Blackmore University · 2023
Cruel IntentionsSpice level, tropes & is it dark romance?
by Cora Kent
Spice 3/5 (Hot) · Darkness 4/5 (Pitch) · No trigger warnings flagged
Cruel Intentions is book 1 of Blackmore University by Cora Kent, first out in 2023. The lane here is stalker, enemies to lovers and academy. Spice is open door (3 of 5) and the darkness is pitch dark (4 of 5). We could not find the author's own warning list yet, so check it before you start. This note is ours. It is not a publisher blurb.
First published: 24 October 2023 (first publication, per Goodreads). Book 1 of Blackmore University.
Cruel Intentions tropes
On this shelf, Cruel Intentions is filed under Stalker romance, Enemies to lovers and Dark academy romance. Each tag opens more books with that trope.
Cruel Intentions spice level
Is Cruel Intentions dark romance?
Yes, firmly. Cruel Intentions scores 4 of 5 on our darkness scale (Pitch).
Spice and darkness are separate scores. More pitch books. How we rate.
Cruel Intentions trigger warnings
Warnings not yet verified. We could not find the author's own content warning list for this book, so the flags here are only what the publisher's description makes clear. Check the author's note before you start.
Graphic (0) — open before you read
Open this before you read. These are the flags most likely to be a hard stop.
None flagged in this band.
Moderate (0)
Harm, control, or obsession that is common in this lane.
None flagged in this band.
Minor (0)
Present, and usually not the reason someone puts the book down.
None flagged in this band.
Full Cruel Intentions trigger warnings
Blackmore University reading order
Cruel Intentions is book 1 of 1 in Cora Kent's Blackmore University series. Start here.
- Book 1 Cruel Intentions (this book) · 2023
Order checked against the Goodreads Blackmore University series page on 13 October 2026.
Who it's for
Shelf note written for this site. We do not copy reviews or publisher blurbs. Outbound links are search pages, not quoted ratings. Kindle Unlimited and endings are only flagged when we were willing to mark them. How we rate.
Missing a book? Suggest it.
Books like Cruel Intentions
Matched on shared tropes, then the closest spice and darkness scores. Other books in the same series are listed above, not here.
- Falling Away
Falling Away
Penelope Douglas
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- The Lies We Tell
The Lies We Tell
Becca Steele
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- Watch Me Fall
Watch Me Fall
K.C. Kean
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- F*ck You: Term One
F*ck You: Term One
Crystal North
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- The Puppeteer
The Puppeteer
Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Stalker romance, Enemies to lovers
- F*ck Off: Term Two
F*ck Off: Term Two
Crystal North
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- Shattered Omega: Part One
Shattered Omega: Part One
Marie Mackay
Spice ●●●○○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Enemies to lovers, Dark academy romance
- Descent
Descent
Sam Mariano
Spice ●●●●○Dark ●●●●○
Shared: Stalker romance, Enemies to lovers
Books like Cruel Intentions, with a reason for each
Questions readers actually ask
What is the spice level of Cruel Intentions?
Cruel Intentions spice level is 3 of 5 (Hot). Open door. The scene stays. Darkness is a separate score: 4 of 5 (Pitch).
What are the Cruel Intentions trigger warnings?
Graphic: none flagged. Moderate: none flagged. Minor: none flagged. Warnings not yet verified against the author's own list. Check it before you start.
Is Cruel Intentions dark romance?
Yes, firmly. Cruel Intentions scores 4 of 5 on our darkness scale (Pitch). Bleak on purpose. Comfort is not the job.
What tropes are in Cruel Intentions?
On this shelf Cruel Intentions is filed under Stalker romance, Enemies to lovers and Dark academy romance.
Who is Cruel Intentions for?
For a reader who wants a hero who watches first and asks later. Spice is hot. Darkness is pitch. Warnings are not yet verified, so check the author's note first.
What are some books like Cruel Intentions?
Matched on shared tropes and similar spice and darkness: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas; The Lies We Tell by Becca Steele; Watch Me Fall by K.C. Kean; F*ck You: Term One by Crystal North; The Puppeteer by Kathryn Ann Kingsley; F*ck Off: Term Two by Crystal North. More read-alikes, each with a reason, are on zademasked.com/like/cruel-intentions-cora-kent.
Is Cruel Intentions a standalone?
No. Cruel Intentions is book 1 of 1 in the Blackmore University series by Cora Kent.
What order should I read the Blackmore University series in?
1. Cruel Intentions.
How many books are in the Blackmore University series?
The Blackmore University series by Cora Kent has 1 main book.
What is the Cruel Intentions age rating?
We'd say 18+. Spice sits at 3/5 (hot) and darkness at 4/5 (pitch). That's our recommendation, not an official rating, so read the trigger warnings as well.
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