Ruinous Love Trilogy #1
*There is a whole page of trigger warnings for this story. See the full list HERE.
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Disclaimer: I have read this book of my own volition. Any and all opinions and interpretations contained herein are my own.
The Spoiler Report is a recounting of the major events of the novel mixed with my own interpretation of the meaning and symbolism of events, emotions, and actions. Reading this report is NOT a substitute for reading the actual novel and should not be taken as such. Not every single detail, feeling, and event is divulged within. It is essentially a lengthy outline of the story. Many details and all dialogue have not been included. This report is for those who appreciate knowing what happens or feels they may miss things when reading, or just want to have a detailed overview of a book before, or during, reading.
****THIS REPORT CONTAINS SPOILERS****
This is not a book review. For the full review of this book please visit HERE.
One last warning – SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Sloane, a young serial killer of serial killers, is in a cage —with a dead body in the room — in the Louisiana summer. The dead man’s stomach explodes in an eruption of maggots.
As Sloane is singing to herself in a fetal position to drown out the sound of the approaching maggots, a man enters the room.
Rowan, the Butcher of Boston. A man Sloane knows only by reputation. A reputation not unlike her own. Sloane is somewhat annoyed and embarrassed by her current predicament. Still, she tries for nonchalance.
Before he leaves, Sloane reveals who she is — the Orb Weaver. Turns out, Rowan has heard of her too. Only he doesn’t try to hide his admiration of her work.
Rowan finally helps her out of the cage and takes her to lunch after she cleans up.
During lunch, Rowan can’t keep his eyes from Sloane and the fact she is not wearing a bra. Sloane inadvertently reveals that she is familiar with Rowan’s work as a vigilante serial killer. Rowan takes that tidbit and runs with it. He just seems all too happy to have someone to talk to; to relate with. Like a single parent that hasn’t had an adult conversation for far too long.
Regardless of their shared hobby, Rowan is a smitten kitten and suspects that Sloane might be as well. Sloane is just slower on the uptake; reluctant. Rowan is eager to get to know all her truths.
To keep Sloane from running, Rowan suggests a friendly competition. One where the winner gets the honor of killing the Forest Phantom. An “Annual August Showdown”.
One year later and even Sloane doesn’t really know the details of the competition. She’s waiting for a text from Rowan as she has a guy gagged and bound to a metal table — a pedophile who prefers the little boys in his neighborhood.
The text finally comes through. Rowan’s brother, Lachlan, sends them a randomly chosen location. Once there, they have seven days. The one to make the kill, wins. If neither can discover and kill the target by the end of the week, it’s a draw settled by rock-paper-scissors.
Their first mission is in West Virginia.
Everyone in both their lives questions and encourages their decision to participate in this competition with a relative, and dangerous, stranger. Both Sloane and Rowan have similar reasons behind wanting to go through with the game. Each equally trusting and mistrusting the other.
Landing in WV, staying at the same small inn, rooms next to one another. At first, Sloane is annoyed at the situation. Not really wanting to entertain the idea of letting anyone else in. She already has Lark, her best friend since school.
Once her and Rowan are in the same room again after a year, it only takes a few moments to remember how easy it is to be around him. After twelve months without seeing one another, if feels like only a few days have passed.
Unlike last time, this meeting is more relaxed; they are able to learn more about each other. Bantering like besotted teenagers. Banter that draws Rowan in tighter. Wrapping him in all the feels against his will. But he’s not entirely mad at it.
So, when Sloane goes out on a ‘date’ without him, he is beside himself. Trying to remind himself that it is all part of the game. It’s not personal.
When Sloane returns, Rowan can hear her through the paper-thin walls. At first, he suspects that she is not alone. Turns out Sloane is, in fact, alone. There is someone in the walls, watching her get herself off. Hearing a man really enjoying the show, Rowan sees red and bashes the wall in with a lamp.
Once the situation is exposed, Sloane runs after the Peeping Tom. Slowly, Rowan mentally and physically catches up with what Sloane has already figured out — hence the date. The owner of the inn is their target.
As competitions go, they both fight to win.
Until Rowan warms Sloane off, claiming the inn owner with animalistic rage coursing through his veins. Motivated by the same fervor, Rowan claims Sloane as his to the inn owner before beating him to death with his bare hands. Now, Sloane is nowhere to be found and Rowan begins to panic.
Thinking it is best that he scared her away. They may both be monsters, but very different brands. His panic was for naught as Sloane reveals herself, assesses the bloody scene and clearly approves.
While tending to his wounds, Sloane is able to get snippets of Rowan he couldn’t help but let loose.
Six months since their round in West Virginia and Sloane and Rowan have kept in contact via text. Nothing significant other than Rowan gloating over his win. Something Sloane looks forward to daily.
After a three month long internal debate, Sloane goes to Boston to see Rowan. Showing up at the restaurant Rowan owns and is the chef, unannounced. Just as she is about to bolt after eating, Lachlan, Rowan’s brother comes in with a group of friends. Shortly after, Rowan comes out of the kitchen. That doesn’t stop Lachlan from approaching her and acting just like an older brother should.
Unfortunately, once Lachlan concedes to decency, in walks a blond bombshell, Anna. It’s the final spark of embarrassment Sloane can endure. Politely excusing herself to wallow in pain and heartache.
Three weeks later, Rowan stands across the street from Sloane’s home in Raleigh as he watches a kid he paid deliver a bag of groceries. Attempting to prevent Sloane from completely retreating after her impromptu visit to Boston.
Rowan sent the groceries so they could cook together as they should have when she visited his restaurant. Even if it is over the phone. He is desperate to pull her closer.
It works to an extent. This olive branch inspires Sloane to begin to open up a bit more. In return, Rowan does the same. This goes on for a few days. Sloane never realizing that Rowan was so close every time.
Next round of the game. Sloane is pursuing another target, Thorsten Harris. She is successfully drawing in Thorsten until Rowan crashes the party and weasels his way into Thorsten’s good graces. Stepping on all the hard work Sloane has done.
Interpreting Rowan’s actions toward her as just another plot to win and not stemming from genuine interest. Which she clearly doesn’t want (insert sarcastic eye roll here).
The two of them drive to Thorsten’s home, separately, for dinner. Sloane quickly realizes Rowan has spent his time following Sloane to find their target rather than doing his own research. Rowan has no clue what Thorsten is — a real life Hannibal Lector.
Knowing all the facts, Sloane is able to avoid the predator’s usual traps and pitfalls. Remaining alert and coherent to save them both.
While Rowan is unconscious, Sloane takes care of Thorsten.
As Rowan comes to and realizes what he ate and what he said during his drugged induced delirium, he chooses to play dumb. Knowing it would probably lead to Sloane flying away. But he can’t keep lying to her. Vowing that this will be the last time he lies about what he is really feeling toward her just to protect her sensibilities.
He watches as Sloane finished her artful kill. Listens as she rehashes a traumatic past. The cornerstone of purpose. A past that has led her to her current life and mission — ridding the world of evil scum like Thorsten. Not just serial killers. Those that are the darkest, most depraved. Praying on the weak and making them believe that they are helpless and alone.
Before leaving, Sloane convinces Rowan to ‘adopt’ Thorsten’s lobotomized manservant, David. To give him a job as a dishwasher at his restaurant.
Eight months later, Sloane is getting ready to attend a gala with Rowan in Boston. Preparing physically and emotionally. Sloane’s inner thoughts are relentless. No matter what her best friend Lark says over their video chat. Deeming herself a monster that may not deserve any sort of normalcy. Though she longs for a slice of life with Rowan. One of the only people who really knows who and what she is.
During the gala, Sloane begins to believe that Lark was right, a HEA could be possible with Rowan. Just when she thinks that he could feel the same about her as she does him, he breaks that illusion by suggesting they take out a serial killer doctor attending the gala. Together. That night. Making it clear that Sloane misread everything about their time together and Rowan’s reason for inviting her.
She is crushed and it plainly shows on her face and demeanor.
Rowan finally understands why she truly agreed to accompany him to the gala.
Their moment is interrupted by Rowan’s cell phone ringing. There is an emergency at his restaurant. Reluctantly, he leaves Sloane there.
There is a small spark in Sloane that has not been extinguished as she continues to wonder what if.
Rowan and Sloane meet up to resume the game. It’s a real-life Texas Chainsaw Massacre with a side of Bates Motel psychosis.
Searching the property, Sloane gets caught by their target, Harvey Mead.
Rowan rescues an injured Sloane. He is gripped by the fear of losing her. As that fear manifests, Sloane truly understands how Rowan feels about her.
Once he believes she is safe, Rowan leaves to defend ‘his girl’. As he promised, Rowan allows Sloane to have a turn with Harvey before he kills him. Inadvertently, it’s Sloane’s incredibly imaginative turn that ends Harvey.
With the threat gone, Rowan wants to take Sloane to his younger brother, Fionn the doctor, to treat her injuries.
Arriving at Fionn’s, they find a Tarot-reading firecracker in his absence. Sloane and her become fast friends.
Rowan almost reluctantly helps Sloane clean up after resting post doctor visit. His clear struggle with being around her nude prompts Sloane to lay some truths on him. When that doesn’t ease his personal tension, Sloane guides his hand to her body. When his hand discovers a few hidden body piercings, Rowan demands she gets out of the bath so he can take her to the bedroom. He is tired of playing games.
In the morning, Fionn isn’t happy how his patient spent the night and all the physical activity she engaged in. She needs more rest and time to recover. Rowan insists on taking her home to Boston with him so he can take care of her.
Sloane spends sometime rearranging and dismantling her life so she can permanently move with Rowan in his Boston home. Lark returns to Boston with Sloane, meeting Rowan for the first time.
Taking Sloane to his new restaurant that is set to open in a few weeks. Blackbird & Butcher, the L-word is finally exchanged. Sloane’s previous fears and self-doubt are finally doused.
Now that Blackbird & Butcher is open, Rowan worries he is neglecting Sloane as he is gone the majority of the day because of the demanding restaurant. Sloane reassures him that she is fine; happy. Even goes as far as suggesting that they forgo their annual game come August and just hunt together. You know, couples’ activities.
After Sloane was injured by Harvey Mead, Rowan is still scarred by the fear he felt by the possibility of losing her. Navigating their new relationship, no matter how intensely they feel for one another, is proving difficult for Rowan. He doesn’t quite believe Sloane is as content as she tries to present.
As Rowan attempts some repairs in his original restaurant one afternoon, he is met with a gun to the forehead.
Sloane arrives at the restaurant to meet Rowan so they can go for drinks as they had arranged that morning. She finds Rowan in the kitchen, a completely changed man. He tells her to go home, back to Raleigh. It’s not working as he thought it would. Continuing to reiterate words that Sloane has no recollection of him ever saying.
Beyond heartbroken, Sloane searched inside herself for answers. What is it about her that is so unlovable? Is she that broken and messed up? The things Rowan said to her destroyed everything inside Sloane.
Devastated, Sloane calls Lark. Rehashing her interaction with Rowan, she can’t help but wonder about some of the things he said. They make less sense the more she thinks about it. Allowing her curiosity to run with it, she’s able to put the pieces together.
Immediately calling Lachlan for help. Needing to know everything he can find on David Miller, Thorsten’s lobotomized man-servant Sloan forced Rowan to give a home to.
Back at the restaurant, David is torturing Rowan. Slowly butchering him, preparing his flesh. Living and serving Thorsten really gave him a taste for the cannibalistic lifestyle. All the while spilling his plans for Sloane who has tickled his fancy since he freed him from Thorsten. He has fallen in love with Sloane in his own disgusting, psychotic, human eating way.
Sloane interrupts. Turning the tides, using the information Lachlan has provided to befriend David until she has him in the optimal, vulnerable position. One she can exploit.
With David now gone, Sloane and Rowan can focus on their future. Including the prize Sloane gets for winning their game.
Returning to their regularly scheduled lives, including hunting together, Rowan watches enraptured as Sloane finishes up her artwork after killing the doctor from the gala. He takes the opportunity to propose as only one monster can to another with a grotesquely romantic gesture. Falling into a life that was meant for the two of them. Embracing their darkness to shed some light into their lives.
The phantom watches Sloane and Rowan leave Lachlan’s home from a café across the street. Silently praying that the Lord give His faithful servant the strength he needs. Preparing to take from Rowan what he took from him.
His brother.
