Books like 'Redeeming the Villain'
Readers who enjoyed Redeeming the Villain by Pru Schuyler also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
dark romance sports from hate to love hockey grumpy sunshine cruel hero college
-
Rebellious Rook by Brooklyn Cross
The rook’s heart is as cold as stone, but when the rock crumbles, the spoils are twice as sweet. Death follows me around like a dark cloud just waiting to strike. First, it stole my mother, then my aunt, and now my father is missing. Even though I’m told to walk away, and even though finding him shouldn’t be my top priority, the memory of him begging me to talk to him haunts my dreams... -
Destructive King by Rachel Van Dyken
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA mafia romance about love and loss by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series.…When you awaken in the morning's hushI am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there. I did not die. — Mary Elizabeth Fyre "I'm sorry for your loss... -
Vicious Hate by Thandiwe Mpofu
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsDevastation tastes a lot like ash in your mouth. It feels like looming death hanging over your bones. It sounds like the violent shattering of your soul. It has an acrid smell much like that of rotting hearts. . . But most of all, devastation looks a lot like the beautiful, fiery girl with her fake sincerity and lies...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love new adult dark suspense siblings-bff length-medium audiobook -
Savage Little Lies by Eden O'Neill
Tiny. Twisted. Secrets.The news about what happened to Dorian’s uncle rocks the town. Especially when a private school’s educator turns up dead. The focus surrounding the events that occurred that night shifts, and no one knows that more than the Legacy boys’ dark prince. Dorian’s looking for answers in the hours following the harrowing truths revealed in that video...Categorized as:
from hate to love cruel hero college contemporary super rich hero second chances new adult dark -
-
Make You Mine by Shantel Tessier
Rated: 4.78 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsDax's story from Make You Beg: A Dark High School Bully... -
Sinner by Sheridan Anne
Death surrounds me.Every step I take, there’s someone waiting for me in the shadows.There’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and now, I’m out here on my own, my hands stained with the blood of those I’ve killed to survive.Zade DeVil was my executioner, my most feared enemy, but he was also my protector. I wasn’t willing to cross that line with him, despite how much I may have wanted to...Categorized as:
from hate to love cruel hero suspense new adult forced proximity contemporary dark length-medium -
Bed of Roses by D.V. Fischer
I never thought I'd fall for a murderer. As an old employee at a funeral home, Tegan's life had been full of corpses. When her parents died, she couldn't take being surrounded by death anymore. She had to get away, and to do that, she moved to a small, sleepy town in Utah. When Tegan rented a house sight-unseen, she had been told it would need a lot of work... -
Path to Retaliation by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsUnder-the-radar boxer Cameron West loves to get through life in a series of humor and mischief. He'll be there to charm your panties off and give you a good laugh about it right after. But it's true when they say that the happiest people often hold the darkest secrets... -
Mister Bossy by Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsHe’s my boss. My grumpy, jaded, fresh-out-of-jail boss.Falling for him is not okay.Too bad I’m already up-to-my-eyeballs in love.I always imagined myself with my very own Prince Charming. The kind of man in those fairytales I grew up reading.And when Eli Kingston shows up in Crescent Harbor—grumpy, jaded and fresh out of jail—I know he's not the one for me... -
Disobedient Pawn by Brooklyn Cross
Never underestimate the power of a pawn.My life seemed pretty perfect until I turned twelve. Then everything was destroyed with a fainting spell, a doctor’s visit, and a diagnosis that rocked me to my core. Now at seventeen, I am being shipped to a new country and school with no support from my father...Categorized as:
from hate to love sports cruel hero suspense reverse harem arranged marriage angst dark -
Runaway by bazookah
𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐯𝐞.𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝.𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤... -
No Promises, No Lies by A.J. Wilding
I took her to get revenge, but now I want so much more. Rory Kostalova was never part of the plan. Kidnapping the Russian mafia princess was a move for control, a way to gain the upper hand in a brutal war. She was meant to break, to bend to my will like everyone else.But Rory is different—strong, fiery, untouchable... -
Vain by Fisher Amelie
If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story...Categorized as:
from hate to love college contemporary dark strong heroine angst drug-abuse substance abuse -
Pacific Prep: A Dark Academy Reverse Harem by R.A. Smyth, Michelle Lancaster
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 10 ratings⭑⭒⭑ A TOP 100 AMAZON BESTSELLING SERIES ⭑⭒⭑My name is Hadley Parker, and today I take control of my life.Today I start school at Pacific Prep.This is my new lease on life, and I won’t be wasting it.I need this, now, more than ever.I need the education, the promise of a future that I wouldn’t get anywhere else.These rich kids don’t like me though...Categorized as:
from hate to love cruel hero contemporary new adult menage suspense reverse harem dark -
-
Angelview Academy: The Complete Trilogy by E.M. Snow
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA complete dark bully romance trilogy! Contains exclusive bonus content! At Angelview Academy, Saint Angelle is considered God.But don't be fooled by his ridiculous name or that pretty face because Saint? He’s as wicked as they come.I should know.I'm the new girl who pissed him off.The nobody who called out his crew of vicious tyrants.The mortal who wouldn't bow then and sure as hell won’t now... -
Hear No Evil by Ivy Fox
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsEvil cannot take hold of an unconsenting soul.Do not be amazed that hell is empty, since all the devils live here.One by one, they will meet their hellish fate.One down…Three to go.EastonA tyrannous society has discovered our most atrocious secret and decided to wage war on us.They’ve had their fun with Finn, and now it’s my turn to be their little puppet...Categorized as:
from hate to love college suspense new adult dark mystery contemporary length-medium -
A Fractured Reign by Veronica Eden
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe Crows are more than nightmares lurking in every shadow.They’re a brotherhood. Family. When threats creep in, they’ll protect what belongs to them.QuinnDoes a wrong make a right?In my case, it has to.The Kings gave me no choice, no chance to fold.I betrayed the guy who believed he was protecting me while I gave his secrets away.Now we’re enemies once more...Categorized as:
cruel hero from hate to love college new adult suspense mafia bad boys super rich hero -
Forbidden Titan by E.V. Olsen
"The devil wears many faces. Today, he wore the one I've been running from for five years."Five years spent running, reinventing myself at every turn, until my stepbrother finally caught up to me.Zach Knight is cold, dangerous, and determined to make me pay for almost destroying his hockey career. But beneath that icy exterior burns something far more intense than revenge... -
The Arrangement 10: The Ferro Family by H.M. Ward
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsWhen Avery realizes that her latest client wasn't Sean she doesn't know what to do. This person has invaded her life on a personal level and to make matters worse she doesn't even know who he is. The only good thing that came from it has been seeing Sean again, but now that he's in front of her, she doesn't want to let him go...Categorized as:
college cruel hero contemporary alpha male dark super rich hero new adult length-novella -
Crashing Hearts by K.A. Knight
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsPine Valley is a school that’s both rich in history and legacy, and it’s once more opening its doors to another year of students.Skylar Warren owns the streets of Pine Valley and everybody in it. From cars to people, there is nothing he wants that he can’t get—until now...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love sports dark mystery contemporary found-family new adult -
Player by Hattie Jude
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFrom Hattie Jude comes Player, a sexy standalone why choose academy romance.The secrets I’m keeping are catching up with me.I’ve tried to keep my life as simple as possible out of necessity, and for the safety of me and my sister.I’ve kept my virginity, focused on my grades, and stayed away from trouble.But the desire to live a normal life is beginning to override everything else... -
Happy Krampus Xmas & The Meet Not Cute: Two Xmas Novellas by Paulina Ian-Kane
-Happy Krampus XmasHappy Krampus Day!Krampus who? Santa’s evil brother, duh.The horned demon sort of cursed me, and I need to find a way to appease him.Otherwise, I won’t be able to proceed with my donor initiation: blood, torture, death, screams—not in that order.All I need is to follow my three-step groveling plan... -
Vile by Lulu Waters
EVERLEE VERA This isn’t the life I’m meant to live—stuck on the arm of a rich asshole while he has a pissing contest with other rich assholes. They’re all puppets, playing a dutiful role that condemns them to hell until death do they part. Hatred pushes me forward. Lust fuels me. And there is only one guy who checks both: Holden Van. My boyfriend’s enemy. The guy who flusters me beyond anything... -
Path To Redemption by TheFeveredBookaholic
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRising boxer Jaxon Cage is known to be a fighter on and off the ring. He's a man on a mission; redeeming the death of his little brother, who was on his way to becoming a boxing star. Jaxon holds himself accountable for his brother's death and now takes his place in the ring to continue his dream. Turns out, he's a natural...Categorized as:
sports grumpy sunshine contemporary fighters dark friends-benefits single-father mafia -
-
Resilient Queen by Amber Vant
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsI never wanted this. Never asked for any of it. The corrupted, chaos of the past is playing catch-up with the present and nothing is as it seems. Everyone wants something. Me? All I want is the truth. I thought this was the end, but it turns out it’s only the beginning. The basis for a much darker twist of fate. Secrets are starting to unravel; relationships have grown fractured...Categorized as:
sports cruel hero from hate to love new adult contemporary high-school alpha male angst -
Broken Puck by L. Ann, Claire Marta
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsLIFE WAS GOOD UNTIL SHE SHOWED UP AND TOOK WHAT WAS MINEBailey LinnettThief, Liar, StunningShe thought this was a gameTaking things that didn't belong to herMaking me feel things I shouldn't—not for someone like her.Rush CarterConfused, Angry, LostI never meant to hurt himI only wanted to ease his painHe sees my presence as a betrayal—an act of war... -
Toxic Obsession by J.A. Owenby
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHe’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.I need a fresh start where no one knows me, and Whitmore University seems like my chance — if I can keep my secrets hidden. But everything I've built is shattered by Quinn Astor, a powerful football god, and he sees me as his next target.Quinn has a relentless drive and a cruel streak. He’s toxic. He's not the prince I thought he was, but a devil I can't resist... -
Rink Rash: A Rivals to Lovers Sports Romance by Santana Knox
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSHE'S UNDER MY SKIN AND I'M OUT OF MY MIND There are three things that get under Madeline Maddox’s defeat, disorder and disruption…especially when it comes to her carefully curated life and her roller derby team.No one outskates Mad Maddox—that is, until a cocky little jammer blows back into her hometown wreaking havoc into all her plans... -
Into Ruin by S. Massery
Hockey guys are off limits—and yet, one has set me in his sights, and I have no chance of escaping. Camden Church is the guy I should’ve stayed away from. But when he mistakes my identity, I don’t correct him. I let him break all my rules. It’s a night I’ll never forget—not that he’ll ever let me... -
Broken Doll by Selena .
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe Dolces broke me, but it doesn’t matter.They shattered my body and soul, and when they were done, they left me for dead. But it doesn’t matter.I lived, but that doesn’t matter, either. I don't care.I don’t care about anything. Not even the one person I thought would never betray me, that I could always count on, the one person who always had my back.Me.I don’t matter.Royal taught me that... -
Court High: The Complete Series by Eden O'Neill
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA town full of secrets. A dark elite.A girl who crossed the wrong king.They call them the Court, an elite boys club who rule Windsor Preparatory Academy like gods among men. And, of course, they're led by Hercules himself.Royal Prinze--yes, that's actually his name--walks around both the school and the town like he owns them. His affiliation to the prestigious Court only gives him more clout... -
They Will Fall by Rachel Leigh
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsAfter a rocky start to my freshman year at BCU, I was confident the threat was gone. The murders ended, and my name was cleared. All the while, three unsuspecting men took me by surprise… Ridge, my stalker turned lover. Maddox, prince charming who swept me off my feet... -
When We Lied by Claire Contreras
A brand new hockey romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Claire Contreras set in the same world as Until I Get You...Finneas Alexander Barlow is a walking thirst trap. Tall, hot, and broody. Tousled brown hair, chiseled jaw, alluring green eyes, perfect teeth, well-groomed beard, broad shoulders, and lips good enough to bite...Categorized as:
sports hockey from hate to love grumpy sunshine mystery dual-pov suspense contemporary -
Bully Me: Class of 2020 by Shantel Tessier, Siobhan Davis
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsLoving your tormentor isn’t easy, especially when they collect broken hearts and parade them around like trophies. They’re the bad boys, the alpha a**holes, and the thorns in our sides. They push us past our limits, turn us on, and break us. They’re our bullies. They’re the class of 2020...Categorized as:
from hate to love cruel hero suspense new adult contemporary anthologies dark alpha male -
-
Reckless Hate: A Bully High School Romance by Thandiwe Mpofu
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 23 ratings"Deep always calls unto deep. The results? Reckless Hate & Catastrophe." Westbrook had four boys that ruled my life once. They were hell raisers. Cunning Athletes. Skilled Manipulators. Hateful Assholes. Gorgeous gods. Heartbreakers. Only I never counted on them breaking my heart as savagely as they did, sending me away when I needed them the most... -
Falling for the Enemy: A Charity Anthology by K.M. Scott, Taryn Quinn
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe’s cocky. Arrogant. Infuriating. The bane of my existence. But his touch makes me burn with need. Every time we come together it’s like a collision of fire and ice—intense, all-consuming, and utterly unstoppable. We’re all wrong for each other… yet so very right...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love college contemporary office alpha male mafia forced proximity -
Wayward Son by Jay Crownover
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe’s the only girl he’s ever loved.Zowen Archer has been in love with Aston Wheeler for as long as he can remember.She’s perfect, except for the glaring fact that she fell in love with his best friend instead of him. For years, he loved her from afar with zero expectation. He told himself that as long as Aston was happy, his feelings for her didn’t matter...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love grumpy sunshine dual-pov contemporary dark friends to lovers bad boys -
Ravaged Hearts by Julie Weaver
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRavaged Hearts is Book 2 of a Team Zulu Series duet and should be read after Scarred Souls, Book 1.VaughnProtecting Hope is no longer a job; it’s an obsession. And God help the fool who tries to harm what’s mine.Somehow, this incredible woman doesn’t see me as a monster, brutalized and broken. She makes me want to overcome the debilitating fear of touch that’s gripped me since my captivity...Categorized as:
grumpy sunshine from hate to love office found-family mafia humor dark forced proximity -
Destructive Truths by Shauna Mairéad
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsLies, Saoirse. It was all lies.Those were the last words I heard before my attacker held me under.Left shattered by deceit, with a past I couldn’t outrun, Killybegs destroyed the girl I used to be.But here’s the thing, this queen was born to rise, and those who hurt me will pay for the sins they committed...Categorized as:
cruel hero from hate to love mafia alpha male new adult suspense contemporary love triangle -
Rivals by Ashton Brooks
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsRileyReign Thorn was my best friend turned enemy. But we both know this thing between us is more than just a rivalry.I remember the exact day Reign and I ended our childhood friendship. One terrible accident, and I was to blame.That same year, everything fell apart while my friendship with Reign became a rivalry of epic proportions...Categorized as:
from hate to love hockey sports cruel hero high-school forced proximity dark vengeance -
Devious Knight by Faith Summers, Khardine Gray
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMy villain, my monster, my Devious Knight… Be careful what you wish for …Sometimes, your wishes transform into nightmares, dark and twisted versions of the dreams you once desired.That’s how I became the latest obsession of my nemesis.His name is Kade Gurkovsky.He’s the epitome of untouchable—a football god and heir to one of the most powerful secret societies at Raventhorn University... -
Viper: A Prequel Novella by Catherine Wiltcher
Temptation is the hardest fall...Danny Razor ruled our school like a king.Ice-cool and untouchable.Heir to London’s underworld, and the son of the Devil himself.I was the class joke. The social pariah.The daughter of a disgraced politician who was on trial for the worst kind of crime... -
Merry Mayhem by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsMerry Mayhem is a three part bonus collection from the Princes’ perspectives from November-Christmas that takes place during the Dukes of Peril timeline, before Princes of Chaos. If you’re wary of spoilers, make sure to read after Dukes of Peril... -
The Kiss Of Death by Shanen Ricci
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt was hate at first sight from the day I met her. Now she is enrolled at Pantheon, the world's most elitist university, and my playground.With one keystroke, I can discover everyone's secrets except for hers.I won’t stop until I dissect her soul.A tormented psycho. A genius hacker. A freak. That’s what they call me.A good church girl. A sweet violinist. A pretty doll...Categorized as:
from hate to love college cruel hero dark forced proximity mafia new adult length-long -
-
Ruthless Sinner by Cora Kent
Dark romance author Cora Kent brings you a mafia captive heroine romance.I was born to inherit the family business. Father braided darkness into my soul before I spoke my first word. Adalina Martinelli is collateral.At first, I take her because her father is in debt to mine.But after one night together, she becomes my prisoner.Locked in a gilded cage, I set forth to transform her...Categorized as:
from hate to love cruel hero mafia dark age difference super rich hero length-medium open-door -
Blood Empire by Selena .
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThe Dolces broke me, but with perseverance and dedication, Royal has begun to heal me. He nourishes my body and soul, and if I let him, he might just save me. But I’m not sure I can let him.After what he did, how can I let myself love again?But how can I help myself?Royal may be a broken man, even a monster, but he didn’t become that way overnight. He didn’t get there alone...Categorized as:
cruel hero from hate to love new adult dark independent heroine length-long audiobook -
Dead Lift by Kris Butler
I’d worked hard to escape the penalty box life had placed me in.I started somewhere new, giving Reese and myself a clean slate. I found a job I loved and met three guys who made me feel alive.I should’ve been prepared for life to smack me upside the head again, but in my defense, I’d been a little distracted by my hot roommates and trying to win games... -
Scarred Souls by Julie Weaver
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsScarred Souls is Book 1 of a duet in the Team Zulu series and ends on a happy-for-now.VaughnThe macabre tattoos concealing my scars deliver a clear warning. They scream that I’m vicious, unhinged, and to stay the hell away. My venomous tongue only reinforces that message. Which means I’m the worst guy on my black ops team to babysit a cartel princess...Categorized as:
from hate to love grumpy sunshine cruel hero dark suspense slow burn found-family military -
Tainted Reign by Kay Riley
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsIt was supposed to be simple.Take down the gangs that wrecked my life. It was all in place, and for years, everything went how it should. I never expected to fall for the men I’m supposed to hate. Now, my desires have changed.The revenge that controlled me is now overpowered for my need to have them in my life. I shouldn’t trust them. But I do. They chose me... -
Break Your Pucking Heart by Rachel Leigh
Rated: 3.97 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsBreak Your Pucking Heart is the first book in the all-new Ice Lords Series—An Enemies to Lovers, Why-Choose, Hockey, College Romance by USA Today and International Bestselling Author Rachel Leigh. I’ve been captured by the Ice Lords, and I fear they’ll never let me go...Categorized as:
hockey sports college cruel hero from hate to love reverse harem siblings-bff forced proximity
Fantastic book recommendations by romance book lovers for romance book lovers.
Find out more about romance.io.
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences

Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.