My Butcher & Blackbird Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is the first book in the Ruinous Love trilogy—a dark romantic comedy that’s as twisted as it is heartfelt. It follows Sloane (“the Orb Weaver”) and Rowan (“the Boston Butcher”), two serial killers with a code: they only kill other murderers. A chance encounter sparks an unlikely friendship that unfolds over several years, highlighted by annual games where they hunt the most dangerous monsters in the country. From cage mishaps and deadly culinary scenes to wild games of cat and mouse, Sloane and Rowan build a rapport based on the darkest mutual interests. As their friendship grows, so does their attraction, unlocking emotional wounds and vulnerability, even as the specter of their own “hobby” and vengeful ghosts from the past close in. With time jumps that allow their relationship to develop organically, the story expertly weaves suspense, serial killer intrigue, snarky banter, and genuine affection as Sloane and Rowan move from rivals to lovers, all while navigating the perils of their deadly lifestyle. Expect both bloody chaos and surprisingly tender moments on the way to a highly unconventional happily ever after.
Why I Love This Book
I love Butcher & Blackbird for its confident blending of black comedy, romance, and thriller elements. Sloane and Rowan are deeply complex—dangerous, funny, obsessively loyal, and sometimes delightfully unhinged. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry electric, and their journey from rivals to friends to lovers is paced so you savor both the tension and the payoff. The writing juggles gory plotlines with outright hilarious moments (if you love dark humor, the infamous “ice cream” chapter is unforgettable), and the friendship-to-lovers arc is given space to breathe, avoiding a rush to spice in favor of authenticity and buildup. Despite the dark premise, the novel is surprisingly warm when it comes to found family, caretaker moments, and the courage to accept love even when you think you’re unlovable. For readers who like their romance with bite (and just enough heart), this book is a standout—never shying away from the mess or the madness that comes with loving someone as broken as yourself.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love dark romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, witty banter, slow-burn friends-to-lovers plots, and seriously twisted antiheroes, this is for you. It’s ideal for readers craving suspense, snark, and unconventional love stories where the leads aren’t looking for redemption—they just want to find someone as delightfully ruined as themselves. Expect explicit content, graphic violence, and taboo themes; content warnings are robust, so check before reading if you’re sensitive to dark subject matter. Fans of unique character-driven plots, serial killer thrillers with heart, and dark humor will devour this. It’s a wild ride, but one that leads to a believable, if bloody, HEA.
Tagged As
dark romance, serial killers, twisted romance, emotional, friendship to romance, dark humor, suspense, duet series, slow burn, dual POV, graphic violence, found family, HEA, taboo, thriller
Steam Level
The book is peppered with explicit, open-door sex scenes—spicy enough to satisfy steamy-romance fans, but evenly balanced with humor and plot development. The steam escalates over time, matching the emotional growth and escalating stakes of Sloane and Rowan’s relationship. Kink is present but approachable, and the scenes are written with chemistry, playfulness, and heart.
