Gothic romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

When you’re querying a gothic romance, choosing the choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published.

Agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

I regularly update this list of gothic romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn gothic romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Study in DrowningAuthor: Ava ReidYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Dark academia, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
2. A Theory of DreamingAuthor: Ava ReidYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark academia, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
3. A Treachery of SwansAuthor: A.B. PoranekYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, Retellings, fantasy, gothic, lesbian, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
4. AnathemaAuthor: Keri LakeYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, adult, dark fantasy, fantasy, gothic, horror, romance, romantasy, series counter
5. Anatomy: A Love StoryAuthor: Dana SchwartzYear published: 2022Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, historical, horror, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
6. BitterthornAuthor: Kat DunnYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, Witches, fantasy, gothic, lesbian, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
7. BlackthornAuthor: J.T. GeissingerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, fantasy, gothic, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
8. Blood OrangeAuthor: Karina HalleYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Vampires, adult, fantasy, gothic, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
9. Don't Let the Forest InAuthor: C.G. DrewsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark academia, LGBT, fantasy, gothic, horror, mystery, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
10. EnigmaAuthor: RuNyxYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Academia, Dark, Dark academia, adult, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter
11. EvocationAuthor: S.T. GibsonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, Magic, adult, fantasy, gothic, paranormal, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, urban fantasy
12. FairydaleAuthor: Veronica LancetYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, adult, fantasy, gothic, historical, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
13. FoxgloveAuthor: Adalyn GraceYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, young adult
14. GothikanaAuthor: RuNyxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Dark, Dark academia, adult, fantasy, gothic, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
15. GrimAuthor: D.J. KrimmerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Dark, adult, fantasy, gothic, paranormal, rom com, romance, romantasy, series counter
16. HazelthornAuthor: C.G. DrewsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, gothic, horror, mystery, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
17. Heartless HeathensAuthor: Santana KnoxYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Dark, Why choose, adult, dystopia, erotica, fantasy, gothic, horror, romance, romantasy, series counter, smut
18. HollowAuthor: Karina HalleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Dark, Retellings, Why choose, adult, fantasy, gothic, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
19. HollyAuthor: Adalyn GraceYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Christmas, Holiday, fantasy, gothic, novella, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
20. House of Roots and RuinAuthor: Erin A. CraigYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, horror, mystery, romance, romantasy, thriller, young adult
21. Immortality: A Love StoryAuthor: Dana SchwartzYear published: 2023Genre and themes: fantasy, gothic, historical, horror, mystery, romance, romantasy, young adult
22. Lucy UndyingAuthor: Kiersten WhiteYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, Retellings, Vampires, adult, fantasy, gothic, horror, lesbian, queer, romance, romantasy, series counter
23. NocticadiaAuthor: Keri LakeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Dark, Dark academia, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter
24. One Dark WindowAuthor: Rachel GilligYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Magic, book club, fantasy, gothic, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
25. PhantasmaAuthor: Kaylie SmithYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, adult, fantasy, gothic, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
26. Starling HouseAuthor: Alix E. HarrowYear published: 2023Genre and themes: adult, book club, fantasy, gothic, horror, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
27. The CompanionAuthor: Katie AlenderYear published: 2020Genre and themes: contemporary, gothic, horror, mystery, romance, series counter, suspense, thriller, young adult
28. The House SaphirAuthor: Marissa MeyerYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Retellings, fantasy, gothic, mystery, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
29. The Knight and the MothAuthor: Rachel GilligYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Magic, adult, book club, fantasy, gothic, romance, romantasy, series counter
30. The PoisonerAuthor: I.V. OpheliaYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Dark, Enemies to lovers, Vampires, adult, fantasy, gothic, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
31. The Possession of Alba DíazAuthor: Isabel CañasYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, fantasy, gothic, historical, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
32. The Thirteenth ChildAuthor: Erin A. CraigYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Retellings, fantasy, gothic, horror, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
33. The Witchwood KnotAuthor: Olivia AtwaterYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Fae, adult, fantasy, gothic, historical, romance, romantasy, series counter
34. Two Twisted CrownsAuthor: Rachel GilligYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Magic, fantasy, gothic, horror, romance, romantasy, young adult
35. Where the Dark Stands StillAuthor: A.B. PoranekYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Magic, fantasy, gothic, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult
36. Your Blood, My BonesAuthor: Kelly AndrewYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Magic, fantasy, gothic, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter, young adult

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a gothic romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!