Summary

Leather & Lark, published in 2024, is the second book in Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love Trilogy. Featuring a blend of romance and suspense, the novel centers on Lachlan Kane, a contract killer with a troubled past, and Lark Montague, an indie singer-songwriter and vigilante. Their relationship begins with a marriage of convenience for their mutual protection and evolves from suspicion and conflict to genuine affection. The story follows Lachlan's attempt to change his life, while he and Lark deal with their complex emotions amid danger and unpredictability.

Plot

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver centers on a marriage of convenience between Lachlan Kane, a contract killer, and Lark Montague, an indie musician engaged in vigilante justice. The story alternates each of their perspectives with that of an antagonist known as the “Phantom.” 

Lark directs her past trauma into targeting predatory men, starting with a fatal car accident. Lachlan, assigned to clean up her mess, traps Lark in his trunk, triggering her claustrophobia. A year later, Lachlan's actions cause conflict with Lark’s stepfather, Damian Covaci, leading to the loss of a valuable contract.

When Lachlan and Lark meet at a restaurant opening, old tensions emerge. She recognizes him as her former tormentor and distances herself. Meanwhile, the “Phantom” seeks vengeance, affecting Lachlan’s brother Rowan and Lark’s friend Sloane. As threats grow, Lark proposes marriage to Lachlan, aiming to protect them.

Their union intensifies when Lachlan surprises Lark with outings, including the killing of Dr. Louis Campbell, protector of her abuser. Lachlan grapples with Lark's quest for revenge while seeking forgiveness. Trust grows as Lark navigates friendship and forgiveness.

The “Phantom” captures Lark, leading to a rescue by Lachlan and his allies, resulting in the villain's defeat. Lachlan then offers divorce papers to respect Lark’s autonomy. She decides to stay, solidifying their relationship and opening the door to a new chapter. 

Characters

• Lark Montague: An indie musician with a "sunshine and glitter" persona who secretly acts as a vigilante for justice against predatory men, driven by her past abuse. Lark's character combines vulnerability with the intensity of her secret activities.

• Lachlan Kane: An assassin and a leather shop owner whose emotional detachment stems from a difficult past. Lachlan’s initial resentment towards Lark changes as he develops empathy and joins her mission.

• Sloane: Lark’s close friend and fellow vigilante, who shares her experience of trauma. Sloane's commitment to Lark's quest for vengeance demonstrates her protective nature. Her romance with Lachlan's brother adds complexity to the story.

• Rowan Kane: Lachlan’s brother, who serves as a moral guide amid uncertainty. He embodies a normalcy that Lachlan may seek. His relationship with Sloane increases narrative tension as their safety becomes threatened.

• Damian Covaci: Lark’s stepfather, who is involved in organized crime and supports Lark's efforts. His pragmatic and calculating nature makes him both a valuable ally and a potential threat.

Themes 

Trauma and healing

Leather & Lark explores how unprocessed trauma drives characters' actions. Lark Montague, an indie musician and vigilante, is haunted and driven by her history of abuse. Her quest for justice against predatory men leads her to orchestrate a fatal car crash. This act reflects her struggle to reclaim power, perpetuating a cycle of violence that obstructs her self-acceptance and healing.

Lachlan Kane, an assassin and leather shop owner, grapples with his violent past. He disapproves of Lark’s methods. This contempt reflects his internal conflict, linking themes of morality and identity. Their relationship evolves as they challenge misunderstandings and animosity to uncover their true selves.

Justice vs. revenge

Leather & Lark explores the line between justice and revenge. Characters like Lark and Lachlan navigate morally ambiguous paths in their redemption quests. Through forgiveness and understanding, they attempt to escape identities defined by past traumas. The narrative examines vulnerability and mutual healing, showing the impact of confronting inner demons together.

Romantic tropes

In Leather & Lark, Brynne Weaver uses familiar romantic tropes, including marriage of convenience and hate-to-love trope. Lark, an assassin, proposes marriage to Lachlan, a vigilante, for their mutual protection. Their initial interactions involve heated exchanges and mutual disdain. As they navigate this arrangement, however, romantic tensions arise and gradually transition into genuine affection. 

In addition, Lachlan and Lark’s relationship follows the grumpy/sunshine trope. Lachlan's moody demeanor contrasts with Lark's lively spirit. While underscoring the complementary nature of their personalities, this dynamic adds depth to their evolving relationship.

Content warning

Leather & Lark includes depictions of violence such as torture, murder, and corpse mutilation. It also addresses sexual abuse, domestic violence, and cruelty to animals. The character Lark Montague targets predatory men in acts of vigilante justice. Readers should be aware of these elements before diving into the novel.

Quick facts

• Published in 2024, Leather & Lark is the second book in Brynne Weaver's Ruinous Love Trilogy, following Butcher & Blackbird.

• The story centers on a marriage of convenience between Lachlan Kane, a contract killer, and Lark Montague, an indie singer-songwriter and vigilante.

• Leather & Lark blends dark romance with comedy, incorporating elements such as humorously absurd actions and darkly creative murder scenes.

• The novel includes beloved romance tropes like “grumpy/sunshine” and “fake marriage." 

• Lachlan Kane desires to leave behind his life of contract killing for a peaceful existence as a leather studio owner.

• Lark Montague artistically transforms her kills into trophies, adding a cutesy yet macabre element to her vigilante actions.

• Leather & Lark features complex characters with troubled pasts and strong emotional arcs, emphasizing trauma, revenge, and redemption.

• Narration alternates between the two protagonists and an antagonist known as the "Phantom."

• Samantha Brentmoor and Eric Nolan narrated the audiobook of Leather & Lark, capturing the intensity and dark allure of Brynne Weaver's storytelling.

• A scene involving a severed finger turned into a snow globe showcases Weaver's gift for dark humor.

• Content warnings for Leather & Lark include sexual abuse, cruelty to animals, and depictions of violence.

• The trilogy’s highly anticipated final novel, Scythe & Sparrow, was published in February 2025.

About the author

Brynne Weaver is a Canadian author of dark romance, paranormal romance, and romantasy novels. Her work often explores themes of trauma and redemption, combining tragedy and violence with humor, passion, and suspense. She is widelyknown for her bestselling Ruinous Love Trilogy, consisting of three standalone novels, Butcher & Blackbird (2023), Leather & Lark (2024), and Scythe & Sparrow (2025), linked by themes of dark romance and murder. She is also the author of The Diviner duology and The Shadow Realm trilogy. In 2025, she launched a new trilogy, The Seasons of Carnage, with a darkly funny, enemies-to-lovers romance, Tourist Season.