Best Villain Antihero Romance Books

They're the bad guy. You're rooting for them anyway. Villain and antihero romance books feature protagonists on the wrong side of morality who love with terrifying intensity. Dark, complex, and addictive -- browse our collection of the most compelling villain love stories.

They're not good people -- and they know it. But something about one person makes them want to be better, or at least burn the world down for them.

Assistant to the Villain

Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Villain Antihero Workplace Romance Slow Burn

Hunting Adeline

H.D. Carlton

Bodyguard Protector Forced Proximity Rescue

Corrupt

Penelope Douglas

Enemies to Lovers Forced Proximity Morally Gray

Throne of the Fallen

Kerri Maniscalco

Enemies to Lovers Forbidden Love Slow Burn

Revenge

Debra Webb

Childhood Sweethearts Villain Antihero Revenge

The Story of Awkward

R.K. Ryals

Sister's Best Friend Villain Antihero Fantasy / Fae

Dark Inheritance

Roberta Leigh

Inheritance Clause Morally Gray Villain Antihero

Heir to a Dark Inheritance

Maisey Yates

Inheritance Clause Morally Gray Villain Antihero

DARK

Aleatha Romig

He Falls First Morally Gray Villain Antihero

Veiled Truths - A Dark Romance

A. M. Kusi

Morally Gray Villain Antihero

The Anti-Hero in the American Novel

D. Simmons

Morally Gray Villain Antihero

The Anti-hero

Lilian R. Furst, James Darrell Wilson

Morally Gray Villain Antihero

Heart of Darkness - A Bad Boy Romance Novel

Gabi Moore

Reformed Bad Boy Morally Gray Villain Antihero

Postfeminism and Contemporary Vampire Romance

Lea Gerhards

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

10 Steps To Hero - How To Craft A Kickass Protagonist

Sacha Black

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

How to Write Romantasy

Jenna Moreci

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

The Construction of Character A Wait, Wait, Don't Query (Yet!) Book

Elena Hartwell

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

Ruthless Demon King

Nikki St. Crowe

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

The Villain

Bella J

Villain Antihero Morally Gray

The Villain

L. J. Shen

Villain Antihero Morally Gray

Poets and the Peacock Dinner

Lucy McDiarmid

Villain Antihero Strangers to Lovers

Darkmoon

Christine Pope

Witchy Morally Gray Villain Antihero

When Darkness Whispers

Lisa Carlisle

Witchy Morally Gray Villain Antihero

Darkness Rising (a gothic vampire story)

Lisa Carlisle

Witchy Morally Gray Villain Antihero

A Wicked Sea

Em Brown

Pirate Rescue Morally Gray

Rust and Steam

Anne Renwick

Steampunk Athlete Morally Gray

Frequently Asked Questions

What is villain antihero romance?

They're not good people — and they know it. But something about one person makes them want to be better, or at least burn the world down for them. Villain Antihero romance is one of the most searched-for tropes in the genre, loved for its unique emotional arc and satisfying payoffs.

Who are the best villain antihero romance authors?

Penelope Douglas, Rina Kent, and L.J. Shen write captivating villain romances. Morally bankrupt protagonists who love with terrifying intensity -- you root for them anyway.

What's the difference between villain antihero and morally gray romance?

Villain/antihero romances feature characters who are clearly on the wrong side -- they know it and own it. Morally gray characters live in ambiguity -- they're not evil but not purely good either. Villains have embraced their darkness; morally gray characters are still negotiating with theirs.