There Are No Saints is a completely different type of story than we’re used to from Sophie Lark.

Cole Blackwell is a well-known sculptor in San Francisco to the public eye, but he’s so much more than that when he’s on his own. He’s cold, calculating and disconnected and uses his art to showcase his thoughts and talents. His biggest rival (in more ways than one) is Alastor Shaw - the two of them are constantly aware of each other’s moves, in the art world and in their more dark and sinister lives outside of it.

Mara Eldritch is a starving artist (sometimes literally), working multiple jobs to keep her dream of being a full-time artist alive. She’s been through a lot and gets overwhelmed easily by sound or light, but manages to push all that down to create beautiful artwork inspired by her experiences. She catches Cole’s attention in more ways than one and he promises to make her his protege, helping her to refine her craft and getting to spend more time together exploring their dark connection.

This story is twisted, disturbing, intriguing and a little kinky...it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. Cole and Mara’s relationship is complex, with a lot of layers that Mara herself doesn’t even understand yet. Mara makes Cole feel things for the first time in a long time and Cole is shocked to discover that someone has that kind of power over him.

I had a little trouble getting into the story. The characters are stubborn and their behaviors are so outside of the norm that I didn’t really relate. Cole’s behavior, especially his stalker tendencies when it comes to Mara, left me feeling uncomfortable. I know Cole is meant to be an anti-hero, but sometimes it went a little too far for me.

I’m anxiously awaiting the second book in this duet - can’t wait to see where Sophie takes us next and how things end up playing out for Cole, Mara and Shaw.