Overall: 2.5 Plot: 3 World Building: 2 Magic: 4 Romance: 3 MMC: 2 FMC: 3 Writing Quality: 2.5 Vibes: 3 A witch and a witch hunter, a classic romantasy enemies to lovers set-up - a favourite trope of mine! I did mostly enjoy this, very easy to read but the tension and the ending fell a flat and I'm not sure I'm motivated to read the next one. Ultimately didn't live up to the premises' potential. - witch/witch hunter, her identity is hidden - enemies to lovers - cool blood magic (not remotely gory) - dual POV - plot twist moment - YA romantasy - spice 0.5-1/5 with tension (Note: This book is called Heartless Hunter in US and The Crimson Moth in the UK) This was a quick throwaway read for me, that didn't hook me the way I like fantasy worlds to. The worldbuilding felt simplistic, and though characters had some interesting history I still didn't feel as connected to them as I would like. I wasn't particularly rooting for anyone, nor longing to see the leads get together. There were some good tension but it never really paid off emotionally, and the unique and interesting blood magic wasn't explored nearly enough. There was one really great plot twist moment, where you knew something was up but not the true extent of it, and that was pretty cool, and I can see why some people love the witch/witch hunter set-up, but it didn't deliver on the betrayals and angst and drama I expected from it by the end. Now I LOVE a good slow burn, and little to no spice is a fav of mine when its done right and has you clinging to the little moments ( hello pride and prejudice hand clench) but this wasn't that. I think everyone felt too immature for the situation, and when they were scheming and maneuvering, all the moves and plans felt too obvious. It's strange as when I initially finished it, my first reaction was maybe a 3.5-4/5, but after I sat with it a bit, the flaws became more pronounced and I changed my review. It hit the spot for a quick distraction but didn't stay with me emotionally sadly. Overall 2.5/5 Will not finish series | Would recommend other stuff over this unless the dynamic calls to you

Overall: 5 Plot: 4.5 World Building: 5 Romance: 4 MMC: 5 FMC: 5 Writing Quality: 4.5 Vibes: 5 This book was amazing. I laughed, I cried, I heavily blushed, I took breaks to really think about emotions it brought up. It was much more than your average romantasy book, and had far more depth than I've come to expect from the genre in general. (Not hatin' just statin') - dual POV - healthiest relationship I've ever seen in a book lol - hot, lovable demon love interest - amusing - heaven, hell and the afterlife setting - difficult themes handled well (see TW) - emotional/sad moments - spice 4/5 - found family - great supporting cast - cute kid character - lots of hurt/comfort and communication - character lead not plot lead This is written by tiktok icon Jaysea Lynn, better known as @See.Ya.Later, whose help-desk-in-hell skit series has blossomed into this book. Seriously, go watch it if you havent! Now, this book was deeply personal to me and took me aback, in a good way. I think a few people might have that reaction as it touches on - gracefully - some pretty heavy themes. TW include grief, death, chronic illness, religious trauma, suicidal ideation, sexual assault and past child abuse to give you an idea, but all of this is through a hopeful lens. Minor spoilers, but only to talk about the themes and give them the space they deserve, won't spoil any story! I hadn't really considered it before I started, but in order to be in hell, you need to be dead. That sounds obvious, but the dying part really shook me (revealed page 1 don't worry). Like the FMC Lily was, I am chronically ill, and bedbound. When she talked of her illness I truly felt what she did, and cried right along with her as she explored her feeling surrounding her decline. (Unlike Lily tho, I don't have cancer and I'm not going anywhere any time soon thankfully!) I don't think I've seen a book discuss chronic pain and the confusing snarl of dread, guilt, shame, hope and desperation that it brings so thoughtfully within the bounds of a great and and often funny story. This book is about a journey of healing, and finding the joy in yourself and life again, and it was really healing to read. The setting and the world is so imaginative and really a pleasure to explore. As humans we all have big questions about the life, death and the possibility of the afterlife and this imagines that in the best tof ways, including all faiths and approaches. There's some cool maps included too and the whole concept of a Help desk in Hell for angry and disgruntled souls was so unique and refreshing to read. For anyone whose ever has a service industry job who wished they could talk back to the worst customers - or even slap a particularly horrible individual lol - then this is the book for you. These encounters were amusing to say the least and i enjoyed the sassy FMC a lot. There is a strong theme of people who deserve it getting what they're due, and I think anyone with any religious trauma would particularly appreciate the journey Liky had to deconstruct her churches' "teachings". There are some upsetting scenes where history of certain souls are revealed, either in what horrible things they did to deserve hell or what was done to them. One child character, who is an absolute delight, did have me crying when her past was revealed. Anyway, I know I know, you all wanna know about the spice too. Let me tell you, it was detailed lol! Im usually a slowburn, 1-2/5 spice gal so for me this was a lot and I did gasp at one point, but it was so damn wholesome whilst still being sexy I really cannot fault it. Their whole relationship was like a manual on how to communicate well and be vulnerable with each other and it was kind of beautiful. I did yearn for a bit more conflict but the characters were so lovely I didn't really want to see them sad! Overall an amazing debut, and one of my fav romantasy's in a long time.