Title: Butcher and Blackbird
Author: Brynne Weaver
ISBN: 978 1638 9317 37
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 368
Source: Private copy
Every serial killer needs a friend.
Every game must have a winner.
When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?
Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love Dark Romance trilogy of interconnected stand-alone dark romantic comedies. This dual POV novel ends on a HEA.
Official Summary
12 April 2024
This book follows Slone and Rowan. They are both serial killers. But more specifically they only kill other serial killers and bad people who deserve to die. You watch as the two form an unlikely friendship as they start an annual competition against one another.
The characters were well-written. I really loved the build-up we are getting to the other two brother’s stories. I am very much looking forward to those. I also did not like that every single character in this book knew from day one that Sloane and Rowan were just serial killers. I also could not stand how everyone in their lives was so casual about it. It just didn’t make any sense. Overall, I am looking forward to more character development from the side characters in the next two books.
I think the only reason this book was not a five-star read for me and only got four and a half, was because the book felt like it was missing something. I feel like Sloane and Rowan liked each other way too quickly. I feel like this book was missing the pining, the workup and the angst. It all just seemed too easy for them. And that last twist at the end was almost very cheap writing and used so many stupid clichés that I hate.
I’m not going to lie. I am going to be sprinting to the shops as soon as the next book in this series is released. I am very curious to see how the author is going to somehow get the same vibe as this book and what we will be getting with the two other brothers.
Overall, this book is very well written. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. I would recommend that everyone go and read the trigger warning on this book before reading it as there were a couple of scenes that were super gruesome and graphic, and even made my stomach turn. Other than that, if you don’t mind some blood, gore and a little bit of accidental cannibalism then I could not recommend it more.
Also by Brynne Weaver
Leather and Lark
Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first.
And they can’t stand each other.
Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be.
As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them.
There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep.
And this one has come for blood.
About The Author
Author Bio from the Author’s Site
Writing has always been a hobby for Brynne. Even as a young child, she loved typing out stories on her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote award-winning poetry and essays and dabbled in various forms of fiction over the years. In 2019, Brynne committed to publishing more of her works and released her first non-fiction book (under her real name!). She then began focusing on her first fantasy-romance (or ‘romantasy’) series, The Diviner. Next up was the three-part Shadow Realm paranormal dark romance series. Brynne then partnered with author Alexa Harlowe on the contemporary dark standalone romance, Black Sheep.
Brynne aspires to write female-focused stories about complex, resilient, imperfect characters who struggle with anger, trauma, fear, courage, and love.
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This sounds like a fun ride but also kind of wild, accidental cannibalism? I have so many questions, what!? lol Glad you enjoyed it and hope the next one delivers!