My There Are No Saints Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
I picked up There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark because I was craving a true dark romance with morally gray, villainous leads and an original, obsessive twist. Set in San Francisco’s art world, the book centers around Cole Blackwell—a staggeringly talented sculptor whose cold, methodical exterior hides a far darker side. Cole isn’t just respected in high society; in secret, he’s a predator who stalks the city as his hunting ground. His structured, thrill-seeking game collides with chaos when Mara Eldritch—a struggling artist scraping by on odd jobs—crosses his path and survives an attack designed to end her life.
Cole becomes obsessed with Mara’s resilience. He stalks her, both fascinated and disturbed by how she keeps getting back up, refusing to break under pressure or manipulation—not from rival artist Alastor Shaw, not from the poverty and hardship she faces. Their two worlds—his violent, predatory one and hers, gritted with hope—twist together as Cole takes Mara under his wing. But the fascination is mutual, and Mara is drawn to the only man who truly sees her. The plot hurtles toward an explosive rivalry, riddled with revenge, dark mind games, twisted attraction, and the constant threat of violence just beneath the surface. And when the city’s most prestigious art prize pits Cole against his oldest, deadliest rival, Mara becomes both muse and target.
Why I Love This Book
I love how this book pulls me into a world that’s dangerous and intoxicating at every turn. The tension is always high; Cole and Mara’s chemistry is magnetic, unsettling, and impossibly addicting. I’m fascinated by how expertly the story explores obsession, villainy, and vulnerability. Cole is unapologetically dark—an antihero with chilling impulses—but watching him slowly fall, almost against his will, for Mara kept me turning pages. Mara is tough, clever, and refuses to back down or let anyone define her—she stands up to Cole, but never compromises who she is, even at her lowest.
The writing is sharp and lean; every scene drives momentum. I especially appreciate the psychological games, the moral ambiguity, and the way each character is given space to surprise, horrify, and win me over. There’s a blend of eroticism and suspense that feels truly unique. The art world setting adds an original backdrop and extra edge; nothing about this book or its romance feels safe or typical, and that’s exactly why I couldn’t put it down.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love dark, antihero romance—where both leads walk the line between desire and destruction—you’ll be hooked. If obsession, power plays, enemies-to-not-quite-lovers, and very gray morals are your thing, this delivers. It’s not for the faint of heart: there’s violence, stalking, dubious consent, and plenty of graphic content. Expect heavy psychological tension, explicit sexual scenes, and trigger elements (serial killers, violence, trauma, emotional abuse, and power imbalance). This is a duet—so don’t expect all loose ends tied up, and be ready for a cliffhanger that leaves you desperate for more.
⚠️ Trigger warning: Graphic violence, serial killers, stalking, kidnapping, blood, torture, dubious consent, emotional abuse, self-harm, sexual assault references, and trauma. Always check the author’s full content warnings before reading.
Tagged As
dark romance, serial killer romance, antihero, psychological thriller, obsession, enemies to lovers, morally grey, suspense, open-door romance, explicit romance, trauma, artist hero, struggling heroine, art world, cliffhanger, duet, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Insanely Hot
