Member Reviews
Wow. Just jaw on the floor. Wow.
I loved There is No Devil, even more than the first book, There Are No Saints. We continue with the two main characters (Cole and Mara), both with their own traumatic pasts, which made them both great characters in my opinion.
Thank you so much to SourceBooks and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was a really good conclusion to the series! There was a lot of character growth and it wrapped up the plot lines well. Of course it is just as dark as the first one, exploring tougher topics but handled well.
Yeah, this was so good- I ATE IT UP! Cole is unhinged which is just what I expected from all the hype. Mara is badass, crazy, and a perfect match for him. Together they’re taking the world by storm while ruling each other’s world and I loved it. I still had some lingering questions about some minor plot points and the twist was a little predictable but I still enjoyed Sophie’s writing! Decent end to a solid duet!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloom Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was fun. I think I liked the first book a little bit better but I still throughly enjoyed this
Another great Sophie Lark and an amazing finish to the sinners duet. This series had me hooked from the first book and the second book didn't disappoint.
This is the second book in the Sinner’s Duet. I haven’t read the first book but was able to catch up pretty easily. This is a dark romance read with lots of spice. It was cool having music songs and art while you read- gave for a more artistic moody read.
In review, Cole and Maria are both artists with somewhat traumatic pasts. Cole is obsessed with Maria and is exposing her to his dark and rich world. Maria is impressionable and is captivated by Cole. But he appears to not only being the one trying to ensnare Maria…
I would rate this a three out of five for this book. Netgalley provided this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
YALL— this was the ending we DESERVED. You know when you love the first book so much that the second one scares you because you feel like there’s nothing that could top it? WELL THIS PUT ALL THOSE FEARS AWAY. Getting to see more of Cole & Mara, dive deeper into their past and see all the different connections within their relationship was amazing. They’re not only steamy and twisted but they’re made for one another. We got to see the man who doesn’t love anyone fall for the woman that no one ever loved. This book had some of my favorite Cole & Mara scenes, but I need a round of applause for that magnificent ending. holy fuck. I miss them already.
I didn't like this one as much as I did the first book, but I still enjoyed it! It was an easy and fast read. Sophie's writing is really addicting and so fun to read!
I liked that we were able to dive deeper into our MC's past and see their relationship grow. My biggest complaint is that the story felt drawn out, but then rushed in the end. However, there were no loose ends and I think it was a satisfying ending to the duet.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Bloom and the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Sinners duet has been on my TBR for a long while now. This is one of the most dark romances I have ever read. I will be honest there were elements I enjoyed, and others that I just did not jive with.
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: Mara and Cole are the main characters of this duology. When we meet Mara she is a struggling artist, who happens to catch the eye of rich artist Cole. Due to his infatuation with Mara, one of Cole’s rival serial killers takes an interest in her too. Oh yes, Cole is a serial killer but has seemingly only killed bad men. While his rival has a taste for young women. I found that I was not getting attached to either character as I just kept not agreeing with the choices they kept making. My favourite character arc came in the second book with Mara embracing her edgier side, it felt reminiscent of the villainous descent many of Emily McIntire’s characters go through throughout various Never After novels.
Setting: This story is set in San Francisco and depicts the affluent art scene. Much of the books take place at art galleries or feature scenes of the characters painting, sculpting, and of course the art of serial killing. The wider cast of characters in the San Francisco art scene did very little to hook me, and I found myself caring more about reading scenes with the two leads together.
Pacing: Both stories have breakneck pacing, especially the first book. I flew through it because I kept needing to know more about the completely bonkers plot.
Romance: So I will admit to growing slightly invested in Mara and Cole figuring things out. I found in the second instalment especially I grew much more connected to their relationship and its success. The first book was not so much for me, as I was more taken aback by some of his actions while he was initially fascinated with Mara, but had not made a move yet. There are countless hot and heavy sex scenes throughout the book and the art is such a perfect accompaniment.
"She’s out of her fucking mind, and so am I.
Our madness aligns in all the right ways."
This series is always so dramatic and chaotic, but I love it. Just as great as the first if not better! Who doesn't love a dark and deranged power couple?
"The day I met Cole, I was dying.
Maybe I did die.
Through Cole, I was reborn."
I love Mara and Cole so much I don't care if they are murderers, that's minor details honestly. Getting to know more of their backstories was amazing and their characters were both so well done and complex. As with the first book, Sophie's choice of music creates such a perfect ambiance for reading and fits the story so well! It really makes reading her books a whole new experience.
Thank you to Sophie Lark, Bloom, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of There Is No Devil in exchange for my honest review.
There Is No Devil is perplexes me in the best way. Sophie Lark managed to write this book that was neither fully romance/dark romance nor was it a psychological thriller. I cannot classify it yet I truly enjoyed it. Normally the thought of a romance novel following a serial killer would be a hard no for me. But there is something about the SInner's duet that pulls you in. Yes, it is a romance, but it is also more than that, which is were the appeal comes from for me.
This book picks up right where There Are No Saints left off with Shaw out to kill Mara. Mara is now living with Cole, counting on him entirely to keep her safe. Mara's journey through this is a powerful one. I did not entirely love where her character ended up in the epilogue, however, I do love the message that her character development brings with it. Through Mara's character, people are able to see that it is possible to reclaim the past, no matter how dark that past was for them. There is something to be said about reclaiming the past for yourself, something that is highlighted through Mara. Her relationship with Cole is never one that I will fully understand, but it works and I like them together. It is a sign of a good book that an author can take a concept that would turn many away, a romance that many would not support, and have the readers walk away satisfied not only with the ending but also with the relationship as a whole.
i just don’t think dark romance is for me :(
it may just be me, but i personally couldn’t believe that he was that morally grey and seemed to upbeat and cheery for who was supposed to be a…yk, murderer?
i also didn’t care for any of the characters much so that made it a bit difficult to truly get into the story, but i don’t say this to dissuade you! i still recommend checking it out but i simply can’t get behind it
There is No Devil by Sophie Lark is book Two in the Sinners Duet. This continues the story of Mara Eldridch who as we learned in the last book she has attracted the attention of Cole Blackwood who thought he had no feelings but something changed when he started to get close to Mara.. But also the very deadly Alastor Shaw. This was a very dark page turning book. Must read if you like the dark books.
Solidly intense, right from the get-go. I can see exactly why it has blown up on TikTok…
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.
This was so fantastic!! A marvelous sequel to such an enthralling story! From page one, I knew I was going to absolutely love this book. The characters had so much growth come about through their personal lives as well as their relationship. Not to mention that the chemistry and tension between them was sizzling across every page. I would highly recommend this duology if you are interested in a main couple that kills together and have a burning love for one another! The only fault I really had with this conclusion is that the pacing didn’t pick up until a little ways after the middle.
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.
"There Is No Devil" by Sophie Lark is a dark and riveting continuation of the gripping saga between Cole and Mara, two complex characters whose love story is entangled with darkness, danger, and the shadows of their pasts.
The story picks up where the previous installment left off, with Cole and Mara's relationship deepening and their connection growing stronger. However, their happiness is threatened by the looming presence of Alastor Shaw, a menacing figure known as the Beast of the Bay. Shaw, who once considered Cole a rival, now sees an opportunity for revenge by targeting Mara, the woman Cole has fallen deeply in love with.
The strength of this book lies in its exploration of the characters' complexities. Cole, a sculptor with a dark and predatory side, is willing to go to great lengths to protect Mara from Shaw's relentless pursuit. His internal struggle between his violent instincts and his love for Mara is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Mara, in turn, undergoes significant character development as she grapples with the harsh realities of the world she's been thrust into and the choices she must make to survive.
Alastor Shaw is a chilling antagonist, and his relentless pursuit of Cole and Mara adds a palpable sense of danger and suspense to the narrative. The tension steadily builds throughout the book as the characters are drawn deeper into a web of violence, manipulation, and revenge.
Sophie Lark's writing continues to be evocative, creating a vivid and atmospheric backdrop for the story. Her ability to delve into the psychology of her characters and portray their conflicting emotions adds depth to the narrative.
The romance between Cole and Mara remains at the forefront of the story, but it's far from conventional. It's a passionate and intense connection between two damaged individuals who are navigating the treacherous waters of their own pasts and the external threats that surround them.
"There Is No Devil" is a dark and suspenseful installment in the series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It's a story of love, survival, and the lengths one is willing to go to protect what they hold dear. Sophie Lark's skillful storytelling and intricate character development make this book a compelling and memorable read for those who enjoy dark romance and thrilling suspense.
So I requested this the same time as the other story in this duet in hopes I’d get both. I did get both and neither impressed me. Unfortunately I read this one anyway since I did get approved for it. Either way not a fan still. This book was just as weird as the first.
I love dark romance, I love all of it but this was missing something for me.
I just feel very unsatisfied. I wanted them to be like Bonnie and Clyde at the end but this was a let down for me.
This is a very dark end to the duo. I really enjoyed the overall plot but found the second instalment a bit lacklustre. I found myself just wanting to get back to the Shaw plot line for half of this book and then when it came around felt like it was over in a flash.
A solid duo that will entice many readers, and plus points for the feminine rage.