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You’ve been lured into the shadows, a place where dark romance meets psychological suspense. Welcome to the Lilies of the Valley book club.

Leather & Lark: The Ruinous Love Trilogy

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“I don’t just want to hear her laugh, I need to earn it. Every time I gain a little ground, I want more. I want to break out of the shade and back into her light. Without even realizing it, I’ve become addicted to it. To her.”

From the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the genre-breaking international TikTok sensation Butcher & Blackbird comes the second book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy—a hate-to-love dark romantic comedy packed with danger, chaos, and heat.



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.

Tropes: Hate-to-love / Marriage of convenience / Grumpy x sunshine / He falls first / Groveling, but make it psycho / Touch her/him and die

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Published Jun 4, 2024

416 pages

Average rating: 7.67

344 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Leather & Lark* is a captivating sequel that deepens the dark romance of the trilogy with strong, complex leads and a unique, twisty plot...

ljzsreadsandreviews
Oct 22, 2024
10/10 stars
Book two did not disappoint! I still love how there is a list of fairly comical trigger warnings at the front and the playlist guide is such a cool addition. These books just seem so unique to me - it isn’t just the concept but its also things like these that make me love the overall book so much more. Lark made me laugh a lot in this book and I felt her pain and wanted better for her. I didn’t see her being a “multiple deleter” in book one but getting her dark side in her story made me love her even more. And then there’s Lachlan.... HOLY HELL! I thought I loved Rowan but Lachlan blows him out of the water for me! I am obsessed with everything about him. He is strong and sexy and seeing him fall fall for Lark made my heart melt. The phantom part gives a good twist to the plot and had me wondering the entire time. I cannot wait for the third book but I also don’t want it to end! As long as you are comfortable with the triggers, you need to pick this trilogy up because I guarantee you’ll love them.
Gail_71
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
After thoroughly enjoying “Butcher and Blackbird”’ I eagerly anticipated “Leather and Lark”, and I’m happy to say it lived up to my high expectations. This instalment offers a different plot, which is refreshing. While some readers may hope for a similar story, I encourage them to embrace the unique narrative. The story revolves around the main characters who marry to protect their loved ones, despite some initial animosity. It features various engaging tropes, a good amount of spice, and a relatively fast-paced plot that keeps readers entertained. I particularly loved Lark as the female lead; she’s a badass with a touch of sparkle, making her hard not to adore. The male lead, Lachlan, is dark and mysterious, becoming increasingly obsessed with making Lark happy. While I wished for more depth to his character—specifically regarding his brooding nature and backstory—the existing portrayal leaves room for personal interpretation, which I find satisfying.
Hanlove1192
Aug 13, 2025
6/10 stars
Not as good as the first book in the series, Butcher and Blackbird. Plot didn’t make any sense. Hard to finish
janeisabelle
May 01, 2025
1/10 star
Really enjoyed Butcher & Blackbird. I was SO disappointed with this one
Ariellynn
Apr 29, 2025
8/10 stars
This was a fun one

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