Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for providing the ARC.

I am so tickled by how delightfully unhinged this book series is. I was obsessed with Butcher & Blackbird, and Leather & Lark is the same obsession just in a different font.

There is a lot to love about Lachlan and Lark's story. These two are selfless in their own ways, if incredibly diabolical and twisted. I laughed so much every time Lark busted Lachlan's balls. Their banter is so good and the way they tear down their walls for each other make me melt.

If I had a complaint, I do think that the main conflict was a bit rushed and then reconciled just as quickly. But it was Lachlan and Lark's world and I was just living in it.

If you liked Butcher & Blackbird, you're probably going to love this one too. It has the same craziness of the first with a lot more heart I feel like. Absolutely enjoyed the hell out of this.

I loved Butcher & Blackbird and I was so excited to receive an ARC from Brynne for this book. This book was a solid 4.5 for me. The slow burn was so good and I really enjoyed the banter and enemies to lovers vibes. The finger in the jar?! Hilarious. Both of the main characters had some flaws but I really liked how they came together. The marriage of convenience trop is one of my favorites and Brynne did it so well.

First and foremost: READ ALL OF THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK!

But OMG I loved this book—I flew through it!!! Hard to believe it was 400 pages because it was so fast-paced.

I wasn’t sure how this one was going to live up to my love for Butcher & Blackbird, but I may like this even more?? Marriage of convenience may not be my favorite trope, but forced proximity among two very hot people is, sooooo 😏

Lark is so much more than the sneak peek we got in B&B, and Lachlan is a lot less brooding thanks to her. They’re so cute!! And spicy!! REALLY, REALLY SPICY. Two words: bonus. chapter.

Spice was 4-4.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Can’t wait for book three with Fionn and Rose!!!!🖤🖤

(Thank you, Zando Projects and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

thank you to netgalley for this arc!

I loved Lark in Butcher & Blackbird, so naturally I was extremely excited about this book! There was a great balance between romance and plot, and I really loved the banter between the MMC and the FMC. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall I think it was a wonderful addition to this trilogy.
I think that this author has a very distinct voice in writing romance and moving forward I am excited to see how she grows as an author and as a romance author.

Leather & Lark, book 2 in The Ruinous Love Trilogy, is absolutely to die for.
Brynne Weaver knows how to keep me laughing, then gagging, and back to laughing again.
If you read Butcher & Blackbird, then you may remember Sloane’s best friend Lark Montague. She’s gorgeous, talented, hilarious, and did I mention deadly?
"𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘴𝘰, 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦."
Lachlan Kane, Rowan’s older brother, can’t stand Lark. So obviously, let the chaos ensue when these two get married.

"𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯' 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦."
𝘐 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘵. "𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧."

If you read and loved B&B, definitely pick this one up.

𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛-
𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 ❤️‍🔥
𝗛𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 💕
𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 🧎🏻
𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺/𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗲 ☠️
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 💍
𝗚𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘆/𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 🌧️☀️
𝗛𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 ♥️

"𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴."

Be prepared to look at pizza, beer, and those gummy eyeballs a little bit differently after reading this… Just add it to the ice cream, yeah?

Watching Lachlan work for it is worth a million gold stars!

Between the flirting, fighting, fun new recipes, and unique crafting ideas, there's a reason for everyone to love this book. But Lachlan is a very good boy, and that reason will always be the best reason.

Brynne does it again!

Hilarious, heartbreaking, beautiful and murderous!

This book follows the story line of Lark and Lachnan and it's again a hit!!
If you like a good marriage of convenience, this is THE BOOK!

I love everything Brynne writes as her writing is definitely unique and funny and I just love reading her books.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and exchangefor an honest review.

I loved this book! I liked Butcher and Blackbird, but in my opinion, this book was better. Which I find very disconcerting because usually the second book in a series is not better than the first. I like that Lachlan is a reluctant contract killer while Lark is an outwardly bubbly happy person, but secretly is a serial killer of pedophiles. What did it for me was the arts and crafts with bodies. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile when Lachlan brought her not only a victim, but glitter. Does that mean I’m messed up? …probably 🤷🏼‍♀️. These two are great together. I also adore the romance audiobook scene. Despite not being a serial killer, I very very strongly relate with Lark and that may be why I enjoyed this book a smidge more than book one. I feel like I’ve already been too spoiler-y in this review so I’m gonna end it now, but I 100% recommend this book.

I LOVED this book! I was surprised at Lark and her character and was intrigued by how this book started because, in Butcher and Blackbird, we see them meeting for the first time and think we will follow them from that point, but it’s not that at all—which I kind of love. I liked that Lark was a little bit crazy because Lachlan is a little bit crazy, so he needs an equal. I also really enjoyed seeing him completely fall for her. I liked how he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable and open up to Lark, and I thought we got a great insight into his protectiveness and loyalty. I absolutely loved how feral Lachlan was in the end for Lark and just how obsessed and in love he was with her and how in love Lark was with Lachlan: love them <3 They made such a good pair, and I’m obsessed with them.

REVIEW: Leather & Lark ⭐⭐⭐.5 (3.5)

“Tell the devil the Kanes send their regards.” - Brynne Weaver, Leather and Lark

I was so excited to start Leather & Lark since I just blew through Butcher & Blackbird and loved it. I was excited to be still in the same family and area but focusing on other characters that were only mentioned in the first one: Rowan’s brother Lachlan and Sloane’s best friend Lark. I really love series of books that are still connected but have different characters as the focus for each one.

I enjoyed Leather & Lark quite a bit. Brynne continues to do an amazing job of balancing comedy, romance, and darkness throughout the story. It is really something that draws me in. Tropes included in the book were enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, he falls first, and touch her/him and die. Lachlan and Lark were great characters. Their “meet-cute” story haunts them both and is a unique situation. Lachlan and Lark have such fun banter back and forth. Their spark is definitely a slow burn, but when it gets there, wow, they sure have chemistry together. Brynne shows another great healthy sex life by using safe words and consent throughout. You can just tell how much they care for one another based on their interactions.

I wasn’t as big of a fan of a few things in Leather & Lark. I honestly thought the slow burn of their relationship was a bit too slow for my taste. I also felt the villain's motives were not quite as believable, and the conflict seemed rushed. Leather & Lark didn’t seem like there was as much action, and the story was not quite as compelling as Butcher & Blackbird.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Butcher & Blackbird blew it out of the water for me, and Leather & Lark just couldn’t quite meet it. Now, I’m super excited for the third book!

Thank you, Netgalley and Zando | Slowburn, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #arcread #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookish #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #igreads#bookaholic #bookcommunity #igreads #readingbooks #bookishpost #bookcommunity #readersofinstagram #reading #alwaysreading

Thank you to the author and Zando for an eARC of this book.

Tropes: Marriage of Convience, Serial Unalivers, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Slow Burn-like really slow...

CW: Gore, Murder, Dismemberment, Sexual Assault

This book is an interconnected standalone that follows Lark and Lachlan. They meet under some interesting circumstances... she needed a car fished out of the water, and he just happened to work for the company that has those services. Things go south when he gets frustrated and shoves her in a trunk not knowing about her past.

Lark has a secret that is tied to what happened to her when she was a teenager, but no one knows about her extra-curricular activities. When people close to her family start getting picked off, one by one, and they suspect her best friends new husband of being involved. To save him and his brother, Lachlan, they have to take drastic measures.

This book was good- it didn't pack quite the punch that Butcher and Blackbird did, but it was still a good read. I didn't get super grossed out by anything which was nice- except for the coffee table. You will know what I mean if you read it.

Lachlan and Lark slowly build up trust with one another and being building a real relationship. Lark's grandmother who runs the muffin buisness starts to be more invovled in solidifying their romance.

The slow burn was too slow for me- the vibrator scene was great- but I needed the burn to be like 20% faster.

I wanted a little more of Lark's backstory- I feel like some really deep and important aspects of her character, and Lachlans, were glossed over. So I wouldn't mind a little more about what made them who they are.

Overall a good read and I am excited to read Fionn's book.

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver is the thrilling second installment in The Ruinous Love Trilogy. This novel takes readers on a wild ride through the lives of contract killer Lachlan Kane and indie singer-songwriter Lark Montague. Both characters are trying to escape their pasts while navigating a dangerous and complex present.

Lachlan Kane, a brooding and scarred hitman, dreams of leaving his violent world behind to work in his leather studio. However, a botched job for his boss’s biggest client puts him in a precarious position. Enter Lark Montague, a vibrant and determined singer who proposes an unexpected deal: Lachlan must help her hunt down a killer, and in return, she’ll secure his freedom. The catch? They have to get married, and they can’t stand each other.

Lark, who shines brightly in every situation, hides her own secrets and struggles beneath her sunny exterior. Lachlan, the surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, sees her as a privileged princess, but their forced proximity and shared mission reveal deeper layers to both of them. As they work together, their fake marriage starts to feel real, and the line between pretense and genuine affection blurs.

The story masterfully blends elements of romance, suspense, and dark humor. Weaver excels in creating complex characters whose growth feels natural and earned. The chemistry between Lachlan and Lark is electric, with their banter and evolving relationship providing both tension and heartwarming moments. The narrative is enriched by a colorful cast of supporting characters and a vividly depicted underworld setting.

While the pacing occasionally feels rushed, particularly towards the climax, and some plot threads could use more development, the overall story is engaging and emotionally satisfying. The book's combination of intense action and tender romance will keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

Leather & Lark is a compelling read for fans of dark romance and thrillers, offering a perfect mix of danger, passion, and wit. Weaver's skillful storytelling ensures that this installment stands out, making it a must-read for those following the trilogy. Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Going from book one over to book two was a tough jump for me because Butcher & Blackbird was EVERYTHING. I absolutely love Brynne's writing style and truly fell in love with this trilogy after book one, it was just that easy to.

Leather and Lark was tougher to get into while reading it, but I still really loved the characters that I wanted to get to the end to enjoy it. It was so much fun and the spice was top tier! These kinds of books are once in a lifetime where no one else is doing what Brynne is doing and I love it so much for her.

This book was so so good that I couldn't put it down! Definitely one of my favourite Brynne books to date! Can't wait for more from this amazing trilogy!

Thank you NetGalley, Brynne & team for an early copy!

I enjoyed reading Leather & Lark, and found it to be a good continuation of this series. I did not enjoy it as much as Butcher & Blackbird, and the "bad guy" felt a little out of left field for me. I guess I get how it all tied together if I don't think about it too hard.

The romance in this one was pretty great, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Lark and Lachlan. The development of their relationship via marriage of convenience made the book for me.

Just as good as the first book, if not better!
Brynne really outdid herself with this one. Lark was incredibly funny and easy to like, but Lachlan. . . Lachlan was the real gem of this book. Lachlan and Lark's banter and back-and-forth was what kept me turning the pages of this book, and the side characters like Aunt Ethel were just as fun to read. Their dynamic was like watching explosions happen in real time and feeling the heat from the blast brush over your face, but in reality, it was me blushing at all the spice and flirting. The action was top-tier, though I have to say the ending felt a little rushed, even though it left me SCREAMING for the second book. I want it NOWWWW. The bonus scene was the cherry on top. . . ; )

Thank you to Zando, Brynne Weaver, and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC!!

3.5 Stars

I have to say I think this is a case of being picked up by a publisher that I can only wonder if Brynn had to hold back on some things. The beginning was good, then the more I read my excitement started to change.

What happened in here with this installment with Lachlan and Lark didn’t have the same flare that I expected from Ronan and Sloane with B&B. The plot felt choppy and was a major slow burn. I didn’t see a huge connection between the couple & Lark started to get on my nerves a bit too. I did like Lark’s family business, which maybe could’ve shown more? Lachlan is supposed to be a hitman but to me, he almost seemed like a bodyguard instantly. Lark barely showed her musical talents but had a 1 night show to play. The villain in this one didn’t make sense to me and mostly popped out of no where and solved quickly. I missed the dark comedy. I’ll still be back for Finn & Rose’s story in Scythe & Sparrow because I have to know how this trilogy plays out.


I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zando and Ms. Weaver for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I LOVED Butcher & Blackbird. I knew going in that it was gonna be hard to top. I don't think Ms. Weaver *quite* accomplished it but she came close. Lachlan and Lark are two terrific main characters, clearly drawn to and repelled by each other in equal measure. I never felt that Lark's attraction to Lachlan was quite as strong as his to her, but maybe that's because I never felt like he truly surpassed Keanu in her affections. LOL.
The snark was excellent and the energy between the characters was great. Sloane makes some terrific cameos (OK, primarily by text, but still) and is just as acerbic and razor sharp as ever. Ethel is AWESOME, the great aunt/troublemaker everybody needs in their life.

Where this book lacked a little in comparison to its big sister was in the antagonist. I don't want to spoil anything but I felt that the antagonist played a much reduced role in this book than they could have. Neither of our MCs even realized there was anything to worry about until practically 90% of the book. For a "multiple deleter" and a contract killer/cleaner, I would have expected a little bit more observational skills, I guess. Also, and probably it's just me, but coming off B&B I was expecting a little bit more grossness. I mean, the ice cream in B&B alone.... X_x

This is not to say I did not enjoy the book. I did. It was awesome. I'm in line tapping my feet for book #3, seriously. 4 SOLID stars. I have a feeling that our doily-crocheting doctor Fionn is going to provide some big surprises in book #3. Can't wait :)


PS: I LOVE YOU BENTLEY!!! GOOD BOY!!!!!!!!!

I mean, are we surprised I loved this book?!

First of all, Lark is everything I’ve wanted. She was funny, straight forward but didn’t take sh*t.

Lachlan = contract k*ller that wears glasses. Need I say more?

Once again Brynne filled this book with laughs, gore and love. And honestly I just don’t think there is anything better.

Love love love.

It feels different than BB. You’re getting a completely different vibe and story, but with the main components of why you loved BB in LL. You’ll fall in love with multiple deletes again but in a fresh way :)

5/5 stars











ARC READ - thank you Brynne and Netgalley

“My hands would look so good on her perfect skin.”

ARC Review: Lachlan, Rowan’s brother, is a contract killer who is ready to retire and focus on working in his leather studio. However, one Halloween night he screws up a huge client contract for his boss and now is even more in debt to his boss and retirement seems out of reach.

As an indie singer and Sloane’s best friend, Lark seems to be all glitter and rainbows on the outside but actually has secrets buried deep inside. Lark is put in a compromising position where she has to offer Lachlan a deal of an arranged marriage to save his family and to use his skills to track down the killer who is after her family.

“You’re brave as hell. But you’re my person, Lark. I can’t do this without you.”

Book Rating: 4/5
Steam/Spice: 2/5
Tropes:
- dark romance
- contract killer MMC
- serial killer FMC
- hate to love
- marriage of convenience
- he falls first
- slow burn (3rd act spice)
- grumpy / sunshine
- groveling, but make it psycho
- touch her/him and die

“I cannot bear to hear about the way some other guy f-cked my wife. Or the way she might have f-cked him. Please. Not right now.”

“You like that, don’t you? You want me filling your throat. You want to swallow every drop of cum like my good f-cking whore.”

Final Thoughts: I enjoyed the story of Lark and Lachlan and loved getting to see Rowan & Sloane several times throughout. It’s hard not to compare this book to Butcher & Blackbird (a top 5 ⭐read for me) so if you’ve read B&B then I’d suggest going into this one with an open mind and without the expectation that L&L will be similar. To me, L&L didn’t have the same oomf as B&B and I may have rated it lower due to my own thinking that L&L would be more similar to B&B given the two MCs are a serial killer and a contract killer. While I enjoyed the ending (that epilogue - a fav scene), I felt the closing scene (no spoilers) left me wanting a bit more there. Overall it’s a good book with amazing tropes and I love grumpy Lachlan and how he falls first and hard for Lark. I’d just recommend going into it without B&B in mind as I feel I did Brynne a disservice by doing so and will have to do a reread later this year.

I did not think it was possible for Brynne to outdo herself but BOY OH BOY did she.
Enemies to lovers trope but in the least unexpected way.
True to form with ruining food and stealing our hearts!
Brava, Brynne!
You've done it again