Heartless Hunter Book Review
If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know that Heartless Hunter was the book my husband chose for us to read together. The twist? My husband doesn’t enjoy reading—at all. He’s much more of a movie and TV guy. But in a sweet, supportive move, he offered to give it a try for me. I turned to my Instagram followers for help, asked for some recommendations, and read the synopses aloud to him so he could pick. (If you’re curious about what other books were suggested, you can check out the post here.) When the book arrived, I immediately noticed the chapters were short—perfect for a non-reader like him—so we agreed to read one chapter a day on nights he didn’t have to wake up early for work. I thought the plan was foolproof. A cozy bonding experience. What could go wrong? Well… a lot. What I hadn’t accounted for was how hard it would be for me to wait. I was loving the book and dying to know what happened next, but I was stuck waiting for the rare days he had time (and energy) to read.
He genuinely enjoyed the story, but reading just isn’t his thing. More often than not, he’d fall asleep mid-chapter, especially with his crazy work schedule—sometimes starting at 4 a.m. or pulling a graveyard shift. We started the book on April 16, 2025, and I finally finished it on July 23. I say I finished it because he didn’t. He made it to about 80%, but after a full month of not reading at all, I knew he was really pushing himself just for me. And while I appreciated that, reading should be enjoyable—not a chore. So I let him off the hook and went on without him. Honestly, the suspense was driving me wild. I had to know how it ended. But anyway—on to the review!
I love fantasy romance books that strike the right balance—give me all the magic, tension, and romance without overwhelming me with overly long chapters or dense worldbuilding that drags the pace. Heartless Hunter was absolutely perfect in that sense. Kristen Ciccarelli created a vivid, intriguing world that felt easy to step into without needing a map and glossary to keep up. The story flowed effortlessly, with just enough lore to make it feel rich and immersive, but never so much that it slowed down the tension or emotional stakes. It was exactly the kind of binge-worthy fantasy romance I crave.
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. At its heart is Rune, a witch in hiding, determined to protect others like her from being hunted and murdered. After her grandmother—also a witch—is captured and killed, Rune sets out on a mission to save one of her grandmother’s closest friends before she meets the same fate. To do this, Rune must use every resource available… including the one person she should be avoiding at all costs: Gideon Sharpe, the top Witch Hunter. Kristen Ciccarelli weaves a gripping tale of magic, danger, and betrayal, centered on a ruthless hunter and the witch he can’t seem to stay away from.
The chemistry between Rune and Gideon crackles with tension, and the slow-burn romance is absolutely delicious. Add in secrets, court intrigue, high-stakes magic, and a perfectly timed plot twist near the end—and you’ve got a story that practically demands you jump into book two the moment you finish.
If you’re a fantasy romance lover like me—craving tension, plot twists, and just the right amount of magic without a 600-page commitment—Heartless Hunter should definitely be on your radar. Whether you read it solo or (try to) read it with someone else, this story will pull you in and won’t let go. I’ll definitely be diving into the sequel—no waiting this time!
Add Heartless Hunter to your TBR—you'll thank me later.
Have you read Heartless Hunter? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Drop your favorite fantasy romance recs while you're at it!
Thanks for joining me on this little reading journey—bookworms and book-draggers (aka my husband) included.
Until the next book travel, M.
More titles by Kristen Ciccarelli:
Rebel Witch ( Sequel to Heartless Hunter / The Crimson Moth #2 )
Don't forget to follow...