Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy by Brynne Weaver. It's a wild ride: two serial killers, humour, gore, romance, dark comedy, obsession, and enough banter to keep things spicy.
Story Summary
Sloane and Rowan are rival serial killers who hunt down other serial killers. They don't just kill for thrills — they compete. The two meet when Rowan discovers that Sloane is his next target. Instead of killing her, he proposes a competition: they'll each pick a serial killer to hunt, and see who kills more (or kills in a "better" way). Over time, what starts as rivalry turns into something more.
They are both morally warped, but Weaver gives them enough emotional depth (trauma, humor, loyalty, found family) that readers end up rooting for them. Alongside the killings, there's tension, kink, dark humor, gore, some accidental cannibalism, and romantic moments. It ends with a HEA (Happily Ever After), dual POV, and a lot of genre blending: dark romance + rom-com + serial killer thriller.
Main Characters
Sloane "Blackbird"
- • Age: Late 20s
- • Ethnicity: White (implied)
- • Hair Color: Wavy, dark brown
- • Eye Color: Hazel (green flecks noted)
- • Identity: Survivor / vigilante with a darkly playful streak
A scarred but sharp-witted woman who masks her trauma with banter and a taste for revenge.
Rowan "Butcher" Kane
- • Age: Early 30s
- • Ethnicity: Irish (slight Irish accent)
- • Hair Color: Dark, often styled back but gets disheveled during stress
- • Eye Color: Dark (described as shadowed and intense)
- • Identity: Acclaimed professional chef, restaurateur, protector
A brilliant but haunted chef whose devotion to Sloane balances his violent past.
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Spicy Chapters (with Short Summary for Each)
Here are the spicy chapters listed for Butcher & Blackbird, along with a brief description of their content. (Trigger warnings apply: gore, sexual content, violence, etc.)
Chapter 16
Sloane is caught between flashes of traumatic memories and the fragile safety Rowan offers. After a nightmare dredges up her past, Rowan comforts her, grounding her in the present. Though this chapter is less about physical intimacy, the tension simmers beneath Rowan's protective care and Sloane's trust, laying the emotional foundation for what follows
"How fitting, love. Now be a good girl and find something to grab on to…" he says, then passes one long, slow lick over my center. "...Because I'm about to destroy you."
Chapter 17
Sloane reveals her piercings and admits she hasn't been with anyone since meeting him. The vulnerability detonates Rowan's restraint, and he pushes her to claim her desire openly. Rowan demands a safeword and then takes her apart, his intensity described as predatory and consuming
"Then look down. Watch how well you take me."
Chapter 18
Rowan and Sloane indulge in a long, relentless night together. Rowan goes down on her, feeds her their release, and pushes her through repeated orgasms until she's screaming. Even when she begs for mercy, he continues, cock-warming her while she drifts toward sleep, whispering that he's not done with her. The blend of exhaustion, safety, and unrestrained passion marks a turning point in their physical connection
His breath is still ragged, his chest shuddering when I turn off the toy and he whispers against my neck, "I don't just 'like you', understand?"
Chapter 19
This chapter focuses more on Rowan and Sloane reconciling their vulnerabilities with what their intimacy means. The sexiness here is quieter, more about lingering closeness, whispered admissions, and Rowan's insistence that Sloane belongs with him despite her doubts. It's less about physical acts and more about their deepening attachment.
"Come on," he says after pressing a quick kiss to my lips. "I still need your help."
Chapter 23
Sloane is on her knees, Rowan's hands tangled in her hair as she takes him into her throat while pleasuring herself. Rowan's dominant streak emerges when he orders her to make herself come before he does. She teases him, bratting just enough to provoke his growl and hand at her throat. There's also a flashback reference to a previous "punishment" where he tied her down in a restaurant and edged her with food play, showing how far their dynamic has evolved. It's playful, filthy, and intense, wrapping their passion in both control and joy.
"What a good boy," I coo, my tone saccharine. "And good boys get rewards."
Reviews & Ratings
Here are real reviews and what people are saying on Goodreads / Reddit.
Goodreads Ratings:
On Goodreads, Butcher & Blackbird has ~4.2–4.3 stars (combining 5★ and 4★) from a large number of ratings.
The breakdown is roughly 36% 5★, ~37% 4★, ~18–19% 3★, rest lower.
What Readers Like:
- The banter & humour: Many mention the book is darkly funny, that Rowan and Sloane's interactions can induce laughter even in the midst of gore.
- The romance / found family aspect: People love how despite being killers, the characters are given emotional stakes — the found family, loyalty, seeing each other's flaws but still being drawn.
- The novelty: Serial killer romance isn't new, but this "kill serial killers" twist, the competition trope, and the mix of comedy + spice + macabre have stood out.
What Critics / Some Readers Dislike:
- Some feel the plot is weaker or uneven. E.g., a few reviews say certain sections drag, or the violence/gore sometimes overshadows the romance or feels gratuitous.
- The drastic tone shifts: from humor & quirky to very gruesome or graphic. Some readers found that jarring.
- Some commented that certain spicy/sex vs power dynamics happen "too suddenly" or without enough foreshadowing.
Where to Read Butcher & Blackbird
(Though you didn't ask explicitly, following the previous articles' pattern, here's how people are accessing it legally.)
- Available on Kindle / Amazon (ebook + hardcover/paperback).
- Audiobook version is popular; dual narration on platforms like Audible.
- Library apps (OverDrive / Libby) might have it; also physical bookstores/online sellers.
- The author's site, and legal retailers (Google Play, Apple Books etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to your specific questions about Butcher & Blackbird.
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