Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC of There Are No Saints.
First things first: This is a really dark book and it deals with pretty heavy themes (murder, kidnapping, stalking,...)
So please take care while reading it.
But ohhh.... I loved this book. It deals a lot with art and the artistic world. But also murder. I really enjoyed seeing the characters develop through the book.

Where do I even start with this book? This book was somehow addictive and weird at the same time. It was fun to read, but you should 100% check the trigger warnings and be aware of the triggering content!

I really really struggled with this book. I don’t know if I just wasn’t in the right mood or what. Because while I think this book was well written I was bored.

I was so bored. It took me weeks to read this book when it shouldn’t have taken me more than a couple days.

Maybe Sophie wrote Cole as a sociopath too well because I just didn’t buy him as a love interest. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he is a serial killer. That doesn’t bother me at all. I love serial
killer romances. Butcher and Blackbird is one of my top reads of the year.

I didn’t really like any of the characters and I couldn’t relate to any of them so I was never really rooting for them.

Now I might be in the minority because I have a few friends who I love and trust who really enjoyed this book. I hope it picks up in the second book. 📚

This man is unHINGED but I was hooked this entire time. Think the confidence and need to be controlling but the craziness of Joe Goldberg from You. I can’t wait what they stir up in the second half of this duet.
Definitely recommend this shorter, but action-packed read.

I love Sophie Lark! I had been dying to read this book and it was so smart! The vibe between the serial killers and the competition just attracted my mind. Also the art aspect was so fun!

such an amazing dark romance! i'm a huge dark romance kind of girl and this gave exactly what i needed it to! i've never read a romance with actual serial killers in it so this was so different but i loved it a lot!!

Another masterpiece from sophie lark. I am so proud to see her getting traditionally published and cannot wait to see what comes next from this partnership

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
4.5 stars

“That’s a lie. I have tried it. All I learned is that no amount of submission is good enough for a man. You can roll over, show your belly, beg for mercy, and they’ll just keep hitting you. Because the very act of breathing is rebellious in the eyes of an angry male.”


The book is a drug. 🤌

I wasn't sure I was gonna like this but I definitely fell in love with a psycho serial killer. There were a few parts that were a bit cringy but overall I liked the book and will be starting the sequel immediately.



Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark

This was an intriguing dark romance; twisted and addicting with a lot of spice and a solid plot. It was creative and unique; while this was not my usual type of book, I loved every minute of it. Sophie is a great story teller and gets you hooked from the start. Overall this made for a quick, fun read, and by the end you will be left wanting book two asap.

4 stars

Fascinating, suspenseful, and hot, is what I would use to describe this book by Sophie Lark. There Are No Saints, is a Dark Thriller Romance, the first book in this Sinners Duet. It has such a unique story and love interest, and development was so twisty and sensual. Not to mention the stacks were even higher because there are not one, but two serial killers and each with their own agenda. The writing was good and did not give too much away, while keeping me on my toes. It was dark and exciting. There were a few scenes and events that did not work for me, but it definitely did not take away from my enjoyment; they just weren't for me. Mara was an ok character, but Cole definitely had my full attention, he was mysterious, cruel, dark and very unpredictable and kept me on my toes wanting more. I also really loved the setting of art, studios, and galleries, being very glamorous and at the same time atmospheric, detailed. I had a great time with this book.
I received an ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

San Francisco is a mecca for struggling artists trying to make something of themselves, and just be seen. Mara is a prime example of that. She lives in a crowded house with multiple roommates and works three dead-end jobs just to be able to afford even that. And, her roommate just informed her that she needs her out of the studio she’s been using. Now Mara is faced with the daunting task of finding a new one, so she can make her art. But studio space is so expensive.

Everyone knows the local celebrity artists Cole Blackwell and Alastor Shaw. Their rivalry is legendary. However, people don’t know that the sculptures and paintings the two produce aren’t the only art they create. The two are also serial killers and create masterpieces with their victims as well.

And, when Mara catches Cole’s eye at a showing, Shaw sees it and decides to test Cole. Shaw kidnaps Mara and leaves her, very artistically, and near death outside of Cole’s dumping grounds. Cole decides not to play Shaw’s game and leaves her there since she’s so close to bleeding out anyway. He just hopes Shaw will clean up his mess.

However, Cole quickly becomes obsessed when days later he sees Mara alive and well. She managed to free herself and get miles away to the nearest road for help.

Cole decides to offer her an insane price on one of his studios he has for rent. It also makes it much easier for him to keep a better eye on her. He even gets her into a prestigious art show.

He orchestrates their meeting, and she recognizes him from the night he left her to die. Somehow, he still manages to become her mentor and help her break into the art world she covets. The more time Cole spends with Mara, he starts to see himself in her. She is the closest thing to an equal he has found in this life and he loves how she just lives life to the fullest, enjoying every experience. She makes him feel things he’s never felt before and he’s unsure what to do about it.

“In that moment I realize this whole thing has been a performance.

She knew I would watch.

She’s been fucking him for me, at me.

To get revenge on me.

And I realize… she’s everything I dreamed of and more. More vengeful. More strategic. More effective.

More fucked up.”

Cole knows what will happen when Shaw realizes Mara is still alive. Everything he has created with her will come crashing down, and Shaw will want to finish what he started. Can Cole protect her and stop the inevitable? Or will Cole’s darker side take over and he will take her out himself?

“Sometimes you have to kill what you love.”

I picked this book up when it was offered to me as a dark romance. That’s kind of my kryptonite. I actually liked this novel a lot more than I thought I would. The characters were engaging and the story was interesting and different from anything I’ve read before. And, let’s face it, I’ve read a lot of books over the years, so it’s exciting to stumble upon something ‘different’.

Cole was such a dynamic character. He’s the thing that goes bump in the night. A predator you will never see coming. However, this author was able to write him in such a way that you actually liked him. Rooted for him even. And, honestly, I didn’t even care if he became reformed or not. He being dark and dangerous is part of the fun, after all. A loveable psycho, if you will.

Mara was a fun scrappy character too. She recognizes Cole for the predator he is, but that doesn’t stop her from going toe-to-toe with him. Her revenge she took on him was epic down to the painting on his wall.

“I’m struck anew by the absolute insanity of this girl. I admire her audacity. While planning how I’ll punish her for it.”

The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending. And, no the characters didn’t do anything bad or anything like that. My issue is that the ending … wasn’t really there. It stops at an odd place when the excitement is just ramping up. Hey, if you want to read the rest … catch the next book. I truly hate when authors do this. Who knows what I’ll actually remember by the time I get around to reading the next book.

I put this one down as I’m not sure my thoughts with this one. Probably not an author I’ll continue to read.

l appreciate that Sophie Lark continuously writes stories that are different from one another. No one story is the same. Her books are immersive and fun popcorn reads. I think because this was more plot driven than character, this story wasn't for me. Maybe my questions will come up in the next book because it is a duet.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the kind opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

"There Are No Saints" by Sophie Lark is an absolute masterpiece that effortlessly weaves together elements of romance, suspense, and character depth. This novel transcends typical genre boundaries, delivering a compelling and thought-provoking experience that left me captivated from start to finish.

Lark's writing is nothing short of brilliant. The prose is both evocative and gripping, creating a world that is as dark and mysterious as it is alluring. The author's ability to build tension is unparalleled, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire narrative. The pacing is spot-on, with each chapter expertly crafted to reveal just enough to keep the reader hungry for more.

The characters in "There Are No Saints" are complex, flawed, and utterly human. The protagonist's journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, and Lark doesn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche. The depth of character development is exceptional, and I found myself fully invested in the fates of each individual.

The romance in this novel is intense and passionate, but it's the emotional connection between the characters that truly sets it apart. Lark delicately explores the complexities of love and redemption, crafting a narrative that feels authentic and heart-wrenching. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their relationships are portrayed with a rare authenticity that is both refreshing and satisfying.

Beyond the romance, the plot is intricately layered with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The author skillfully balances the romantic elements with a suspenseful and engaging storyline, creating a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. "There Are No Saints" is a five-star read that exceeded all my expectations. Sophie Lark has created a dark and mesmerizing world populated by unforgettable characters. This novel is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a romance novel that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of the genre. It's a triumph in every sense of the word.

I love Sophie Lark, but I was expecting a little deeper of a plot. It was very dark, but Alastor kinda drove me crazy at times. Though this wasn’t completely for me, I still love her books!

I am a fan of Sophie Lark’s, but this book was just a little too dark for me! I’m sure fake romance lovers will enjoy this one! Thanks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I usually enjoy dark romance but this was just not for me!!! I DNF’d at around 5 chapters in. Sophie Lark just isn’t the author for me!

I read this book a while back on kindle unlimited and I adored it. So, when I saw this available on Netgalley with that gorgeous new cover I immediately put in a request assuming it would be denied. Cole was favorite brand of jealous and possessive as hell. That’s what I am typically looking for in dark romance and of course can’t forget to add the irrevocably obsessed with only her. I appreciate the fact that while Cole is a serial killer, he only kills men. Wouldn’t have enjoyed the novel otherwise or his character. Also, the paint scene and where she looks at the camera is my FAVORITE part of the entire book. I recommend this duet! Also, the art that is in this version of the novel is outstanding!

“𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”

Sophie Lark's dark romance There Are No Saints centers on the relationship between psychopath Cole Blackwell and struggling artist Mara Eldritch.

Despite the fact that I had already read two of the Brutal Birthright books and liked  them, this book was not one of my favorites. I enjoy dark romances, don't get me wrong, but this just wasn't for me.

I will say that I am in love with Mara. I mean she literally fucked her tattoo artist on a canvas, knowing that Cole was watching, and then she immediately hung that portrait in his office. Talk about girl boss, because that was some badass shit. Also, I did love watching Cole gradually fall in love with Mara and his semi-redemption arc. 

Even though I did think he was hot, Cole was just not my favorite. I didn’t like him  because there were just too many questionable things about him and the book. 

Overall, things did start to get better at the end of this book, so I'm hoping I'll love the second book of the duet more than I did this one.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and to the author, Sophie Lark, for providing me with this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*