20 Shadow Daddy Books That BookTok Can’t Stop Talking About

Quicksilver by Callie Hart kicks off the Fae & Alchemy series with high stakes and icy intrigue. Saeris Fane hides dangerous secrets, from stolen water to forbidden magic. However, her life changes when she meets Kingfisher—a brooding, morally gray Fae warrior with his own agenda. Their reluctant bond drags her into a realm of snow, danger, and centuries-old conflict.

This is an adult romantasy brimming with slow-burn tension, sharp banter, and plenty of spice. Kingfisher is the kind of dark, commanding love interest fans of protective, powerful heroes will adore. If you love fantasy, danger, and sizzling chemistry, this one delivers.

Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich launches The Legacy Series with dark intrigue and dangerous romance. Tessalyn Asura becomes the personal Source to the brooding Heir of Endings, ruler of the most shadowed kingdom. However, serving him means navigating secrets, temptation, and a fate she never wanted. The world is lush with divine history, political tension, and a constant undercurrent of danger.

This is a new adult dark fantasy romance with plenty of spice and morally gray tension. The Heir of Endings is intense, possessive, and shrouded in mystery—the kind of commanding male lead fans of protective, magnetic heroes crave. If you love high stakes and shadowy kingdoms, this will hook you fast.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace blends Gothic mystery with a romance tinged in darkness. Nineteen-year-old Signa Hawthorne has lived among greedy guardians, all meeting strange and sudden ends. However, at Thorn Grove, she finds herself entangled in secrets, ghostly warnings, and a murder to solve. Her unlikely ally? Death himself—dangerous, alluring, and never far from her side.

This YA romantasy leans more toward simmering tension than explicit spice, but the chemistry is magnetic. Death is the ultimate mysterious, commanding love interest, guiding Signa through peril and temptation. If you love atmospheric settings, ghostly intrigue, and brooding supernatural suitors, this one will pull you in.

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee delivers forbidden romance wrapped in political intrigue. The heroine is promised to a crowned prince, but it’s his half-brother—dangerous, magnetic, and undeniably off-limits—who captures her attention. However, their attraction risks treason, especially when whispered promises turn into irresistible temptation. When the kingdom is attacked, loyalties blur, and her heart faces the ultimate betrayal.

This is an adult romantasy with plenty of spice and an irresistible, morally gray love interest. The half-breed prince is intense, seductive, and protective in ways that toe the line between danger and devotion. If you love high heat, royal drama, and forbidden attraction, this will keep you hooked.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent blends brutal competition with a dangerously magnetic romance. Oraya, a human adopted by the vampire king, enters the deadly Kejari tournament to prove she belongs. However, survival means allying with Raihn—a lethal rival vampire with a past full of secrets. Their uneasy partnership sparks forbidden attraction that could destroy them both.

This is an adult romantasy with strong enemies-to-lovers tension, high stakes, and a slow-burn romance that turns fiery. Raihn is a perfect dark, morally gray hero—ruthless yet deeply protective. If you crave sharp banter, danger, and intense chemistry, this one delivers from start to finish.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros throws readers into the deadly world of Basgiath War College, where only the strongest survive. Violet Sorrengail, small but cunning, must fight for her life among ruthless cadets and even more dangerous dragons. However, her greatest threat—and unexpected ally—is Xaden Riorson, a powerful, brooding wingleader with a grudge against her family. Their rivalry quickly ignites into tension that’s as dangerous as the battles they face.

This is an adult romantasy with enemies-to-lovers heat, high-stakes training, and sharp political intrigue. Xaden is the perfect dark, commanding hero—strategic, intense, and deeply protective when it matters most. If you love dragons, danger, and slow-burn romance that explodes into passion, this is a must-read.

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon delivers epic romantasy with an enemies-to-lovers twist that began as beloved fanfiction. Talasyn, an orphan soldier with forbidden light magic, faces Prince Alaric, heir to the Night Empire and master of shadows. However, their clash on the battlefield creates a powerful, unexpected magic that could save—or doom—their world.

This is an adult romantasy with slow-burn heat, political intrigue, and an intense, commanding male lead. Alaric is brooding, dangerous, and fiercely loyal to his cause, making him an irresistible match for Talasyn’s fire. If you enjoy morally gray heroes, high stakes, and sizzling tension, this one’s for you.

Broken Bonds by J. Bree begins The Bonds That Tie series with betrayal, danger, and sizzling paranormal romance. After five years on the run, Oleander Fallows is forced back to face the five powerful men she abandoned. However, these Bonded aren’t just any men—they’re dangerous, dominant, and determined to make her pay for leaving. Their tangled past holds secrets that could destroy them all.

This is an adult paranormal romantasy with high heat, emotional tension, and a dark, commanding male presence—or in this case, several. Fans of morally gray heroes, forced proximity, and intense “why choose” dynamics will find plenty to obsess over here.

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole blends dangerous court intrigue with a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. Diem Bellator’s search for her missing mother pulls her into the treacherous world of Descended royalty. However, the king’s enigmatic heir—handsome, calculating, and far from trustworthy—becomes both her greatest threat and most compelling distraction. Their connection simmers as danger closes in.

This is an adult romantasy with a rich fantasy setting, political tension, and plenty of heat. The male lead is dark, strategic, and protective in ways that keep you guessing. If you love brooding princes, high stakes, and sizzling banter, this series starter is a must-read.

A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager delivers court intrigue, dangerous romance, and a hero cloaked in shadows. Desperate to save her family, Kat takes a job spying on Bastian Marwood—the Night Queen’s ruthless, mysterious Shadow. However, the more she uncovers, the more she’s drawn to his power and dangerous charm. Each encounter blurs the line between loyalty and desire.

This is an adult romantasy with slow-burn heat, political games, and a morally gray love interest you won’t forget. Bastian is cunning, protective when it counts, and wrapped in secrets. If you love enemies-to-lovers tension set in a high-stakes fantasy court, this will hook you instantly.

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan blends fae politics, dangerous bargains, and a love triangle filled with temptation. Brie despises the Fae, but when her sister is taken by the Unseelie king, she must infiltrate the rival Seelie court. However, her mission becomes complicated when she meets Finn—a mysterious, magnetic leader whose shadows hide dangerous secrets. Every choice pulls her deeper into a web of lies and desire.

This is a YA romantasy with plenty of intrigue, sharp banter, and romantic tension. Finn is brooding, secretive, and intensely protective, making him an irresistible match for fans of morally gray heroes. If you enjoy court drama, dangerous alliances, and slow-burn attraction, this series starter is a perfect pick.

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout delivers a seductive mix of destiny, danger, and slow-burn passion. Seraphena Mierel has been promised to the Primal of Death as his Consort, but her true mission is far darker. However, the more time she spends with this powerful, enigmatic god, the more she questions everything she’s been told—and feels a pull she can’t deny.

This is an adult romantasy with rich worldbuilding, high stakes, and a dangerously magnetic male lead. The Primal of Death is brooding, commanding, and surprisingly tender beneath his dark power. If you love forbidden attraction and morally tangled romance, this one will captivate you.

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen mixes Greek mythology, deadly trials, and a romance that smolders in the shadows. A cursed mortal is unexpectedly chosen by Hades—the ruthless and magnetic King of the Underworld—to be his champion in a dangerous contest for Olympus’ throne. However, his motives are as mysterious as his dark, commanding presence. Every interaction blurs the line between strategy and seduction.

This is an adult romantasy with high stakes, sharp banter, and a slow-burn attraction that heats into something far more intense. Hades is calculating, possessive, and undeniably alluring—the kind of hero who keeps you guessing until the end. If you enjoy myth-inspired worlds, deadly games, and powerful yet tempting love interests, this one delivers.

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat is a YA fantasy filled with prophecy, danger, and morally tangled relationships. Sixteen-year-old Will is pulled from a life on the docks into a hidden war between Light and Dark. However, among the Stewards and their enemies, no one is entirely what they seem—including a dangerous, magnetic figure tied to the Dark King’s return. Loyalties shift, and trust comes at a steep cost.

While not a romance-first story, this series offers slow-burn tension, emotional intensity, and layered characters. The shadowy male lead is enigmatic, compelling, and tinged with danger, giving the story an irresistible edge. If you enjoy complex worldbuilding, dark magic, and relationships laced with intrigue, this one’s a must-read.

City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards blends urban fantasy grit with a romance that simmers in the shadows. Loren Calla is a human in a supernatural city, but her life changes when she’s targeted by Darkslayers. However, instead of turning her in, Darien Cassel—the dangerous, magnetic leader of the Seven Devils—chooses to protect her. Their uneasy alliance leads them deep into the city’s dark underworld.

This is an adult fantasy romance with spice, danger, and a commanding male lead who thrives in morally gray territory. Darien is protective, ruthless when necessary, and impossible to ignore. If you love gritty supernatural worlds, high-stakes tension, and intense romantic chemistry, this one will pull you in fast.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas delivers fae courts, forbidden romance, and danger wrapped in stunning worldbuilding. Feyre Archeron’s life changes when she kills a wolf and is taken to the Spring Court. However, as she navigates its beauty and hidden dangers, she meets figures who challenge everything she believes—especially a certain High Lord whose power and mystery are impossible to ignore.

This is an adult romantasy with lush descriptions, political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that grows into something fiery. The male lead is magnetic, commanding, and deeply protective, appealing to readers who love complex, morally layered heroes. If you enjoy magical realms, high stakes, and romance laced with danger, this series is a must-read.

Gild by Raven Kennedy offers a dark, addictive reimagining of the King Midas myth. Auren lives in a palace of gold—walls, floors, clothes, even her skin. Rescued from poverty by King Midas, she’s his prized possession and believes she’s safe within her gilded cage. However, when war arrives and a dangerous bargain is struck, Auren begins to see cracks in the golden illusion—and in the man she trusted most.

This is an adult romantasy with darker themes, political intrigue, and morally complex relationships. The male lead is powerful, controlling, and steeped in mystery, drawing readers who crave intensity and slow-burning danger. If you enjoy court politics, twisted romance, and heroines discovering their strength, this series opener will grip you.

The Umbra King by Jamie Applegate Hunter blends dark romance, vengeance, and a deadly alliance between enemies. Aurora Raven, hardened by her twin sister’s murder, becomes a feared vigilante. However, when she’s sentenced to five hundred years in Vincula—the prison realm—her quest for revenge seems over. That changes when she meets Caius, the ruthless Umbra King and ruler of monsters, whose own hunger for retribution matches hers.

This is an adult dark romantasy with high heat, intense enemies-to-lovers tension, and a male lead dripping with danger. Caius is powerful, morally gray, and impossible to resist, even when trust could be deadly. If you crave twisted alliances, vengeance plots, and sizzling chemistry, this one will hook you instantly.

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco serves up murder, magic, and a dangerously tempting demon prince. Emilia, a witch living in secret, vows revenge when her twin sister is brutally murdered. However, her hunt for the killer leads her to Wrath—one of the feared Princes of Hell—whose dark charm and lethal skill make him as much a threat as an ally.

This is a YA-to-new adult romantasy with simmering slow-burn tension, atmospheric worldbuilding, and a brooding male lead you won’t forget. Wrath is cunning, magnetic, and protective in ways that keep Emilia guessing. If you enjoy mystery-laced romance, witchcraft, and morally gray heroes, this series starter will pull you in fast.