Black Sheep by Alexa Harlowe and Brynne Weaver
This book was amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I hope Netflix considers making it a movie. I would watch it, and based on the reviews, so would a lot of other people.
Bria was such an incredible character. She's a serial killer, through and through. But that doesn't mean she's not a person, even if she's never been treated as part of society. She's tough as nails, incredibly brilliant, reflective, and I loved how deeply we get to see the way she thinks, especially her memory palace.
Kaplan, I'm sorry, Eli, was the perfect partner for her. I loved that their relationship wasn't easy. It was full of ups and downs, but Eli was so patient and willing to simply bask in the glory that is Bria. He was the perfect sunshine to her grumpiness, but don't let that fool you. This man was kinky as fuck.
The library scene 👀👀? The way Bria was always going to get him in her in the office? The girl's confident was off the charts and she enjoyed playing this man like a fiddle and he was happy to sing for her. The way he protected her when she didn't need it and the way he loved her felt perfect for both of their characters. And that moment, the utter second she told him she loved him too? Perfect.
This is a story where you have to leave your crap at the door. These characters aren't always going to act the way YOU want them too. But they do act in a way that matches the core of their beings.
Bria constantly says that Eli matches her dark, and I don't think that's all of it. He matches her dark by being her light. Eli has his dark pieces too but he gives Bria the home, the companionship and welcoming that she needs and deserves. He opens her up to a different kind of world, one where she doesn't have to conform, one where she's welcomes for all she is, and in the end isn't that what we all want?