Dating the Dark Lord and Having a Surprisingly Good Time

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating by Tiffany Hunt was exactly what I hoped it would be: chaotic, charming, and way more fun than I expected. This is one of those books you pick up knowing full well you’re here for vibes, banter, and a good time. It's not deep world-building or high-stakes emotional devastation, and honestly?

What really worked for me was how the book took something that’s usually dark, moody, and heavy and flipped it into something refreshing. Instead of leaning into brooding angst or endless doom, the story plays with the idea of a “dark lord” in a way that feels light, self-aware, and genuinely fun. The stakes never felt suffocating, and the darkness was more aesthetic than oppressive and used as a backdrop rather than a weight. By leaning into humor, banter, and a bit of absurdity, the book turns a traditionally grim archetype into something approachable and charming, proving that villains don’t always need to brood in shadows to be compelling. Sometimes, letting them be witty, awkward, and a little ridiculous is what makes them feel new again.

That mindset made it such a win for me.

This story leans hard into its premise, and I appreciated that it never tried to be something it wasn’t. The humor is self-aware, the tone is light, and the whole thing feels like a wink to the reader. I didn’t take it too seriously, and I don’t think the book wanted me to. It’s goofy in places, a little ridiculous in others, but always entertaining.

The romance was fun and playful, with a dynamic that felt more about chemistry and shared chaos than brooding intensity. I especially loved how the “dark lord” energy was balanced with moments of softness and vulnerability it kept things from tipping into parody while still fully embracing the trope. The banter carried a lot of the story for me, and when it landed, it really landed.

Is it perfect? No. Some plot beats were predictable, and a few moments felt a bit rushed, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the ride. This is a comfort read masquerading as a villain romance, and I was happy to go along with it.

If you loved Assistant to the Villain and are craving something with a similar tongue-in-cheek tone, morally gray charm, and a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, I think this one is absolutely worth picking up.

xx, Crystal

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.