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Butcher & Blackbird: The Ruinous Love Trilogy, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Brynne Weaver (Author), Joe Arden (Narrator), Lucy Rivers (Narrator),
#1 Best Seller in Romantic Suspense
See all formats and editions

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.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Ruinous Love Trilogy
  2. Listening Length
    8 hours and 43 minutes
  3. Author
    Brynne Weaver
  4. Narrator
    Joe Arden, see all
  5. Audible release date
    October 10, 2023
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Blue Nose Publishing
  8. ASIN
    B0CK8HCKVC
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 43 minutes
Author Brynne Weaver
Narrator Joe Arden, Lucy Rivers
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date October 10, 2023
Publisher Blue Nose Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CK8HCKVC
Best Sellers Rank #35 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Romantic Suspense (Audible Books & Originals)
#2 in Romantic Suspense (Books)
#4 in Contemporary Romance (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
34,153 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and well-done. They also love the plot, characterization, and spice. Readers describe the book as dark, twisted, fun, and erotic. They praise the writing quality as well-written and real. They say the book makes them laugh and cry with a perfect balance of gore, humor, and romance. Opinions are mixed on the sexual content, with some finding it hot and fiercely protective, while others say it has graphic sex scenes and gruesome murder scenes.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityPlotCharacterizationWriting qualitySpicinessHumorDarknessSexual content
548 customers mention "Readability"548 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fun, lighthearted, and great. They also say the cannibalism is an unexpectedly hilarious addition to the narrative.

"...content, but there's also an incredibly playful feel and tons of lighthearted banter. The banter! Yeah, the chemistry was immediate and palpable...." Read more

"...I liked the different people they encounter and take out, the competition was hilarious...." Read more

"Well that was certainly way better than I was expecting. Very funny in a VERY dark humor way. I mean, sick dark humor. Loved it...." Read more

"...I can’t say that I’ve ever read a book quite like this before. There was laughter, suspense, mayhem and spice. I’ll even admit that I cried twice...." Read more

386 customers mention "Plot"346 positive40 negative

Customers find the plot twisty, tantalizing, and unique. They also say the storytelling keeps them engaged, and the book is action-packed. Readers also say it makes them spiritually connect with serial killers. They appreciate the outstanding moments of internal spiraling and sexual tension.

"...He also delivers several outstanding moments of internal spiraling from Rowan that really impressed me...." Read more

"...The love story was well laid out with lots of angst (my favorite) and foundation building...." Read more

"...The story is suspenseful, fun, and quite emotional at times. It really is the embodiment of a dark romantic comedy...." Read more

"...and I think I enjoyed it so much was because it was a romantic comedy...." Read more

167 customers mention "Characterization"152 positive15 negative

Customers love the characters and the sexual tension between them.

"...the romance at the center of it, and the fact that both characters are just so easy to like...." Read more

"...I also liked the banter between the characters and how shy they both got haha...." Read more

"...I loved her strong persona, as it adds depth and humor to the page...." Read more

"...I think the character development was fantastic. I LOVED how there were time jumps, made the character development feel real...." Read more

131 customers mention "Writing quality"121 positive10 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well written, spot on, meticulous, and real. They also describe the story as an easy, quick read that moves at a good pace. Customers also say the book is perfect and incredible.

"...described the kills/staging the scene, and about each other was so meticulous and cute..." Read more

"...The writing was put together well, clear and easy to read. The love story was well laid out with lots of angst (my favorite) and foundation building...." Read more

"...These two are very well-written and their chemistry and banter is fantastic!..." Read more

"...between the work’s two MC, Rowan and Sloane, everything about it feels relatable and just so darn sweet—it’s couples goals whether Rowan and Sloane..." Read more

95 customers mention "Spiciness"95 positive0 negative

Customers find the book spicy, but not the main focus. They also describe the book as quirky, funny, sweet, intense, and chefs' kiss.

"...This was an unexpected delight, mixing humor, gore, and spice for an extremely bingeable read...." Read more

"...There was laughter, suspense, mayhem and spice. I’ll even admit that I cried twice. Don’t judge me!..." Read more

"...an interesting mix of dark humor, filled with gore but also hilarious, spice and drama...." Read more

"...It had everything…sweet, spicy, hilarious, great banter, action packed…just an overall good time!" Read more

94 customers mention "Humor"89 positive5 negative

Customers find the book funny, with banter and action-packed scenes. They also say the book is fairly light-hearted, with a perfect balance of gore, humor, and romance. Readers say they never feel a dull moment while reading it, with lots of angst and foundation. They say the narration brings the story to life.

"...The narration brought the story to life, and was absolutely an enhancement to the reading experience...." Read more

"...I did think they did a good job with the awkward social skills, the emotions felt right, and the way they described the kills/staging the scene, and..." Read more

"...The love story was well laid out with lots of angst (my favorite) and foundation building...." Read more

"...The story is suspenseful, fun, and quite emotional at times. It really is the embodiment of a dark romantic comedy...." Read more

79 customers mention "Darkness"74 positive5 negative

Customers find the book hilarious, spicy, and dark.

"...It was all a perfect combination of dark, hilarious and exciting." Read more

"...for a fun, thrilling adventure filled with hilarious moments and dark themes, you will love this book." Read more

"...This book is deliciously dark...." Read more

"This was a funny and sweet story with a dark and twisted side as these two unique people so alike find each other unexpectedly which sets off the..." Read more

78 customers mention "Sexual content"51 positive27 negative

Customers are mixed about the sexual content. Some mention that there is a perfect balance between the violent escapades and the burgeoning romance. They also say the spice is hot, bloody, and vulnerable. Others however, say that it's gory and has some graphic sex scenes.

"...Rowan is swoon-worthy, filling the chapters with passion, longing, strength, and sensitivity...." Read more

"...There are parts that are a little graphic (read: serial killer), but if you can get past it, this book is worth the..." Read more

"...and in Butcher & Blackbird, we get strong, vulnerable, and resilient women who take the abuses and transgressions of life and channel them to move..." Read more

"...Suuuper spicy slow burn & intriguing characters, this book was a refreshing break from my never ending romantasy TBR...." Read more

Butcher and his Blackbird
4 out of 5 stars
Butcher and his Blackbird
It’s been a WHILE since I shared a review with you guys, and I almost wasn’t going to post this because it’s not a perfect 5-star, but I’m nothing if not honest.Overall, I enjoyed the mash up of dark romance and romcom. I tabbed, highlighted, and underlined so many moments full of banter than had me LOLing and equally marked as many moments that made my heart go pitter-freaking-patter. I liked most of the secondary characters as well, especially Lark and Lachlan. I’m still warming up to Fionne. Brynne has a wonderful writing style that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout Rowan and Sloane’s adventures, and I’m looking forward to reading book two when it arrives this weekend!Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75Darkness: 🖤🖤 2.5Laughs: 😂😂😂 solid 3.5/4Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2
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Top reviews from the United States

Jeeves Reads Romance
5.0 out of 5 stars Darkly funny
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
When I'm already cackling before I've made it past the CW and dedication, I know I'm in for a good time. This was an unexpected delight, mixing humor, gore, and spice for an extremely bingeable read. It took no time at all to hook me in, and I ended up devouring it in one sitting. I loved that the (anti)hero was a cinnamon roll sweetheart/boy obsessed who was also intense and very, very dangerous. I loved that the (anti)heroine was all fire and competence, taking her dark past and turning it into something that worked for her. They saw pieces of themselves reflected in each other, and bonded in a way they wouldn't with anyone else. There's a ton of dark, gruesome content, but there's also an incredibly playful feel and tons of lighthearted banter. The banter! Yeah, the chemistry was immediate and palpable. This deliciously dark romance won't be for everyone, but it's certainly a one-of-a-kind, entertaining experience.

The story follows Sloane, a serial killer who goes after bad guys. Her life experiences have lead her to this place, and it works for her. After running into some trouble on her latest mission, Sloane encounters Rowan. He's also a killer with a similar mindset, and the two find themselves developing an unexpected friendship. Though they're both attracted right away, neither wants to make any missteps - the results could be deadly. So they form a friendship and competitive dynamic, staying connected over the course of several years. Until something shifts.

I've seen this book all over the place and I enjoy a dark rom com once in awhile, so I went into this knowing very little about the story. I recommend doing just that. At its heart, this is a great slow burn to SIZZLE, friends to lovers romance with plenty of darker elements. You'll know within a few pages if the story is too dark for you, and you'll also get a feel for Weaver's sense of humor. I loved it! Not sure what that says about me, lol, but this was quite the ride. I loved that it played up some of the traditional romance tropes (particularly the "he falls first" vibes), while also being wholly unique. It works because of the romance at the center of it, and the fact that both characters are just so easy to like. Rowan was adorable with his pining for Sloane, and it was easy to see all the ways they were perfect together. If I've got one complaint (is it a complaint, really?), it'd be that I actually wouldn't have minded a longer length. There are a lot of quick time jumps, and I'd have loved seeing more of their connection during those times. It was such a fast and fun read though, and the bingeable quality is a major part of the appeal. I can't wait for the next two installments, which revolve around Rowan's brothers. This was a fantastic introduction to this new-to-me author's work!

Audio note: Duet narration alert! I actually didn't realize it was duet-style when I started listening, so imagine my glee when that kicked in. The narration brought the story to life, and was absolutely an enhancement to the reading experience. Lucy Rivers always does a great job, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorites. But Joe Arden steals the show here - he does an Irish accent for Rowan that gives the character so much personality. He also delivers several outstanding moments of internal spiraling from Rowan that really impressed me. The runtime (about 9 hours) was perfect for bingeing in a single day, which is exactly what I did. I can't recommend this one for the office - not only are there many dark moments, but the spice is pretty intense. It's a slower burn that turns into a full-on sizzle, so the back half is filled with heated scenes. Definitely recommended in the format though!
38 people found this helpful
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Ravens9308
4.0 out of 5 stars Wasnt as good as I would have hoped but did still laugh and smile a ton while listening!
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
I saw a lot of hype for this book and heard the audio reviews were amazing so I had to dive in. I think it was good but not the spectacular book I was reading about. I felt like the audio got too OTT for me and it took me awhile to get sucked into this world to be honest. I usually can finish an audiobook of this length in less than 5 days but I kept putting this down and going to other audiobooks in between because it wasnt holding my attention. I felt like it might have been better for me reading rather than listening to it.

I thought the idea was so farfetched but the author did a good job bringing so much detail to this complicated story she weaved without overdoing it. I loved the intricacies of her kills and her set-up/how people find the scene after she leaves. She thinks of everything and leaves breadcrumbs that no one figures out haha. I liked the different people they encounter and take out, the competition was hilarious. I was confused how the whole eating someone thing was going to be thrown in and couldnt stop laughing at that scene when it happened hahah. I mean don’t get me wrong, my stomach flipped and I was sickened by the idea of it but it was funny to see our MC try to warn him and he was so drugged(since he wasnt paying attention like she was!) and was definitely not coherent haha. I won’t give more away but that evil they took out and his way of killing was done well (in terms of the details, the awesome little mini story/confrontation). I also liked the banter between the characters and how shy they both got haha. She was so awkward but so was he, they were a cute couple and no one would suspect serial killers! I also liked some of the side characters in this one and we get to learn more about 2 of them in their story coming this summer! I will be picking that up, hopefully audio is around the same time as the ebook and paperback release! I also enjoyed the steam once the two finally got together 🔥 and the vulnerable and adorable intimate moments were just a good. ALSO THE TATTOO!!! IYKYK

I think again for me, what took away from me giving this a 5 stars was some of the storyline felt too broken up, with the time jumps and the bouncing all over the place with their internal monologues, kinda gave me whiplash in a couple chapters. Also again it took me several tries to get into this one, when I was really looking forward to it. I would sill recommend this book and will be reading book 2 but give the caveat that this can be disjointed and take into consideration the subjects. I rarely have TWs that mess with me (this didn’t have anything I had an issue with) but this one can be gruesome with describing the murders, almost assaults/people trying to kill them too haha, etc. I did enjoy the humor, most of the jokes hit the mark and had me giggling.

Narrators gets a 4/5 from me. Like I mentioned before there were a fair amount of scenes I thought the two main characters were over the top and overdid it. I did think they did a good job with the awkward social skills, the emotions felt right, and the way they described the kills/staging the scene, and about each other was so meticulous and cute (never thought I would talk about them and call them cute haha). I think the male narrator did a good job with the accent and personalities but he is not the best person in real life and it’s hard for me to listen to him and not think of what he did. Not punishing the author at all for it, just giving a heads up to readers/listeners! I may have to read this before book 2 comes out, as a refresher, and try to see if I feel differently without the narrator or not. A follow-up update will be done closer to book 2’s release 😍
7 people found this helpful
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C*L*Borjo
5.0 out of 5 stars Darkly hilarious. Great relationship build.
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024
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Well that was certainly way better than I was expecting. Very funny in a VERY dark humor way. I mean, sick dark humor. Loved it. Though it was a dark setting (they are serial killers after all) it was very light and didn’t delve too deeply into the grit of what made them into who they are. There were vague mentions of their pasts and it was left at that. I actually appreciated that the author wanted to keep the book on the comical side and not make it an emotional roller coaster by addressing all of the details. The writing was put together well, clear and easy to read. The love story was well laid out with lots of angst (my favorite) and foundation building. I loved the relationship between these two and that there was no conflict that needed to be hashed out. They understood each other because of all of that build beforehand. The banter and inside jokes throughout the book was perfect. It was all a perfect combination of dark, hilarious and exciting.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Courtney Lavallee
5.0 out of 5 stars Comedy and Steam!
Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I heard a lot about this series, but was skeptical. I read a lot of dark romance and this seemed like it was going to be to comedic rather than steamy. While I do read things other than steamy, that is what I was looking for at the time.

My assumptions were proven wrong quite quickly. The way these two have tension and banter is amazing. It reminded me of my spouse and I (Not the Murder though). I was rooting for them from the beginning and the author almost had me a few times. I had actual outwards reactions while reading this novel, both giggles and tears. (I can still stomach ice cream thankfully)

The ending in this book was amazing and everything I was hoping for. This author knows how to write characters to be unique yet relatable and crazy as hell. I will definitely be continuing with this series.
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Lisa Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars PERFEITO
Reviewed in Brazil on June 16, 2024
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The media could not be loaded.
 O livro é maravilhoso, para mim o enredo é incrível, os personagens principais são muito carismáticos e engraçados. A autora faz com que um livro de serial killers seja engraçado e romântico na medida certa.
Em relação ao livro físico em si, é o material de livro britânico/americano padrão, não é uma capa muito resistente igual as brasileiras mas é ok
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Lisa Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars PERFEITO
Reviewed in Brazil on June 16, 2024
O livro é maravilhoso, para mim o enredo é incrível, os personagens principais são muito carismáticos e engraçados. A autora faz com que um livro de serial killers seja engraçado e romântico na medida certa.
Em relação ao livro físico em si, é o material de livro britânico/americano padrão, não é uma capa muito resistente igual as brasileiras mas é ok
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Paloma Maciel
5.0 out of 5 stars So good!!!!
Reviewed in Mexico on November 19, 2023
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Usually not into this trope but it kept coming up on my FYP on TikTok and decided to give it a shot and I'm so glad I did!!
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cagdas
5.0 out of 5 stars Gooood
Reviewed in Belgium on July 9, 2024
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Love it, in good shape
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readwithlaraa
5.0 out of 5 stars rowan & sloane
Reviewed in the Netherlands on July 3, 2024
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😳😳 the pining, the slow burn 🥹 the found family. i just couldn’t put it down. one of my friends got me this book for my birthday and after a lot of convincing from this book group im a part of i finally picked it up, only putting it down to sleep for a bit.

i felt the pain sloane felt when rowan got threatened with her life, and i love that despite both of them being serial k*llers they loved each other and truly understood each other, that’s sometimes hard to find. sometimes in the back of my mind i had a thought, what if they got caught in the book? would’ve been fun to read lol
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