July isn’t here for soft hands and candlelit kisses, it’s here for obsession, betrayal, and hearts that break beautifully. This isn’t your sunshine and rainbows reading list. This is seduction laced with danger, lovers who destroy to rebuild, and secrets whispered between bruised mouths. These are the stories where the chemistry is volatile, the morals are optional, and the only guarantee is devastation.
One zodiac sign at a time… let’s fall in love the dark way.
Credence by Penelope Douglas
on February 13, 2024
Published by Penguin Genres: Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Pages: 560
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♈ Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Credence by Penelope Douglas
An explosive, possession fueled romance with a dangerously driven male lead and a heroine who’s fiery enough to push back. Aries will live for the sparks and chaos.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
on September 26, 2023
Published by Penguin Genres: Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Pages: 464
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♉ Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
It's edgy, sensual, and powerfully taboo, older man, young bartender, overwhelming magnetism. Taurus’ sensuality and taste for tactile world-building will adore this.
Raw by Belle Aurora
on February 12, 2014
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Suspense
Pages: 358
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♊ Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Raw by Belle Aurora
Angsty, adrenaline-packed enemies to lovers with conflicting layers and hard truths. Geminis will crave the duality, sharp dialogue, and the rush of second-chance spark.
The Siren by Tiffany Reisz
on July 31, 2012
Published by MIRA Genres: Fiction / Erotica / BDSM, Fiction / Erotica / General, Fiction / LGBTQ+ / Gay, Fiction / Romance / Collections & Anthologies, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Erotic, Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+ / General, Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian, Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Transgender, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Short Stories (single author), Fiction / Women
Pages: 432
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♋ Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
The Siren by Tiffany Reisz
A dark, emotionally needy exploration of obsession, creativity, and love that hurts as much as it heals. Cancer’s emotional depth will connect with the heartbreak and redemption.
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
on November 7, 2023
Published by Penguin Genres: Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Pages: 496
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♌ Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
High-stakes power struggle in the corporate world, with tension so thick you can cut it. Leo energy demands drama, and this has both: alpha charisma, forbidden ambition, and burning attraction.
Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
on August 30, 2013
Published by Pepper Winters Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Suspense
Pages: 420
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♍ Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
Tess’s life unravels when she’s kidnapped on a romantic getaway, drugged, sold, and forced into a terrifying underworld. Virgos will enjoy the emotional journey from captive terror to formidable survivor, it's raw, brutal, and meticulously paced.
Den of Vipers by K a Knight
on March 4, 2025
Published by Podium Publishing Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Erotic, Fiction / Romance / Suspense
Pages: 464
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♎ Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
This book delivers gritty mafia dynamics, blurred consent, and the kind of emotional tension Libras craving harmony in chaos will devour .
Captive in the Dark by Cj Roberts
on July 1, 2025
Published by Neurotica Books Genres: Fiction / Erotica / General
Pages: 224
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♏ Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21)
Captive In The Dark by C.J. Roberts
Abduction, obsession, emotional captivity, and a love that’s dangerous to feel. Darkest of the dark, for a sign that thrives on intensity and taboo entanglements.
Break Me by K a Tucker
on August 31, 2023
Published by K.A. Tucker Books Limited Genres: Fiction / Romance / Erotic, Fiction / Romance / Workplace
Pages: 302
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♐ Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)
Break Me by K.A. Tucker (Wolf Hotel #1)
Road trip meets gritty crime world. Escape, emotional depth, and sizzling tension in every scene, icings for your adventurous sign .
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
on December 5, 2023
Published by Penguin Genres: Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Pages: 416
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♑ Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
Capricorn will appreciate the slow burn, character growth, and the blend of control and vulnerability wrapped in gritty realism. It’s raw, it’s structured, and it’s exactly the kind of betrayal to devotion arc that fuels their soul.
Phantom by H. D. Carlton
on April 22, 2025
Published by Zando Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Historical / American, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological, Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Pages: 368
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♒ Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Phantom by H.D. Carlton
A dark, obsessive prequel set in the shadows of crime and control. Twisted, psychological, and built for the Aquarius who craves unconventional love with razor sharp edges.
Ruthless People by J. J. McAvoy
on March 23, 2017
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Genres: Fiction / Romance / Erotic, Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Thrillers / Crime
Pages: 510
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♓ Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Ruthless People by J.J. McAvoy
A brutal arranged marriage between rival mafia heirs turns into twisted loyalty and obsession. Emotional, intense, and darkly romantic, Pisces will drown in it.
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This lineup is adult, intense, and speaks fluent darkness. Each pick delivers on emotional stakes, dark attraction, and the kind of chemistry you don’t forget. July’s theme: let the heat and tension sink in… Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
🫶🏼 – Ali
