Passion, lust, and forbidden attraction: who doesn’t want to read a book with these themes? If you’re looking for your next read, romantic vampire books are the perfect place to get your fix.
Vampire romances have a timeless draw, from classics like Dracula to modern-day hit series like True Blood. (I, for one, cannot wait to see the upcoming Haunted and Devoted, a sexy vampire romance set in Melbourne.)
To help you find your way in the infinite, immortal world of vampire romance books, we’ve put together a list of the ten best romantic vampire novels for your TBR.
10. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Selected other books in the series (there are over twenty!)
- Darius
- Lover Eternal
- Lover Awakened
- Lover Revealed
- Lover Unbound
Beth is a normal young woman, or so she thinks. When Wrath, the last fullblooded vampire on the planet, begins visiting her, she’s dumbstruck by his sexy intrigue and his stories of darkness.
As their passion blooms, Beth soon learns about her true heritage, and her entire world is turned upside down.
Why we recommend it: I love how this book centers on female pleasure and, of course, opposites attracting. It’s steamy and compelling and a total page-turner.
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9. The Awakening by L.J. Smith
Other books in the series:
- After Hours
- The Struggle
- The Fury
- Dark Reunion
- Blood Will Tell
The first entry in the massively successful vampire romance series The Vampire Diaries, this is the book which launched an international sensation including a hit television series. (Nina Dobrev, the star of the series, continues to use her fame for good! We love to see it.)
The Awakening follows Elena, who is torn between the two vampire brothers she’s falling in love with. Can she survive the brothers’ years-long resentment?
Why we recommend it: This zippy, fast-paced novel is perfect for anyone looking for a more young-adult vampire romance.
8. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Tana is a teenage girl who wakes up to find that everyone has been killed by vampires – well, everyone except her ex, Aidan.
Tana, Aidan, and a vampire named Gavriel embark on an odyssey to Coldtown, their only chance at salvation. But the journey is filled with threats, including vampires, murder, and most of all, each other.
Why we recommend it: I loved how this vampire romance blended post-apocalyptic themes and morally ambiguous characters.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter7. The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
Other books in the series:
- The Damned
- The Righteous
- The Ruined
Celine is a seventeen-year-old seeking a fresh start in New Orleans in this vampire romance. But when a rash of violent murders seizes the city, Celine finds herself caught in a web of deceptions and tense alliances with the vampires she’s unknowingly found herself friends with.
Why we recommend it: This atmospheric vampire novel is a satisfying blend of true crime, romance, and historical fiction.
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6. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Selected other books in the series:
- Living Dead in Dallas
- Club Dead
- Dead to the World
- Dead as a Doornail
- Definitely Dead
- All Together Dead
- From Dead to Worst
This is one of our favorite vampire book series, inspiring the massive hit series True Blood (which absolutely stands the test of time).
It tells the story of Sookie, a small-town waitress with telepathic powers, and the vampire she falls in love with.
Why we recommend it: This vampire romance is perfect for anyone looking for an atmospheric, Southern Gothic series to binge.
5. Midnight’s Daughter by Karen Chance
Dorina is a dhampir: half-vampire, half-human; there are few beings like her. When she’s tasked with hunting down her uncle Dracula, she’s pulled into a treacherous pursuit alongside a devastatingly sexy vampire named Louis-Cesare.
Why we recommend it: I loved how badass and powerful Dorina was, a heroine to root for! This is a great pick for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers plotline.
RelatedThe 15 Best Vampire Books Every Fan Should Read
4. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Other books in the series:
- Shadow of Night
- The Book of Life
In A Discovery of Witches, Diana is both a witch and a respected professor of science. When she discovers a mysterious book that activates her powers, she encounters vampire Matthew, and sparks begin to fly.
Why we recommend it: This vampire romance was a satisfying mix of dark academia, a slow-burn love story, and self-discovery.
3. Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre
Other books in the series:
- Cold Hearted
- Once Bitten
- Twice Shy
The second installment in the Tooth and Claw vampire romance series, this book follows protagonist Tessa as she agrees to sell her blood to vampires to escape debt. Tessa’s looking to make some extra cash, but she soon encounters something bigger: Amos, whose allure is irresistible.
Why we recommend it: Hot Blooded is a social commentary and sweet romance, and I loved how prominent Amos’s and Tessa’s emotional connection was, making this a great choice for anyone who’s looking for a more traditional courtship narrative.
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Other books in the series:
Twilight needs no introduction. The book that launched a worldwide phenomenon, it follows young Bella Swan as she struggles to choose between her love for Edward, a vampire, and werewolf Jacob.
Why we recommend it: If you haven’t read this vampire romance, you have to. It’s nostalgic, and while it might not be particularly deep, it perfectly captures the adolescent feeling of being lost and misunderstood.
1. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Selected other books in the series:
- The Vampire Lestat
- The Queen of the Damned
- The Tale of the Body Thief
This timeless novel tells the story of Louis and Lestat, two vampires who bond over their loneliness against the backdrop of 1800s New Orleans.
The series adaptation has been renewed for a third season, making now the perfect moment to revisit Anne Rice’s vampire romance classic.
Why we recommend it: The central, queer love story in this vampire romance is perfect for fans of LGBTQ+ romance and for emotionally complex storytelling.
These are our top ten vampire romance books to sink your teeth into! If only we all had the endless time of vampires to read all these books, and then some…
What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments, and as always, happy reading!
