There Are No Saints (Sinners #1) by Sophie Lark -- Restarting September 16th 2024

[Allie]

I loathe Alastor Shaw.

The city of San Francisco thinks we’re rival artists.

In truth, we’re predators battling for hunting ground.

We never chased the same prey. Until the night we both laid eyes on Mara Eldritch.

Shaw wants to use her as a pawn in his twisted game.

I’m fixated on her for a different reason…

She makes me feel things I never thought I could feel. Want things I never wanted.

Only she can make me lose control.

I don’t know if I should protect her at all costs… or destroy her before she ruins me.

Mara knows I’m no saint. But she has no idea she’s dancing with the devil…


The Lark Notes:
I have always been fascinated by true crime, as well as by villains and anti-heroes. A serial killer is, of course, the ultimate anti-hero — the baddest of the bad boys. Redeeming a character who starts so evil was a challenge that inspired me to entirely new heights and entirely new depths. Come on this darkly sensual and utterly brain-bending ride with me! — Sophie

"There Are No Saints” is the first book in the Sinners Duet. Reader be warned: this is a dark and steamy serial killer romance that will take you on a journey through the twisted mind of an artist on the brink of madness.

[Ashley W]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ These guys are so cold and detached. It's a crazy coincidence that two people like them are in the same city and both are artists. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ Cole in Alastor's apartment was actually kind of funny. That he was petty enough to just move his things around just to annoy him and pour him his own wine, then insult him on the way out made me laugh a little. They're both just so conceited. I'm not sure which one scares me more. The one that kills randomly or the one who plans. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[At least Mara confronted him even if nothing comes of it. The police were useless, but it shows she has some backbone. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ That was bold of her! I love that she took control of the whole situation and wanted to be successful on her own. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[ That tattoo is super spontaneous for him, especially since he didn't even know what it would be. He just gave her all the control, which is pretty surprising. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

I take it this one is good lol?!? Feel free to dive into the next one whenever and I’ll follow. Just in case you won’t have to wait if you don’t want to 🤓

[Ashley W]

I liked it! It's totally different than any other book I've read. I will probably start on the next one after I've finished a couple others I'm in.

[Ashley W]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I'm still shocked that Mara trusted Cole at all. Especially enough to live with him, even if he said he wants to protect her. It's not as if he was even particularly nice to her. From his POV he even says it's more obsession than actually caring about her. I would still be terrified of him. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

39% (view spoiler)[I went into this fairly blind and not sure what to expect. This is like some Dexter type shit mixed with serial killer artists instead lol and a poor innocent girl whose thrown in the middle.Then again I’m wondering if she’s not a little cuckoo herself 🤔 (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "39% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know! I thought it was crazy how there are two artists that are both serial killers in the same city who know each other. It's a trip. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

75% (view spoiler)[And now Alistair knows she’s alive, what will this mean? He better not kidnap her in the end, I’ll be pissed, I’m over that trope for the moment thanks! (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

83% (view spoiler)[This is def a messed up relationship they have going on especially now to learn he still plans to kill her lol. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished (view spoiler)[Shoulda seen that coming with her friend but it’s so sad now she’s going to blame herself for nothing more than catching the eye of a psycho. Still glad she didn’t get kidnapped by him. But really how dumb was she telling the cops about Alistair smh, shoulda just let Cole handle it and not involve them at all. For some reason I went into this thinking it’d be some type of bully read and I guess in some ways it is. I really just love the fact that he’s completely crazy and obsessed with her, true sociopathic tendencies. Luckily she’s on his good side now 🤐 Going to just dive into the next one to finish it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "83% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know. Seems like all the books I read lately, somebody wants someone else dead or it's just all messed up. lol (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley W]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I really didn't know what to expect with this one at all. I've never read one where it was just a straight serial killer romance. So that through me. I agree that going to the police was a mistake. Seems like any time wealthy people are involved, going to the police either gets you ignored or in more trouble. And he was wealthy and locally famous. Cole was really her safest bet ironically. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ashley wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I actually am obsessed with serial killer reads just because they’re so unpredictable and unquestionably irredeemable…... usually 🤷🏼‍♀️ It’s a conundrum with a romance thrown in and I love two such opposing plot lines clashing when they really shouldn’t go together lol (view spoiler)[Even near the end Cole is fantasizing her death and she seems to care less how close she is to the end. More power to her I guess. I’m good keeping this as fiction thanks 😂😂🤣😂😂🤣 (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

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Date changed. Restarting August 1st 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Shannara]

Up to chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ This is wild so far!! I’m enjoying the craziness of it all, especially Mara and her tenacity. I can’t believe she escaped that situation. I thought she was a goner for sure. Cole is intriguing. I can’t decide whether he’s a monster for just stepping over her and leaving or if he’s smart for trying to keep out of it. Cause clearly that plan didn’t work. Smh… (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

Up to chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ oh my… that was spicy!! I can’t believe how much I’m loving this!! The heat, the obsession, and the characters. Mara is still my favorite, but damn. Cole is something else altogether. He’s some sort of anomaly that I want to see Mara break through!! Can’t wait to see what happens next between them!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

Up to chapter 31 (view spoiler)[ holy shit… I seriously hope Cole doesn’t kill Mara. Especially just so Shaw doesn’t. That would be the ultimate fucked up. I can’t stop reading now… I have to finish… (hide spoiler)]

[Shannara]

Finished (view spoiler)[ OMG!!!!! I loved that sooooo much!!! It was sharp, smart, sexy, and so much more!!! I absolutely devoured the pages like my life depended on it!!! Mara was a great character, with her tenacity and intelligence and will to live. Actually live!!! A lot of characters don’t have that will in them, but she does. And Cole… he’s super hot and everything I could want for a sexy, intimidating, and powerful main character. He’s so dangerous, but I love that he has a soft spot for Mara. In fact, I think they’re falling in love, but don’t want to admit it. The scenes seemed so real even though they were so crazy sometimes. And the intimate scenes!!!! Wow!!! Just wow!!! I can’t wait to read the next one!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting September 16th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Courtney]

Still planning on getting to this one. I just fell behind again.

[Jenn]

Same. I'm just now starting it!

[Jenn]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[ well ok then lol. I dont think i remembered what this book was about before i started reading it. But two artist serial killers who are also rivals.. got it. Poor Mara, perfect example of wrong place wrong time. And the cops not believing her story of being kidnapped and left for dead. Seems on brand. Coles obsession seems to have now taken off completely but i have to wonder, isnt she going to recognize him? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[ well this is the start of a very toxic relationship lol. So Mara knows that cole was the one who saw her that night yet she believes him when he says no one will believe her if she accuses him. And despite his horrible controlling attitude, shes drawn to him. Im just waiting for Alistair to show up and realize Mara is alive (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[ and now shaw knows shes alive. And im pretty sure cole just admitted to killing people to mara lol. Their relationship is so fucked up but im weirdly intrigued by it and i cant stop reading... (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ whelp shaw killed erin. I had a feeling he would do something like that since mara was going to be hard to get to. Is it weird that I'm drawn to the serial killer vibes? Lol. Definitely didnt really end, it all but guarantees you'll read the sequel to find out what happens. I really want the showdown between shaw and cole (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I really was expecting Cole to help her. I definitely wasnt expecting the FMC get to in trouble so quickly. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, I know I would be freaking out if I came home to what Cole just did. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 18: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I thought it was a little wierd how she just trusted him for no reason. I thought it took way to long for Shaw to doscover she was still alive. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Damn it! Shaw killed Erin. I kinda hope Mira gets her hands dirty to get revenge for Erin. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Courtney wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Chapter 18: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It really did. I expected more interactions with all 3 of them to create tension but Shaw was hardly in it (hide spoiler)]