Ana Huang's King of Wrath captivated readers with the electric chemistry between the ruthless billionaire Dante Russo and the spirited Vivian Lau, thrown together in an arranged marriage.
If you were hooked by the high-stakes tension, the powerful and possessive hero, and a romance that smolders even when the characters are at odds, you're likely searching for your next fix.
This curated list features novels that capture that same intoxicating magic. Whether you love the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, the forced proximity of an arranged marriage, or the allure of a morally grey hero who would burn down the world for his woman, these books will deliver the intensity and passion you crave.
Ava Chen is a romantic trying to move past a traumatic childhood, while Alex Volkov is a cold, calculating genius haunted by his family's murder. When Ava’s brother leaves town, he asks Alex to watch over her, forcing these two opposites into unwilling proximity.
Alex’s icy control clashes with Ava’s warmth, sparking a connection that is as dangerous as it is passionate.
Why it's like King of Wrath: As the first book in the Twisted series (which exists in the same universe as the Kings of Sin), this novel shares Ana Huang’s signature blend of grumpy/sunshine dynamics, a hero with a dark past, and a "touch her and you die" possessiveness that fans of Dante Russo will immediately recognize.
Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Billionaire Romance
Elena Abelli is known as the "sweet" sister, but she secretly craves a life beyond the confines of her mafia family. When her younger sister is betrothed to the notoriously cruel and handsome mob boss Nicolas Russo, Elena finds herself irresistibly drawn to the one man she shouldn't want.
Their stolen glances and forbidden touches ignite a fire that threatens to burn both their worlds down. Why it's like King of Wrath: This book is a masterclass in tension and chemistry.
It features a commanding, untouchable hero and a heroine who challenges him at every turn, all set against the high-stakes backdrop of an arranged marriage that goes spectacularly off-script. Tropes: Mafia Romance, Arranged Marriage (to the sister), Forbidden Love
Callum Griffin is the heir to the Irish mob, and he's cold, precise, and ruthless. Aida Gallo is the wild, fun-loving daughter of the rival Italian mafia. Their families have been at war for decades, but a sudden truce forces them into the one thing they never imagined: an arranged marriage.
Their union is meant to bring peace, but their personalities are pure combustion. Why it's like King of Wrath: If you loved the sharp-witted banter and the true enemies-to-lovers arc of Dante and Vivian's relationship, Brutal Prince will be your catnip.
It’s an explosive clash of wills where animosity slowly, and passionately, transforms into a fierce, protective love. Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Arranged Marriage, Mafia Romance
Tristan Caine is a shadowy figure in the mafia underworld, a man whose secrets are as dark as his reputation. Morana Vitalio is the brilliant daughter of a rival family, forced to work with Tristan to uncover a mystery that ties their bloodlines together.
She despises him, but she needs him, and the line between revulsion and fascination begins to blur. Why it's like King of Wrath: This book excels at creating a dark, enigmatic hero whose motives are impossible to read.
The intellectual battle of wits between Tristan and Morana, combined with a slow-burn tension that is almost unbearable, perfectly mirrors the psychological depth and power dynamics of Dante and Vivian's story. Tropes: Dark Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, Mafia
Baron "Vicious" Spencer was the school's golden boy who made it his mission to ruin Emilia LeBlanc's life. Ten years later, he’s a powerful, ruthless lawyer who shows up on her doorstep, determined to wedge himself back into her world. Their history is a toxic mess of hate, betrayal, and a deep-seated obsession that never truly died.
Why it's like King of Wrath: While it leans into the bully romance subgenre, Vicious delivers the same kind of all-consuming, intense hero. Vicious’s obsession with Emilia and his alpha-hole tendencies are reminiscent of Dante's more controlling moments, creating a tumultuous and unforgettable love story.
Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Bully Romance
Declan Kane is a driven, emotionally constipated CEO who needs to marry and produce an heir to secure his inheritance. His solution? He asks his brilliant, ever-patient assistant, Iris, to be his fake wife. The contract is simple, but living together and faking a romance for his family starts to feel dangerously real for both of them.
Why it's like King of Wrath: This is the quintessential marriage of convenience story, perfectly executed. Declan’s grumpy, work-obsessed nature is a fantastic parallel to Dante, while Iris’s quiet strength and competence make her a heroine you can’t help but root for, just like Vivian.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Grumpy/Sunshine, Boss/Assistant, Billionaire Romance
Francesca Rossi is the daughter of a Chicago mob boss, and she has been promised to another man her entire life. But on her nineteenth birthday, the powerful and feared Senator Wolfe Keaton—her father's biggest enemy—corners her and steals her first kiss.
He then forces her into a marriage to settle a debt, throwing her into a world of politics, secrets, and a passion she never expected. Why it's like King of Wrath: This novel combines the arranged marriage trope with a captivating enemies-to-lovers plot.
Wolfe Keaton is a commanding, morally grey hero whose power and influence rival Dante's, and the story is rich with the same emotional angst and high-stakes drama. Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Age Gap, Mafia Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers
When Melody Giovanni, the heir to the Italian mafia, marries Liam Callahan, the heir to the Irish mob, it’s not just a wedding—it's a corporate merger of criminal empires. Both are equally cunning, ambitious, and utterly ruthless.
They expect to be rivals for the throne, but they don't expect the explosive chemistry that ignites between two people who are truly each other's equals. Why it's like King of Wrath: This story is unique because both the hero and heroine are "the boss."
If you admired Vivian’s backbone, you'll love Melody, who is every bit as powerful as her husband. The novel is a thrilling exploration of a true power couple whose dynamic is built on mutual respect and volatile passion. Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Mafia Romance, Power Couple
Killian Carson is a campus god—and a predator. He's dark, manipulative, and rules the elite Royal Elite School with an iron fist. Glyndon King is the only person who sees the monster beneath his charm. Their paths cross in a storm of blackmail, secrets, and a rivalry so intense it can only lead to destruction or devotion.
Why it's like King of Wrath: This book captures the darker, more psychological side of an intense romance. Killian's possessiveness and moral ambiguity are turned up to eleven, making it a perfect read for those who enjoyed the "morally grey" aspect of Dante's character and want to explore it in a dark academic setting.
Tropes: Dark College Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers, Bully Romance
This is not the Peter Pan story you grew up with. James "Hook" has one goal: to destroy his enemy, Peter. His plan involves using Peter's daughter, Wendy, as a pawn. But the headstrong, fiery Wendy is no damsel in distress, and the dark, complicated man who kidnaps her is more than just a villain.
He's magnetic, and their connection is dangerously real. Why it's like King of Wrath: For readers who love a truly dark and compelling antihero, Hooked delivers. Like Dante, Hook is a man consumed by his past and driven by vengeance, yet he finds himself completely captivated by the one woman who should be his enemy.
Tropes: Dark Romance, Fairytale Retelling, Enemies-to-Lovers, Captive Romance
Rowan Kane is a grumpy, perfectionist billionaire tasked with renovating the Dreamland theme park to earn his inheritance. Zahra Gulian is the cheerful, creative employee who drunkenly submits a proposal criticizing his most prized ride.
Instead of firing her, he hires her, forcing them to work together and creating a delightful storm of grumpy/sunshine tension. Why it's like King of Wrath: Before Terms and Conditions, there was this gem. It perfectly captures the billionaire romance and forced proximity themes.
Rowan’s closed-off nature and eventual possessiveness will strongly appeal to fans of Dante, offering a slightly lighter but equally engaging romance. Tropes: Billionaire Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance
As the second book in the Kings of Sin series, this is a natural next step. Kai Young is a stoic, disciplined CEO, while Isabella Valencia is a fiery bartender with a wild streak.
They are polar opposites who want nothing to do with each other, but a forbidden, one-night encounter leads to an undeniable attraction that threatens to shatter the polite rules they both live by. Why it's like King of Wrath: This book explores themes of pride and forbidden desire with the same intensity and emotional depth as its predecessor.
While Kai is more reserved than Dante, his quiet possessiveness and the slow-burn chemistry with Isabella will give you the same satisfying feeling. Tropes: Opposites Attract, Forbidden Romance, Billionaire Romance
From billionaire boardrooms to the gritty underworld of the mafia, these novels all share the core DNA that made King of Wrath so unforgettable: a hero who commands the room, a heroine who can stand against him, and a romance that is as powerful as it is passionate. Happy reading