I asked for this ARC for two reasons: bonkers premise and the hype this book already gathered on bookstagram. I wanted to see for myself if this mix of dark and com is for me. And let me tell you — it delivered.

I’m never the one to be too grossed out by gory details in the darker books or movies, so the serial-killer aspect did not bother me but instead thrilled me. Our heroes are the Dexter types — killing other serial killers to help bring some justice into this world and rid it of the worst specimens of (in)humanity. But of course, since it’s a romcom, there should be a whimsical aspect to it. And this is why Rowan is a chef, a.k.a. Butcher, and Sloane has a charming gimmick of plucking her victims’ eyes out. The two become acquainted over a dead body and form an instant connection, which leads them to compete in a serial-killer-killing competition once every year. Don’t think about it too much, it works 😉

My angst-loving soul latched onto this story and didn’t let go until the end. With the added value of danger, every aspect of the romantic relationship became heightened, when at times the stakes were raised from will-they/won’t-they to will-they-survive. The third act ripped my heart out, even though I knew it would end well. That’s a good story.

Rowan is such a dream, the way he cared about Sloane, almost to the point of obsession. I can’t wait to read about his brothers, I bet they are all possessive and protective over their women 🫠🫠

The twist wasn’t much of a twist to be honest, but I didn’t mind that. There was enough excitement in the story for me as it was.

On brand with the darkness of the plot, the steam was dark but oh-so-steamy. Some scenes, especially at the end, surprised me with new kinks that I apparently now have 😅😅 Not every kink was for me, but I’m not the one to yuck someone’s yum 😋

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received this advanced copy from #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is probably one of the most outrageous books I have ever read and I loved every second of it. It was hilarious, goofy, the right amount of gore and drama, and the romance! Don't even get me started on what a perfect romance this was. I genuinely can't wait to read more! I need the next two books immediately please!

Butcher and Blackbird- 3.75⭐️ 4🌶️

Contemporary romance
Dark romcom
Dark romance
Dual POV
He falls first
Slow burn
Open door spice


If you ignore the trigger warnings, that on you… cause they aren’t satire.

This was surprisingly a good read. I mean it was out there, with serial killing serial killers falling in love. But it followed the normal contemporary romance formulas. The flirty banter was good. The tongue in cheek silliness was really what made this story stand out. It’s a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I appreciate that.

I find it interesting how actual little we know about the pasts of the main characters. We got brief overviews, and the internal dialogue just lets us assume their histories or “SK origin stories” were bad, and moves on. I don’t know if that is enough for such defined characters or not. It was a little flippant, like an offhand remark, only it was both characters “why”.

Other than that, this was a great funny, messed up, dark romcom. The similarities to the show “Dexter” is obvious.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for an Advanced eReader Copy of this book in exchange for their honest review.

This book was funny and had a few unexpected things in it. It definitely had spicy sense and I loved how they bantered together. I can’t wait for the next book!

4.5/5 stars - This is a friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy about Sloane and Rowan. A chance encounter puts two serial killers together and sparks a rivalry that spans four years. The two killers meet up once a year, for a challenge. As their friendship develops, a spark shines and they start to feel more. They must decide if they can trust each other, and themselves enough to fall in love.

I never thought I would like a romance about serial killers, but I did. These are serial killers with morals, they kill people who "deserve" to be killed. Think, similar to Dexter Morgan. This was an amazing dark romance that featured a lot of triggers. The author tells you all potential triggers at the beginning of this book, please heed them!

Rowan, though a serial killer, was an absolute gem. He is dark and mysterious but with golden retriever energy. Not only is he a serial killer, he is a successful businessman and chef, and is completely in love with Sloane. Sloane is smart, funny and a little bit crazy. She has a dark history that has made her who she is, which has also made it difficult to let anyone in.

I loved the interaction between Rowan and Sloane. Their banter was perfect, and I loved the dynamic between the two of them. I loved that Rowan was able to build trust with Sloane, while he was head over heels for her.

I ate this book up so quickly, and I was amazed. I cannot wait to read the other two books (about Rowan's brothers) when they come out! Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read if you like: friends to lovers, he falls first, dark romance, touch her and die vibes

I LOVED this book! It's a perfect mix between dark romance and romcom and I've never read anything like it. The writing is very graphic, which has to be your thing because it is a bit gross at times, but it made the book so unique. I cannot wait to read the next book!

This book was amazing! Dark yes. Twisted yes. Romance yes. Comedy gold, yes. I received this advanced copy from Netgalley and couldn't put it down!
Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I couldn't finish this. The writing felt campy and over the top, and the characters felt shallow and "edgy" rather than having in depth emotions.

thank you for this arc🫶🏽


OMG!! Obsessed. This is the first dark romcom I’ve ever read and I’m in heaven. Literally need book two NOW!
The writing is beautiful—characters even better.
Made it to my top 10

I tried getting into this because so many people have suggested it but it wasn’t for me for some reason. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read butcher and blackbird!

Damn was this book good. Not only was the concept good, but the execution was perfect. This book had me a serial killers fall in love. I never wanted to put it down! The romance and the banter had me smiling giddily while also laughing out loud. This isn’t a concept that you see everyday and I’m so glad that this book exists. The world building and thought that had to go into it are amazing. And the tile just rolls off your tongue. Although I will say the cannibal scenes really grossed me out and made me glad that I’m lactose intolerant and can’t have ice cream. But the rescue scene tugged at my heart strings. I love how we get to see them fall in love with each other and how intense their love is for one another. Plus, the spicy scenes were amazing (although I want a bonus chapter of the kidnapping scene). I absolutely adored this book and I cannot wait to read the next one!

I knew after reading the first chapter that The butcher and the blackbird was going to be one of my favorite books in 2023. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. I became obsessed with the main characters and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what crazy situation was to come. The book was full of shock and suprise with plenty of spice. I can't wait to read more books by this author. 4½ Stars out of 5 round up.

This book is insane, hilarious, and unique! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver in exchange of an honest review.

"I was completely hooked from start to finish with 'Butcher & Blackbird' by Brynne Weaver. This book took the concept of serial killers and turned it into a captivating blend of romance, humor, and thrilling adventures. Rowan and Sloane, despite their dark nature, brought a sense of whimsy and charm to the story. Rowan, in particular, stood out with his endearing and goofy personality, as well as his unwavering devotion to Sloane. The author's writing style and ability to balance the romance and thrilling plot kept me fully engaged, eagerly turning the pages to see how their relationship unfolded. 'Butcher & Blackbird' is a remarkable read that combines unexpected elements into a captivating and enjoyable story. I can't wait to explore more from Brynne Weaver."

Five stars for 'Butcher & Blackbird' by Brynne Weaver! This dark romantic comedy takes you on a wild ride with Sloane and Rowan, rival murderers turned friends with benefits. From small-town chaos to upscale shenanigans, it's murder, love, and laughs all the way through. Definitely not your average love story!

3.5 but I’ll round it up. I feel a little disappointed with this one after letting the hype build it up too much in my head. A romance following two serial killers? Sounds fantastic. But the execution didn’t fully stick the landing for me.

I like that this didn’t lean in to the DARK side that a lot of serial killer romances do. The tone was light and funny, and the banter was a breath of fresh air. The main characters were obsessive, yes, but not so damaged that I felt like I was reading a therapy session transcript.

The chemistry was there between these characters and I appreciated the slow burn nature of their romance. But I just felt like something was missing. There were never really any stakes, which may have been my issue.

Overall, cute and fun, but not a new favorite. I will most likely continue the series, though!

I told my friends after reading this, that I just finished a Rom-Com that gave me Gilmore Girls and Dexter had a baby. I envisioned Sloan and Rowan banter the way Rory and Logan banter. That cocky self-assured male that just knows the quiet, shy girl is going to fall in love with him one day. Add in a bit of serial killing, an annual competition, and some childhood trauma and you’ve got Butcher & Blackbird.
The way Rowan fell first and hard? Desperate not to lose contact with the woman of his dreams, he invents an annual competition. The result? Best out of five wins the chance to go after an unknown, ghost of a serial killer. Through the annual competitions, the MCs continue to fall for each other. There are of course bumps along the way, with a few misunderstandings. While I would say it was a “miscommunication trope” you didn’t get that awful never ending pining that you get with some books. The miscommunication, or lack of communication, just made it that much better when they finally started figuring it out. It was joyful watching them each enjoy the other in their element, even if that element is murder. We don’t judge. I loved how Rowan not only fell instantly but was also very protective and territorial when it came to Sloane.
Overall, 5 Stars. I did NOT stop laughing and kicking my feet. The third act hurt my heart, but it was pieced right back together. I think Brynne did a lot of foreshadowing for the second book in the series and I am so excited to learn more about Lark, about what Sloane did for her, and of course, another Kane brother.

WOW! I loved this book so much, I now have a new favourite author and I will definitely be checking out the rest of Weaver's work. This is a 5 star read, from incredibly written characters full of depth, humour and growth. I loved seeing Sloane and Rowan come together, they truly had me on the edge of my seat. I never wanted to put this down I just had to know what happened next. I've never read anything like this before: Butcher & Blackbird is a completely unique book and an amazing start to a series. I am desperate to read the next book (I can't wait for it to come out) and I HIGHLY recommend this to any dark romance lovers.

Please read the CW in the beginning of the book, because this one has a lot.
Also: you will never want to eat cookies and cream icecream again. And orzo.

What a unique spin on a darker kind of romance book! I can honestly say I have never read anything like this before and it was just so much fun!
A book about serial killers, killing serial killers, fun? Why yes, I had a freaking blast.
I never realized that you can actually make a romcom out of such a dark concept, and it works fantastic.

If you liked the whodunnit tv shows like Castle and Bones, switch the main characters to serial killers in stead of the detectives (although they are doing their own twist on that), crank the dry humor up a notch and throw in some very unique steamy scenes you will love this book.

Then a book with main characters who actually open up to each other and communicate honestly? (Sidenote: it took them 4 years but hey, they actually did it!) If the steam didn’t do it for me, this really will.
I have noticed lately that I am really liking friends to lovers style books and this one is just *chef’s kiss* (pun intended).

I don’t want to talk about the actual plot, because I am afraid I will go off and rant like a crazy cat lady (Winston the cat is a purrfect specimen of cat), and this is way too much fun to find out for yourself. I will serve you some tropes though. Probably some memes in the future too.

I went into this blind and the CW in the beginning had me drawing up one eyebrow and then thinking: What the hell, let’s do this. Best decision ever. Let this book just surprise you every turn of the page.

I am obsessed and this book is my life now. Also I can’t wait for Leather and Lark, because miss Brynne Weaver knocked this out of the park.

I picked up Butcher & Blackbird and on a whim decided to annotate it! It was a great decision. This book was filled of great banter between the love interests and all the characters. I was laughing through most of it. Highly recommend this one! (Check TWs)
4.5 stars!