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If you thought the Ruinous Love Trilogy had exhausted your appetite for serial-killer scheming sweethearts, meet Love & Other Killers—a gleefully gruesome novella that proves even murderous family game night can melt your heart… or your skull, depending on your perspective.
Plot Summary
Love & Other Killers is a standalone novella (about 61 pages) hanging out in the Ruinous Love universe that dips just enough into callbacks for returning fans without drowning new readers in references. At its core: Sloane and her serial-killer family return for their annual hunt. The target? Allan Munster, a churchgoing chicken farmer who reportedly slaughters more than just poultry. The rules: split into teams, plan your approach, kill more efficiently than your sibling or cousin, and may the best murderer win. But in this deadly game of “track the psychopath,” someone else may be watching… and that alone amps up the chaos.
Characters & Carnage
Sloane & Family
Our POV is Sloane’s—as a seasoned participant in the annual “hunt”—and she’s the embodiment of wicked charm. She’s familiar, sharp, and intimately tied to the family’s blood-drenched traditions. She’s not here to grow; she’s here to dominate, and she delights in it.
Allan Munster
A creepy twist on a wholesome archetype: churchgoing chicken farmer… who’s secretly a serial killer. Gory humor at McDonald’s pace.
Supporting Cast
Expect the usual suspects—rival family members whose playful jabs may include impalement, eyeball plucking, or bone baubles. Snappy, blood-spattered banter keeps things light even as the knives fly.
Trigger Warnings
This book lunges into disturbing territory with a grin. Here's what you need to know before watching your dinner digest itself:
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Eyeballs and body parts—and not just metaphorically.
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Vigilante serial killing competitions (not psychiatric debates).
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Cannibalism, both accidental and... not so accidental.
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Dismemberment—expected in the best Weaver fashion.
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Weird ornaments like bone baubles and unintended sewing hacks.
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Graphic sex, wide consent territory implied, but explicit.
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Abduction, forcible confinement, and vague references to childhood trauma.
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Domestic tools being misused—kitchen appliances are weapons here.
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Dark humor that leans into the macabre unapologetically.
Honestly, if serial-killer family bonding over carnage isn’t on your bingo card, this is a hard pass.
Tropes at Play
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Serial-killer families with tradition (annual murder tournaments—Bingo, but deadlier).
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Dark romantic comedy—sweet, sexy, and slaying.
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Hunt vs. hunter, plus "maybe we’re being hunted too" paranoia.
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Competitive carnage, lethal sibling rivalry, and a dash of internal betrayal.
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Short, fast-paced novella—like a tasty bullet to the brain.
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Cameo comfort characters for fans—Sloane’s crew returns.
Tone, Style & Voice
This novella is a darkly comic sprint. Weaver knows her world well, sprinkling inside jokes: “Sloane is ready with her glitter and snacks, Rose brings a puke bucket and a pet raccoon”—things that feel cozy if your normal Saturday night includes skulls and glitter. It’s fast, fun, and peppered with pop-culture-tinged oddball horror. Reader reviews call it both “gruesome” and “darkly funny”—a pairing that sings.
Pros & Pitfalls
What WorksWhat Might MissInfectiously witty writing and premiseLimited character development—cameo feel for newbiesLean, bingeable novella formatInside jokes land only if you’ve read the trilogyBalanced darkness and mirth—grotesque but gleefulMurdery competition may feel too niche even for dark romance fansGreat setup if you’re craving more Ruinous Love energyNo emotional depth—this is mass murder with heart emojisAudible version available (1h19m)—perfect short audio splurgeTrigger-heavy—definitely not fluff
Final Verdict
Love & Other Killers is a twisted love letter to fans of the Ruinous Love world—short, sharp, and savage. For newcomers: expect a fun gorefest with very little explanation. For long-time fans: it’s a seasonal bonus, perfect for August escapist reading, and maybe the next BookTok tricky favorite. It’s punchy, profane, and lots of murder, with a little sparkle on top.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 bone-spattered rose petals
(Fun, fabulous, just not a full-course romance dish.)
Whether you're rooting for ruthless family bonding or just need a break from daylight, Love & Other Killers delivers with a slim page count and heavy body count. May the best family win—but maybe don’t wear white.
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