To Read or Not to Read? Rape Fantasy in Romance

Are you ready for another genre 101 deep dive where we talk about the things that make romance (and certainly other genres) tick? With the release of Liliah Pace’s Asking for It, I really wanted to touch base on the sensitive topic that has been talked about on the blogosphere of rape fantasy in romance books. All part of the dark romance and taboo tropes for sure. For some, this can be a red hot fantasy and to others, this is the most terrible, horrendous and shameful thought that a woman could ever have. This great divide is the reason why this is such a hot button for so many people.

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What Is Rape Fantasy in Romance?

First: this is not usually about actual non-consensual acts so let me get that out of the way. These stories are generally carefully constructed fictional spaces where both characters ultimately consent, even if the fantasy being enacted is about forced submission or dominance. This can also fall under the larger umbrella of CNC (consensual non-consent).

In other words, it’s roleplay. But not the kind that keeps the lights on and the safe word on standby. These are books designed to make you uncomfortable and aroused, and that tension is the point. It’s not about glorifying violence or erasing consent, instead, it’s about exploring psychological control, surrender, or taboo desires within a safely constructed narrative. The appeal lies in the tension: readers get to experience dark, edgy scenarios in fiction that they would never want in real life.

Is It a Fantasy or a Line Too Far?

While it’s not a personal fantasy of mine, I am definitely not against reading about it in my books if that is what the heroine enjoys. I was on Twitter one day and someone had called Lilah Pace’s book Asking for It “controversial,” so of course that intrigued me and made me go check out what the book was about.

Graduate student Vivienne Charles has a deep desire for rough sex, sex so rough that it borders on being taken by force. When she doesn’t find anyone who can fulfill those needs for her, she turns to Jonah Marks, whose offer rings inside her head since the moment he uttered those words.

This wasn’t my first book exploring this territory. Willing Victim by Cara McKenna had already hit my personal favorites list. It follows Laurel, a woman drifting through life, and Flynn, a brutal underground boxer who introduces her to the world of rough sex and roleplay.

Here’s a line from Willing Victim that stuck with me:

…No one was really being violated, but she felt that same hot guilt she had her whole life, finding the visual powerful and horrifying but undeniably arousing.

McKenna captures that tension masterfully. Laurel’s hesitation makes the desire hit harder. It feels transgressive, but it’s also deeply self-aware. Pace, on the other hand, has a heroine who has a past that makes this much more sensitive. I felt like in the first half of the book, Vivienne didn’t really know what she wanted and she was less sure than Laurel. It isn’t until the second half of the book that I think it really begins to come together with her romance with Jonah. And as you can probably tell, Jonah is a man who definitely tells it straight.

Where Fantasy and Consent Intersect

With a boyfriend, you can pretend—but it’s a joke, really. A game. Not the fantasy you really want. Me? I’m nearly a stranger. I can do more than fuck you. I can scare you a little. Just a little. Enough to make it what you really want.

There’s a critical difference between depicting a rape fantasy in romance and endorsing sexual violence. These books don’t blur that line, they build entire plots around exploring it safely. So while one worked better for me than the other, this is still something that isn’t heavily explored despite the fact that it can be a recurrent daydream for others.

What makes these stories so compelling is often the psychological setup: the need to be overpowered, the thrill of fear with the safety net of consent, the fantasy of surrendering control without actually losing agency.

They can be messy, yes. But they’re also powerful character studies and emotional deep-dives. And for readers, they provide a space to explore dark fantasies without shame.

Two Books That Explore the Fantasy

As I was putting this post together, I’ve been comparing two books that I highly recommend you check out if you want to explore a little darker side of romance and a certain loss of control.

Willing Victim by Cara McKenna

A bruiser boxer, a drifting heroine, and roleplay that gets rough. This re-release of McKenna’s cult favorite dives straight into consensual non-consent and never blinks. If you like dirty talk, emotional heat, and characters who know what they want? This one’s for you.

Grab Willing Victim on Amazon or read our Willing Victim book review

Asking for It by Lilah Pace

She wants to be taken. He offers the perfect arrangement. What starts as a dark secret turns into something dangerously intimate. Twisted, emotional, and absolutely unskippable if you love morally gray heroes and high-stakes taboo.

Grab Asking For It on Amazon or read our Asking For It book review

Reader Advisory: Both books contain roleplay involving non-consensual scenarios, but all acts are ultimately consensual. Sensitive readers should proceed with caution.

FAQ About Rape Fantasy in Romance

Final Thoughts

I’m curious to know what you guys think about this and learn whether or not you’re drawn to these types of stories. Where do you draw the line when it comes to rough sex? Let’s talk about it without judgment, without shame, and with space for nuance.

Want to explore more genre 101 deep dives? We talk about specific genres, sub-genres, tropes and more. And if dark romance is more your vibe, we’ve got even more recommendations for you.

Originally posted July 7, 2015 by Annie

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