Thromance, or thriller x romance is a new genre blend coming on the market. At the start of the year we gave some of our theories for what will be the next big trend, and yes, thromance was one of them! Following in the footsteps of Romantasy; blending two genres to make something new seems to be a trend at the moment. If you’ve never heard of thromance, but are intrigued, read on for some top recs of this genre!

What is thromance?

Thromance is a blend of thriller and romance genres, usually mixing key tropes or plot points from each. For example, there may be an enemies to lovers plot line- but the characters are police and killer. Or edge of your seat twists and reveals, but ending with a happily-ever-after. These books are perfect for multi-genre readers, or readers looking to get into one of the genres from the other.

Isn’t this just dark romance?

Not quite. Dark romance is typically a romance plot line but with dark themes, for example Lights Out by Navessa Allen follows a romance plot, however the characters are both serial killers. There are very dark themes involved, but there isn’t the typical thriller plot points of suspense, anxiety and fear. There is a lot of cross over, however, and there are a lot of books that have been categorised as dark romance that would now probably be marketed as thromance.

OK, I’m intrigued. Recs please!

Beach Bodies by Sienna Sharpe

Beach Bodies was the first book that I have seen categorised as thromance. It follows a serial killer hunting down her next victim, except he ends up being a romantic interest. This is a super fun, romantic comedy, with a thriller style plot, a perfect summer read!

Mindf*ck Series, by S T Abby

This series of 5 novellas creates a thriller plot on a romance structure. We follow a serial killer and FBI agent working her case, who inadvertently meet and start dating, neither realising who the other is. It is dark and twisty, being inside the killers head, with tension created by the cat and mouse game of the FBI trying to solve the case.

Verity, by Colleen Hoover

Verity is one of the OG thromance novels. A woman takes a job with a man who she starts to fall for, all the while believing that his wife, Verity, is bedbound upstairs. But is she? This book has a twist that I still think about, a must read for romance and thriller readers!

A Cold Dark Place, by Toni Anderson

An FBI agent tracking her sisters killer, a war vet with a dark secret and a serial killer? Sign me up! This book has all the great romance tropes, while feeling very much like a thriller. It’s intriguing, exciting and will leave you wanting more.

Be Still My Heart, by Emily McIntire

A detective and ex- SEAL turned lobster fisherman have to work together to solve mysterious deaths. Thus starts an enemies to lovers plot line (one of my favourite romance tropes), with a thrilling story.

Hopefully some of these books have intrigued you to dip your toe into the world of thromance! Let me know what you pick up first!