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paigelambson's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
This was not good! Huge lack of character development and lack of relationship development between the two MCs. Came across as insta-lovey even though their relationship spans 4 years- that’s how little everything was developed. I continuously kept thinking “did I accidentally read the second book in this series?” No. This is the first. It’s just poorly developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Cannibalism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Vomit, Body horror, Blood, Murder, and Sexual content
dixie_crix_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and Gun violence
colorcrystals's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Cannibalism, Violence, Sexual content, Torture, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Confinement, and Vomit
Minor: Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Death of parent
margretmango's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Skemmtileg, öðruvísi rom-com. Næstum fluffy romance í contrasti við frekar disturbing gory plot
Frekari slow burn en tensionið er *chef's kiss*
Grumpy/sunshine vibes og þegar smuttid kemur er það to die for
Frekari slow burn en tensionið er *chef's kiss*
Grumpy/sunshine vibes og þegar smuttid kemur er það to die for
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Murder, Cannibalism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
30something_reads's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Let it be known: I had a great time!
But I keep thinking that the biggest reason for that is because this audiobook is masterful. Truly, the duet narration coupled with the stellar narrators themselves really makes this shine.
If I were to have just picked this up as a physical book for the first time, I do not think the experience would have been as good. Fine, sure. But not great.
I mostly contribute that to some of the dialogue. I think it works when you get to hear it in Joe Arden's smoky Irish accent or Lucy River's stressed out rambling. But had I been reading it with my eyeballs, I probably would have been rolling them A LOT.
This was absolutely dark and twisted- moments that made me shriek out loud in shock. (which is funny when you're making dinner and your partner freaks out because they thought you hurt yourself.) The humor is definitely not for everyone but I was amused.
Overall, it's hard to separate my rating of the contents of the book versus the audiobook experience. This is 100% a book that I would only recommend via audio. So, IDK. Audiobook- absolutely a 5 star experience. The book itself? Maybe 3.5 stars?
And what a saucy little epilogue. Definitely makes you want to read the next one. (but most certainly via audiobook.)
But I keep thinking that the biggest reason for that is because this audiobook is masterful. Truly, the duet narration coupled with the stellar narrators themselves really makes this shine.
If I were to have just picked this up as a physical book for the first time, I do not think the experience would have been as good. Fine, sure. But not great.
I mostly contribute that to some of the dialogue. I think it works when you get to hear it in Joe Arden's smoky Irish accent or Lucy River's stressed out rambling. But had I been reading it with my eyeballs, I probably would have been rolling them A LOT.
This was absolutely dark and twisted- moments that made me shriek out loud in shock. (which is funny when you're making dinner and your partner freaks out because they thought you hurt yourself.) The humor is definitely not for everyone but I was amused.
Overall, it's hard to separate my rating of the contents of the book versus the audiobook experience. This is 100% a book that I would only recommend via audio. So, IDK. Audiobook- absolutely a 5 star experience. The book itself? Maybe 3.5 stars?
And what a saucy little epilogue. Definitely makes you want to read the next one. (but most certainly via audiobook.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Sexual content, Body horror, Murder, Blood, Torture, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Medical content, Child abuse, Stalking, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
janeadventures's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A very fun read about serial killers killing serial killers.
However, the stakes were never that high and the plot wasn't horribly unpredictable. That being said, I was very fun, well written, quick read that I'd recommend for the beach. Despite all the trigger warnings, the spice is pretty vanilla 😂. It's funny to see this billed as a dark romance just because they're serial killers. It's much more - a sweet cute romance that HAPPENS to have cannibalism in it.
However, the stakes were never that high and the plot wasn't horribly unpredictable. That being said, I was very fun, well written, quick read that I'd recommend for the beach. Despite all the trigger warnings, the spice is pretty vanilla 😂. It's funny to see this billed as a dark romance just because they're serial killers. It's much more - a sweet cute romance that HAPPENS to have cannibalism in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Medical content, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, Stalking, and Kidnapping
givemehappyendings's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gougey eyes, cookies and cream ice cream, the accidental cannibalism
What an absolute wild ride this book was.
First of all, the duet style narration was just ✨chefs kiss✨ Joe Arden has done it once again, that Irish accent 😮💨
I was anxious that this read would be similar to other serial killer romances, but was so excited to be met with humor and deeply emotional moments.
The pace of the book and the relationship was so perfect for me, I’m not an insta-love reader and this friends to lovers book ticked all the right boxes.
Both MCs were so lovable and I’m beyond excited for the next books in the series.
What an absolute wild ride this book was.
First of all, the duet style narration was just ✨chefs kiss✨ Joe Arden has done it once again, that Irish accent 😮💨
I was anxious that this read would be similar to other serial killer romances, but was so excited to be met with humor and deeply emotional moments.
The pace of the book and the relationship was so perfect for me, I’m not an insta-love reader and this friends to lovers book ticked all the right boxes.
Both MCs were so lovable and I’m beyond excited for the next books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Murder
cclift1114's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Dark, disturbing, fun, funny and romantic all in one book? Surprising, but true. While our two MC’s are both serial killers, they’re after other serial killers, so you gotta love that. And then they fall in love with each other? Even better. These two end up being relatable in a weird way and you root for them and care about them. And of course, I’m gonna appreciate the fact that the serial killers they go after are based on those from popular movies, such as Psycho, Silence of the Lambs and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
For sure check the trigger warnings and be prepared for the ick factor with gore and violence. But don’t be too scared away by the warnings about cannibalism; I promise our MC’s are not the ones enjoying it.
On a side note, if you’re an audiobook listener, I’d highly recommend listening to this one. From all the audiobooks I’ve listened to, this one was unique because not only did they have two narrators for the MC’s, they were simultaneously narrating instead of just having the male narrator do everything in the chapter for Rowan and the female narrator for Sloan. So if you’re someone that doesn’t care for men try to do women’s voices or vice versa, you won’t have that with this book. Rowan’s narrator handles all his dialogue and Sloane’s all of hers. And the narrators are also just talented.
On a side note, if you’re an audiobook listener, I’d highly recommend listening to this one. From all the audiobooks I’ve listened to, this one was unique because not only did they have two narrators for the MC’s, they were simultaneously narrating instead of just having the male narrator do everything in the chapter for Rowan and the female narrator for Sloan. So if you’re someone that doesn’t care for men try to do women’s voices or vice versa, you won’t have that with this book. Rowan’s narrator handles all his dialogue and Sloane’s all of hers. And the narrators are also just talented.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, Violence, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Mental illness and Vomit
marissareuther's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Murder, Violence, Death, Torture, Cannibalism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Addiction, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Rape, and Alcohol
afloodofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Two serial killers meet in another serial killer's home.... (there's a joke there somewhere). Sloane and Rowan have a chance meeting and form an unlikely bond between rival serial killers. The two hunters meet yearly in an annual game of blood and torture that pits them against the most dangerous (and disgusting) monsters in the country. As their friendship develops into something more, old fears and feelings, and people from the past crop up that could decimate their newfound love.
Honestly, it was hard for me at times to get past the fact that they were serial killers (my brain: serial killers = bad). That being said, I came to love how this book kind of turns all that on it's head and ensures that the victims are horrible people and Rowan and Sloane are really just vigilantes (with childhood trauma). Butcher and Blackbird was really fun to read and I loved the banter between them, and how thoughtful Sloane was and her internal dialogue/struggles. Ultimately, it was a super fun, unique romance if you don't mind a little unintentional (and some intentional - though not by S&R) cannibalism and torture.
Honestly, it was hard for me at times to get past the fact that they were serial killers (my brain: serial killers = bad). That being said, I came to love how this book kind of turns all that on it's head and ensures that the victims are horrible people and Rowan and Sloane are really just vigilantes (with childhood trauma). Butcher and Blackbird was really fun to read and I loved the banter between them, and how thoughtful Sloane was and her internal dialogue/struggles. Ultimately, it was a super fun, unique romance if you don't mind a little unintentional (and some intentional - though not by S&R) cannibalism and torture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism
The cannibalism is not perpetrated by the main characters - (it almost is, although accidental). It becomes a joke for the rest of the book.