4 🌟 the audiobook is truly fantastic and would definitely recommend (if you’re comfortable with the trigger warnings)!! The whole serial killer thing was certainly a lot and made my stomach flip a time or two but wow Rowan is OBSESSED with Sloane and I loved every minute of the pining and tension. The ending definitely has me excited for book two and seeing more of Lachlan and Lark 🖤

Thank you to netgalley for sending me this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
I honestly didn’t know what I should expect from this book, but holy moly I loved it. I would have never thought that a book with these types of trigger warnings would be a book for me. Thank you netgalley for this great book. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy crazy gruesome fun!!!!

This book was a breadth of fresh air, balancing dark material with surreal situations and that didn't take itself too seriously. This unique balance allowed Rowan and Sloane to slowly build a relationship with one another that was realistic and was able to withstand the danger and conflict that 2 serial killers can get into. Each yearly competition pushed their relationship into a new realm and was a clever way to progress the story that was unique.

Additionally, I thought the inclusion of the serial killer personas and their reputations as a great way to build a repertoire between Sloane and Rowan that wasn't surface level and based solely on attraction. The public serial killer personas allows for them to know more about the other by reputation and connect on a level that is usually explored much later in a romance. In some respects, they have put their skeletons out first and now just have to get to know the normal stuff about each other and gain familiarity. This flip of the normal structure of a romance novel allowed for the conflicts and uncertainties to be bigger and more dramatic without feeling out of place.

Rowan, our hero, was the perfect blend of loveable golden retriever energy and psychotic serial killer. This is evident from the instant connection he felt for the heroine, Sloane. From the minute they meet, Rowan is focused in on Sloane, not only for her appearance but also for her attitude and resume as the Orb Weaver. But he also understands that he needed to be patient for her to get to the same place.

Sloane on the other hand is shy, and uncertain in unfamilar situations. This skittishness was balanced beautifully with her desire to grow closer to Rowan and their continual contact through the competition. This allowed me as a reader, to empathized with Sloane instead of being frustrated with her for her reluctance. I also appreciated that Sloane continued to put herself out there and to test the boundaries with Rowan. It allowed for her to grow as a character across the story and to learn to trust others to be there for her.

All together, this is one of my top reads of the year and it was a great time. In a rarity for me, I wish the book was even longer! I am highly anticipating the release of Leather & Lark.

5⭐️
3🌶

SLOANE AND ROWAN FOR THE WIN!

Butcher and Blackbird is a wildly exciting, dark, nasty, and spicy ride in the adventures of two s3rial k!llers.

Sloane stole my heart immediately and kept it throughout the entire book. She is fun, heartfelt, sexy, and courageous. The love she has the for the (few) people in her life is heartachingly sweet and balances out her dangerous side. Sure, she may unalive people in her spare time, and generally be a little grumpy and feisty, but you really can't help but cheer her on. Rowan is a new, top-tier book boyfriend. Again, I understand that these MCs unalive people, but you truly fall in love with their every move. The fact that Rowan has a dirty mouth and a heart of gold? Come ON. He's irresistible.

A few parts of this book made me feel physically ill. Actually queasy. Like, I may never look at cookies and cream ice cream in the same way ever again. And I'm 100% on board with that because I think that speaks to the quality of writing. It's perfectly descriptive and gives you the goods.

A perfect mix of character depth and an exciting (albeit disgusting) plot, Butcher and Blackbird has solidified itself as a favorite dark romance, for me. I CAN'T WAIT to see what the rest of the series holds!

“That’s so Keanu-mantic.”
This book was soo totally out of this world! I have never read a book like this one. It had me grossed out, on the edge of my seat, laughing out loud, saying what the fuck!, and OMG!! I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
I want to thank Brynne Weaver, Zando, and NetGalley for giving me this arc and for me to provide an honest review about it!!

What starts off as a contest between two killers (who only kill other killers) turns into something more as the longer the game goes on the closer they become. This was a fun rom com about two killers ( who only kill other bad guys) who meet by accident and initiate a game... and as the game spans years the closer the two become. Sloane and Rowan are rival killers, yet the moment they meet each other, they find that they really do see and understand one another. So they begin a game: they'll be given a location and first one to spot the killer and kill them wins. What starts off as banter soon turns into more as they begin spending more time with each other, hunting together, watching one another... and ultimately falling for each other. But nobody said being a killer in love would be easy, and the game they're playing is against other dangerous people. Rowan fell for Sloane the first moment he met her, but in order to keep her from flying away he initiates a game as a way to get to know her to and to see her again. Can he prove to her that he's the one for her? This was such a fun read. I adored the rom com aspect of it and the chemistry between Rowan and Sloane was amazing. This was absolutely a add to your tbr book for me and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a unique and fun (with a bit of spice) romance!!I can't wait for the second book and to read about the other brothers/couples in this series!!

*Thanks Netgalley and Zando for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I am now a Brynne Weaver fan, I am now a fan of this novel, the audio narrators, and this will reside in my brain for a very long time.

Did you know you needed a dark romantic comedy novel in your life? No? Well, now you do. This was a wild ride from start to finish, but keep in mind it is dark romance. It’s about serial killers. There’s a lot of murder and it’s gory, but somehow also hilarious.

This was brilliantly crafted and I don’t know how the author did it, but she did it damned well. The narrators brought it to life in the audiobook and I will be reading this and re-reading many times, I know it.

WHAT?!?!??! What in the world did I just read.. I mean, don't get me wrong.. I LOVED it, but my mind is blown! This book had me hooked from page one. What is better than serial killers falling in love. The spice in the book was 100%!

Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for my e-copy of this book!

2.75/5 stars for me. I had heard so many great things about this book, especially thee audio book, so I thought I would give it a shot!

Things I liked: The banter, the family aspects, the dual POV

Things I couldn’t get past: the gore, the high stakes, the ice cream

It was a very well-written book with interesting characters and development! I am so happy so many people have loved this, but it just wasn’t a book for me. I was not able to get past all the less than romantic parts..

I have seen this making it’s round in the book community, and was recommended it by a new book friend at a book event, so I was super excited to get an ARC of it to read.

Butcher & Blackbird is not your typical rom com. And in the same vein, it’s also not your typical dark romance. Brynne Weaver took these two genres and (successfully) mashed them together to create what I think is quite a unique read. We follow the story of Sloane (Blackbird) and Rowan (Butcher) as their lives entangle after they both decide (separately) to kill a notorious serial killer. It sparks a friendship which, over the years, turns into something a bit more.

I think the thing I like the most about this book is the unique combination of rom com and serial killers. Both Sloane and Rowan are notorious serial killers who target bad and terrible people in their spare time, and reading a funny and romcom based romance about serial killers genuinely was different for me. I feel like you don’t often get that kind of gore and darkness in a more easily digestible and honestly quite funny at many times format. In my personal experience, dark romance books tend to be a bit more serious. It really did make this a unique and engaging read.

I also thought that their relationship was one I really adored. I love a possessive man in a book, and seeing how Rowan was with Sloane was just swoon worthy in my opinion. His insta-love was subtle (at least I thought it was insta-love), and so I wouldn’t let that turn any readers off from picking it up. And when we got to the spice, man was it good. Very much on the kinkier side in a lot of ways, and I will say that Rowan has a bit of a dirty mouth on him.

I love that this is going to be a series of standalones, and I am so excited to read about Lark and Lachlan next, they both intrigue me SO much. One thing I will note though is definitely read the trigger warnings. There is some more (what I would consider) unconventional triggers that you might not necessarily think to expect, so even if you think you have no triggers these might just be the straw that broke the camels back.

Overall, this was a solid 4.75 star read for me!

This book is definitely worth all of the TikTok rave. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. It was a perfect combination between light and dark, good and evil, love and hate. Definitely a quick read. Highly recommended!!

YEP, WOW!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶 💀💀💀💀

I can't believe this book sat on my ARC TBR for as long as it did. I had seen all the hype for it, but kind of waited for the hype to die down so I wouldn't be influenced.
I really loved this book.

"I’m not sure how long it’s been, maybe twenty minutes, but it feels like an eternity." ~ Sloan.

It's dark, and feral and full of plotting and planning. Rowan and Sloan are serials killers who kill bad serial killers....kind of like vigilante serial killers. They meet for the first time and the chemistry is fire!

They create a tradition...or a game, if you will, where they have to hunt down their serial killer prey before the other does, in order to win.

There is a not-so-traditional trigger list, lots of romance tension and spice.

It gives off Dexter meets Mr & Mrs Smith vibes.

This is MUST READ for anyone who loves Dark Romance or Horror Romance.

So cool that a book like this made it to traditional publishing. Indie books in this genre don't typically get picked up. I've ready other Brynne Weaver books, and this holds up. Also recommend the audio. Fun read!

This would have been the perfect book for me when I was like 16 or 17. Not that I would recommend this book for this age range, but I would have adored this book at the time.
I'm not reading a lot of romance and after reading this, I am finally convinced that this is just not my genre. But I liked the setting and it was very entertaing.
I would have expexted this to be more gory. Also I never really had the feeling that this "game" that the two are playing has any real consequences for them. I mean, the fbi should try to catch them, no? But here they even have friends who are absolutely fine with their hobby and the two have no reason to hide their activities from them. All in all things feel really convenient for them. But its a romantic comedy after all, so I guess thats fine.
I really liked Rowan's POV. He seemed like an honest guy who is really passionate about things he likes. Also he is a really loyal friend. Maybe I would have preferes only one POV? I'm not sure.
I don't think I will continue with this series. I am not that invested in the story yet and I think there are books out there that I will enjoy more.
Thanks Netgalley for my advanced copy.

What a delightfully filthy surprise! If Dexter was a romcom. I laughed, I gasped, I blushed, I panted, I yearned, I felt all the things with Rowan and Sloane. I can’t wait to read more from Weaver as soon as possible. This was such a treat!!

4.5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

"You know what they say, Blackbird. 'It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...' And that's when the fun begins."

Butcher & Blackbird is the first novel in the adult dark romantic comedy series, Ruinous Love. In this novel we follow Sloane and Rowan...serial killers who kill serial killers. When they find themselves hunting the same the same murderer they strike up a bond built on admiration and skill...and delicious tension ensues. As time progresses their connection goes stronger and stronger but will the past threaten their perfectly morbid future?

This book is absurd in all the best ways. It plays off as a cosy rom com of two people finding a common interest, bonding over an appreciation of their work, and then slowly falling in love through yearly competitions. The kicker is said interest is serial killing and they are both VERY good at it.

Sloane has spent her days perfecting her craft and I felt she played into the very calm and collective front that felt suave yet she has this underlying vulnerability when it comes to being with someone that tugged on my heart strings. Meanwhile Rowan is a chef pining for the girl he has a crush on and I was LIVING for it. He will plans these elaborate events as any opportunity to have her nearby and let me tell you I just wanted to shove them together for a good chunk of this book.

The book is about a 2 spicy pepper out of 5 spicy pepper, which I was actually surprised about given the dark nature of the content. This is a slow burn romance taking place over a long period of time as these character learn to feel safe with the other. I felt it was incredibly sweet with a touch of miscommunication as the struggled to tell the person how they felt which led to some moments.

"You're all the best things to me, Sloane. No matter how many bruises are in your heart or on your skin."

In terms of story, this felt like a coasting kind of journey. The focus is the characters and their developing relationship but that doesn't mean we don't get some action, slices of life, and a bit of drama. Oh, also blood, death, and murder. The humour is dark but it fits the story. I loved the side characters and their ribbing of the main characters; I loved the competitiveness of the characters; and I loved watching these two fall in love. This is a book with graphic content and themes so check your triggers but ultimately it is a story of two very strange people falling in love in the sweetest of ways. I adored it.

If you want an absurd rom-com that will give you the feels you want while also occasionally shock you with dark moments then this book is perfect. I will definitely keep reading this series!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this arc!

AMAZING.

This title is nothing short of perfection. Go in blind. Don't read a synopsis. It's a piece of art.

Make sure you do read the trigger warnings. It's definitely got some dark undertones. I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. It's dark... but hysterical. I was laughing the entire time.

Sweet baby geezus! Who knew a killing game among serial killers could be so hilarious, endearing, sexy, and ewww?

When you're a serial killer who kills serial killers, it's hard to develop a good romance with someone. What happens when you meet someone who is just. like. you? Who sees you? Who truly understands you?

You get the fun adventures of Butcher and Blackbird. Rowan was an absolute sweetheart and Sloane was a total darling. Togther, they were magnificent!!

I'm not going to rehash the story. I am going to tell you that if you don't mind a bit of gore, accidental cannibalism, and a connection that grows throughout years of pushing and pulling, with Rowan walking a delicate balance not to scare Sloane away, you're going to LOVE this story as much as I did. Five stars doesn't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this read.

A deliciously hilarious dark romantic comedy! I loved everything about this book. It's unique and not something I have ever read before. I loved how much of a slow burn this was. The competition occurring over 4 years was such a nice touch. I found the main characters endearing. I can't not wait for the next one!

While the description of this books calls it a dark, comedic romance, (and it is that) I would also maybe consider this a thriller or something similar because there is a lot of murder in it as well. This book does come with trigger warnings, so if you're squeamish I would definitely check those out before reading. This book also contains quite a bit of spice, so I would also consider that before reading this book.

Butcher & Blackbird is so different from anything else I've read, and I quickly finished this book in two days! The two main characters, Rowan and Sloane, share a quick, witty banter pretty early on when Rowan finds Sloane in a less than ideal situation. They quickly figure out that each of them is there to kill another serial killer, which ultimately sparks the idea of their yearly competition.

I loved the chapters where they meet up for their murder competition the most, but I think Weaver did a great job of building up their relationship in between their competition. Although both main characters are serial killers, you also see the other side of them where Sloane is filled with anxiety and lack of confidence about how Rowan feels about her, while Rowan is obsessed and confident about his feelings for Sloane, and they both would do anything to protect the other.

Again, I don't know why this book just works, but it really was a good balance of murder and romance in my personal opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for an ARC of this book in exchanged for my honest and unbiased review.