Series Review: Ruinous Love by Brynne Weaver

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Butcher and Blackbird (from Goodreads):

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?

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fav 2026
Author: Brynne Weaver
Series: Ruinous Love
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Dark Romance, Dark Comedy, Thriller
Heat Rating: warm to hot
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: August 2023 – February 2025
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

This was actually recommended to me by my best friend! We were talking about our latest reads and what we wanted to read next. She was lamenting that her waitlist for Butcher and Blackbird (#1) at her library was 6 months long but she wanted to read it sooner than that. I just happened to check my library to see if they had it so I too could add myself to the super long waitlist and found that I could get a skip-the-line copy! I ended up getting the whole series as a skip-the-line copies and binged it within 2 weeks!

The Concept / The World:

You need to go into this knowing it is about people who murder other people finding love. If you don’t have a dark sense of humour or can’t get over gorey details, you need to look elsewhere for your next read. I have a very twisted sense of humour; have a strong stomach for gore; and enjoy darker romances so this was right up my alley. But it definitely helped going into this book knowing what I was getting into.

The Plot:

I really enjoyed the suspense of these novels. They had a great blend of mystery, dramatic plot and a solid cast of characters.

These stories all weave together in one way or another so it really does help to read them as close together as you can to pick up on the various breadcrumbs along the way.

The Characters:

I loved the development of all the characters. They all have their quirks but find a comradery amongst themselves that touched my heart as a reader.

The Romance:

Swoon! I loved all these couples in their own way. The chemistry in Butcher and Blackbird (#1) was simply adorable and charming! It also helped that our couples aren’t just falling into bed together constantly. They all have a slow burn aspect to them that allows the reader to see the growth of friendship and the simmering tension brewing over the course of the events of each the novel.

Series Rating: 4/5

Butcher & Blackbird 5/5 | Leather & Lark 4/5 | Scythe & Sparrow 4/5

If you are looking for something unique; something that is fun yet dark at the same time, this might be a series for you! It reminded me of the movie Warm Bodies in a way: the ability to find the humour in the absurd and twisted reality of the world. I highly suggest you read the trigger warnings at the start of each novel to see if it is something for you!

Read if You Like: dark comedy, gore, dark romance
Avoid if You: dislike crime or discussions of murder/violence