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Serial Killer Book Club #1
Dolls & Daggers: A Serial Killer Book Club Novel
“Sometimes monsters are just broken people, hiding their scars from a world that has hurt them.”
Dove Carroway has two lives…
By day, she’s the bubbly, pink-clad media journalist who writes sensational stories about a vigilante serial killer. By night, she becomes the Baby Doll Killer, an avenger with a flair for punishing the worst of humanity—men who prey on children. But her most formidable challenge isn’t a criminal; it’s her insufferably charming work rival.
Wrenley Campbell is the perfect gentleman to everyone but Dove, the one person who grates on his nerves with her sunshine act. But Wrenley’s secrets are darker than the articles they write, and when Dove unburies the truths he’s hiding, she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never expected.
When their battle of wits escalates into something that hits too close to home, Dove steps into his world as her deadly alter ego, intending to terrify him into backing off. As Wrenley pieces together who she really is, their rivalry turns into a fiery connection that neither can deny.
Secrets this dark have a way of coming to light, and soon, they will have to decide whether their love is strong enough to survive the shadows or shatter under the weight of their haunted pasts.
Perfect for fans of dark humor, sizzling tension, and morally gray characters, Dolls & Daggers is a wickedly dark romantic comedy that’ll have you laughing, gasping, and swooning in equal measure.
Tropes
Rivals to Lovers
Workplace
Revenge
Forced Proximity
Touch Him/Her and Die
Feminine Rage
Morally Gray FMC
She’s the Masked One
Pink Obsessed
Height Difference (she’s 5’ he’s 6’2)
Dove Carroway has two lives…
By day, she’s the bubbly, pink-clad media journalist who writes sensational stories about a vigilante serial killer. By night, she becomes the Baby Doll Killer, an avenger with a flair for punishing the worst of humanity—men who prey on children. But her most formidable challenge isn’t a criminal; it’s her insufferably charming work rival.
Wrenley Campbell is the perfect gentleman to everyone but Dove, the one person who grates on his nerves with her sunshine act. But Wrenley’s secrets are darker than the articles they write, and when Dove unburies the truths he’s hiding, she finds herself drawn to him in ways she never expected.
When their battle of wits escalates into something that hits too close to home, Dove steps into his world as her deadly alter ego, intending to terrify him into backing off. As Wrenley pieces together who she really is, their rivalry turns into a fiery connection that neither can deny.
Secrets this dark have a way of coming to light, and soon, they will have to decide whether their love is strong enough to survive the shadows or shatter under the weight of their haunted pasts.
Perfect for fans of dark humor, sizzling tension, and morally gray characters, Dolls & Daggers is a wickedly dark romantic comedy that’ll have you laughing, gasping, and swooning in equal measure.
Tropes
Rivals to Lovers
Workplace
Revenge
Forced Proximity
Touch Him/Her and Die
Feminine Rage
Morally Gray FMC
She’s the Masked One
Pink Obsessed
Height Difference (she’s 5’ he’s 6’2)
376 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2025
686 people are currently reading
5235 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Darby
14 books338 followersD.L. Darby lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, dog, and cat. When she’s not working at her salon, she enjoys reading, hiking (when the weather is nice), and watching silly reality t.v. shows. She loves to travel and one day hopes to be able to attend all of the bookish conventions in one year.
You can find her on TikTok @d.l.darby_author
Or join her reader group on FB at D.L. Darby’s Darlings
You can find her on TikTok @d.l.darby_author
Or join her reader group on FB at D.L. Darby’s Darlings
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
December 20, 2025
❝ sometimes monsters are just broken people, hiding their scars from a world that has hurt them. ❞
my brain thought we were getting "workplace rivalry with a side of morally gray." my brain was wrong. this is workplace rivalry with a whole-ass secret vigilante identity tucked into an cute little hello kitty purse.
₊˚꒰ 𖧷 ꒱ ⊹ i. plot and characters. ₊˚⊹ ꒱
imagine a woman who could absolutely win employee of the month, but also has the vibes of a decorative porcelain doll that might stab you if you breathe too loudly in her vicinity. that is the energy here. dove carroway is out here balancing a professional life that says "i have a linkedin profile" and a secret life that says "i have a dagger, a mission, and a list of men who should fear god and women’s rage." and honestly? good for her. by day, she's a pink-obsessed media journalist, writing splashy articles about the city’s infamous vigilante serial killer, the baby doll killer. by night, she's the baby doll killer herself, putting abusers through the permanent hr process for preying on kids and teens. it's girlboss, gaslight, gut a predator.
meanwhile, our boy, wrenley campbell, storms into the newsroom as the new golden boy. he's annoyingly compotent, charming to literally everyone but dove, low-key obsessed with the baby doll killer and determined to get "his" big story about her. so of course he becomes dove’s direct work rival, accidentally makes her job harder, and does not realize his mysterious murder crush and his irritating coworker are the same five-foot war crime in pretty glittery heels.
we get workplace rivalry, serial killer logistics, and a serial killer book club. yes, there is literally a serial killer book club™ featuring other murder weirdos like bunny, and it somehow manages to be both unhinged and wholesome at the same time. also, "snacksidental cannibalism" means jerky is ruined forever.
things escalate when their professional beef hits too close to home. wren starts digging into the baby doll killer. dove realizes his investigation could expose her and solution? obviously show up in his world as her masked alter ego and attempts to terrorize him into backing off, because communication is for emotionally healthy people.
₊˚꒰ 𖧷 ꒱ ⊹ ii. romance. ₊˚⊹ ꒱
the romance is workplace rivals to lovers with a dash of he falls first, obviously. one minute he's like "i will expose the baby doll killer," and the next he's two steps from making a vision board titled "reasons i'd let her ruin my life."
dove, meanwhile, is an absolute chaos cocktail of pink lip gloss, clinical levels of compartmentalization, and deeply rooted childhood trauma that fuels her kill list. i did like how their trauma actually matters to the plot instead of just being "tragic backstory flavoring," watching them slowly peel back layers instead of insta-dumping secrets, and the way wren is obsessed with the idea of the baby doll killer before he realizes he's been arguing with her in the office all along.
but sometimes the relationship speed was giving "we went from arguing over emails to emotionally entangled homicide-adjacent soulmate vibes in 0.2 business days." did i still eat it up with a spoon? yes. am i allowed to complain anyway? also yes.
₊˚꒰ 𖧷 ꒱ ⊹ iii. conclusion ₊˚⊹ ꒱
why is it 3.5 stars and not a full slay? because i am a hater with a heart and lovingly judgmental. the romance slaps. the banter is actually funny, the longing feels earned, you get why they cling so hard to each other. wren is deliciously obsessed in that "golden retriever who will absolutely maul someone for you" type of way.
however, there are places where it feels like one honest conversation could’ve undone a chunk of angst, but then, we’d lose half the pining. also, a little peeve i had was that wren’s world feels very dove-centric. she gets friends, book club, murder hobbies, and he mostly has...? the gym? and being in love with her. i wanted slightly more independence for my boy.
so, not quite a perfectly balanced romance arc, but deeply entertaining and emotionally juicy enough that i still inhaled it. also, this may be the longest review i've ever chaotically written??
— 3.5 stars. ⋆˚☆˖°.ᐟ
.° ༘🎧ྀི⋆ favourite quotes 🖇₊˚ෆ
“i wanted our first time to be monumental—memorable. i suppose having a rapidly cooling body stuffed like a sausage in a prickly, coarse casing next to us fits the bill.”
“i will her to look at me, sending every desperate wave of choose me energy across the bar.”
“my songbird doesn’t want to kill me. he wants to kill for me.”
“don't worry, residents of wren’s apartment building. i’m not a burglar—just a serial killer here to scare the shit out of my annoyingly gorgeous work rival.”
“our friendship is the literal sense of ‘we listen, and we don’t judge.’ we just ask where to show up with our shovels and often wait for each other after a kill to be a shoulder to lean on.”
“and sometimes you just need to bond with your girlfriend by murdering someone together.”
── ⟡ ˙ 🪻༘ ₊ main tropes.
⟢ rivals-to-lovers
⟢ workplace romance
⟢ revenge
⟢ forced proximity
⟢ she’s the masked serial killer
⟢ touch him/her and die
⟢ feminine rage
⟢ pink-obsessed murder gremlin
⌗ started: 12.08.25 ⌝
⌞ finished: 12.19.25 ✦
₊˚⊹ ᰔ pre-read:
⤿ y'all know how much i love butcher & blackbird that i had to get my gremlin hands on this book, too
June 27, 2025
I picked this book up thinking it was giving Butcher and Blackbird vibes, even the TW was similar, but honestly that’s where the similarities stop. I still liked.
This book follows the Baby Doll Killer, she is a serial killer that dresses up as a doll will cute little sleep dress and wigs and a doll mask. She only kills pedophiles and she sometimes sends the videos to the police to show them who she killed and why.
Than we have both reporters that only want to write about her, one is Dove the senior reporter, the one that has the scoop on the Baby Doll Killer and she is the equivalent of if a unicorn had babies with glittering cotton candy. She is a sparkling cloud of pink, a Elle Woods of journalism, she is always in a good mood and everyone can’t help but love her.
Here than comes Wren, he is the asshole grumpy INSANELY gorgeous guy that moves in to work in the same place and “thinks” he can just walk in a charm his way into take Dove’s job right from under her feet because he is a man and he is handsome he thinks he can do it, almost like he thinks he is entitled to it. Typical man mentality… 🙄🙄🙄
But he wasn’t expecting the storm of glitter and sugar cookies sunshine that would hit him hard where it counts.
So we have workplace rivals romance, we have serial killer, obsessed man (with the doll but also Dove even when he doesn’t want to be), they pull pranks on each other. The thing I didn’t like is that Wren was pretty mean towards Dove in the beginning and I kept waiting for her to hit him HARD and she never did and he deserved. I love bully romance and dark romance, I read the most unhinged books with literally unforgivable MMC’s but I love when the FMC hits back, when she has fight in her and spunk, when she makes them work for and grovel. Because who the fuck likes a doormat ? 😡 she is not a “doormat “ per say but she also doesn’t give the lesson he needs it and that bothered me. I also didn’t love him, I like her wayyyyyyyyyyy more, he was too weak in my opinion. I can’t actually wait to read Bunny and Hunter’s book when it comes out, this one seems like she will have more fight in her. Overall it was good, I liked.
This book follows the Baby Doll Killer, she is a serial killer that dresses up as a doll will cute little sleep dress and wigs and a doll mask. She only kills pedophiles and she sometimes sends the videos to the police to show them who she killed and why.
Than we have both reporters that only want to write about her, one is Dove the senior reporter, the one that has the scoop on the Baby Doll Killer and she is the equivalent of if a unicorn had babies with glittering cotton candy. She is a sparkling cloud of pink, a Elle Woods of journalism, she is always in a good mood and everyone can’t help but love her.
Here than comes Wren, he is the asshole grumpy INSANELY gorgeous guy that moves in to work in the same place and “thinks” he can just walk in a charm his way into take Dove’s job right from under her feet because he is a man and he is handsome he thinks he can do it, almost like he thinks he is entitled to it. Typical man mentality… 🙄🙄🙄
But he wasn’t expecting the storm of glitter and sugar cookies sunshine that would hit him hard where it counts.
So we have workplace rivals romance, we have serial killer, obsessed man (with the doll but also Dove even when he doesn’t want to be), they pull pranks on each other. The thing I didn’t like is that Wren was pretty mean towards Dove in the beginning and I kept waiting for her to hit him HARD and she never did and he deserved. I love bully romance and dark romance, I read the most unhinged books with literally unforgivable MMC’s but I love when the FMC hits back, when she has fight in her and spunk, when she makes them work for and grovel. Because who the fuck likes a doormat ? 😡 she is not a “doormat “ per say but she also doesn’t give the lesson he needs it and that bothered me. I also didn’t love him, I like her wayyyyyyyyyyy more, he was too weak in my opinion. I can’t actually wait to read Bunny and Hunter’s book when it comes out, this one seems like she will have more fight in her. Overall it was good, I liked.
August 7, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up! At first I thought this was going to turn into another Butcher & Blackbird between the cover and the trigger warning list. But I was wrong it’s definitely different. But if you did enjoy Butcher & Blackbird you need to read this asap!
November 5, 2025
Ця книга наче ковток свіжого повітря. Тут все що я люблю: жарти, чорний гумор, одержимі головні герої, прихована особистість, колеги по роботі і цей список можна продовжувати. Двома словами 100% попадання.
Я навіть не хотіла дочитувати, а другу книгу я навіть не знаю як дочекатись😍
Мені в ній сподобалось абсолютно все, я і сміялась і закочувала очі і кричала тут на всю хату, мені було і смішно з головних героїв і хотілось плакати моментами за їхнє минуле і за їхні травми. Але як не крути книга афігенна, однозначно в моєму топі.
Ще страшннно сподобався стиль написання авторки тому треба придивитись і до інших її книг🥰
Я навіть не хотіла дочитувати, а другу книгу я навіть не знаю як дочекатись😍
Мені в ній сподобалось абсолютно все, я і сміялась і закочувала очі і кричала тут на всю хату, мені було і смішно з головних героїв і хотілось плакати моментами за їхнє минуле і за їхні травми. Але як не крути книга афігенна, однозначно в моєму топі.
Ще страшннно сподобався стиль написання авторки тому треба придивитись і до інших її книг🥰
August 13, 2025
No es un libro para todo el mundo, tiene muchas escenas gráficas (y unas que me hicieron enojar 😑) pero era lo que yo esperaba y quería en este momento, que me mantuviera con los ojos abiertos por el que pasará 🤔
Si te gustó «Butcherd & Blackbird" probablemente este también te pueda gustar ☺️♥️
🫵LEAN BIEN LAS ADVERTENCIAS ☝️
Si te gustó «Butcherd & Blackbird" probablemente este también te pueda gustar ☺️♥️
🫵LEAN BIEN LAS ADVERTENCIAS ☝️
Read
December 7, 2025The premise was really intriguing!
However, there were some things that had me second guessing.
The hero was either troubled or hesitant as to accept the heroine’s sexual advances.
Moreover, she reminded him of his mother and that was a point that put me off. While his background had not fully unraveled at that point, it was clear that he was abused by his mother.
Dnf @ 44%
However, there were some things that had me second guessing.
The hero was either troubled or hesitant as to accept the heroine’s sexual advances.
Moreover, she reminded him of his mother and that was a point that put me off. While his background had not fully unraveled at that point, it was clear that he was abused by his mother.
Dnf @ 44%
June 6, 2025
10/10 ⭐️ 3.75🌶
“Sometimes monsters are just broken people, hiding their scars from a world that has hurt them,”
triggers: child grooming, loads of death, family trauma, cannibalism, domestic violence
oh how I absolutely ate this book up and left no crumbs, I adored both dove and wrens stories. this book was so much more than just a smutty serial killer romance, it had so many Underneath layers that make it so easy to pick and sort through.
Dove Calloway, in her all but very colorful pink world has been known for her eccentric style and raising an entire news firm back from the dead, but really it's her captivating stories of "the babydoll killer" and what makes it even more interesting is her literal connection to her. but I won't spoil too much.
Wren Campbell, a brooding but walking charmer who gets ladies to usually fawn over his ridiculous smile except one, who wants to desperately fall so hard, but what demons is he hiding and can dove truly trust him with anything? is it just for an exposé piece or is there something more. Guy who moved just to uncover secrets about the infamous doll killer only to be head over heels in admiration for her strength to be taking down guys who prey on children only to hope she'll help him with his own? we shall see..
this book had such heavy triggers but the characters both took each other and healed the parts of one another that neither had caused but of course it's better to heal with someone who understands than without and that's exactly what they did. I loved their chemistry and the non stop banter had me giggling out loud, I definitely loved this a lot and it for sure reminded me a ton of butcher and Blackbird. I most definitely enjoyed this author and this book and I cannot wait for the second one to come out.
“Sometimes monsters are just broken people, hiding their scars from a world that has hurt them,”
triggers: child grooming, loads of death, family trauma, cannibalism, domestic violence
oh how I absolutely ate this book up and left no crumbs, I adored both dove and wrens stories. this book was so much more than just a smutty serial killer romance, it had so many Underneath layers that make it so easy to pick and sort through.
Dove Calloway, in her all but very colorful pink world has been known for her eccentric style and raising an entire news firm back from the dead, but really it's her captivating stories of "the babydoll killer" and what makes it even more interesting is her literal connection to her. but I won't spoil too much.
Wren Campbell, a brooding but walking charmer who gets ladies to usually fawn over his ridiculous smile except one, who wants to desperately fall so hard, but what demons is he hiding and can dove truly trust him with anything? is it just for an exposé piece or is there something more. Guy who moved just to uncover secrets about the infamous doll killer only to be head over heels in admiration for her strength to be taking down guys who prey on children only to hope she'll help him with his own? we shall see..
this book had such heavy triggers but the characters both took each other and healed the parts of one another that neither had caused but of course it's better to heal with someone who understands than without and that's exactly what they did. I loved their chemistry and the non stop banter had me giggling out loud, I definitely loved this a lot and it for sure reminded me a ton of butcher and Blackbird. I most definitely enjoyed this author and this book and I cannot wait for the second one to come out.
May 26, 2025
If you read Butcher & Blackbird and you need a quirky dark romcom, look no further! This book is funny and dark with justice served.
July 10, 2025
Absolute FIRE!! I loved the entire book from start to finish(even the doggy treats LOL) It was funny, engaging, great plot line, great characters all around, and honestly a perfect palate cleanser. While I loved this book for the good times, I want to say thank you to the author for not ignoring Wren. His past trauma was so beautifully written and not glossed over. 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.
August 28, 2025
this was funn 💕
June 19, 2025
2,5⭐️
Tenía muy buena premisa y le tenía muchas ganas, pero meh 🤡.
Tenía muy buena premisa y le tenía muchas ganas, pero meh 🤡.
July 3, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had some trepidation picking this one up because the cover and TW were so similar to Butcher & Blackbird (one of my favorite books of all time). Thankfully, there truly were no similarities other than the cover and the accidental cannibalism trope.
I really liked Dove and her motivations for being the Baby Doll killer. The two sides to her made her a deeply interesting character beyond the initial Elle Woods or Sabrina Carpenter outward personality.
Wrenly is a deliciously obsessed MMC. Except he’s obsessed with Dove’s serial killer alter ego and can’t stand Dove when they first meet. He also had a surprisingly complex back story and fantastic character arc.
The spice in this book also spiced hard!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I had some trepidation picking this one up because the cover and TW were so similar to Butcher & Blackbird (one of my favorite books of all time). Thankfully, there truly were no similarities other than the cover and the accidental cannibalism trope.
I really liked Dove and her motivations for being the Baby Doll killer. The two sides to her made her a deeply interesting character beyond the initial Elle Woods or Sabrina Carpenter outward personality.
Wrenly is a deliciously obsessed MMC. Except he’s obsessed with Dove’s serial killer alter ego and can’t stand Dove when they first meet. He also had a surprisingly complex back story and fantastic character arc.
The spice in this book also spiced hard!
June 23, 2025
Had to come back to not only lower the rating, but to say....THE AUTHOR not only commented on this, and messaged me on TikTok....as you can see, her little girl cronies are also attempting to ....actually, I don't know what they're attempting. 😂🤣 I guess the author has since removed her comment. So, if you want to be stalked by an author and her flock....just give an HONEST review, and BOOM, they're OBSESSED.
We just going to skip over the fact that the FMC feeds her dog human d!ck meat?!?!?!?
Came back to add, I pre-ordered this book, and the cover doesn't close. Apparently, no one noticed the cover of this book standing straight up while they were wrapping it. (That's what I was told anyway).
We just going to skip over the fact that the FMC feeds her dog human d!ck meat?!?!?!?
Came back to add, I pre-ordered this book, and the cover doesn't close. Apparently, no one noticed the cover of this book standing straight up while they were wrapping it. (That's what I was told anyway).
November 21, 2025
It was okay, except for those stupid bird pet names. What is this, a zoo?
June 3, 2025
I knew from the moment I saw the cover that I wanted to read this book. Then I started seeing the teasers for it and became obsessed with needing to read it as soon as possible!
This book had everything I want in a romance including a
sassy, feisty heroine who knows what she wants, witty banter, and hilarious shenanigans. It was the perfect blend of dark elements with romcom vibes, making it the perfect balance with some of the trauma it covered.
I’ve never rooted harder for two characters more than I did for these two. This story was amazing and I stand by my statement that this book belongs on every bookshelf in every book store. It absolutely deserves the attention it would get with new readers falling in love with it once they start reading it.
Seriously— go read it. While I’m sure you’ll love it, I don’t know that anyone can love it as much as I did.
This book had everything I want in a romance including a
sassy, feisty heroine who knows what she wants, witty banter, and hilarious shenanigans. It was the perfect blend of dark elements with romcom vibes, making it the perfect balance with some of the trauma it covered.
I’ve never rooted harder for two characters more than I did for these two. This story was amazing and I stand by my statement that this book belongs on every bookshelf in every book store. It absolutely deserves the attention it would get with new readers falling in love with it once they start reading it.
Seriously— go read it. While I’m sure you’ll love it, I don’t know that anyone can love it as much as I did.
August 1, 2025
2.5⭐️ I want to start off by saying that I loved the “reverse” theme considering we’re probably (mostly) used to serial unalivers always being male. It was a refreshing new take on the MC being female. This book popped up on my socials recently and immediately jumped to the top of my TBR—cause’ if you know me, I’m quick to jump on any read involving a masked MC.
With that said—realizing this review is in the minority—I didn’t think the story brought anything unique to this trope. Wait—unless we’re counting beef jerky. Cause’ first time for everything. Gag. Funny gag. But still gag. Anyway, a generally predictable story that just didn’t have that spark I was looking for. Is this the start of a series? Yes. Will I still read the next book(s) in said series? Also yes.
With that said—realizing this review is in the minority—I didn’t think the story brought anything unique to this trope. Wait—unless we’re counting beef jerky. Cause’ first time for everything. Gag. Funny gag. But still gag. Anyway, a generally predictable story that just didn’t have that spark I was looking for. Is this the start of a series? Yes. Will I still read the next book(s) in said series? Also yes.
May 20, 2025
Absolute, utter perfection.
Dolls and Daggers had be gasping, laughing, and turning the page. It’s UN-PUT-DOWN-ABLE- and don’t come at me for that not being a word.
Dove is the personification of bubble gum pink. In my head she’s a perfect mix of Sabrina Carpenter in TASTE and Dove Cameron as Mal in Descendents- IYKYK.
Her character was sassy, stabby and bad assy, and I loved her one liners. And can we talk about the star of the show? FANG!!! Only Chinese Created I’ll ever have love for 😂
Wren- my my did Wren have some growth in this storyline. I loved seeing his character develop, and his confidence grow from page to page. Not only is he deliciously sweet and funny, he’s a dirty talker and I loved seeing his dominance shine through on the page.
And, if the story and main characters aren’t enough, DL has a knack for writing the best side characters! Bunny and Hunter- 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 - I can’t wait for their story. Like. Lord have mercy that Hunter.
This book was the merger mix of dark romance, funny moments, and the perfect amount of spice to get you hot and heavy. This book does mention multiple triggers so please check your TW.
I can’t wait for everyone to read Dolls & Daggers.🗡️
Dolls and Daggers had be gasping, laughing, and turning the page. It’s UN-PUT-DOWN-ABLE- and don’t come at me for that not being a word.
Dove is the personification of bubble gum pink. In my head she’s a perfect mix of Sabrina Carpenter in TASTE and Dove Cameron as Mal in Descendents- IYKYK.
Her character was sassy, stabby and bad assy, and I loved her one liners. And can we talk about the star of the show? FANG!!! Only Chinese Created I’ll ever have love for 😂
Wren- my my did Wren have some growth in this storyline. I loved seeing his character develop, and his confidence grow from page to page. Not only is he deliciously sweet and funny, he’s a dirty talker and I loved seeing his dominance shine through on the page.
And, if the story and main characters aren’t enough, DL has a knack for writing the best side characters! Bunny and Hunter- 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 - I can’t wait for their story. Like. Lord have mercy that Hunter.
This book was the merger mix of dark romance, funny moments, and the perfect amount of spice to get you hot and heavy. This book does mention multiple triggers so please check your TW.
I can’t wait for everyone to read Dolls & Daggers.🗡️
July 19, 2025
Say what now???
This book felt like B&B evil twin that got dropped on its head and raised by Reddit. No structure, no romance, just pure pink chaos.
Dove (our FMC with a PhD in daddy issues and zero self preservation) is out here serving her dog jerky made from a man’s… 🍆
I am not okay. That’s not dark romance, that’s a cry for help in paperback form.
Look, I love morally gray girlies. I’m here for murder, madness, and accidental cannibalism (not feed your whole office type like Wren did) if it serves the plot. But this? This read like it was written at 3AM by someone who lost a bet and hit publish before sobering up.
This book felt like B&B evil twin that got dropped on its head and raised by Reddit. No structure, no romance, just pure pink chaos.
Dove (our FMC with a PhD in daddy issues and zero self preservation) is out here serving her dog jerky made from a man’s… 🍆
I am not okay. That’s not dark romance, that’s a cry for help in paperback form.
Look, I love morally gray girlies. I’m here for murder, madness, and accidental cannibalism (not feed your whole office type like Wren did) if it serves the plot. But this? This read like it was written at 3AM by someone who lost a bet and hit publish before sobering up.
June 21, 2025
hmmmm
It was okay. It sometimes tended to get better but it was like I was reading butcher and blackbird. This book was like the SHEIN version of it. Even thought the characters were different i was getting distracted 🤷🏻♀️ probably a 5 start but not for me personally.
It was okay. It sometimes tended to get better but it was like I was reading butcher and blackbird. This book was like the SHEIN version of it. Even thought the characters were different i was getting distracted 🤷🏻♀️ probably a 5 start but not for me personally.
November 8, 2025
So here for the serial killer book club with Dove & Bunny! This was such a fun one to listen to!! Performed in duet by Lucy Rivers & Aaron Shedlock and I think they both did a wonderful job at bringing this book to life! The banter and tension between Dove & Wren was so good and so fitting for them being rivals! Both of them have been through some past trauma and I do love when they start sharing their vulnerable sides with each other. Check the TW if you need to, but if you want a darker rom com, then I’d definitely recommend! Can’t wait for more of this series!
Read if you enjoy:
🗡️Rivals to Lovers
💗 Workplace
🗡️ Revenge
💗 Forced Proximity
🗡️ Touch Him/Her and Die
💗 Feminine Rage
🗡️ Morally Gray FMC
💗 She’s the Masked Serial Killer
Thank you so much to D.L. Darby & Blue Nose Audio for letting me listen/review an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
Read if you enjoy:
🗡️Rivals to Lovers
💗 Workplace
🗡️ Revenge
💗 Forced Proximity
🗡️ Touch Him/Her and Die
💗 Feminine Rage
🗡️ Morally Gray FMC
💗 She’s the Masked Serial Killer
Thank you so much to D.L. Darby & Blue Nose Audio for letting me listen/review an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
November 13, 2025
I wanted to read this because the FMC was the morally grey and the feminine rage, and it did not disappoint. Dove is a vicious thing by night and an Elle Woods by day and I absolutely love it. You would literally never realize Dove is the Baby Doll killer with her day time persona.
Wren aka song bird is a walking hot mess; it’s great to read a book where the roles are completely reversed and fully enjoy it. Wren needed Dove to help him overcome and conquer his demons.
There are parts where hilarious and others where you wanted to face palm but overall thoroughly enjoyed it.
I listened to this as an audiobook and Lucy River definitely captured the Elle Woods vibes I was getting from Dove. Aaron Shedlock never disappoints on any audiobook I listen of his. The way he switches through Wren’s emotions flawlessly was chef kiss
Wren aka song bird is a walking hot mess; it’s great to read a book where the roles are completely reversed and fully enjoy it. Wren needed Dove to help him overcome and conquer his demons.
There are parts where hilarious and others where you wanted to face palm but overall thoroughly enjoyed it.
I listened to this as an audiobook and Lucy River definitely captured the Elle Woods vibes I was getting from Dove. Aaron Shedlock never disappoints on any audiobook I listen of his. The way he switches through Wren’s emotions flawlessly was chef kiss
November 14, 2025
An easy 5 start listen for me, loved the cat and mouse vibes with this one it’s very fast paced showing you and telling you details you need to know for both MMC and FMC.
The FMC is a unliver who gives vibes of being a vigilante. The MMC is what one would say “he fell first” in some sense
Both characters get their own back story with this one. It gives a glimpse of who they are and how certain topics plays a part within the story. It’s heavy with some topics so make sure to check the T/Ws if you love work place romance with dark romance and comedy vibes that feels like butcher and blackbird this is something you’ll love!
The narration is done perfectly for this, especially with the vibes of cat and mouse going on between both characters
The production team knew exactly what they were doing with this one.
It’s the perfect balance of romance darkness comedy and spice.
The FMC is a unliver who gives vibes of being a vigilante. The MMC is what one would say “he fell first” in some sense
Both characters get their own back story with this one. It gives a glimpse of who they are and how certain topics plays a part within the story. It’s heavy with some topics so make sure to check the T/Ws if you love work place romance with dark romance and comedy vibes that feels like butcher and blackbird this is something you’ll love!
The narration is done perfectly for this, especially with the vibes of cat and mouse going on between both characters
The production team knew exactly what they were doing with this one.
It’s the perfect balance of romance darkness comedy and spice.
September 2, 2025
Witty and smutty. What a fun read. Never eating jerky again 😂.
October 26, 2025
Loved loved loved this book
Is there anything hotter than a FMC serial killer and an obsessed mmc??! (Only in fiction of course ..)
One of my favourite books I've read this year and I cannot WAIT for book 2
🌶️🌶️🌶️spice rating
Is there anything hotter than a FMC serial killer and an obsessed mmc??! (Only in fiction of course ..)
One of my favourite books I've read this year and I cannot WAIT for book 2
🌶️🌶️🌶️spice rating
December 17, 2025
loved THIS SO GOD DAMN MUCH! AHHHH
July 3, 2025
Obsessed with the fact its the FMC who’s the serial killer!! Dove is such an icon, one of my fave fmcs of the year🤩
This book was wild and i really enjoyed it!!
I felt like the second half kept having moments when it was missing context and I felt like i’d missed information
The accidental cannablism💀
The way Wren is so obsessed with Dove, as he should be!! But also i love that she punches him in the face😂
“You feel like home”🥹
This book was wild and i really enjoyed it!!
I felt like the second half kept having moments when it was missing context and I felt like i’d missed information
The accidental cannablism💀
The way Wren is so obsessed with Dove, as he should be!! But also i love that she punches him in the face😂
“You feel like home”🥹
June 26, 2025
Maybe even into the 2⭐️ range? 2.5⭐️?
I went into this as a huge Butcher & Blackbird and Lights Out fan, so I did have the expectation that I could love it. And while I enjoyed aspects of it, it didn’t quite hit for me.
First, I have to say, as a dog owner who loves their dog very much… I was extremely grossed out by her solution for ridding herself of certain human parts… like what?? That’s not funny. It’s gross.
So that aside, something about the relationship just didn’t come through for me. The FMC felt so desperate over and over, and while we got the MMCs pov (thank god) and knew he was interested.. the fact he never actually decided to make a move but then just randomly flips in a second was meh for me. I need my guy to care enough to pursue at least a little and I’m sorry but pranks followed by rejection and insulting names isn’t it for me. Then it was insta-love. So that felt rushed.
I’m not exactly sure what the main issue was with this story, but I think maybe it was just trying too hard to do what felt really easy in the other books in this genre I’ve loved. It felt forced and that impacted the feel of the pacing and connections in the story.
I went into this as a huge Butcher & Blackbird and Lights Out fan, so I did have the expectation that I could love it. And while I enjoyed aspects of it, it didn’t quite hit for me.
First, I have to say, as a dog owner who loves their dog very much… I was extremely grossed out by her solution for ridding herself of certain human parts… like what?? That’s not funny. It’s gross.
So that aside, something about the relationship just didn’t come through for me. The FMC felt so desperate over and over, and while we got the MMCs pov (thank god) and knew he was interested.. the fact he never actually decided to make a move but then just randomly flips in a second was meh for me. I need my guy to care enough to pursue at least a little and I’m sorry but pranks followed by rejection and insulting names isn’t it for me. Then it was insta-love. So that felt rushed.
I’m not exactly sure what the main issue was with this story, but I think maybe it was just trying too hard to do what felt really easy in the other books in this genre I’ve loved. It felt forced and that impacted the feel of the pacing and connections in the story.
June 23, 2025
I wanted to love this book, I really did. However it read like a weird mashup of Butcher and Blackbird and Mindfuck Series. 10% of the book felt like actual plot and the rest was fluff that I didn’t think really served a purpose.
November 10, 2025
Друга частина ще не вийшла😭😭😭 як жорстоко, я вже збиралася почати її в оригіналі.
Ця книга була саме тим, що мені було потрібно і чого я не чекала. Лялька та її кинджал, Голубка та її Співоча Пташка, як я фанатіла від їхніх пестливих імен (і не дуже😏)
–Кінчи для матусі
Я на початку книги:🔥🫦
І вкінці книги:☠️
Як Ренлі не отримав панічку - загадка, певно був під занадто великим враженням для цього.
– Аби тільки мати це. Мати її
Якщо ваш хлопець не такий, то навіщо він🤌
– Все гаразд. Я "їла" член раніше
Обікрали їжу бідного Фенга всім офісом🥺🤣 люблю гумор Дав
Загалом книга невеличка, проковтнула її за день (та вибачте мене всі, хто тижнями/місяцями старається заради наших душ, які потім книги за день проковтують😁💗). Такого героя я певно ще ніде не зустрічала, він не звичний мачо-мільярдер-накачений прес-вирішу всі твої проблеми, і цим він мені імпонував ще більше. Дав - це щось з чимось, і хто після цього скаже, що рожеві блискітки не можуть вбити. Коли книга підходила до заключення - мені хотілося продовження, хоча були певні моменти з дрібкою запитань, але наші герої також не прості та моя повага до Дав, яка запропонувала їм обом пройти терапію заради їхнього спільного майбутнього🥹 І знову ж таки, я б читала ще і ще, про терапію, освідчення, весілля, вбивства, чи Дав назавжди залишиться в цій сфері, чи вирішать вони завести дитину після всього, чи будуть вони змінювати роботу, чи переїдуть на інше місце і ще купа моментів, на які я вимагаю розширений епілог, який розставить всі крапки над "і", але не можу не сказати, що в даному закінчення також є щось таке загадково-прекрасне з натяком на майбутнє.
Ну і забула згадати за гарячі сцени 18+, обожнюю як вони обидва віддавали контроль один одному😮💨
Ну і наша другорядна парочка чекатиме нас в 2026😩
А містер поліцейський має свою темну сторону:
–Гарний мисливець також повинен бути відмінним сталкером
Як мені хочеться прочитати їхню книгу, словами не передати.
"When a reckless night leads to an unplanned pregnancy". Я знала!! Я ЗНАЛА!!! Коли Банні "з'їла щось не те", нехороша піца, у якої чомусь виростуть ручки і ножки😂 але як складно буде туди дібратися, і чи залишать вони дитину (але за всіма логіками книжок, впевнена на 99,9%, що так), але Банні потрібно впустити Хантера, а після її минулого це буде дуже не просто, я сподіваюся, що її травми не зруйнують усе🥺
Ця книга була саме тим, що мені було потрібно і чого я не чекала. Лялька та її кинджал, Голубка та її Співоча Пташка, як я фанатіла від їхніх пестливих імен (і не дуже😏)
–Кінчи для матусі
Я на початку книги:🔥🫦
І вкінці книги:☠️
Як Ренлі не отримав панічку - загадка, певно був під занадто великим враженням для цього.
– Аби тільки мати це. Мати її
Якщо ваш хлопець не такий, то навіщо він🤌
– Все гаразд. Я "їла" член раніше
Обікрали їжу бідного Фенга всім офісом🥺🤣 люблю гумор Дав
Загалом книга невеличка, проковтнула її за день (та вибачте мене всі, хто тижнями/місяцями старається заради наших душ, які потім книги за день проковтують😁💗). Такого героя я певно ще ніде не зустрічала, він не звичний мачо-мільярдер-накачений прес-вирішу всі твої проблеми, і цим він мені імпонував ще більше. Дав - це щось з чимось, і хто після цього скаже, що рожеві блискітки не можуть вбити. Коли книга підходила до заключення - мені хотілося продовження, хоча були певні моменти з дрібкою запитань, але наші герої також не прості та моя повага до Дав, яка запропонувала їм обом пройти терапію заради їхнього спільного майбутнього🥹 І знову ж таки, я б читала ще і ще, про терапію, освідчення, весілля, вбивства, чи Дав назавжди залишиться в цій сфері, чи вирішать вони завести дитину після всього, чи будуть вони змінювати роботу, чи переїдуть на інше місце і ще купа моментів, на які я вимагаю розширений епілог, який розставить всі крапки над "і", але не можу не сказати, що в даному закінчення також є щось таке загадково-прекрасне з натяком на майбутнє.
Ну і забула згадати за гарячі сцени 18+, обожнюю як вони обидва віддавали контроль один одному😮💨
Ну і наша другорядна парочка чекатиме нас в 2026😩
А містер поліцейський має свою темну сторону:
–Гарний мисливець також повинен бути відмінним сталкером
Як мені хочеться прочитати їхню книгу, словами не передати.
"When a reckless night leads to an unplanned pregnancy". Я знала!! Я ЗНАЛА!!! Коли Банні "з'їла щось не те", нехороша піца, у якої чомусь виростуть ручки і ножки😂 але як складно буде туди дібратися, і чи залишать вони дитину (але за всіма логіками книжок, впевнена на 99,9%, що так), але Банні потрібно впустити Хантера, а після її минулого це буде дуже не просто, я сподіваюся, що її травми не зруйнують усе🥺
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