I thought it was really interesting that the timing of this story is intertwined with the 2 epilogues at the end of Scythe & Sparrow. I decided to reread those, which helped a ton. Since they’re short, I’d recommend just reading both before starting this but if you want to read them chronologically, here’s how to do so: read chapter 1 of this (L&OK), epilogue 1 of S&S, chapter 2 of L&OK + chapter 3 until everyone is leaving the AirBnB, epilogue 2 of S&S, then finish chapter 3 of L&OK followed by the rest of this story.

Rowan and Sloane are my favourite couple in the Ruinous Love trilogy, so I love that this was from Sloane’s POV! It was so funny, the found family aspect that she feels mixed with the actual family aspect of the 3 brothers being together was great, and of course it ended up being spicy too.

There was a lot of build up leading to the ‘serial killers killing a serial killer’ as part of the Annual August Showdown, and then the actual murderous part felt… quick. Which I get, it’s a short story, but even taking that into consideration it felt faster than I expected. But I still really enjoyed this, it feels like a really nice wrap up to this trilogy. And of course I adored seeing Barbara again.

Perfection. If you loved the Ruinous Love series- this bonus ending will leave you happy. It has everything you want: all three couples, Barbara, inside jokes from the books, and no new ruined foods! I was laughing out loud and flying through it. It’s all in Sloane’s pov but all the characters are highlighted.

I dropped everything I was reading as soon as I got my hands on this novella. I love the trilogy and was so excited to get a glimpse of these characters together.

It was a fun, little adventure with all three couples with a few nods to the original stories.

The novella doesn't add much to the previous books but it was nice to see them all together. Having a open door of a possible diverging story with a previous side character is a nice touch.

I loved this and was happy to get a small piece from a series that I loved.

Family Version of the Annual August showdown, featuring our favourites, the Kane brothers and Sloane, Lark and Rose, YES! 😍

This novella was perfect, giving us a bit more of The Ruinous Love Trilogy while passing the baton to the Season Of Carnage Trilogy 🖤

It's murdery, funny and steamy, everything we love! We even get to revisit everyone's favourite racoon 🤭

What an awesome novella! I love how Brynn Weaver still did a playlist even though it was such a short book. This book was an amazing follow up to the ruinous love trilogy and I’m looking forward to the new series soon!

Such a fun little novella expanding on the banter and found family of the Ruinous Love Trilogy. For such a short book, it sure packs a punch - including a little bit of spice. The reintroduction of Autumn makes me wonder if she will link in with future books the author has planned!

I was so excited to read this novella and be welcomed back into the world of Ruinous Love. There’s something about the way Brynne writes her worlds that makes murder games sound fun and romantic and not at all unhinged.

Silly, steamy, and slightly demented; all the things we have come to love from Brynne Weaver wrapped in short novella form.

I like both the slight extension of the Ruinous Love Trilogy as well as the reminder of who Autumn is (ahead of the Seasons of Carnage Trilogy first book release). While it’s said it can be read as a stand alone, it’s riddled with past references that help bring it to life so personally I’m glad I read the other books first.

My biggest issue is that it seemed too short and rushed. I understand the point of a novella is to be quick, but I would have liked a little more back story as to why they were going after Allan and the final chase itself.

Thank you to Brynne Weaver, Amazon, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book just felt really rushed in the beginning and there was no build up to be interested. I loved the slasher aspect but that all it was

I wanted to love this but it felt really rushed the whole time. It just needed to be a little longer in the beginning to really set the scene and explain what was going on

What a quick but fun trip back into the Ruinous Love universe! The brothers Kane and their murderous significant others team up for the annual August showdown to take down yet another serial killer.

It’s not necessary to read the previous three books because this book does kind of hold up on its own but you will miss out on the inside jokes. This novella focuses on Sloane and Rowan from Butcher and Blackbird mostly. I had a great time reading, it was funny, slightly spicy but also slightly nauseating. No food is ruined in this book either but you do get reminded of all the other food that’s been ruined!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this eARC in exchange for a honest review!

My crazy bbs :,) I love all these mildly insane characters with my whole heart. This little novella gives you a nice treat of chaos in the best way. All the Kanes(and soon to be Kane) have my heart.

Thanks to NetGalley & publisher for an eARC! Review & opinions are honest & my own!

I received an ARC for an honest review. This is a short novella intended to be read after the Ruinous Love Trilogy and before her new upcoming Seasons of Carnage series. It does say it is a standalone, but as it would contain some spoilers, I would recommend reading after finishing the trilogy. For being only 60 pages, the author packs in a lot in and gives us an extension of the yearly murder games where Scythe and Sparrow end. There’s lots of banter between the Sticker Bitch Crew and Lachlan brothers in their found family. A great short read if you enjoyed the ruinous love series!

What a fun novella! I loved the first book in the series but haven’t yet gone on to read the following books, I found this did not matter at all i still really enjoyed this quick read!

My favourite part about book one was actually the serial killer hunts and the competition between the love interest so this definitely satisfied all my cravings for those themes!

Thank you Amazon Stories for the gifted copy

This was a fun little quick novella with the brothers and their gals, don’t forget Barbara, while they do what we fell in love with. Them playing the original game that butcher and his blackbird started! I laughed so much because it was absolutely hilarious. Well, only 40 some pages I wish it was longer because I’ve still never ready to give them up any of them! I could read so many more books/novellas.
Thank you Brynne Weaver and Amazon Stories for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Did I ignore all of my adult responsibilities the second I got my hand on this? Yes. Am I sorry about that at all? Absolutely not. This was the perfect glimpse back into the Ruinous Love Trilogy world. Them having this year competition now as a family was the perfect setting and I think this is the best representation of the found family trope I’ve ever read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you to Brynne Weaver and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my opinion.

To see this appear on NetGalley really made my day. I was SO HAPPY to return to the world of the Ruinous Love Trilogy. Without giving a lot away, this story focuses on the murder competition between the Kane Brothers and the Sticker Bitch Crew that was happening in the epilogue of the final book. It has all of our favorite things about the trilogy - the banter between couples, the spice, the uhm *hunting* - I only wish it could be have a full novel (there can never be enough written by Brynne Weaver!).

Just a fun, short romp with the Kane men, the women they love, and our favorite raccoon. This is the old from Sloane’s POV, and expands in the Epilogue from Scythe and Sparrow. Expected giggles, murder, and a small bit of spice.

@netgalley ARC review for @brynne_weaver out August 12, 2025

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Loved this novella diving back into the lives of Ruinous trilogy. Sloane, the vigilante serial killer back with Kane brothers and significant others, together for a competitive kill.

There was still great banter and spice per usual! I missed these characters.

A fun and chaotic novella with our faves from the Ruinous Love Trilogy, including our girl Barbs. Full of laughs, banter & full circle moments … cookies and cream icecream anyone? This has just gotten me so excited for Tourist Season !