Book picks similar to
Dark Sonata (Elysium #1) by Claire Marta


contemporary
dark-romance
paranormal
01-books

Off Balance


Jay Hogan - 2020
    Not to Painted Bay. Not to his family’s struggling mussel farm. Not to his jerk of a brother. Not with his entire life plan in shreds. And certainly not into the tempting arms of MORGAN WIPENE, the older, ruggedly handsome fisheries officer who seems determined to screw with Judah’s intention to wallow in peace.But dreams are fickle things. Shatter them and it’s hard to pick up the pieces. Hard to believe. Hard to start again.But the hardest thing of all? Finding the courage to trust in love and build a new dream where you least expected it.

Ignite (Set on Fire #1)


Rebecca James - 2021
    And although he knows it's going to be difficult to go back to the real world, he can't help but get a little lost in the act. Funny thing is, before this trip Luca would have sworn he knew everything about his best friend. But before they leave Miami, Michael reveals something that Luca never expected.Tropes: Fake boyfriend, friends-to-lovers, bi-discovery, virgin, tall/short.

Little Slice of Hell


Clio Evans - 2021
    Thousands of years of seduction and power, and he still can’t fill the hole in his heart.When the Barista sets Dante up with a human named Peter, he realizes that he’s never wanted anyone else more. Peter is resistant though, especially when it comes to the L word.Dante has his work cut out for him if he’s going to finally get his own little slice of hell.This novella has the following:Hot MONSTER ScenesSpecial package….Fated Mates LoveBDSMSword CrossingAnd more ;)The Creature Cafe Series follows the Barista and who he matchmakes. Each book will have a different monster finding their true love, tons of spicy scenes, and special *ahem* appendages. Follow Clio Evans on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok to stay up to date on monster related shenanigans

Priest


Amy Thorn - 2022
    I rule my patch with an iron fist that keeps our enemies at bay. When I’m taken captive by Hades Outlaws, I’m sure I’m as good as dead. I didn’t expect help from an unlikely source.Nico is a prospect. He should be seen and not heard. Yet he’s risking his neck to save my life. Going against his club is a death sentence, but he’s determined to get me out of Hades compound. I didn’t expect to fall for him along the way. Now, my saviour is also the man I want.NicoI’m a pariah in my club. Hades Outlaws will never respect me. When they capture Priest I know it’s the end for us. His brothers will burn our clubhouse to the ground. I have one chance to be free from Hades—save a man who is supposed to be my enemy. When I look at Priest I don’t see a devil in leather and denim. I see my salvation.

Mr Nice Guy (Hot Boy Summer)


Joe Satoria - 2021
    Man shows Boy what he's been missing. A daddy.Broke student, Dorian Lanter, is pet sitting for his aunt in Spain. That's where he spies a man undressing from the balcony. Does he dare take a closer look?Nearing forty, Roscoe Stone trains hard and keeps himself harder. He doesn't mind being watched, even by the guy in Mrs Gould's apartment. Can he entice him over?A virgin desperate to find love. A Daddy searching for passion. Can they find what they're looking for in each other? Or will it all be too much?MR NICE GUY is an age gap gay romance with light bedroom age play. HEA. This is a standalone book in the Hot Boy Summer age gap romance series.

In Another Life (Heartwarming)


Cardeno C. - 2012
    He no longer has the energy to deal with mean classmates, inner doubt, and fear of familial rejection, so he takes a razor to his wrist. When he wakes up in the hospital, Shiloh meets Travis Kahn, the EMT who saved him and didn’t leave his side.Travis is handsome, smart, and funny—the type of guy Shiloh would never be brave enough to approach. But his near-death experience has an unusual side effect: the life that flashed before his eyes wasn’t the one he had already lived, but rather the one he could live. With visions of a future by Travis’s side, Shiloh will find the strength to confront his fears and build a life worth fighting for.Word Count: 18,388Edition: 2ndA story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar collection Heartwarming.

Lars


Aleksandr Voinov - 2016
    But being on his own sucks. So when he finally meets a mixed group of other queer witches and magick-users, it’s like finding family. If family involved exploring past lives and casting spells.Rhys Turner quit a stressful job in the City after his high-strung boyfriend of six years walked out. He sold the expensive flat in central London and bought a run-down house out in the suburbs. Never mind that it needs walls knocked down, its garden landscaped, and what the hell is up with that carpet?With his health failing, Rhys is desperate for a clean slate and a new start. He isn’t ready to fall in love with anybody, least of all the hunky builder who looks like he’s stepped out of a TV show about Vikings—tattoos, long hair, and all. But as strong and loyal as Lars is, he also has a very soft heart, which might be the hardest thing for Rhys to resist.Note: This is a 73,000-word novel.

Need Her: A BBW Romance


Kate Hunt - 2022
    

Claiming Marcus


Jocelynn Drake - 2019
    But nothing prepared me for Marcus Varik.Tall, dark, and mind-numbingly sexy.But he’s also shy, protective, and adorably eccentric.Oh God, I should have never agreed to betray him. Hopefully, it's not too late to fix my mistake before I lose more people I love. Claiming Marcus is the first book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a raven named Ozzie.

The Manny: Gay Romance


Beau Brown - 2021
    He’s done his time and has worked hard to keep his nose clean ever since. He keeps out of other people’s business and he expects the same in return.When a family tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take in his late, estranged, sister’s five-year-old daughter. Jack doesn’t know the first thing about kids. He’s never even met his niece until now because she was raised in another state. His future plans didn’t include children, but now he’s stuck with a kid.For the first time in a long time, he has to ask for help. Even if he could connect with his grieving niece, Mia, he lacks the desire. However, whether he wants to be close to the child or not, he’s legally responsible for her safekeeping. Since he can’t emotionally give Mia what she needs, he decides to hire a professional.Thomas Andrews is a carefree soul who adores children and believes in helping others. He loves his job as a manny and is thrilled to help bring happiness to Mia’s world. What he doesn’t expect is to butt heads with Jack as often as he does. Jack’s cold hands-off approach to caring for Mia irks Thomas more than he can say.But Thomas being Thomas, he can’t hold his tongue, and his criticisms don’t go over well with his new employer. What really has Thomas mystified is why he cares so much what Jack thinks, or why he feels attracted to the surly man. He knows he should just collect his generous paycheck and keep his mouth shut.With someone as opinionated as Thomas, that’s easier said than done.

Chaos Magic


Jay Lygon - 2007
    Running from abusive ex-lover Marcus, the God of Fear, Sam finds himself in the arms of the hottest man to step foot into his life: Hector. Hector proves to be the Daddy Sam needs and wants, but the road is a very rocky and often terrifying one. As Marcus digs his claws deeper into Sam, it threatens to tear everything Sam and Hector have built together apart.

The Secret Billionaire


Jason Collins - 2020
    Money isn’t who I am, so when I finally use a dating app, I make up a fake “me” with no strings attached. But when I meet Jacob, the spark between us is real.He’s the only man I want, but the closer we grow, the higher the risk he’ll find out I’m not the man he’s falling in love with. Worse, Jacob would never date a rich guy, and with good reason—but that doesn’t change who I am. And who I am could tear us apart when he finds out.He can’t fall in love with a lie.JACOB:I don’t date rich, and I don’t date risky.Another wealthy guy in my life is the last thing I need. My affluent boss used his power to harass me, and now I’m knees-deep in a lawsuit. But when a friend signs me up for the dating app Matched, I don’t exactly back out, and before I know it, I’m matched with Ben.Our date lasts until sunrise, and I know I’ve got to see Ben again. Feelings form fast, and I can’t keep my mind off him—or what he might be hiding from me. I can’t shake this bad feeling, and the more Ben hides, the more I’m worried there’s a dark secret that could pull us apart.Who am I really falling in love with?

Unearthed


Kora Knight - 2016
    The most powerful force in existence, but also the most ruthless. Cunning and deceptive. Man’s greatest Achilles heel. Leaving all who embrace it weak and vulnerable. At least that’s how Dom-for-hire Max Kelley sees it, after the love of his life knocked him on his ass. A brutal blow that not only stole his breath, but decimated his ability to trust. Turning him cold and cynical. The TKO he never saw coming. Love. A mistake Max won’t ever make again. Meaning no more relationships—not exactly a hardship. Just the thought of dating makes him queasy, and one of the reasons he doms for a living. To sexually engage without the poison of intimacy. The other reason? To keep his demons sated. With whips and chains, and scandalous kink. A fiery mix that always hits the spot. That is, until a bright-eyed beauty walks into his life and refuses to leave. Sean Matthews. College senior and flirt extraordinaire. Max’s newest—and greenest—client sub. Man, is he delicious; able to push Max’s buttons, able to make him crave the things he knows he shouldn’t. Sound the alarm, this can only mean trouble. Unfortunately, deterring Sean proves virtually impossible, and now Max finds himself at a crossroads. Man up and kick his favorite sub to the curb… or succumb to his own caged desires. ** Warning: Contains references to sensitive matters involving teens, as well as mentions pertaining to child abuse, that some might find disturbing.This BDSM romance also contains intensely explicit scenes both inside and out of the dungeon.** Note from the author: While this duology can be considered a stand alone, I highly recommend readers visit the prior series (Upending Tad: A Journey of Erotic Discovery) first for two reasons: It was the chemistry of Tad and Scott that started it all and won these books such a devoted following. But also, the love interests in Unearthed (Max and Sean) were first featured in the previously mentioned series, giving the reader a unique first impression of them from Tad and Scott's POV. Most readers would agree that Max definitely made his mark in a very striking way long before Unearthed ever came to be.

These Vile Secrets


C.E. Ricci - 2021
    Secrets. Betrayal.Knowing the number of people I can trust is limited.Not uncommon for an heir to the key of Enclave.I should understand it. Be used to it. Expect it.But somehow I’m still blindsided when I find I’ve dedicated my life to a lie.To what extent is the proof of our sins buried? I’m not sure.Only as more time passes, I’m worried I’ll never learn fact from fiction.It’s why I’m taking my place within our brotherhood.Not out of obligation, but as a cover to get what I desperately need.The truth.The only thing standing in my way?A six-foot asshole in Armani with sapphire eyes and a heart of ice and stone.He despises me on principle alone.He’s a distraction I crave but can’t afford.Yet I doubt the hatred he carries is actually for me.Which makes me want to melt his cold, callous demeanor more.And when I catch a glimpse beneath the surface,I find I’m not the only one searching for answers to unspoken questions.Or keeping secrets.**These Vile Secrets is an enemies-to-lovers MM romance and is the first book of five in the Enclave series.This is a true series and must be read in order.This is Roman's story.This is diving into dark romance and there will be triggering content.

Resolution (Hot Holidays Novellas)


Jayda Marx - 2021