Brynne Weaver Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Brynne Weaver

If you are new to Brynne Weaver's work, the absolute best place to start is with Butcher & Blackbird, the first book in her sensationally popular Ruinous Love Trilogy. This novel serves as the perfect introduction to her signature blend of pitch-black humor, high-stakes suspense, and intense romantic tension. It showcases her ability to turn a bizarre and dark premise—two rival serial killers who only target other serial killers competing in an annual game—into a deeply heartwarming, witty, and spicy romance.

For readers who prefer high fantasy and paranormal romance over contemporary dark romantic comedies, the alternative entry point is The Diviner, her debut fantasy novel, or A Shadow in the Reaping, which kicks off her vampire-and-reaper paranormal romance series set in the Shadow Realm. However, it is the Kane brothers of the Ruinous Love Trilogy that cemented Weaver's status as a New York Times bestselling author and BookTok phenomenon, making it the recommended path for most readers.

The Ruinous Love Trilogy

The Ruinous Love Trilogy is a series of interconnected standalones. While each book follows a different couple and resolves their primary romantic arc, there is a continuous overarching plot, recurring characters, and family dynamics that build from one book to the next. For the best experience, you should read these books in their strict publication order:

1. Butcher & Blackbird (2023): This book introduces Sloane and Rowan, two rival serial killers who accidentally cross paths while hunting the same target. They establish an annual game where they compete to see who can hunt down and kill a heinous criminal first. Over the years, their friendship morphs into a chaotic, sweet, and incredibly spicy romance.
2. Leather & Lark (2024): The second installment shifts the spotlight to Rowan’s brother, Lachlan, a lethal contract killer, and Lark, Sloane's chaotic and bubbly best friend who also happens to be a singer. When a forced marriage of convenience brings them together, the grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic is dialed to the maximum, mixing danger, humor, and deep emotional healing.
3. Scythe & Sparrow (2025): The final book in the trilogy focuses on the enigmatic Fionn and Rose, set against a dark circus backdrop. It wraps up the trilogy's overarching storylines, offering a thrilling conclusion filled with emotional depth, danger, and the signature dark humor fans have come to love.

The Shadow Realm Series

Before writing her famous serial killer rom-coms, Brynne Weaver established herself with the Shadow Realm Series, a dark paranormal romance trilogy that features vampires, reapers, and intricate world-building. Unlike the Ruinous Love Trilogy, this series is a continuous narrative following the same primary characters and should be read in chronological order:

1. A Shadow in the Reaping (2021): Introduces Lu, a vampire who has spent centuries hiding her identity and working as a modern-day vigilante. Her quiet life is disrupted when she crosses paths with Asael, a powerful reaper who threatens to expose her secrets.
2. A Heart of Bitter Poison (2022): The story deepens as Lu and Asael navigate the political schemes of the paranormal underworld. The emotional stakes rise as they deal with ancient curses, betrayals, and their growing connection.
3. A Queen of Broken Realms (2022): The epic conclusion to the trilogy, where Lu must fully embrace her power and step up to her destiny as a vampire queen to protect those she loves and heal from her past traumas.

The Diviner Series

Weaver’s early fantasy work also includes The Diviner Series, which is characterized by high-fantasy world-building, magical conflicts, and sweeping romance:

1. The Diviner (2021): The debut novel that launched Brynne Weaver's career. It introduces a world torn apart by gods, magic, and political unrest, focusing on the character of Quinn as she discovers her unique magical heritage.
2. The Elysian (2022): The sequel to The Diviner, continuing Quinn and Kiran's journey as they fight for their freedom, navigate complex alliances, and attempt to survive a devastating war between kingdoms.

The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy

Following the massive success of her dark romantic comedies, Weaver announced the Seasons of Carnage Trilogy. Set in the eccentric, coastal town of Cape Carnage, Maine, this series promises a similarly thrilling mix of dark humor and suspense:

1. Tourist Season (2025): Introduces Harper Starling, a local gardener who goes to extreme lengths to protect her community from "troublesome tourists," and Nolan Rhodes, a mysterious newcomer who has his own reasons for visiting the town.
2. Harvest Season (expected 2026): The highly anticipated second book in the trilogy, continuing the chaotic and dark happenings in Cape Carnage.

Standalones, Co-Authored Novels, and Novellas

Brynne Weaver has also written or co-written several standalone works that can be read in any order at any time:

• Black Sheep (2022): Co-authored with Alexa Harlowe, this standalone dark romance dives into themes of survival, dark secrets, and forbidden chemistry.
• Marrow (2023): Co-authored with bestselling author Trisha Wolfe, this dark romantic thriller features two brilliant minds playing a dangerous game of psychological cat-and-mouse.
• Exterminatrix (2022): A quick, spicy monster romance novella that follows Layla, a former demon hunter turned monster exterminator, who finds herself unexpectedly attracted to a Lizardman named Castro hiding in a farmhouse basement.

Brynne Weaver Books by Publication Order

If you want to read Brynne Weaver's works in the exact order she released them to watch her style evolve from dark fantasy to viral romantic comedies, follow this checklist:

• The Diviner (2021)
• A Shadow in the Reaping (2021)
• A Heart of Bitter Poison (2022)
• The Elysian (2022)
• A Queen of Broken Realms (2022)
• Black Sheep (with Alexa Harlowe) (2022)
• Exterminatrix (Novella) (2022)
• Marrow (with Trisha Wolfe) (2023)
• Butcher & Blackbird (2023)
• Leather & Lark (2024)
• Tourist Season (2025)
• Scythe & Sparrow (2025)
• Harvest Season (expected 2026)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Brynne Weaver’s bibliography, new readers should keep a few essential points in mind. First, her books are classified as dark romance and romantic suspense. They contain heavy themes, explicit sexual content, violence, and gore (especially the Ruinous Love Trilogy, which features detailed descriptions of crime scenes and dark comedy related to murder). It is highly recommended to check the content warnings on the author's official website before reading.

Additionally, while the Ruinous Love Trilogy and Seasons of Carnage books are technically standalone couples, the recurring characters and interconnected subplots make them much more enjoyable when read in order. Skipping books in these trilogies will result in major spoilers for the previous couples' lives and relationships.