I recently dove into Butcher & Blackbird, the first book in Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love Trilogy, drawn by its intriguing description: a dark romantic comedy blending murder, chaos, and a fleck of spice. As a lover of unconventional romances, the idea of a friends-to-lovers dynamic between rival murderers really appealed to me. I was curious to see how humor and romance would intertwine amidst all the mayhem.
The story follows the captivating characters Sloane and Rowan, each battling their own demons as they navigate a deadly game that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country. The dual POV format offered a rich insight into their tumultuous minds, adding depth to their evolving relationship. I found the character development to be one of the book’s greatest strengths. As Sloane, a charming but cunning serial killer, and Rowan, a brooding butcher with a taste for the dark arts, interacted, their banter provided both humor and tenderness. If there’s one thing I can agree with other readers about, it’s that the dialogue is electric—filled with sarcasm and wit that kept me chuckling throughout.
Furthermore, I appreciated how the plot intertwines dark humor with the gruesome realities of being a murderer. The pacing of the narrative kept me hooked from page one. In fact, I couldn’t put the book down; I was invested in every twist and turn. Much like Jillian mentioned in her review, it maintained a fine balance of being both romantic and horrific. However, while the book excelled in many areas, it did fall short in others.
One drawback I resonated with was the climactic moment of the story. While it had a build-up full of tension, I found the resolution less impactful than I anticipated—almost anticlimactic—as noted by Christina Nicole. I was expecting a bit more depth during critical moments and felt some characters could have benefited from a deeper exploration of their backgrounds and motivations. This undercurrent of lackluster climax impacted my overall engagement, as I found myself craving more dramatic flair in their final face-off.
Moreover, I must address the heavy spice factor, which others have pointed out as well. While I enjoyed the romantic scenes that sizzled with chemistry, there were moments that felt borderline excessive. Jillian enjoyed the audio version of the book, calling it “amazing” for its narrators who each read only their own parts. While I’m pleased to know the narration received praise—bringing characters to life with their accents and energy—I found a few steamy scenes to be a tad too gratuitous for my taste. Still, the emotional buildup made these moments worthwhile, and it’s a testament to the author that I still found myself rooting for the characters, despite my minor discomfort.
Despite these flaws, I believe Butcher & Blackbird successfully pulls off what it sets out to achieve: a wild ride of laughter, suspense, and romance. It stands as a unique entry in the dark romance genre that I’ll certainly remember. If you enjoy a mix of chaotic fun sprinkled with horror and spice, this book is for you. And if you’re a fan of eclectic romances with morally ambiguous characters, this is a must-read.
In conclusion, I’d give Butcher & Blackbird a solid 4.5 stars. It kept me engaged and entertained, navigating a rollercoaster of humor and dark romance. While it could have tightened up some plot resolutions and scaled back on the spice in parts, my heart was thoroughly captured by Sloane and Rowan’s chaotic love story. I look forward to reading more in the series and exploring the new characters that may await in this delightfully twisted world. If you’re ready for some bloody banter and a spicy romance, don’t hesitate to add this book to your TBR pile!
Discover a captivating love story in “Butcher & Blackbird: The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1”. >>