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.

This was a ride. It took me a while to get into the book and I wasn’t sure if it was for me but, I read the last third all in one sitting. That ending? 🤯🤐 The way witches use magic, the effect it has on them, and the ways Rune has to work around that was really interesting. The enemies-to-lovers romance was done really well. They weren’t just quip-y rivals who decided for some reason to be “enemies.” I’m looking forward to reading the finale book in this duology.

What initially turned me off from the book though, was Rune starts out thinking she’s smarter than everyone and there’s this repetition/over-explaining of her backstory, her reasoning for things. Something will happen and then she’ll think about what just happened and explain how she feels about what happened and give the reason why she feels that way. It was mostly gone by the second half though, and that’s when I started to really get into the book’s plot. However, what I couldn’t get past was the brother love triangle thing. Why won’t they just talk to each other?? If you loved The Kissing Booth romance, you’ll love this, but that wasn’t my cup of tea. So, I’d say anyone who likes enemies-to-lovers, witches, blood, and The Kissing Booth, will probably enjoy this.

Similar to other reviewers, I am withholding my review of books by St Martins Press and their imprints until they comply with the demands of the SMP boycott. At that time, I am happy to post the review

I loved this! This is like one of those books you have no choice but to binge, and if your partner is a light sleeper I would recommend reading it in the living room so you don't wake them up with your involuntary *gasps* and squeaks. If the next book was out, I would have been in my car and ready to drive the moment the bookstore opened.

I wasn't in love with every single element of the plot but overall it was just a really fun time. On a side note, this didn't feel like YA at all, which I actually liked I'm just confused as to why they chose to market it that way. It definitely read like a NA fantasy romance.

You know you’ve read a great book when you’re mad as hell at the end that it’s over, and the sequel isn’t available yet! Welcome to your next romantasy obsession, with this tale of witches, witch hunters, and a world where magic is the easiest way to get yourself killed.
You can’t help rooting for Rune, a witch hiding in plain sight in high society, just trying to atone for what she sees as the sins of her past. It’s easy to see that she’s going to fall hard for her friend’s brother-who just happens to be an elite witch hunter-but there is an end of book twist that I did not see coming, and will set expectations high for book two.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy!

3.5 stars for this witchy, intense, age 16+ YA

Two years ago, Rune was preparing to embark on her training in witchcraft when a violent revolution swept across the country. The primary goal of the New Republic was the complete genocide of witches, and resulted in the brutal torture and murder of Rune’s witch-born grandmother. Rune has now dedicated her life to saving other witches from the same horrific fate by moonlighting as the mysterious Crimson Moth. No Blood Guard army soldier is more intent on capturing the Crimson Moth than Rune’s arch-enemy, Captain Gideon Sharpe. Gideon and Rune ultimately find themselves ensnared in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, putting not only their lives at risk, but their hearts as well.

The premise of this novel is a great one. In the acknowledgments, the author notes that the plot was loosely inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, and she does incorporate several of my favorite aspects of that story here. Not only is there an aristocrat with a secret identity fighting to save innocent lives, but the heroine falls in love with the one person with the power to ruin all of her plans.

I loved the pacing of the book, and when paired together with the push and pull between the main characters and the plotline, I was eager to keep reading. There are some fun twists along the way, and touches of sweet romance that make the MMC, Gideon, sympathetic. One of the best parts of the book is the scene in the mine, as the intensity and tension between Gideon and Rune crackle as they match wits one-on-one. I liked the element of spell casting marks being visible on the skin, and that each witch’s magic has a unique smell, and leaves an original casting signature behind.

The problem with the novel as a whole is that there isn’t enough world-building to provide the reader with any meaningful context. This challenges the reader's ability to invest in the characters and their journeys. It is unclear whether there are true “holes” in the plot, or if the author purposefully left things out so that she would have more of a story to tell in the sequel.

For example, we weren’t told anything about the Witch Queens’ reign that would justify their genocide at the hands of the people. It is also unclear why the revolutionaries believe that all witches must be eradicated, as opposed to just the Queens themselves who were the supposed source of the conflict.

I didn’t like the "love triangle" aspect of the story for Gideon and Alex, although I liked the way that the author resolved it. To this point, I didn’t understand why Rune developed feelings beyond physical attraction for Gideon, and vice versa. Yes, they both have suffered severe emotional trauma in their pasts, but that just didn’t cut it for me to make their romance believable. Rune and Alex make a lot more sense as written on the page than Rune and Gideon do.

I love the cover, but I don’t like the title. I would have titled it The Crimson Moth, which is unique and makes more sense anyway.

I would caution that this novel is not for younger YA readers due to the degree of violence, and sex on the page. Although the sexual content is not explicitly described, it is sufficiently detailed that the reader will not doubt what acts are being performed as they occur. The sexual aspect is even more problematic when considering that the MMC conspires to seduce the FMC at the urging of another person.

I did enjoy this read. I like the writer’s style and her storytelling. I think that she strikes a good balance between the number of "good guys" and "bad guys" so that the novel isn’t all over the place with too many characters and subplots that take away from the central narrative arc. I will read the sequel because it did end with an interesting cliffhanger.

Tropes: secret identity, cat and mouse, brother’s best friend, class difference,

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

I did not just read this book…I devoured it! I absolutely loved everything about it. It had me begging for more with every turn of the page! Rune and Gideon’s dual perspectives did not disappoint as it allowed insight into the insecurities and scars each harbored and what drew them together and also apart at the same time. The main characters had a chemistry that evolved naturally throughout the book. Their moments together always left me wanting more! And that twist and ending! I didn’t really see it coming until it was actually happening. Once I process it all, maybe I can decide if I loved it or hated it…probably a little bit of both. All I know is that I will be impatiently waiting the next book because that cliffhanger has absolutely destroyed me and now I NEED to know the endgame for this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review!