Rina Kent’s Best Books: Top 10 Dark Romances You Need on Your Bookshelf
Rina Kent is a bestselling dark romance author, known for her compelling morally grey men and intricate, interconnected series. With so many releases and a dedicated reading order (click here for details), it can be hard to keep track of all her works. Her stories are set in a fully immersive "Rina-verse," and fans have fallen in love with the characters that inhabit it. From the explosive beginning of the Royal Elite series to her latest releases with the next generation in Legacy of Gods, her books span a rich landscape of dark romances. Whether it’s the elite world or the gritty mafia side, her stories are packed with enemies-to-lovers drama, amnesia tropes, forbidden love, age gaps, and jaw-dropping twists. But which of her books truly stand out? Here are the top ten Rina Kent novels that will take you on an unforgettable ride—some of these choices may surprise you!
In this dark bully romance trilogy, Aiden King, the ruthless villain of Royal Elite School, has his sights set on Elsa, and he's determined to destroy her. With a heart as black as his soul, Aiden drags Elsa into his dangerous world, where one wrong move could mean her downfall. But what happens when hate transforms into something much more dangerous—desire? A deadly game of power, control, and twisted attraction unfolds in this unforgettable enemies-to-lovers story.
Forbidden love and devastating secrets collide in the sixth book of the Royal Elite series. Cole is untouchable, dangerous, and should stay far away from Silver. But their magnetic connection pulls them into a forbidden relationship—one that is as passionate as it is destructive. When step-sibling boundaries are crossed, nothing is off-limits in this dark bully romance full of temptation, betrayal, and heartache.
3. Jonathan & Aurora – The Kingdom Duet
(Dark Romance – Age Gap, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance)
Powerful, ruthless, and untouchable—Jonathan King is a man to be feared. But when Aurora steps into his life to protect her business from his grip, sparks fly in this intense age-gap, enemies-to-lovers story. He’s her dead sister’s husband, and their connection is as forbidden as it is irresistible. As Aurora declares war on the king of darkness, she’s forced to face his obsessive desire to conquer not just her body but her heart. This dark, forbidden romance will leave you breathless.
4. Sebastian & Naomi – The Thorns Duet
(Dark College Romance, Taboo, Duet)
Naomi’s world is turned upside down when she encounters Sebastian, a dangerous, enigmatic figure with secrets that cut deeper than thorns. In this dark college romance, the lines between right and wrong blur, and taboos are broken. Their relationship is fraught with tension, forbidden attraction, and a magnetic pull that neither of them can deny. This duet will have you hooked from the start with its suspense, passion, and shocking twists.
5. Kyle & Rai – Throne Duet
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In the world of mafia power struggles and arranged marriages, Kyle and Rai's story is one of revenge, loyalty, and forbidden passion. This mafia romance follows the fiery clash between two characters who are forced together by circumstances beyond their control. Their arranged marriage is filled with tension, betrayal, and a dangerous attraction that could ignite a war. Will they fight each other, or will they burn together?
6. Adrian & Lia – The Deception Trilogy
(Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Suspenseful)
Deception, betrayal, and the raw intensity of mafia life drive the story of Adrian and Lia in this dark, suspenseful trilogy. Lia enters Adrian's world without knowing just how far he’ll go to keep her there. Twists, lies, and dangerous secrets unravel as their romance deepens. Caught in a web of mafia intrigue, Lia must decide if she can survive Adrian’s dark world—or if she’ll be consumed by it.
7. Kirill & Aleksandra – Monster Trilogy
(Dark Mafia Romance, Age Gap, Slow Burn)
This dark mafia romance is a slow-burn tale of power and seduction. Kirill is a monster in every sense of the word, while Aleksandra is determined to resist his dangerous allure. Age gaps and power imbalances add to the tension as Aleksandra is drawn deeper into Kirill’s world, where love and danger go hand in hand. Their story is one of obsession, control, and a love that burns slowly but fiercely.
8. Killian & Glyndon – God of Malice
(Book 1 of the Legacy of Gods Series – Dark College Romance, Psychopath x Good Girl, Boy Obsessed)
Killian is a psychopath, and Glyndon is the good girl who unwittingly captures his dark attention in this intense dark college romance. As their worlds collide, Killian becomes obsessed with Glyndon, determined to own her in every way. This first book in the Legacy of Gods series delivers a twisted love story filled with psychological mind games, dark desires, and a toxic, yet irresistible, romance.
9. Creighton & Annika – God of Pain
(Book 2 of the Legacy of Gods Series – Dark College Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity)
Creighton is the brooding, grumpy bad boy, while Annika is the sunshine he never expected. When forced proximity pulls these two together, their explosive chemistry takes over in this dark college romance. Annika’s light-hearted nature clashes with Creighton’s dark, tormented soul, and their push-pull relationship will have you rooting for them as they navigate a love that burns as hot as their tempers.
10. Nikolai & Brandon – God of Fury
(Book 5 of the Legacy of Gods Series – Dark College Romance, MM Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine)
In this intense MM dark college romance, Nikolai and Brandon are opposites in every sense—Nikolai is cold and calculating, while Brandon is all heart and warmth. But when these two are forced together, their connection sparks a passionate, enemies-to-lovers romance. As they confront their differences and embrace their undeniable chemistry, their journey is full of heart-stopping moments, angst, and emotional depth.
Explore Rina Kents reading order here
Explore Rina Kents books here