Butcher & Blackbird

I... I really don't know what to make of this book. It's the dark kind of dark romance. I mean, it's a love story between 2 serial killers, ffs! I want to say that's it's kinda sweet, but, they both really are serial killers.

But but but... despite all the dark stuff, it's a well-written book. And you find yourself cheering for both the main characters. Like, yeah, what a kill! Man, I feel so out of sort right now.

A new genre recommended to me by Booktok! A couple of serial killers meet when they target the same evil person. A game and a friendship is formed.

Even though some of the killing and other evil stuff is graphic (pay attention to trigger warnings!) it read like a rom-com! The banter lived up to the hype. It had me laughing and kicking my feet. Oh, and it's common knowledge with their loved ones what they do for fun, their hobby. It made me question how the characters were comfortable talking about stuff in public. Like, aren't you afraid of someone overhearing?

And the spice! It's a slow burn, but once it starts, it doesn't let up. I heard that the audiobook is excellent. I might need to reread this book in my ear!

I'm just not vibing with the way the author is choosing to narrate the story. I feel like some major parts of plot and characters' internal thoughts got left out in service of starting the story as soon as possible. It left me questioning how the characters got to the current place in the story since a lot of reasons behind why they chose to do certain things get glossed over or not even explained. Also, there were numerous times when I cringed at some of the dialogue in here, and I have a pretty high tolerance, so that brought my enjoyment down a lot.

I am not typically a romance reader but this was so fun! I loved the yearly meetings of the two serial killers over killing other killers that followed popular horror tropes. (I just wished there was more of them!) I also appreciated the slow burn romance as well as the descriptions of food. Will definitely continue with the series!

Perfect for Dexter lovers! A mix of romance and thrill, and some humor to distract from some of the gross sh*t. I also think the addition of the playlist elevated this reading experience for me. Looking forward to reaching the rest of the series
+ I LOVE how there was content warnings, more books need that

4.5/5 *ੈ✩‧₊˚

“You know what they say, Blackbird. ‘It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye,”

(i'm redoing a bunch of ratings because i don't know what parasite was in my head when making these decisions)

I would die for you way

cutest thing ever

Warning

︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶

જ⁀➴ The banter, the dynamic of all the relationships is just fun.

Sloane

Rowan

જ⁀➴ The premise of the plot is fun and enticing, but is not the main focus.

જ⁀➴ There's a bit of spice. Chapters duration of spice.

જ⁀➴ Would I recommend this? If you like dark and twisty - YES.

︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶

⋆˙⟡♡ post-reading

⋆˙⟡♡ pre-reading

 I REALLY enjoyed this book. This is not my standard type of read. I am very much a fantasy girly at heart, but like to break up the big series I read with smaller, less heavy world building books with things that are a little out of my comfort zone and this hit that spot perfectly

This book has a really good balance of dark and funny, its whip lash-like occasionally but in the best possible way. Going for cringing at the rather graphic scene to laughing at the banter between the main leads within a few seconds.

I would call this medium paced, its definitely slower than a lot of books I read however it kept me hooked and listened to it within a few sessions on audible.

Have to take the time to appreciate the voice actors of this book. They both had chemistry which made it a really enjoyable. Plus I really liked the accent... Lol

Check trigger warnings, definitely heavy in some spots, but very very fun for me overall!

4.25-4.5/5 stars 

‪4,5 stars for a sweet serial killer romance

♡
- i'm weak for some sweet serial killers and those two are very sweet
- there is instant't attraction which i'm usually not a fan of but they dragged it out before acting on it which was nice, honestly liked all the foreplay and aching better than the actual sex scenes
- never knew i needed a serial killer with golden retriever vibes
- their romance isn't dark at all and i quite like the contrast between that and their bloody business

Another book recommendation by the same person who recommended Bride. This is supposed to be a “Romance” read, but clearly my tastes differ. I do love a nice romance, but I much prefer tales of normal people living a loving life. These authors seem to be competing on describing gory/smutty/vomit-inducing scenes. Here both the mml and the mfl are serial killers - both equally sadistic and brutal. They inevitably end up liking each other and the violence continues, albeit in a ewww kind of way. I suppose there is an audience for this type of thing, but I'm not it. I'll be steering clear of this person's recommendations from now on. 

 If you are a fan of funny horror movies or dark comedies like Heathers or Lisa Frankenstein, this audiobook is the one for you!!

The performances are off-the-charts and I laughed out loud from the first few minutes! The chemistry is undeniable and the slow burn is the sloooooowest most agonizing torture that the author most sadistically enjoyed writing! (Seriously, half the book!!) But is it worth it!

Two serial killers hunting monsters bond as friends and into something more in this dark romance that will have you DETONATE! #IYKYK

I had this book on my dining room table for over a year...and then had the audiobook on hold for ages through Libby and then once it came through, I devoured it!!

Normally I don't like to jump on bandwagons but I guess #booktok strikes again because this book was well-written, lots of great details, fascinating side characters and backstories, and HILARIOUS dialogue! It has been so long since I had FUN with a book. I almost didn't want to return it but it is worth it for someone else to listen to it and be happy!

Already downloaded “Leather and Lark” and have to play the dreaded waiting game until “Scythe and Sparrow” comes out in February!!