Chapters and Cravings

You know those books that leave you with a new favourite couple to obsess over? Or the ones where the narration is so good you want to clap for the audiobook cast? Butcher & Blackbird did both for me—and, honestly, it also ruined orzo and ice cream in the most ridiculous way. I first picked it up back in November 2024, gave it a solid four stars, and immediately started texting friends about the wild premise and the chemistry. Brynne Weaver somehow makes serial killers feel like the most entertaining dinner guests. Sure, a few bits had me raising my eyebrows and muttering, ‘Okay, that’s a bit much,’ but I could not put it down.

Then I went back for round two with the audiobook, and oh wow, that extra star practically threw itself at the rating. Joe Arden as Rowan? I am not okay. Lucy Rivers as Sloane? Absolutely nailed it. Hearing them bring these characters to life made everything sharper, funnier, and somehow even more addictive. Five stars, no question.

All the things I loved the first time are still here: two serial killers somehow finding a connection, dark humour that had me laughing and then immediately wondering if I should be concerned, and a romance that’s weirdly sweet in the middle of all the chaos. If you like your books with morally messy characters, banter that bites, and a plot that drags you into places you probably shouldn’t go, this audiobook is a must. Maybe just don’t bring snacks—trust me on that one.

Okay, so Butcher & Blackbird is about two serial killers falling in love, which sounds like the sort of idea you’d only come up with after too much wine and not enough sleep. But somehow, it works. It’s funny, tense, and—against all odds—kind of sweet? The real magic is in the chemistry. The banter gives all that darkness a bit of sparkle, and I actually found myself rooting for them, even when things got gruesome. I was completely hooked by the suspense and those wild twists the first time I read it.

But the real game-changer? The audiobook. Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers are just perfect as Rowan and Sloane. Listening to them brought the whole story to life in a way that made me love it even more. I still had a few moments where I thought, ‘Okay, that’s a bit much,’ but honestly, the whole experience just got better. If you’re thinking of picking it up, be ready for explicit romance, graphic violence, and some comedy that will have you questioning your own sense of humour. This book does not hold back.

Meet Sloane and Rowan: serial killers, but with a twist—they only go after other killers. I know, it’s a lot. When these two cross paths, instead of running for the hills (which, let’s be honest, most of us would), they actually get each other. What starts as a weirdly comforting friendship quickly turns into a game of one-upmanship, complete with an annual challenge that’s all about their, um, unique hobby.

Of course, nothing stays simple for long. The more they compete, the more sparks start flying—cue the banter, the rivalry, and that slow, sneaky feeling that maybe this person matters more than they’d planned. It’s one thing to find someone who gets your weirdness; it’s another to let them into your heart (especially when your heart is, well, a little murdery).

But don’t get too cozy—danger is always lurking, and falling for someone doesn’t magically make the world safer. This is part love story, part what-happens-when-two-very-dangerous-people-finally-have-something-to-lose. I won’t spoil the twists (they’re best discovered with a mug of tea and maybe a cushion to hide behind), but fair warning: this one’s for readers who don’t mind things getting a little dark.

🎧 From Four Stars to Five

The first time I read this, way back in November 2024, I was completely hooked. I’d already fallen for the premise (give me a dark, twisty setup and I’m there), and honestly, Weaver’s sense of humour somehow made all the gory bits weirdly fun. Rowan and Sloane? Sharp, snarky, and the kind of characters you accidentally get attached to when you’re supposed to be going to bed at a sensible hour. I ended up reading way past midnight, which is always a sign I’m in trouble.

But here’s the thing: coming back to this story in audiobook form totally changed the game for me. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about the plot—I was obsessed with the voices. Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers are so perfectly cast that I found myself grinning at scenes I already knew by heart. It’s like discovering a favourite comfort food in a new flavour. I kept making excuses to pop my headphones in, just to hear them banter.

So that’s where the fifth star sneaks in—the audiobook just makes the whole thing even better. My original review still stands (yes, I did raise an eyebrow at some of the wilder moments), but now I’ve got a new reason to gush about this book. If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign to give the audio a try.

🩸 Two Serial Killers, One Very Effective Premise

The central idea hooked me immediately. Two serial killers falling in love is an invitation to expect danger, secrets and some deeply unconventional bonding. What makes it work is that Rowan and Sloane have enough personality to hold my attention beyond the novelty of their circumstances.

They’re witty, competitive and oddly endearing. Their morally grey dynamic gives their interactions an edge, but there is also a sense of recognition between them: the possibility of being understood by someone who doesn’t immediately recoil from everything you are.

That connection is what made me care. The murderous setup gets the story moving, while their chemistry gives it somewhere emotionally interesting to go. I found myself invested in two people whose approach to spending time together would make an ordinary dating profile a fairly urgent police matter.

🖤 The Banter Has No Business Working This Well

Mixing humour and horror is such a wild ride, and honestly, it was one of the first things that hooked me about this book. Weaver has this knack for dropping the characters into something absolutely awful, then letting them toss out a line so sharp I actually laughed out loud. It’s that kind of whiplash that keeps me turning the pages.

A lot of that magic comes down to Rowan and Sloane and the way they bounce off each other. Their banter just feels so true to who they are, and every bit of snark or teasing adds another spark. I love when a romance gives you that playful, flirty energy right alongside the danger. It makes their scenes together so much fun, even before things start to really heat up.

You know that feeling when you stop for half a second and wonder, wait, am I actually supposed to be laughing at this? And then you just keep reading anyway because you absolutely have to see what these people are going to do next. This book nails that vibe.

🍦 The Orzo and Ice Cream Situation Remains Unresolved

Brynne Weaver, if you’re reading this, please know that some of us are just out here trying to eat our dinner in peace.

The ice cream scene got a whole paragraph in my original review, and honestly, things have not improved. Now orzo has joined the list of foods I can’t look at without thinking of this book. I’m being deliberately mysterious here because I refuse to be the reason someone gets traumatized before they’ve even cracked the spine, but that’s the problem: suddenly, normal food feels like it’s carrying a secret.

This is also why I hesitated in my original review. Sometimes the writing tries so hard to be edgy or shocking that I found myself side-eyeing the page and wondering if I’d wandered into a dare. Some moments are just a lot. Depending on how much weirdness you can handle, you’ll either be cackling or quietly closing the book and backing away. That’s the risk this book takes, and honestly, it’s kind of thrilling.

But honestly, a lot of that over-the-top chaos is what makes the book so much fun. It knows exactly how wild it is and just goes for it. I respect the commitment, even if I am still personally offended about what happened to dessert. That’s the part I will never recover from.

🕸️ Tension, Twists and a Story That Kept Me Reading

I came for the romance, obviously, but it’s the suspense that really hooked me. There’s just enough danger swirling around the characters to make their relationship feel like it’s happening in the middle of something real, not just in a bubble. That mix of attraction and risk? It makes the quiet, swoony moments feel even more intense.

The writing pulled me in right away—fast, vivid, and just twisty enough that I kept telling myself ‘just one more chapter’ (which, let’s be honest, never means just one). The characters made me actually care about what happened, which is always a win. That combo worked for me the first time I read it, and it’s just as good in the audiobook.

Rereading (or re-listening) when you already know where the story is headed is a whole different vibe. You get to slow down and really enjoy the little conversations and those character moments you might have missed the first time. For me, the performances in this version are what make it worth coming back for another round.

🔪 Rowan — A Very Compelling Problem

Honestly, Rowan is the reason this audiobook has completely hooked me. He’s got that perfect mix of chemistry and sharp wit that makes it impossible to hit pause, and Joe Arden’s narration? I can’t even separate the two in my head now. Every time Rowan speaks, it’s Joe’s voice I hear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What really gets me about Rowan is how his whole messy, dangerous world collides with his connection to Sloane. Sure, the attraction is sizzling, but it’s also about him finally finding someone who gets it—someone he can actually share all that chaos with. Their banter is so sharp and competitive, I found myself grinning like an idiot and wanting to hang out with them just a little bit longer every time.

And then you throw in that audiobook performance, and suddenly my sensible four-star rating is looking very shaky. I might have to admit defeat and bump it up, because this combo is just too good.

🐦‍⬛ Sloane — Wit, Danger and an Unexpectedly Endearing Side

Sloane absolutely holds her own here. She’s got this spark and sharpness that means she can meet Rowan right in the middle of all their weirdness, and honestly, I loved watching them bounce off each other. It’s not just one person carrying the story—their connection works because both of them bring something special to the table, and I found myself grinning through so many of their scenes.

There’s something deliciously unsettling about these two, but that just made me want to keep turning the pages. Sloane’s wit and the way her connection with Rowan slowly builds had me rooting for them, even when things got a bit odd. I love that the story lets you fall for someone whose life is anything but ordinary—that’s half the fun of this romance for me.

Lucy Rivers is just perfect for Sloane. Paired with Joe Arden as Rowan, the audiobook really comes alive—I was genuinely excited about both performances, and I’d happily listen to them banter for hours.

🌶️ The Spice

Let me just say, when that slow burn finally catches fire, it is absolutely worth the wait. All that delicious tension between Rowan and Sloane? It simmers for ages, and then suddenly you’re fanning yourself and wondering if you need a cold drink. The anticipation makes everything feel about ten times hotter.

Listening to the audiobook took things up a notch, and honestly, I was so glad I had my headphones on. Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers are spot-on as Rowan and Sloane, and when those steamy scenes kicked in, I was clutching my mug and hoping nobody could hear. My headphones definitely worked overtime for this one. 🎧🌶️

Honestly, the chemistry between these two was one of my favourite things right from the start. Watching that slow build turn into something so intense was just so satisfying. It takes its sweet time, but when it finally happens, it’s like every bit of anticipation pays off in the best way.

This is an adult, open-door romance with detailed sexual scenes and kink, including praise and dominance/submission, so the rating fits the explicit content. Check the author’s full warnings for the specifics.

Narrators: Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers
Character Voices: Joe Arden as Rowan; Lucy Rivers as Sloane
Narration Style: Duet narration

This is exactly where that extra star sneaked in. I already loved this story when I first read it back in November 2024, but coming back to it with these two narrators? Somehow, it got even better.

Duet narration means both narrators stick with their character voices, even when it’s technically the other person’s chapter. For a book packed with banter and chemistry, this just works. It’s like eavesdropping on your favourite fictional couple, and honestly, I’m here for it.

🔪 Joe Arden as Rowan

Joe Arden as Rowan. Honestly? Absolute perfection.

I could try to sound more professional about it, but let’s be real: he just feels right. Hearing Rowan brought to life like this is one of those little joys that makes rereading feel like a treat all over again.

Rowan’s scenes with Sloane were already some of my favourites for the wit and chemistry, but now, with a voice that fits him so perfectly, those moments are even more delicious. Honestly, this casting is spot on and absolutely worth digging out the good headphones for.

🐦‍⬛ Lucy Rivers as Sloane

Lucy Rivers as Sloane deserves her own little round of applause. So much of what I loved about this story comes from the way these two bounce off each other, and having a Sloane who just feels right is a big reason the audiobook hits all the right notes for me.

Together, the casting feels so well matched to the couple I was already invested in. The sharp exchanges, the strange connection, and the growing attraction are all reasons I wanted to revisit the story, and these are the voices I’m very happy to revisit it with.

So if you loved the book the first time around, I really do recommend giving the audiobook a try. For me, these performances made coming back to the story feel completely worth it—and honestly, they bumped my original four stars right up to five.

You may enjoy Butcher & Blackbird if you love:

• Dark humour mixed with romance. The comedy is a major part of the appeal, even when the circumstances are horrifying.
• Morally grey characters with distinctive personalities. Rowan and Sloane are witty, dangerous and unexpectedly endearing.
• Friends-to-lovers stories with a slow build. Their growing connection gives the attraction room to develop.
• Banter and strong chemistry. Their exchanges are a big part of what kept me invested from my first read onwards.
• Romance with suspense and twists. The danger gives the relationship a wider story to exist within.
• Explicit adult romance. The intimacy is detailed, with kink included in the author’s warnings.
• Audiobooks with duet narration. Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers made this a five-star experience for me.

This may not be for you if:

• Graphic violence and gore are firm boundaries. The comedy comes with genuinely disturbing material.
• You struggle with grotesque or food-related horror. My continued relationship difficulties with orzo and ice cream should give you some idea.
• You need protagonists with reassuring moral standards. Their murderous lives are fundamental to the premise.
• You dislike deliberately outrageous scenes. Even as someone who enjoyed the book, I found a few moments excessive on my first read.
• You prefer closed-door or low-spice romance. This book is explicit and includes kink.
• You want a straight crime thriller. The friendship, attraction and dark comedy are central to what the book is doing.

My verdict: Yes, especially for readers who enjoy macabre humour, strong chemistry and a romance willing to get very messy. Check the warnings first, and consider the audiobook if the premise appeals—the narration made a real difference to my experience.