L. J. Shen has captivated the romance world with her unforgettable anti-heroes, high-stakes angst, and emotionally charged stories. If you're drawn to her world of morally gray "alpha-holes," intense enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and stories that are as heart-wrenching as they are steamy, you're likely searching for your next favorite author.
This list is curated for fans who appreciate the complex characters and powerful emotional journeys found in books like Vicious and The Kiss Thief. Get ready to explore authors who deliver that same addictive blend of darkness, passion, and redemption.
Penelope Douglas is a master of the dark, bully, and taboo romance genres. Her stories are raw, gritty, and unapologetic, often featuring intricate plots and characters who walk a fine line between love and hate. If the intense power struggles and "touch her and you die" vibes in Shen's work are your catnip, Douglas will not disappoint.
An addictive story about two high school pen pals who have never met but are a perfect match. When they finally cross paths, they unknowingly become each other's worst enemy, leading to a whirlwind of secrets, tension, and explosive chemistry.
For readers who love the interconnected worlds and possessive heroes of L.J. Shen, Rina Kent is an essential read. She specializes in dark romance with anti-heroes who are obsessed with their heroines. Her books are packed with secrets, suspense, and the kind of angst that keeps you flipping pages all night.
The first book in the Royal Elite series, this story is a classic bully romance set in a world of privilege and danger. It features a cold, calculating hero and a resilient heroine caught in his web.
Tijan excels at crafting emotionally devastating new adult and sports romances with deeply flawed characters. Her writing is known for its fast pace and high drama, focusing on the tangled relationships within families and social circles. If you love the found family and intense loyalty themes in Shen's books, Tijan is a perfect choice.
Dive into an addictive world of high school drama, broken families, and an unforgettable romance between two characters who find solace in each other amidst the chaos.
Ana Huang delivers swoon-worthy yet steamy contemporary romances with possessive heroes and strong, independent heroines. Her wildly popular Twisted series shares Shen's talent for creating gripping emotional journeys, where dark pasts and dangerous secrets threaten to tear couples apart.
This brother's-best-friend romance features a grumpy, brooding hero and a sunshine heroine. It's an emotional rollercoaster filled with palpable tension and a deeply protective male lead.
If the mafia and arranged marriage tropes in books like The Kiss Thief are what you love, Sophie Lark should be at the top of your list. She writes thrilling and passionate mafia romances where power, family loyalty, and forbidden love collide. Her stories are suspenseful, steamy, and incredibly addictive.
An explosive arranged marriage romance between the heirs of two rival Chicago mafia families. It’s a perfect enemies-to-lovers story packed with tension, betrayal, and passion.
Corinne Michaels is an expert at writing heart-wrenching, second-chance romances. Her stories feature relatable characters navigating profound loss, grief, and the difficult journey of learning to love again. If the deep emotional core of L.J. Shen's books resonates with you, Michaels' work will leave a lasting impact.
A beautiful and poignant story about a woman who returns to her hometown after a tragedy and reconnects with her first love. It's a tale of healing, forgiveness, and second chances.
Samantha Young crafts contemporary romances with a perfect balance of witty banter, emotional depth, and steamy chemistry. Her characters are often dealing with past trauma, and she excels at showing their path to healing through love. She captures the same kind of heartfelt connection that underlies even Shen's darkest romances.
This novel features a fiercely independent heroine determined to keep everyone at a distance and the charming, persistent man who is determined to break down her walls.
Known for her lyrical prose and willingness to explore complex, taboo subjects, Sierra Simone writes romances that are both thought-provoking and intensely passionate. If you appreciate the boundary-pushing and morally complex relationships Shen creates, Simone's daring and beautifully written novels are a must-read.
A bold and controversial story about a Catholic priest who is tested by his feelings for a woman who walks into his confessional. It’s a deeply emotional exploration of faith, desire, and forbidden love.
J.T. Geissinger blends sharp, witty dialogue with sizzling chemistry and high-stakes plots. Whether writing about mafia bosses or rock stars, she creates charismatic, dangerous heroes and sassy heroines who can hold their own, much like the pairings in Shen's universe.
A clever and steamy slow-burn romance about a woman who concocts a fake engagement with a charming chef to get her matchmaking family off her back, only to find the lines blurring into reality.
Often co-writing with Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland is a go-to for contemporary romance with arrogant, confident heroes and witty, strong heroines. Her books are known for their clever banter, unexpected plot twists, and a perfect blend of humor and heart—a great choice if you enjoy the character dynamics in Shen's work.
This office romance begins with a hilariously memorable encounter and develops into a deeply emotional story about two people with undeniable chemistry and secrets from their pasts.
Meghan March writes fast-paced, high-drama romantic suspense with powerful, alpha heroes who will do anything to protect their women. Her stories are structured in thrilling trilogies that are impossible to put down, mirroring the high-stakes feel of Shen's interconnected standalones.
The first book in the Anti-Heroes Collection, this novel introduces a powerful New Orleans crime boss and the fiery woman who dares to challenge him. It’s an intoxicating blend of danger and desire.
Skye Warren is a queen of dark and emotionally intense romance. Her stories explore themes of captivity, obsession, and redemption, featuring deeply damaged characters who find salvation in one another. If you're drawn to the darker, more morally ambiguous aspects of Shen's writing, Warren's work is essential.
A gripping and dark tale set in the world of high-stakes chess and secret clubs, where a woman is forced into a dangerous game with a powerful, enigmatic man.
Katee Robert is known for her incredibly steamy and imaginative romances that often feature polyamory and modern retellings of myths. If you love the powerful, possessive heroes and high-heat scenes in Shen's books, Robert takes it to the next level with creative world-building and boundary-pushing relationships.
A modern and spicy retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. When Persephone flees a forced engagement to Zeus, she makes a deal with the mysterious and feared Hades, ruler of the undercity.
Parker S. Huntington writes intricate, emotionally complex romances that are full of secrets and devastating twists. Her writing is beautiful and her character development is superb, ensuring you feel every moment of pain and triumph. She shares Shen's ability to create gut-wrenching angst and unforgettable love stories.
A unique and heart-shattering story of two people connected by a shared tragedy. It's an unconventional love story about grief, guilt, and finding love in the most unexpected of ways.
This co-writing duo is famous for their addictive, dark bully romances. While their most popular series is fantasy, the core dynamics—alpha anti-heroes, fierce heroines, and intense enemies-to-lovers tension—are exactly what L.J. Shen fans crave. They are experts at building worlds where the lines between love and hate are wonderfully blurred.
Note: This is a dark fantasy romance. Two long-lost Fae princesses are discovered and forced to attend a magical academy where they are mercilessly bullied by the four ruling celestial heirs. It’s the ultimate slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers saga.
The world of dark and angsty romance is vast, but these authors capture the same lightning-in-a-bottle magic that makes L. J. Shen’s books so addictive. Whether you're seeking the thrill of a bully romance, the suspense of a mafia underworld, or the deep emotional pull of a second-chance love story, your next favorite read is waiting. Happy reading!