Butcher & Blackbird is the dark rom-com I didn't know I needed, but absolutely needed! this one I picked up and devoured quickly, as I couldn't put it down. Sloane and Rowan might be the weirdest couple I have read about, but I loved them and was rooting for them despite their extracurricular activities.

The plot is so fun - Rival murderers meet once a year for a game of hunt a killer and through this a friendship blossoms. Rowan and Sloane may also realize there is something more, but they'll need to get past their own internal struggles first to give it a shot. I wouldn't normally expect a plot about serial killers to draw me in as much as this one did - but this might be one of my favorite plots of 2023. I also loved the characters, their witty banter with a little bit of id kill for you vibes was amazing. I was a little uneasy reading the trigger warnings but honestly Brynne does a great job of adding humor to these elements so it doesn't feel too heavy.

Overall, I loved this story and cannot wait for book 2!

Thank you netGalley and Zando for this E-arc in exchange for my honest review!

"I want to ruin her so that she’s mine, my beautiful disaster. My wild creature. My goddess of chaos."

This was definitely a interesting read and out of my realm of normal romances but in the best way! I loved the premise of the two main characters being serial killers who hunt down other serial killers and kill them. The suspense around them hunting was fun and thrilling. The romance was spicy at times and sweet in others. This was all around a fun time and can't wait for the next book.

The freaking book. I am completely and totally obsessed with Butcher & Blackbird! Who would have thought I would be giggling and kicking my feet over two serial killers falling in love?! ..well probably everyone because I read a vast array of books haha but still! This book had me clutching my stomach from laughing so hard, crying my eyes out, and swooning over a 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 unconventional love story. I loved the writing style of this one, while it was gory at points, the descriptions throughout the book were so good. I was literally watching the story unfold like a movie in my head. I will admit I read this in less than 24 hours as I could not put it down. I loved how obsessed Rowan was with Sloane from page one, especially as he gushed about all her killings. It was honestly my favorite 🤭 and I loved how he kept bringing up her calling him pretty boy and how he loved knowing she thinks he's pretty. I loved this book so very very much 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Huge thanks for NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: Dark Romantic Comedy

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 👈🏼

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘:
✨ BANTER
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Friendly rivals
✨ Touch her/him and 💀
✨ He falls first
✨ Reverse grumpy/sunshine
✨ One bed

Yall. What did I just read? Basically, two serial killers name Rowan and Sloane meet up annually for a kill challenge. I did say I was in my villain era and this book gave me exactly what I wanted! It deserves the hype. 👏🏼

This book was so unhinged and gory (is it weird I wasn’t that grossed out?) but the chemistry, banter, and friendly rivalry was. SO. ADORABLE. Who knew that a cute love story has trigger warnings that contain “accidental cannibalism” and “eyeballs”.

Please do me the favor and listen to this on audio. If I could recommend an audiobook, it’s this. I tandem read (audio/ebook) and the narrators were fantastic. Honestly Joe Arden can read me anything at this point.

I have truly never read anything quite like this! I was fascinated by the concept of this book, and it did not disappoint. I'll admit that in some scenes it was a little too detailed for me when it came to the actual serial killing, but the romance aspect was perfect. I had a lot of fun with this read!

This book was deliciously good! I laughed at so much of the banter and i still cant get over the accidental cannibalism haha. The book is about two people with so much and so little in common that they navigate what that means and looks like in their own way. The story is weaved in a brilliant way that only the Orb Weaver could but also executed in a way that only Butcher could. I cant say enough about this book its everythinggg

This was not what I had expected!! It was a blend of a steamy Rom-Com and a thriller involving serial killers, Sloane and Rowan. Not the type of book you are able to categorize or find in a particular section at your local bookstore. What I really liked about it was that it had all of the angst, the pining, the witty banter but also an underlying story that was full of detailed murder and darkness. The main characters are damaged but have learned to navigate life by killing the terrible monsters that prey upon the innocent. They don't just kill them either, they make them suffer. Their similarities attract them to one another but also make them reluctant to trust each other. Gradually their friendship develops and they are forced to address the buried feelings they have as well as the danger they are facing.

This was fun and very different from the norm.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #Butcher&Blackbird #BrynneWeaver

This was one of my favourite reads in 2023! I read through the 3 pages of trigger warnings and when I got to “accidental cannibalism”, I was firmly in.

This book is a dark romance about a couple of serial killers of serial killers. It’s rivals to friends to lovers, where he falls first. The characters are very well written, with complex backgrounds and real flaws. This book is full of murder and murder things, but also sizzling chemistry, surprising plot twists, swoony banter, and delicious spice. But the very best part of this book is the humour. I was definitely not expecting it to be so incredibly hilarious.

This is book 1 of The Ruinous Love Trilogy, with book 2 scheduled to release this summer. I highly recommend this book. I rated it 5 stars and I will definitely read it again.

I am a huge fan of serial killer novels. I love the suspense, the danger, the thrill of the chase. This book has all of these. From the opening scene (which I will never unsee) to the final page (be still my beating heart) I devoured this book. I read this book in about 5 hours. I could not put it down. This was a different type of serial killer novel to me in that there was romance thrown in. I really got to like Sloane and Rowan. They might be some people to have on your side if you say, get kidnapped, stalked, or held hostage. The kill scenes were right up there with some of the extreme horror writers. I was squeamish at a few parts but nothing to make me stop reading. I am wonderfully waiting to read the next book!

A dark romantic comedy you say? I'm intrigued. And it did not disappoint!

I received an ARC but had heard such great things about the audio, I purchased that too and did both. The narrators were fantastic and the story took on a life of it's own through audio.

We meet Sloane and Rowan. Both serial killers. They come up with a yearly game - which is both intriguing and bizarre! And dark! But I'm here for it. It's clear he's immediately smitten but bides his time, being friends and waiting for the right time for a serial killer romance.

Not gonna lie, listening to even the trigger warnings made me chuckle. And it only got better from there. I really cannot tell more because this is something you need to experience for yourself.

I loved every dark, disturbing, hilarious moment and cannot wait for book two!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando far an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars

Hot, action packed, dark, funny.. it's a must read if you enjoy dark romance.

A wonderful serial killer romance, that may not have you looking at ice cream the same again...

After a chance meeting Sloan and Rowan start a yearly competition to determine who is the better hunter.. who they hunt? Other serial killers. Sloan is the Orb Weaver, who brilliantly and artistically strings up her victims in an intricate web that acts as layers on a map. Fun and loveable Rowan is the Boston Butcher who prefers to leave his victims in bloody bits.
It's definitely a slow burn, but it's well worth the wait. Despite the lack of physical action between the characters; the action, suspense, and chemistry between Sloan and Rowan is spectacular. Love, love, loved this book.

The next book is supposed to follow Sloan's best friend Lark, who also seems like an absolute badass. I'm VERY excited, I can tell there's going to be so much sass and I am here for it.

Thank you to Brynne Weaver, NetGally, and Zano Projects for the ARC. I received this free advanced copy but I am voluntarily reviewing the book and my opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

That was… unexpected 🙃

I’m still feeling like wtf did I just read but in a good way! Butcher and Blackbird is adorable and so sweet in all the cute murdery ways 🥹🥹🥹 I loved every minute of this weird, fun, twisty, romantic, adorable, goofy, dark, messed up book! Butcher and Blackbird were exceptional main characters, their banter was so fun, the humor was so off the walls and wild and just perfect. The chemistry was fantastic! I ended up listening to the audiobook and the narrators were on FIRE. Everything about this was forked up perfection! 😍😍😍

This was the most interesting, crazy and fun book I’ve read in such a long time. It’s such an interesting combination.

Also, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat cookies and cream ice cream for a long time 😅😅

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 stars
Butcher & Blackbird is a Dual POV dark romcom which follows rival serial killers Rowan 'Butcher' Kane and Sloane 'Blackbird' Sutherland.

I would suggest not reading this book whilst eating for various reasons ESPECIALLY if it's ice-cream. 😂

We first meet Butcher&Blackbird when Sloane is in an inconvenient predicament with a decomposing corspe when Rowan appears and helps her out and somehow they immediately hit it off with witty back and fourth. During this encounter they realise who each other are and decide to create an annual murder competition to see just who is better. (Aswell as an excuse to see each other again)

Although I suppose there is some insta love/lust between them I liked the development within their relationship as nothing really happens between them until about 55% through the book, 4 years after they originally met, mostly because they both seemed to be scared to make the first move and ruin the friendship they had built.

As you can probably tell by the trigger warnings at the start of the book there are a few 'what the f#ck' moments but the humour thrown in (mostly dark) balances it out and leaves you laughing throughout.

I cant wait for books 2&3 to see more of this couple, even if it will be just as side characters. Looking forward to getting to know the Brothers, Lark & Rose better and what shenanigans they will get up to.

Thankyou Netgalley for the E-ARC of this book.

Book Review 🐦‍⬛👨‍🍳-

When a book has you laughing at the trigger warnings and dedication page, you’re in for a wild ride! Let me preface this by saying, this book won’t be for everyone. especially if you have a weak stomach or an intense love of Orzo Pasta. But here are some things you need to know about Butcher & Blackbird by @brynne_weaver :

•It’s a Romantic Comedy about two very dexter-esque serial killers who come across each others path as they are both hunting down bad people in the world. They decide to make a competition out it and what ensues is both hilarious, disgusting and pretty sweet!

•I thought Rowan and Sloane were both such interesting characters and liked that we learned a little about their backstory and what shaped who they are now.

•It’s an unconventional love story and fairly gory but also a lot of fun and spicy!

•It’s going to be a trilogy and I’m excited to pick up book two!

I really enjoyed this one and it definitely made me laugh. I did find it a bit long but am excited to see where book 2 is going to take us.

Butcher and Blackbird comes out January 9 or is available from BOTM now! Thank you @zandoprojects and @netgalley for my advanced copy!

Butcher & Blackbird is a MUST READ for lovers of dark romance. Brynne Weaver curated the perfect dark rom-com. Butcher & Blackbird was dark and gory in nature but absolutely swoon worthy. By the end of this book you will be completely smitten and will have fallen for two unhinged serial killers. Her characters are perfectly imperfect in the best way. The introductory to the trigger warnings will have you questioning your sanity but I promise you if you buckle up you'll be taken on the ride of your life. Butcher & Blackbird was a page turner, it had me laughing, clutching my pearls and surprisingly enough a little bit weepy.

It is safe to say I'm obsessed and I want MORE! This book was unexpectedly fun and so entertaining. Butcher & Blackbird deserves all the hype. I enjoyed Brynne's writing style and the overall pacing of the story. The end had me shocked and ready to go to war for our FMC Sloane.

I can't wait to know the other characters and see where their stories go.

I need this book on my shelf NOW!

What a book! It definitely gives me "You" vibes, and plays into the Dark Romance genre nicely. The characters are interesting, and I had a hard time putting this book down. I really enjoyed it, and I'm excited to read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book.

When I saw a book that said, accidential canabilism as a trigger warning, I KNEW I had to read it, just to see what it was all about. This is a fantastic book, filled with a little bit of everything. Also, please trust me, if you loved the Mindf*ck series, you will LOVE this book..

I am giving this book five stars, but it deserves 10 stars for sure. Overall I'd definitely read this book again and I would recommend this book for fans of other romance books. I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/ opinions above are my own.

This was hectic and fun and dark, I loved it. This has 2 serial killers who kill other serial killers/bad people who find and fall for each other. I expected a twisted rom com based on some other reviews and that did deliver especially for the first half. The second half turns into a bit of a different book and more into dark romance and romantic suspense elements.

I was so pleasantly surprised by the friends to lovers aspect of this. I felt like each way their relationship progressed really made sense for who the characters were as people, with one exception. The one exception being the content warnings at the beginning for dum/sub kind of spice felt like 1 to 100 coming from Rowan. It might possibly be due to his pining and not a lot of hinting at this side of him under the surface prior to it just exploding. I don't think it is necessarily a fault of the writing, I'm just mentioning cause I was a bit confused as a reader getting the CWs and then what felt like a slow burn for like 50%. Just be patient.

Alright, the gore. I have read many a dark romance and mafia romance. There are typically torture and unaliving scenes I've basically skimmed through in those but not this book. This book is written so detailed and precisely and it was another great element of using the gore for a purpose. Each of their methods also showed more about their characters. I don't normally get squeamish but I will say this got to me at times, not in a way where I couldn't read it just like wow this is twisted.

One minor critique I would have for this is what feels like a plot hole. They don't see each other in person for a large chunk of time yet supposedly talk everyday. When they meet up again Sloane asks how Rowan's upcoming restaurant opening is coming along and asks about a mutual they have and how they are doing. At that time those were everyday things in Rowan's life so why wouldn't she already know? There's no way if they were talking everyday he wouldn't mention it so it took me out of the story a bit. I will give credit to this author in that the rest of it was very believable. I've read thrillers with way more plot holes when it comes to murder-y shenanigans and this premise is even more wild and yet I believed it. There was just that one scene that became a sticking point to me that I wanted to mention.

I loved them together. I loved that the romantic suspense near the end didn't take away from the romance at all. This has quite a bit of what I would call adventure and thrills, but at the heart of it is a romance. I also really appreciate the CW for CSA and that it not being in detail- it truly is not and the point is still very much made and that is a credit to non-gratuitous writing.

Thank you so much to Zando for the eARC. I look forward to the next strandalone in the series!

I have to say, I wasn't expecting a dark romance/romcom, but this book definitely made me laugh but also dual serial killers makes for some dark moments. hah. I loved this book and was thoroughly surprised by it. This is my first read from this author. The MMC is definitely golden retriever energy and falls first, and I love that! I would definitely recommend this read.