Shantel Tessier Books in Order: Every Series, Every Standalone, Complete 2026 Guide
Shantel Tessier’s catalog features several interconnected universes where character histories, family bloodlines, and secret societies overlap across titles.
Within the L.O.R.D.S. series, each book centers on a different couple, but they share a tight timeline and heavy crossover character appearances. Reading them in publication order ensures you catch every secret society ritual, understanding who holds power at Barrington University, and how the brutal rules of Carnage operate. The same applies to the Dark Kingdom and Dare series, where family rivalries and criminal ties carry forward from one book to the next.
Series 1: L.O.R.D.S. — The Flagship Secret Society Series
Set around Barrington University and the shadow world of elite power, the L.O.R.D.S. series (often styled L.O.R.D.S.) explores a ruthless secret society where young men trade blood, devotion, and obedience for absolute wealth and authority. The men swear a binding oath—I Vow. You Vow. We Vow.—and choose “Ladies” to stand beside them in a world driven by dark rituals, intense obsession, and total control.
Complete Reading Order:
- The Ritual (2021) — Book 1
- The Sinner (2022) — Book 2
- Sabotage (2022) — Book 3 (L.O.R.D.S. Universe)
- The Sacrifice (2023) — Book 4
- Carnage (2023) — Book 5
- Madness (2024) — Book 6
- Chaotic (2025/2026) — Book 7
The Ritual (2021)
Barrington University student Blakely thinks she is living a normal life until she is chosen by Ryat Alexander—a high-ranking member of the Lord secret society. Bound by an ancient oath and a contract her own family arranged, Blakely is pulled into a dark world of masked initiation ceremonies, absolute submission, and overwhelming possessiveness. Ryat is ruthless and controlling, yet determined to protect her from the dangerous forces inside the society. This viral sensation introduced readers to Tessier’s iconic secret-society lore and defined her signature dark romance style.
The Sinner (2022)
Ellie grew up in the orbit of Easton “Sin” Sinnett, a wealthy Lord who used his power recklessly without considering the lives he destroyed. After tragedy shatters Ellie’s life, Sin becomes both her terrifying captor and her only protector, drawing her into a relationship built on worship, dark bargains, and unforgivable choices. Sin’s unyielding obsession with Ellie pushes the boundaries of devotion, making this one of the most intense psychological entries in the series.
Sabotage (2022)
Raylee Lexington Adams thought she could escape her past, but her stepbrother Colton has other plans. While Colton isn’t a traditional Lord, he works directly in their dark orbit, utilizing their vast power to exact revenge on Raylee. What starts as a vengeful game of cat-and-mouse quickly spirals into an explosive, taboo romance filled with deep-seated resentment and undeniable physical heat.
The Sacrifice (2023)
Laikyn was raised to be a proper Lady and expected to marry a safe, pre-approved Lord chosen by her parents. Instead, she is handed over as a debt payment to Tyson Crawford—a vengeful Lord who views her as the ultimate weapon to destroy her family. Trapped in a forced marriage where hate and desire are hopelessly intertwined, Laikyn must learn how to survive a husband who demands total surrender.
Carnage (2023)
Saint Beckham Carter once shared the woman he loved with his Lord brothers, leading to a devastating betrayal. When she attempts to flee that life, she ends up trapped in Carnage—a brutal prison facility run by the Spade brothers specifically for disobedient Lords and their captives. Saint intends to break her spirit until she remembers exactly who she belongs to, delivering a raw, multi-POV dark romance packed with shocking revelations.
Madness (2024)
Haidyn Jamison Reeves is a dangerous Spade brother who helps oversee the nightmarish prison known as Carnage. When an ambitious woman attempting to secure her standing within the Lords’ hierarchy crosses his path, Haidyn makes her his personal, secret obsession. Forced to choose between trusting a man who thrives in chaos or falling victim to society politics, she discovers that love inside Carnage is the deadliest power play of all.
Chaotic (2025/2026)
Born into the shadow of the secret society, the heroine of Chaotic believed she had finally clawed her way to freedom. However, a lethal Spade brother refuses to let her go, dragging her back into the labyrinth of rituals and vengeance. The story expands the L.O.R.D.S. universe even further, showing that no one truly escapes the oath once blood has been spilled.
Series 2: Dark Kingdom — The Mafia & Underworld Series
The Dark Kingdom series moves from dark college campuses to the brutal world of organized crime, mafia families, and underground power dynamics. Packed with ruthless mob bosses, arranged marriages, and intense violence, these books showcase Tessier’s mastery of gritty crime romance.
Complete Reading Order:
- Code of Silence (2020) — Book 1
- Titan (2020) — Book 2
- Grave (2020) — Book 3
- Cross (2021) — Book 4
- Bones (2022) — Book 5
Code of Silence (2020)
Ila is thrust into the dangerous world of the mafia when she is forced into an arranged marriage with a cold, lethal enforcer. Bound by an underground code of silence where betrayal is punished by death, she must navigate her dangerous new husband while guarding a secret that could ignite an all-out mob war.
Titan (2020)
Titan is a feared figure in the criminal underworld—a man who takes what he wants without remorse. When he claims a woman tied to a rival syndicate, he expects complete obedience. Instead, he finds a fierce survivor who matches his darkness, leading to an intense power struggle where surrender is the only option.
Grave (2020)
Grave thrives in the shadows, executing violent orders for his organization without question. But when his latest assignment involves keeping a captive woman alive, his ruthless focus turns into a dark, protective obsession that threatens to destroy his loyalty to the syndicate.
Cross (2021)
Cross is a man driven by vengeance, using his position in the mob to dismantle his enemies piece by piece. When an innocent woman becomes collateral damage in his quest for revenge, he forces her into his dark world—only to realize she holds the key to his own salvation.
Bones (2022)
The dramatic conclusion to the Dark Kingdom series follows a ruthless mob heir who must secure his empire while claiming the woman he has stalked from afar. Filled with blood debts, family betrayals, and morally grey choices, Bones ties together the entire criminal landscape of the series.
Series 3: Dare — High School & Bully Romance
The Dare series focuses on wealthy, privileged teens at an elite high school who use cruel dares, secrets, and psychological games to control everyone around them.
Complete Reading Order:
- I Dare You (2018) — Book 1
- I Promise You (2019) — Book 2
- If You Dare (2019) — Book 3
I Dare You (2018)
Cole is the king of his high school—wealthy, handsome, and cruel. When he targets Austin with a malicious dare designed to humiliate her, he expects an easy target. Instead, Austin fights back, sparking a toxic, revenge-filled bully romance where the line between hatred and passion disappears entirely.
I Promise You (2019)
Picking up with a new, equally volatile couple in the elite high school circle, this entry explores a relationship built on broken promises, childhood grudges, and relentless emotional mind games that force both leads to confront their deepest vulnerabilities.
If You Dare (2019)
The explosive finale to the Dare trilogy brings the elite clique’s dangerous games to a head. Secrets are exposed, long-standing rivalries turn physical, and two damaged individuals must decide if they can overcome their toxic past to build a future together.
Series 4: Selfish Series
A dark contemporary romance trilogy exploring obsession, selfish desires, and the destructive consequences of love without boundaries.
- Selfish (2016) — Book 1: Introduces a possessive hero who will stop at nothing to claim the woman he wants, regardless of the emotional damage left in his wake.
- Myself (2017) — Book 2: Deepens the emotional complexity as the couple navigates toxic family dynamics, betrayal, and intense passion.
- Selfless (2017) — Book 3: The powerful conclusion where the antihero is forced to learn what true sacrifice means when the life of the woman he loves is placed on the line.
Series 5: Seven Deadly Sins, DASH & Undescribable
These early series represent Shantel Tessier’s roots in contemporary romance, angst-filled new adult stories, and romantic drama:
Seven Deadly Sins Series:
- Addiction (2015) — Book 1
- Obsession (2016) — Book 2
DASH Series:
- Dash (2014) — Book 1
- Dash 2 (2014) — Book 2
Undescribable Series:
- Undescribable (2013) — Book 1
- Unbearable (2013) — Book 2
- Uncontrollable (2014) — Book 3
- Unforgettable (2014) — Book 4
- Unpredictable (2015) — Book 5
- Unchangeable (2015) — Book 6
- Unforeseen (2016) — Book 7
Standalone Novels & Fantasy Thrillers
In addition to her iconic dark romance series, Tessier has penned standalones ranging from dark romance to romantic comedy and romantic fantasy:
- Donut Overthink It (2018): A lighthearted, funny contemporary romance about second chances, proving Tessier can write sweet humor just as well as dark drama.
- Slaughter (2018): A dark, gritty standalone romantic thriller involving danger, protection, and high-stakes survival.
- Make You Beg (2021): An intense, standalone dark romance featuring a dominant hero, extreme angst, and a high-tension enemy-to-lovers dynamic.
- Velvet Fire and the Dragon Throne (2026): Tessier’s ambitious expansion into romantic fantasy, combining her trademark dark, possessive romance with high-fantasy worldbuilding and royal political intrigue.
What Makes Shantel Tessier Unique?
Shantel Tessier has become a defining voice in the dark romance subgenre through three specific elements:
- Unapologetic Antiheroes: Tessier does not soften her male leads. Her heroes are unapologetically possessive, morally grey, and often ruthless, appealing directly to readers who love extreme dark romance tropes.
- Immersive Secret Society Lore: The L.O.R.D.S. universe isn’t just a backdrop—it features intricate oaths, initiation rituals, contracts, and hierarchy rules that make Barrington University feel vividly real and terrifying.
- High-Octane Pacing & Shocking Twists: Her novels move at a breakneck speed, consistently delivering jaw-dropping revelations, secret family ties, and betrayal that keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Shantel Tessier book to start with?
For readers new to dark romance, The Ritual (2021) is the absolute best starting point. It introduces her most popular universe (L.O.R.D.S.) and showcases her signature secret-society style.
Can the L.O.R.D.S. series books be read as standalones?
Yes, each book in the L.O.R.D.S. series follows a different main couple and reaches a complete romantic resolution. However, because characters crossover heavily and the secret society timeline moves forward across books, reading them in publication order provides the best experience.
Are Shantel Tessier’s books very dark?
Yes. Shantel Tessier writes dark romance containing heavy triggers, including dub-con/non-con elements, extreme possessiveness, violence, and intense psychological mind games. Readers should always check content warnings before reading.
What is Shantel Tessier’s newest book?
Her latest releases include Chaotic (L.O.R.D.S. #7) and her romantic fantasy debut Velvet Fire and the Dragon Throne (2026).
Final Recommendation
If you are a fan of possessive antiheroes, dark college aesthetics, and secret societies that rule from the shadows, Shantel Tessier’s catalog is an absolute must-read.
Start with The Ritual, step into the dark world of Barrington University, and prepare for an addictive binge-reading journey through one of dark romance’s most compelling authors!
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