NOTE: I wrote this review before word of Joe Arden’s behavior went public.

I sat on it for a while, not knowing what to do. I do not support Joe, but the author did nothing wrong in this situation, so I decided to share the review and encourage people to get the physical book instead. While this review is based on the audiobook, I am not including links to it in that form due to Joe’s involvement. The author is not promoting the audiobook either, releasing this statement about the situation.

Welcome to another edition of “Bookstagram made me read it”.

Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver [Buy Bookshop Amazon] is one of those books that took social media by storm. I don’t really read dark romance, but the members of my Instagram Broadcast Channel picked it for my February buddy read, and I obliged. It’s good to read outside of your comfort zone, right?

I got the audiobook of Butcher and Blackbird because I wanted to take it on a work trip and it was going to take foreverrrr to get from the library. I highly recommend this option because the voice actors are *chef’s kiss*. Just had to put that out there, especially if you’re an accent girlie. 😉 You’re welcome.

Butcher and Blackbird is a dark romantic comedy about two serial killers who kill serial killers falling in love. Rowan first meets Sloane while she’s trapped in a cage with her latest victim. He’s been dead for a couple days in the heat so she is READY to get out. A little conversation leads to them decide to be friends and play a game once a year where they race to kill a killer. Also, they secretly think the other is hot, so that makes it more fun.

The list of trigger warnings on this made me incredibly nervous to actually follow through with it. I mean, accidental and not-so-accidental cannibalism? Semi-apologies about cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream (which was echoed by other comments on social media)? Skin ornaments? What on earth did I get myself into?!

But somehow, and I truly have no idea how, this works.

Butcher and Blackbird is funny, smart, dark, and steamy all at the same time. The gore was the worst part for me, but I read a lot of thrillers so only a few things got me. I was listening to this in a vehicle with two guys, so I definitely had to fix my face a few times to avoid being asked about it. There’s no way I’d be able to explain some of those moments. Lol.

Bottom line, if you can handle some gore, it’s worth a read. If you like romance and thrillers, this is a solid option for a ‘best of both worlds’ pick.

I need the second book in this triology STAT. Leather and Lark [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM] is coming June 2024!