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Are you tired of the cookie-cutter sweet rom-coms? Yearning for raw emotion and heart-wrenching love tales? Look no further, because we have a hand-picked selection of super angsty romance books that will leave you reeling with all the feels. These books are brimming with agony and turmoil, exploring themes such as unrequited love, failing relationships, missed opportunities, and moral dilemmas.
So if you crave that bittersweet and gut-wrenching rollercoaster of emotions that only a truly angsty romance can provide, don’t hesitate to add these titles to your personal library. Trust me, these books are worth every moment of heartache.
Related (Angsty) Book Lists
A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
Are you ready for an emotional rollercoaster? Say hello to A Love Letter to Whiskey, the gripping tale of Brecks “B” Kennedy, a 17-year-old whose world is turned upside down when she collides with Jamie Shaw during her morning jog. Fate has a funny way of intervening, and in this case, it comes in the form of Jenna, B’s best friend.
Oleander by Scarlett Drake
Scarlett Drake’s enthralling Great Expectations reimagining follows Jude, a young boy caught in the tangled web of Caspian Deveraux, the cruel nephew of his uncle’s employer. As their complicated relationship unfolds, Jude is torn between his attraction and repulsion towards Cas. Oleander is a heart-wrenching, angsty romance that will leave you breathless. Get ready for your heart to break over and over again.
Maestro by Auden Der
Aurelia Ramirez Preston and Chadwick David’s paths first crossed as they competed for a coveted spot at the prestigious LaGuardia Arts High School. To the rest of the world, Chad was the prodigious violinist and grandson of a renowned maestro. But to Aurelia, he was much more than that: he was her first friend, her first love, and ultimately, her first heartbreak.
Auden Dar’s Maestro is an unforgettable contemporary romance that takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Drive by Kate Stewart
Meet Stella: successful music journalist, surrounded by friends and a life filled with music. But one phone call turns her world upside down, leading her on a journey to confront the ghosts of her past. Armed with a rental car, a carefully curated playlist, and memories of two men who changed her life forever, Stella embarks on a road trip to the one who holds her heart.
Filled with heart-racing highs and gut-wrenching lows, Drive will have you feeling all the feels.
Before Us by Jewel E. Ann
In this highly-anticipated emotional contemporary romance from Jewel E. Ann, three broken souls find solace in one another until tragedy strikes, leaving two to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Emersyn never expected to become friends with Suzie, a dying woman whose house she cleaned, nor did she expect Suzie’s husband, Zach, to invite her to live with them after discovering her troubling living conditions.
When Suzie passes, Zach shocks Em for the second time when he offers to marry her after learning that she needs medical insurance. Falling for Zach was never supposed to happen, but fate had other plans.
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Corabelle’s wild night out with her sister takes an unexpected turn when her wallet is stolen, leaving her stranded and in need of help from her arch-nemesis, Dean. But things quickly escalate from irritating to dangerous when she wakes up in chains in the basement of a monster – with Dean by her side. Still Beating is raw and unforgettable romance overflowing with tension and angst.
For Lucy by Jewel E. Ann
What started as a case of mistaken identity on a blind date turned into a love story, but tragically, that love was shattered after twelve years of marriage. Now, Emmett must put his daughter first, even if it means watching his wife fall into the arms of another.
Are you ready to have your emotions stirred and your heart aching in the best way? For Lucy is a gripping second-chance romance that will leave you emotionally gutted.
Where There’s a Will by Jessie Walker
Will Foster is drowning in grief. Returning to the tiny town of Shiloh, a place that has haunted him for the last decade, he faces the childhood best friend who broke his heart. With his life in shambles, Will isn’t sure what to expect upon his arrival, but he knows that anything is better than going back to Philadelphia—even if it means confronting Waylon McAllister and the painful memories of their past. Emotional, angsty, and raw, Where There’s A Will is a powerful romance that explores themes of loss, hope, and love.
Every Breath After by Jessie Walker
Every Breath After is the third installment in Jessie Walker’s Lost Boys series. It follows the tumultuous and deeply emotional journey of Jeremy and Mason, who is not only his best friend but also his twin sister’s boyfriend. When tragedy strikes and forever changes their lives, they turn to each other for comfort, inadvertently jeopardizing their friendship.
The Words by Ashley Jade
Lennon Michael is a straight-A student with a seemingly perfect life. But when she meets her enigmatic tutor, Phoenix Walker, everything changes. Between late-night study sessions and magnetic band practices, Lennon can’t help but fall for the misunderstood musician. But their passionate romance ultimately falls apart.
Now, four years later, Phoenix is an international rock star, while Lennon struggles to make ends meet and care for her father. When she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Phoenix on tour as his sober companion, Lennon can’t resist, despite their complicated past.
Flock by Kate Stewart
Cecelia Horner, a nineteen-year-old searching for her place in the world, unexpectedly inherits a life-changing fortune from her estranged father. In order to claim it, she must spend a year working at his company in Triple Falls. Little does she know, this summer will leave an indelible mark on her, her supervisor Sean, and his tight-knit group of friends, known as the Ravenhood.
For readers seeking an angsty, heart-wrenching romance, look no further than the unforgettable MFM trilogy by Kate Stewart.
Hold Me Under by Riley Nash
Are you a fan of angsty romance books? Look no further than Hold Me Under, the gripping tale of Ethan Lowe, a young landscaper who is offered 20k to pretend to be the boyfriend of former Olympic swimmer turned recluse, Victor Lang. Despite his reservations, Ethan takes the deal and what ensues is a life-changing journey for both men. Packed with intense emotions and an enemies-to-lovers twist, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an angsty MM romance.
Unbreak My Heart by Nicole Jacquelyn
Kate Evans may seem like she has it all together, but she knows the pain of unrequited love all too well. Her college best friend and the man of her dreams fell in love, leaving Kate to bury her feelings and move on with her life. But when tragedy strikes, Kate makes a drastic decision to help her friend Shane and his four children while he’s deployed. As they lean on each other for support, they find themselves crossing lines that lead to a night they both regret.
If you’re looking for angst that feels like a punch to the gut, Nicole Jacquelyn delivers that and more in Unbreak My Heart. But be warned, the hero is far from perfect and will have you fuming for most of the story.
The Story of Us by Lesley Jones
As soon as 12-year-old Georgia “George” Rae first laid her eyes on the boy with golden flecks in his gaze, she knew he was meant for her. For five blissful years, their love was untouchable. However, their love story could only ever end in carnage.
From the very beginning, The Story of Us is a whirlwind of anguish and heartache. It’s the epitome of angst. In fact, let’s just call it what it is: a masterpiece of angst. If you happen to be someone who enjoys a good emotional beating, then this book is for you.
The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
Olivia and Caleb’s love story began in college, but it ended in heartbreak. After a painful separation, Olivia fled, leaving Caleb behind, and four years passed without any communication. When fate brings them together again, Olivia discovers that Caleb doesn’t remember her at all. A devastating car accident has erased his memories, giving Olivia a fresh start to rekindle their past. Can she reignite their once-intense romance and heal the wounds of their history, or will Caleb’s current girlfriend stand in the way?
Captive Prince by CS Pacat
Damon Akielos, a renowned war hero and next in line to the throne, is betrayed by his own half-brother and sold into sexual servitude to the enemy kingdom of Vere. To add insult to injury, his new master is none other than Prince Laurent – the cunning and ruthless prince of Vere.
As Damon and Laurent engage in a dangerous dance of manipulation and desire, they become pawns in a deadly game of thrones. With betrayals, political intrigue, and deadly secrets at every turn, the stakes have never been higher and the tension/angst has never been greater.
Written with Regret by Aly Martinez
Caven Hunt is on the verge of closing a billion-dollar deal when he discovers a newborn baby left on his doorstep. To complicate matters further, he soon realizes that the baby is his own daughter. As Caven navigates the challenges of being a single parent, his life is turned upside down once again by the unexpected return of the baby’s mother, Hadley. Written with Regret is an emotional rollercoaster filled with angst, passion, and unexpected twists and turns.
Pack Darling by Lola Rock
Meet Lilah Darling, a twenty-three-year-old omega, an anomaly among her peers at a stuffy boarding school. While most are eager to join a pack, Lilah prefers to stay under the radar. But when the Wyvern Pack enters her life, threatening her independence, Lilah must fight for her freedom. Even if it means sacrificing her one chance at true happiness.
Filled with addictive drama, heart-pumping action, and intense emotions, Pack Darling is a riveting slow-burn omegaverse romance perfect for readers who like their angst to feel like a punch to the gut.
Written in the Scars by Adriana Locke
Are you a hopeless romantic looking for a super angsty read? Consider diving into Written in the Scars by Adriana Locke. This emotionally charged romance tells the story of Elin and Ty Whitt, once deeply in love, now facing the heartbreaking reality of their crumbling marriage. With raw honesty and poignant writing, Locke captures the tumultuous journey of a couple on the verge of giving up on each other.
If I Were To Die by L.A. Cannon
Noah Sørensen and Kaj Larsen were inseparable as kids and their bond only grew stronger as they fell in love during high school. However, tragedy struck, leading to a painful breakup that changed everything. Years later, their paths cross again, reigniting a complicated mix of attraction and resentment. What follows is a rollercoaster of emotions as the two navigate their way through heartbreak and struggle in the super angsty MM romance duology, If I Were To Die.
Lunamare by Pepper Winters
At just sixteen years old, Aslan Avci’s life is turned upside down as he and his family flee their home country. Tragically, he becomes the sole survivor of the treacherous journey. But his fortunes change when he is rescued from the ocean by the Taylor family, a group of marine biologists. They offer him shelter and protection from deportation, with just one non-negotiable condition: he must never touch their daughter, Nerida.
Never Leave Never Lie by Thea Verdone
Never Leave Never Lie is an angsty gothic romance that follows the tense and intoxicating relationship between Alek, a gifted pianist with synesthesia and a mysterious past, and Ian, a skilled contractor with a penchant for mending both objects and people. But as their love braves on a foundation of deceit, the fractures begin to grow until it takes everything to repair what once seemed unbreakable.
Method by Kate Stewart
Mila’s life was forever changed when she crossed paths with the charming and enigmatic Hollywood A-lister, Lucas Walker. Their love was a whirlwind, leading to a fairy-tale wedding and six blissful years of marriage. But everything unravels when news of Lucas’s best friend’s sudden passing rocks their world. Stricken with grief, Lucas buries himself in his latest role, unaware of the toll it’ll take on their marriage.
Eleanor and Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry
Eleanor’s memories of Greyson East are bittersweet. He was the one who held all her firsts—her first kiss, first boyfriend, first love, and ultimately, her first heartbreak. So when she lands an interview for a nanny job, she never expects the father to be none other than Greyson. However, despite their past and undeniable chemistry, Greyson is determined to keep their history behind him.
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
When Anne Gallagher visits her late grandfather’s childhood home, she is unexpectedly transported to 1921 Ireland. Under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith, she becomes entangled in a web of mistaken identity and familial secrets. As she embraces her new role as a mother figure to a familiar young boy, she also becomes immersed in the struggle for Irish independence alongside Thomas. What the Wind Knows is a beautifully written love story brimming with angst, conflict, and a love like no other.