Name: Genesis (@whisperingchapters)'s review of There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark
Item: There Are No Saints
Rating: 4
Author: Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Sophie Lark

I loathe Alastor Shaw.

The city of San Francisco thinks we’re rival artists.

In truth, we’re predators battling for hunting ground.

We never chased the same prey. Until the night we both laid eyes on Mara Eldritch.

Shaw wants to use her as a pawn in his twisted game.

I’m fixated on her for a different reason…

She makes me feel things I never thought I could feel. Want things I never wanted.

Only she can make me lose control.

I don’t know if I should protect her at all costs… or destroy her before she ruins me.

Mara knows I’m no saint. But she has no idea she’s dancing with the devil…


The Lark Notes:
I have always been fascinated by true crime, as well as by villains and anti-heroes. A serial killer is, of course, the ultimate anti-hero — the baddest of the bad boys. Redeeming a character who starts so evil was a challenge that inspired me to entirely new heights and entirely new depths. Come on this darkly sensual and utterly brain-bending ride with me! — Sophie

"There Are No Saints” is the first book in the Sinners Duet. Reader be warned: this book contains extremely dark themes that might be triggering to some. This is a steamy serial killer romance that will take you on a journey through the twisted mind of an artist on the brink of madness.

Sinners Duet: Book 1

There Are No Saints

Levi-Mae 

“It’s time to make yours. What will it be?” 

I take his hand, his fingers closing around mine. 

“Don’t you ever believe that, Mara. This is what gives up power: we always have a choice.” 

‘Because he’s not a soulless monster, whatever he might pretend. I see much more than that inside of him.’ 

“I’ll see you later,” I say, breathlessly. 

“I’ll definitely see you,” Cole says, a hint of a smile on his lips. 

“I don’t want to be taken care of,” she says. “I want to be seen.” 

My heart rate spikes as it only does for Mara. Not when I’m angry. Not when I’m violent. Only for her. 

I was an ambush predator. I lived by concealment and camouflage. 

What would it be like to strip myself bare? 

If feels like destruction. Like immolation. 

Could the pleasure of intimacy outweigh the danger? 

This is a question perched on a cliff. No peering over— I’ll only find the bottom by jumping. 

Mara stares right back at me, ferocious, unashamed. Certain of what she wants and how to get it. 

I’ve never held back from what I wanted.

Not for morals. Not for laws. I’ll be damned if I’ll do it for fear. 

I’ve taken a life, but never shared a life.

I feel my hand lifting over the covers, crossing the space between us, cupping the fine curve of her jaw while my thumb rests on her full lower lip. 

“I know you do,” Mara replies, quietly. “And I want to see you.” 

“It’s not a wish. It’s a requirement.” 

I don’t know if I’ve ever made her laugh before. I like the way it rolls out of her, throaty and pleased.’ 

‘She put her life in my hands—willingly. Freely. 

‘I want to revive Mara because I want to talk to her again. I want to know if she has any other ideas for the unfinished sculptures. And I want to know how she felt about what we did.’ 

‘She’s beautiful, infinitely more beautiful than the Olgiati. I can’t shatter her.’ 

‘I’m blasted to bits, la petite mort, the death of Mara. 

I don’t know if I’ll ever come back together. 

“Don’t lie to me, Mara. I hate it when you lie.” 

‘He’s not human. He’s so much more…’ 

“You can’t possibly imagine what I know about you…” Cole says. “I know what you read, what you eat. I know how you touch yourself when you think you’re alone. And I know every song you listen to. All your favourites. I complied a list and made an algorithm to search for exactly the type of song that carries you away…” 

‘He really is a dark angel, biblical in power and in wrath.’ 

‘If Cole is so bad, then why does he feel so good?’ 

“It’s time for you to stop hiding,” he whispers against my throat. “It’s time for you to come home.” 

I’m the only one who gets to kill her.’ 

‘Death will be a mercy for which he will beg, hour after hour.’ 

‘I’m something else entirely: a dark figure that repels even a curious glance. Gliding along like death, like famine, like a plague in their midst.’ 

‘She feels things so intensely that it makes me feel them too.’ 

“Bad girl..” he growls in my ear. “You can’t keep your hands off what you want…” 

“Why should I?” I whisper back, “you’re the one says whatever I want must be good…” 

“That’s true for me. It might not be true for you…” 

He raises one black slash of an eyebrow. “What do you want to be?” 

“I want to be talented. Powerful. Respected. Successful. I want to be like you.” 

“Do you?” He says quietly. “Do you really?” 

“What were you thinking?” I cry when I finally catch my breath. “You could have killed that guy!” 

I turn to stare at him, gasping in the thin, damp air. 

“Absolutely I do. He disrespected you. Put his hands on you. I’d kill him for much less.” 

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

McKenzie Chambers

Absolutely LOVED. Literally not a single thing I didn’t like. CHEFS KISS

Iman Kamil

** spoiler alert **
           I'm gonna sound insane for saying this but the fact that Shaw mostly kills women and Cole mostly kills men really reminded me of Douma and Akaza from demon slayer but if they were cringe serial killers who are also artists in a dark romance book. 

Anyways I picked up this book as a palette cleanser and to get out of my reading slump and it worked so I highly recommend this if you want a mindless quick read (it's not very good but gets the job done).

aliza

this exceeded my expectations omg i absolutely loved colemara ! 
i feel like if sophie lark ever decided to write a litfic on a troubled heroine id definitely read it !! ( this is me giving u ideas sophie omg PLS. )

isabella

Empezó bien pero después de la mitad no sé qué pasó. Segundo libro de la autora que leo y le doy la misma cantidad de estrellas. Me voy a leer el segundo porque me gusta torturarme.

I Loathe Alastor Shaw.

The city of San Francisco thinks we’re rival artists.

In truth, we’re predators battling for hunting ground.

We never chased the same prey. Until the night we both laid eyes on Mara Eldritch.

Shaw wants to use her as a pawn in his twisted game.

I’m fixated on her for a different reason…

She makes me feel things I never thought I could feel. Want things I never wanted.

Only she can make me lose control.

I don’t know if I should protect her at all costs… or destroy her before she ruins me.

Mara knows I’m no saint. But she has no idea she’s dancing with the devil…


The Lark Notes:
I have always been fascinated by true crime, as well as by villains and anti-heroes. A serial killer is, of course, the ultimate anti-hero — the baddest of the bad boys. Redeeming a character who starts so evil was a challenge that inspired me to entirely new heights and entirely new depths. Come on this darkly sensual and utterly brain-bending ride with me! — Sophie

"There Are No Saints” is the first book in the Sinners Duet. Reader be warned: this book contains extremely dark themes that might be triggering to some. This is a steamy serial killer romance that will take you on a journey through the twisted mind of an artist on the brink of madness.

Brizah

Renata

honestly this was so good, i felt like i was reading YOU but in this version he doesn't kill the girl he's obsessed with, I REALLY LOVE COLE AND MARA and the plot 

- "She has an excellent eye for proportion, everything in balance. It's rare for me to admire other artists' work. There's always something to criticize, something out of place. But this is what I noticed about Mara from the moment she dyed that dress: her aesthetic sense is as finely honed as my own. Watching her work is like watching myself work."

- "Is that how you eat?" 
"Unless I'm in a hurry."
"Show me more combinations."

- "This obsession with Mara consumes me. It's all I think about. It directs every action I take. I've never felt so out of control-which upsets me."

- "I've never seen myself in another person before. (...) There is only one god in my world. I was alone in the universe.And now I see...a spark. A spark that interests me. I want to hold it in my hands. Manipulate it. Examine it."

- "And yet, the only way to hide her from him would be to never interact with her myself, or only in the most mundane ways. I want her with me constantly. I want to do every fucking thing I want to do with her. The conflict between this need and its inevitable consequences infuriates me."

- "But in this moment, I'm weak. She's making me weak."

- "I destroyed it on impulse. Something is happening to me. Something is taking me over-twisting me, changing me. I've been infected. And Mara is the disease."

- "Cole stands with his back to the mirror. He looks over his shoulder to see the design. Two snakes: one white, one black. Twisted and entwined with one another--their alternating coils tightly wrapped, but their mouths open to show their snarling fangs."

- "I like that we're feeling the same pain at the same
time. I like that I marked her, and she marked me. We're bound together now, her art on my skin and mine on hers."

- "I was pushing you away," 
"Why?"
"Because I didn't have control."
"Over what?"
"Over how much I wanted you."

- "Mara slips her hand into mine. Her fingers interlock with mine. They fit together like links in a chain.
"I shouldn't like you now," she says. "But I do."
I shouldn't like her, either. But I do."

- "Why do you care how some guy in a bar behaves toward me?"
"I told you,""I've acquired you, Mara, like a paint-ing, like a sculpture. Anyone who tries to damage what's mine will face consequences."
"I'm an object to you?"
"You're valuable."

- "Mara warps who I am. But in the moment, when I'm with her . . . I like it. I see things I never saw before. I feel things. Hell, I even taste things differently."

- "I don't know when I changed my mind about killing her. Maybe it was the moment she lifted her hand and let me close the manacle around her wrist. Maybe it was even before that, when I opened the door and saw her standing there in that black dress. She's beautiful, infinitely more beautiful than the Olgiati. I can't shatter her."

- "i'll see you later," 
"I'll definitely see you,"

honya

one of the only books i read in 1 sitting cuz it was just that good :) i was so in love with cole too so every time cole and mara were in each other’s presence, i was at the edge of my fricking seat.

Vanessa

Did anyone say, serial killer?

This book was quick to read. I was definitely intrigued by the plot.. I don’t really know what to say about it.. I’m looking forward to reading what happens to/with Shaw.. 

To Be Continued…

I'm all for a morally grey character, make him a stalker, make him an unliver, make him dark, twisted and whatever you want but give him some redeeming qualities too. 

I don't want to read about a guy who breaks into someone's room, uses her panties to 

 and then leaves them on the floor for her to put on while he spies on her with a telescope from the apartment over. Sorry for that mental picture but if I had to go through that, you too!

Case in point, I hated Cole. The guy is a certified psychopath and not the good kind. Creeped the hell out of me.

Will not talk about anything else because hello? Cole freaking Blackwell is nightmare material.  

P.S. To all the people comparing him to Zade Meadows: 

Souhaila

I'm all for a morally grey character, make him a stalker, make him an unliver, make him dark, twisted and whatever you want but give him some redeeming qualities too. 

I don't want to read about a guy who breaks into someone's room, uses her panties to you know what and then leaves them on the floor for her to put on while he spies on her with a telescope from the apartment over. Sorry for that mental picture but if I had to go through that, you too!

Case in point, I hated Cole. The guy is a certified psychopath and not the good kind. Creeped the hell out of me.

Will not talk about anything else because hello? Cole freaking Blackwell is nightmare material.  

P.S. To all the people comparing him to Zade Meadows: shut up. 

Skye

“she’s everything I dreamed of and more”

•

this book gave me serious “You” vibes. if you’ve watched the show, that should give you a good idea of how dark and twisted it is. although, Cole definitely seems more appealing than Joe Goldberg. There Are No Saints is creepy, disturbing, and a bit scary. I suggest checking out trigger warnings before reading!

as far as characters go, I wasn’t really interested in any of them. I wanted to like Mara, but I never connected in a way that made me care about her. by the time I was about 25% through the book, I was simply reading to see if my predictions would come true.

side note…I know we all get busy, but Mara not washing her clothes for over a month was a big ick for me. 

•

read if you like:

♡ dark romance 
♡ possessive 
♡ serial killer romance 
♡ art / art scene 
♡ starving artists 
♡ anti-hero
♡ tattoos 

trigger warnings:
 
☞ kidnapping 
☞ stalking 
☞ gaslighting 
☞ brutal murder 
☞ gory descriptions 
☞ self-harm
☞ child abuse
☞ sexual assault (adults and minors)
 
•

This one was different regarding what I read for Sophia lark. Up until the end of the book (it kinda ends on a cliffhanger) I was determined it will be 5⭐️ but then I changed my mind. Cole is a Psychotic serial killer who is an Artist. He kills for Art apparently. Mara is a (normal) artist (hence not a psycho) u can till their bond is pretty exotic and one of a kind. He respects her but he sees her as a property as well (didn’t like that much) 

Don’t want to spoil anything but I didn’t like Cole towards the end. Something else is the plot or the main problem we are facing in this book is not big enough to have (book 2) it’s merely a problem that I don’t think it requires that much thought regarding the way Cole’s character is shaped. 

Samaa

This one was different regarding what I read for Sophia lark. Up until the end of the book (it kinda ends on a cliffhanger) I was determined it will be 5⭐️ but then I changed my mind. Cole is a Psychotic serial killer who is an Artist. He kills for Art apparently. Mara is a (normal) artist (hence not a psycho) u can till their bond is pretty exotic and one of a kind. He respects her but he sees her as a property as well (didn’t like that much) 

Don’t want to spoil anything but I didn’t like Cole towards the end. Something else is the plot or the main problem we are facing in this book is not big enough to have (book 2) it’s merely a problem that I don’t think it requires that much thought regarding the way Cole’s character is shaped. 

detelinka

Allison Freedman

This book was dark, sensual, twisted and sexy! Ate it up! Your girl loves a good sociopath love story.

This book was was absolute chaos but still good.

Ella Sullivan

Sinners Duet: Book 1 (Limited Edition Cover)

Cait Yvonne

serial killers AND smut?? Sophie Lark you spoil me 😳😍 this book had me in a chokehold like no other. Sophie does such an amazing job of describing things so that I see them crystal clear in my mind.

Amelia 

Holy shit I loved EVERY single thing about this. Also I’m attracted to serial killers now I guess. In my defence why is he that hot?

Kasey Montagnat

I like this book don’t get me wrong it took me ages to start it and get into it but it just didn’t do it for me I feel like I’m obligated to read the second book but I don’t want to lol

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

There Are No Saints was such an incredible read and I couldn’t seem to get enough of this book. I will be honest in that I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one here. I will be frank in that unfortunately this author just hasn’t worked for me in the past. I have really admired her for quite a while and it has been hard to not enjoy her books like I have wanted to. This duet was my last run with this author I was pretty sure and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to discover that this book won my heart in so many ways. There are so many complex layers to this story, and I was hooked pretty much from the beginning of this one. It’s not going to be one that will work for everyone. It does deal with some darker content (I mean the hero is an assassin) so there is that. However, Sophie Lark really worked her magic in this story and showcased a romance that seemed to just work in a variety of ways that you don’t quite expect to find.
 



And yet . . . not all of us were drawn to Prince Charming. Some little girls ate up the stories of ball gowns and castles and knights who slayed the dragon . . . While some little girls read the stories of a dark pathway into the woods . . . a twisted mansion with black windows and fog covering the grounds . . . That’s where we wanted to go. No matter what we might find inside . . 


The story is this, our heroine, Mara is an artist and she gets caught in the middle of a rivalry between two artists who are also assassins. Cole has a cold exterior and only lives for his heart. He doesn’t like people but he has one rival, an enemy, that he despises more than any other….Shaw. But when Shaw plays a game and the beautiful Mara gets caught in the middle, Cole’s priorities begin to shift toward Mara. He doesn’t understand his consuming thoughts on Mara but for some reason, she is a woman that is delicate but has a spine of steel. She has a strength and talent that surpasses any other woman he has ever known, and before he knows it, he will do what it takes to protect the woman who is beginning to hold the heart that has been locked away for so long…


Mara warps who I am. But in the moment, when I’m with her . . . I like it. I see things I never saw before. I feel things. Hell, I even taste things differently.


Mara warps who I am. But in the moment, when I’m with her . . . I like it. I see things I never saw before. I feel things. Hell, I even taste things differently.

This story was such an incredible read and I am not going to say that EVERYONE should be reading this one, because frankly, not everyone should because it does deal in darker elements. So unless you enjoy dark romance, I probably wouldn’t recommend it. I will say that if you enjoy this sub-genre, then you definitely need to grab this one up. I really was impressed with how this author handled this assassin type of hero and see the depths of the story that we are given here. I didn’t know what to expect with this story but it was so captivating. I honestly couldn’t seem to put this story down….NOT ONCE. I just had to read this and I was hooked on the connection that Cole and Mara were building with each other. The beginning to their relationship isn’t easy, but seeing them find a connection was such a beautiful thing to witness.


“I don’t want to be taken care of,” she says. “I want to be seen.”

Caroll-Ann

I don’t know how to feel about this book. I don’t like the smut in this one but the story itself is interesting. Personally I believe this book would be better without the cringey smut so I try to focus on the story itself in between the little smut parts. 

I will read the second one because I want to know how the story ends BUT I hope there is less smut tbh.

I am not a fan of this type of books, but I have to admit it is actually really good 

Piliii

This book is dark like fr look up trigger warnings. 

Listen, this is not a fluffy happy romance. This is the MMC will literally murder someone for you or maybe even you. So go in with those expectations. It's toxic. It's dirty, It's dark in the absolute best ways.

I could not put this down, finished it in 24 hours.

This one kept me on my toes the entire time, the smut is next level so good!

Kristen Owens

Sophie does it again!
This book is dark like fr look up trigger warnings. 
Listen, this is not a fluffy happy romance. This is the MMC will literally murder someone for you or maybe even you. So go in with those expectations. It's toxic. It's dirty, It's dark in the absolute best ways.
I could not put this down, finished it in 24 hours.
This one kept me on my toes the entire time, the smut is next level so good!

I loved the murder artist plot and the romance was epic!

Going to immediately get There is no Devil!

Brooke Barnett

I loved the murder artist plot and the romance was epic!

Going to immediately get There is no Devil!

Penelope Held

A serial killer romance that will keep you so entertained with its artistry and complex characters!

Full RTC.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark

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There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark