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If you've ever wondered what happens when a contract killer marries a serial-killer-ing singer—yes, legally, consentually, and with a side of savage smut—you’re in for a wild ride. Leather & Lark, the searing second installment in Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love Trilogy, is equal parts dark comedy, scorching romance, and violent absurdity. Read on—but maybe pack protective goggles.
Plot Summary: Contract Killing Meets Serial Killer in a Deadly Marriage of Convenience
Lachlan Kane is a contract killer yearning for a quiet life making leather goods. But after botching a job for his boss’s most powerful client, his dreams of retirement shatter. Enter Lark Montague—indie singer-songwriter and serial killer of predatory men—who offers him a lifeline: help her hunt down a murderer, and she’ll arrange his escape. The catch? He has to marry her first. And they absolutely can’t stand each other. Books & ReviewGoodreadsNew Book Recommendation
This hate-to-love, fake-marriage setup blossoms into something messy and explosive as the line between contract and chemistry blurs. Add a lurking new villain, toxic family expectations, dark humor, and simmering sexual tension—and you're strapped in for one heck of a trip. Audible.comBrynne Weaver Books
Character Breakdown: Sunshine Meets Shadow
Lark Montague
She might look like glitter wrapped in sunshine, but Lark is secretly a serial killer targeting creeps. Her backstory is shadowed by trauma—years of abuse she channels into bloody retribution. Yet her voice is witty, sharp, and damn compelling under that bright exterior. Recap and RuinGoodreads
Lachlan Kane
A gruff, scarred assassin longing for leather-smelling peace. He’d rather craft belts than break necks—but his past (and contract) won’t let him. Lark’s deal forces him into a twisted alliance that unexpectedly stirs feelings... and body heat. Trigger Warning Databasebrynne-weaver-universe.fandom.comAudible.com
Supporting Cast
Brynne Weaver populates this chaos with delightfully twisted side characters. Great-aunt Ethel steals scenes with scheming antics. Rose, the circus performer, dances through chapters like a smoky hallucination. Even the family mafia adds flavor. WestWords Book ReviewsThe Book ClubThe Spicy Book Club
Tropes to Die For (Literally)
Weaver leans full-tilt into romance tropes—with a murderous twist:
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Enemies-to-Lovers: Hatred turns hot. Fast.
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Fake Marriage: Wedding vows + kill warrants = unmatched rom-com chaos.
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Grumpy × Sunshine: Lachlan’s brooding meets Lark’s unfiltered glow.
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Found Family: Even killers need brunch and banter.
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Slow Burn → Big Heat: It’s a smoulder that erupts into an inferno.
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Dark Humor & Gore: Snow globes, eyeballs, autoplagiarism of pizza and beer jokes. Seriously. The Nora TheoryEpicsReadThe Spicy Book ClubReadRantRepeat
Trigger Warnings: Proceed with Caution (and Lube)
This isn’t your grandma’s rom-com. Brace yourself for:
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Graphic violence, bodily gore, eye and tooth horror (without rogue eye sockets, thankfully)
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Autocannibalism debates, snow globes used as trophies
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Sexual content that’s hot, messy, and not for the faint of heart
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Past abuse and trauma, dark themes woven through character arcs EpicsReadThe Nora TheoryRecap and RuinAudible.com
Trigger warnings here are part of the dark charm—Weaver’s forewarnings are wickedly meta and hilarious. The Nora Theory+1
Writing Style: Snark, Smut & Suspense
Brynne Weaver’s prose zips like a switchblade. One moment you’re snorting at a joke, the next you’re cringing at dismembered arcs… then swooning over filthy smut. Highlights include:
“Don’t hold your breath,” he yells to the man in the sinking car... “Get it?” The Spicy Book Club
“A ring,” I repeat. She nods. “Did you happen to notice it’s attached to a finger in a feckin’ jar?” The Spicy Book Club
“I’ll put that in my notes… ‘Do not dickmatize Lark into forgiveness.’” The Spicy Book Club
Yep, Weaver can take murder mayhem and turn it into a punchy romantic line that sticks to your soul like blood. The Spicy Book ClubReadRantRepeatThe Book Clubareviewofbooksandwingspans.com
Strengths vs. Critiques
What Works:
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Explosive chemistry—the tension burns.
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Unique premise—serial killer + assassin marry? Brilliantly twisted.
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Perfect blend of humor, horror, and heart.
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Voice—snarky, emotional, and unforgettable.
What Might Miss the Mark:
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Slow burn pacing—heat doesn’t ignite until halfway through for some readers. ReadRantRepeatThe StoryGraph
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Tone whiplash—one moment you’re giggling, next you’re grossed out. Not everyone’s jam.
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Some characters may feel underdeveloped especially if you want deeper arcs beyond the couple. Page by PaigeThe StoryGraph
Final Verdict: A Twistedly Terrific Ride
Leather & Lark is a wild carnival of murder, marriage, and mayhem that somehow makes you swoon and gag at the same time. It’s a murky, smut-laden dark rom-com that turns tropes on their head and drenches you in both blood and feelings. If you’re craving a romance that can make you laugh, clutch your pearls, and blush in equal measure—this is your book.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Blood-Soaked Leather Hearts
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