Butcher & Blackbird: The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1

Reviews

1. 

   Jeeves Reads Romance – July 20, 2024

   Darkly funny
   When I’m already cackling before I’ve made it past the CW and dedication, I know I’m in for a good time. This was an unexpected delight, mixing humor, gore, and spice for an extremely bingeable read. It took no time at all to hook me in, and I ended up devouring it in one sitting. I loved that the (anti)hero was a cinnamon roll sweetheart/boy obsessed who was also intense and very, very dangerous. I loved that the (anti)heroine was all fire and competence, taking her dark past and turning it into something that worked for her. They saw pieces of themselves reflected in each other, and bonded in a way they wouldn’t with anyone else. There’s a ton of dark, gruesome content, but there’s also an incredibly playful feel and tons of lighthearted banter. The banter! Yeah, the chemistry was immediate and palpable. This deliciously dark romance won’t be for everyone, but it’s certainly a one-of-a-kind, entertaining experience.The story follows Sloane, a serial killer who goes after bad guys. Her life experiences have lead her to this place, and it works for her. After running into some trouble on her latest mission, Sloane encounters Rowan. He’s also a killer with a similar mindset, and the two find themselves developing an unexpected friendship. Though they’re both attracted right away, neither wants to make any missteps – the results could be deadly. So they form a friendship and competitive dynamic, staying connected over the course of several years. Until something shifts.I’ve seen this book all over the place and I enjoy a dark rom com once in awhile, so I went into this knowing very little about the story. I recommend doing just that. At its heart, this is a great slow burn to SIZZLE, friends to lovers romance with plenty of darker elements. You’ll know within a few pages if the story is too dark for you, and you’ll also get a feel for Weaver’s sense of humor. I loved it! Not sure what that says about me, lol, but this was quite the ride. I loved that it played up some of the traditional romance tropes (particularly the “he falls first” vibes), while also being wholly unique. It works because of the romance at the center of it, and the fact that both characters are just so easy to like. Rowan was adorable with his pining for Sloane, and it was easy to see all the ways they were perfect together. If I’ve got one complaint (is it a complaint, really?), it’d be that I actually wouldn’t have minded a longer length. There are a lot of quick time jumps, and I’d have loved seeing more of their connection during those times. It was such a fast and fun read though, and the bingeable quality is a major part of the appeal. I can’t wait for the next two installments, which revolve around Rowan’s brothers. This was a fantastic introduction to this new-to-me author’s work!Audio note: Duet narration alert! I actually didn’t realize it was duet-style when I started listening, so imagine my glee when that kicked in. The narration brought the story to life, and was absolutely an enhancement to the reading experience. Lucy Rivers always does a great job, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorites. But Joe Arden steals the show here – he does an Irish accent for Rowan that gives the character so much personality. He also delivers several outstanding moments of internal spiraling from Rowan that really impressed me. The runtime (about 9 hours) was perfect for bingeing in a single day, which is exactly what I did. I can’t recommend this one for the office – not only are there many dark moments, but the spice is pretty intense. It’s a slower burn that turns into a full-on sizzle, so the back half is filled with heated scenes. Definitely recommended in the format though!

2. 

   Courtney Lavallee – July 20, 2024

   I heard a lot about this series, but was skeptical. I read a lot of dark romance and this seemed like it was going to be to comedic rather than steamy. While I do read things other than steamy, that is what I was looking for at the time.My assumptions were proven wrong quite quickly. The way these two have tension and banter is amazing. It reminded me of my spouse and I (Not the Murder though). I was rooting for them from the beginning and the author almost had me a few times. I had actual outwards reactions while reading this novel, both giggles and tears. (I can still stomach ice cream thankfully)The ending in this book was amazing and everything I was hoping for. This author knows how to write characters to be unique yet relatable and crazy as hell. I will definitely be continuing with this series.

3. 

   Lisa Michele – July 20, 2024

    O livro é maravilhoso, para mim o enredo é incrível, os personagens principais são muito carismáticos e engraçados. A autora faz com que um livro de serial killers seja engraçado e romântico na medida certa.Em relação ao livro físico em si, é o material de livro britânico/americano padrão, não é uma capa muito resistente igual as brasileiras mas é ok

4. 

   Paloma Maciel – July 20, 2024

   Usually not into this trope but it kept coming up on my FYP on TikTok and decided to give it a shot and I’m so glad I did!!

5. 

   cagdas – July 20, 2024

   Love it, in good shape