I have completed this book but as it is published by an imprint of St. Martin's Press I will be withholding my thoughts until they respond to the boycott.

I am over the enemies to lovers trope. It has been overdone these past few years in fantasy. It is a crutch at this point. Also , gross with the menstrual bllod.. ick.
I think this is just a me thing and not the book as a whole. I will go 3 stars , as I think it is not author or publisher issue but personal preference.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

What a fun enemies to lovers! Those who love slow burn with morally grey love interests will love this book! I need the next book immediately.

4.5* rounded up

I really loved this story. I was drawn in immediately. I couldn’t put it down and read it quickly. It was so fast paced; it was well paced. Information wasn’t dumped all at once and we learned new things at well placed intervals.

The characters were fleshed out very well. The tensions between Rune and Gideon was well written too. They were obviously young people with young people problems. The world building was well done too. As we learned more details about the world and what was happening, it didn’t get more complicated. I wasn’t confused. I did guess the plot twist, but only after the halfway point. Even though I’d guessed, I wasn’t bored. I was excited to see how it would play out.

Mostly Rune is the protagonist, but it’s a dual POV, so we get to see Gideon’s side too. It was both interesting and it helped to add details to the plot without info dumping. I usually prefer a single POV but I quite liked this setup, especially because Rune and Gideon were on opposite ends.

I really loved the “rooting for them but shouldn’t be rooting for them, enemies-to-lovers but can’t get their shit together” tension. It was well done and didn’t feel forced or instant. It was very well written. It felt natural.

This novel does have adult scenes which I wasn’t expecting.

Finally, I think my favourite part was that it didn’t end on a cliffhanger! I definitely want to read the sequel, but if I stop here it doesn’t feel terribly incomplete. There isn’t that gutted feeling waiting for the next volume, but there is definitely more to the story.

(2.5⭐)

its the way i was just stuck at the 70% mark for almost two weeks help😭 im sorry but truly i got bored and its either because i was in a slump (might be this tbh due to uni??) orrr this was just boring🙈

but! i will say that the last 10% was definitely interesting at the very least and had me at the edge of my seat (justice for my fav character of the book though🔪 im ngl just because of what happened to that character who was the only reason i was going to consider reading book 2, i dont even think i am going to continue anymore??? THAT CHARACTER DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER I HATE IT)

rune was honestly a pretty alright character. like i neither hated her nor loved her, but i did find her to make stupid decisions a lot lol. (or maybe its because of my hatred for gideon that i found them stupid). also considering she's the crimson moth, it's pretty disappointing that we only got one actually amazing scene of her in action like what a waste!! the tunnel scene was sooo good and probably my favourite one of the whole book

gideon on the other hand.... HA i hate him. i dont see what rune sees him?? bro is actually just so annoying and just so angry all the time? it just got so repetitive and i got tired of him especially with his weird logic (one witch evil = all witches must die? idk man whatever works with you). i genuinely dont foresee myself loving him in book 2 all of a sudden. i will give him credit for one thing--this guy REALLY knows how to sew the most beautiful dresses, flowers, and literally anything which is impressive and the only sweet gestures i liked about him otherwise🤚

the romance aspect of this book though??? it was pretty laughable tbh i wasnt sold on rune and gideon falling in love with the other... like in my opinion it barely felt as though they knew the other enough on an emotional level to love each other all of a sudden?? yes gideon did talk about *that* to rune but even then🤷‍♀️ their relationship felt really bland and i actually hated it anytime they were on scene together... maybe book 2 would build on that but who knows! you could not tell me those two actually are in love with each other though🤡 it's more attraction if anything

okay but one of the characters had this huge plot twist that i actually did NOT see coming at all until i was about 20 pages away from the reveal but wow???? tbh if there's anything that has me slightly curious about book 2 (like maybe 5% curiosity) it's to see how they're going to handle *that* but idk we'll see how i'm feeling in the end. and then there was this other character who was absolutely the sweetest omg <spoiler>ALEX IS TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD LIKE??? too pure, good, and honest nobody deserves him and his death was so unfair, wish he let gideon die sigh</spoiler>

all in all, this was alright (albeit very boring at times but again could be because of the slump), but Serpent & Dove had the better couple, plot, and world in my honest opinion🤭 <S>yes this is me telling you to go read it</s>


Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was EXACTLY what I needed! What a fresh take on a genre I’ve loved for so long- fast paced, phenomenal characters, intrigue, and an amazing hidden identity plot.

Something I love seeing in fantasy books is an intelligent and quick whit FMC. Rune had me cheering her on each time she would throw Gideon completely off and confuse the hell out of him. Watching this cat and mouse game unfold made me truly unable to put this down. I found myself constantly thinking about this book if I wasn’t reading it. This may be one of my favorites for 2024.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the premise of the story and the brothers love triangle was a bit messy in a good way

The premise of this book was really interesting and immediately caught my interest. The prose was decent enough and i kind of enjoyed the cat and mouse games and close calls between Gideon and Rune.

However the magic system and romantic elements were much harder for me to enjoy. It's a matter of personal preference but I don't like love triangles, particularly brother love triangles. Moreover, I felt that Rune and Gideon both developed attraction and feelings for each other too quickly, considering they have such strong reasons to distrust each other. It didn't feel believable to me.

All in all, it's an interesting concept and the cover is beautiful, but I struggled with it a bit.

OBSESSED!!! Thank you NetGalley, Kristen Ciccarelli and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE, FABULOUS, INTENSE, ADDICTIVE, THRILLING, MAGICAL, SENSATIONAL, ENCHANTING, MESMERIZING, ROMANTIC, HEARTBREAKING, SUSPENSEFUL, ACTION-PACKED, PHENOMENAL, DEEPLY EMOTIONAL AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN FANTASY ROMANCE!!! IT HAS YOUR FORBIDDEN ROMANCE, ENEMIES TO LOVERS, SLOW BURN ROMANCE, FAKE COURTING, BANNED MAGIC, WITCHES AND WITCH HUNTERS, CAT AND MOUSE GAMES, BEST FRIEND'S OLDER BROTHER, UNIQUE MAGIC SYSTEM, MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS, SECRETS, BETRAYALS, TENSION, BANTER, CHEMISTRY, COMPLEX CHARACTERS, DUAL POV, FAST PACED PLOT, CAPTIVATING WORLD BUILDING AND UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS!! HANDS DOWN ONE OF MY FAVORITE ROMANTASY BOOKS FOR 2024!!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Heartless Hunter is the first book in the"Crimson Moth"duology that is loosely based on the Scarlet Pimpernel classic. Rune lives in a world where witches are hunted and purged. Therefore, she must hide what she is! During the day, she pretends to be nothing more than a heiress hosting parties for the privileged. However, at night Rune is the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who recuses her kind from being purged. Gideon, is a witch hunter who wants nothing more than to capture the elusive Crimson Moth. When their lives become interwoven, feelings begin to develop between them and things get complicated.

Overall, I was totally immersed from start to finish! I found myself giggling, screaming, swooning and sobbing by the end! Please be aware⚠️ that this does end on a HUGE cliffhanger‼️I was utterly shook by the twist ending and I am still not sure how I am supposed to wait for book two?! I highly, highly recommend this book and it deserves infinite stars!!! ♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️💫💫💫💫💫

I really enjoyed this book! The writing style was so natural and easy to read. The story flowed so well. The characters were well-crafted and interesting. There was so much tension in multiple relationships and plot lines, it kept me engaged and wondering what was going to happen next.

The character development was well done. The foundational world building could’ve been more in depth, but I didn’t feel like that kept me from being bought into the storyline and characters.

I loved the plot developments at the end, and the unresolved issues between Gideon and Rune have me eager to read the next book.

Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth: Book One) by Kristen Ciccarelli is set to be released on February 20, 2024.

<Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.>

It can be really hard to balance fantasy and romance in a romantasy so that both elements are equally captivating. This book hits that balance. I enjoyed that the magic system was well-thought out and not just whatever made sense plot-wise in that moment (actual consequences for magic!), and thought the pacing was good. I really liked the FMC and didn't mind the (mild) love triangle. Definitely for fans of Serpent and Dove, or maybe a witchy version of a regency romance??

However, the plot twists were a little predictable if you read a lot of this genre and the language sometimes veered into slightly more modern phrasing which took me out of the story a few times. I also wish we saw more of the FMC's actual work as a Crimson Moth/a little more action. Lastly, I just didn't fully buy the development of the main romantic plotline. I wanted a little more tension, a little more banter, a little more... development between the two.

The first two chapters of this book were a little shaky and unpolished, and I wasn't sure about it. Then I hit Gideon's first POV chapter and knew it would be good.

This book reminded me of the YA of 2008-2015. Most of the plot points were predictable, but the book was highly bingeable.

The enemies to lovers aspect was actually done well. Rune is a witch who saw her adopted grandmother burned during the witch purge. Gideon is a soldier in the new regime and was instrumental in bringing the old witch queens down. And he's determined to scrub every last witch from the country.

His inside knowledge is just the thing Rune needs if she's to free a recently captured witch before she's burned.

What I loved about this book is that Rune and Gideon are true enemies. They were on opposite sides of the war, and now that it's over, they are on opposite sides of the new regime. And while Gideon's backstory takes longer to come out, they are both sympathetic characters. It's easy to understand why they make the choices they do.

The tension between them and the cat-and-mouse game they play will keep you turning pages to see exactly how it plays out. But be warned: there is no HEA here. At least not yet. That is my favorite thing about this book. Despite the connection and romance that blooms between Rune and Gideon, a few months is not enough time to alter their entire world views, as is so often the case with YA romances.

After reading the first few pages I was instantly hooked. This is what I call a Fantasy Romance book, enemies to lovers that had me swooning. I have already pre-order this book both US version and UK version (because I just need it). I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait until the next book comes out.


This book follows takes place in a world where witches are being hunted/purged- it follows two POVs one is Rune who secretly a witch and is the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who help witches escape and Gideon who is a Witch Hunter. Rune plans to court Gideon in order to obtain information while Gideon plans on getting close to Rune is that he has suspicions she is a witch and could be the Crimson Moth. As they spend time with one another feelings begin to take shape- blurring the lines of their objective.

I fell in love with this story! The way they weren’t suppose to fall in love but did. Then the plot twist in the end! So good! Cannot wait for the second in the serious to come out! I knew she had a love interest but I don’t think they were meant to be together. And even knowing that they aren’t going to be together even as friends sucks. I truly hope it gets better for Rune. And she does get her happy ending and hopefully it is with Gideon!

This had me engaged in a way I haven’t been in months. Absolutely fantastic slow burn, enemies to lovers story. I’m upset I read it early because I’ll have to wait even longer between this one and the sequel.

I do worry the abundance of menstrual blood talk is going to be a deterrent for some — but also fight the patriarchy, you know?

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy to review!

Heartless Hunter was a fun, fast paced romantasy story. While this story was nothing unique, I enjoyed reading about Gideon and Rune's relationship. I would have appreciated learning more about the world and the magic system, and I wish we could have delved a little deeper into both characters internal dialogue as it sometimes felt we were breezing past their reactions to the events of the story. Overall would recommend to anyone who likes romantasy or a cat and mouse style relationship!

Heartless Hunter intertwines the worlds of witches and witch hunters in a captivating enemies-to-lovers tale, seamlessly blending YA/NA fantasy elements.

Rune Winters, a witch concealed in a world where hunters purge her kind, crosses paths with Gideon Sharpe, a relentless witch hunter pursuing the elusive Crimson Moth, a savior of captured witches.

I'm still absorbing the ending and eagerly anticipating the next book in this duology. The main characters were intricately developed, and the author's writing is both beautiful and detailed.

Honestly 👩‍🍳 💋 I will definitely be pre ordering the physical copy!

This book kept me up until 2 am.
It kept me invested, but it also made me uneasy. The world it creates is dark and intense, and I've never read anything quite like it.

Heartless Hunter is an enemies-to-lovers YA novel about a witch named Rune and the witch hunter trying to trap her, Gideon. The witch hunters in the book are "purging" (violently killing) all the witches to put an end to their power. Rune needs information from the hunters to protect other witches, forcing her and Gideon into a cat-and-mouse game with each other.

It's refreshing to see enemies to lovers who are actual enemies, like, "I want to kill you and your friends violently," enemies. Despite the back and forth, the characters feel balanced out. Neither is truly good or bad. Past experiences and social standing complicate them, and there is some interesting discussion around class and privilege. The pace is good, the characters don't just randomly suddenly decide they are perfect for each other, there's a build-up to the romance. Before you ask, yes, there is an open-door spice scene, but it is mild.

While the romance in this book is very YA, the book itself feels much more NA/ adult because of its content and chilling atmosphere. The magic system is unique, and ..... okay, it's a bit gross. Remember when I said this was dark? To use magic, witches need blood— either their own or from others.... the fresher, the better. You're going to hear about blood a lot. Some plot twists are predictable, but a few surprised me. If I had one main complaint, I would have liked more world-building, especially around politics and the history of the witches. I'm hoping we get some of that in book two.

Should you read it? Yes, probably, but be better than me. Please don't go into it expecting a nice wrap-up and happily ever after. This book ends on a dark cliffhanger, with several twists and turns to get there. It's going to keep you up.

3.5 Rounded up because I couldn't put it down.
TW: blood, self-mutilation, abusive relationship

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Heartless Hunter" captivates with its gripping narrative and engaging worldbuilding. The seamless blend of YA/NA fantasy unfolds the story of Rune, a witch facing the perilous threat of hunters. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic and forbidden love elements add a delicious tension that keeps readers hooked. The book's accessible worldbuilding and well-paced plot make it a page-turner, especially with unexpected twists and a compelling cliffhanger. If you crave YA/NA Romantasy with witch vs. witch hunter intrigue, this series promises an enthralling journey. Readers beware: you might find yourself impatiently awaiting the sequel after the rollercoaster of emotions this book delivers.

Wow this book totally shocked me! I had heard amazing things from a couple of friends but was still somehow surprised that I loved this so much that I devoured it in under 24 hours! Heartless Hunter follows Rune, a witch in a society where witches are hunted. Rune is also the "Crimson Moth" who rescues captured witches and ferries them to safety. When a witch that Rune has been searching for for 2 years is captured, Rune vows to do anything to liberate her, including courting Witch Hunter Gideon, who is the brother of her best friend Alex, in the hopes that he will reveal some secrets.

The worldbuilding in this book is easy to understand and is not overly complicated, which is something I've come to love about YA/NA fantasy. It's really easy consumable and engaging - and once you hit about 65%, you can't put it down! There are a few twists at the end as well as a bit of a cliff hanger that has me absolutely feral for the next book.

The enemies to lovers vibes and forbidden love were really delicious - the tension was great and as someone who really loves the whole "reluctant lovers" trope, I really just ate this up.

Read this for:
- YA/NA Romantasy
- Witch vs Witch Hunter
- Start of a series
- Enemies to Lovers
- Twists!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.