A Writer's Guide: What is Dark Romance? (Young Adult)

Dark romance in a young adult culture includes thrilling themes that can be related to the "bad boy" persona. 

Many dark romances that includes the "dark antagonist" have the antagonist that can be cool and calculated, as well as extremally (and somewhat explicitly (violent)) psychotic. Books like these can include the love interest stealing away the main character to keep her safe, or maybe the main character trying to establish a connection with the love interest all while avoiding the antagonist on her own, or being stuck in a house with the antagonist and trying to get the love interest on her side (who is blindsided). 

Many other dark romances that include the "dark love interest" have the love interest who he-himself is dangerous. The love interest can have an ulterior motive (like wanting to kill the protagonist) before falling in love with her. The love interest can also be psychotic and possessive over the main character, although this is a touchy aspect for a young audience.