruel — and neither tells the truth. Which will she trust? Which will she love?