Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit. The cat and mouse game is always tons of fun to read. I love the Author's inclusion of the music she listened to while writing. It's always nice when authors include bits of their inspiration. My one biggest issue with the book is the pacing. It all happens so quick. There's tension but not enough build up.

Mara is a broke and struggling artist that is in the wrong place at the wrong time at an art gallery.

This all turns when Cole Blackwell finds her interesting enough to learn more about her.

Cole is a well respected and rich artist that has a thing for her but does not realise it at first.

He is a psychopath that is stalking and manipulating her every move.

She gets an art studio that she can afford when her other one is not available anymore, under the careful eye of Cole ofcourse.

Mara is a strong and admirable woman. She will put Cole in his place when it is needed.

I love how she brings choas to his well organized life.

Her revenge was amazing.

This book read so fast and I loved it.

This has to be one of the best books I read this year.

There Are No Saints plunges the readers into a dark and intense world where the line between predator and prey becomes blurred, and the allure of danger captivates the senses. Cole Blackwell, a renowned sculptor in San Francisco, is a man of wealth, success, and respect. To the outside world, he exudes control and sophistication, but beneath this façade lies a dark impulse that he carefully conceals. Cole is not just an artist; he is a predator, and the city is his hunting ground.

On the other side of the spectrum is Mara Eldritch, a seemingly unremarkable and damaged individual. She works tirelessly at three jobs while creating paintings that may never see the light of day. A chance encounter throws Mara into Cole's path, and her escape from what seems like a certain death becomes an obsession for Cole.

As Cole begins to stalk Mara, he discovers that she is not the ordinary victim he expected. She fascinates him and ignites desires he thought he could never feel. The boundaries between right and wrong blur as Cole grapples with whether to protect Mara at all costs or destroy her before she unravels his carefully hidden true nature. He's losing control and breaking the rules that have shielded his darkness from the world. Mara, aware of Cole's danger, cannot deny the inexplicable connection she feels with him. He recognizes her talent in a way no one else ever has, and it leads her heart into the abyss of darkness.

The storytelling is a rollercoaster of suspense, dark romance, and raw emotion. The characters, Cole and Mara are complex, flawed, and utterly compelling, drawing readers into their twisted dance of desire and danger. The book delves deep into the exploration of dark impulses, the allure of forbidden attraction, and the consequences of surrendering to one's deepest desires. It challenges the reader to grapple with the blurred lines between good and evil and the captivating power of darkness.

It is a dark and gripping tale that delves into the depths of human desire, obsession, and the consequences of crossing forbidden boundaries. This book is a riveting read for those who are drawn to dark romances with complex characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This book left me utterly captivated! If you've experienced the rollercoaster of emotions with "Haunting Adeline," whether you loved it or loathed it, you definitely need to give this book a chance. It evoked strong parallels but managed to be way better. The writing in this book is exceptional, keeping me on the edge of my seat, mirroring the protagonist's tension beautifully.

What's truly commendable is how the author maintains the depth of the main male character, refusing to transform him just because of a newfound love interest. He remains as enigmatic and unyielding as ever, and that's a refreshing choice.

Moreover, the artwork throughout the book is a delightful departure from the norm, showcasing the author's willingness to explore new creative avenues.

Like many have already mentioned, this is VERY similar to "YOU".. but better in my opinion. You have a deranged serial killer stalker and a fragile broke artist fighting their intense feelings for each other. The chemistry is scorching hot, so much so that I don't even think a fire extinguisher could put it out 🔥🔥🔥 BUT don't get that confused with spice/smut since this book was lacking until the very end. Ill gladly have Cole Blackwell stalk me through the dark streets any day..

*******

Overall a pretty good book. The beginning of the book did start out very slow and a little boring. However once it all started to pick up, I couldn't out down the book.

A few things to remember this book is very dark, so check the TW before getting into this book. I myself don't find so much stuff disturbing, so it didn't bother me.

*******

Cole: You start by reading about a guy who is mysterious and elusive. You find yourself trying to analyze every line trying to figure out what makes him tick, what makes him this way? You never do find out why he is the way he is, but you see a strong character development happening. You'll find yourself rooting for Cole.

Mara: She first came off as a push over, or someone who doesn't know what she wants. But that thought quickly got shut down by finding out all that she went through in life. She is your typical struggling artist that is working multiple jobs and still struggling to make ends meet. But also through in a bada** who will literally fight for what she wants.

*******

I cant wait to start reading the second book. I need to know what made Cole become this crazy serial killer. Is Mara the only girl he has stalked at all hours of the day? Not to mention I NEED to know what happens to Shaw.. I NEED ANSWERS!

When I first laid eyes on her, I barely found her tolerable. Her raw nails and grungy clothes disgusted me. Now some bizarre alchemy is at work. Every part of her is becoming increasingly attractive to me.

Thank you Sophie Lark, NetGalley and Bloom Books, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

I really was excited to read this, as I heard many great things from my friends. They raved and loved it! And as this was my first time reading a book from Ms. Lark + hype around this duology was high, I though I found my new top read. So what the hell happened to me, loca? :D There Are No Saints was hilarious and over the top, in my opinion. I don't think it was meant to be like this, but weirdly and despite this, I somehow enjoyed it. But for obviously different reasons that this was intended to lol

Meet the dynamic trio (not love triangle):

Mara - our FMC. She's a struggling and broke artist, who happens to catch Cole's eye unintentionally and Shaw is like - I got you fam, I know what to doo next. And long story short, she also thinks she is the ONLY person in the city who knows Cole without his mask. Special, I tell ya.

Cole - our MC. I'm the smartest person alive and no one can surpass me. You are some dirt under my million dollar black shoes and I hate the sounds of you breathing. You should be happy I even acknowledge your presence. I also unlive only guys, because it's too easy as there is no challenge or sense of accomplishment.

Shaw - I hate women but I ravish their bits and pieces. Get it? Also, Cole is my BFF and we are rulers of the world. Apex predators.

With the amount of Cole's ego description and Mara's pierced nipples, I had some fair share of nightmares afterwards.

First of all, props to Mara for surviving the Beast with only 1l of blood in her body. I guess adrenaline really is helping in extreme situations. Also, Mara must be the chillest person ever who just accepts everything that happens to her.

Next is Cole's encounter with his future obsession:
I take one last glance at the girls beautifully tortured body. Then I step over her and carry on my way.

Mare - this is your future husband! Do you see the material? 100% husbando material!

I didn't like any characters here.
Hygiene? We don't know her.
Odd habits? I guess it works in this book (rain etc.. khe hkem).
Panties? Cole loves them.
Shaw's obsession with Cole? Healthy for sure.

I just can't. I'm confused by all of this. I would like to roast so many things or sentences here, but I will stop (I still need to review the next book lol). What I did like is illustrations in the book, playlist and unintentional humor, because I had a great time reading it haha

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!!