This book is sick. The MMC is a serial killer with absolutely no emotions, and through a series of increasingly messed up situations, falls for her? Watches her hate f*** her ex while he j***** off to it? Why was this written? This is just sick and turned my stomach. I like true crime as much as the next person, but falling in love with a psycho? No thank you.

What the hell did I just read...

So first off this book was really entertaining and did not have me bored for a second. This is the first romance that I've read with a serial killer/stalker situation, so it was definitely something new for me. And honestly, my thoughts and opinions are everywhere for this book.

I do think that I am not really the targetted audience for this book, since I love a bit more of a romantic couple you can actually root for. And this couple, while addicting, isn't really one I am rooting for. Yet I still really liked it.

This book was just super dark and steamy and was honestly really hard to put down. I found myself reading it on whatever device in every location possible, in class, in the grocery store, in the ice rink. I could not stop picking it up.

Additionally, I already have the next book... so yes I will be continuing this series and I hope it stays just as weirdly addicting as this first book.

It was reality good though it took some time to get into as the beginning was confusing to me. I enjoyed the way the author builds up the characters but keeps them real. I could totally envision being Mara, emerging into herself from herself. The desperate need to survive hooked me and from there I was gone into this world of art, danger and attraction.

There Are No Saints is an extremely bingeable book. The writing is fabulous and the plot is fast paced.

Cole is a famous artist and sometimes serial killer. Mara is an aspiring artist and Cole’s latest obsession. When Cole takes notice of Mara, another serial killer attacks her and leaves her as a prize for Cole. Yes, two serial killers in this novel - and they are rival artists!

This novel is a lot. Please check trigger warnings before reading as there is a very long list. However, it works. The villain is unhinged and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I originally read this on Kindle Unlimited but received an ARC from Netgalley. This review is written after my second read and I liked it just as much as the first time.

Thank you @netgalley for this ebook!
This book sucked me in from page one. It was dark and spicy (although a bit of a slow burn). The darkness in this book was more of what I was hoping for in the last series I reviewed by this author. So this was a nice surprise to have that amped up a little bit.
This is the first book in the Sinners duet and I'm looking forward to reading the next book, since this one left off on a bit of a cliffhanger!
Check TW for this one!

Sophie Lark's "There Are No Saints" is a gripping romantic suspense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its complex characters and high-stakes plot, this book offers an engaging reading experience that fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate.

Lark's writing style is fast-paced and immersive, immediately drawing readers into the world of the story. The action sequences are well-crafted and filled with tension, making it difficult to put the book down once you've started.

The characters in "There Are No Saints" are multi-dimensional and flawed, which adds depth to the narrative. The two protagonists, in particular, are compelling in their complexity. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are charged with both attraction and conflict, making for a captivating romance subplot amidst the suspense.

The suspense elements of the story are well-executed, and the author keeps you guessing as the plot unfolds. Twists and turns abound, and Lark does a commendable job of building and maintaining the intrigue throughout the story.

One notable aspect that stands out is the strong focus on character development. The characters' personal growth and the exploration of their pasts are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

However, I'm awarding this book four stars instead of five because, at times, the pacing felt a bit uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed while others could have been more tightly edited.

In summary, "There Are No Saints" is a compelling romantic suspense novel that delivers on its promises of action, intrigue, and complex characters. Sophie Lark's storytelling keeps you invested in the fates of the characters and eager to unravel the mysteries within the plot. If you're a fan of romantic suspense with a healthy dose of drama and passion, this book is well worth your time and is sure to keep you entertained until the very end.

There Are No Saints is another hit by Sophie Lark that I really didn't want to put down. This is another book perfect for fans of dark romance, although I do suggest that you read the trigger warnings before starting just in case. I loved the mix of thriller and romance that just entices you into the plot with beautiful writing I was desperate to know what happens next. Although this is a very dark book and not for everyone I loved this and can't wait to read the sequel.

I went into this book blindly and man on man I am glad I did. Let me first say this is a dark romance and search up trigger warnings before you read it. I've enjoyed all of Sophie Lark's books and this one was no exception. I loved Mara and Cole! I couldn't put this darn book down and read it in one night!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

A fun twist on the basic bad boy love story, where Mara finds herself at the center of attention of not only one, but two artistic serial killers. Can she survive their spotlight?

I’ve wanted to read this book for forever as BookTok promised me I wouldn’t regret it… and man were they right. Such an all-encompassing read, once I got to the 30% percent mark, I barely put it down again.

This book is not for the faint of heart, and there are some scenes that are disturbing, so be sure to read trigger warnings before reading. That being said, this book is a definite must read for dark romance lovers.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Bloom Books and the author Sophie Lark for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this book.

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark
Release Date with Sourcebooks: 10/3/23
Format: ebook/audio hybrid
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I go into almost every book blind and this was no different. I love Sophie so I request all her books I see on NetGalley. So I had NO idea what was waiting for me in book one of the Sinners duet! Whew this one was dark, friends!

…and I absolutely loved it. Serial killer artists but make it spicy as all hell? Yes please. Sign me up! This is a book premise that could not have been pulled off by many people, but Sophie Lark is a queen and it was so well done! Such a fresh take on dark romance and I could not put it down.

If you’re looking for a perfect mix of thriller vibes & well written smut, this book is for you! Just make sure to check the content warnings before diving in because it really does get dark throughout.

Can’t wait to read book two and see how Mara & Cole navigate their Shaw problem in book two of this duet!

The definition of a page turner, I could not peel my eyes away from reading. The two MCs are very well developed and I loved how Mara picks herself up and fights back.

Cole wasn’t a character I felt like I wanted to hang out with for a whole book. That said, it was easy to read and follow along. I stopped after chapter 1 (5%), but I feel like it will be a solid three stars for the target audience, and 4 stars for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark is a SUPER dark romance. Proceed with CAUTION, especially if you're new to the dark side of romance. Much darker than her mafia series, There Are No Saints is set in the art scene in San Francisco, where beautiful art disguises something much darker and more dangerous. Cole is a lauded sculptor, but he's also a killer, and he has an artistic and violent rivalry with Shaw, another artist and serial killer. Mara is a struggling artist who gets caught between the two men--and once she catches Cole's attention, her entire life is upturned.

Cole's obsession with Mara is intense and focused, and the uneven power dynamic between them makes this romance borderline toxic--but in the best way? People reading this know that it's fiction, and anyone who acted like Cole in real life would be a walking RED FLAG. But in a book? I'm shockingly okay with it.

This entire book is one big trigger warning. There is stalking, and dub-con, and he has no respect for her autonomy. He tattoos her without permission just because he's jealous. Also, there are detailed descriptions of torture and murder. The on-page intimacy scenes are also incredibly graphic and detailed. Definitely 18+ with this one.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully both books are available on October 3rd from Bloom Books, so no one has to wait for the resolution. (They've both been previously published, I believe, independently.)

Kept me hooked from start to finish. The story is full of suspense, passion, and complex characters, making it a compelling page-turner. Lark's writing style is engaging, and she creates a vivid and gritty world that draws you in. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I found a few plot twists to be somewhat predictable, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of five. Nonetheless, it's a solid read for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense novels with a touch of darkness and intrigue.

I dunno the writing was good but felt like it was missing something. And that scene when they tattoo each other clearly shows that the author made zero research into the topic and it just made me lose interest in the remaining of the book.


Thanks netgalley for the arc

I absolutely devoured this book.
Once I got over the initial shock that the main male character is a serial killer I actually started to enjoy it...a lot (I don't know what that says about me though...)
It is fast paced, and unlike other of Sophie's books, I felt like the relationship progressed naturally (well as natural as it can be considering Cole's obsessive nature and "unique" hobby).
Both Mara and Cole have been through trauma and have had a difficult past, but I really liked how they were written and actually got attached to them, enough to keep reading and wanting to see what happens in the second part.
It feels a little bit like the TV series Dexter, it keeps you on your toes and at the same you get the steamy romance and delicious obsession of Cole with Mara.

I have to be honest, I needed to take some time after reading this book before I reviewed it. I needed time to digest what I just read, and self-reflect.

This book was dark. It dealt with some very dark themes and had some very dark scenes within it. But what I cannot understand is how Sophie Lark was able to take the intensity and heaviness and importance from those moments but not let the reader get stuck in the darkness. There was no icky feelings or questioning of why I was reading this. It was meaningful and impactful in how it was written without feeling WRONG.

I read the darkest romance I've ever read, and yet I didn't feel it crawling on my skin. I felt INVESTED. I felt CONNECTED. I felt the growth WITH the characters. I didn't watch them grow, I felt them grow.

And the PACING. Immaculate. Not one moment of this book was I distracted. Not one moment was I thinking that a single page of the book was unnecessary. Not one moment did I feel overwhelmed with plot twists. It was paced to perfection.

I recommend this completely to those who have read heavier romance books with darker themes. I don't think I would tell someone who has only read light romance to go straight to this book. But if you've already dipped your toe in the morally-grey men pool of romance and enjoyed it.... absolutely I recommend this.

I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. Well, at least until I read the second book (which will be very very soon...).


HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5

Dark contemporary romance with all the thrills--very similar vibes to YOU.

There Are No Saints follows the romance of a victim and a serial killer. If you like alpha males becoming whipped for independent women and the Cinderella trope, look no further. Recommended for NA readers who like suspense, thrill, tension, spicy scenes, and slow burn romance.

This is definitely a DARK romance so check trigger warnings, y'all.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you like your books with a little bit of smut, stalker, serial killer, obsessive MC vibes then you will definitely enjoy this one. I need to immediately start the second book in this duology because I need to know what happens. And yeah, definitely no saints here :)

Um, this may just be the most wild dark fantasy I have ever read... do yourself the favorite and LISTEN TO THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before you pick this book up.
They include but are not limited to: Stalking, abduction, sexual assault, murder, self harm, and explicit sexual content.

I cannot even tell you how many times I found that my jaw was on the FLOOR. The audacity of these characters along with the plot twists had me literally speechless at times.

Please carve out a few hours of your time to read this because even though you may not want to read this at any point, you aren't going to be able to put it down or stop thinking about it until you've finished it.