Alright, let’s get into it. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver—a book that made me feel all the emotions, and not necessarily in the way I was expecting.
A dark romance and comedy? Bold mix. I was intrigued. I mean, who doesn’t love a little murder with their banter? (Kidding. Mostly.)
I wanted to love this book. The premise? Playful, unique, and just unhinged enough to hook me. The execution? Well… let’s talk about it.
A Serial Killer Love Story? Meet the Main Characters
Sloane, aka Blackbird
✔ Smart, sarcastic, and completely unbothered
✔ Morally gray heroine with a love for witty one-liners (and, uh, murder)
✔ Thinks bad guys deserve a one-way ticket off this planet
Rowan, aka Butcher
✔ Also a serial killer—but more methodical, more intense
✔ The kind of guy you’d avoid in a dark alley… but in fiction? Yeah, we get the appeal
✔ Not above getting his hands dirty
Together, they have an enemies-to-lovers dynamic—except instead of love-hate, it’s giving kill-flirt.
The Good, The Bad, & The Unhinged
What Worked
✅ Unique Premise – Serial killers falling for each other? That’s not something you see every day.
✅ Banter & Dark Humor – If you love morally questionable characters who flirt like it’s a blood sport, this book delivers.
✅ Fast-Paced & Entertaining – It never drags; the energy is high throughout.
What Didn’t Work for Me
❌ Repetitive Dialogue – The witty back-and-forth started feeling like a loop on repeat.
❌ The Plot Felt Stretched – About halfway through, I found myself forcing my way forward instead of being pulled in naturally.
❌ Ending? Just Okay. – No major plot disaster, but it didn’t leave me satisfied either.
Final Verdict: Read or Skip?
📌 If you love very dark romance, heavy banter, and don’t mind a slightly repetitive plot, this might be for you.
📌 If you’re looking for something that flawlessly balances darkness and comedy, this one might leave you feeling a little meh by the end.
Would I re-read it? Probably not. Did I enjoy some parts? Sure. Will I be resetting my brain with something completely different now? Absolutely.
Have you read this one? Did it work for you? Let’s discuss in the comments!
