Romantic Thrillers, Trauma, and Hope: My Conversation with Mia Sheridan
Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate, LTK Creator, Shopmy programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books & you can read our affiliate disclosure here.
Romantic thrillers live in a fascinating in-between space—one that more readers are craving, even if they don’t always have the language for it yet.
In this episode of What to Read Next, I sat down with Mia Sheridan to talk about her evolution from emotional romance into romantic suspense and thrillers, what defines this genre, and why stories rooted in trauma can still feel safe, hopeful, and deeply satisfying.If you love romance but want more tension, higher stakes, and plots that move, this conversation is for you.
Listen to Our Podcast Episode
What Makes a Romantic Thriller Different?
Romantic thrillers are often misunderstood.
They’re not dark romance.
They’re not traditional police procedurals.
And they’re not romance novels with a token mystery tacked on.
As Mia explains, the defining feature is momentum.
Romantic thrillers are driven by:
- A central danger, crime, or mystery
- Urgency and escalating stakes
- Twists, red herrings, and psychological tension
- A romance that provides emotional grounding rather than narrative control
The love story matters—but it doesn’t eclipse the plot. Instead, it gives the reader a place to breathe while everything else tightens.
For romance readers who want to explore thrillers without losing emotional payoff, this genre is a natural bridge.
Inside The Fix: A Romantic Thriller That Doesn’t Pull Its Punches
The Fix drops readers straight into trauma—and doesn’t soften the experience.
The story centers on Kami Cortland, whose life was shattered years earlier by a brutal home invasion that killed her mother and sister. Just as she’s carved out a quiet, carefully controlled existence, she receives a disturbing phone call offering her something impossible: a chance at a “do-over.”
A digitized voice.
A locked room.
A missing child.
Four days to save him.
Without spoiling anything, The Fix is relentless in the best way. It’s the kind of book where you feel pursued alongside the characters, constantly trying to piece together what’s happening and why—while the emotional stakes quietly deepen in the background.
It’s also available as a Kindle Unlimited Read & Listen, making it a great choice for readers who like to switch between formats or tandem read.
Writing Trauma Without Exploiting It
One of the most compelling parts of my conversation with Mia was how she approaches trauma on the page.
She doesn’t write to shock or overwhelm. Instead, she writes with full awareness of where the story is going—even when the characters themselves don’t have that clarity yet.
That perspective allows her to guide readers through intense situations while still holding space for justice, healing, and resolution. The darkness is real, but it isn’t gratuitous.
This is also where editors play an important role—helping calibrate pacing, tension, and emotional weight so readers aren’t pushed past what the story needs.
Romantic thrillers work because they respect the reader’s emotional experience.
Why Romance Still Matters in Dark Stories
Even when romance takes a back seat to suspense, it plays a crucial role.
Romance:
- Creates emotional contrast
- Slows the narrative at key moments
- Reminds readers what’s at stake beyond survival
As Mia puts it, the romance becomes a “soft place to land”—a reminder that connection, trust, and love still exist, even when the world of the story feels unsafe.
For many readers, that balance is what makes romantic thrillers more comforting than straight psychological thrillers.
Want More Romantic Thrillers & Smart Genre Blends?
If this conversation made you curious about romantic thrillers, suspense-forward romances, or books that balance darkness with emotional payoff:
🎧 Listen to What to Read Next
📚 Explore my Kindle Unlimited Starter Library
💌 Join the Substack for weekly recommendations, library tips, and exclusive podcast extras
Your next edge-of-your-seat read might already be waiting
Subscribe to
the Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and get handpicked book recommendations, the best deals on reading on a budget and exclusive reading tips right in your inbox.
Why Readers Are Drawn to Trauma-Forward Stories
There’s a reason so many readers gravitate toward dark, high-stakes stories—even when they’re emotionally challenging.
Watching characters survive, adapt, and reclaim agency can be deeply affirming. These stories don’t promise that everything will be easy—but they do suggest that survival, resilience, and hope are possible.Romantic thrillers, at their best, acknowledge the darkness and offer a way through it.