Songbird in the Gallows

by Alta Hensley

From the bestselling author of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping comes a dark romance about a murder-sober retired serial killer and his murder-curious protégé. Perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver, this twisted romance inspired by the Bluebeard folktale is filled with dark humor, sizzling chemistry, and spice.

Murder is their love language…

Five years ago, Saylor Mitchell’s father was brutally murdered in front of her, shattering her world. Now his killers have tracked her down to finish the job. She is unexpectedly saved by her father’s closest friend, the enigmatic Blue. Saylor's savior—and captor— is a reformed, murder-sober assassin struggling to escape the clutches of his own violent history.

Blue’s gothic mansion, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a stormy sea in the town of Grimlock, is a labyrinth of secrets. And so is Grimlock, a small town whose residents all seem to have a penchant for murder that they’ve managed—mostly— to overcome.

Saylor soon realizes that Blue holds the key to avenging her father’s murder at the hands of the Crow, a gang of amoral contract killers. Only problem? Saylor has never killed before. Good thing those who can’t kill…teach.

Blue finds Saylor an apt pupil and the attraction between them morphs into a dangerous obsession. Can their love conquer Blue’s final, darkest secret?



Morally grey leadsTouch her and dieDad’s best friendPossessivenessGothic mansionMurder mysteryForbidden loveAge gapForced proximityAnti-heroDark romanceGothic romanceFairytale retelling

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Smut, Gothic

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 30, 2026

About the author

Alta Hensley is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of dark romance where the villain always gets the happily ever after.

Twisted, clever, and occasionally unhinged, her books deliver morally gray anti-heroes, sharp-tongued heroines, and happily ever afters that taste even sweeter after a little ruin. With a signature blend of grit, wit, and heat, Alta’s stories prove one thing: Villains deserve love too.

Alta lives on the foggy coast of Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and a pair of dogs who think they’re in charge. When she’s not writing redemption for the irredeemable, she’s walking the coastline or sipping craft beer in eccentric little bars that feel like they belong in her books.

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Reviews

[Cdoc's Library]

This book just wasn't for me. There were elements that were lovely, like the Gothic small town of Grimlock and its impeccably charming residents. Unfortunately as a whole the book fell flat, which I am super sad about because I thought I was really going to love this one. 

🐦‍⬛ Dark "Romcom"
🐦 Morally Grey Leads
🐦‍⬛ Touch Her & Die 
🐦 Gothic Small Town
🐦‍⬛ Dad's Best Friend
🐦 Age Gap (20 years)
🐦‍⬛ Retired K*ller in Therapy

Without getting into it too much, I just didn't feel a connection to the two main characters really at all. So obviously, when they started getting together, it just didn't interest me. 

I really wanted to root for Saylor because I love seeing an FMC transform and really become a power house... but her transformation didn't sell me. Frankly Blue didn't teach her much of anything. I thought he was going to be giving her full lessons, not just "oh here's a body, stab it!"??? Like she was learning nothing other than she's squeamish of blood. I wanted him to teach her self defense, how to hold her own, how to track down these men, and really teach her how to be a killer. Instead he did basically everything for her, and she would just accidentally fumble her way through. It was just a terrible character arc for her.

And Blue was fine. I loved his therapy sessions (Dr. Jay gets 5⭐'s all day long!), and I loved his relationship with Hans and Wren, but other than that I just didn't feel a huge connection to him.

I will say the town of Grimlock, is a gem! The world building was great and hopefully this is the start of a series that includes some of these other really vibrant characters (Hans, Wren, Dr. Jay Finch, etc.) So many of them had such intriguing and mysterious backgrounds. There is potential! Hopefully it was just this particular pairing of Saylor and Blue that just wasn't right for me and not the author as a whole. 

The side characters are where the book shinned... and ultimately where I got really angry in the end 🫣. I won't say what happens, but something happens towards the end that for me went from me feeling nothing, to being inexplicably angry. And it's also the reason I wouldn't consider this to be a "romcom". Yes there is a little humor in the dialogue, but this is for me a dark romance (sans the comedy). 

Overall, this again just wasn't for me. I feel like we spent almost too much time building the world, and describing the town than we did actually building a convincing connection between Saylor and Blue. I just didn't connect to either of them, and I really tried to! I ended up skimming a bit of this, and if it wasn't an ARC I don't know if I would have finished it. With that being said, I won't completely turn away from this author quite yet, because I do think there is potential in the future. I always like to give authors a few shots before saying they aren't for me, so if the author is planning on continuing the series I would be intrigued to see who from the town the author would focus on next. 

** Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for the eARC of this in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼

Overall: 2.5 ⭐'s

[Rea ♡ㅤ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Alta Hensley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!🐦‍⬛🗝️

3.75/5 ⭐️

We had some of the best tropes lined up for this one. Morally grey fmc AND mmc. Gothic romance. Age gap, dad's best friend, ex-serial killer (HELLO!) Sounds so good in theory. A few things just missed the mark for me.

The story starts with Saylor Mitchell, whose father was murdered in front of her. 5 years into hiding, she's taken an under the table job as a jazz singer when, enter, Blue. Dad's best friend, here to save her and fulfill a promise he made to Saylor's late father to 'protect her' from the same men that killed him. The Crows. Blue himself is an ex-killer, having sworn it off, but easily persuaded into 'just teaching' when dead best friend's daughter is ready to exact revenge for her father. Not to mention, he find's said daughter very, very attractive. Of course.

The gothic town of Grimlock and Blue's mansion, Maison Rouge, is where the story peaks. Hensley's descriptions of the town, the townsfolk, the parties and elaborate dinners are next level. She takes extra care to depict each detail of the scene, making for a more immersive reading experience. My complaint with this, while the theming was fantastic, was that it left less room for character connection. Without removing any of the thematic elements, I wished there was more space for character interactions and relationship growth between Blue and Saylor. It left the relationship feeling a bit superficial and empty by the ending.

A big trope in this story is age gap. You could feel it in this one, for how little it's mentioned. Saylor's reactions to things happening, and decisions she makes really show her age. Which isn't inherently wrong, in fact it's more realistic. It did make for petty arguments though. At least, petty compared to more pressing issues happening during the book at the same time.

The humor in this book deserves to be mentioned! I found myself laughing out loud at this book. Comedic timing during murder is, well, killer. I wish I could quote some of it for you! Blue's teaching Saylor the ways of murder was often times funnier than it was serious. This book touched on so many genres!! Comedy, dark gothic romance, and fantasy. A good mix of all 3!

Songbird in The Gallows was like reading the whimsy and magic of Caraval (but gothic!!), but with Butcher and Blackbird's humorous, slasher plot line. If that sounds up your alley, this book is probably for you!

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. Alta has written some very good books and I've been a Fan for years.
This one takes a Dark turn when the heroine - Saylor Mitchell, is on a mercenary career path to avenge the brutal murder of her father Peter.
Peter actually was into witsec kinda programmer, relocating, vanishing people in danger. So he leaves a letter for Blue to protect his daughter.
Now here the story takes a gothic turn when she's gets kidnapped TWICE and is transported to Grimlock in an antique trunk
The town is mysteriously cooky at best and every dweller is here because they're running from their true urges.
Sounds vague? It was meant to.
You see Blue comes out of retirement to present all the members of Crows, a group of contract killers, to Saylor so she can sate her bloodlust
I believe three major Tropes got overlapped as gruesome intentions mixed with black humor, stirred with gothic mystery and sprinkled with intense lust.
If the story had stuck to one genre, it'd been less crowded. Personally Blue & Saylor had minimal chemistry. The towns people were more interesting and I believe if it becomes a series, then it'd been more justifiable.
All secrets need to be explored in detail, rather than rushing through it all
“3.5 stars for feathers and blood”
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[elle_lovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of this arc to review.

My favorite part of this book was the town of Grimlock. I loved the vibe of the town and the people. The descriptions of it would make me want to live there.

That said, this book was just confusing. There really wasn't chemistry between Blue and Saylor and they definitely had no build up of feelings between them. It seemed like Blue was more hung up on the "protector of Peters daughter" aspect than of attraction/relationship with Saylor. He made so many decisions based on this "Protector" role which led to a lot of communication issues and fights.
He also makes a lot of bad decisions with her around. Ignoring phone calls that he should have answered sooner--taking her out by himself and not the rest of the team for protection. Those are bad decisions that could lead to disaster-and we saw what happened with Hans.

Saylor is just so immature. Her actions/reactions to scenarios that were happening. At the end when he goes to confront Brutus, she insists on going and fights with Blue about it-yet she literally has had no real training to fight or kill. She could only get in the way and her safety could be at serious risk-which endangers everyone else worrying about protecting her instead of fighting!
She did come up with a different idea-so that physical fight did not occur.

But that whole ending was so abrupt and ended fast, like the author just got tired of writing the story and finished it.

I also felt like "where is the becoming-a-ki!!er training?" He agrees to teach her and there is no sword/knife teaching. No gun fire practice. No hand to hand combat taught to protect herself. He just brings home a person the next day for her to take care of. It just didn't make sense when he was supposed to be such an accomplished ki!!er
It seemed like the story was confused: am I a gothic/fantasty/romance/slasher book?

Overall, the story had so much potential and I was excited to read it! I just felt very let down in how it was actually written.

[Mya Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review thanks to Netgalley

Overall, 3.75 stars for Songbird in the Gallows. I'm a sucker for a good retelling and it's not very common to get one of Bluebeard. The retelling takes place after the events of the main story so Blue(beard) has already had his second wife. This book was a perfect blend of Gilmore Girls meets Butcher and Blackbird.

Spoilers Ahead:

I will start with my pros- I adored the small town vibes and the cluster of characters for the found family. The cozy aspect amongst the murder was very heartwarming. I also enjoyed Blue's development and the whole plot of being murder sober and his struggle moving forward.

Now some of the cons- I found the way the FMC was learning to kill to be very anticlimactic and somewhat bothersome. It was a killer Doordash and I found it hindered her development at meeting Blue where he's at, but I also understand that she's not supposed to match his freak if you get my drift. They meet in the middle, but her training to be killer was less that and more science lab dissection. Next was the Crows and their organization breakdown. As an avid Mafia reader, I tend to be a bit nitpicky over organized crimes in books, specifically when they are put on the backburner and not fully fleshed out. Although this is not something that hurts the book, it is something to keep in mind when going into the story. For example, I would categorize the Crows in the same category as the Queens and Monsters series-there but not as important. For an organization that is elusive and hard to take down, it felt like it was too easy to pick off their ranks for the MMC. To me, this made the revenge storyline seem underwhelming between this and the Uber Eats to Murder method.

I believe the strength of the story lies in the healing, grief and tenderness the characters embrace and feel for each other with sprinkles of dark humor in the mix with this epilogue-esc retelling.

[Merlinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this banger!!! What a ride!!

I went into Songbird in the Gallows fully expecting to enjoy it, but I did not expect to become completely obsessed with the atmosphere, the tension, and these beautifully unhinged characters. Somehow Alta Hensley managed to create a story that feels gothic, brutal, seductive, and oddly emotional all at once.

Blue is the kind of morally gray antihero that dark romance readers dream about — dangerous, possessive, terrifying to everyone except the heroine, and somehow still deeply compelling. The “retired killer who would absolutely relapse for her” energy was immaculate. And Saylor wasn’t just a passive heroine dragged through chaos; watching her slowly awaken to the darkness around her (and inside herself) made the romance feel even more twisted and addictive.

The setting deserves its own applause because Grimlock felt alive in the creepiest, most atmospheric way possible. The isolated mansion, the secrets, the violence simmering beneath every interaction — it all gave major gothic fairytale vibes with a dark romance edge.

Every chapter felt heavy with tension, whether it was emotional, sexual, or murderous.
The trope execution was exactly what I wanted:
✔ morally gray MMC
✔ age gap
✔ dad’s best friend
✔ forced proximity
✔ touch her and die
✔ obsessive protector
✔ murder mystery
✔ captor/protector tension
✔ “murder is their love language” energy

And honestly? I’ve handed out so many 5-star reads lately that I was genuinely nervous this would be the one to break the streak… but nope. This absolutely earned its place. If anything, it reminded me why I keep chasing dark romances like this in the first place.

If you love gothic dark romance with dangerous chemistry, emotionally damaged characters, and a hero who feels like a walking red flag wrapped in velvet and violence, this book delivers.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across a new release from Alta Hensley—an author I already adore—and saw that it was a dark rom com, which is basically my kryptonite. Then I read the blurb: murder sober meets murder curious. Immediately hooked. Once I hit the trigger warnings, I knew I was in for a wild ride… and Songbird in the Gallows absolutely delivered. I devoured this book in one sitting because putting it down simply wasn’t an option.

Saylor is such a fierce FMC. Her sass, her stubbornness, her determination to avenge her father—even though she can’t handle the sight of blood—made her instantly lovable. And then there’s Blue, her father’s best friend. He’s been murder sober for three years thanks to his therapist, Dr. Finch. But the moment Saylor barrels into his life, he somehow goes from retired assassin to… teacher. What follows is a hilarious, chaotic, trial and error crash course in “how to unalive someone without fainting or puking.” Blue is right beside her through all of it—protective, conflicted, and trying desperately not to fall apart.

I can’t praise this book enough. Everything just works. Grimlock is described like a gothic little hidden gem, and the characters are quirky, mysterious, and ridiculously endearing. Jay Finch with his stress balls and flask, Elliott and his pastries, Duffy and her questionable concoctions, Wren with her motherly warmth, and Hans… mein Freund. This town isn’t normal—it’s a family, and Blue is the heart of it.

The relationship between Blue and Saylor is toe curling, tender, and unexpectedly sweet. I loved watching it unfold. I would happily return to Grimlock for more stories about this strange, lovable group.

Alta Hensley nailed it again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alta Hensley delivers a dark, atmospheric romance that leans fully into morally gray territory, obsession, and power dynamics. Songbird in the Gallows is intense, unsettling at times, and exactly what you’d expect if you’re a fan of her darker stories.
The relationship between Saylor and Blue is the driving force of the novel. With elements like forced proximity, a dangerous mentor dynamic, and an age gap, their connection is immediate and charged. The chemistry is undeniable, but it’s also deliberately uncomfortable in places—this is very much a romance that pushes boundaries rather than softens them. If you enjoy possessive, “touch her and die” energy, this will absolutely work for you.
The setting adds a strong layer to the story. The isolated, gothic atmosphere and underlying tension within the town give the book an eerie, almost claustrophobic feel that enhances both the romance and the darker plot elements. It creates a sense that something is always slightly off, which keeps the pages turning.
That said, the story leans more heavily on mood, tension, and shock factor than on deeper emotional development or plot complexity. While the premise—revenge, secrets, and hidden agendas—is intriguing, it occasionally takes a backseat to the relationship dynamics. I found myself wanting a bit more depth in both character backstory and plot progression to fully balance the intensity of the romance.
Overall, this is a solid pick for readers who enjoy dark romance with high tension, morally gray characters, and a strong gothic vibe. Just be sure to check content warnings going in, as this story doesn’t hold back.

[glubglubimafish_2.0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’m being honest this book just didn’t vibe with me. Let me explain why before you give up on it!
I have read a lot of books and honestly that does play a part on whether you like a story or not. I find myself reading and thinking of other books that are similar. That was my biggest issue with this book was I thought of 3 or 4 books that just did it better.
Now was the plot uniquely its own? Yes for the most part!
Saylor is a girl who watched her father get killed in front of her by the Crow; to tie up loose ends they went after her. For 5 years she hid from them, but her luck was running out.
Blue worked with Peter and right before Peter was murdered he told Blue to watch over his daughter and keep her safe.
Blue a retired killing machine, and Saylor with a thirst for revenge against the Crow are out navigating how to 1. Keep Blue’s killing sobriety 2. Keep Saylor alive and 3. Kill every member of the Crow involved in Peter’s Death

“And let me get this straight—you’re going to hunt down murderers and bring them to me like some dark suitor offering deadly gifts? How romantic.”
“Most women prefer flowers.”
“Most women haven’t had their fathers killed by a bunch of psychopaths.”

I don’t have an exact system for my star ratings, I go off of certain things and vibes a book gives me. This one checked off some boxes, better than a handful of books I’ve rated worse but it just really wasn’t my cup of tea and that’s not to say it wouldn’t be anyone else’s!
If I haven’t scared you off Songbird in the Gallows comes out June 30th!

[Jenna Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

First off, thank you Avon & NetGalley for the ARC copy!

This was my first dive into several of the tropes woven through this story—gothic romance, murder mystery, and the ever-taboo dad’s best friend dynamic—and I’m so glad I took the chance on it. The Bluebeard-inspired elements gave the story such a dark, intriguing atmosphere, but what truly stole the show for me (besides Blue, of course) was the town itself and all of its wonderfully quirky inhabitants.

The author did an incredible job bringing Grimlock to life. It felt grounded enough to exist in our world while still carrying that eerie, magical quality that made it feel completely unique and believable. The setting had so much personality that it became a character in its own right.

I also loved the humor woven throughout the story. The sarcasm and wry tone balanced the darker elements perfectly, making this such a fun and addictive read for anyone who enjoys a little whimsy alongside their murder and mystery.

My only wish is that we had gotten a little more time with the payoff and ending. After such a strong buildup, everything wrapped up a bit quickly for me, and I wanted more time to really sit with and savor those final moments.

Overall, though, this was a captivating and atmospheric read that completely won me over.

And seriously… is anyone else desperate to know where all the other keys and doors on the third floor lead?!

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alta Hensley delivers another villain as hero story! I was in the mood for a dark gothic romance, and Songbird in the Gallows promised dark humor, sizzling chemistry, and spice. An age gap romance retelling of the Bluebeard folktale, Blue is a “murder-sober retired serial killer” and Saylor is his “murder-curious protégé,” a match made in heaven (or hell). I loved the gothic fairytale and noir aesthetic of smalltown Grimlock set on the coast of Oregon with ancient moss and glowing mushrooms.

This is an emotional romance first, centered on Saylor, where she turns from hiding to seeking justice for (or revenge on) her father’s murderers, as Blue’s lover and pupil. The townspeople are charming and darkly idyllic, and comedy comes from Blue’s therapist, professional murder etiquette between serial killers, and toilet humor as part of Saylor’s learning process.

Overall, the story is straightforward and predictable, repeatedly describing Saylor’s feelings and Grimlock in similar ways. I’ve had enough mushroom art to last a few stories for now. I also would’ve liked to have seen more from some lightly mentioned minor characters, like Elliot and the other Dunsin sisters.

Readers who enjoy gothic fairytales, morally grey characters, and possessive MMCs who don’t mind a at-times macabre expressions of death and murder would enjoy this bruising love story.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review and advance reader copy!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows the FMC Saylor as she seeks revenge for the murder of her father fives years earlier. Enter the friend of her father and retired serial killer Blue. They work out a deal where he will help her learn to kill so she can gain her revenge. Except, he is "murder sober" which has some amusing content in particular with his therapist Dr. Jay and he has a real problem...he wants her bad. Of course, he finds resisting her too difficult to accomplish.

The real star of the story is the town of Grimlock. Steeped in gothic architecture and full of inhabitants that are both quirky and secretive in a dangerous way, the town really creates a more rounded and complete story. The spice is decent but does start a bit later in the book. If you like age gap, possessive MMC, and some breath play type of scenes, it should work for you.

My biggest complaint is it feels a bit similar to other books of this ilk. Besides the town, it doesn't have a ton of originality. But overall this book was a good time. It's a gothic romance that is billed as being for fans of Brynne Weaver. Here I disagree with that comparison. While there are humorous moments in it, I would call it more dark romance with humor versus a dark romcom.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advanced reader copy from Avon and Harper Voyager.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Dark Rom Com is a fairly new genre for me and this book is making it a genre I'll forever enjoy. It was dark, gothic, violent, and entertaining. There's moments where I'm ROFL and others where I'm trying to figure out about the forbidden room. Did I say forbidden room? Yes, I did. I absolutely did. *wink*

Saylor and Blue initial meeting is sexually charged. You get a jazz club, a sexy jazz singer, and a hot older man in a suit with a sexy banter. Talk about the perfect situation! Their relationship soon becomes a teacher X student relationship where he teaches her to kill. OMG, these trainings were hilarious! Her first kill had me crying in tears. The guy she's trying to kill says "Just push it in. It's not complicated" or "Well, that's slightly more progress. At this rate, I'll bleed out sometime next Thursday".

The strength Saylor has and the growth she shows through the book is lovely. It was also great seeing Blue deal with his emotion through his sessions with his psychologist. His 7 wives kept me on toes, constantly looking for clues to find out what's going on.

Pure entertaining read!

[Kway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Songbirds in the Gallows expecting something dark, but honestly, it still surprised me with how intense it gets. This is definitely not a soft or easy romance, it leans hard into power imbalance and messy, complicated emotions. Saylor was probably my favorite part of the book. At first, she seems like she’s just stuck in a bad situation with no control, but the more you read, the more you realize she’s constantly thinking, adapting, and figuring things out. She’s not a typical “strong” heroine in an obvious way, but there’s something really real about how she handles everything. Her reactions feel messy and human, which made me more invested in her. The overall vibe of the book is really heavy and almost claustrophobic in a good way, it feels like everything is building toward something you can’t quite escape. It keeps the tension high the entire time.

That said, this book is going to be very hit-or-miss depending on what you like. If you’re into darker romance with morally gray characters and emotional intensity, you’ll probably be hooked.

For me, it was one of those reads that made me a little uncomfortable at times but also completely pulled me in and those are the ones that tend to stick with me the longest.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I’ve already enjoyed her Christmas books, so I went in hoping I’d like this and it was SO good.

This gave me strong Assistant to the Villain vibes, but way darker, with more gore, more violence, and definitely check your triggers before diving in. If you’re a fan of Brynne Weaver or Navessa Allen, I think this will be right up your alley.

This is quintessential dark romance. Morally gray characters, obsession, tension, and that addictive push and pull dynamic with dark themes and elements... it’s all here. I loved the plot, the worldbuilding, the chemistry and honestly, everything just worked for me. I have to admit that I am not exactly a big dark romance fan, so winning me over this much is not easy to do but I loved every aspect of this book. The gothic setting and eerie small town vibe added so much, and the relationship development was really well done.

The spice, the story, and the characters all came together in a way that makes this book the complete package. Alta Hensley is seriously on the rise, and I really think she’s going to be the next big thing. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alta Hensley, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

[Teressa Oliverio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me completely hooked from the start. The dark, gothic atmosphere mixed with the tension between Saylor and Blue created such an addictive vibe that I could not put it down. Their chemistry was intense, messy, and obsessive in the best way, but what really surprised me was how much I loved their banter. The back and forth between them felt so natural and sharp, and there were some genuinely laugh out loud moments during all of their revenge plotting that balanced the heavier themes perfectly.

Saylor’s journey from grieving daughter to someone willing to fight back was compelling, and Blue was the exact kind of morally gray man that is impossible not to obsess over. Beneath all of his darkness and secrets was this constant push and pull between wanting to protect Saylor and wanting to keep her far away from the violence surrounding him. Together they were chaotic, dangerous, and impossible to look away from.

The town of Grimlock itself felt like a character with all of its twisted secrets and reformed killers trying to outrun their pasts. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery while also making me more attached to these characters. By the end I was fully invested in their love story, their revenge, and every dark secret waiting to be uncovered.

[Elly Christmas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It was unique. This was something different. Not gonna lie. I love the thought, honestly, I do. The world-building was good. The banter was fun.

Blue and Saylor are an actual couple, no. It isn't even the age gap. Honestly, I'm fine with that. The whole hit man thing is cool. The chemistry just wasn't for me. She was way too immature for her age. For what she is supposed to have gone through and all. Just for her to act how she does. Yeah, I get she has the blood issue, but still wants to get revenge? Poison... forcing them to drink was the stupidest thing. Mix it in something and serve it. Injecting them or literally anything besides having them take the pills. Having poor Hans help was frustrating.


The ending was so rushed that it killed the magic, having it wrapped up in the last 90% of the book. There was no real build-up. It just dragged on for me. The town was cute, though. So stars came from that and Jay. Honestly, this had promise just for it to come up short. Blue's plot twist wasn't a real shocker, especially given why he loved Peter so much.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Serial killers + Romance? Count me in.

I have read Alta's previous books and loved her stories, this one however, this one is one of her best. What surprised me was how many layers there were to the characters and overall story, and how quickly I devoured this one up.

You follow two characters, Saylor and Blue, both having dark pasts and trying to start anew. These two will have you sweating with their tension and banter, they are addictive and you wont want to put your book down because these two will consume you. There is also an age gap, Saylor is quite a bit younger than Blue and she will make decisions that show her age, but overall I enjoyed following their romance and story.

The story is dark, check your triggers and mind your mental health but overall it was an addictive story between two morally grey characters, set in a Gothic town where evil comes to play. There are twists and turns, romance, spice and some dark parts but it is one heck of a story that you wont be able to put down.

[Brandi Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I was lucky enough to get to read this as an arc from Netgalley. Thank you to them and publishers and also the author. All I had to do is give an honest review in exchange.

This book totally surprised me. I highly recommend it. If your a fan of Butcher & Blackbird this book has the same vibes. It is about a young woman who is on the run and hiding after witnessing a murder of someone who meant the world to her. Trying to reinvent yourself is not an easy thing to do especially when your scared that anytime you turn a corner she will run into the people who pulled the trigger. She never expected to find someone who is also struggling like she is and definitely doesn't expect that they are mourning the same person. Let's be honest would you believe them or assume they were sent to murder her. This book is about a girl becoming a woman, strong enough to stand against the people who took everything from her and about two people who need each other more than they could ever imagine. Revenge has never looked so good.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

SONGBIRD IN THE GALLOWS is definitely, 100% a very dark, romantic comedy, serial killers romance. While the killing is pretty dominant throughout, community and protecting the defenseless are very important to the mmc. Author Alta Hensley has done a fine job writing this many layered love story, making it easy to fall into the pages and walk along with the characters. Experiencing full immersion happened so naturally, I read through to ‘The End’ before I realized the hours had slid by. This really has been an unexpected journey through laughter, horror, heartbreak, joy, spice, and HEAs.
*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Blue
FMC:
✨Saylor
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Tropes:
👉serial killer romance
👉dark romantic comedy
👉Bluebeard folktale retelling
👉father’s best friend
👉age gap
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥violence
💥murder.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper for the ARC!

This was such a fantastic dark romance with so many twists, turns, and for once, the villian coming out on top.

Saylor watched her father be murdered 5 years ago and ever since then she has sworn revenge against the ones who killed her. When she finds her dad's best friend, a retired hit man, Blue, she finally gains the chance to so just that.

Blue is a lot more than Saylor expects. Hes dark, twisted, possessive and absolutely on board with coming out of retirement for revenge. When their relationship starts to turn into more than friendly, how will they cope with that and tracking down the men that killed Taylor's father?

Songbird in the Gallows is a beautifully written dark romance that asks the question, "what happens when the villian wins?" The plot is interesting and enticing and you will be drawn in from the very first page.

[Mappy BookGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I have other books I should have read before diving into this? Yes, of course - but could I resist after reading that description?! Absolutely NOT!!!

I DEVOURED this book - it took 6.5 hours of forgetting the reality around me and go from the first page to the last. Then another hour to sit and process that it was over, that there was no more Blue or Saylor to be had.

I loved their story, Saylor was my favorite. It was fun seeing her develop and embrace her inner murderess. Eventually she finds her preferred method and becomes an absolute BAMF. Absolutely love her. This book will bring out all of your emotions - from giddy to broken hearted to sitting on the edge of your seat - you will absolutely LOVE this book. The spice between Blue and Saylor was well done, and did not take up the story at all. It was sprinkled in there at the right moments, and left the plot to take center stage.

Needless to say, but I will anyways - I can't recommend this book enough.

[Leslie Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Songbird in the Gallows.

The best part of this book was not the romance between Saylor and Blue. I really wanted to be invested in them, but I just… wasn’t. Their relationship didn’t fully land for me, and I never quite believed in the love story.

I know the whole “best friend’s daughter” dynamic is some people’s thing, but it didn’t personally work for me here.

The revenge plot had a lot of promise, but it felt a little half-baked and rushed, which made the stakes less impactful than they could have been. Overall, the writing itself wasn’t the strongest.

What did hook me was the town of Grimlock. I’m so, so intrigued by the setting, the atmosphere, and all the inhabitants. It feels like there’s a much bigger world here, and I genuinely want to know more. I have faith that if this turns into a series centered around the town, those future books could really shine.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. It's on the dark side, yet there are many humorous moments. There is also spice. It alternates POVs, between the FMC, who witnessed her father's murder several years ago, and went into hiding, and the MMC who promised her father that he would protect her. He finds her and takes her back to his home in a mysterious and magical town where everyone has secrets. It's a town of misfits of sorts. A town who looks out for each other, and don't always welcome visitors. There, together, they work to catch all the people responsible for her father's death. It's a well written, well told story with quirky characters. There is death and violence and gore. (And even those scenes have some humor in them... at least some of those scenes.) There's a little bit of silliness in the dark and haunting. Intended for mature readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so dark in the best ways. I've read books that involve a little murder but this one take the cake, the pie, and the danish. Blue is a reformed serial killer and Saylor is his new pupil, craving revenge. If that doesn't tell you what kind of carnage you're in for, I don't know what will. I will say, it's not as disgustingly gory as I was worried it would be. And I think that was for the best honestly. I think anymore focus on the blood and ick would have taken from the revenge and emotion of the actual murder.
It also is a bit of a romance story between student and teacher. And the spicy things are so raw and carnal, each time it is fantastically written. You can see the pure desire Blue and Saylor have for each other. The possession and obsession is leaking out of the pages of this book.
I view this book as an I shouldn't like it because of the topics it focuses on but I definitely did and will absolutely be reading it again once it is published.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.

From page one, I couldn’t put this book down. The world-building was immersive, and Grimlock felt like a gothic version of the small town you’d find in a Hallmark movie. The characters are flawed yet lovable, written in a way that makes you want to know everyone’s backstory. Blue is everything you’d want in a morally gray man, and I’m always here for a good age-gap romance. His journey feels surprisingly relatable, even in its extremes. The spice is dark and beautifully done, adding to the story without ever overshadowing the plot—which is a huge win. Overall, I loved this book. The writing style is haunting, beautiful, and intricate, with every detail woven together seamlessly and poetically in a way that effortlessly pulls you deeper into the story.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Alta Hensley’s Christmas books so I was super excited to see she had a new release coming out. I was expecting dark for this one but it was darker than I expected. It’s not a typical dark romance. It’s deeper, with a dark gothic setting and dark humor in a way that makes you really feel the situation.
I enjoyed the gothic small town setting and the author did a great job of creating places and characters that fit and were easy to connect with.
My only disappointment with this book was that the romance part did feel a bit rushed and I would have liked to feel a little bit more attached to the MMC & FMC as a pair. We got a great feel of them as individuals but the chemistry felt like it was lacking.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for the arc of this book

[Deanna Bihlmayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.

First of all Wow! I really hope this is the start of a series.
This story is a twist on the Bluebeard fairytale in the best way.
Our FMC is on the run after her father's death, only to end up with a devestatingly handsome, older man, who has promised to protect her at all costs. One problem, he is 3 years murder sober.

This story is so fast paced, I flew through the pages. I did not want this to end. I hope more stories are to come out of the town of Grimlock, this town has many interesting characters who all have a story or two to tell.

I recommend this to any one who believes that villains are not what they seem on the surface, and everyone should be allowed to pursue a HEA.

Age gap
Dark Mafiaesque Romance
Found Family
Close Proximity

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 3🌶️

First off that opening scene had me sweating, it was sooo hot. I want to be ravaged in a dressing room🥵. Blue and Saylor are probably one of my top favorite dark romance couples. Blue is a retire cereal unaliver with a very mysterious pass. Saylor witnessed her father‘s death when she was young and now she’s on a path for vengeance. She is a jazz singer by night and a training unaliver during the day. Blue takes her under his wing, not knowing that Saylor is his best friend‘s daughter that he swore to protect. But Blue can’t resist temptation. The world building in this book was amazing. I want to live in Grimlock. Thank you Alta and Avon for the opportunity to read and review prior to release. I really enjoyed this book. @Avonbooks @HarperVoyagerUS #SongbirdintheGallows #NetGalley

[Alexandria (Ink Stained Sorceress) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this as an ARC through NetGalley!

I was really drawn in by the premise of this book because the concept and the teasers made it sound so promising, but unfortunately, a few elements fell short for me. The pacing felt a bit awkward at times, and I struggled to fully connect with the characters, who felt a little flat. While Saylor and Blue were fun to read about overall, their dynamic involved a lot of circling and confusion regarding where they stood with one another or where they stood in certain events of the book. And with that, overall, the timing between certain events in the story felt slightly off.

I want to avoid spoilers, especially since the book isn't out yet, but while the core concept was great, the execution just wasn't my absolute favorite. Of course, these are just my own thoughts, and someone else could absolutely love this story!