The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes): Guides to Villainy and Love, Book 1

Ashley McLeod

One of my top reads so far this year!

"I absolutely loved this book! I went in looking for a lighthearted read, and this completely delivered. It’s a longer story, but it never felt long—I was hooked from start to finish and couldn’t put it down. The pacing, character development, and plot all worked so well together, and nothing felt unnecessary. What really stood out to me was the tone. It’s a romantasy with a lot of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The characters are witty, chaotic, and incredibly fun to follow. The romance was a highlight for me. The dynamic between the Dark Lord and his kidnapped wife was so entertaining, and their banter was top-tier. It’s a slow burn, but the chemistry is there from the beginning—and when it finally pays off, it’s absolutely worth it. At the same time, the story doesn’t shy away from deeper emotions. There’s real heart, trauma, and growth here, and I loved watching the characters work through it together. The Dark Lord’s character arc, in particular, was so satisfying—I went from skeptical to completely invested. Highly recommend if you enjoy funny, character-driven romantasy with great banter and emotional depth. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book! ["

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March 31, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kole

A must read

"Absolutely loved this book! It was fun and the story draws you right in. There is growth for both main characters not just one. Definitely a laugh out loud book. I startled my coworkers multiple times while enjoying this book at work. Loved the chapter titles, they are hilarious. ["

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March 26, 2026 Verified Purchase

S. Carlson

I thought it’d be funnier

"The story line is interesting. I thought from the title that the dark humor would be funnier. The FMC goes kind of dark too quickly for me and becomes kind of complacent toward the end. You keep running into his exes which annoyed me, but moreso when they are obviously threats and yet don’t end up dead. She banters with them but if he gets lethal when she’s looked at, I expect her to get lethal when he is- or him to. I almost DNF when it seemed like there would be backdoor play at 3/4 of the book, kept reading but started skimming after that, backdoor didn’t happen. Yay. I don’t think I’ll read the sequel though because I don’t trust it to not happen. The spice was great at first then it became kind of endless and boring, I want more with my smutt. The plot was there but the emotion and intimacy stagnated. I loved the part where they do aftercare, even if it was just a little. Then there was none. There is just endless smutt and planning/disasters, also they rarely eat but there’s no explanation for it. I like a dark lord who remembers to feed his bride after training and overexertion. ["

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January 29, 2026 Verified Purchase

Katharine Haydar

Obsessed.

"This book knows exactly what it is—and absolutely delivers on it. If you’re coming in for romance-forward fantasy, sharp banter, and an MMC who worships the ground the FMC walks on while also being terrifyingly powerful, you’re in the right place. First things first: this FMC is not a damsel. She’s adaptable, resilient, and deeply self-aware. One of the standout lines—“I’ve been adapting all my life. But adapting doesn’t mean surrender.”—perfectly encapsulates her arc. She bends when she has to, but she never breaks herself to make others comfortable. Watching her hold her ground, especially in the face of power and expectation, was incredibly satisfying. And then there’s Kazimir. Listen. This man is a cinnamon roll dark lord—soft, devoted, emotionally present—and also intensely possessive in a way that will absolutely work for Rhysand girlies. He’s attentive, reverent, and completely undone by the FMC. Kazimir has his own flavor of quiet devotion that sneaks up on you and then ruins you. And let’s not gloss over the fact that he gifts her a pet dragon. That alone should sell the book, frankly. The banter is top-tier. Witty, playful, and naturally woven into the relationship so it never feels forced. Their chemistry builds easily, and once it tips into spice… whew. It’s explicit but not gratuitous, very romance-centered, and yes—things tend to get broken when they’re together. As they should. The setting deserves its own moment. A fortress in the clouds? Stunning. Dramatic. Romantic in that slightly ominous, fairy-tale-for-adults way. The worldbuilding is present enough to ground the story, but it never overshadows what this book is really about: the relationship. Overall, The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating is indulgent, fun, spicy romantasy with heart. It doesn’t try to be overly plot-heavy or morally complex—it leans into devotion, banter, and chemistry, and it does so confidently. Perfect for readers who want: • Romance > plot • A powerful FMC who retains her agency • A dark lord MMC who is soft only for her • Banter, spice, and unapologetic fantasy wish fulfillment ["

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March 17, 2026 Verified Purchase