As soon as the signs of a book slump started coming in, I knew I needed a dark romantic comedy to pull me out of it. Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby was the exact book I needed. It was funny and cute, you know in a serial killer dark romance way.
Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby
Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby is the first book in the Serial Killer Book Club. It is a dark romantic comedy published on June 3rd, 2025 and is 378 pages long. You can find the book on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and the author’s website here.
Premise
Wrenley just landed a new job at a publication that could connect him to his obsession, the Baby Doll Killer. Unfortunately, Dove is standing in his way, and she isn’t handing over the reins that she used to save the dying publication. Dove is covered in head to toe pink and too bubbly for it to be genuine, and Wrenley can’t help but to push her buttons to get closer to his obsession. Until he realizes the Dove and the Baby Doll Killer are one in the same. Getting on the bad side of a serial killer? Not the greatest idea.
Triggers
Triggers found in Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby include:
- Accidental cannibalism
- Dismemberment
- Talk of SA of a child by a parent
- Past family trauma
- Detailed sex scenes
- References to psychological/emotional abuse
- Talk of DV
- Drink tampering
- Murder
- Mentions of animal cruelty
- Talk of SA by a teacher
- Dolls
My Thoughts
I picked up three books before this one, and had to put all three down because they just weren’t what I was looking for. Don’t worry, I don’t talk about DNF’s and I might go back to them in the future. I was looking for a dark romantic comedy and oof Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby hit that mark.
Yes, yes, I know. “But Jayne, you hate cannibalism.” And I still do, but I guess it’s less of a trigger now that I’ve read a few books with that particular trigger. And besides, it was completely accidental. *Shakes head slightly in disbelief that I’m defending reading accidental cannibalism.*
Look, I need a dark romantic comedy with a vengeful FMC and that is exactly what I needed. Plus I got a fantastic story, with loads of tension, hilarious banter, and a whole lot of tension.
Seriously, Dove is freaking amazing. Not only does she go after the worst of the worst types of men, but she’s a bad ass dressed up like a short Barbie. What is not to love?
And Wrenley, a cinnamon roll on a mission who engages in a prank war with Dove but knows when he takes things too far and is willing to admit when he’s wrong. He’s also the protective type with that lovely touch of possessiveness.
“My angel shakes his head. You just can’t leave well enough alone, can you? My devil smirks. It’s his own form of foreplay.” – Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby
The tension between these two from the start is fantastic, and it just makes the spice so freaking worth it. Even after the spice hits, you still feel the tension between the characters which is one of my favorite parts of romance.
“She isn’t feared, though. She’s respected. I don’t want to respect her, though. I want to disrespect the fuck out of her. I want to leave her a quivering mess, covered in my cum.” – Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby
Both of the main character went through a similar trauma, and both of them have a hard time with trust. I loved watching their growth, both individually, and how it brought them together. They both because fiercely protective over each other.
“What am I allowed to call you then? You don’t like Songbird. You weren’t partial to Wren. If I can’t use your full name, then what else do I call you?” … “Yours. You infuriating fucking woman.” – Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby
To make the book even better we get a bit of found family vibes with Bunny and Hunter in the picture. We also get a bit of a sneak peek into their banter and tension for the next book in the series.
I would describe the overall vibes of this book as chaotic fun. It’s the vengeful, vigilante, serial killer FMC with a main couple dynamic of grumpy/sunshine that will keep you turning pages.
Who Would Like Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby?
Tropes in Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby include:
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Serial Killer FMC
- Rivals to Lovers
- Banter
If you liked Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver, Lights Out by Navessa Allen, or Satan’s Affair by HD Carlton you will likely love Dolls and Daggers by DL Darby.