Butcher & Blackbird: The Ruinous Love Trilogy (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, 1)

I loved this book so much, it was a really fun read despite the dark subject! It has about 3-4 spicy scenes so I wouldn’t call it super high on a spice meter, but they were all very well written. The characters were compelling and interesting and I enjoyed their dynamic. I do wish there had been a little more foreshadowing or buildup to the ending, as it did feel like there was much of an overarching plot for quite a bit of the book. I still loved it though!

Right upon release, the cover of this book came crashing onto my radar—it felt like it was everywhere! And while I liked the cover, with its Monster High vibes and I would normally snag it right up just based on that, I didn’t; in fact, I actively avoided and dodged. Any book with that much hype scares me more than a family meal with the Manson clan. For months, I'd pick it up, feel a tug, and put it back everytime I entered a store with books.

Even if the cover wasn’t enough, the plot should have had me taking whatever train, plane, or automobile necessary to get to the closet bookseller and purchase two copies just for good measure: Butcher & Blackbird follows two main characters who are everything we shouldn’t want to be—serial killers, with prolific body counts and depravity alongside ritual. After a chance meeting between the two over “orzo pasta” in a cage next to a dead body, they take things a step furthet and head for some food. Over some breakfast post-kill, the two agree to compete a year later against each other to see who can kill a mark known only to Butcher’s brother, Lachlan. In a book following just one, but two serial killers whose senses of humor are as sharp and dark and dangerous as their Damascus knives and web constructions, one would expect a cautionary tale or two main characters who are impossible to identify with in a world such as a serial killer’s and who are, at best, morally gray and partly likeable as people. Two strikes for me: hype and horror with heroes I hate. I resisted for months. Until yesterday, when I decided the orzo-shaped bug up my butt about this book needed removal. I went in with high hopes but low, low expectations.

Those expectations are wrong. So, very, wrong. All of them. Wrong.

Somehow, Weaver weaves a web of narrative that strikes the perfect blend between tender humanity, traumatic terror, humor so black and bleak it returns to hilarity, and the most human of moments felt by characters who should be the least human of any narrative work. As Weaver develops the friendship between the work’s two MC, Rowan and Sloane, everything about it feels relatable and just so darn sweet—it’s couples goals whether Rowan and Sloane are eating in 3 in Coach or killing in what can only be described as a Texas Chainsaw inspired locale. Across the 350+ pages, I fell deeper and deeper in love with both the individual characters of Rowan and Sloane, and with their love itself. This is the equivalent of a horror hug from the snuggliest of scary-seeming-monsters. If Legends and Lattes had serial killers in modern day with a lot more snark and smut and serial slays and a splash of gore added, you’d have Butcher & Blackbird. Who knew horror could be so cozy, and serial slaying so safe and snuggly? I am now eagerly awaiting the June 4th release of part two, Leather and Lark.

On a final note, this is my 3 dark romantisty read, and I'm seeing a trend that's fascinating me. In both the Cat and Mouse (Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline, by HD Carlton) and in Butcher & Blackbird, we get strong, vulnerable, and resilient women who take the abuses and transgressions of life and channel them to move on and become these bada%$ warrior women who fight for the voiceless victimized who cannot speak not stand for themselves. While viewed by many as just smut, these types of books have the potential to do incredible collective trauma healing work surround women's issues of SA, assault, and violence. So read all the smut you love , because you may be healing the traumas of yourself, your community, and your ancestors!

"'For a methodical, reclusive seria killer, you're pretty fecken brazen." (344)

Book 1 in the Ruinous Love Trilogy

I never would have thought that I would have loved a serial killer romance book so much - but here we are... I never thought I'd find 2 serial killeres so relatable, but here we are... Wow! This book was something else. It might not have been the best book I've ever read (not every book has to be!) but it was great. It had some of the most relatable characters that I've read in months - and they're serial killers! (What does that say about me?) It had some of the raunchiest sex scenes, gruesome murder scenes, and yet it was perfect for the story. It was a great, entertaining, gut wrenching book.

CAWPILE Breakdown:

Characters: 9.5 - Weaver's character work was her best work in this book. All of her characters were full and life-life and relatable and real. I found myself relating to (and rooting for) 2 serial killers!

Atmosphere/Setting: 8.5 - The setting was incredible. So detailed that I felt like I was there. Especially the scenes in the restaurant. I never had a hard time visualizing the setting. The atmosphere was there when it mattered the most, but I wanted more. Then again, I almost always want more.

Writing Style: 10 - Weaver has a way of writing that drew me in from chapter 1 and never let up; it kept bringing me back in. I did not want to stop reading this.

Plot: 7 - The plot - when you peeled back all the layers - was a basic slow burn enemy to lovers trope. Sure, it was a bit predictable as to the eventual outcome, but I expect that going into a romance book, and I'm okay with that.

Intrigue: 10 - Despite the predictable plot, my intrigue was dialed all the way from the beginning and never decreased. I HAD TO KNOW EVERYTHING!

Logic/Relationships: 9 - Weaver's relationships in this book were top knotch. So So good! The logic, surprisingly for a serial killer romance, made perfect sense.

Enjoyment: 10 - If you can't already tell, I loved this book. I truly enjoyed Butcher & Blackbird and can't wait for book 2!

CAWPILE Total: 64/7 = 9.14 = 5/5 stars!

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!

Well that was certainly way better than I was expecting. Very funny in a VERY dark humor way. I mean, sick dark humor. Loved it. Though it was a dark setting (they are serial killers after all) it was very light and didn’t delve too deeply into the grit of what made them into who they are. There were vague mentions of their pasts and it was left at that. I actually appreciated that the author wanted to keep the book on the comical side and not make it an emotional roller coaster by addressing all of the details. The writing was put together well, clear and easy to read. The love story was well laid out with lots of angst (my favorite) and foundation building. I loved the relationship between these two and that there was no conflict that needed to be hashed out. They understood each other because of all of that build beforehand. The banter and inside jokes throughout the book was perfect. It was all a perfect combination of dark, hilarious and exciting.

Butcher & Blackbird is my first read by Brynne Weaver. It is a chilling and dark adventure that explores the complexities of friendship and danger. Sloane and Rowan, two murderers drawn together by their shared love of killing serial killers, form an unlikely bond that propels them into an annual game of blood.

Friendship soon blossomed into a heated, slow-burning romance that left me breathless and swooning. Sloane is a formidable FMC and one of the most fierce and spunky female characters I've read. I loved her strong persona, as it adds depth and humor to the page. Rowan is swoon-worthy, filling the chapters with passion, longing, strength, and sensitivity. For a serial killer, Rowan is very charming and compassionate with Sloane. It is one of his best qualities.

The plot is original and kept my attention. Some moments seemed a bit unrealistic, but I still enjoyed this book so much. If you're in the mood for a fun, thrilling adventure filled with hilarious moments and dark themes, you will love this book.

This was my first book by this author and I'm glad I bought it. I enjoyed both the MMC and FMC, their banter and dynamic was entertaining. This book is an interesting mix of dark humor, filled with gore but also hilarious, spice and drama. There is a moment that reminded me of the movie Psycho which was cool! I did find it off putting that it took YEARS for the couple to be brave enough to voice their feelings, I think it was an odd choice for these stubborn violent lovable weirdos and that kept it from 5 stars for me.

I saw a lot of hype for this book and heard the audio reviews were amazing so I had to dive in. I think it was good but not the spectacular book I was reading about. I felt like the audio got too OTT for me and it took me awhile to get sucked into this world to be honest. I usually can finish an audiobook of this length in less than 5 days but I kept putting this down and going to other audiobooks in between because it wasnt holding my attention. I felt like it might have been better for me reading rather than listening to it.

I thought the idea was so farfetched but the author did a good job bringing so much detail to this complicated story she weaved without overdoing it. I loved the intricacies of her kills and her set-up/how people find the scene after she leaves. She thinks of everything and leaves breadcrumbs that no one figures out haha. I liked the different people they encounter and take out, the competition was hilarious. I was confused how the whole eating someone thing was going to be thrown in and couldnt stop laughing at that scene when it happened hahah. I mean don’t get me wrong, my stomach flipped and I was sickened by the idea of it but it was funny to see our MC try to warn him and he was so drugged(since he wasnt paying attention like she was!) and was definitely not coherent haha. I won’t give more away but that evil they took out and his way of killing was done well (in terms of the details, the awesome little mini story/confrontation). I also liked the banter between the characters and how shy they both got haha. She was so awkward but so was he, they were a cute couple and no one would suspect serial killers! I also liked some of the side characters in this one and we get to learn more about 2 of them in their story coming this summer! I will be picking that up, hopefully audio is around the same time as the ebook and paperback release! I also enjoyed the steam once the two finally got together 🔥 and the vulnerable and adorable intimate moments were just a good. ALSO THE TATTOO!!! IYKYK

I think again for me, what took away from me giving this a 5 stars was some of the storyline felt too broken up, with the time jumps and the bouncing all over the place with their internal monologues, kinda gave me whiplash in a couple chapters. Also again it took me several tries to get into this one, when I was really looking forward to it. I would sill recommend this book and will be reading book 2 but give the caveat that this can be disjointed and take into consideration the subjects. I rarely have TWs that mess with me (this didn’t have anything I had an issue with) but this one can be gruesome with describing the murders, almost assaults/people trying to kill them too haha, etc. I did enjoy the humor, most of the jokes hit the mark and had me giggling.

Narrators gets a 4/5 from me. Like I mentioned before there were a fair amount of scenes I thought the two main characters were over the top and overdid it. I did think they did a good job with the awkward social skills, the emotions felt right, and the way they described the kills/staging the scene, and about each other was so meticulous and cute (never thought I would talk about them and call them cute haha). I think the male narrator did a good job with the accent and personalities but he is not the best person in real life and it’s hard for me to listen to him and not think of what he did. Not punishing the author at all for it, just giving a heads up to readers/listeners! I may have to read this before book 2 comes out, as a refresher, and try to see if I feel differently without the narrator or not. A follow-up update will be done closer to book 2’s release 😍

"Sloane's character as the heroine here, overall, I'd say, is somewhat careless. As a notorious serial killer, she surprisingly lacks proficient combat skills in her world. Her adversaries aren't just ordinary people with weapons and murderous intent, especially in the scene where Sloane reunites with Rowan during the execution session, with numerous scenes showing the heroine being rescued by the hero. So that's what made me think recently: how does she confront this killer? Why is she weaker now? Were her abilities the same before? Is it luck? But what makes this character unique is her motivation for killing, which is why this heroine seems so erratic.

Rowan's character as our hero, in my opinion, is the type who, once in love, wants only himself and no one else. Once he truly feels a 'click', he pursues his beloved wherever the next murder target may be. Personally, I love Rowan because he clearly shows the type who's willing to do anything, even sacrifice himself, to save Sloane, even though you could say I'm just a friend stuck in the friend zone, hehe. But it's okay, right? Pursue love even to China 🤭

As for their chemistry as partners in crime, I find their romance a bit lacking in excitement. Even though this book isn't exactly a romance novel, as a hopeless romantic, I feel that the chemistry between the hero and heroine, especially from the heroine's side, lacks depth. Sometimes it feels like the heroine is in love by herself. Perhaps it's because of her mysterious and guarded background that affects the chemistry they produce.

My favorite part of the book:

“You’re all the best things to me, Sloane. No matter how many bruises are in your heart or on your skin.”

Overall 🌟🌟🌟⭐⭐ 3.5/5 Stars from Me! I really liked the premise of this book; it's crazy and portrays dark elements but spiced with twisted romance, packaged so well and resulting in something remarkable."

I picked up this book partially because of the hype and partially because of the whole "Cannibalism?? Murder?? Hardcore Spice??" angle people were taking towards this. I understand that many consider this book pretty disturbing. It does handle some pretty intense themes. The content warnings are there for a reason, trust me. But also, if you're thinking this book is going to be an absolute raunchy gore-fest, it's not that bad.*

I went into this wanting to be disturbed. *If you're someone, like myself who read fanfiction in the late 2000s and early 2010s, none of this is going to get to you. It's pretty tame compared to a lot of the fanfiction I've come across and read. Now Butcher & Blackbird does manage to capture that fanfiction-like charm. It's cringey and weirdly place, but I love it for that.

I think the two biggest issues I have with the book are the pacing and the interesting character "development". The pacing is "loosely" two chapters are a year. This is very loose, and the timeline does get a bit messy as Rowan and Sloane begin to see each other more. As they develop their relationship, everything moves too fast. I'm a lesbian, I get fast moving relationships. However, moving in and then promptly naming your restaurant after your "couple name" is insane, even for serial killers. Similarly, there was no character development. Rowan was an obsessive fan boy with a hot head and a protective streak. Sloan started out with two very distinct sides of herself: her Normal Side and her Serial Killer side. Eventually both of these sides seemed to disappear to have Sloan's personality meld with Rowan's. There was a point in the book I had to go back to the start of the chapter to make sure that I was reading Sloan's POV and not Rowan's. They do not grow as individuals, they grow into an amorphus amalgamation of a couple. But hey, at least they do it together.

I was going to give this book a flat four. However, the epilogue and the bonus content really killed me. It was too cringe, even for a book filled with cringey dialogue. I've read some abhorrent shit, including most of the squicky stuff in this book, and I guess I draw the line at Dragon Onesie Spice RP.