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

When you’re querying a BDSM 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 BDSM romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn BDSM 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. Black SheepAuthor: Alexa HarloweYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Serial killer, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut, thriller
2. Blade of IrisAuthor: K.A. KnightYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, Why choose, adult, contemporary, romance, smut
3. Bratva MenaceAuthor: T.J. MaguireYear published: 2025Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forced proximity, Found family, Mafia, adult, contemporary, m f romance, romance, series counter
4. CataclysmAuthor: Sarah BaileyYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Friends to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
5. Cruel PrincesAuthor: Jillian FrostYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Why choose, adult, contemporary, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter, smut
6. DetainedAuthor: Luna MasonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, crime, romance, series counter, smut
7. Empire of LustAuthor: J.L. BeckYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Mafia, adult, contemporary, crime, romance, series counter, smut
8. God of PainAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, romance
9. Her Soul for RevengeAuthor: Harley LarouxYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Demons, adult, fantasy, horror, paranormal, romance, romantasy, smut
10. Highest BidderAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Billionaire, Dark, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
11. Kiss the VillainAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2025Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter
12. Losers: Part IAuthor: Harley LarouxYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, LGBT, Why choose, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, smut
13. MadameAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, LGBT, Second chance, Why choose, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, smut
14. Masked SinsAuthor: Amanda RichardsonYear published: 2024Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
15. MercyAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, smut
16. Mind to BendAuthor: Aurelia KnightYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Abuse, BDSM, Dark, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
17. PraiseAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, Workplace, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
18. Royally Not ReadyAuthor: Meghan QuinnYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Royalty, adult, contemporary, rom com, romance, series counter
19. SabotageAuthor: Shantel TessierYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, College, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
20. Salt KissAuthor: Sierra SimoneYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, romance, series counter, smut
21. SashaAuthor: Eva WinnersYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Mafia, Second chance, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
22. SickoAuthor: Amo JonesYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Abuse, BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, new adult, romance, series counter, smut, suspense
23. SovereignAuthor: Raya Morris EdwardsYear published: 2024Genre and themes: BDSM, Cowboy, Dark, Forced proximity, Westerns, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter, smut
24. StrandedAuthor: Selena WintersYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Christmas, Dark, Forced proximity, Holiday, adult, crime, erotica, novella, romance, series counter
25. Tease Me OnceAuthor: W. WintersYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Mafia, adult, contemporary, crime, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
26. Tell Me You Want MeAuthor: Willow WintersYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Enemies to lovers, Workplace, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
27. Tempted by DeceptionAuthor: Rina KentYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, romance
28. That Sik LuvAuthor: Jescie HallYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
29. The ArchitectAuthor: Nikki SloaneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Why choose, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut
30. The Four LeafAuthor: Lee JacquotYear published: 2022Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Friends to lovers, Holiday, adult, contemporary, erotica, novella, romance, series counter, smut
31. The Good Girl EffectAuthor: Sara CateYear published: 2025Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, smut
32. The Wrong WifeAuthor: L. SteeleYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Billionaire, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Marriage of convenience, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
33. Thorne PrincessAuthor: L.J. ShenYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Forbidden romance, Forced proximity, Slow burn, adult, contemporary, romance, series counter
34. Twisted DevotionAuthor: Poppy St. JohnYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, Enemies to lovers, Mafia, adult, contemporary, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter, smut
35. UnfurlAuthor: Elodie HartYear published: 2023Genre and themes: BDSM, Dark, adult, contemporary, erotica, romance, series counter, smut

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 BDSM romance comp title that fits my book?

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