Vibes: still serial killers, trauma bonding, and continuous questionable art choices.

Alastor Shaw is after Mara, which has pushed her further into the arms of Cole Blackwell. As their feelings for each other deepen, they begin to reveal the secrets that have gotten them to where they are--while knowing that eventually, they'll have to face Shaw.

Eh........ I was less pleased with this one than the previous installment. What began as fun and campy (again) turned into a big trauma dump of a book. Also, it felt like we seriously dialed back on the serial killer elements.

Quick Takes:

--The beginning of this installment really focuses on Mara and Cole having fun and enjoying one another, despite the fact that there's a serial killer who most definitely wants to hit them. There's good sex, there's art pretentiousness, she's relaxing as much as she can, she's getting it good. I liked that. I actually really appreciated that the first book ended on a note wherein, while Cole and Mara were definitely obsessed with each other, they didn't really seem completely in love. This book serves as them really falling for each other, and that aspect I did overall enjoy.

--Where I think this book takes a sharp detour for me is the trauma bonding. There is a significant chunk of pagetime that is just Cole and Mara divulging their dark pasts to each other. And to be honest, I expected Cole would get a traumatic backstory to explain why he's a serial killer, but like... It was honestly... more maudlin than I thought it would be. Maybe that's because the first book felt like an opportunity to neatly avoid the trauma dump and excuses? And that was nice?

Additionally, while we got a taste of Mara's trauma in the last book, in this one we get a whole long chapter about it, Cole's POV about it, an illustration about it. While the abuse Mara suffered is certainly not implausible by any means, the way it's described is incredibly over the top (please, authors, avoid caps lock dialogue, you really basically never need it, I would prefer Italics at this point). Where I got annoyed especially is when, though Mara's stepfather was very much an active participant in the abuse, her mother is the one the narrative really centers on.

Now, I'm not excusing the horrendous actions of Mara's mother (she's very much guilty of abuse, especially abuse via neglect) but the way the novel frames this... Cole specifically stating that part of what motivated Mara's mother was the fact that Mara was becoming more beautiful and vibrant while her mother withered and aged... Dude, I know Cole is a serial killer and to be frank a clear misogynist, but it feels like the narrative supports his conclusion. Especially when Mara's mother is actually on the page. It's the "local woman is abusive because of how hot her daughter is" thing that I couldn't deal with.

The thing is, I liked it a lot when it just seemed as if Cole and Mara were a couple of fucking lunatics who just couldn't help but fall for each other. I supported that. I kind of wish they'd just been loons. To me, the book decreases its darkness and steps away from what could make it unique when it becomes this sob story fest attempting to appeal to like, the average reader. There are most definitely romance readers who don't need to have characters' actions explained away, and it feels like that should be the target audience for these books. Yes, some degree of trauma is understandable, but man. It took up a lot of this book.

--On that note, Cole feels a lot less like a serial killer in this installment, and in the end, I really didn't get why he killed, what he was realistically going to do in the future. I super don't understand why he keeps getting away with this; suspension of disbelief is necessary for this duology, of course, but we needed more details.

--There is a scene where Cole puts clay all over Mara's body. First off, not sure if the clay they were working with could actually be applied in that way. Second, it would be pretty uncomfortable, especially during their activities at the time. This is something I shouldn't have cared about, but did, much as I did with the tattooing in the previous novel.

--I didn't love that the framing of taking down Alastor Shaw became almost like... a moral thing? If it felt like it was a purely self-centered move on Cole and Mara's part, it would both make sense and entertain. At a certain point, it felt like they cared about stopping him not simply because of what he was doing to them, but because of the danger he posed to society. This would have been somewhat believable for Mara, less so for Cole.

--In the last book, I felt like Mara actually did want to go toe to toe with Cole. In this book, I feel like she largely just adored him. And I get why in theory, but it led to a much more boring dynamic. She just truly believes that Cole, while doing objectively abusive things to her, is teaching her how to survive in the world (he's really not). It's not that Cole didn't behave abusively in the first book. It's that when he did, Mara seemed to snap back, which also explained his twisted interest in her. She presented a challenge. In this book, she just sort of wide-eyed and compliant.

--Content warnings: still serial killers, still murder on the page, some pretty heavy physical and emotional child abuse in flashbacks and discussions, and Cole once again engages in consensual sexual activities in the book.

The Sex:

It's better than in the previous book, clay issues aside. There's more playfulness to the sex they have. I did appreciate the use of light daddy kink in this one, but I'll be honest. It just seemed a bit shoehorned in for mass appeal. Cole does not really come off as a daddy.

Also, there is a "remote-controlled vibrator in the panties" thing that is pretty fun. However, Mara literally doesn't know what this thing is, even after Cole puts it in her panties. And I've gotta say, romance authors: the vast majority of twenty-somethings, even young twenty-somethings, know what a remote controlled vibrator is. Even if they don't, the context of having your partner put it in your panties? Kind of tells you that it's going to be a sex things.

I actually forgot to mention in the last review. Mara doesn't know what a magic wand is? What? She seems pretty savvy, not sure I bought that she was so unfamiliar with vibration = good.

Unfortunately, this installment let me down. What I enjoyed about the first book was toned down. It honestly feels to me that this should have been one long book, as you essentially got a "fun half" and an "all emotions" half. And I love emotions, but this book needed more fun, especially when you're coming off of the tone of the first. It's not that the plot or ending was dissatisfying, it's the execution. Get it?

Thanks to Bloom Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Completely and utterly mesmerizing. The Sinners Duet is hands down Sophie Lark's most creatively inspired and consuming work to date. It's existentially invigorating, brilliantly complex, and profoundly magnetic. One of my top reads of the year!

Where this story really astounds is in it’s duality- the layers of complexity and meaning that Sophie has so brilliantly woven into this lurid and complicated murderous tale of healing and identity. Of course, we have the conclusion to the gripping and suspenseful thriller aspect of this story- the epic battle between two masterful artist-serial killers in a dangerous game of cat and mouse and the effervescently evolving ingenue that is caught in the web between them. And by those merits alone, this story is incredible. The suspense is palpable, the twists dynamic, the romance dark, sensual, and carnal yet somehow sweet and tender, the denouement satisfyingly sharp and memorable, a full circle moment that delights and shocks.

And parallel to the clash of brilliant murderers suspense, we have these character journeys that are so vividly moving- raw, dimensional, creatively unique and so fascinatingly immersive. This is a psychological thriller after all- and while book one was about exposing the true psyche of these mesmerizing creatures, book two is about unraveling it. The broody and recalcitrant creative genius that is Cole Blackwell- and what a glorious character. Sophie revels in his darkness- his cold detachment, his immoral code, his magnetic yet dangerous charisma, his murderous inclinations. But Cole is forced to confront his psyche thanks so his feelings for Mara- love, care, selflessness are feelings antithetical to the fabric of his very being, but suddenly his existence is shaped less by his own needs and more by that of his lover. And watching him grapple with that while holding onto his identity is such a marvelous sight. He’s awakened and reborn- somehow still himself, yet evolved.

And Mara- well, this story is truly hers. Her existential journey of discovering is the heart of this. This story is about her strength- a resounding girl power anthem wrapped in a murderous mantle. While on page it seems her awakening is because of Cole’s love and mentoring, she’s actually the source of all the change. She enlivens him as she enlivens herself- a fierce and powerful emerging from the once broken and lost cocoon of herself. Sophie’s message is one profound and resonant- the greatest power we have is that is within ourselves. And only we can truly unleash the best- and worst- of us. Mara learns to love and cherish herself- to reveal in her OWN magic. To take it- relish it- celebrate it. And she is a triumph.

And that layer is the best of all- because wrapped in all the yummy, murdery fun this is really an everywoman’s tale- an existential examination of identity, power, freedom. The light is safe, comfortable, and soothing, but it is often within our own darkness that we find the truest parts of ourselves...and in the darkness we also find the power to heal. The greatest fight is the fight to find ourselves, the fight to have the courage to lean into that. We’re all a little dark- and Sophie unwavering leans into Mara’s. Our darkness makes us human- our own depravity a link we all share. Good doesn’t defeat the bad- rather, it has to learn to co-exist alongside it. Because one enriches the other. And isn’t that the most interesting thing of all?!

This duet is one of the most interesting stories I’ve read in a while- a story of brilliant contrasts and expertly told. Psychological thriller, dark suspense, gothic romance, angsty taboo- but at the heart, an existential metamorphosis. Truly unforgettable- and forever a favorite from the incredibly talented Sophie Lark.

There is No Devil is the second book in Sophie Lark’s Sinners duet and after finishing the first book recently, I had to jump in to the conclusion of this story!

This is a dark romance series following Cole and Mara, they are both artists in San Francisco, and he’s a serial killer. This book picks up right where the first one left off. We do explore more of Mara’s character and see more of her backstory in this one. She has been through so much and is just such a strong heroine. Cole has been intrigued with Mara from the start and he’s realizing he feels things about her (which is a new thing for him). I liked how she keeps him on his toes, surprises him, and he never knows how she’ll react or what she’ll do. The obsession and intrigue they have for one another is the most interesting part! I think the first book was stronger in the duet, but I still enjoyed this conclusion to their story! Definitely recommend this series if you enjoy darker romances with complex characters.

Killer vs Killer, who will make it out alive? Picking up where the last book left off, Mara and Cole are now forced to face off against Alastor. They have to kill him before he continues to kill more people. Yet, Alastor’s fixation on Mara becomes more dangerous and Mara’s abusive family past comes back to haunt her. Cole must find a way to fully reveal his secrets while getting her to open up to him and accept the darker parts in herself. The story wraps up well and in the end it was a quick read.