Top College Dark Romance Books That Get Extra Credit
College is often the perfect setting for love stories that break all the rules. Between elite universities, powerful secret societies, and dangerous romances that thrive in the shadows, college dark romance takes readers deep into a world of obsession, revenge, and passion. These stories don’t play it safe—every vow has a price, every secret can destroy, and every love story is forged in fire. Here are the best college dark romance books that deserve a spot on your shelf.
The Legacy of Gods Series by Rina Kent
Rina Kent’s Legacy of Gods series is one of the most popular in dark romance, tying into her Royal Elite and Mafia World books. Each installment explores power, obsession, and love against the backdrop of college life.
In God of Malice, Killian Carson becomes the monster you can’t escape, while God of Pain pairs mafia princess Annika Volkov with brooding fighter Creighton King. God of Wrath follows Jeremy Volkov, who proves charm often hides something far more dangerous, and God of Ruin throws genius artist Landon King into a revenge-fueled obsession. God of Fury stands out as a powerful MM romance with mafia heir Nikolai Sokolov, and God of War unravels an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers marriage of convenience.
The L.O.R.D.S. Series by Shantel Tessier
At Barrington University, the Lords control everything. Bound by blood vows and ruthless traditions, they rule through manipulation, violence, and power.
The Ritual introduces Ryat Alexander Archer and the dark initiation into this secret world. The Sinner and The Sacrifice push further into obsession and revenge, while Sabotage takes a toxic stepbrother dynamic to extremes. Carnage explores the Spade brothers’ prison for disgraced Lords, and Madness brings betrayal, secrets, and forbidden passion to the forefront. This series is addictive, shocking, and perfect for readers who love dark societies and unholy vows.
The Hollow Boys Series by Monty Jay
Monty Jay creates a haunting gothic atmosphere with The Hollow Boys, set at Hollow Heights University in the eerie town of Ponderosa Springs.
The story begins with The Lies We Steal, where love blooms amidst monsters and vengeance. In The Truths We Burn, manipulation and police investigations heat up, while The Blood We Crave parts one and two dive into obsession and violence against the backdrop of a copycat killer. Finally, The Oath We Give returns to Ponderosa Springs for unfinished revenge, testing loyalty and love in devastating ways.
The Crooked Sinners Series by Callie Hart
Set in the elite Wolf Hall Academy, Callie Hart’s Crooked Sinners series revolves around the notorious Riot House boys, wealthy, ruthless, and morally bankrupt.
Riot House introduces Elodie Stillwater, thrown into the predators’ world. Riot Rules explores temptation and destruction through forbidden attraction, and Riot Act is the explosive finale to the Riot House arc. Riot Reunion then brings the characters back together after graduation, proving the past never really stays buried.
The Devil’s Night Series by Penelope Douglas
A cult favorite of the genre, Penelope Douglas’s Devil’s Night series defines college dark romance. Known for its masked anti-heroes and unforgettable villains, it’s dark, twisted, and unforgettable.
It begins with Corrupt, where Michael Crist’s obsession with Rika ignites the infamous Devil’s Night. Hideaway continues with Kai Mori and Banks, while Kill Switch cements Damon Torrance as one of the most iconic anti-heroes in dark romance. The series expands with Conclave, Nightfall, and the holiday novella Fire Night, each deepening the intensity of this shadowy world.
The Hockey Gods Series by S. Massery
Sports romance takes a darker turn in S. Massery’s Hockey Gods series, where university hockey players blur the line between obsession and destruction.
Brutal Obsession kicks things off with Greyson Devereux, a menace both on and off the ice. Devious Obsession pushes stepbrother tension to the edge, while Secret Obsession explores possessive love with a teammate’s brother. Twisted Obsession adds amnesia and forbidden attraction, and Fierce Obsession throws readers into a toxic marriage that refuses to end.
The Diamond Devils Series by Harmony West
Harmony West delivers masked men, revenge, and obsession in her Diamond Devils series.
If You Dare begins with punishment after tragedy, Drown in You builds on forbidden online secrets, and Devil You Know gives readers a psycho Romeo and Juliet romance. Die for You then raises the stakes in a dark, “why choose” romance perfect for fans of multiple love interests.
The Losers Duet by Harley Laroux
Harley Laroux combines taboo, obsession, and BDSM in The Losers Duet.
It begins with the prequel novella The Dare, where one reckless game changes everything. Losers: Part I reunites Jessica Martin with the men she once tormented, and Losers: Part II explores what happens when a game becomes something much deeper and much darker.
Sick Boys (Spine Ridge University) by Clarissa Wild
Clarissa Wild’s Sick Boys takes reverse harem dark romance to university. After the loss of her sister, the heroine’s path to revenge collides with three vicious members of the Skull & Serpent Society, leading to a corrupt, obsessive, and deadly romance.
Nocticadia by Keri Lake
This standalone gothic dark academia romance is set at the eerie Dracadia University, where secrets are buried with the dead. The forbidden attraction between a student and her enigmatic professor, known as Doctor Death, creates a haunting story of desire, redemption, and toxic obsession.
The Obsidian Order Duet by Morgan Bridges
Morgan Bridges blends obsession and power with the Obsidian Order Duet.
In Vicious Secret, Xavier claims Delilah as his bride within a deadly society, while Vicious Society continues the battle between loyalty and love, pushing both characters to their limits. It’s a sharp, dangerous duet full of secret trials and morally gray intensity.
The Highgate Preparatory Academy Series by Rosa Lee
Rosa Lee’s Highgate Prep blends rich boy dynamics, gothic tension, and poly romance.
The prequel Hunted lays the groundwork, while Captured throws Lilly into the arms of the Black Knights. Bound tests loyalty and love through marriage vows, and Released closes the series with blood, betrayal, and the bonds that can’t be broken.
College dark romance thrives on secrets, power, and passion. Whether it’s the masked chaos of Penelope Douglas’s Devil’s Night, the haunting world of Monty Jay’s Hollow Boys, or the mafia heirs in Rina Kent’s Legacy of Gods, these books prove that love is never simple and obsession is often inevitable. If you’re ready for stories that break boundaries, these are the dark college romances that get extra credit.
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