Sometimes you pick up a book thinking you know exactly what you're getting into, only to discover it's like opening a pink glitter bomb that explodes with dark secrets, questionable life choices, and a dog named Fang who develops a taste for... well, let's just say "specialty jerky." D.L. Darby's "Dolls & Daggers" is one of those rare dark romantic comedies that manages to be simultaneously horrifying and hilarious, twisted and tender, all while wrapped in more bubblegum pink than a Barbie convention on acid. This isn't just a book—it's an experience, a rollercoaster through the minds of two broken people who find solace in murder, mischief, and each other.
The Plot: When Serial Killers Fall in Love (and Other Workplace Complications)
At its core, "Dolls & Daggers" follows Dove Carroway, a woman who lives a life that would make even the most complicated Tinder profiles seem simple. By day, she's the "sparkling cloud of pink" senior investigative journalist at Metro Media—the equivalent of if "a unicorn had babies with glittering cotton candy," as one reviewer perfectly described her. She's Elle Woods with a murder hobby, a pink-clad powerhouse who writes sensational stories about the very vigilante she becomes by night: the Baby Doll Killer.
The Baby Doll Killer is no ordinary serial killer. Dressed in cute little sleep dresses, wigs, and a doll mask, she exclusively targets men who prey on children. Sometimes she even sends videos to the police showing who she killed and why, because apparently even serial killers understand the importance of documentation and transparency in their work. It's like Dexter meets community service, with better fashion sense.
Enter Wrenley Campbell, the "insufferably charming" work rival who moves to Metro Media with his own agenda. To everyone else, he's the perfect gentleman, but to Dove, he's the one person who grates on her nerves with his sunshine act—yes, apparently even she has limits on how much brightness she can handle. But Wrenley has secrets darker than the articles they write, and when Dove starts unearthing truths he's buried deeper than her victims, she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never expected.
Their professional rivalry escalates into an elaborate prank war that would make high school bullies weep with envy. But when their battle of wits hits too close to home, Dove decides to step into his world as her deadly alter ego, intending to terrify him into backing off. The problem? Wrenley starts piecing together who she really is, and their rivalry transforms into a fiery connection that neither can deny. As Wren himself puts it: "She isn't feared, though. She's respected. I don't want to respect her, though. I want to disrespect the fuck out of her. I want to leave her a quivering mess, covered in my cum."
The Characters: Broken People with Excellent Taste in Victims
Dove Carroway: The Pink-Clad Punisher
Dove is arguably one of the most fascinating female protagonists to grace dark romance in recent years. She introduces herself with the kind of casual candor that makes you wonder if you should be impressed or terrified: "I'm Dove Chaos Carroway, Senior Investigative Journalist—S.I.J., for short—at Metro Media. I'm five feet even, obsessed with the color pink, and spend my weekends luring men into hotel rooms under the guise of being an underage girl so I can brutally mutilate them and turn their privates into jerky for Fang. Also known as the Baby Doll Killer. Shh. Don't tell anyone."
Every part of her is "a carefully constructed facade. A mask. A porcelain veneer painted in pink and blonde and bubblegum sweetness. A living doll… from your worst nightmares." She's what happens when Elle Woods discovers that sometimes the legal system isn't enough, and some people just need to be turned into dog treats. Her motivation isn't just revenge—it's justice, served with a side of glitter and absolutely no regrets.
Wrenley Campbell: The Obsessed Investigator
Wrenley starts as the "asshole grumpy INSANELY gorgeous guy" who thinks he can charm his way into taking Dove's job simply because he's a man and he's handsome and therefore somehow entitled to it. (As one reviewer noted: "Typical man mentality 🙄🙄🙄"). But as the story unfolds, we discover that Wrenley has his own trauma, his own reasons for being obsessed with the Baby Doll Killer, and his own deeply buried wounds that make him understand Dove in ways no one else can.
He's not just chasing a story—he's chasing understanding, connection, and perhaps a kindred spirit in darkness. His character arc is beautifully handled, showing growth from antagonist to partner without losing the complexity that makes him interesting. He becomes the kind of man who can look at a serial killer and say, "What am I allowed to call you then? You don't like Songbird. You weren't partial to Wren. If I can't use your full name, then what else do I call you?" Only to answer himself with: "Yours. You infuriating fucking woman."
The Supporting Cast: Found Family in the Darkness
The book also introduces us to Bunny and Hunter, whose banter and tension promise an equally compelling sequel. There's also Fang, the dog who develops a rather... unusual palate. These characters add depth and humor to the story, creating a found family vibe that makes even the darkest moments feel (warm, which is ironic given all the dismemberment).
The Quotes: Lines That Will Make You Laugh, Cringe, and Question Everything
D.L. Darby has a gift for dialogue that ranges from hilarious to horrifying, often in the same sentence. Some standout lines include:
"Hey! You only turn thirty once, and last time I checked, today is my birthday. I'll cut off dicks if I want to."
"God will smite her if she puts a P in her V before marriage." (Yes, someone actually says this in 2025, and somehow it works in context.)
"Do you know what it means to be mine, Wren? Do you understand that once you're mine, I'll never let you go?"
"I'm not a burglar—just a serial killer."
And the book's philosophical core: "Sometimes monsters are just broken people, hiding their scars from a world that has hurt them."
These quotes showcase the book's unique ability to shift from comedy to horror to romance in the space of a few words, sometimes even within the same sentence.
Trigger Warnings: Please Read This Section Seriously
This book is dark in ways that go beyond typical romance trigger warnings. The author doesn't shy away from heavy topics, and readers should be prepared for:
- Accidental cannibalism (yes, you read that right, and yes, it involves office-wide distribution)
- Dismemberment (with creative uses for the parts)
- Talk of sexual assault of a child by a parent
- Past family trauma (for both main characters)
- Detailed sex scenes (that somehow manage to be both hot and horrifying)
- References to psychological/emotional abuse
- Talk of domestic violence
- Drink tampering
- Murder (obviously, but worth mentioning)
- Mentions of animal cruelty (though Fang seems quite happy with his treats)
- Talk of sexual assault by a teacher
- Dolls (because apparently some people find them creepy)
One reviewer noted that this book "felt like B&B evil twin that got dropped on its head and raised by Reddit," which honestly might be the most accurate description ever. This is not for the faint of heart, the easily offended, or anyone planning to eat jerky anytime soon.
The Tropes: All Your Favorites with a Bloody Twist
For readers who love their tropes, this book delivers the classics with a dark twist:
- Rivals to Lovers (with actual weapons involved)
- Workplace Romance (complete with HR violations that would make any corporate lawyer weep)
- Revenge (served cold, with a side of pink glitter)
- Forced Proximity (in more ways than one)
- Touch Him/Her and Die (literally)
- Feminine Rage (channeled through murder)
- Morally Gray FMC (so gray she's practically black)
- She's the Masked One (with excellent fashion sense)
- Pink Obsessed (her whole personality, basically)
- Height Difference (she's 5'0", he's 6'2"—classic)
The book has been compared to "Butcher & Blackbird" by many readers, but as multiple reviewers have noted, beyond similar trigger warnings and cover aesthetics, the stories and characters are distinctly their own. If you liked "Leather and Lark" by Brynne Weaver, "Lights Out" by Navessa Allen, or "Satan's Affair" by HD Carlton, you'll probably love this too.
The Writing Style: Chaos Perfected
D.L. Darby's writing is like a perfectly executed crime scene—messy but somehow beautiful, horrifying but compelling. The author has a knack for balancing dark themes with humor, creating scenes that can make you laugh out loud one moment and gasp the next. The banter between Dove and Wren is particularly well-crafted, maintaining tension even after they get together, which is a rare feat in romance writing.
One reviewer described the book's overall vibe as "chaotic fun," which couldn't be more accurate. It's "vengeful, vigilante, serial killer FMC with a main couple dynamic of grumpy/sunshine that will keep you turning pages." The pacing is excellent, with no dull moments and plenty of twists to keep you invested.
What Works: The Brilliance in the Madness
The book's greatest strength is its fearless approach to difficult topics. Both main characters have experienced similar trauma, and watching them grow individually and together is incredibly satisfying. They become fiercely protective of each other, creating a relationship built on genuine understanding rather than simple attraction.
The way Wrenley's trauma is handled is particularly noteworthy. As one reader pointed out, "In so many books, the FMC who is trauma ridden, is being saved by her MMC but this was the reverse. Yes, Dove also had trauma but as Wren said 'men aren't the only ones who abuse children.' I loved Wren's entire story, that his past and healing from it was highlighted."
The spice is also well-done, maintaining tension and heat without overshadowing the emotional connection between the characters. The relationship development feels earned, even if the timeline moves quickly.
What Doesn't Work: The Half Point Deduction
No book is perfect, and "Dolls & Daggers" has its flaws. Some readers found the plot predictable, and the comparison to "Butcher & Blackbird" does highlight some similarities in structure and themes. The accidental cannibalism scene, while memorable, might be too much for even some dark romance readers.
A few reviewers noted that they wished Dove had been more confrontational with Wrenley in the beginning, particularly when he was being "pretty mean towards Dove" and "she never did hit him HARD and he deserved." This lack of immediate pushback bothered some readers who prefer their FMCs to be more confrontational from the start.
Additionally, while the humor works for the most part, there are moments when it feels like the book is trying too hard to be shocking, leading to scenes that border on ridiculous rather than genuinely dark or funny.
The 4.5/5 Rating: Why It's Almost Perfect
Despite its flaws, "Dolls & Daggers" earns its 4.5 out of 5 stars through sheer audacity, excellent character development, and a willingness to go where other books fear to tread. It's the kind of book that will stay with you long after you finish it, for better or worse (probably worse, given the content).
The half-point deduction comes from those moments when the book feels like it's trying too hard to shock, and the occasional predictability in the plot structure. But these are minor complaints in an otherwise groundbreaking work of dark romantic comedy.
Who Should Read This Book
"Dolls & Daggers" is perfect for readers who:
- Love morally gray characters who don't apologize for their choices
- Enjoy dark humor that pushes boundaries
- Want something different from typical romance tropes
- Don't mind graphic content and heavy trigger warnings
- Appreciate strong character development alongside plot
- Like their romance with a side of vigilante justice
- Want to read about a FMC who takes no prisoners (literally)
Who Should Skip This Book
You might want to skip this one if you:
- Are triggered by any of the warnings listed above
- Prefer your romance light and fluffy
- Don't enjoy dark humor or graphic content
- Are easily offended by unconventional relationships
- Plan to eat beef jerky anytime in the near future
- Have a fear of dolls or pink clothing
Final Thoughts: Bloody Brilliant
"Dolls & Daggers" is not just a book—it's an experience, a journey into the minds of two broken people who find healing in the most unconventional ways possible. It's messy, bloody, hilarious, and somehow beautiful in its darkness. D.L. Darby has created something unique in a market saturated with similar stories, a book that stands out through sheer force of personality and a refusal to play by the rules.
As Wrenley reflects, "She makes me want to live my life in color… in her color. In spun shades of cotton candy, even when the darkness threatens to take over." That's exactly what this book does—it paints darkness in cotton candy pink and somehow makes it work.
In a world full of books playing it safe, "Dolls & Daggers" takes risks, pushes boundaries, and delivers a story that's as unforgettable as it is disturbing. It's the book equivalent of that friend who's always getting into trouble but is so charming you can't stay mad at them. You know you probably shouldn't enjoy it as much as you do, but sometimes the most questionable choices are also the most entertaining.
Just maybe skip the jerky for a while after reading.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Trigger Level: 💀💀💀💀💀 Recommended for: Dark romance lovers with strong stomachs and even stronger senses of humor
Add comment
Comments