Lords of Dating Crimes Review – A Smart Heroine, a Morally Gray Hero, and a Fantasy Romance Done Right
Lords of Dating Crimes by Tiffany Hunt is easily one of my top fantasy romance contenders of the year. I know the year just started, but it’s started strong! As someone who writes character-driven speculative fiction under F.J. Blooding, I’m always looking for stories that balance immersive worldbuilding, strong heroines, and emotionally grounded romance. This one delivers on all fronts.
From the opening chapters, the storytelling pulls you in. The fantasy world feels lived-in rather than explained. The worldbuilding is layered seamlessly into the plot, allowing you to step inside without feeling like you’re reading a manual. That kind of narrative control is craft-driven and deliberate and I love it!
A Strong but Inexperienced Heroine (Without the Frustration)
Arabella is one of the most refreshing heroines I’ve read in a while.
She isn’t foolish. She isn’t written to manufacture conflict. And…OMG! She’s not clumsy for the sake of a man coming to sweep her off her feet. JFC! I hate when authors use that. Can she please stay on her feet? Okay, Arabella does stumble a few times, but, look, she’s actually working her butt off and that was a natural course of, well, exhaustion. She’s inexperienced but has actual maturity. Her decisions make sense based on what she knows and who she is at the time. She learns. She adjusts. Her character arc feels organic rather than forced.
If you love strong heroine fantasy romance where the main character grows without losing her intelligence, this book absolutely delivers.
A Morally Gray Hero Who Stands Beside Her
Kaz embodies the morally gray hero trope without falling into dominance clichés. And let me just say this out loud, I needed to read this. I am over—over —the “super alpha male” who is so strong and powerful that he can only exist if everyone around him is stupid and weak. Like, OMG. And Kaz? Is the opposite of that. I need a Kaz. Maybe not as a lover, but I need a Kaz. He’s powerful in his own right, but he doesn’t need to overpower Arabella to prove it. Instead, he stands beside her and he builds her! OMG! I needed that! I feel like I’m shouting. I might be. I don’t care. I loved that!
Their dynamic leans into villain romance energy—which isn’t evil for the sake of evil, but more like “take the karmic energy you earned” which I loved — while subverting toxic power imbalance tropes. They argue. They clash. They misstep. But the relationship reads as a partnership — two capable people navigating complicated circumstances together.
For readers who love:
Morally gray heroes
Villain gets the girl tension
Power couple dynamics
Romance built on mutual respect
…this pairing hits beautifully.
Plotting and Worldbuilding That Fully Immerses You
The plotting is tight and intentional. Emotional beats land where they should. The pacing builds without feeling manipulative. Nothing feels accidental.
This is character-driven fantasy romance supported by strong structure — not just vibes.
And the worldbuilding? It’s immersive without being overwhelming. You don’t just observe the world. You inhabit it.
Tropes You’ll Love in Lords of Dating Crimes
Strong but inexperienced heroine
Morally gray hero
Villain romance tension
Power couple energy
Character-driven growth
Immersive fantasy worldbuilding
Emotional partnership over dominance
A 2026 Fantasy Romance Contender
This is officially on my Top Contenders list for the year.
When I look at fantasy romance recommendations for 2026, I’m looking for stories that respect their characters — especially their heroines. Lords of Dating Crimes does exactly that.
If you’re drawn to immersive fantasy worlds, morally complex characters, and romantic arcs built on partnership rather than imbalance, this one deserves a spot on your list.
And if you’re like me — someone who writes and reads stories centered on layered power dynamics and character growth — you’ll likely find yourself thinking about this one long after you close the book. As I look into building and launching my F.J. Wylde romance line, I’m looking to you, Tiffany Hunt, as the light to guide by. Well done, ma’am. Well done!
I need more stories like this. So does the world.
