Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

A Bloody Good Time: Brynne Weaver’s Twisted Take on Romance

Holy crap, folks. I just finished Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, and I’m not sure if I should call my therapist or demand a sequel immediately. This book is like if Dexter and Harley Quinn had a baby, raised it on a steady diet of true crime podcasts and rom-coms, then set it loose on the world with a scalpel and a wicked sense of humor.

Weaver has crafted a story that’s equal parts hilarious, horrifying, and… dare I say it? Hot. Like, “is it wrong that I’m turned on right now?” hot. But we’ll get to that.

Plot Twist: Serial Killers Need Love Too

Our main characters, Sloane “The Orb Weaver” Sutherland and Rowan “The Butcher of Boston” Kane, are both accomplished serial killers with a twist—they only hunt other murderers. It’s like a homicidal version of Robin Hood, if Robin Hood was way more stabby and had a thing for eyeballs.

When these two cross paths, it’s not exactly love at first sight. More like… mutual fascination with a side of “I might have to kill you.” But as they engage in their annual game of “who can off the worst bad guy,” something unexpected happens. They start to… care? About each other? Cue the collective “aww” from the audience, quickly followed by “oh God, what’s wrong with me?”

A Match Made in… Well, Definitely Not Heaven

Sloane and Rowan’s relationship is a rollercoaster of dark humor, sexual tension, and the occasional disembowelment. It’s oddly sweet watching these two damaged souls find comfort in each other’s twisted minds. Weaver does an impressive job of making you root for this pair of psychopaths, even as you’re slightly terrified of what they might do next.

The banter between Sloane and Rowan is the perfection. It’s sharp, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny. I found myself snorting with laughter one minute and cringing the next—sometimes in the same sentence. It’s a delicate balance, but Weaver nails it.

The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

What Works:

1. Character Development:

Both Sloane and Rowan are fully fleshed-out characters (pun absolutely intended) with compelling backstories and motivations. You understand why they are the way they are, even if you don’t necessarily condone their hobby of choice.

2. Pacing:

The story moves at a breakneck speed, alternating between heart-pounding action scenes and quieter moments of character development. It’s like a literary version of edging – Weaver knows exactly when to ramp up the tension and when to let you catch your breath.

3. The Romance:

Against all odds, the love story at the center of this blood-soaked tale is genuinely touching. Sloane and Rowan’s journey from wary adversaries to partners in crime (literally) feels earned and authentic.

4. The Humor:

Dark comedy is a tightrope walk, but Weaver traverses it with the grace of a circus performer. The jokes land more often than not, providing much-needed levity to some truly grim situations.

What Might Make You Squirm (Besides the Gore):

1. Graphic Violence:

Look, it’s a book about serial killers. There’s gonna be blood. If you’re squeamish, this might not be the romance for you. Maybe stick to Hallmark movies?

2. Moral Ambiguity:

Our protagonists are killers, full stop. While they target other murderers, they’re still committing horrific acts. If you need your main characters to be paragons of virtue, you might struggle here.

3. Suspension of Disbelief:

Some of the plot points require a hefty dose of “just go with it.” But hey, if you’re already on board with lovable serial killers, what’s a few more leaps of logic?

Comparisons and Context

Butcher & Blackbird is Weaver’s first foray into the world of dark romance, and hot damn, what an entrance. While I can’t compare it to her previous works, I can say it stands tall among other entries in the genre.

Fans of authors like Colleen Hoover (but make it murder-y) or Penelope Douglas will find a lot to love here. It’s got the emotional depth and steamy scenes you crave from romance, with an extra helping of gleeful depravity.

If you enjoyed the twisted romance of Harley Quinn and the Joker but always thought, “This would be better if they were both competent and actually cared about each other,” then this book is for you. It’s also giving me strong “Hannibal” vibes, if Hannibal and Will Graham stopped dancing around each other and just banged already.

Final Verdict: To Read or Not to Read?

Look, I’m not going to lie to you—this book is messed up. It’s dark, it’s violent, and it will probably make you question your own moral compass. But it’s also wildly entertaining, surprisingly tender, and sexy as hell.

Butcher & Blackbird is not for the faint of heart. But if you like your romance with a hefty side of “what the actual f*ck,” then strap in, buttercup. You’re in for one hell of a ride.

Weaver has crafted a world that’s both horrifying and oddly enticing. It’s like rubbernecking at a car crash, if the car crash was really hot and made you laugh. I found myself staying up way too late, telling myself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 3 AM and I was wondering if it was weird to have a crush on fictional murderers.

(The answer is yes, by the way. It’s definitely weird. But I’m not judging you. We’re all friends here.)

The Spicy Stuff: Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby

Fair warning: if you blush easily, you might want to read Butcher & Blackbird in private. The sexual tension between Sloane and Rowan is so thick you could cut it with a… well, probably one of the many knives they have on hand.

When they finally get together, it’s explosive. Weaver writes sex scenes that are both hot and surprisingly tender. There’s a vulnerability to these moments that contrasts beautifully with the characters’ usual bravado. Plus, let’s be real—there’s something undeniably sexy about two dangerous people letting their guards down with each other.

Just maybe don’t use this book as a how-to guide for your own love life. Unless your partner is really, really open-minded. And maybe invest in some plastic sheets.

Brynne Weaver has announced this as the first in a trilogy, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what kind of beautiful chaos she unleashes next. Just… maybe don’t read it right before bed. Or do. I’m not your mom.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Fans of dark romance who are ready to go even darker
• True crime enthusiasts with a twisted sense of humor
• Anyone who’s ever thought, “You know what this romance novel needs? More dismemberment.”
• People who aren’t afraid to laugh at really, really inappropriate things
• Readers who like their love stories with a body count

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

• The easily offended
• Those with weak stomachs
• Anyone who likes their romantic leads to be, you know, not murderers
• People who are already on some kind of watch list (maybe don’t add this to your Amazon history, yeah?)

In conclusion, Butcher & Blackbird is a bloody good time that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Just maybe don’t read it at the dinner table. Or do. Live your best life, you beautiful weirdo.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go clear my browser history and possibly attend a few therapy sessions. But first, I’m going to pre-order whatever Brynne Weaver writes next. I’m in too deep now, folks. Might as well embrace the madness.