This is another great Sophie Lark book! I was so excited to get this book. I was absolutely hooked from the first page. I can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

I generally love Sophie Lark books but I don’t think this one was for me. A much as I tried, I couldn’t get on board with Mara and Cole.

*Thank you netgalley for an arc of this book

This is definitely a dark romance book, heavy on the ‘dark’ because Cole definitely deserves jail time, no doubt about it, but I still found him and Mara’s relationship toxic but intriguing?

Had to take multiple breaks in between reading because my mind couldn’t comprehend some of the pocket things that happened

I first heard about this through the authors instagram, and was intrigued from the snippets she posted. This duology certain held up to it hype and expectations for me. It was not the normal kind of story I would read with what kind of people the characters are, but I really enjoyed this duology. It had me on the edge of my seat, and had me not know what to expect around every twist and turn.

Sophie Lark really knows how to write in a way that snares the reader, and won't let us go. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of “There Are No Saints” by Sophie Lark

This was my first time reading a book by Sophie Lark. I don’t think I’m going to stop either!!! There Are No Saints was something amazing.
It has that creepy dark romantic vibe. I loved it! I was hooked from the start. I love a stalker type of romance. If you enjoyed YOU the show you will really like this book! Please remember this is a Dark Romance!

3.5 stars

Serial killer steamy romance??? Who knew this was a thing?

There are no Saints is the first book in the Sinners Duet duology. There are two serial killer successful artists that have entered the world of Mara, an aspiring artist. Both men are obsessed with Mara, for different reasons.

The steamy romance part doesn't exist for me in this book. There is the requisite sex in the story, but it is not sexy or appealing to me in any way. There was no real build up or sexual tension, and just felt cold and stark. The plot took a turn about 60% through, leading me to believe that things will become more traditionally romantic in the next book.

The serial killer story line, however, appealed to me more. I'm now invested in the story, and I would like to see how this plays out. This novel can't be compared to suspense thrillers, the characters are unrealistic and one dimensional, and don't forget the "steamy romance" part of the story.
But for popcorn fiction, this was a quick and easy read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Okay, dark serial killer romance.... hell yeah! This book has been on my DTR for the longest time and I am absolutely ecstatic that I was given the opportunity to read this book. So, thank you, Sophie Lark, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the copy. I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy to add to my bookshelf.
I admired the FMC for her attitude toward the MMC because she had no fear of putting him in his place when necessary. I really enjoy it when the main characters go together so well especially in dark romances when the women actually have a spine and aren't portrayed as dainty and pure beings that can't fend for themselves.
I also really liked the smutty scenes in this book, I think their passion and their appreciation of their art made their connection so much more intimate and an immersive experience for the reader.
The writing was so engaging and the attention to detail was immaculate, I really felt a part of their world and I often lost track of time while reading this book.
5/5 I recommend this book to people who enjoy dark romance, and serial killer tropes, and those who like the show "You" It surely gave me similar vibes
I cant wait to read the next part of Mara and Cole's story, they're seriously addicting.

A mystery thriller with romance beautifully weaved into it. It’s dark. It’s red. The humanity and love tether on the edge of the blade. Literally.

This is one of the best culminations/climaxes I’ve ever read. It is powerful. The stakes are huge. The author does not give you the happy ending easily.

The dark side of the artist world is explored.

This is a duet and to know ALL the secrets you may want to read the second book as well!

The blending of light and dark colors is so masterfully done in this one! Just absolutely the way an artist would want to see it!

I am so happy to have finally read this book. Sophie Lark did an incredible setting up this delicious dark story in San Francisco’s art world.

I am not one of those people that loves true crimes shows/podcasts but I did start my reading journey in the thriller world. I love the crossover of the romantic suspense.

Cole is a perfect morally grey MMC and having his POV throughout the book help you to understand who he is and why he makes the decisions he makes.

I am very interested to continue through this duet and see where this story goes because every single person in this world is ridiculously unhinged.

"There Are No Saints" by Sophie Lark is a gripping and intense romantic thriller that delves into the dark, complex minds of its characters and explores the boundaries of love, obsession, and control.

The story follows Cole Blackwell, a successful and respected sculptor in San Francisco, who hides a dark and predatory impulse beneath his charismatic exterior. Mara Eldritch, on the other hand, is a struggling artist working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Their paths cross in a chance encounter that leads to an unsettling fascination on Cole's part.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. Sophie Lark does an excellent job of delving into the psychology of her characters, particularly Cole. His internal struggle between his predatory instincts and his growing feelings for Mara is a central conflict that keeps readers engaged. The gradual unravelling of Cole's character, as he loses control and breaks his own rules, adds depth to the narrative.

Mara is a compelling character in her own right. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity make her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. The tension between her vulnerability and her desire for recognition as an artist creates an emotional core to the story.

The pacing is well-executed, with a gradual buildup of suspense and intrigue. The alternating perspectives between Cole and Mara provide insights into their conflicting emotions and motivations. As the story progresses, the stakes rise, and readers are kept on the edge of their seats.

The romance between Cole and Mara is passionate and intense, but it's far from conventional. It's a dangerous dance between two damaged individuals, and the author doesn't shy away from exploring the consequences of their attraction.

Sophie Lark's writing is evocative, creating a vivid sense of place and atmosphere in the city of San Francisco. The narrative is filled with moments of tension and suspense, and the story's dark undertones keep readers engaged throughout.

"There Are No Saints" is a thought-provoking and intense thriller that pushes the boundaries of romance and delves into the complexities of the human psyche. It's a story of obsession, control, and the blurred lines between love and darkness. If you're looking for a gripping read that explores the darker aspects of human nature, this book delivers a compelling and unforgettable experience.

Still not sure how I feel about this book. Cole’s character is just so strange. And he goes from 0 to 100 in aspects of Mara but it’s just so bizarre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

i love sophie lark and every single thing she writes. seriously, i’ve eaten up every book of hers i’ve read so far and i wont stop until i’ve read everything.

was this the best of her books? no, not at all. but was it the worst? no way. it was nice that this was set in the art world. i don’t think i’ve read another book that centered around art and artists like this and it was super interesting.

the plot was something that hasn’t been done a lot (not in this specific way, at least) and i loved that. i loved that it wasn’t a dark romance where the mmc was in college or in the mafia which seems like the majority of dark romances these days.

the whole rival serial killers thing reminded me of dexter and i LOVE dexter. seriously, i’ve watched the show more times than im willing to admit and this gave the same vibes as the season with dexter’s brother.

cole was disturbed and reading his stalker-ish ways was better than reading other stalker romances (iykyk). i loved that it started out as an obsession to find out more about her and developed into an obsession to keep her safe.

mara was so independent and it was a breath of fresh air that she didn’t immediately keel over the second a man gave her attention and money. the way she fought him to keep her own ground and do things her way? loved it.

that slow burn though. seriously, i thought i was going to DIE if they didn’t fuck. it took SO LONG but when it finally happened WHEW 🥵 i needed a cold shower after that.

there were a few scenes that had me sweating and blushing and questioning myself. the tattoo scene???????? HELLO??????

all in all, this book was great. it could have been better, it could have been a little speedier, but would i read it again? 100%

thank you netgalley and sophie lark for the arc of this book ❤️

I really want to like Sophie Lark's books since she is a staple on Tiktok and seems like such a nice person but this story just was not for me. I was confused over the whole murderer for art storyline but I think I just couldn't root for a couple where the man leaves her to die. Like I dont mind a dark romance but I'm just like girl why would you fall in love with a man who left you to die like have some standards.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC to review!

3 stars! ?….

I was so down for this and to be honest I did enjoy it. But some parts just felt slow / or I zoned out while reading it but despite this I did enjoy it, I think? Haha I’m not sure if I was continue to read the next one, but I was surprised to be rooting for serial killers lmao

Thank you to Sophie Lark, Bloom, and NetGalley for giving me an eArc of There Are No Saints in exchange for my honest review.

I had some hesitations going into this book. I know Sophie Lark is a great author as I have never disliked one of her books before. However, this type of dark romance, one that centers around serial killers, is not typically my cup of tea. There Are No Saints follows Cole, an artist and serial killer, and the woman that he is obsessed with, Mara. Mara on the other hand is a starving artist who has somehow found herself in the middle of two rival serial killers, one of whom wants her dead, the other who is oddly obsessed with her. This book is a romance in so many ways, however to me it felt more like a psychological thriller. The Sinners is a duology, with There Are No Saints being the first book. This is likely why it feels more of a psychological thriller, because there is a lot of set up and character setup that has to be done before we can see any real development, which will likely take place in There Is No Devil. Personally, I really enjoyed Mara as a character. She is strong willed, and is not afraid to give up, despite all the hardships that she has faced in her life. I really hope we continue to see how her character evolves and strengthens in book two. I am also curious to see if book two will feel more like a psychological thriller, a romance, or a mix of both. I am leaning more towards the former and I cannot wait to see what happens.

I can't tell if I liked this book or not. I want to read the next book because I must know what happens to Shaw but the relationship between Cole and Mara isn't for me. I mean what the actual F! He stepped right over you and left you for dead!! Come on girl!

I've only read one other Sophie Lark novel (Savage Lover), but one of my favorite elements of her stories are the playlists that go with them. They provide a dark but almost sexy background with is a great way describe her dark romance books.

I found that my opinions on this novel were similar to my thoughts on Savage Lover. I love the interconnectedness with the other books in the series. Also - the story line itself is really what kept me reading. I enjoy dark romance so much and the stalker/murderer element kept me hanging on every word.

With that being said, like my opinion on past books, the writing leaves a bit to be desired and the pacing is somewhat confusing. For this novel, it started off fast but ended on a slow note.

I will say - the ONE spicy scene in this book was totally worth it and makes me want to read the next book in the series ASAP.

3 stars

4.5 ⭐️, 🌶️🌶️

I really enjoyed this book!! The storyline was unique and I loved the characters! Mara & Cole ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 i loved them so much! Mara was so smart, talented & hard working and I love the way she ended up figuring things out! The way that she didn’t back down from Cole and gave him a run for his money! && Cole was incredible (in his own twisted way ). The way he silently protected Mara in his own way! So excited to dive into the next one!!

There Are No Saints
Pub date 03.10.23

Firstly as always, thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher & the author for copy of the Ebook.

This is the first book in the Sinners Duet. I read Brutal prince a while ago and enjoyed it so thought i would give this one a go. I really enjoyed the writing style but the book was just a little too dark for me. It has haunting/hunting Adeline vibes and its just not my cup of tea.

Please check the triggers before reading this one!

This one didn’t really do it for me. I saw where someone posted if you liked the show You, then you’d like this book. And while it was kinda like that, it wasn’t. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Mara and Cole. I know it was more of an obsession for him but I didn’t feel any chemistry there. It all just felt forced. So maybe that’s why it just was hitting for me. I didn’t know it was a dark romance either and graphic at times. Speaking of graphics, I felt like the drawings in this book made for youth feeling (maybe cause it’s on a kindle so it’s weird) even though this isn’t for youth at all. I also felt like there was no ending and it kinda just stopped.

Overall, I’ll give it 3 stars to be fair. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t that great either. But that’s just my opinion, just not my cup of tea. I know others loved it. Thank you NetGalley for my arc of this book. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.