- Butcher & Blackbird: The Ruinous Love Trilogy

For the past year, everyone has been talking about Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver , especially the audio version. I don’t usually read dark romances, but I love romcoms. This is a dark romcom! I was intrigued. Butcher & Blackbird was probably the #1 TikTok book for the past year, and some of the other big Booktok books I read were total letdowns. But I still had high hopes. I am so happy to say that Butcher and Blackbird lived up to the hype. It was like nothing I’ve ever read before, which is definitely part of the appeal. The story was fun, but it was the personalities that made the book. Sloan and Rowan are both serial killers. They each kill the bad serial killers that the police can’t catch, but make no mistake, they LOVE the killing. Even though they have sometimes gone after the same guy, they have never met. When they finally do, it's at a murder scene that’s become a bit...shall we say... dicey for Sloan. Sloan, “the orb-weaver” plucks her victims’ eyeballs out and turns her crime scenes into intricate web-like art exhibitions made from flesh and body parts. Rowan aka Butcher has been a big fan from afar but meeting her in person had him instantly falling for her. Their banter was so amazing! I know it’s weird to say about a serial killer, but Rowan was adorable. He was so sweet and romantic! Yes, I said that. Yes, I know he's a serial killer. What can I say? I'm a sucker for the sweet ones. These two are complete psychopaths (as are their friends and family who we will read about in the next two books) and they were so much fun! I don’t read or watch horror at all, and some of this was pretty gross, but because of the humor, it was never too much for me. "Rowan rests the handle of the ax against his shoulder and huffs before giving me a wink. “Getting revenge for hurting my girl, of course." Likes: •It’s so unique! •Laughing while gagging. •How can I fall in love with a serial killer? •Rivals to lovers. •Though he had insta-love, she took a while to catch up so it was slow-burn. •But once they started burning…holy moly it was HOT. •I loved that it pretty much ended with an HEA. It’s called a trilogy, but each book features a different couple. •He was so sweet, and I loved how much he loved her. Dislikes: •The timeline jumps. •I would have liked to get to know them on a deeper level. The Narration: OMG, this is one of the best narrations I have ever listened to. It’s full duet, so Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden had full-on conversations with her voicing the female parts and him the male. I am sure I wouldn’t have loved Butcher and Blackbird as much if I just read it, the narration made it so much better. The Down & Dirty: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver isn’t perfect, but I can totally understand the hype around it. It’s unique, it’s dark, it’s funny, it’s raunchy, it’s gory, it’s romantic, and it’s hot AF. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend the audiobook. But make sure you listen to the trigger warnings. They are no joke, but they also made me laugh. “accidental cannibalism” anyone? I am so happy Leather and Lark,(book two) is out because I’m not ready to leave this world.

4⭐️ brynne weaver is looking like the next ali hazelwood for me – a consistent 4-star romance that serves great as a palate cleanser/slump buster. brynne just goes much, much darker than ali. that said, if you love serial killers, spicy BDSM romance, and a healthy dose of comedy, brynne weaver is for you! this book had an excellent balance of humor, romance, tension, banter, mystery, and gross factor (necessary for this type of book imho). if you like to eat while reading, approach this book with caution; there are a few scenes that can definitely turn your stomach. it was still a great way to pass the time, and i intend to keep reading brynne weaver in the future. as a dark romance, some of the elements of this book might not be for everyone, so check the tags at the beginning to be sure this works for you; the tags are a dead dove do not eat situation – take them seriously. tropes: serial killer romance, rom-com, dark romance, friends to lovers, he falls first, touch him/her and die, dual POV, dark humor similar titles: great for readers who have a dark sense of humor and love spicy, k!nky romances. this book is near keri lake levels of darkness, but make it comedy instead. 4🌶️ another high spice rating for brynne. truthfully, some elements of the explicit sexual conduct in this book mandate a higher spice rating. THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE – CHECK THE TAGS!!! while some of the k!nky stuff isn't for everyone, the scenes are well-written and have a good amount of detail and length without feeling gratuitous or overpowering the story. they definitely pick up in the second half/final third of the novel, and those who want to skip the spice should be able to without missing any plot. cw: genital piercings, rough sex, warming, all holes used, toys, choking, & dom-sub interactions.

Butcher & Blackbird was an absolute BLAST. Dark, twisted, hilarious, and somehow still incredibly romantic! The banter and smart-ass commentary from literally every character was top-tier. I was laughing out loud way more than I expected to for a book about serial killers. Yes, it’s gory, and a few moments definitely had my stomach doing flips, but it’s done in such a fun, over-the-top way that I couldn’t look away. Rowan being completely down bad from the start? Elite. I loved watching him fall so hard and so fast, while Sloane slowly realizes she’s actually worthy of being loved, not just tolerated or feared. Their dynamic was chaotic, tender, and weirdly wholesome for two murderers. The twist at the end genuinely had me SHOOK, the spice was spicy, and the love story was both unhinged and heartfelt. A romance that literally kills? Say less.

How not to love, laught and cry with this two? OMG! I just love every page in this book. The chemistry between both, their dark sides, their kind of funny moments, the cookies and ice cream stuff (must say i saw that one coming, no pun intendeed). But I also love their “human” moments, their fears, the overthinking time that everyone has in their daily basis… and have to say that I didn’t see that “plot twist” coming. Can’t wait to read the next story. I’m bitting my nails to know about Lachlan’s and Lark’s stor!

I received the book, in amazing condition! And im almost done reading it. Thank you!

This book was so funny love the banter, the slow burn tension. The interaction between the characters. Well written worthy for the bookshelf

Excuse me BUT, what in the murderous rom-com fever dream did I just read?? I went into Butcher and Blackbird thinking, “Oh, cute title, probably a little stabby, a little spicy.” FRIENDS… THIS BOOK GRABBED ME BY THE THROAT, LAUGHED IN MY FACE, AND THEN WHISPERED, “You’re mine now.” Slone and Rowan?? Literal MENACES. Picture if Wednesday Addams and a golden-retriever-turned-serial-killer accidentally got stuck in a dark alley together—and instead of killing each other, they made murder and mayhem look SEXY. Their banter?? Chef’s kiss. Their chemistry?? So 🔥 I’m surprised my Kindle didn’t file for workers’ comp. I knew I was in trouble when Slone, our hot mess queen, came in swinging with sarcastic one-liners, and Rowan just... stood there being 6'4" of emotionally constipated murder dreamboat. You know that TikTok audio, “You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires”? Yeah, slap that on a bloodstained T-shirt and give it to these two. Let’s get into the plot: This was Dexter meets Enemies to Lovers meets a Pinterest board labeled "murder date night goals." I kept thinking, “Okay, surely it can’t get more unhinged than this,” and Brynne Weaver kept proving me dead wrong. Every. Single. Chapter. I was either cackling like a lunatic or blushing so hard I looked sunburned. And THE SPICE??? LORD HELP US. I had to set my Kindle down multiple times and just stare into space questioning if I’d accidentally wandered into the X-rated section of my brain. Honestly, it was criminally good. (Pun 1000% intended.) This book had me rethinking my entire moral compass like: “Murder is bad… but... is it? 👀” By the end of this book, I was: Emotionally wrecked Horny Googling “how to date a fictional serial killer” (no luck, sadly) Final verdict: If you love your romance bloody, bantery, and hotter than a crematorium oven, Butcher and Blackbird will have you absolutely feral. 10/10, would join their murder club in a heartbeat. 💀🖤

I love Sloane and Rowan! My top 5 couple of all time! I love Sloane’s character so much. Such a badass. And Rowan… he’s just perfect.