I’m not going to lie, I was a little put off at the beginning. The characters and the story are so beautifully developed I was having to make myself slow down to absorb all the beautiful details of this book. I’m glad I stuck through the initial ick because I LOVED this book & can’t wait to read the pair. This author never disappoints I’m always OBSESSED

5/5 ⭐
3/5 🌶️
5/5 🎧

What a wild ride. I love Sophie, so I didn't even read the summary before starting this book... Finding out it was a serial unaliver romance had me squealing with joy and it didn't disappoint. These characters are insane in all the best ways and I can't wait to see how this duet ends.

I really loved the audio, both Lee Michaels and Jeffrey Holz did a fantastic job and the production was really well done.

I am loving the dueling unalivers storyline. How both of these guys work, how different they are and getting inside Cole's mind especially is all so good. Mara and Cole's erm, "meet cute" was actually quite the opposite, but Sophie wrote their relationship so perfectly that you'd almost never believe they started out that way if it wasn't brought up often. The lust is practically instant, but the love is beautifully slow.

The ending had me gasping and internally screaming. So much went down in the last bit and I'm incredibly eager to jump into There Is No Devil as soon as possible. If it's anything like Saints, this duet will be a favorite for sure.

This one had an interesting combination of genres and I totally loved it.
The author has penned down an amazing plotline with a wonderful set of characters. The characters were so good , they kept me hooked till the very end. Each has been given sufficient scope to contribute to the plot. I had a great time reading this one.

Reading slump who? I was struggling to find the joy in reading the last month or so but this….This did it for me. It toes the fine line between too dark and just right in the world of Dark Romances. It gives Haunting Adeline meets Dexter vibes but BETTER. Cole is a rich brooding artist who moonlights as a serial killer. His rival in both his professional career as an artist as well as his rival in his hobby in murdering is Shaw who sees Cole notice a grungy starving artist, Mara, one night and “gifts” her to him. This is sexy, suspenseful, morally dark grey, and absolutely intriguing. I devoured this book in a single day and already need to read more. The cover art is absolutely BEAUTIFUL and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next book.

Mara is a struggling artist…no seriously, homegirl has $80 to her name and she’s got her share of the rent due among other things. She doesn’t let that get her down as she works multiple jobs and tries to keep her momentum with her art. It’s not until her path crosses with Alastor Shaw and Cole Blackwell, two of San Francisco’s most sought after artists. She falls prey to ones sick games, left for dead in the woods while the other takes an interest and turns it into an obsession with her. Her luck turns around as she finds a new studio space, grant money, and a new mentor who helps opens doors for her in the art world. She starts to see that things aren’t quite as they appear and her world is shaken as she starts taking off the masks until she sees the truth.

This was a great start to this duet, Cole is ruthless but Mara is no weakling. I loved the push and pull between the two of them, the intensity as Mara gets closer and closer to finding the truth behind her attack, and the studio scene with Logan…I wont spoil it but Mara’s personal torment for Cole will live rent free in my head for a while. This is perfect for those that like themes/tropes: stalker romance, dark romance, touch her and d!e, short lived mysterious benefactor, serial killers.

Review posted on Amazon & Goodreads, possibly featured in future posts on Instagram & TikTok @cursebreakerbooks

A gripping psychological romantic suspense that also strangely feels a bit tongue in cheek. There Are No Saints is the first book in the Sinners duet from Sophie Lark and features a struggling young artist called Mara who after a unique initial meeting, attracts the attention of renowned sculptor Cole who quickly becomes obsessed with her and who resorts to stalking her to find out all her secrets. This was a fantastic emotionally dark and steamy tale with the ultimate in badboy antiheroes but for me there was also a strong vibe of very dark humour. I can’t decide if I actually liked this book, but I do know that I’ll definitely be reading the second half of this duet.

The Facts: dark romance, serial killer, artists, touch her and die vibes, some serious You vibes

The Facts: dark romance, serial killer, artists, touch her and die vibes, some serious You vibes

I am addicted to Sophie Lark’s writing. Her stylistic way of creating these well-developed and detailed characters amazes me. While I do read a lot of dark romance, I’ve never read anything quite like this before. Its uniqueness is what is special about it.

I loved seeing Cole learn how to feel—or at least acknowledge the fact that he can feel things—the longer he gets to know Mara. Mara’s individuality, I enjoyed it so much! It was refreshing the way she thought and acted. The plot had me on my toes at certain points and the plot twists were great! It had a great pace and I devoured this book quickly.

I am eager to read the next one!

This book has been on my radar since everyone on TikTok started talking about it. When I saw it on NetGalley, I hit the request button without a second thought. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, as the two stars indicate, it was okay.. The art world setting made for something different and entertaining, since I have been to my fair share of gallery openings and art shows. Having dueling artists as dueling serial killers made me sit up and pay attention, too. For these two reasons alone, this book had such potential and I was super excited to read it!

However, to me, it didn't live up to the premise. If the romance had been between Shaw and Cole, heck yeah, sign me up. But, the relationship between Cole and Mara felt forced and unconvincing. They mentally sparked about art, but there wasn't any sizzle or passion as a couple. I understand his possessiveness, given his feeling that she was given to him, but I don't understand what she sees in him.

I can get past his offering her to blow someone else, her revenge sex, and even the way he spies on her, but the part where everything really went off the rails for me was after the Halloween party. Cole feels he needs to keep Mara safe from Shaw at all costs. But, he doesn't tell her why or who she should fear.. If he said, uh, stay away from that guy, because he's the one who kidnapped and tortured you and left you for dead, I think she'd understand and take the threat seriously. But, no. He chose to watch her from a distance and let her figure everything out for herself. AND, even when she's figured it all out, she still goes to Cole's place and lets herself be exceptionally open and vulnerable with him. Nope, sorry. That's where it crosses from being okay to forced and TSTL territory.

Three other sticking points pop out at me: Erin's death was staged like a painting. That's unusual for Shaw. Is this a new killer? Otherwise, why would he do that and change his pattern? Two, can we take a moment to say the new and various roommates in the house felt a bit like a clown car. She said she had a lot of roommates, but there were at least four who had never been mentioned until after Erin's death. Ridiculous. And, three, they each have new tattoos in this book, but there is absolutely no mention of care, peeling, lotion, etc. The tattooing itself was hot, if a bit odd, but was really a non-issue, which made it an issue to me? Also, anal without lube is just...no, thank you.

The biggest issue for me, however, is that this book ends with what feels like a chapter break. There isn't a cliffhanger. There isn't a HEA or HFN. The story feels incomplete, and it is, but there is also no reason to keep reading. I was hoping the second book in the duet would be Shaw falling for his next victim, but it seems to be more of Cole and Mara, but there is nothing that makes me, as a reader, want to see where their story is going.

In general, I liked the setting and the worldbuilding, but the plot and characters, to me, did not live up to the premise.

I was drawn in by the synopsis of this book and overall it was a ok read.

I really liked the addition of the illustrations and playlist, they added an extra dimension to the story. It was a quick read which I didn’t really expect but it can often be difficult to judge the length of an ebook.

My criticism would be that I don’t feel there was enough character development. I still don’t feel as though I know our MMC and FMC all that well and because of that I’m not hugely invested in them. I know the author has written the second instalment and although this first book ends on a cliffhanger I’m not frantically searching for book two.

Overall a good read if this is your genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

I love a good dark romance! This serial killer romance will hook you right away. Loved the dual POVs and the spice build up was really good! It does end on a cliffhanger. Can't wait to read There is no devil! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

4.5⭐️

4.5. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. It was the first I’ve read in a while where I didn’t find myself skimming through parts of the book just to get to the dialogue. I also really enjoyed seeing the pictures throughout the book because it definitely helped to visualize some of the scenes throughout. Another really different feature was the playlist that was created specifically to listen along with as you read, and although I didn’t listen to it the first time, I might go back and read it again, with the accompanying songs.

I enjoy how well developed both Mara and Cole were, they truly had their own personalities, and I loved reading about them. I can’t wait to see how the relationship unfolds in the second book, so I’ll be starting it right away

I have a horrible habit of picking up a book based on the cover and not knowing what the book is actually about. This happened to me with this book. I had no idea what I was in store for until after I received the copy. But after I read the synopsis, I realized that this book actually sounded really good and I wasn’t upset with myself for getting the book. I also saw a review that said “Imagine the show ‘You’ but he falls in love and doesn’t kill the girl” and thought, “Sounds good to me!”

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next. I figured nothing bad would happen to the MCs but also it’s about serial killers so I wouldn’t be surprised if something bad had happened.

My main problem was that I felt like the characters didn’t really have that much depth to them. They seemed pretty basic with Mara being a struggling artist and victim of everything horrible in life and Cole was an emotionless, morally-grey character (probably darker than grey if we’re being honest).

The plot was good and there was some character development but I did not like the formatting of how this was written. The formatting made it a quick read but I think I would’ve preferred more details or insight into the characters thoughts- and having less line breaking and more full paragraphs could’ve done that.
The serial killer stalker aspect was super intriguing. if you’re looking for a quick easy read in the dark romance genre this is it!!!!!

5/5 stars

This is a reread, having read it first on KU back in 2022. I was excited to see it on Netgalley and couldn't wait to read it again.
I devoured this book in a day. My reaction still the same as the first time I read it. ITS JUST THAT DAMN GOOD.

Having been one of the first dark romances I ever read, this series will always be one of my favorites!! Sophie Lark is just the master at romances, and leading men. Rival artists entwined in a sinister web of serial killers? It's sheer perfection. Throw in a gorgeous leading lady to fight over, what can be better?

Cole is a dark character, devoid of traditional hero qualities, showcasing various shades of villainy. I adored the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Mara and Cole, heightened by Shaw's ominous presence. Their chemistry thrives on angst, will he or won't he kill her? I am obsessed with this duo.

I can't wait to reread There Are No Sinners next!!

This is the first serial killer romance I've read and I was surprised at how gripping I found it. The characters are dark and complex. I would say it's fast pace and there was nothing cringey that took me out of the story as sometimes happens in romance. If you like dramatic and dark, you'd like this!

Thank you for this arc!!!

To be honest I’m all for dark romances that have killers. The writing style and the character development for me was kinda of lacking. This is my first Sophie Lark book.

I really really wanted to love and enjoy this book but I could not connect.
If you love dark romances and rival killers competing against each other this is you vibe.

Cole Blackwell is a famous artist who hates Alastor Shaw. They are rivals in the art world but both are predators in the real world. While Cole is controlled and precise, Alastor lets his emotions control him and make him sloppy. Both lay eyes on Mara, Shaw has decided it is the perfect way to break Cole but Mara isn’t as easily broken. She’s a challenge and she makes Cole feel something that he did not even know was possible.

This book does contain some darker themes so check out your trigger warnings before you decide to read it. This was an easy read and I was able to read it in less than 24 hours. While I enjoyed it, it wasn’t amazing or something that had me jumping to the next novel. There is definitely stalker vibes and touch her and I will kill you. I think the hardest thing for me was falling for Cole. I love me some morally grey, psychopathic, bad book boyfriend but he just didn’t do it for me. I would say this book is pretty middle range. I don’t hate it but I’m also not in love with it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There Are No Saints was something. It was depraved. It was creepy. It was romantic. It was something. The plot kept me hooked from the start. Two serial killers in competition. I love some taboo stalker sort of romance.

Be cautious, this is a DARK romance. It involves some dark themes including kidnapping, body mutilation, stalking…but if that fits your fancy then read this!

The twists and turns were unexpected. I loved the artistry, as always, that Sophie includes in her book. A great read to kick off the spooky season.

“𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘗𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐’𝘥 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴.”

Bookstagram sure has expanded my taste in books 😝 I hadn’t even heard of serial killer romance until recently but this was fantastic and I’ll definitely be reading more! I own the illustrated version of this which I thought was a fun extra. The cover on this version is better too in my opinion (not that I’m opposed to people on covers but I like the simplicity of this one). I don’t really want to say too much about this book because of spoilers but I will say I enjoyed when she was showing him new food combinations because he let his guard down a bit which is kind of a big deal. It did end in a bit of a cliffhanger but I loved it and I will definitely be reading the next one to see how this duet ends!

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark was a surprise. I expected a fun ride and to enjoy it. I don't know that I expected it to hit on such a deeply personal level. It is a dark, serial killer romance so I encourage everyone to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

I saved soo many quotes. But the thing that really resounded with me is how Sophie handles facing fears and walking out stronger. I am terrified of needles, BUT I have a tattoo on my back. I always get questions about how I was able to do it. I passionately LOVE art. Every time I think about it, it makes me smile and hold my head a little higher. I faced that fear that day and did it for something I wanted just for me. I fell so hard for these characters, which was not something I thought I would say, given the genre.

How Sophie Lark can turn a story about serial killers in an art community into something that has me babbling to my husband about "The good serial killer" is nothing short of magical. Well done. Pass me the next series please! If you love dark romance, thrillers, questioning your own sanity and an empowered female main character this one is for you!