Butcher & Blackbird

The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1

By: Brynne Weaver

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and spice, unlike anything you’ve heard before.

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 an HEA.

Butcher & Blackbird is a dark romance intended for an adult audience—please see Brynne’s website for a comprehensive list of content warnings.

©2023 Brynne Weaver (P)2023 Blue Nose Publishing

So many feels

loved this!!! audible only made the whole book come to life. I have never been grossed out, giddy, laughing, crying, spicy, and enthralled all at one time. voice actors amazing and writing fantastic!!

(Dexter×2)+Hannibal +Leatherface=Butcher &Blackbird

What a unique concept and experience. This was a fresh twist wit all the trigger warnings that needed to happen. Trigger warnings are the literary versions of a parental guidance sticker was to music for many many readers and this author did not miss. Finding myself caring about the well-being of a single serial killer was so

keeps you wanting more

this was my 1st book I've downloaded from audible. it has great reviews and I know why. Definitely a great book if you're into thriller and suspense. the down and dirty bits are top notch too. it does get a little cheesey from time to time but don't let that deter you from this love sick book.

Best audiobook I’ve heard. Amazing job.

I’ve only recently jumped on the audiobook wagon and I’ll admit there are some that I just can’t get into. This one though…this one hooked me immediately. The chemistry between the two narrators is just *chefs kiss*. Amazing.

This was a FUN read!

I don't care about sex scenes. But I've found that some of the most intriguing authors, and the most captivating storyline and characters, come from smut....lol. And I say "smut" as a compliment.
The characters are fleshed out well, without diving too deep into their past traumas to make it a pity party.
Sloane and Rowan are, despite their proclivities, well adjusted and seemingly successful adults.
Even facing what she faces from him in the third act, you don't get the sense that she isn't going to be able to go on and thrive.
But I think if those roles were reversed, he wouldn't fair as well.
The writing is well done and witty. The jokes definitely land (as evidenced by the glare I kept receiving from my partner as a snort or a surprised chuckle escaped me) and, to me, they're real people, with real lives.
They just have an eccentric "hobby".
I mean, who doesn't nowadays, am I right?!
I loved the book, and I already have the second pre-ordered. Can't wait!
I would be remiss in my review if I didn't include a comment on the narrators.
In short? Stunning.
Lucy Rivers has complete control over her vocal inflection and artistry of story telling. I have difficulty finding female narrators that I thoroughly enjoy. She is now top 3.
Joe Arden...yeah...I felt like I could bathe in the liquid velvet of his voice. I said what i said!
And his proficiency with accents and ability to bring to life each of the male characters in their own unique way flowed really well.
Both actors did a remarkable job and are a real asset to this audio book.
Warning: You must be somewhat damaged, dark and a little twisted (in the hood way) to really enjoy this.
I know I did.....

How do you even review this book?

This book was amazing! I read and listen to books CONSTANTLY and this has gone straight to the top with my favorites! I can't believe I'm going to have to wait so long for the next one! The narrators were great! the book was great! Loved, loved, loved it!

Amazing Narration

This was such a fun audio book to listen too, the narrators were perfect and I don’t say that often. They were engaging and complimentary and having dual narration was such a good move’ the banter was fun.

Best Overall Performances of 2023

I listen to a lot of audiobooks. There is nothing better than listening to a fave book and hearing the emotion amplified all the way to your toes. I knew when I read this book as an ARC earlier this year no one would do the characters of Rowan Kane and Sloane Sutherland better than Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers. They are autolisten narrators for me. I loved Joe's Irish accent in the Born Madly duet..but this performance took him to another stratosphere. This wasn't just a Duet performance; they could have been on a Broadway stage or filming a movie..every nuance of feeling was palpable for the listener. I could swear I was blushing when they were, they made me laugh , snort giggles and Joe made me cry at the end. I sat straight up in my chair with Lucy/Sloane holding a gun at David..I swear I was holding my breath. Lucy and Joe became Butcher and Blackbird..they weren't just reading my fave Dark Romance thriller of 2023..they brought Brynne's masterpiece to life. If you read but one audiobook in 2023..make it this one it really is the best of the best .
Bravo Joe and Lucy ..take a bow. All the begging I did with Brynne every day since before this released in paperback really was worth every comment to hear the finished audio book which I will listen to again and again . Brynne I need book 2 ..Joe with a southern accent will be my complete undoing .
If you are wondering if this book is for you. Brynne Weaver is the Dark unhinged queen of romance. You enjoy Criminal Minds or Law and Order Criminal Intent maybe too much and love the serial killers being tracked and hunted? Do you like morally Grey anti Heros who live life with their own moral code men who would burn the world down to save the girl..but the girl is bad to the bone and really doesn't need saving ..she knows 100 ways to kill a man and 90 of them are untraceable? this book will be your fave thrill ride of 2023. The steam ..off the charts 🌶🌶🌶🌶 and the side characters are 👨‍🍳💋 .Each book Brynne writes keeps getting better and better and this one is not to be missed.

I need more dark romcoms in my life

I’ve read this both on ebook and audiobook now and it was just as good the second time! It is duet style narration which is my preferred kind of audio. Joe Arden & Lucy Rivers did such a great job narrating this. Idk how Joe Arden does accents so well, but his French accent for Rowan was so good 🫠

This is my 3rd book by Brynne Weaver and she’s definitely made it on to my “must read” list. She manages to take the high stakes, tension filled aspects I love from thrillers and combine it seamlessly with the angst, intensity and passion of dark romance, while also adding in some RomCom humor.

Did I ever think I’d read a book that would have me laughing during a chapter/scene with accidental cannibalism? Nope but here we are 🤣😅

I need more Dark RomCom books in my life and I’m excited this is the start of a trilogy!

DO NOT read this if you are even remotely squeamish. I apologize in advance if you really love Orzo pasta or cookies & cream ice cream.

Highlights:
- Romance: MF
- Dark RomCom
- Rival serial 💀ers turned friends-to-lovers
- Annual mürdër competition
- Accidental cannibalism? Lol (& / little not-so-accidental)
- One bed
- Touch him/her and 💀
- Slow burn (but the payoff is 🔥)
- Piercings 😏

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I also received an ALC copy and this is my honest opinion.

Well that was something…

I loved every second of this! The story was amazing! I love that it was dark but also would take those moments and pepper them with something light and funny. Beautiful story! As always the voice actors were just fantastic. Joe could read a grocery list and I would listen to it! Just amazing!