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Review: Butcher and Blackbird

 


Title: Butcher & Blackbird

Series: The Ruinous Love Trilogy

Author: Brynne Weaver 

Release Date: August 2023




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. 


***Butcher & Blackbird is a DARK ROMANCE intended for an adult audience - please see Brynne’s website for a comprehensive list of CWs***


Goodreads | AmazonBarnes & Noble |



What happens when two rival murderers happen upon a chance meeting with one another while hunting their prey? An annual game of hunting, blood and suffering to change their rivalry into an unlikely friendship, going against the most monstrous in the country. 

Sloane is known as the Orb Weaver- she plucks out the eyes of her victims, and wants intricate webs. Rowan is known as the Boston Butcher, murdering for sport. But each have something in common. They rid the world of those who are deserving. 

But as their friendship develops into something more, the question becomes "do monsters deserve love, too?"

So,  Butcher & Blackbird was an impulse buy. I have seen it all over my tiktok, and when I went to Walmart to grab two completely different books, I picked up Butcher & Blackbird also. And even though I have seen it everywhere- I didn't really know much about it. Which is perfect since I like going into my books blind. And while I may question every bite of ice cream in the future (thanks for that by the way) - let's be real, I couldn't give up that deliciousness... If the promise of pain and sickness from being lactose intolerant doesn't stop me, the book surely wouldn't 😂😂- I loved this book. 

It was the perfect combination dark, but still a rom-com with a slow-burn between the characters. It was light in a way I never knew a dark romance could be - but still had the dark elements to it that I love in my books (but definitely check over the tw if you have any). 

I loved Sloane, she was quirky and sassy. And I loved Rowen, he was funny and charming. And they were perfect for each other. This book was exactly what I needed to get back into reading after a busy stress filled month. It was everything I didn't know I wanted. It was a fun but dark read, that made me feel giddy like a kid in a candy store. So if you like your characters a bit deranged, if you like content that makes you wonder what the heck you just read, but like characters that can bring a smile to your face, or make you laugh then I recommend this book. And I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. 

5 chaotic cookies & cream ⭐ out of 5 ⭐. 

4🌶️ out of 5🌶️. A few scenes, with details and k!nks. 

Tropes: 

→ dark romance 

→ rom-com 

→ serial killer H & h 

→ black cat x golden retriever  

→ slow burn 


Trigger Warnings



ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

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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