Love is supposed to be beautiful and caring, but it gets all twisted up when combined with horror. There are toxic relationships in horror books that take obsession and manipulation to terrible new heights. No matter if the relationship is built on secrets or a power dynamic, the books on this list will make you start questioning if you know your loved ones. Horror books about twisted relationships put these books at a whole new level.
Why Twisted Relationship Horror is So Addictive
To me, there’s always something a little unsettling when a horror book revolves around a relationship. These types of books are great at tapping into real life fears. Whether it’s about a toxic relationship or finding deep dark secrets about a partner, these books will surely keep you on your toes. On top of that, I know most of these book will mix up emotional disarray and terror that will ultimately make the books unforgettable to the readers.
Must-Read Horror Books About Twisted Relationships
Let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you thought!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I have to admit that I still haven’t read this. I watched the movie when it first came out but I never bother actually reading the book.
However, I did buy the book either from Goodwill or the library a few years back so I might have to try and get to this one soon.
The great this is that I don’t remember much about this particular horror books about twisted relationships. I know that a lot of movies are quite different from the books as well so I don’t I’ll remember what the twists are.
Here is what Gone Girl is about.
Nick has quite a few questions he keeps asking himself on the morning of his five-year anniversary. But then that morning he realizes his wife, Amy, has disappeared. The police unfortunately suspect Nick. Amy’s friends tell the police that Amy said she was afraid of him and that she was keeping secrets from him. He promises to them that it’s not true. But when the police examine his computer, they discover weird searches. He swears those searches weren’t made by him. On top of that, he keeps getting a phone call from someone he doesn’t know who constantly calls.
What exactly happened to his wife?
Amazon
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
I mentioned this book in another post that kind of deals with horror books about twisted relationships as well.
Like I said in that post, I had never heard of Rebecca before until doing these past couple of posts. It sounds like it would be interesting and I know a lot of you will probably enjoy it.
Here’s what Rebecca is about.
In the beginning, the heroine is swept off her feet by Maxim. He’s a handsome widower who suddenly proposes marriage to her. She was orphaned and working as a maid, so to her, this was beyond lucky. But when she arrives at his huge country house, she realizes how much of a shadow his past wife will cast over their lives. She’s presenting herself with a lingering evil that is determined to destroy their marriage.
Amazon
You by Caroline Kepnes
A couple of years ago I read you, it was probably right before the show started. I’m not sure why I didn’t like it but I remember not being much of a fan. I know I’m probably in the minority with this but that was just me. I still wanted to add this book despite that because just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t.
In all honesty, I can see why people are drawn to the story though. It’s interesting and it’s different from some serial killer books which is what I personally kind of liked about it.
Here is what You is about.
A beautiful aspiring writer walks into the East Village bookstore where Joe works. He pretty much does what just about everyone else would do and googles her name from the credit card.
Lucky for Joe, there is only one Guinevere in New York City. She has her Facebook on public and tends to be very open on Twitter. Her posts tell Joe what all he needs to know about her. To her friends, she’s just Beck. She went to college at Brown University. She lives on Bank Street and she’s planning on going to a bar that night. This is the perfect place for Joe to plan out his “chance” meeting.
Joe winds up weaseling into her life and plans out some events to make sure she keeps running back to his arms. Quickly he moves from being a stalker to her boyfriend. He transforms himself into her perfect man and does his best to remove any sort of obstacle that stands in their way. Even if that means murder.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
I actually don’t think that I have read anything by B.A. Paris but I hear a lot about her books. This is one that I think I might want to read.
I feel like Behind Closed Doors is one of those books that will be good about letting reality set it. This is something that can truly happen and that already kind of gives me chills. I would hate imagining anything like this ever happening.
Here is what Behind Closed Doors is about.
Just about everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. Jack has looks and money. While she is charming and elegant. He’s a very highly rated attorney and he’s never lost a case. She’s a perfect homemaker who constantly loves on her disabled younger sister. The two of them are newlyweds but it looks like they have it all. Everyone wants to be like them. Even you. Everyone is charmed by them and finds their home so comfortable. Everyone wants to know Grace better, even you.
But it’s very difficult to get to know her because the two of them are inseparable.
Some think that it’s true love, but there are other who wants to know why Grace never answers her phone. Also, why can she never meet for coffee even though she doesn’t work? How is she able to cook meals with high calories but seems to always stay so skinny? Also, why are there metal shutters on all the downstairs windows that are meant for high security?
But then there are the smart ones who wonder what goes on behind closed doors.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
There are times when I wonder if Colleen Hoover is even liked. I equally see so much love and so much hate. But I do have to say that her books get talked about A LOT. So, I at least know she’s a little bit popular.
I have to say that this one actually sounds pretty interesting and I just might have to read it. Granted I really don’t find this to be horror whatsoever. Colleen is not known for horror but having something like this happen to you would be scary.
Here is what verity is about.
Lowen has been a struggling writer for a while and now she’s about to lose all of her money. That is until she accepts the of a lifetime. Jeremy is the husband of bestselling author Verity is the one who hired Lowen to complete the remaining books of a successful series his wife started. But now she’s injured and isn’t able to finish them.
Lowen goes to their home in hopes to search through years of notes and outlines Verity has made in hopes to get her started. What she doesn’t expect is to find an unfinished autobiography Verity never really wanted anyone to read. There are pages after pages of chilling admissions. That includes her memory of what actually happened when her daughter died.
Lowen ultimately decides to keep it away from Jeremy. If he knew what was in there it would only devastate the grieving father even more. But eventually they start to get close and have feelings for each other and she realizes how she can benefit from telling him. No matter how devoted he might be, telling the truth about something so horrifying could make it impossible for him to be with her.
The Girl Before by JP Delaney
Honestly, this seems like it would be a great “horror” book about twisted relationships.
After doing this post I really do want to get my hand on The Girl Before. I don’t know if I exactly believe in coincidences and that seems exactly what this book revolves around. But just because I don’t believe in that sort of thing doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t want to read about something like that.
Here is what The Girl Before is about.
They are being asked to make a list of every possession that is considered essential to their lives.
It seems really odd but for two women who answer honestly, the consequences are devastating.
Emma is still dealing with a very traumatic break in and she wants to find a new place to live. Most of the apartments she finds aren’t affordable and they don’t feel safe for that matter. That is until she finds the one on One Folgate Street. The house is a masterpiece but there are rules revolving around it. The person who designed it is able to keep full decorative control. So, that means no books, photos, clutter, or anything person of anyway. The place is supposed to transform the person who lives there and it does.
Jane has just gone through a tragedy and needs a fresh start. That fresh start starts when she finds One Folgate Street and she instantly falls in love with the place. After she moves in she learns about the death of the last tenant. What makes it creepier is that the woman was similar to Jane in age and in the way they look. She tries to untangle the truth but ultimately puts herself in the same situation as the last woman.
Final Thoughts: When Love Turns Deadly
I feel like horror books about twisted relationships tend to remind us that sometimes the scariest monsters can be the people we love. No matter how the toxic relationship is these types of books prove that being in love can be more terrifying than any supernatural force out there.
Do you have a favorite horror book revolving around twisted relationships? Make sure to let me know in the comments! If you like this bookish list then you may like my list of domestic reads.