Books Like These Violent Delights
You were drawn into the glittering, dangerous world of 1920s Shanghai, where Chloe Gong's Romeo and Juliet retelling pulses with forbidden romance, gang warfare, and a monstrous plague that threatens everything. The irresistible mix of enemies-to-lovers tension, historical glamour, and fantasy mystery kept you turning pages late into the night—cliffhanger after cliffhanger, with banter and suspense that never let up. If you loved how These Violent Delights blended YA romance with action-packed storytelling and a vividly reimagined historical setting, you'll find your next unforgettable read here.
The Go-To Read
The Wrath and the Dawn
by Renée Ahdieh
- Shahrzad hunts answers to a deadly curse w/ folklore breadcrumbs
- Enemies-to-lovers tension while unraveling supernatural secrets together
- Twisty reveals & mounting dread = can't-put-down monster mystery vibes
- Dual POV makes every clue hit harder, just like Shanghai's plague
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
Little Thieves
by Margaret Owen
- Cursed thief races to decode folklore clues before monstrous transformation 🪶
- Investigator + imposter princess team up against divine supernatural threats
- Each revelation = higher stakes, exactly like uncovering Shanghai's plague
- Shape-shifting curse mystery delivers that same treasure-hunt-thru-danger energy
Buy on Amazon
The Wildcard Pick
Crimson Bound
by Rosamund Hodge
- Forestborn creatures hunt humans in twisted France—Little Red Riding Hood retelling
- Rachelle & Armand go from enemies to lovers while racing apocalypse clock
- Decode ancient folklore clues to find legendary weapon before world ends
- Same breathless monster-mystery vibes as Shanghai's deadly plague hunt
Buy on Amazon
The Go-To Read
Divine Rivals
by Rebecca Ross
- Rival journalists trade barbs IRL + swoon-worthy anonymous letters 💌
- Enemies-to-lovers banter builds tension w/ every sharp exchange
- WWI-inspired fantasy backdrop amps stakes like Shanghai's gang wars
- Witty sparring hides deeper feelings—electric chemistry you'll devour
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
The Bird and the Blade
by Megan Bannen
- Enslaved singer & exiled prince solve deadly riddles across Mongol Empire
- Enemies-to-lovers banter during high-stakes escapes = chef's kiss tension
- Witty sparring masks forbidden feelings (Roma/Juliette vibes but make it historical)
- Their sharp dialogue + supernatural threats = compulsively readable slow burn
Buy on Amazon
The Wildcard Pick
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
by Seth Grahame-Smith
- Elizabeth & Darcy's verbal sparring meets zombie apocalypse in Regency England
- Enemies-to-lovers tension w/ sword fights & society balls gone deadly
- Witty banter that slaps harder when there's literal monsters lurking
- Same electric push-pull chemistry but make it historical + undead chaos
Buy on Amazon
The Go-To Read
Bright Smoke, Cold Fire
by Rosamund Hodge
- Romeo & Juliet retelling w/ necromancy + rival families = chef's kiss
- Forbidden alliance against undead while family betrayals keep you spiraling
- Secret meetings hit different when supernatural peril raises the stakes
- Enemies-to-lovers tension delivers the same heartbreak as Juliette & Roma
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
Kingdom of the Wicked
by Kerri Maniscalco
- Witch x demon prince alliance giving major forbidden enemies-to-lovers energy
- Murder mystery + supernatural threats = nonstop tension & betrayals
- Stolen moments in dark Sicilian alleys echoing Juliette & Roma
- Family loyalty vs. dangerous love with heart-pounding plot twists
Buy on Amazon
The Go-To Read
Flame in the Mist
by Renée Ahdieh
- Feudal Japan clan wars w/ sword fights & assassination plots galore
- Mariko goes undercover in rival gang—major These Violent Delights energy
- Rooftop chases & ambushes deliver that same breathless Shanghai intensity
- Enemies-to-lovers amid brutal faction feuds & supernatural danger
Buy on Amazon
The Under-the-Radar Pick
Prince of Shadows
by Rachel Caine
- Renaissance Verona's brutal street duels = Shanghai gang war vibes ⚔️
- Montague vs Capulet assassinations w/ that same rooftop chase energy
- Supernatural curse amps up violence like TVD's monster mystery twist
- Forbidden Benvolio/Rosaline romance meets deadly faction loyalty angst
Buy on Amazon
NextBookAfter participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The site earns from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.