Serial Killers SHOULD be evil right? But what if ... these two serial killers rid the world of serial killers that truly kill innocents and in the process also manage to fall head over heels for each other. It's like they're trying to turn serial killing into a quirky romantic hobby. I mean, who saw that coming? I literally was rooting for them at a point lol.

This book caught me completely off guard. It had me going, "Awww, isn't that oddly romantic?" Even though they have this small hobby of, you know, offing people (lots of trigger warnings), the fact that it's a romcom just made me burst out laughing in so many places. I can't even with myself. I definitely should.. seek help but nahhhhh loved this book too much hehe

Butcher and Blackbird are, well, killer characters, and their obsession with each other as the story unfolds is the kind of relationship I never knew I needed. And the best part? No third-act breakup❗ This book is like a wild crossover between "Law & Order: SVU" (but the serial killers perspective.. and they never get caught) and a laugh-out-loud sitcom.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brynne Weaver for giving me this opportunity to review this eARC. I'm counting down the days until the second book drops. Meanwhile I wait, I'll be snatching up the updated version of Butcher & Blackbird in December ASAP.

Favorite Quote: "You are the worst" - Blackbird "You'll love me someday" - Butcher

Spice level: 🔥🌶️ (fuego spicy level 4+)

Tropes:
🔪Witty Banter
🔪Dark Romance Comedy
🔪He falls first
🔪Dual POV + first person
🔪Annual Competition
🔪Friends to Lovers

Listening to this audiobook was an exhilarating experience, immersing me in a world of dark romance and unexpected connections. Brynne Weaver's tale of Sloane and Rowan, two serial killers finding solace in each other, kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrators, Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden, breathed life into these complex characters, making their unconventional relationship all the more palpable. Weaver's writing, filled with witty dialogue and intense emotions, drew me into the twisted yet captivating love story. The book balanced the grim aspects with moments of genuine connection and acceptance. The story's unexpected twists and the characters' profound acceptance of each other's darkness made it a standout listen, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Does Brynn Weaver have me rooting for the bad guys?!

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I will totally admit that the .5 I took off is because I just didn’t need that ice cream recipe iykyk! The rest of the book however was stellar! The perfect read for anyone who loves a good unalived podcast or documentary and wants to see that genre in the fictional world with a heart stopping romance thrown in!

I MUST WARN YOU TO CHECK THE TW/CW THIS BOOK MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE AND IF ANY OF WHAT THE AUTHOR HAS LISTED AS A TW BOTHERS YOU EVEN A LITTLE I SUGGEST YOU DOUBLE CHECK THAT THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!

I won’t give you too much info on plot as honestly the plot of this book kicks off on page one and it doesn’t stop until you’re reading the end on the last page! But I will say that this is such an interesting and new take on a dark romcom that I couldn’t put this book down until I had seen how everything was completed!!

I loved both of our characters although a part of me feels like that should be wrong, but if you’ve watched the show Dexter than you understand!! But I always love a story with a black cat MFC, and Sloane is black cat personified!! I mean she kinda has to be with her profession and all but I loved that she was sassy, and snarky with a take no fluff attitude. And of course you can’t have a black cat MFC without a Golden Retriever MMC, and Rowan is an absolute Golden Retriever for Sloane, I mean for everyone else he’s a bit touch her and well I’ll let you finish the rest but for Sloane he was a man in love just wishing the girl of his dreams would noticed him! And the fact that this story is told from Dual POV really made me love these characters even more because…WOW do you get an in depth look inside their minds and with a story like this you need that look!

So if you’re looking for a dark romcom, with an astounding reverse grumpy/sunshine friend-to-lovers slow burn romance, playful banter, unalivers competition, all mixed in with the perfect amount of humor, gore, and spice than this book is an absolute must read!!

I don't do violence/gore particularly well but I was just so intrigued by the premise of this book - two rival serial killers (who also happen to be hot, young, successful in their cover careers, and super attracted to each other) decide to see who is the best at what they do (the serial killing, not the cover careers) by having a multi=year competition. I definitely enjoyed this, though if I had not read the (very lengthy) trigger warning list, I would have been out almost immediately because I wouldn't have known when to metaphorically close my eyes (aka skim some specific scenes). There is some seriously gross stuff in here - eye stuff which I know is a huge issue for some people, torture, and more, but what got me kind of nauseated and almost quitting was some cannibalism stuff, which was so, so gross. But there was something really fresh and interesting about reading what was actually kind of a sweet romantic plot between two ultimately vulnerable people set against all of this gore (and some pretty graphic sexual content too). I haven't really read any dark romances so I don't know how dark this is compared to the usual, but it was pretty intense and while I definitely plan to read the next in the series, this is for sure going to be a sometimes subgenre for me.

This is my most liked book of this month. I enjoyed it, killers after other killers. I did not want to put this story down, it was something.

I cannot believe I laughed as much as I did while reading about serial killers hunting serial killers! I absolutely enjoyed the banter between to two MCs. They were entertaining, and yet vulnerable. The slow burn was absolutely worth the wait. The spice between these two characters was extremely enjoyable! I feel like this was a relatively unique concept and it was executed brilliantly!
I recommend this to anyone who wants a dark romance thriller and wants to fall in love with the MCs. If you love a fierce FMC, and a hunky MMC, this book will be right up your alley! Also, the playlist per chapter was a creative touch to make it a multisensory experience!

Please tell me how a book about serial killers killing serial killers is the CUTEST thing I’ve read all year? Our morally gray killers have my heart.

FUCKING ROWAN KANE?

This boy is something else y’all. What a fuckin cinnamon roll. The way he falls HARD AND FAST head over heels for Sloane. The way she gets him to blush. To be vulnerable. To love and to care.

And Sloane?

Oh my sweet baby. She’s an angel, y’all. The way Rowan gets her to open up and trust someone other than Lark. The way she wholeheartedly loves and supports this boy.

MY TYPE Of PEOPLE.

3.5 🌟
butcher and blackbird was such a fun read despite the questionable theme!

the novel follows sloane and rowan both serial killers of other serial killers ( except it seems their craft is enjoyable to read since they’re getting rid of the awful people )- i found the whole plot to be super entertaining despite the dark theme.

―୨୧⋆ ˚ rowan - he was probably my favourite character and was absolutely smitten with sloane straight away due to the awe he has for her 🫢. through the description of his 2 jobs and the relationship he had with his brothers he seemed very believable and fun to read about.

―୨୧⋆ ˚ sloane- i loved to see her character progression through the story and how this translated into HER work - which i thought was such a sweet touch. she battled her insecurities without touching too much on the past ( focusing on what was actually going on in her life ). seeing their relationship progress and their feelings was very cute.

―୨୧⋆ ˚ plot- it seemed pretty realistic in terms of timings due to the time skips which made it seem a lot less instlove! although it set up the next book it didn’t dwell too much on the next couple which i enjoyed. and it seems sloane and rowan will continue with their second jobs 😭

5⭐
Yay! My first five star read of this month 🤍
I don't have enough words to describe how amazing this book is !! Definitely one of my read of the year
I'm so glad I read this book . It has everything I love . The chemistry between them was just amazing. I was hooked from the start and I finished it one day 😁 can you imagine?!
Their banter had me giggling and kicking my feet haha🤭💌

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED 👍 Read TWs⚠️ before reading this book!

Ps: waiting for the 2nd book so excited to read about lalchan and lark

5/5 ⭐
4/5 🌶️

Holy heck, that was absolutely epic. Butcher and Blackbird flippin' stole my heart and my whole damn soul while reading this story, I could not get enough. This is the epitome of dark rom-com; it was absolutely depraved and yet I couldn't stop laughing. Brynne's humor is fantastic, I couldn't imagine laughing during an accidental cannibalism situation before this book. Check the trigger warnings for sure, then snuggle up and enjoy the ride, you won't want to put this one down for even a second.

I'm not sure who I loved more, Rowan or Sloane, they were both just amazing characters. Sloane was constantly unaliving me with her pretty boy comments and her constant ribbing of Rowan. And Rowan could dish it right back, not to mention his punishments for her being bratty were *insert 80 fire emojis here* Together these two made one the best serial unaliver duos I've ever read. I just adored them.

I thought this trilogy was going to be all Butcher and Blackbird, but I'm really happy to announce they're more interconnected standalones with each brother being a main character. Going into the third act I was wondering how their story was going to end on a cliffhanger, and while the book did, Rowan and Sloane's story was tidied up with a neat little bloody bow. That ending was so, so good and with the epilogue I'm even more excited to get more of this world in Leather and Lark, hopefully coming soon.

Just finished the bonus chapter included with the Zando edition and it was absolute perfection. Steamy and sweet and everything I wanted for these two during a look into the future. I just adore Brynne and her characters to pieces.

Let’s start off by saying, this is definitely a one of a kind read. I didn’t know what to expect when I heard this was about dark and twisted serial killers but also a romcom… honestly… it sounded a little dumb and I wasn’t really into the idea, until I was. Brynne Weaver somehow, DELIVERED. This book was exactly what I never knew I needed.

Rowan and Sloane were such a perfect little fucked up couple with their sick and twisted sense of humor and honestly, such heart warming love for each other. Rowan is most definitely up there on my list of book “man-guys”. Total touch her and 💀 vibes, funny, a little crazy, but totally loyal and dedicated to his woman. Sloane was also the heroine that we all love to love- strong, independent, just totally out there *killing it* 😉

This is a five star for one reason and one reason only and that is that I had a shit eating grin on my face for like 75% of this book. I was giddy as a clam and was clutching my metaphorical pearls at some lines. I also threw my kindle across the room like 3-4x.

The thing is I THOUGHT I WASNT A DARK ROMANCE GIRLIE?!? Explain this book then. Explain this. What was that? What was in that? Is it something about serial killer focused dark romances that keeps me invested? Because the only other dark romance I’ve read is the mind f series and I ate that up too.

What is Butcher and Blackbird about may you ask? It’s a rom com dark romance about two serial killers (who only kill other serial killers) falling in love though an annual murder spree competition. That’s the tweet.

B&B kind of gave me that feeling that like old slasher movies give where objectively what’s happening is atrocious but it’s done in a way that I just can’t really take seriously? It’s so over the top and ridiculous and messed up that it’s hilarious. I found myself chuckling at literal cannibalism (am I okay).

Now is this book perfect no. Sometimes I find that every “standard” I set for myself when it comes to what kinds of things are “well done” or “for me” completely evaporate when I try a new genre. Insta attraction? Count me in. Absolutely unrealistic behavior? Perfect. Banter that would never see the light of day because it’s so unhinged. Give me more.

The only actual criticism that I have is that sometimes the big blow up conflict moments got resolved way too quickly. Oh and also that Rowan is potentially the most melodramatic book boyfriend ever written so his cheesy lines were 50% face palm 50% aww that’s fucking adorable.

Really though I love that man and often his cheesy lines were balanced with scathing comments from Sloane that just were very self aware so it ended up being funny. The monster smut references were my favorite part and the actual chilli pepper scenes I was like I feel like I am INTRUDING honestly this is insane behavior.

To Dark Romance readers: I know that those of you who have been in the trenches will probably read this and be like allison this is child’s play and I’m sure it is. I’d like to stay in the kiddy pool though because there are some dark and desolate corners of this genre and I would like to preserve my innocence. So where can I get more of specifically THIS?


Okay that’s the review now for people who have ALREADY read this I need to say something so SPOILERS: Okay so like when Rowan proposes to her by putting the ring into the recently plucked out eye socket of the serial killer…did you guys swoon too? Also can we talk about the dragon onsie. I screamed.

Thanks so much to Bruner Weaver, Zando and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own!

What an interesting premise. I really enjoyed this book, despite all the fire and horror, it’s excellently written and well paced. I loved how the story unravels and the way everything is interconnected.

Rowan and Sloane were a fantastic couple and the tension between the two was great.

Would defo recommend (but highly suggest trigger warnings first!)

I had seen this title running around a few of my reading groups. People said it was good but the striking colors on the cover were what made it stick out too me.

So, since people were raving I picked it up and Oh . . .my. . . Gosh!

What even is this? In the best tone that question can be asked. This book was hilarious and a bit gorey and a bit emotional. The characters were very real in the way they interacted with one another. They didn't have that "we are obviously in a book world and not the real world" vibe to them.

I never imagined horror-comedy could be a genre that I wanted more of but I want more. This book is easily going to be one I scream about for a while.

Thank you NetGalley or providing an arc of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This was SO MUCH FUN. Of course, it was a little iffy morally, not to be replicated in real life, blah blah blah - but look, it was entertaining as hell, and kinda adorable to be honest.

'"I renounce my wicked ways," I say
... "That's a shame. I bet I would like your wicked ways."'

I adored our main couple - we got dual POV (yay!) from their perspectives, which beautifully highlighted their mutual pining by the bucketload, and the two were simply perfect for each other. Despite his murderous tendencies, Rowan was an absolute simp, which I always love and appreciate. And he didn't hide it either! Also, he's Irish? HOT.

"Table twelve is PERMANENTLY RESERVED for:
- any reservation under the name Sloane Sutherland
- a beautiful, black-haired woman with hazel eyes and freckles, 5'8", probably alone, shy, looks like she wants to run"

ADORABLE. Plus who doesn't love a man that can cook??

I also really adored Sloane's character - we got to see her open herself up as Rowan dug through her walls, and despite being a minor (major, really) serial killer, she was so shy and precious sometimes. I just wanted to give her the biggest hug. But that's not to say that she wasn't badass as hell and an absolute genius, because she was definitely those things too!

'"Did you just propose on a napkin with a ring you stuffed in a guy's eye hole?"'

We had some cute little pining, we had the occasional murder and torture session, and we had some highly amusing situations (check those trigger warnings though). There was even a bit of a mystery, and while I guessed the plot-twist from a mile away, I still had so much fun. It wasn't really about the plot, more the romance and relationship between our MCs, but I didn't mind at all.

I also really adored the platonic relationships in the book, with Sloane's best friend being such a funny and supportive icon, and Rowan's brothers always being there for him (but simultaneously being constant pain-in-the-asses. As siblings should be). Can't wait to see what their books bring!

All in all, I really enjoyed this one - recommended for those dark but funny romance lovers. And my mindf*ck girlies!

This book was absolute bananas. I don't know if I will ever recover from how insane this was. However, I loved every second of it. I loved these characters and I'll defend them till my face is blue. The trigger warnings in the begging seemed almost too crazy to be true, but they are very very true so proceed with caution.

I do not read spooky books, I don't read thrillers or any of the sorts except for Stephen King when I was a teenager, that being said- this book is freaking WILD. It's such a great concept and I truly loved it. I will be buying this one immediately.

(4.5)
So glad I gave into the buzz and checked this one out. I wanna say it’s a fun book but that feels weird considering it’s about fictional serial killers… but I’m gonna say it anyways, this was such a fun book. The banter is top notch and probably my favorite part. The suspense had me flipping pages like a mad woman. The spice took me by absolute surprise and then had me blushing like a fool. I didn’t know this was going to be a series (it says trilogy on the front I’m just blind) but I’m so thankful it is cause I absolutely want more. I LOVED this book and will be getting a physical copy for sure!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

"Being a serial killer who kills serial killers is a great hobby...Until you find yourself locked in a cage." - Sloane

Based on the warning alone at the beginning of this book, I knew I was in for a wild ride. I don’t consider myself squeamish, but I admit I was a tad worried when eyeballs were mentioned. I'm happy to report that any misgivings were quickly cast aside, this book is a murderous joyride of frenzied fun!

Sloane was a complex character, outside of her obviously dark hobby of killing, there was a lot of trauma she was clearly trying to mask in her everyday life. Murder was an outlet for her, and although her art was composed of body parts, I could see the reasoning behind it. I thoroughly enjoyed her banter with Butcher, despite the gruesome topics I was laughing at their antics and humor.

"'I didn't gouge them out, Butcher. I plucked them. Delicately. Like a lady.'" - Sloane

I adored Rowan, he fell hard and wasn't upset about it in the least. Their relationship was a slow progression, from enemies, to tentative friends, to best friends then to lovers - and throughout it all Rowan kept Slone at the forefront of his thoughts. They were so similarly broken but in different ways. Rowan never wanted to fix her, just embrace her jagged edges and celebrate her chaos.

"She's everywhere, in every drop of my blood, in every spark of thought, and I want to fucking destroy her for it. To shatter her just like she's broken me. Because she brings me to my fucking knees. I want to ruin her so that she's mine, my beautiful disaster. My wild creature. My goddess of chaos." - Rowan

Sloane and Rowan's chemistry was off the charts and their slow-burn love story kept me on the edge. It took 60% of the book before Rowan and Sloane finally fell into bed together and damn, it was worth the wait.

Butcher & Blackbird was a romantic comedy in essence, just with murder and plenty of blood. This is the first book in the trilogy and I can’t wait to read Lark's book next.

I got this for review on netgally.

I didn't know what to expect from this and I have a bad habit of judging cartoon covers to be less dark, less intense and less spicy that other covers. But it was very intruiged by this with the blurb and what I've heard about it and I loved it. Its the it's very dark and graphic murders in parts but still having a comedic tone and an slightly cute and very spicy romance. I loved it. It had the darker themes I enjoy reading about and it feels sorta scary. It was very much a blend of a few things and I'm very intruiged and excited to read the next book.