Choosing the right abuse comp titles for your query letter can make or break your chances of being published.
The purpose of comp titles is for agents and publishing house editors to gauge the genre of your book as well as the tone and market potential of your work.
I regularly update this list of abuse romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.
No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn abuse 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.
- AshesYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Enemies to lovers, High school, Mental health, Why choose, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
- CapturedYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, adult, horror, romance, series counter, smut
- Colliding With FateYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Abuse, African American, Friends to lovers, Mental health, adult, contemporary, romance
- Dear AvaYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Enemies to lovers, High school, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, sports, young adult
- How to Fail at FlirtingYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, adult, chick lit, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
- Mind to BendYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, BDSM, Dark, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
- My MaddieYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Emotional, adult, contemporary, crime, new adult, romance
- NateYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Abuse, Emotional, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter
- No PrinceYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Enemies to lovers, High school, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, young adult
- OlderYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forbidden romance, Found family, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
- Outside the PackYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Abuse, Enemies to lovers, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, adult, fantasy, paranormal, romance, romantasy, series counter
- PageantYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, Why choose, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
- SickoYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut, suspense
- SomedayYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, Enemies to lovers, Friends to lovers, Second chance, Small town, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
- The Danger You KnowYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, suspense
- The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke UpYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Abuse, adult, book club, chick lit, contemporary, family, mystery, romance, series counter, womens fiction
- The DevilYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forced proximity, Found family, He falls first, Mafia, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
- The Unwanted MarriageYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, Billionaire, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Marriage of convenience, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
- Unbreak MeYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Abuse, Dark, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Military, Why choose, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
- What's Left of MeYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
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 abuse romance comp title that fits my book?
You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!