Wow, I completely ate this book up! I knocked it out in 2 days and would dive right into the next if I could. This was a fun and well-written book.

Oh wow, Heartless Hunter? I tore through that book and loved every bit! It's got this enemies-to-lovers thing going on between a witch and a witch hunter. Picture forbidden romance, slow burn, and a bit of possible betrayal. This book really sent me on a rollercoaster of intense emotions. I went from so happy to crying.

As the story unfolds, it makes you think about right and wrong. Rune and Gideon are on different sides for good reasons, and it's interesting to learn about their pasts to understand them better. Rune's secret vigilante life adds an incredible layer, watching her try to save witches without blowing her cover. Picking a side is tough because both characters make a good case.

The relationship between them is well-done. You get into their heads and feel what they want and need. The forbidden love thing is intense, giving you those good ol' goosebumps. Their love story stands out amid all the danger, keeping you hooked. I was rooting for them.

The plot has twists that keep you guessing and wanting more. It's not predictable, and that's what makes it exciting. The ending is satisfying, but you know there's more to come. It sets up for a sequel or series, and I'm excited to see where the characters go next.

If you like a mix of adventure, fantasy, and romance, this book is a winner. It's fast-paced, thrilling, and has that touch of forbidden romance. I recommend it for a good, fun read. I truly believe that this will be a standout book next year. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you Wednesday Books and St. Martins Press for sending over this digital ARC my way.

OKAY I LOVED THIS INJECT IT IN MY VEINS. A true enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies story that had me rooting for both Gideon and Rune. I am devastated that I will have to wait so long for book two, because the ending was so painful. 10/10 highly recommend!

This is going to be 'It' book of 2024. Believe me.

This book has a unique plot, interwoven with a great fantasy setting, strong characters, and insanely good chemistry. On top of that, as a lifelong The Scarlet Pimpernel fan, the author does an excellent job paying homage to the classic.

We start with Rune, a vapid socialite in the morning who moonlights as the daring Crimson Moth at night, saving poor innocent witches from being executed. However, the witch hunting guards are becoming more, and more cautious of her escapades, and her job is becoming ever so dangerous, especially since she is suspected of being the Moth by none other than the captain of the Bloodguard: Gideon Sharpe.

Get close to Gideon to access Bloodguard secrets, get close to Rune to see if she is the Moth, these two circle each other in order to complete their goals. And, I tell you, when these two were together it was literal fire. I loved, LOVED these two trying to one up each other, while simultaneously fighting their feelings, knowing the other is a dangerous person who would turn on them without any remorse.

While the chemistry is great, the character themselves are even better. Rune is a fantastic FMC! she is funny, loyal, but most importantly: human. She isn't perfect, but she does what she can to atone for her past mistakes. She is a really complex character, and I loved her vulnerable moments, especially where Rune wonders who the real her is. She is a very relatable character, and a well written one to that.

Gideon, the MMC, is the older brother of Rune's bestfriend, and at first comes across as a ruthless, cold witchhunter who wants nothing more than to torture anyone remotely resembling a witch, but the more one learns about him, the more they realize just how tragic his life is. Broken due to an horrible past he endured while trying hard to be there for his family, Gideon has faced hardships, and his POV made me so sad at times. Gideon deserves a HEA with Rune more than anyone else in this book.

The other characters are also interesting, and hold on their own. From lifelong friends who are hiding secrets, to villains who are morally grey, on top of being paired with the magical vibes from classical books, makes this book one of the best reads of 2023/2024 for me.

I cannot wait to own my own hardcopy of this book!


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read a copy of the book voluntarily so I could review it. All thoughts and opinions provided in this review are my own.

This was so good!!!! I loved the tension between Gideon and Rune and their 'push/pull' relationship. I found the world building and hard magic system were well done and very creative. There were a few twists that I expected near the end but the relationship between the FMC & MMC kept me eagerly reading through chapter after chapter.
I'm super excited for the next book in this series :)

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this book in return for my honest opinion!

This book was so good at capturing and holding my attention; I think I finished in 2-3 sittings!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The first aspect that I really loved was the witches magical being tied to blood (their own, others giving willingly, or others taken without permission). It was unique and straightforward enough that I was intrigued without being overwhelmed. Secondly, I *love* the hunted/hunter trope, and this one is crafted perfectly with extreme forced proximity, hidden identities, and fake dating. Both Gideon (captain of Bloodguard/hunter) and Rune (secret witch/Crimson Moth who helps witches escape captivity) circulate in the same circles (Rune’s best friend is Alex, Gideon’s brother) and are both on missions that require them to cozy up to the other. Neither expected to catch ‘real’ feelings, but alas, here we are, LOL (wink, wink). Can a connection founded on secrets, lies, and betrayal last? The last 30% of this book was so fast with non-stop action, reveals, and twists. It absolutely ends on a cliffhanger that sets up a perfect duology. I can’t wait to read the next book!

*True Enemies to Lovers
*Fake Dating/Courting for a Mission
*Love Triangle (Forbidden as Brother’s Best Friend)
*Revolution
*Political Posturing within High Social Society Balls/Events
*Fashion Focus (Dressmaking/Tailoring background, and one incredibly hot measurement taking scene)

-Good story overall.

-I know Rune and Gideon are supposed to be enemies and there’s supposed to be angst. Show us how the characters feel more with actions and less with the same words and thoughts being repeated.

-Chapter 45 and Gideon’s “near death” experience that makes Rune and Gideon suddenly admit their feelings is anticlimactic.

-Favorite parts: Chapter 11-Rune drinking her own enchanted wine. Chapter 18 & 19-Gideon fitting Rune for the dress. Chapter 22- scene where Rune is almost caught by Gideon's set up to catch the crimson moth.

-LOVED the ending. Can’t wait for the next book.

This was fantastic. Finished in two days and got me out of a huge reading slump. Definitely looking forward to the second book!

This was a really fun read!

For the most part I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. The witchy vibes were there, the true enemies to lovers vibes were there, the hunter/hunted vibes were there. I loved our two MCs and getting to learn about thier stories/motivations as to who they were and why they do what they do. I think I would have liked to see more of Rune doing more Crimson Moth activities to really sell that aspect of who she was, as well as more depth two her two best friends as they come to play pivotal roles in the story. Other than that, I had a great time watching the plot and Rune and Gideon’s relationship unfold. They felt like true enemies to lovers and I’m eager to see what happens with their relationship in the next book!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, Kristen Ciccarelli, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very predictable story with not enough fantasy and too much YA romance. I wasn't sold on their attraction to one another as the story progressed and none of the characters made a lasting impression. Despite my issues, it was a very fast and enjoyable read.

Who is the Crimson Moth? Gideon Sharpe has been hunting the witch for two years; she's been freeing captured witches and murdering others for their blood to cast spells.
Rune Winters is a vapid socialite more interested in fashion and parties than anything else. Or at least that's the perception Gideon has of her. Rune plays the role well, since she is the witch he's hunting. What happens if he discovers the truth?

I really enjoyed this book, good world building and enjoyable characters. Can't wait.to read the next and find out what happens with Rune and Gideon.

Thanks to NETGALLEY and Wednesday Books / St. Martin’s Publishing Group / Macmillan for eARC

Plot: 4
Characters: 3
Writing Style: 4
Cover: 5
Enjoyment: 3

▶ Told in third person POV by Rune and Gideon; Gideon chapters contain vulgarity.
▶ Warnings: Violent. Male rape. Branding. Torture. Suicide.
▶ Talks of menstrual blood FTW! Clever too, in that Rune uses it instead of cutting self, since blood is a requirement for this world's magic system.
▶ YA teens but seem like they're in their 20s. However, this book is one of those YAs that's hand-hold with the repetitiveness.
▶ We're told the romance is a slow burn but it's not? Seemed to move fairly quickly, IMO.
▶ There is sort of a love-ish triangle-ish?
▶ Good not great, fun, enough so to continue the series. Admittedly, for some reason, I kept accidentally confusing this with the show "Blue Eye Samurai", LoL

Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this upcoming release in exchange for an honest review! This book was 4.5 stars for me! This is the story of Rune, a young witch, forced to hide who she is due to the hunting of her kind. This book has wonderful fantasy aspects, a nice magic system, forbidden love, adventure, and some plot twists I didn't see coming. Hopefully there will be more of this series to come so I can find out what happens in this world next!

Captivating cat and mouse enemies to lovers tale. Witches are being ruthlessly hunted and Rune has been forced to hide her true self to protect as many as she can. Gideon is a witch hunter determined to find her and bring her to justice. But both of them carry an immense heartache that pulls them together. Amazing start to a series that I look forward to continuing.

I'm not sure how I felt about Heartless Hunter😂 There were some elements of the story that I really enjoyed! I liked the cat and mouse game between Gideon and Rune. I also liked the plot and witch storyline. I thought the author had a distinct voice and the pacing was accurate. On the other hand, there were some things that I did not like. I wanted more depth to the characters, especially the side characters. Some of the side characters' actions confused me. I personally found Harrow's character odd and confusing. I also struggled understanding some of Rune's decisions. I was not a fan of the two brothers' love triangle and Rune's choice at the end. Although the ending was rushed, readers will be eager to see what happens next. I'm not sure if I want to continue the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

I have to say I really enjoyed this one.
It's got revolution, a love triangle, witches, rebels, love, magic.

Rune Winters is a witch. Living in a place where being a witch will wind up with you purged and dead.
Having had to turn in her grandmother who raised her, Kestrel Winters over to the witch hunters in order to survive. Rune lives under the guise of a vapid, wealthy socialite, while she moonlights as an assassin, rebel and rescuer of captive witches- The Crimson Moth.
Rune lives with survivors guilt, turning her grandmother in so she could live, on her orders- she hates the person she has to pretend to be. Saving one witch at a time is the only way she can atone. So she uses her friends who are willing to keep her secrets and her considerable wealth and resources to rescue witches before they can be publicly purged and ferry them across the sea.

But Rune is too late to save her latest target, taking years to track her down, Seraphine Oakes- the last person her grandmother told her to find. The witch hunters have captured her mere hours before she could get to her.
In order to save Seraphine, Rune takes a chance by courting the most ruthless witch hunter, hoping to get close to him- in order to locate Seraphine's whereabouts. All while he decides to court her back, suspecting her to be the Crimson Moth. Cat and mouse romance ensues.

I can't wait to read the next installment.

Okay so I went into this completely blind and I think that's the best possible way to go into it. It's definitely a puzzler and it was very fun to guess along with! I did guess the entire ending around halfway, but I have a weird brain that likes details and puzzles so take that with a grain of salt.

Rune, I quite enjoyed, though she felt very young at points, and it took me a minute to remember she's only 18. I mentally age up teenage mcs, and I think because she's so intelligent, it was easier to forget.

I do want to note for rating purposes that there is an on-page, but non-descriptive sex scene (open door lights off, if you will). I know this book is tagged YA and do with that information what you will, but I think it's important to know what you're walking into. Was I reading worse as a kid? Yes. Does that work for all kids? No. You do you, boo-boo.

Ultimately, this was a fun read and I only wanted to strangle every single character a few times for their prejudices. I will be picking up the next in the series when it's written, and I'm rooting for the Hunter to catch the Hunted! IYKYK.

A witch and witch hunter, what’s not to love? I went it thinking it would be another Serpent and Dove, I like this one much more! Rune was by far the best character I wish we got more of her as Crimson Moth. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Publishing for providing an ARC for an honest review. Heartless Hunter (The Crimson Moth) is to be published in Feb. 2024 and follows the story of Rune and Gideon. Rune is a shallow socialite with a secret to hide....she is a witch and the Crimson Moth. Gideon a witch hunter who has spent the last two years hunting the New Republic's number one enemy: the crimson moth.

This book...just wow. WOW. I was enveloped in this story. I absolutely adored all of the characters and relationships. The relationship between Rune and Alex (Gideon's younger brother) felt like a steady warm hearth fire. The relationship with Gideon and Rune had me on the edge of my seat. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am already STARVING for the second novel.

HUGE thank you to Alexis Neuville of St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books who sent me this NetGalley ARC on behalf of Kristen Ciccarelli!!!

There are so many emotions going through my mind after reading this!!! This book was exactly up my alley; it has:

• Enemies to Lovers
• Dual POVs (!!!!!!!!)
• Cat and Mouse - Hunt and Chase
• An intriguing magical system
• Twists

Oh my goodness, it was ALL. SO. GOOD. !!!!

The dual POVs added so much depth to the characters and made the emotions and interactions much more believable and easily felt; you could really connect with the characters. You also could really understand the tensions on both sides in regards to the hunter and hunted element. The dual POVs also made the enemies to lovers so much more exquisite!!

The worldbuilding and magic system of blood magic was unique and I was surprised in a good way to see the author not shy away and utilise period blood as an option for casting because hell yeah - that does make sense, it's smart of the character, and why not make that time of the month useful when it's usually so miserable!

Personally I guessed the twists early on, but they were so SATISFYING with how the story unravelled and I LOVE when authors utilise twists for satisfying plot elements vs just for shock factor. Thank you, Kristen Ciccarelli!

I thought the pacing was great and each chapter kept me wanting to read more! I wanted to savour this story but also really wanted to know what happened next. I ended up staying up well into the early hours of the morning finishing this book and OH MY GOD all that happens at the end!!

I also loved the "calm before the [next] storm [after a huge storm just happened] " vibes of the epilogue that really felt satisfying as a cliffhanger!

I cannot wait for the world to read this book!! And I cannot wait to read the next book myself!! One of my best reads of 2023!!