I blinked, and I was finished. That's how fast I read through the second installment in the Ruinous Love trilogy. I finished "Butcher & Blackbird" the same day that I started "Leather & Lark", so the change was really smooth from one story to another.

I was already smitten with Lachlan from the first book and familiar with Lark, so this book was just feeding the already growing interest. Interestingly enough, these two were way more involved in the first book's story than Rowan and Sloane were in this one. It's not a complaint, since they drew me in with their own story, but it seems that in this one we got the same pattern for the third main couple. I don't intend to read the third installment, sorry!

I was already taken by Lachlan in the first book, and when it clicked that Lark and him would be the next main couple, I was sold immediately. They seemed like an interesting dynamic and an unconventional pairing, and as they say, where there's a will, there is a way. And, oh boy, did they make it work!

I love how Lark's portrayal stayed mostly consistent throughout the books, which also made me look back at her differently. What we were experiencing through Sloane and Rowan's eyes versus the reality from Lark's perspective was done really well. (Side note: there were some inconsistencies.) Her character resonated with me, and I really took a liking to her 'show one and be other' struggles. I guess you could call her the sunshine character, but with Lark's statement gold stars and some shadier secrets. A true rock star, but with a cello, if you will. Things weren't as they seemed, which is always a fun road to take. ✨
Well, that is, until you're forced to stop hiding from someone you didn't even expect to be the one to meet the real you. That's Lachlan Kane for you. He's presence was more menacing in the first book, but since we got to see his inner world, once again, the 'show one and be other' statement stands true. I kind of like this scary older bother who is an asshole but actually has his family as his main concern. It felt like we witnessed Lachlan starting to live his own life after so long. From shadow to light. This man was a contract killer who was locked into a lifestyle but wanted out.

And would you look at that, conveniently, Lark was the key to open that lock. From the start there's tension and contrast between these two - Lark is snarky and guarded, while Lachlan is all danger and charm on the outside yet a softy inside. Their chemistry is on the second they meet, but circumstances make them back off, which results in their sharp banter. The switch-up was honestly crazy and quite enjoyable - a fake marriage that benefited them both and gave us some real, and very lethal, family drama. It's always the damn muffins... (P.S I fucking loved Lachlan's boss Leander and auntie Ethel; pure entertainment.) As the Kanes (I know) get used to the married life, their connection deepens. Just as much as there was sugar, there was also spice. And all the while, all sorts of background forces and their own inner shadows drive the story forward without it feeling overwhelming or messy, but perfectly twisted together. The antagonist was compelling but a little underwhelming in the end. I enjoyed the emotional resolution of Lark and Lachlan's journey more than the "mystery", I guess.