Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver -> Restarting June 6th, 2024

[Alaina]

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***

[Elaine]

I’m really looking forward to this one but I will be late as I am waiting on my library hold to come through…it’s looking like March at this point.

[Megan]

I'm excited for this too, its available on KU for me thankfully

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Prologue - Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[ This book is hilarious.

I really like Rowan. I like Sloane but I feel like I need to read more about her.

The competition idea is fun, but is it really over already?
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 7 - 12

(view spoiler)[ It’s still really funny, especially their competition and what happened at Thorsten.

I usually don’t like time jumps but they’re not bothering me too much in this book, although I hope that at least the last few chapters won’t have them.

I want to see more of Lark and Rowan’s brothers. Also, I want to find out more about what happened with the art mentor/sponsor person.

I’m wondering if the police are ever going to be mentioned. I don’t really care that they’re not, but I don’t think I’m going to like it if they suddenly appear at the end.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 13 - 18

(view spoiler)[ I’m still liking the book, but a bit less.

At Harvey’s (I think that was his name), they let Amanda get away. I know there wasn’t much they could do about it but they haven’t even talked about it.

Also, they go to Fionn, but he’s not shown much. It felt like a wasted opportunity.

I still like Rowan and Sloane, and I’m curious to see what is going to happen in the last few chapters.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapters 19 - Epilogue

(view spoiler)[ This book ended up being fine, but the first half was definitely better than the second half.

The conflict wasn’t with the law which I liked, but I don’t know that I liked the extent to which Rowan tries to convince Sloane to leave the restaurant - did he really need to say all those things?

I still think that the side characters could have been shown more because while I think I like Lark, she wasn’t shown enough to make me need her story. Lachlan stops being a developed character after you initially meet him at the beginning.

I might still read their book, but it might not be a priority. Also, I’m assuming the situation with the art teacher/mentor will be explained in more detail in Lark’s book because it was very vague in this book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Okay, I'm going to be a little behind because I'm currently playing my favorite game of catch up lol.

[Elaine]

I'm still on hold at my library - I'm 4th in line on three copies. I'm using the waiting time to catch up on my other buddy reads as well!

[Megan]

Up to Chapter 6
Hmm I don't know how I feel about this..
(view spoiler)[
The start was super interesting.
I'm personally not a lover of gore so that puts me off. I don't know why I didn't expect the eye thing but that creeps me out the most.
Also I wasn't expecting her personality or his. I have no idea what I was expecting but it wasn't that. I can also see how this could be a series as they have family thats aware and friends!!! Omg.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to chapter 12
(view spoiler)[
The god damn eyes.
This wasn't what I was expecting from a dark romance involving serial killers. I also don't know what I was expecting. Its so dancing around the romance part. Like Roman loves her or is in lust with her but she doesn't know and is trying to not be in love with him.
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Up to chapter 18
(view spoiler)[
So Harvey's she fucks up. Which kinda disappointed me I guess she sort of saved him in the last one. I was wondering what was going to happen because Autumn ran off. Like is that never going to be mentioned? No police nothing!

I'm not going to lie. I don't love this.
(hide spoiler)]

[Elaine]

I'm third in line...getting closer but still a few weeks probably. I'll make it a priority as soon as I get it!

[Megan]

Ending
(view spoiler)[
What did I just read.
He proposed via an eyesocket and a napkin hidden in the eyesocket!? It made me laugh at my kindle while reading but good god what was this.
Completely agree not enough danger with the police. On one hand I can appreciate its about the darkness and their romance and on the other there was so much death I'd have liked some danger via a Police intervention it just wasn't there.
I need to think of my rating. Its probably a 3..
(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Elaine wrote: "I'm third in line...getting closer but still a few weeks probably. I'll make it a priority as soon as I get it!"

I'm glad I read it but it wouldn't be in my top picks of the year...

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[LOL, that literally told me nothing. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch. 1-6: (view spoiler)[So far, it's okay. I don't really have any complaints about these two or the competition. It's a little boring because nothing is really happening. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Prologue, Chapter 6."

Yeah, they are pretty funny.

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Up to Chapter 6
Hmm I don't know how I feel about this.

It is definitely interesting.

[Alaina]

Ch 7-12: (view spoiler)[I'm just going to backtrack to when he ate human... because that was gross. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Megan wrote, "Up to chapter 12..."

Yeah, I'm wondering if it's love or lust right now.

[Alaina]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapter 7 - 12 ..."

I definitely want to know more about his brothers and Lark!

[Alaina]

Ch 13-18: (view spoiler)[Well, okay, he saved her, and they got even closer. Yay! But why Boston? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Up to chapter 18..."

Yeah, what did happen to Autumn?!?!

[Alaina]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 13–18."

Yeah, seeing his brother and Rose was a bit weird.

[Alaina]

Ch 19-24: (view spoiler)[I'm surprised they got engaged so quickly... and why is Lark exactly moving to Boston now? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Epilogue/Finished: (view spoiler)[Who was watching them? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ela (Mouse333) wrote: "Chapters 19—Epilogue..."

If the next book is about Lark, then I will definitely dive into that.

[Alaina]

Megan wrote: "Ending..."

Yeah, do the police not exist in this world?

[Elaine]

I'm next in line and hoping to get my copy within the week - fingers crossed!

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING APRIL 8TH, 2024


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[Amanda]

So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that was the first time I had a trigger warning list. I really enjoyed the playlist that goes along with the chapters. I honestly think more authors should hop on the bandwagon. The switching of points of views is great because at the bottom of that section you can always tell whos chapter you are reading for.

[Sibil]

Hi! Can I join in with this one? :)

[Jamie]

Sibil wrote: "Hi! Can I join in with this one? :)"

Absolutely!

[Sibil]

Jamie wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Hi! Can I join in with this one? :)"

Absolutely!"

That's great! Thank you! I'll start it right away!! :)

[Jamie]

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[This is an interesting premise. I'm not sure I've ever read two serial killers starting up a competition with each other. The attraction between these two makes me curious as well. I do need it to pick up a little though. It's a tad bit slow right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Amanda wrote: "So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that was the first time I had a trigger warning list. I really en..."

I loved the trigger warning! They were hilarious, and I think that they set up the pace for the book :) And I have started reading while listening to the playlist, and loving it! I agree with you, more authors should do it!

[Sibil]

chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[So far I am having fun, a lot of it! I thought that they would have been loners, but instead, Sloane has a best friend and Rowan has his two brothers. It is a bit strange but in a good way. I'd say that I would love to see more of them, because they all seem intriguing characters, and I soooo want to know more about them, but since I guess that the other books in the series will be about them well, I guess that I just have to wait! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Jamie wrote: "Chapter 1-6: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I am not having problems with the pace at the moment, for me, it's working well, but I can get what you are saying too! (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that was the first time I had a trigger warning li..."

I read the trigger warnings to my bfs kids and they are like what the heck are you reading. I was like seriously messed up stuff apparently. They were like accidental cannibalisms how do you accidentally eat another person lol. So when it came to the parts of the trigger warnings i read it out loud and they were just laughing. I was like they just may want to read this next. Hell they started on ACOTAR after i was done with the series.

[Amanda]

Sibil wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Chapter 1-6: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I agree the pace has not been a problem with me.

[Sibil]

Amanda wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that was the first time I had a trig..."

I think that "accidental cannibalism" was the best one ;) And, at least so far, it seems that things are fun. (Sure, a tad surreal, and quite gorey but... fun!)

[Amanda]

Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that was the first ti..."

Did you get to the cookies and cream ice cream trigger yet?!?!?!

[Jamie]

Chapters 7-12: (view spoiler)[So I wish I wouldn't have read the triggers. I knew exactly when the accidental cannibalism was going to happen and the cookies and cream, so that took a little bit of the surprise away for me. I don't really have any triggers, so I probably should've stayed away from it.

I need these two to hurry up and stop dancing around each other, lol. I do find it funny at times, but I'm starting to get bored with the I like her, she likes him, neither are with another person, dancing game. This is usually about the time I get bored with slow burn. We are 45% of the way in and I'm starting to yawn a little.

I'm not saying it's bad, but I need something to happen. I don't even care what it is, but just something... (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Amanda wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Amanda wrote: "So far a few chapters in and it is a great concept. I found the trigger warnings pretty freaking funny. I read some crazy stuff and that wa..."

Yep, and I got the one about "accidental cannibalism" too. It was hilarious, but I am pretty glad that it is not yet ice-cream season for me!!

[Sibil]

Jamie wrote: "Chapters 7-13"

(view spoiler)[It seems like we are reading the same chapters per time! ;) And I wasn't expecting it to be slow-burn, I am still having fun, because it is pretty surreal and pretty crazy, but I get why you are getting frustrated, for sure! (hide spoiler)]

chapters 7-13
(view spoiler)[So far it is pretty hilarious. I loved the second kill in their game. That chapter was pretty great!
But I keep wondering how the heck they are still around and not in jail. It is just not possible!
But so far I am happy, it is pretty easy to read, it is quite fast and I am having fun... so all is good! (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 13-18: (view spoiler)[ Okay so literally 5 pages later they finally admit what they are feeling for each other, lol. Well acknowledging it at least. However, I feel like there are some wholes in this story. Um, where the hell did Autumn go? Whoever Adam was to her was killed by Harvey, but she takes off and nothing is said about this? It's like after the first kill, he is dripping blood onto the pavement. Then the second one, he's puking and she just throws it in the garbage can. Do police not exist in this story? Do they just go around killing and never have to worry about getting caught so they can leave bodily fluids around wherever they go? lol (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapters 19-end: (view spoiler)[ It wasn't a bad book, but I felt like there were some things off for me. This needed an added element like maybe police of some sort. But then again, she would've had to rewrite all the crime scenes because these two were leaving a hell of a lot of DNA at them, lol. I'm glad they had their happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Jamie wrote: "Chapters 13-18: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[it is a mystery like they are still out of jail! (hide spoiler)]