Welcome to dark romance land, darlings.
What Are The Levels Of Dark Romance?
Be warned, this is my personal opinion and my interpretation of how I write. It may not be yours but this is a guide for how I will be labeling each of my books in the future. THESE AREN’T SPICE LEVELS!
LEVEL 1 DARK ROMANCE
Themes: Light power imbalances, enemies to lovers, mild suspense
There can be elements of danger or forbidden love in these ones. It’s a bit more grim than a happy romance novel that has run-of-the-mill drama. There are morally gray-ish characters with redeemable qualities. Think of this as dipping your toes into the dark side, but your grandma wouldn’t even notice that you did.
Relatively tame content and may have warnings about certain situations, but that’s only for dangerous situations and questionable choices. Def no dub-con!
LEVEL 2 DARK ROMANCE
Themes: Clear power dynamics, manipulation, bullying, suspenseful
There can be more obsession and possessiveness in these ones. Think of turning the brightness down juuuust a bit more. A lot of characters have darker pasts or motivations and violence may be present! This is for those who may be curious about what lurks on the darker side without feeling traumatized at their first go at it.
Content begins to be not so tame and WILL start to contain content warnings!
LEVEL 3 DARK ROMANCE
Themes: DARK. Violence, criminals, hints at more taboo subjects, alluding to dub-con scenarios, further manipulation, deeply suspensful
With the midpoint in dark romance, we start to explore more taboo subjects like inappropriate pairings of characters, potential kidnappings, anti-heroes, and the morally ambiguous. This level would be for someone wanting to know if dark romance is really for them by getting in waist-deep to test the waters. We start pushing boundaries and you may discover a new kink.
Content warnings WILL need to be read.
LEVEL 4 DARK ROMANCE
Welcome to theeee freak show.
Themes: Non-consensual elements, graphic violence, psychological torments, deep trauma, blurred lines of morality.
Basically, you’re now kidnapped and you like it. You are wondering which masked man is going to chase you through the woods. These are not for the faint of heart, but if you shop via trigger warnings, this is the place for you.
Content warnings are your new shopping list for kinks you didn’t know you wanted to have.
LEVEL 5 DARK ROMANCE
Good heavens, you’re still here? Pull up a chair for the support group happening at 7 because we are disturbed.
Themes: literally anything goes.
We have extreme power imbalances, serial killers, and people hurting each other for pleasure. Graphic descriptions of violence and non-con exist regularly. Do we even get redemption arcs? LOL! This is an exploration of the darkest possible impulses and you may want to wonder why this makes you feel so hot and bothered. (that’s okay me too)
Pretty please read the three-page long content warning on the off chance you might find something you’re really not ready for. Unless you are????
Wowza, we made it through.
Let me know what you think, and I’ll see you in the next one!
