Recent Reads: Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver  

Series: The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2
Publisher: Zando
Publication Date:  June 4, 2024 

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Contract killer Lachlan Kane wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark Montague offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first. 

 

And they can’t stand each other. 

 

Indie singer-songwriter Lark is the sunshine and glitter that burns through every cloud and clings to every crevice that Lachlan Kane tries to hide inside. The surly older brother of her best friend’s soulmate, Lachlan thinks she’s just a privileged princess, but Lark has plenty of secrets hiding in the shadows of her bright light. With her formidable family in a tailspin and her best friend’s happiness on the line, she’s willing to make a vow to the man she’s determined to hate, no matter how tempting the broody assassin might be. 

As Lachlan and Lark navigate the dark world that binds them together, it becomes impossible to discern their fake marriage from a real one. But it’s not just familiar dangers that haunt them. 

There’s another phantom lurking on their doorstep. 

And this one has come for blood.

Review: 

While Butcher & Blackbird set a high bar with Rowan and Sloan’s playful yet murderous dynamic, Leather & Lark still delivers an entertaining mix of sharp banter, forced marriage, and forced proximity—two tropes I love. The enemies-to-lovers aspect was especially fun, with Lark and Lachlan constantly butting heads before realizing just how much they actually need each other. Watching their reluctant partnership turn into something real made for a laugh out loud/ fun progression of the plot/ story.

The humor and chemistry between them were definite highlights, especially with Lark’s darkly creative “crafting” of souvenirs and Lachlan’s unexpectedly hilarious attempt at reading romance. The book leans into shock value a bit more than buildup when it comes to the macabre elements, but because it does so knowingly, it works to make the reader laugh rather than it feeling overly excessive.

Though I didn’t find Lark and Lachlan as dynamic as Rowan and Sloan, their story was still a fun ride. I really enjoyed the family aspects that were used throughout the book, and was excited to learn more about Fionn and Rose. And clearly, I’m hooked—I’ve already got book three in the TBR pile next to me, which is about them!