Can you recommend the best modern gothic romance novel for beginners?

For beginners, 'Mexican Gothic' is a great start. It has a straightforward plot with a lot of gothic elements like the spooky mansion and family secrets. The writing is engaging and easy to follow. Another good one is 'The Night Circus'. It's not too heavy on the gothic darkness but has enough of it to give you a taste, along with a beautiful love story. And 'Jane Eyre' is also suitable as it's a well - known classic that many people start with when exploring gothic romance. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is both passionate and complex.

'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is also suitable for beginners. It's a vampire story with a female vampire, Carmilla. It has a lot of gothic elements like the isolated castle, the sense of dread, and a strange, almost romantic relationship between the main character and Carmilla. It's not as complex as some other gothic novels, making it accessible for those new to the genre.

'Dracula' by Bram Stoker can also be a good beginner's choice. Although it's mainly known as a horror novel, it has strong gothic romance elements. The relationship between Mina and Jonathan, along with the allure of the vampire Dracula, makes it an interesting read for those new to gothic romance.

For beginners, 'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang is a great choice. It has a simple yet engaging plot. The main character is autistic and the story focuses on her journey in finding love and understanding relationships. It's written in an accessible way and the romance is really sweet.

If you're just starting with modern southern gothic novels, 'The Secret History' could be a good choice. It has a bit of a murder mystery aspect along with the gothic elements. The characters are complex and the setting of the small college gives it a sense of a closed - off world, much like in traditional southern gothic. Also, Flannery O'Connor's short stories, like 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', can be a good entry point. Her writing is sharp and full of the strange and grotesque elements typical of southern gothic, but in a more bite - sized format.

'Northanger Abbey' by Jane Austen is also suitable. Although Austen is known for her more traditional romances, this one has a gothic undertone. The protagonist, Catherine, has a vivid imagination influenced by gothic novels. It's a light - hearted read that still gives a taste of the gothic historical romance style.

For beginners, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe is a great start. It's short and packs a punch with its themes of madness and guilt. 'Dracula' is also a good choice as it's very well - known and has been adapted many times, so it's easy to find different interpretations to help understand the story better.

I think 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley is a great choice. It's a well - known gothic novel that explores deep themes like the creation of life and the consequences of playing God. The desolate settings, the tortured creature, and the moral dilemmas all contribute to its gothic nature. It's not too complex for a beginner to understand and will draw you into the world of gothic literature.

If you're a beginner, 'The Royal We' by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is a good start. It's like a modern - day fairytale set in the world of royalty. It's full of humor, drama, and of course, romance. 'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell is also very suitable. It has a beautifully written love story between two misfits in high school. It's a great introduction to the genre as it also deals with other important themes like family and self - identity. 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes is another one. It's a heart - wrenching yet beautiful love story that's easy to understand and get invested in.

Sure. 'Dracula' is a great start. It's a well - known gothic story with an iconic villain. It's easy to follow and really gets you into the gothic mood. Another good one is 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. It's short and has a simple yet powerful concept that is very gothic. 'Carmilla' is also suitable. It has a spooky, vampire - related plot that is not too complex for beginners.