Dark romance is having a moment, not only in contemporary mafia and motorcycle novels, but also in fantasy stories. Readers are falling hard for morally gray, dangerous, or—my personal favorite—monstrous love interests. But why are we so drawn to these terrifying figures? Understanding the psychology behind a dark love interest is the first step to writing one that resonates. Or, to quote a favorite meme: If villain, why hot?

At its core, the dark love interest offers something incredibly primal: adrenaline-fueled desire. Love becomes dangerous, not just emotionally, but sometimes physically. That doesn’t necessarily mean the love interest is abusive. In fact, danger often comes from the world around them.

Consider mafia romance. The love interest would do anything to protect the main character, but his enemies see her as his weakness. Loving him is a risk, but it’s ultimately a risk she chooses.

That said, there are dark romances focused on toxicity and cruelty. But let’s learn how to walk before we run. 

Before dark romance is graphic or chaotic, it is thrilling. Dark romance appeals to readers for the same reason haunted houses, ghost stories, and roller coasters do. We want the thrill. A brush with danger. We yearn to be scared, but on our terms. You might crave the rush of going 100mph, but real life comes with laws and consequences. A roller coaster, like a great book, lets you feel that rush in a safe space. 

Though dark romances still require a happily ever after, it often takes a lot of sacrifice to get there. This is why trauma often plays a big role. The dark love interest often has a brutal past, and watching them choose love despite their pain is incredibly cathartic. The same is true when the main character grows stronger through the relationship, not in spite of it. A heroine is not just surviving the darkness; she’s wielding it. She might represent the love interest’s last spark of humanity, while he becomes the catalyst for her self-actualization. Darkness becomes empowering. 

Some dark romance hallmarks: violence, blurring of consent, power imbalances, possessiveness, abduction, and moral ambiguity 

Common sub-genres: mafia, motorcycles, bully, serial killer, monster/paranormal, alpha male, and stalker.   

Trendy examples: Tax (Debt), Alex (Twisted Love), Blackwell (Phantasma)

Brooding can’t just be a vibe. It needs to have purpose. If there’s no growth or emotional depth, it will come across as reader manipulation or—worse—trauma/abuse justification. A dark love interest needs clear inner conflict, and that conflict must test (not erase) the protagonist’s values. 

In my own writing, I love exploring love interests who walk the line between monstrous and selfless. My current WIP—a twisty demon romantasy—leans into this dynamic hard. My characters are torn between duty, vengeance, and a fragile tenderness they weren’t supposed to feel. In another project, my monstrous heroine falls for someone who reflects both her deepest fear and her fiercest hope. Their love doesn’t fix them, but it does change what they’re willing to sacrifice and fight for.  

Now tell me: Have you ever written a dark love interest before? Who’s your favorite dark love interest and why? 

~SAT