I really loved this book! I totally felt the draw between the characters and the tension from the storyline and character chemistry. The overall plot was great though I was able to foresee some of the twists earlier on than Id prefer. It was well written, world was clearly described and a page turner! Very very excited to see where book 2 will go!

Oh my gosh, I loved this book! It had everything I was looking for and more. The characters are amazing and well written and the story. Ooh, it was so good. I read this so fast!

I wanted to finish this book in one sitting and had to force myself to breathe in between chapters because I was completely immersed in this world. The writing is so clever and the pacing was extremely easy to follow. I absolutely loved the magic system and the whole development of it was so enchanting and thrilling. There wasn't a moment in the book where I felt like things were getting boring. I really loved the way the author set up reveals in the story and the development of both Gideon and Rune, both individually and together, was so entertaining. It was easy to sympathize with both characters, but this also made it incredibly nerve-wracking to guess how their story ends. There's definitely an emotional layer to this story as we get to know more about both main characters' backgrounds and the author did a great job showing the complexity of both characters. Rune is such a strong and smart character and I'm very curious to see how she is going to work everything out. I also really liked seeing the humane side of Gideon. This book is full of tension and intricate twists and there is such a fantastic game of cat and mouse between the two characters. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens and while I'm nervously waiting for the sequel, the unpredictability of it all makes it far more exciting.

4.5⭐️

I knew it! I knew the author had to be a fan of the Scarlet Pimpernel because as soon as I was done with the last word, the first acknowledgement was to the author of the Scarlet Pimpernel. This book is everything that I loved about Scarlet Pimpernel, the cat and mouse chase between opposing forces, spearheaded by the clever ruses of Rune Winters. There’s magic, heartbreak, choosing sides when there’s no one good side.

I enjoyed reading this so much that it makes me sad that this is only an eARC (thank you NetGalley) of the first book. I’m ready for book 2. I am going to buy this book and put it in my classroom for my students to borrow.

Rune spends her days pretending to be a vapid socialite, but her nights as the Crimson Moth, rescuing her fellow witches in danger of being purged by the Revolution. Witch hunter Gideon loathes everything that daylight Rune represents, but suspects her true powerful secret identity. They each conspire to court the other in order to discover valuable intelligence for their own side.

I do enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers trope, but the characters in this just didn’t have enough depth to make it interesting. The romance sort of fell flat; I wanted to know what happened in the story without actually feeling invested in any of it.

I think the book will still appeal to a large segment of romantic fantasy fans, and the cover design is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen.

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the book to review!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Heartless Hunter! All opinions are my own.

This was such an easy 5 stars. I LOVED this book. I loved the setting, loved the world building, loved the characters, loved the magic system and rules. I loved (hated) the heartbreaking ending and cliffhanger. I loved the realistic enemies to lovers romance, and the way the various characters felt torn by their feelings for each other and their morals. I did not see the twists coming. I thought this book was so well-written, from the plot, to how the characters thought through their conflicts and indecision, to the world building and fantasy elements. I cannot wait for book 2! But I am also scared for book 2, ya know?

This book is beyond amazing! Each page drips with magic and enchantment. I read it in just a few days, because I could not put it down! Witches and Witch Hunters and an ending that will take your breath away! The characters are so well developed and unexpected develops leave you spell bound with the story! I am so excited for Book 2! Thank you #St. Martin's Press and #Netgalley for this magical book!

This is such an easy 5 star book for me. The world built itself with the setting that was given, The story was intriguing from beginning to end, it was immaculate. I did guess "the twist" but only half of it. Rune, Gideon, and Alex have my heart and I'm so excited for the second book.

I am waiting for the continuation. As a reader, I was talking to Rune with suggestions and warnings as she followed her goals to completion. When it became too late, I was nearly as surprised as Rune was. This is a well-written suspenseful romance with more depth of character than many books of this genre. I think we need a prequel and maybe a couple of those to explain how magic ended up where it is.

Read this book! You will lay in bed at night unable to put it down. You will be rooting for one of the brothers. Do you think the new books might be centered on them? Thank you for the story K Ciccarelli!

I will be withholding my review of this book until smp addresses the very reasonable demands of the boycott.

What a great book! This will be a series and I cannot wait for book 2, even though book 1 comes out on February 20, 2024! Thank you to for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Rune Winters life changed forever when a revolution determined that witches could no longer be, they were found and purged. Due to this, she has to hide what she is, a witch, and can only trust her best friends with this knowledge. During the nights, she becomes the crimson moth, a vigilante who helps to protect and save witches from their fate of death by the witch hunters. When a rescue goes wrong, she tries to court Gideon Sharpe, a witch hunter and her best friends, Alex’s brother, to try to gain intel. But when she starts to fall for him, things start to become uncertain. This cat and mouse game between a witch and witch hunter will leave you wanting more!

I have been read more fantasy recently and a fellow bookstagrammer recommended this- thank you! Most fantasy that I have read did not have witches and that made this book so much more fun! I loved the cat and mouse game between the characters and all the foreshadowing. The twists at the end had me turning pages until the end and wishing I could grab book 2 immediately. 5 stars!

4.5 stars rounded up

Guys, this book is bloody <b>fantastic</b>

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Fabulous characters, action packed and twisty plot, forbidden romance. I was down for it all. It’s a great New Adult read.

Rune is feisty and loveable. Gideon is your classic bad boy with a traumatic past. Their romance was secret enemies to lovers and it was done really well. Hats off to Ciccarelli for not making it cliche. Alex is so precious and good, I was rooting so hard for his little heart to not be broken *cries internally*

I liked the magic system and I thought it was well explained, simple but original.

It was a little weak in its world building hence me docking half a star. But I enjoyed it too much to rate it any lower.

Can we also just talk about how heart wrenching that ending was? I can’t wait for the sequel now 😭

Heartless Hunter masterfully intertwines elements of captivating fantasy and romance. The protagonist, Rune, portrayed as a formidable character who daylights as a daft socialite, and the mysterious witch hunter Gideon contribute layers of complexity to the narrative as the embark on a cat and mouse game. Earning the book, a well-deserved four-star rating. The meticulously crafted world-building, enriched with historical deviations from societal norms, serves as a unique backdrop that enhances the overall charm of the story.

From the first chapter, the narrative proves to be enthralling, skillfully balancing elements of thrill and romance. The power dynamic between Rune and Gideon, entangled in a perilous game, keeps readers on the edge, fostering a desire for the development of their intricate love story. Kristen Ciccarelli’s adept storytelling introduces layers of romantic tension and ethical quandaries, elevating the enemies-to-lovers fantasy. The action-packed world building, complemented by relatable characters, makes it effortless for readers to cheer for Rune and Gideon, even as their loyalties collide.

If you’re a fan of Serpent & Dove and Bridgerton this book is for you. While it seamlessly blends regency-era romance with the high-stakes dynamics of forbidden love. Set in a post-revolution era where witches are hunted, Rune, known as the Crimson Moth, embarks on a perilous mission to rescue her kind. Gideon, initially perceiving Rune as a superficial socialite, becomes ensnared in a fake and lethal courtship, leading to expertly executed revelations.

Delving into diverse belief systems and intricately explores the magic system, offering perspectives from both Gideon and Run. This multifaceted approach creates a compelling story that leaves me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

I would recommend this book for enthusiasts of fantasy romance seeking a unique blend of magic, historical twist, and enemies-to-lovers dynamics.

Heartless Hunter was an interesting experience. The plot in itself was intriguing, which is what made me pick up the novel in the first place. Yet, the lack of character development and poor writing make it a difficult story to swallow.

There were some parts that were really slow (which surprised me considering the premise of the story) and the buildup felt very anti-climatic

Hello Book friends!

Today I’m reviewing Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli. In this fantasy romance, with two POV’s, a quiet rebellion is brewing and Rune Winters is at the heart of it. But as she moves closer to her ultimate goal, saving her grandmother’s dearest friend from the witch purging, she becomes ensnared by the witch hunter Gideon Sharpe.

Now, let’s chat about the book itself.

I love the bones of this story, where you have these two young people, a witch forced into hiding her identity, quietly starting a rebellion, and a morally gray witch hunter, who is hell bent on eradicating every witch, and you have to wonder well why’s that?🤔

What felt a bit off was the complete execution of the story in its entirety, specifically the love triangle in this one. I have said it once before I am not a fan of love triangles. They are often messy and can lead to cliché endings. In this instance we have two brothers vying for the same girl. And I’ll let you discover how this one ends, but I felt the love triangle wasn’t necessary and you could still get to the same ending without it. That Gideon’s younger brother could’ve simply been Rune’s bestie and nothing more. Plus with the ending, I was curious and perplexed why Rune wasn't more upset about what happens to Alex and my hope this gets flushed out and explored more in the second novel.

As the story turns into this cat and mouse chase, Gideon trying to discover if Rune is the Crimson Moth or a spoiled aristocrat, and Rune trying to seduce Gideon in order to free her grandmother’s dearest friend, readers will ache for more one-on-one interactions between these two enemies to hopeful lovers. But as they unhurriedly bring their shields down, Ciccarelli quickly shifts gears, pressing on the accelerator, and you realize you're at the end, a bit disappointed because we didn’t have more time with the simmering romance between Rune and Gideon.

Unequivocally a solid first installment to a very promising new fantasy romance series.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

Have I found a new fantasy series to become obsessed with? I believe that maybe I have! This book gives you the perfect amount of enemies to lovers, to enemies again plus some forbidden romance that just absolutely had me obsessed with the two main characters!

I love that we get dual POV! Gideon is our broody, take no shit MMC and Rune our FMC is a complete badass who will break any rules if it means saving the lives of her fellow witches. I absolutely loved the back and forth between them and I’m so excited to see more of them in the future books!

The romance was great in this book and although I would have enjoyed a little bit more world building (I felt like there wasn’t enough information given about the witches) I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!

This is going to be a highly sought after fantasy romance of 2024. We're talking a forbidden love, enemies to lovers to rivals romance. Within this story, magic and witches are illegal on the island they live on. We have Rune, who focuses on setting free trapped witches while keeping her own identity hidden. And then there is Gideon, the witch hunter who is going after the most powerful witch of them all: the Crimson Moth.
This is definitely worth the read, especially with the cliffhanger at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for providing an eArc.
This book was such a joy. It had so many things that just kept me wanting more and more. The romance is so good and the love triangle, don’t even get me started cause it ate it up. I cannot wait to see what this author puts out next!

I received this E-Arc from NetGalley and I’m grateful for the read. All opinions are my own and not affiliated with any company.

I really loved the start of this book. It was gripping and the world building started strong, with a really unique and intriguing magic system. The enemies to lovers trope in this book really had me engaged until about the 3/4 through the story. I felt like suddenly the character development stalled and the romance was rushed for the sake of the plot. It got a bit messy there but the ending was strong (if a bit predictable) to lead into book two. I will definitely read the continuation and overall enjoyed this book. This story has potential to be one of the most interesting fantasies of 2024.

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
Overall Rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice level: 🌶️ - Open Door but very little description

From the first page, I was absolutely hooked on this book & could not put it down.

Rune Winters is a witch hiding in plain sight, socialite by day & Crimson Moth by night. Her alias, the Crimson Moth, saves witches from the Good Commander & his Blood Guard who are on a mission to capture and execute all witches. The captain of the Blood Guard, Gideon Sharpe, is brooding, good-looking, & hates witches because of his history with an evil witch who killed his parents and younger sister. His only surviving family member is his brother, Alex, who is also Rune’s best friend and secretly the Crimson Moth’s sidekick. The interconnected relationship dynamics in the story make this plot SO interesting and bingeable.

Rune and Gideon’s sexual tension is palpable and the slow burn, forbidden love, and cat & mouse vibes are IMMACULATE.

I already cannot WAIT for the second book & this hasn’t even been released to the public yet 😩 LOVED THIS.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy 🫶🏼