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

JUST WOW!!!

Hands down one of the best reads of the year for me! The story was perfection, dark and romantic, but oh so funny. I didn't know what to expect going in, but I can't wait for the rest of the series!
Bravo to both narrators..they brought the story to life in only a way they could. You can't go wrong with Joe Arden or Lucy Rivers.

A MUST LISTEN IN AUDIO

5⭐️/3🌶️

This audiobook absolutely BLEW ME AWAY! Performed in duet by Lucy Rivers and Joe Arden. They recorded it together so it feels extremely authentic. Incredibly expressive performances!!

This is a DARK romcom with very gory parts (so check your triggers) but even in many of those times, it’s laugh out loud funny. I never thought I’d find serial unalivers so endearing!! Loved Rowan’s devotion to Sloane. 😍

*Slow Burn
*He falls first
*Competitive main characters
*Rom Com elements with extreme gore

Perfection!

I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did! I laughed so hard, I squealed at Rowan’s perfection! Joe Arden, as usual, was the perfect narrator and Lucy was just simply fantastic!

Great Story

I love the story of serial killers, the game and romance. The sex was a bit over the top.

LISTEN TO THIS BOOK ASAP

5 ⭐️ book with 5 ⭐️ narration. These two knock it outta the park. The chemistry is unreal and narrating is top tier. Lucy is incredible, she really gives off Sloan energy. Seeing her name as a narrator was a huge reason I wanted to buy the audiobook. Joe Arden, as most people, I’m a huge fan. Him and Teddy Hamilton are incredible and we’re made for this job. His accent in this one is to die for and he was great at it.

If you’re looking for a rom com mixed but with serial killers and spice? This is the book for you. Cannot wait for the next in the series!!


This is a top tier audiobook and you must listen asap!!

Chefs kiss

So Ive been hyping this book all week while listening to the audio version. And I finished the other day and can finally give my final thoughts. I f**king loved this book. It hit all the high notes for me. Great characters, Unique story line, hilarious banter, accidental cannibalism 🤭 spice 🤌🤌🤌 and serial killers. This is a slowburn but when the spice hits it will knock you on your ass it hits so hard. But it’s worth it.

And oh man, the narrators made this amazing story come to life. The way it was recorded with dual narratives blow my mind. This is one of the best performances Ive listened to in a long time.

I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. I so look forward to the next book in the trilogy. And I hope Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers narrate them all. 😍

Dexter meets snarky Hallmark

I am in love with this book!! This is what I want from a "dark" romance.... deeply disturbed characters but sarcasm filled conversations and so many laugh out loud moments. Great spice in the second half.

Late Arrival

I love the narrators. I love this style of narration. I think it adds so much depth. It adds a voyeuristic sense. The voices are what I imagined they would have sounded like.

I will admit the TW made me not want to read it. However, the author did an amazing job of respecting the readers enough to explain the warnings.

Wicked but perfect

This book is not for the faint of heart but if you’re in the mood for some dark humor along with some justifiable murder than this is the book for you! While some parts had me laughing out loud others had me gagging. But even with those parts I would still recommend this book.

Oh no, Orzo (but so much yes)

The author really destroyed my love for orzo (temporarily), but it was worth it !!! This book is so unique and fun and dark and…dare I say…sweet? My emotions aren’t sure what to make of it, but I will recommend this all day, everyday.