
Member Reviews

If you are looking for a witchy, enemies-to-lovers, Dual POV fantasy romance you will be delighted by this book. Rune is a socialite by day and rescues witches by the dark of night. Gideon is definitely a heartless hunter and will do anything in his power to catch the infamous Crimson Moth. Rune and Gideon find themselves playing each other to gain information and end up with a deadly attraction to one another. Can they make it work or will their secrets ruin them? The scenes with Gideon and Rune had me on the edge of my seat wondering if one of them would slip and let their deceit show. Rune was masterful at outsmarting her potential captor but he captures her heart instead.
This is a wonderful new romantic fantasy that will have you begging for the next installment. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Kristen Ciccarelli for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m just going to start this review off strong and say I LOVED this book!
I have been in a bit of a book slump and this book finally pulled me out of it. I wish I knew the exact things that make me get hooked into a book, and become immersed in the writing, but whatever it is - this book has it.
I loved the premise, the story, the push and pull between Rune and Gideon. The pining of Alex and the overarching sense of duty that compelled Rune at every turn.
The writing was so smooth and beautifully descriptive, without being drawn out or overwhelming. I loved that the world building didn’t feel forced, but rather naturally fit into the descriptions and discussions between characters.
My only issue now is that I need the next book!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I completely devoured this book. It took me less than 48 hours to finish this book. I was in love with the characters and the world and I’m completely obsessed! I love a dual POV enemies to lovers and this brought that and so much more. Seeing inside of Gideon and Rune’s minds added extra layers to the story that made it so hard to put down. Though I guessed some of the twists I was very surprised by different parts of the story. I can’t wait for this series to continue and I’m a bit sad that I read the arc so I have to wait even longer 😂

Wow. I loved this book!
This story follows Rune, who is a witch in hiding in a republic where being a witch is punishable by death. She is also a vigilante known as The Crimson Moth who frees captured witches before they can be killed by night and masquerades as a wealthy shallow socialite by day. When a witch who was her grandmothers best friend is captured before Rune can find her, Rune is desperate to free her.
Gabriel is a witch hunter who has been trying to discover the identity of The Crimson Moth for 2 years. He suspects Rune and decides to court her to determine if she is the vigilante witch. Rune has also decided to seduce Gabriel to try and find out where her grandmothers friend is being held.
As they both try to get information from the other, their feelings grow.
Anyone who loves stories about witches or loves fantasy romance will absolutely love this story. The world is very easy to follow and the characters are all well developed. The dynamic between Rune and Gabriel is sizzling and the plot twist, though heavily foreshadowed, was great.
I received an ARC from Netgalley but all opinions are my own.

I was immediately drawn in, thought it was fairly fast paced and the plot twist had my jaw drop! Rune is so fierce and clever, and I just adored her. There was great tension between her and Gideon, and this is another example of where I think enemies to lovers was done right, mostly because each character has very valid reason to be at war with the other. I enjoyed their cat-and-mouse games so much, especially as they both tried to extract information but ended up falling in love instead. The ending was absolutely heartbreaking and I really don't know if there will be an HEA for Rune and Gideon! With the way it ended, it sounds like there will be another book and I can't wait!
I'll be sharing an official review on my Instagram page during relase month, but below is a link to where I already started talking about this book on my page and shared the synopsis with my followers.

Top tier romantasy enemies to lovers!! At LEAST 5 stars! Rune is such a complex female fantasy heroine, I love her so much and she was relatable (even though she's a witch lol) in so many ways that made me love her even more! Gideon is everything I wanted him to be and he has such a way with words that makes me teary to think about!! Only reason I'm sad that I read this as an ARC is that that means I have to wait even longer for the sequel! Just means I will have to reread a lot until then!

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