I have no idea how, but Brynne Weaver managed to write an immensely sweet and super hot romance set within a gory story about serial killers killing other serial killers. This is a masterpiece,

Whether or not you think you need to, check the content warnings page, because it is one of the strangest lists I've ever read. And this book will continue to surprise you. I absolutely delighted in the relationship between Butcher and Blackbird, I thought Butcher's found family and given family were also a delight that added to the larger plot.

Prior to reading, all I heard was "it's funny and also horrific, you need to read it" and that's pretty accurate. There's also some of the best banter I've ever read in a romance, and some scenes so spicy I had to stop reading in public. This was a blast! I'm beyond grateful to NetGalley and Zando publishing for granting me access to an ARC.

“He’s my f-fr…boy. Guy. A man-guy. I’m…with. Here.”

Sloane and Rowan are both serial killers who hunt other serial killers, à la Dexter. They become friends and meet up yearly to challenge each other to see who can catch and kill a specific serial killer. Over the span of four years, they become closer friends.

This book blew up on my feed, and I could not wait to read it. It had me at serial killers, chaos, and spice. The way the trigger warnings are written, DEAD. So good!! 'Accidental cannibalism?' I guess I'm a weirdo because I wanted to know what that meant!

The beginning of this book was great. The banter between Rowan and Sloane is HILARIOUS throughout the book. The gore was bearable, although the whole eye-popping business gave me the creeps 😅

Things began to feel weaker towards the end of the story. I realized that these characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked. Their backstories were very shallow, and it just didn't feel heavy enough to become a serial killer. You know? Maybe I am being picky, but if I compare this to the MindFck Series... Lana is an incredible character. Her past is so dark, so twisted, so painful you believe her purpose. It didn't hit as hard in this book. And maybe that was the point... it is a dark comedy, so it was definitely lighter. I also couldn't help but compare this to 'There Are No Saints,' Mara and Cole are just superb!! Maybe I reached my capacity for serial killer romance 😅

The spice was fun, but the descriptions of the piercings could have been left out. 😅 I also found Rowan's tenderness one moment and his attempt to be feral the next was off. We see him tending to Sloane's injury; then almost immediately after he's telling her to pick a safe word. They are both too emotionally stable to be serial killers 😅 The ending was okay. I didn't catch on to the twist, and I didn't feel much at the ending.

Overall, a fun read for sure. I finished it in a day. I loved the playlist of songs the author provided for each chapter. It really did take the story to the next level. The next book is about Lark and Lachlan's story, but I don't know if I am interested in them. We'll see. 🔪

"I didn’t gouge them out, Butcher. I plucked them. Delicately. Like a lady."

I have seen this book all over bookstagram and booktok so I figured I needed to read it! It was an interesting story, and actually really loved the. He fell first trope, but it felt a little bit too open regarding the killing side of things… It seems like the fact that they were serial killers really wasn’t a secret, which was a bit unrealistic.

Hands down this has to be one of the best dark comedy books, I have read in ages! I was laughing from the first chapter.

If you want a book that has a wonderful balance and combination of gore, comedy, and some spice pick up this one immediately. Don’t even hesitate, you won’t regret it.

Rowan and Sloane have such an incredible and organic chemistry. They meet by change and of course they are both competitive by nature, so naturally it becomes a game for them, their little side job of murder.

If you are into the following tropes:
Serial Killer Romance
-Touch-Her-And-You-Die
-Reverse Grumpy Sunshine

You NEED this book!

Holy shit I loved this book and these two so much. Definitely real messed up at times, but I loved the way Rowan loves Sloane, and how she loves him back. These two bare the absolute darkest and most depraved pieces of themselves to each other and fell in love in spite of it all. This book was also soooo funny, had me kicking my feet and squealing, and had some of the hottest s3x scenes I’ve ever read.

I absolutely cannot WAIT for book two!

This book officially has me in a CHOKEHOLD. I fell in love with Sloane and Rowan’s story and I’m desperate for the next book. If you’re looking for a fast paced book that will make you laugh so hard you cry, then definitely check this book out.
If that’s not reason enough, I’ve got two words for you, spit scene.

5/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️

Oh boy! I can say three things firstly:

-This stimulating, scorching, action-packed, mind-bending, heart-pounding, intelligent, and highly entertaining novel, seamlessly blending thriller, mystery, dark comedy, and erotic romance genres, has become my new addiction, making me want to scream my adoration for it from the rooftops!

-I've undoubtedly found another auto-approved author, and I can't wait to read more from Brynne Weaver and the "Ruinous Love Trilogy" books! Especially seeing the bonus part of Lachlan and Lark’s story has increased my appetite and pumped up my excitement!

-Unfortunately, the author has ruined orzo pasta and ice cream for me for a long time! I will definitely be passing on those meals!

This book has an unusual plot revolving around two serial killers who compete with each other to finish the job of their targeted evil. Yes, they are like vigilantes, cleaning the world of the most malicious human beings, even though both of them also enjoy the blood, turning crime scenes into art exhibitions to feed their violent fantasies.

Sloane, the orb weaver, a.k.a. "Blackbird," finds her path crossing with Irish charm, dangerous, charismatic Rowan, a.k.a. Butcher when she accidentally locks herself with her latest prey in a cage for three days in the Louisiana summer. Rowan unleashes her and comes with a proposal that intrigues her, just like the man who tells her the rules. Their attraction is palpable, wild, animalistic, and barely controllable. They decide to play an annual game to hunt their targeted victims by choosing them around the most dangerous monsters hiding in human clothing. Their blossoming friendship and attraction lead them to places they could never imagine.

Will they be each other’s destruction, or are they just a match made in hell, destined to find their own kind of bloody, highly eccentric, stimulating, sensational happily ever after?

Wow! Just wow! My mind is ready to explore! This book is entertaining, smart, unputdownable, and those steamy, naughty scenes definitely set the chapters on fire! They're absolutely hyperventilating! The cliffhanger at the end made me scream and crave the sequel urgently! This chaotic, hilarious, a little gory, but extremely exciting book was everything I needed! I couldn’t recommend it more!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando for sharing this unique novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

3.5 rounded up! I'm surprised by how enjoyable this was! I think I disassociated from the murder parts and mostly read it as a unconventional love romcom, and it was really sweet! Not one to think too hard about like the ~ethics of serial killers who only kill serial killers and then they accidentally meet and fall in love. The banter and personality of the 2 MCs were 😍

Oh myyyy gawddd, I can not wait to read the next book in this series. So good! Thank you for the ARC of this book!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Butcher & Blackbird
by: Jessa Hastings

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you love a book that is:

-FMC/MMC ser!al killers
-Friends to Lovers
-Dark RomCom
-He Falls First
-Touch Her/Him & D!e
-Forced Proximity
-One Bed
-Hurt/Care
-SPICE SPICE
-Dual POV

This will be for you and it has even more within!

THE WAY I am obsessed and in love with this book! This book was utter perfection from the characters and their banter, the spice, the storyline was incredible and I have never giggled and laughed nor oooo’d and ahhhhhhh’d through an entire book. I was a whole different person reading this. I couldn’t put WOULDN’t put this book down and was so sad it ended. I fell in love with this book and the characters at the first chapter and just gave it up to them. Rowan and Sloane are my two favorite and I loved watching them develop and grow together through the entire book. I can’t say that I will not fall for the next and the next book though. The way this book ended has been impatiently waiting. I have recommended this book so many times and I will forever keep this in my top 10 for the year.

A Killer Read
Hold onto your hats – or rather, your knives and alibis – because Brynne Weaver’s “Butcher & Blackbird” isn’t just slicing through the romantic comedy genre; it’s hacking it into delightful, dark little pieces. This book isn’t just good; it’s ICONIC, JAW-DROPPING, SUPERIOR … and if I had a thesaurus handy, I’d keep going.

Patience is a virtue… especially when you’re hiding bodies.
Imagine a world where Cupid swaps his arrows for something a tad sharper, and you’re halfway to grasping the deliciously dark romance of Sloane and Rowan. It’s a friends-to-lovers tale with a twist - because nothing says ‘forever friends’ like bonding over being serial killers. Over four years, these two chop their way from acquaintances to BFFs (Best Fiends Forever), proving that even in the world of vigilante justice, slow and steady wins the race… to each other’s dark, twisted hearts.

Sloane and Rowan aren’t your typical lovebirds; more like love-vultures, circling each other in a sky darkened by their deeds. Their chemistry is a perfect blend of spice and laughter, a recipe that would make even Hannibal Lecter raise an eyebrow in approval. And let’s talk about that ‘not so accidental cannibalism’ – it’s served with a side of humor that’ll have you giggling with guilt.

This book cuts deep - not just in its themes but in its wit. Weaver’s humor is so dark, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t laugh way more than I expected to. The banter between Sloane and Rowan? It’s like a masterclass in macabre mirth, proving that even in the grimmest scenarios, laughter really is the best medicine… albeit in a book where you might also need actual medicine.

“You mean you’ve been locked in a cage with a dead body and a little infantry of orzo pastas marching your way?”

“Rowan Kane you fucking Irish perverted weirdo WHAT THE FUCK are you doing I’m going to FUCK YOU UP—“

“I’m a serial killer you know,” she hisses. “I could break into your room while you sleep and suck your eyeballs right out of your head with the industrial vacuum that Francis uses to clean the cat hair from the hideous lobby carpet.”

Now, let’s talk about the spicy scenes – and no, I’m not referring to kitchen mishaps. Each detail is so vivid, so intimately described, that you might find yourself blushing furiously or chuckling nervously at the boldness of it all. The intensity and clarity of these moments are not for the faint-hearted. They’re a daring dance on the razor’s edge of propriety, leaving you both enthralled and slightly scandalized. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“Pick a safe word. Do it now.” I swallow. Hard. “Chainsaw.”  He huffs a laugh, a burst of warmth against my core.
“How fitting, love. Now be a good girl and find something to grab on to…” he says, then passes one long, slow lick over my center. “...Because I’m about to destroy you.”

“By the end of this, you’ll scream. That’s a fucking promise.”

Dead-on Brilliant
I’m giving “Butcher & Blackbird” a 5 out of 5, not just for its razor-sharp wit and heart-pounding romance, but for being unabashedly itself. After all, nothing says true love quite like shared hobbies, even if those hobbies include a little bit of murder.

“I didn’t gouge them out, Butcher. I plucked them. Delicately. Like a lady.”

It’s a rare gem, or perhaps a rare cut – rare, bloody, and absolutely satisfying. So, if your taste in romance includes a dash of darkness and a bucketful of snorting laughs, this book is your next guilty pleasure.

Just remember, it’s not about the destination; it’s about the murderous journey along the way. Brynne Weaver, you’re a literary assassin, and we’re all happily caught in your crosshairs.

This was a great combination of dark romance with witty humor. I absolutely devoured it within one night.

This one had me at the content warnings, which I really did appreciate. It was wild, funny, spicy, and also gross and gory. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but a sweet love story about serial killers who kill serial killers wasn’t it. I didn’t realize that it was book 1 in a series, so the cliffhanger ending was unexpected. But I’ll be continuing the series.

"Butcher & Blackbird" by Brynne Weaver is a dark romantic comedy that originated as a viral TikTok sensation. The story revolves around the unlikely bond between Sloane and Rowan, two rival murderers who discover a unique connection—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the narrative takes the readers on a journey through various settings as the two hunters engage in an annual game of blood and suffering, facing the most dangerous monsters in the country.

As their friendship evolves into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake begin to catch up with them, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. The plot raises questions about whether Rowan and Sloane can extricate themselves from this dangerous game of graves or if they have finally met their match.

The novel promises a unique blend of dark romance, comedy, and suspense, offering readers an unconventional and intriguing storyline that stands out from the typical romantic genre.

I really enjoyed it. Sloane and Rowan are both really interesting characters. I will admit that it kind of lost me towards the end, the pacing was weird. The first half was definitely my favourite. It was fun and kept me hooked. I love the tension that built up between the two of them and when it broke the spice was great, maybe a little long though. Overall, I think it was a really good book, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.

I'm hooked! I didn't even have to finish my Netgalley copy before I rushed over to Amazon for a physical copy! More thoughts coming soon on goodreads and instagram once this baby comes in the mail!

Butcher & Blackbird is an incredible story of true love and finding your mate in the oddest circumstances. Although I am not a reader of horror usually, the love story in this really shined through and I am excited for the next installment in the series. For any patron who is interested in a great story and is not squeamish, I would highly recommend this title.

4 ⭐️ This book was a riot that I couldn't put down!


We're not normal people. We are monsters. But if we're monsters, we'll thrive in the dark. Together.


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ dark rom-com
✨ serial killer MCs
✨ a gruesome meet cute
✨ annual ‘hunting’ game
✨ friends to lovers
✨ he falls first
✨ banter
✨ 4/5 🌶️ (praise, cock warming, rough sex, choking, spitting, dom/sub, genital piercings)
✨ HEA
✨ dual POV
✨ TW: murder, gore, cannibalism, child sexual assault (past), parental loss (not depicted), parental neglect and abuse (past). Check the author's TW before reading.



My Thoughts:

This was a delight - a weird, fucked up delight. 😂 It's a very original story, and regardless of all the trigger warnings above, it’s actually incredibly fun and comical. I don’t know how the author managed to write a gore filled rom-com about serial killers but she KILLED IT! (pun intended)

I absolutely adored the MCs: Sloane and Rowan. These two are such interesting characters with some obvious trauma that's led them to become killers, but what I love most is that they see each other for exactly who they are and instead of being afraid or wanting the other to change, they embrace all of it and love those parts. They honestly make such a cute couple and hey, I condone their killings since they only target terrible serial killers. It's not like they're hurting innocents.

Also, the fact Rowan has a table permanently reserved for Sloane at his restaurant after meeting her one time melted my heart! Talk about obsessed.

I adored the found family/family relationships in this story. Sloane has her best friend Lark and Rowan has his two brothers who are fully aware and supportive of their killing hobby. I totally didn't expect this and found it very endearing. There's something special about relationships where they see all of you, the good and the bad, and they love you regardless.

The smut SLAYED! Not only are there a lot of spicy scenes but they were filthy and kinky. Rowan is very dominating in bed and takes just as much as he gives. I also think it's badass that Sloane has 🐱 piercings.

I saw the twist coming but it was still entertaining. But regardless if you see it coming or not, you'll love the end. It's riveting and will have you at the edge of your seat!

There were only two things I didn't like:

1. I wish we got even more background into Sloane's past.

2. Sloane repeatedly says "you're the worst" or some variation to Rowan and it becomes a sort of catch phrase, which would have been fine if she didn't say it around 10 times throughout the story. Definitely overkill.


Overall, this was an entertaining book and I'd 100% recommend it if you can handle the trigger warnings.

5⭐️ OMGGG…this was one of the best books i’ve read this year. it was so good i purchased the audiobook as well. butcher and blackbird was a beautiful and funny romcom where he falls first. i did not want this book to end and i can’t wait for Lark’s book

This was a very surprising read! I have heard a lot of hype about this book all over social media and I’m so glad I picked it up! The author did a tremendous job flushing out the characters. I felt connected to them throughout the whole story and couldn’t hate them for what they did since they had an understandable reason for doing so. The chemistry between the two characters was also so palpable, you could cut it with a knife!! I absolutely recommend this read for romance readers who are looking to dip their toes in a slightly darker romance!