Serial killers killing serial killers…the perfect recipe for a romance, apparently. Sloan and Rowan are rival murderers, taking out the worst of society-the monsters and predators. When they wind up at the same target, they decide to make a yearly competition out of their meet-ups. But when they move beyond just friendship, going into harm’s way gets a lot more complicated.
Content warning: lots of violence, spice, and a touch of cannibalism…I’ll never think of a certain ice cream flavor the same way again.
I enjoyed the banter between Sloan and Rowan even with the extreme violence. Excited to see what comes next in the series.
Thank you to Zando Projects for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It is a chilling and dark adventure that explores friendship and danger. Spicy and mesmerizing! All the booktok girlies will love this one.

This book has been on my TBR after seeing so much love for it and I’ve put it off long enough. I was excited to read this dark romance, but had no idea just how much I would love it. It had a great balance of dark humor, spice, and all the banter, and I loved that it features a reverse grumpy x sunshine, with a great plot and edge of your seat pacing. There were so many hilarious moments between rival killers Sloane and Rown, and I just loved their chemistry. The ending has me so excited for the next book, and this will be making one of my top reads for the year!

WHAT TO EXPECT
-dark romance
-grumpy x sunshine
-friends to lovers
-serial killers
-spicy and sexy
-he falls first

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I think this book has a fun premise and overall, I enjoyed the read. However, I do believe the hype around this book left me wanting more. I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love stories, and I feel like that's what it was between Rowan and Sloane. The man was basically obsessed after their first (not so conventional) interaction. The way that the characters acted, considering their... occupations, wasn't convincing. Fun and quick, but not a book I would call a favourite.

I'm self aware enough to know that dark romance is not the genre for me. However, I had heard only good things about this book so I decided to give it a chance.

And even though I would still say dark romance is not my genre, I am glad I took the chance. Some parts grossed me out but I loved how the romance shone through the chaos. The center of this story was a couple who loved each other more than anything else, and what more could you ask for than that?

This book was so fun. Never thought I'd say I love a romance about two serial killers but I do.

Sloane and Rowan are fantastic characters. I love the banter and their lightheartedness but there is also a fair bit of angst there too which really makes you root for them. I love that this book hit on so many of my favourite tropes (touch her [or him] and die, only one bed, etc etc the list goes on).

Sure there were some moments that really grossed me out but they were skimmable and didn't take away from how much I enjoyed this.

Really looking forward to the rest of the series!

AMAZING!!

I went into this knowing it was a dark romance & it was NOTHING I expected!! It was dark, twisted, unhinged.. but kept me so hooked & addicted!

Rowan is literally head over heeeeels for Sloane!! Easily one of my fav book boyfriends 🙊

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I absolutely adored this twisted and disturbing dark romance. The banter between the main characters was so wonderful and authentic that I was chuckling during even the most gruesome scene. I was rooting for the romance from the beginning and loved them together!

I found this to be more sweet than dark. It was filled with tension & longing but also comedy that felt light. Two serial killers falling in love, this didn’t go the way i thought it would and it's not a bad thing. It was fun, emotional. I teared right through this story.

Just so you know the beginning is a bit yuck but i got easily distracted by a handsome man with an irish accent.

𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 & 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 - 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟓 ★

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive - the friendship of two like-minded, pitch-black souls who just happen to enjoy killing other serial killers
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

Well that was such an epic read! I absolutely devoured this in under 2 days! I converted to audio just because I needed the accents and it did not disappoint! 😍

I’ve never read anything remotely like this. Which made it 10x more fun! How the author managed to write such a gruesome story with such comedy with the intertwine of romance was just pure genius. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at so many moments!

The centred plot was very original and well thought through and I cannot wait for Leather & Lark and to reread this book again in the future!

All my dark romance lovers - this one is for you!

2 serial killers have a friendly (and deadly) competition once a year and fall in love. This was a really good book. I absolutely loved both main characters. I would recommend if you like shows like criminal minds and dark romance mixed with romantic comedy!

While this book is not for the faint of heart, this was a riveting read from beginning to end. If you cannot stomach, some gruesome acts done by the serial killers, then I suggest you to opt out of this book. However, this book had me rooting for both characters from beginning to end. Even the side characters also play a major part without being overwhelming to the story, I found myself, not wanting the story to end. While it was a slow burn, I found that the time gaps did not leave us missing information which also helped with the enjoyable pacing of the book. This book had me laughing out loud at a few points. And the spice in itself was dark and sexy, I haven’t seen such quality, true dark spice written so well in such a long time. Thank you Brynne Weaver for such an amazing book. I cannot wait for Leather and Lark.

4.5 ⭐️

This book was freaking amazing!

I went into this wondering how a dark romance can also be categorised as a romantic comedy, and my questions were answered. This was dark, twisted, unhinged, disturbing... yet hilariously witty and dare I say adorable?! Yes, Brynne Weaver did that!

This was just an overall good time. I would equate it to The Mindfuck series in terms of vibes, just less traumatic but with the same gore and genius twists and turns. Sloane was an incredible FMC, strong and an absolute badass. AND ROWAN? This man knows what he's doing. He falls HARD for Sloane, and the angst and tension between them created throughout the book is delicious. When the tension finally breaks, sparks fly, and it's so damn good. The spice in this was 👩‍🍳💋

The quotes from this are also some of the sweetest I've read and made me fall for the characters over and over again. Just overall, such a great read, and I need the second book ASAP!

"Maybe I was right. We're not normal people. We are monsters. But if we're monsters, we'll thrive in the dark. Together."

I heard a lot about this book from friends and other reviewers and it for sure did not disappoint. If Dexter was two people who had a slow-burn but fast-paced romance. Not too gory or disturbing to dissuade traditional romance readers, and great for fans of true crime! I had a lot of fun reading this!

Thank you Netgalley and Zando, for this gifted e-read, in exchange for an honest review!

Serial Killers who fall in love??? I am not much for romance, but if I ever were to be, it would involve serial killers. Butcher and Blackbird was a 5/5 stars for me! So far, this one is my favorite book of 2024. It was incredible!! It had everything; very steamy romance, serial killers, gore, and lots twists and turns. I can't wait to read anything that Weaver writes!

Brynne Weaver wrote the dark romance/comedy we needed. Hot, hilarious, and perfection! I’m counting down for book two.

Diving into "Butcher & Blackbird" by Brynne Weaver, I was immediately ensnared by its unique blend of dark themes and biting humor—a rare combination. At the heart of this novel are Sloane and Rowan, two serial killers with an unconventional yet deeply compelling bond. Their annual competition to hunt down other killers introduces an electrifying dynamic, setting a backdrop for a story that is as much about their evolving relationship as it is about their dark deeds.

What captivated me the most was the depth and complexity of both characters. Sloane, with her tough exterior masking a tumultuous inner battle, and Rowan, whose affection for Sloane reveals a tenderness unexpected in a man of his...profession. Their interactions, filled with both tension and tenderness, paint a vivid picture of two individuals finding solace and understanding in the most unlikely partner.

The narrative's pacing is masterful, skillfully balancing the thrill of the hunt with the slow burn of their relationship. The dark comedy woven throughout offers a counterpoint to the story's more gruesome aspects, showcasing Weaver's ability to navigate a tightrope between horror and humor without diminishing the impact of either.

Supporting characters add richness to the story, though I found myself yearning for deeper dives into their backgrounds and motivations. However, the primary focus remains on Sloane and Rowan, whose chemistry is undeniable. Their romance, while emerging from a dark premise, is surprisingly heartfelt and genuine, challenging conventional perceptions of love and partnership.

As the plot twists towards its climax, the suspense and stakes escalate, drawing me in further. The blending of genres here is seamless, offering a fresh take on romantic suspense that defies easy categorization. It's a bold narrative choice that pays off, delivering a story that's as unpredictable as it is satisfying.

"Butcher & Blackbird" is a standout novel that pushes boundaries and challenges expectations. It's a testament to the idea that love can indeed flourish in the darkest of places. Weaver's storytelling is a thrilling ride, punctuated by moments of unexpected vulnerability, making for a reading experience that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this daring and darkly romantic saga.

what did miss brynne weaver put in this book because i’m absolutely obsessed!! my first 5 star read of the year. i read this book with the duet narration and it was incredible and so entertaining! the comedic timing of the narrators were unmatched and they delivered the story with every ounce of the emotions so well. highly recommend reading with the audiobook!

sloane and rowan are both serial killers who met by fate when sloane was in a bit of a hiccup during her escapade and rowan came to the rescue. not wanting to bid farewell so soon after their brief encounter, they decide to have an annual competition of being the first to hunt down other serial killers. what started as a friendly competition begins to develop into something more.

i loveeee rowan!! he fell first and fell so hard for sloane. that man was obsessed with her and was pining after her for four whole years. every time he said “you’ll love me someday”, it had me giggling and kicking my feet. he is such a romantic and so swoony. nothing makes a man more attractive than being really good at something, and rowan is an amazing (& hot) chef. the scenes where he taught sloane how to cook over the phone and also the table that he has reserved for her at his restaurant had me melting <3

sloane was such a badass throughout the book. she has this tough exterior but she’s also battling her own demons. i saw bits of myself in her whenever her anxiety took over and seeing rowan calm her anxious thoughts and embrace that part of her is so endearing.

i’d never thought i’d fall in love with fictional serial killer, but here i am. i love these two crazies! they were destined to be together and to have someone who sees and accepts them for exactly who they are. i cannot wait for what’s to come in leather & lark!

A perfect book for fluffy romance readers who want to dip their toes into something a little darker and more horror based. A blend of genres that I haven’t personally read before but can not wait to read more of! So excited for Leather and Lark!