10 Books you must read on twisted and toxic relationships

Starting with a strong contender, the novel 'Tell Me Lies' (now adapted to a popular series) sets the tone for the peak of toxicity.

Carola Lovering's Tell Me Lies has taken our screens by storm, but the book provides an even deeper insight into the toxic and destructive forces of love and shifting power dynamics. A gripping, character‑driven novel follows Lucy and Stephen from their first intense encounter at college through the years that follow, charting a relationship that is magnetic, messy and impossible to ignore. Told with sharp insight into desire, self‑deception and the damage that certain attachments can leave behind, Tell Me Lies blends psychological depth with emotional intensity - the kind of read that stays with you long after the last page. It’s a great pick if you’re into stories about how love, power and truth collide.

If you're looking for a slower, more emotionally immersive read, Normal People by Sally Rooney is the book to pick up. The book dives into the complicated pull between Connell and Marianne as they navigate school, university, and everything in between. Their connection is magnetic but fraught with miscommunication and unspoken resentments, making every encounter charged with tension.

Rooney captures the push and pull of desire and obsession with an honesty that’s both uncomfortable and compelling, showing how love can uplift and unravel at the same time. It’s a book that lingers long after you’ve finished, perfect for anyone intrigued by relationships that are as messy as they are unforgettable.

Similar to Tell Me Lies, the novel It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover has been made into popular film, but fans say the book gives a proximity to the drama more than the film can give. The epitome of destructive love, this is not one to miss.

If you’re drawn to stories about love that’s messy, complicated, and sometimes painful, It Ends With Us is a deeply emotional read that doesn’t shy away from the darker side of relationships. Lily’s romance is intense and passionate, but it’s also tangled with difficult choices, power struggles, and the realities of abuse and emotional conflict. Hoover writes with honesty and heart, exploring how love can inspire, hurt, and force us to confront our own limits. It’s a book that sticks with you, balancing heartache and hope, and perfect for anyone intrigued by the line between devotion and destruction.

If you’re drawn to the dangerous allure of a charismatic man whose charm hides darker intentions, this book about obsession, toxic love, and complicated relationships is impossible to put down.

Love that’s obsessive, unsettling, and completely gripping, You is a page-turner that dives headfirst into the mind of Joe Goldberg, a man whose charm masks a dangerously controlling streak. As Joe becomes fixated on Guinevere, the story explores the dark side of infatuation, stalking, and manipulation, showing just how easily desire can turn into obsession. Now made into a popular series, this novel's reputation preceeds itself. Told with sharp wit and chilling insight, it’s the kind of book that keeps you on edge while making you unable to look away - perfect for readers intrigued by the addictive, destructive side of love.

If you're looking to explore a deeply complex and darkly emotional novel, this book speaks for the intense and extremely toxic relationships.

For readers fascinated by the complexities of power, desire, and manipulation, My Dark Vanessa dives into the intense and unsettling relationship between Vanessa and her teacher. It’s a story about control, obsession, and the lasting effects of toxic attachment, told with honesty and emotional depth. Russell explores how blurred boundaries can shape a person’s life, making it a gripping, thought-provoking read for anyone drawn to the darker side of love and relationships.

Blending domestic drama with razor-sharp suspense, Gone Girl explores what happens when a seemingly perfect marriage begins to fracture.

Also a major motion picture, Gone Girl is a gripping novel about the dangerous tensions that are often laying just under the surface of seemingly perfect relationships. When Amy Dunne disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary, all eyes turn to her husband Nick, and what follows is a tense exploration of marriage, media, and the secrets couples keep from each other. Gone Girl blends psychological suspense with sharp observations about relationships, gradually revealing a story full of twists and shifting perspectives. It’s a gripping, fast-paced read that pulls you into the darker corners of love and trust, making it an easy choice for anyone who enjoys thrillers.

The next novel, Lolita, is a classic that is a darkly twisted portrayal of an impossible and deeply unsettling relationship that moves away from the typical romantic relationships we have previously seen.

First published in 1955, Lolita centres on the disturbing and deeply unequal relationship between Humbert Humbert and the young Dolores Haze, which he recounts in the form of a confessional memoir. As they travel across America, the novel examines the dynamics of obsession, control, and manipulation that shape their connection, revealing how Humbert attempts to romanticise and justify his actions. Through its layered narration and striking prose, the book invites readers to question the reliability of its narrator while confronting the unsettling realities of power and exploitation. Controversial and widely studied, Lolita remains a significant read for those interested in complex portrayals of warped relationships and the darker edges of desire.

Moving now to a quintessentially American novel, The Guest is perfect for those who want to explore the more carnal and alluring side of fundamentally toxic relationships.

Set over the course of a tense summer week, The Guest follows Alex, a young woman drifting through the wealthy enclaves of Long Island after being cast out by the older man funding her lifestyle. As she attempts to cling to a world of privilege that was never truly hers, the novel traces her increasingly precarious choices and shifting sense of identity. Cline explores themes of desire, power, and social performance, creating a quietly suspenseful portrait of a character living on borrowed time. It’s a sharp, atmospheric read for anyone drawn to stories about obsession, status, and fragile relationships.

Coming-of-age novels are, of course, going to containt toxic relationships experienced by the youth who have not yet figured life out as they attempt to navigate this new realm. Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler is a perfect example of this young and messy love.

Set in the fast-paced world of a high-end New York restaurant, Sweetbitter follows Tess, a young woman newly arrived in the city who is quickly pulled into a whirlwind of work, desire, and intense relationships. As she becomes entangled with her charismatic colleagues, the novel explores themes of obsession, power, and self-discovery against a backdrop of late nights and blurred boundaries. With vivid detail and a strong sense of atmosphere, it captures the thrill and uncertainty of early adulthood, making it an engaging pick for readers interested in messy relationships and coming-of-age stories.

And finally, a novel that returns to the epitome of a dark and tumultous relationship, Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith looks in at the intricacies of marriage that makes you question whether love really exists.

Set in a quiet suburban town, Deep Water centres on the unsettling marriage of Vic and Melinda Van Allen, whose relationship is marked by jealousy, mind games, and simmering resentment. As Melinda openly pursues other men and Vic responds in increasingly disturbing ways, the novel builds a tense portrait of obsession and psychological conflict beneath a calm exterior. Highsmith explores the darker sides of marriage and desire, creating a suspenseful, slow-burning read for anyone drawn to stories about toxic relationships and hidden motives.