Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton, try Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton, Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, Corrupt by Penelope Douglas, God of Malice by Rina Kent, You by Caroline Kepnes and, for gothic chills without explicit content, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Haunting Adeline follows Adeline Reilly, a mystery writer who moves into her great-grandmother’s gothic manor and discovers she’s being watched by a dangerous stalker. It’s dark romance, a genre that deliberately explores disturbing themes, and it contains explicit sex, violence and serious trauma, including trafficking. This list is for adult readers who already know they enjoy that genre. We’ve also added gothic and psychological thrillers that share the creepy atmosphere without explicit content.
Table of Contents
Why Readers Love Haunting Adeline
Readers who love Haunting Adeline say it is unlike anything else they’ve read. H.D. Carlton builds a spooky atmosphere around the old manor, Adeline’s family secrets and a hidden diary, and pairs it with a morally black hero. The second book, Hunting Adeline, shifts to a trafficking storyline and a rescue mission. Many readers find the book shocking, and the author includes long content warnings. That intensity is exactly what dark romance fans want, but it’s important to read the warnings first.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick below shares at least one thing readers loved about Haunting Adeline: its characters, its mood, its setting or the questions it raises. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious choices, and we noted the genre and who each book suits best in the table, so you can scan for the right fit before you read the blurbs.
We kept every description spoiler-free and flagged mature content where it matters, since some of these books are written for adults and others suit teens. If you’re not sure where to start, the tips near the end of this list match each pick to what you loved most. The FAQ at the bottom answers the questions readers ask most often.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Heat Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting Adeline | H.D. Carlton | Very explicit, dark | Finishing the duet |
| Butcher and Blackbird | Brynne Weaver | Very explicit, dark | Dark romance with humor |
| Corrupt | Penelope Douglas | Very explicit, dark | Revenge and Halloween vibes |
| God of Malice | Rina Kent | Very explicit, dark | Morally gray college heroes |
| Den of Vipers | K.A. Knight | Very explicit, dark | Readers who want extreme dark romance |
| You | Caroline Kepnes | Explicit language, some sex | The stalker’s point of view |
| Rebecca | Daphne du Maurier | None | Gothic manors |
| Mexican Gothic | Silvia Moreno-Garcia | Mild | Creepy houses |
| The Never King | Nikki St. Crowe | Very explicit, dark | Dark fairy tales |
| Twisted Love | Ana Huang | Steamy | Lighter brooding heroes |
| Captive in the Dark | C.J. Roberts | Very explicit, dark | Classic dark romance |
| Hooked | Emily McIntire | Spicy, dark themes | Villain retellings |
| The Haunting of Hill House | Shirley Jackson | None | Classic haunted houses |
| Verity | Colleen Hoover | Explicit | Dark thrillers |
| Credence | Penelope Douglas | Very explicit, dark | Isolated settings |
1. Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
The second book follows Zade’s rescue mission after Adeline is taken. It’s even darker, with heavy trafficking content.
2. Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Two serial killers who hunt other killers start a competition and fall for each other. It’s gory but funny.
3. Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
A girl is targeted by three masked boys seeking revenge. It starts the Devil’s Night series.
4. God of Malice by Rina Kent
A college student draws the dangerous attention of a cruel heir. It starts the Legacy of Gods series.
5. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
A woman is given to a group of mafia men as payment. It’s extreme and for experienced dark romance readers.
6. You by Caroline Kepnes
A bookstore manager becomes obsessed with a writer and narrates his stalking. It’s a chilling thriller, not a romance.
7. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A young bride arrives at Manderley, haunted by memories of the first Mrs. de Winter. It’s the classic gothic novel.
8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A socialite visits her cousin in a decaying mansion in 1950s Mexico and uncovers horrors. It’s atmospheric and unsettling.
9. The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
A dark Peter Pan retelling where the Lost Boys are grown and dangerous. It’s spicy and twisted.
10. Twisted Love by Ana Huang
A photographer falls for her brother’s icy best friend. It’s darker than most romance but far gentler than Haunting Adeline.
11. Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts
One of the early dark romance books, about a kidnapped woman and her captor. It’s intense and disturbing.
12. Hooked by Emily McIntire
A Peter Pan retelling from Captain Hook’s side. It’s part of the Never After series.
13. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Four people stay in a house that seems alive. It’s a psychological horror classic.
14. Verity by Colleen Hoover
A writer finds a disturbing manuscript in a bestselling author’s house. It’s twisty and dark.
15. Credence by Penelope Douglas
An orphan moves in with three men in the mountains. It’s dark and taboo.
How to Pick Your Next Dark Read
- Want dark romance? Hunting Adeline, Corrupt and God of Malice.
- Want dark humor? Butcher and Blackbird.
- Want gothic atmosphere without explicit content? Rebecca and Mexican Gothic.
- Want a stalker thriller? You by Caroline Kepnes.
- Read the content warnings. Many authors list them at the start of the book or on their website.
- Take breaks. It’s okay to pause or stop a book that feels too much.
A Note on Dark Romance
Dark romance deliberately includes content that would be harmful in real life, such as stalking, coercion and violence, as part of fiction for adults. Fans see it as a safe space to explore fear and power through stories. If any of these themes are difficult for you, read the author’s content warnings before starting, or choose a gothic thriller like Rebecca or Mexican Gothic instead. If you or someone you know needs support, RAINN (US) is available at 1-800-656-4673, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Related: what age Haunting Adeline is appropriate for and books like Verity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book is most like Haunting Adeline?
Hunting Adeline, the sequel, followed by Corrupt and God of Malice for dark romance readers.
Is Haunting Adeline appropriate for teens?
No. It contains explicit sex, violence and trafficking themes and is for adults only.
What are gothic books like Haunting Adeline without spice?
Rebecca, Mexican Gothic and The Haunting of Hill House.