Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver Narrator: Samantha Brentmoor, Eric Nolan
Series: Ruinous Love Trilogy #3
on February 11, 2025
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Length: 11 hours, 36 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Doctor Fionn Kane is running from a broken heart, one he hopes to mend in small-town Nebraska, far away from his almost-fiancĆ© and his derailed surgical career. Itās a simpler life: head down, work hard, and absolutely no romantic relationships. He wants none of the circus he left behind in Boston.
But then the Silveria Circus finds him.
Motorcycle performer Rose Evans has spent a decade on the road with Silveria, and it suits her just fine, especially when she has the urge to indulge in a little murder and mayhem when sheās not in the spotlight. But when a kill goes awry and she ends up with a broken leg, she finds herself stuck in Nebraska at the home of the adorably nerdy town doctor.
It has been a wild ride with much murder and mayhem, but Brynne Weaverās The Ruinous Trilogy has come to a satisfying conclusion with the third and final installment, Scythe and Sparrow.Ā I loved every minute I spent in the minds of the dark and twisted heroines of the first two books, but I think this emotionally charged novel is in a league of its own.Ā I loved Rose and Fionn.Ā They are probably my favorite characters in the entire series.Ā Ms. Weaverās talented storytelling and warped sense of humor did not disappoint, and despite the very accurate trigger warnings, I was still able to be surprised at some of the situations.
Rose found a family in the circus and has grown into a strong independent woman with a desire to help others.Ā As the Sparrow, Rose helps women take flight from their abusive situations.Ā When her behind-the-scenes involvement inadvertently ends in tragedy, she vows to take a more active role in scumbag removal.Ā When she underestimates a target, she finds herself badly injured, and at the mercy of Dr. Fionn Kane.
Fionn is my type of hero; the quintessential āgood-guyā with a Darcy-esque aloofness that keeps him safely isolated in his community.Ā One of my favorite sayings is that āEvery girl needs a good boy whoāll be bad just for her.ā* Bound by his secret guilt, childhood trauma, and the burden of knowing how much his brothers have sacrificed to make his life normal, Fionn has kept himself tightly restrained, but all it takes is the Sparrow to open his cage and set his heart free.
Rose is āchaos and mayhem,ā but in a good way.Ā Maybe that is why I identify with her?Ā More likely it is because we both ride Triumphs.Ā And while I donāt actually perform in the Globe of Death, I do have a framed art poster of one on my wall.Ā That is ALMOST the same thing.Ā If I was a serial killer, I think Iād be one like Rose; purpose-driven with good intentions, but perhaps a little impulsive with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style.Ā So while I donāt ever intend to begin dishing out justice vigilante-style, the beauty of fiction is that I can live vicariously through characters and not worry about getting caught and ending up in jail (or worse).
Scythe and Sparrow is more in the present than the first two installments in the series.Ā It focuses less on action and the traumatic events of the past and more on Rose and Fionnās love story.Ā Because I know so much about the Kane brothers already (having read the first two books), I didnāt need as much back-story for Fionn.Ā I wanted to better understand his broken heart, because I thought that was a key part of understanding him.Ā However, I found that while he talks about the emotional fall-out of his previous relationship, his journey is less about healing from a disastrous almost-engagement than it is about him coming to terms with the dark side of his personality.
Iāve never embraced that part of me that feels no remorse for the sins Iāve committed.
Roseās type of chaos is anathema to the rigid existence Fionn has imagined for himself.Ā When Rose asks him for help, Fionn is caught off guard by how he feels; that he is capable of the same level of fierce love and protectiveness heās seen his brothers exhibit. In the end, it is Roseās acceptance of him that ultimately frees his ability to love
Itās ok to love your darkness and still love yourself. ā Rose
Scythe and Sparrow might be an emotional roller coaster, but there are still plenty of LOL moments and funny supporting characters. I think my favorites are Barbara and the Suture Sisters.Ā There are cameos from Sloane, Lark, Lachlan, and Rowan, and a funny epilogue that wraps up the series nicely.Ā Some cringe-worthy moments might have you laughing a little uncomfortably, especially if you donāt like clowns.Ā But it IS a circus, so just be prepared for anything.
*You might have heard a different version of this saying, but this is version I prefer.
Narration:
If I could make a special request that the spin-off series, which was teased at the end of this series, be an Irish cousin of the Kane brothers, just so I can continue to listen to Eric Nolan read the series in his lovely accent. Ā While Fionn is said to have less of an accent than his brothers, I think the performance was exactly how I imagined Fionn.Ā I also enjoyed Samantha Brentmoorās narration of Rose. Ā She was easy to understand, conveyed emotion in a realistic way, and had a lightness to her performance that really brought Rose to life.Ā I tried to listen to this book at normal speed, but felt the narration flowed much better at 1.2x.
Listen to a clip:Ā HERE
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I've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Ā Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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- š§ The Time Traveler’s Guide to Restoration Britain by Ian Mortimer @ianmortimer.bsky.social #RogerClark @tantoraudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - May 2, 2025
- š§ Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver @brynneweaver.bsky.social@ms-brentmoor.bsky.social #EricNolan #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - April 4, 2025
- š§ Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver @brynneweaver.bsky.social@ms-brentmoor.bsky.social #EricNolan #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - March 7, 2025
I have to say these do sound fun.
I am glad this trilogy had a satisfying conclusion. I still need to read the first book, but I have no doubt I will enjoy them when I do!
I DOOOO need a romantic suspense for the bingo romance reading challenge…..maybe.
This is a series that I love the covers of, but can’t decide if I want to read! So many good reviews for it though. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!