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Belle Morte #3
Hunted
With the help of Renie and Edmond, the battle for Belle Morte has been fought and won. However, the bigger fight is not over, as enemy vampires have escaped into the city and the future of vampirekind hangs in the balance. The escapees must be brought to justice―and fast.
For fellow Belle Morte celebrity, the reclusive vampire Ludovic de Vauban, this is the perfect opportunity to confront his fears about the world beyond the mansion's walls. But he can't do this alone. Enter donor Roux Hayes;. accomplished liar, quick thinker, and street savvy human. She can help Ludovic navigate a world that has long since left him behind.
As the unlikely duo work together to preserve a future for their friends, they discover a mutual passion that neither of them expected, one that burns hotter than anything either of them have ever experienced. But the shadow of old enemies stretches longer than they ever imagined and threatens not only every one they love, but also the new love they have found in each other.
For fellow Belle Morte celebrity, the reclusive vampire Ludovic de Vauban, this is the perfect opportunity to confront his fears about the world beyond the mansion's walls. But he can't do this alone. Enter donor Roux Hayes;. accomplished liar, quick thinker, and street savvy human. She can help Ludovic navigate a world that has long since left him behind.
As the unlikely duo work together to preserve a future for their friends, they discover a mutual passion that neither of them expected, one that burns hotter than anything either of them have ever experienced. But the shadow of old enemies stretches longer than they ever imagined and threatens not only every one they love, but also the new love they have found in each other.
440 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 26, 2024
3.5 stars
Maybe I was in the mood for vampires, or perhaps this was simply better than I anticipated, but I had a lot of fun with Hunted. It's a fun, fast-paced vampire fantasy. I enjoyed the character dynamics, and I thought the plot was really entertaining. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for more YA vampire novels.
Thank you to Wattled Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Maybe I was in the mood for vampires, or perhaps this was simply better than I anticipated, but I had a lot of fun with Hunted. It's a fun, fast-paced vampire fantasy. I enjoyed the character dynamics, and I thought the plot was really entertaining. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for more YA vampire novels.
Thank you to Wattled Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2024
Book three in the "Belle Morte" series branches off to the storyline of Roux and Ludovic. Which was a pleasant surprise. Roux is a lot more likeable and relatable than Renie. Definitely a slow burn romance, also kind of refreshing given how quickly Renie and Edmond decided eachother were their moon and stars. The whole police aspect was interesting as well. As with the first two books the fight scenes were tense and nicely written.
Would recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Wattpad Books and Bella Higgin for a copy of the book. All opinions are of my own.
Would recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Wattpad Books and Bella Higgin for a copy of the book. All opinions are of my own.
July 6, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley & Wattpad Books for the advanced copy of Hunted.
After reading books 1 & 2 I was so excited when I got an email about this one being available to read early. I hadn't read the description of this book and just went full in. This book continued from where we left off in Revelations, which I find so lovely because it helps the reader to really stay connected with the storyline.
In this book we follow Roux and Ludovic's journey to find who is doing all these k*llings/ causing disappearances and to find the missing vampires who escaped. They want to bring justice those who had their lives changed and altered out of the blue/ with out their consent to do so. On this journey we Ludovic opens up to Roux, shares his secrets and is completely vulnerable. It's such a lovely process to see unfold and was probably one of my favorite parts/moments of the book. His growth was so important for his character and for him to move forward in this newer and more modern world. Roux, I felt like she was able to open up and break some walls for herself as well, she may be a bit more outgoing than him but she's also suffered through some things in life that haven't allowed her to be her full self. So, to see that take place for her was wonderful as well. Through their self-discovery and solving conflicts, they also found this spark between them and it just continued to grow and blossom into love.
With this book we see a lot more action, spice, banter and relationships just continued to form, whether it be romantic, friendships, or just a simple acquaintance. The way everyone comes together, human or vampire, was just so nice to me. The ongoing theme is they are worried both may not be able to co-exist, but from what I read, it's seems like that type of future is closer than they think. I don't think they should lose out hope just yet. Which brings me to think we may be receiving another book within this series and I'm so excited! :)
If you like
- forced proximity
- action
- mystery
- people coming together as one to help one another
- vampires
-love
then this the book for you! :)
After reading books 1 & 2 I was so excited when I got an email about this one being available to read early. I hadn't read the description of this book and just went full in. This book continued from where we left off in Revelations, which I find so lovely because it helps the reader to really stay connected with the storyline.
In this book we follow Roux and Ludovic's journey to find who is doing all these k*llings/ causing disappearances and to find the missing vampires who escaped. They want to bring justice those who had their lives changed and altered out of the blue/ with out their consent to do so. On this journey we Ludovic opens up to Roux, shares his secrets and is completely vulnerable. It's such a lovely process to see unfold and was probably one of my favorite parts/moments of the book. His growth was so important for his character and for him to move forward in this newer and more modern world. Roux, I felt like she was able to open up and break some walls for herself as well, she may be a bit more outgoing than him but she's also suffered through some things in life that haven't allowed her to be her full self. So, to see that take place for her was wonderful as well. Through their self-discovery and solving conflicts, they also found this spark between them and it just continued to grow and blossom into love.
With this book we see a lot more action, spice, banter and relationships just continued to form, whether it be romantic, friendships, or just a simple acquaintance. The way everyone comes together, human or vampire, was just so nice to me. The ongoing theme is they are worried both may not be able to co-exist, but from what I read, it's seems like that type of future is closer than they think. I don't think they should lose out hope just yet. Which brings me to think we may be receiving another book within this series and I'm so excited! :)
If you like
- forced proximity
- action
- mystery
- people coming together as one to help one another
- vampires
-love
then this the book for you! :)
January 21, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for this ARC.
Bella Higgin picks up the Belle Morta saga with another installment that blends elements of romance, paranormal suspense, and mystery. This novel focuses on two characters: Roux, a human donor, and Ludovic, a reclusive vampire. From the one-bed debacle to the grumpy meets sunshine trope, this book certainly had me enthralled. Plus, did you see this gorgeous cover?
The slow-burn romance was my favorite aspect of this book. I loved how the reader got to see Ludovic's walls slowly come down around Roux's infectious positivity and badassery. Plus, the mystery surrounding the missing children and vampires on the run kept me glued to my seat.
That being said, I highly recommend reading the first two books. While you could read this as a stand-alone since Roux and Ludovic are not featured much (if at all) in the first two books, the context provided from the previous novels will make you much more invested in this story's conclusion.
Overall, Bella Higgin has a way with words that truly immerses you in this world. Plus, the dynamics between vampires and humans create undeniable tension where one misstep could be the spark that ignites a war. It certainly gives me Underworld vibes. 😝
Bella Higgin picks up the Belle Morta saga with another installment that blends elements of romance, paranormal suspense, and mystery. This novel focuses on two characters: Roux, a human donor, and Ludovic, a reclusive vampire. From the one-bed debacle to the grumpy meets sunshine trope, this book certainly had me enthralled. Plus, did you see this gorgeous cover?
The slow-burn romance was my favorite aspect of this book. I loved how the reader got to see Ludovic's walls slowly come down around Roux's infectious positivity and badassery. Plus, the mystery surrounding the missing children and vampires on the run kept me glued to my seat.
That being said, I highly recommend reading the first two books. While you could read this as a stand-alone since Roux and Ludovic are not featured much (if at all) in the first two books, the context provided from the previous novels will make you much more invested in this story's conclusion.
Overall, Bella Higgin has a way with words that truly immerses you in this world. Plus, the dynamics between vampires and humans create undeniable tension where one misstep could be the spark that ignites a war. It certainly gives me Underworld vibes. 😝
July 11, 2024
4/5 stars. God this authors writing is so easy for me to read for some reason. I’m kind of leaving ya books but when she publishes there I go back for the next. The only reason it even took me so long was because I’ve been so incredibly busy. But this book felt like a side quest. That’s it a side quest with the original side characters of the series but it’s my favorite of the three so far!
January 10, 2025
Not as good as the first two.
January 19, 2025
I'm honestly quite surprised by this. The 3rd person POV threw me off, but it went smoothly. The plot in this book was better than the other 2 in the series, in my opinion.
February 15, 2025
4,25⭐️ auf jeden Fall das beste Buch aus der Reihe habe die pov‘s geliebt…. Meine klausurenphase macht es mir aber momentan extrem schwer zu lesen und ich komme leider gar nicht dazu😩
May 10, 2024
Turns out there’s one more book. I honestly almost DNF’d this one because I could not figure out the point of it all. It was okay.
February 25, 2024
In my opinion this book was a significant improvement from books 1 & 2! I found our main character in this book to be much more likable than the main character from books 1 & 2. Roux felt easier to connect with and much more mature than Renie did. This book was definitely packed with nonstop action which made it easy to just keep reading. Keeping my fingers crossed for Jason and Gideon’s story in book 4? 😁
Read
September 6, 2025☆☆☆
Bookstagram | Blog
Im dritten Band der Vampirbestsellerreihe begleiten wir diesmal nicht mehr Renie, sondern ihre beste Freundin Roux, die wir in den ersten beiden Büchern bererts als Nebentigur kennengelernt haben. Ein unerwarteter Perspektivenwechsel aufwartet, der sowohl frischen Wind aber für mich auch einige Herausforderungen mit sich bringt. Nach zwei packenden Büchern aus Renies Sicht ist mir dieser Wechsel überraschend schwer gefallen, obwohl ich Roux als Figur bisher ebenfalls sehr sympathisch gefunden habe. Vielleicht liegt das aber auch einfach an der Tatsache, dass ich von diesem Switch überrascht worden bin - den Klappentext des dritten Bandes habe ich aus Angst vor möglichen Spoilern nicht gelesen, bevor ich in die Geschichte eingestiegen bin.
"Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" setzt sich weiter mit den von abtrünnigen Vampiren hervorgerufenen Spannungen zwischen Menschen & Vampiren auseinander. Während die Handlung mit packenden Actionelementen und einem Hauch von True Crime überzeugt, bleibt der politische Konflikt zwischen Menschen und Vampiren für meinen Geschmack etwas zu oberflächlich. Insbesondere die letzten Kapitel lassen einiges umerwähnt, sodass sich dieses dritte Buch unabgeschlossen anfühlt. Das gesamte System droht zusammenzubrechen, während Roux mit Ludovic an ihrer Seite sowie der tatkräftigen Unterstützung eines Detectives Jagd auf frisch verwandelte Vampire macht.
Einige Szenen sind überraschend brutal, das Pacing ist temporeich und der Plot steckt voller Action. Nicht nur einmal riskieren Roux und Ludovic ihr Leben, während die meisten der anderen Vampire von Belle Morte, aber auch Renie und Jason in dieser Story großteils außen vor bleiben.
Bereits im letzten Band hat die Autorin erste Hinweise auf die Anziehung zwischen Roux und Ludovic gestreut, die sie in "Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" weiter ausbaut. Wir erfahren viel über die Vergangenheit der beiden Charaktere, als sie sich einander langsam öffnen. Die langsame, aber stetige Entwicklung ihrer Beziehung und diese Einblicke in prägende und in Ludovics Fall vor allem tragische Ereignisse ihres Lebens hat mir wirklich gut gefallen. Dafür bin ich mit einigen Formulierungen, vor allem auch während der spicy Szenen, nicht wirklich warmgeworden. Hier fühlt sich doch einiges nicht ganz natürlich und ziemlich cringe an.
Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen ist Unterhaltungsliteratur mit einer spannenden Vampirthematik und einnehmenden Charakteren. Dennoch macht es sich Bella Higgin an einigen Stellen etwas zu leicht, sodass diesmal erste Lücken im logischen Gefüge aufklaffen. Es wird der erzählerisch leichteste Weg gewählt, wobei einige Details eher vernachlässigt werden und im Nachgang zu Fragen führen. Ich drücke die Daumen, dass der noch ausstehende Band mit dieser Tatsache wieder etwas aufräumt.
Der Dritte im Bunde der Freunde - Jason - wird seine Geschichte im Frühjahr 2026 in "Belle Morte – Rot wie Rosen" erzählen. Dann erfahren wir endlich, ob auch er sein Happy End mit dem Vampir Gideon bekommt, oder ob Bella Higgin ihre Leser:innen überrascht und ein anderes Ende für den fulminanten Abschluss ihrer Vampirreihe wählt. Ich bin gespannt, wenngleich dieser dritte Band meine Vorfreude etwas gedämpft hat.
Fazit: Insgesamt bleibt die Geschichte unterhaltsam und packend, auch wenn sie nicht ganz an das Niveau der ersten beiden Bände heranreicht. Besonders das True Crime-Feeling und der Ausbau der Beziehung zwischen zwischen Roux und Ludovic hat mich von "Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" überzeugt, sodass die Neugier auf den nächsten Band trotz kleinerer Schwächen ungebrochen bleibt. Ich bin bereit für Jasons & Gideons Story!
Bookstagram | Blog
Im dritten Band der Vampirbestsellerreihe begleiten wir diesmal nicht mehr Renie, sondern ihre beste Freundin Roux, die wir in den ersten beiden Büchern bererts als Nebentigur kennengelernt haben. Ein unerwarteter Perspektivenwechsel aufwartet, der sowohl frischen Wind aber für mich auch einige Herausforderungen mit sich bringt. Nach zwei packenden Büchern aus Renies Sicht ist mir dieser Wechsel überraschend schwer gefallen, obwohl ich Roux als Figur bisher ebenfalls sehr sympathisch gefunden habe. Vielleicht liegt das aber auch einfach an der Tatsache, dass ich von diesem Switch überrascht worden bin - den Klappentext des dritten Bandes habe ich aus Angst vor möglichen Spoilern nicht gelesen, bevor ich in die Geschichte eingestiegen bin.
"Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" setzt sich weiter mit den von abtrünnigen Vampiren hervorgerufenen Spannungen zwischen Menschen & Vampiren auseinander. Während die Handlung mit packenden Actionelementen und einem Hauch von True Crime überzeugt, bleibt der politische Konflikt zwischen Menschen und Vampiren für meinen Geschmack etwas zu oberflächlich. Insbesondere die letzten Kapitel lassen einiges umerwähnt, sodass sich dieses dritte Buch unabgeschlossen anfühlt. Das gesamte System droht zusammenzubrechen, während Roux mit Ludovic an ihrer Seite sowie der tatkräftigen Unterstützung eines Detectives Jagd auf frisch verwandelte Vampire macht.
Einige Szenen sind überraschend brutal, das Pacing ist temporeich und der Plot steckt voller Action. Nicht nur einmal riskieren Roux und Ludovic ihr Leben, während die meisten der anderen Vampire von Belle Morte, aber auch Renie und Jason in dieser Story großteils außen vor bleiben.
Bereits im letzten Band hat die Autorin erste Hinweise auf die Anziehung zwischen Roux und Ludovic gestreut, die sie in "Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" weiter ausbaut. Wir erfahren viel über die Vergangenheit der beiden Charaktere, als sie sich einander langsam öffnen. Die langsame, aber stetige Entwicklung ihrer Beziehung und diese Einblicke in prägende und in Ludovics Fall vor allem tragische Ereignisse ihres Lebens hat mir wirklich gut gefallen. Dafür bin ich mit einigen Formulierungen, vor allem auch während der spicy Szenen, nicht wirklich warmgeworden. Hier fühlt sich doch einiges nicht ganz natürlich und ziemlich cringe an.
Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen ist Unterhaltungsliteratur mit einer spannenden Vampirthematik und einnehmenden Charakteren. Dennoch macht es sich Bella Higgin an einigen Stellen etwas zu leicht, sodass diesmal erste Lücken im logischen Gefüge aufklaffen. Es wird der erzählerisch leichteste Weg gewählt, wobei einige Details eher vernachlässigt werden und im Nachgang zu Fragen führen. Ich drücke die Daumen, dass der noch ausstehende Band mit dieser Tatsache wieder etwas aufräumt.
Der Dritte im Bunde der Freunde - Jason - wird seine Geschichte im Frühjahr 2026 in "Belle Morte – Rot wie Rosen" erzählen. Dann erfahren wir endlich, ob auch er sein Happy End mit dem Vampir Gideon bekommt, oder ob Bella Higgin ihre Leser:innen überrascht und ein anderes Ende für den fulminanten Abschluss ihrer Vampirreihe wählt. Ich bin gespannt, wenngleich dieser dritte Band meine Vorfreude etwas gedämpft hat.
Fazit: Insgesamt bleibt die Geschichte unterhaltsam und packend, auch wenn sie nicht ganz an das Niveau der ersten beiden Bände heranreicht. Besonders das True Crime-Feeling und der Ausbau der Beziehung zwischen zwischen Roux und Ludovic hat mich von "Belle Morte - Rot wie Verlangen" überzeugt, sodass die Neugier auf den nächsten Band trotz kleinerer Schwächen ungebrochen bleibt. Ich bin bereit für Jasons & Gideons Story!
February 5, 2024
What I liked about the book:
🩸 I loved learning more about the histories of our MCs! It felt like we dove so much deeper into them than the previous couple in books 1 and 2, which shows Bella’s development as an author!
My poor, poor Ludovic was such a tortured soul. I loved how Roux was judgement free as he opened up about his past mistakes and didn’t hold them against him.
And Roux, the little badass, showed how she earned her own stripes in history and fought to not let anyone else keep her down in life.
Gosh, how I love them both so much!
🩸 As was the case with the other books, I loved how descriptive the fight scenes were! Higgin really gets into these scenes making them come to life in the readers’ minds, which is not necessarily something we get a lot of in romance/paranormal books. It hearkens more to a romantasy, which I am a big lover of.
🩸 The mystery elements in this book were sooooooo good! I loved trying to solve the interconnected puzzles with them and seeing how everything came together. It was brilliantly executed.
🩸 This installment was spicier than I remember the others being, which I was definitely all for with this particular couple. Loved it!
🩸 Dammit….I kinda liked Walsh haha. As the judgmental human assigned to the case with our MCs, we were not supposed to like him, at least at first. He kept trying to undermine Roux's and Ludovic’s relationship and was constantly throwing jabs at Ludovic. But as the story went on, he definitely grew as a character and I honestly saw him as a bit of a father figure for Roux at times. I really liked him by the end of the book. I hope we get more of him in the next book.
🩸 I cannot tell you how excited I was to learn there will be four books in this series!!! This whole time I thought it was going to be a trilogy, so upon finding this out I fangirled with glee.
🩸 My first person FMC, third person MMC gripe from books 1 and 2 was fixed!! I was pleasantly surprised and so very happy 😊
What could have been better:
🩸 Despite how many times it was mentioned, you CANNOT tell me Roux and Ludovic didn’t have a thing for each other before this book!!! I simply refuse to believe that.
🩸 I’m honestly afraid that there is only one book left. I want another book with Roux and Ludovic as our MCs, but I ALSO want a Jason/Gideon book!!! I’m so much more in love with these couples than Renie and Edmond!!!!
🩸 I’m sad there was no Nikki in this one. That makes me think she will not appear again, which makes me a bit bummed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, Wattpad Books, and Bella Higgin for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.25 stars!
🩸 I loved learning more about the histories of our MCs! It felt like we dove so much deeper into them than the previous couple in books 1 and 2, which shows Bella’s development as an author!
My poor, poor Ludovic was such a tortured soul. I loved how Roux was judgement free as he opened up about his past mistakes and didn’t hold them against him.
And Roux, the little badass, showed how she earned her own stripes in history and fought to not let anyone else keep her down in life.
Gosh, how I love them both so much!
🩸 As was the case with the other books, I loved how descriptive the fight scenes were! Higgin really gets into these scenes making them come to life in the readers’ minds, which is not necessarily something we get a lot of in romance/paranormal books. It hearkens more to a romantasy, which I am a big lover of.
🩸 The mystery elements in this book were sooooooo good! I loved trying to solve the interconnected puzzles with them and seeing how everything came together. It was brilliantly executed.
🩸 This installment was spicier than I remember the others being, which I was definitely all for with this particular couple. Loved it!
🩸 Dammit….I kinda liked Walsh haha. As the judgmental human assigned to the case with our MCs, we were not supposed to like him, at least at first. He kept trying to undermine Roux's and Ludovic’s relationship and was constantly throwing jabs at Ludovic. But as the story went on, he definitely grew as a character and I honestly saw him as a bit of a father figure for Roux at times. I really liked him by the end of the book. I hope we get more of him in the next book.
🩸 I cannot tell you how excited I was to learn there will be four books in this series!!! This whole time I thought it was going to be a trilogy, so upon finding this out I fangirled with glee.
🩸 My first person FMC, third person MMC gripe from books 1 and 2 was fixed!! I was pleasantly surprised and so very happy 😊
What could have been better:
🩸 Despite how many times it was mentioned, you CANNOT tell me Roux and Ludovic didn’t have a thing for each other before this book!!! I simply refuse to believe that.
🩸 I’m honestly afraid that there is only one book left. I want another book with Roux and Ludovic as our MCs, but I ALSO want a Jason/Gideon book!!! I’m so much more in love with these couples than Renie and Edmond!!!!
🩸 I’m sad there was no Nikki in this one. That makes me think she will not appear again, which makes me a bit bummed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, Wattpad Books, and Bella Higgin for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.25 stars!
February 26, 2024
Glittery vampires have nothing to do with this high-tension packed read, where danger lurks behind every corner and the deception is thicker than blood.
The vampire haven, Belle Morte, has survived the attempt revolt but has suffered huge damage on the image vampires had in the human world. Where they were respected and awed before, mistrust and fear are digging their claws into human society. It will take a long time to regain trust, but the vampires are determined to win it back....that's if they can hunt down the last rogues. Although still human, Renie is determined to help her friends and sets off as a liaison between humans and vampires, since the vampires' seclusion from the human world has left them more than a little out-of-touch. But even this position will be more dangerous than any adventure she's faced so far.
While I have read one of the first books in this series, it's been a while back. So, my memory was more than a bit hazy. This didn't prove to be a problem, though, since the author has woven just enough background story in to make it easy to sink into this world. I still recommend reading this as a series.
This is a fast-paced, high-tension read and drives forward the entire way through. As an action-girl, I was thrilled and read this in only two sittings (and that because I did need sleep). Well-woven intrigue mixes with mystery and increasing danger to keep the reader guessing until the very end. Every time the intentions seemed clear, it would twist in unexpected ways. The danger raised with every page as did the brutality. But then, vampires aren't exactly pink, puffy creatures.
The unique relationship between the vampires and humans gains depth thanks to the mix of remaining star-struck attitudes (as seen in the books before) with fear and hate. It adds an interesting back and forth as Renie deals with the police, and works in thoughts surrounding societal views, reactions, prejudices, and more. There are also smaller subplots worked in, which take peeks at human nature. Of course, there's the romance, which works well enough and adds more emotion.
This is a grabbing read with tons to enjoy. At times, some aspects didn't click quite as smoothly as they could, but it wasn't enough to break the fun. The romance also hit a little off on the emotional and pacing for me, but I'm pretty sure this is just a personal thing, and many readers will sink right in.
I do recommend this one to vampire fans, who enjoy romance with intrigue, mystery, action, and very high-stakes.
The vampire haven, Belle Morte, has survived the attempt revolt but has suffered huge damage on the image vampires had in the human world. Where they were respected and awed before, mistrust and fear are digging their claws into human society. It will take a long time to regain trust, but the vampires are determined to win it back....that's if they can hunt down the last rogues. Although still human, Renie is determined to help her friends and sets off as a liaison between humans and vampires, since the vampires' seclusion from the human world has left them more than a little out-of-touch. But even this position will be more dangerous than any adventure she's faced so far.
While I have read one of the first books in this series, it's been a while back. So, my memory was more than a bit hazy. This didn't prove to be a problem, though, since the author has woven just enough background story in to make it easy to sink into this world. I still recommend reading this as a series.
This is a fast-paced, high-tension read and drives forward the entire way through. As an action-girl, I was thrilled and read this in only two sittings (and that because I did need sleep). Well-woven intrigue mixes with mystery and increasing danger to keep the reader guessing until the very end. Every time the intentions seemed clear, it would twist in unexpected ways. The danger raised with every page as did the brutality. But then, vampires aren't exactly pink, puffy creatures.
The unique relationship between the vampires and humans gains depth thanks to the mix of remaining star-struck attitudes (as seen in the books before) with fear and hate. It adds an interesting back and forth as Renie deals with the police, and works in thoughts surrounding societal views, reactions, prejudices, and more. There are also smaller subplots worked in, which take peeks at human nature. Of course, there's the romance, which works well enough and adds more emotion.
This is a grabbing read with tons to enjoy. At times, some aspects didn't click quite as smoothly as they could, but it wasn't enough to break the fun. The romance also hit a little off on the emotional and pacing for me, but I'm pretty sure this is just a personal thing, and many readers will sink right in.
I do recommend this one to vampire fans, who enjoy romance with intrigue, mystery, action, and very high-stakes.
March 27, 2024
I loved this book, from the beginning to the wonderful ending (that rippedy heart out in the most beautiful, tender way!)
I have not read the first 2 books in this series, however the premise was not hard to understand. Yes, I was left with questions (like what's the deal with this donor program, how did Roux end up at Belle Morte, and what exactly happened with Etienne and Jemima), however Bella gave just enough background to leave you feeling satisfied enough and not as lost. Needless to say, I did stop in the middle of reading this book to order books 1 & 2 because I was enjoying this book so much!
From my understanding, there was a battle at Belle Morte (a place that safely housed vampires), where two vampires, Etienne and Jemima, turned on the rest of the vampires. They've turned humans into vampires without consent, possibly to build their own army, and while they ended up dying, some of the vampires they turned ended up escaping into the city. In this world, normal humans know of vampires, and for the most part, they're alright with them. (The vampires try their hardest to maintain a healthy balance, however rabid, blood-hungry vamipres roaming the city would not look good on their end.)
Roux, a donor for the vampires at Belle Morte, and Ludovic set out on a mission to capture these 5 vampires who've managed to escape, and along the way they learn about 4 missing vampires and 9 missing children. This makes their task much more difficult.
During their time together, both incognito and not willing to risk their true identities, Roux and Ludovic start developing feelings towards each other. In my opinion, this was the most entertaining to read because I enjoy character development so much, and I loved Ludovic's growth as a character. He has been alive for centuries, and in those years he has done some awful things and witnessed awful things, and he just cannot forgive himself or give himself grace. Roux, on the other hand, sees the positive in everything. She is a ray of sunshine, and slowly, she works her way into Ludovic's heart, and it is beautiful to see. Beautifully written (especially the ending!!)
There is also a ton of vampire ass-kicking in here, in the most entertaining way! (Not just punches, but driving wooden stakes through cheeks! So good!)
I thoroughly enjoy this book, and I am hoping there is a 4th book in the making!
Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and Bella Higgins for such a wonderful read!
I have not read the first 2 books in this series, however the premise was not hard to understand. Yes, I was left with questions (like what's the deal with this donor program, how did Roux end up at Belle Morte, and what exactly happened with Etienne and Jemima), however Bella gave just enough background to leave you feeling satisfied enough and not as lost. Needless to say, I did stop in the middle of reading this book to order books 1 & 2 because I was enjoying this book so much!
From my understanding, there was a battle at Belle Morte (a place that safely housed vampires), where two vampires, Etienne and Jemima, turned on the rest of the vampires. They've turned humans into vampires without consent, possibly to build their own army, and while they ended up dying, some of the vampires they turned ended up escaping into the city. In this world, normal humans know of vampires, and for the most part, they're alright with them. (The vampires try their hardest to maintain a healthy balance, however rabid, blood-hungry vamipres roaming the city would not look good on their end.)
Roux, a donor for the vampires at Belle Morte, and Ludovic set out on a mission to capture these 5 vampires who've managed to escape, and along the way they learn about 4 missing vampires and 9 missing children. This makes their task much more difficult.
During their time together, both incognito and not willing to risk their true identities, Roux and Ludovic start developing feelings towards each other. In my opinion, this was the most entertaining to read because I enjoy character development so much, and I loved Ludovic's growth as a character. He has been alive for centuries, and in those years he has done some awful things and witnessed awful things, and he just cannot forgive himself or give himself grace. Roux, on the other hand, sees the positive in everything. She is a ray of sunshine, and slowly, she works her way into Ludovic's heart, and it is beautiful to see. Beautifully written (especially the ending!!)
There is also a ton of vampire ass-kicking in here, in the most entertaining way! (Not just punches, but driving wooden stakes through cheeks! So good!)
I thoroughly enjoy this book, and I am hoping there is a 4th book in the making!
Thank you NetGalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, and Bella Higgins for such a wonderful read!
March 4, 2024
Hunted by Bella Higgin is the third book in her Belle Morte series. I haven't read the first two books, and this one isn't billed as a standalone, so I made sure to keep that in mind as I read it.
The story follows 18-year-old human donor Roux and centuries-old vampire Ludovic as they work together to hunt rogue vampires and solve mysterious happenings attached to said rogue vampires out in the modern world.
The first half of the book had the same points/thoughts/feelings repeated over and over again, which is a big pet peeve of mine, and it also caused the first half of the book to feel like it was progressing at a snail's pace. Once we got into the last third or so of the story, that stopped happening as much and the pace picked up.
The development of the relationship between Roux and Ludovic also felt like the slowest of slow burns. We did eventually get there, though.
I would have liked more clarity about how Ludovic could exist in the modern world (even though it was mentioned that the vampires don't leave the vampire houses, it was also said that they're celebrities in the modern world, so I'm confused) without even an inkling about modern technologies - what they are or how they work.
I was annoyed by Ludovic's personality traits as he first presented (reticent, unsure), but his character did develop out of that over time. I liked who his character was once the walls came down. I also liked that Roux presented as a strong female character. Her backstory was that she was bullied, which is a valid trauma, but I felt that some of her thoughts/feelings/reactions toward the end of the book were a little overdone, as if she was overcoming some huge psychological hurdles of "no one will ever treat me like that again." She had already stated several times that she'd "blossomed" and overcome all of the insecurities to truly embrace herself, with the exception of the event that happened with her singing.
Overall, it was a decent story. People who read the first two books would probably find more enjoyment in it than I did reading it as a standalone. I'm not interested enough to bump the previous two books up in my TBR, but I'm not a hard "no" on ever reading them.
I give Hunted 3/5 stars and 2/5 spice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing an e-ARC of this book. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
The story follows 18-year-old human donor Roux and centuries-old vampire Ludovic as they work together to hunt rogue vampires and solve mysterious happenings attached to said rogue vampires out in the modern world.
The first half of the book had the same points/thoughts/feelings repeated over and over again, which is a big pet peeve of mine, and it also caused the first half of the book to feel like it was progressing at a snail's pace. Once we got into the last third or so of the story, that stopped happening as much and the pace picked up.
The development of the relationship between Roux and Ludovic also felt like the slowest of slow burns. We did eventually get there, though.
I would have liked more clarity about how Ludovic could exist in the modern world (even though it was mentioned that the vampires don't leave the vampire houses, it was also said that they're celebrities in the modern world, so I'm confused) without even an inkling about modern technologies - what they are or how they work.
I was annoyed by Ludovic's personality traits as he first presented (reticent, unsure), but his character did develop out of that over time. I liked who his character was once the walls came down. I also liked that Roux presented as a strong female character. Her backstory was that she was bullied, which is a valid trauma, but I felt that some of her thoughts/feelings/reactions toward the end of the book were a little overdone, as if she was overcoming some huge psychological hurdles of "no one will ever treat me like that again." She had already stated several times that she'd "blossomed" and overcome all of the insecurities to truly embrace herself, with the exception of the event that happened with her singing.
Overall, it was a decent story. People who read the first two books would probably find more enjoyment in it than I did reading it as a standalone. I'm not interested enough to bump the previous two books up in my TBR, but I'm not a hard "no" on ever reading them.
I give Hunted 3/5 stars and 2/5 spice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing an e-ARC of this book. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
January 28, 2024
Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Hunted by Bella Higgin is the third book in this new vampire romance series. The story revolves around Roux and Ludovic, who are struggling with the aftermath of the events of the second book. To track down some bad vampires who escaped, the pair decide to venture out on their own. Along the way, the relationship between the two grows stronger. Will they be able to stop the vampires they are looking for? Will they find something else?
Here is a gripping excerpt from Chapter 1:
"Standing in the doorway of the dining hall, Roux Hayes couldn't get over how quiet Belle Morte was now. Just a few days ago this room had been where the mansion's thirty blood donors had eaten meals and filled the huge space with the sound of talking and laughing. It felt like forever ago.
"Do you think it will ever get back to normal?" Renie asked from behind her, and Roux jumped.
Renie hadn't yet mastered the liquid, catlike grace of the older vampires, but she could around a lot more quietly than when she'd been human. Roux was still getting used to it."
Overall, Hunted is a great new addition to the newest vampire series to hit the block. One highlight of this book is the dual third-person POV between Roux and Ludovic. One of my pet peeves is dual first-person POV, so I was happy to see that this one was dual third-person. Another highlight of this book and series is how it is a new take on the vampire love story. This isn't just a vampire family, but a vampire network.
I did take off 1 star because the first half of the book was not as interesting as the second half. I felt myself losing interest at first. However, I loved that the plot kept picking up steam until the explosive finale. One final highlight is how there were plenty of action-packed fight scenes. This is definitely not your typical romance. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!
Hunted by Bella Higgin is the third book in this new vampire romance series. The story revolves around Roux and Ludovic, who are struggling with the aftermath of the events of the second book. To track down some bad vampires who escaped, the pair decide to venture out on their own. Along the way, the relationship between the two grows stronger. Will they be able to stop the vampires they are looking for? Will they find something else?
Here is a gripping excerpt from Chapter 1:
"Standing in the doorway of the dining hall, Roux Hayes couldn't get over how quiet Belle Morte was now. Just a few days ago this room had been where the mansion's thirty blood donors had eaten meals and filled the huge space with the sound of talking and laughing. It felt like forever ago.
"Do you think it will ever get back to normal?" Renie asked from behind her, and Roux jumped.
Renie hadn't yet mastered the liquid, catlike grace of the older vampires, but she could around a lot more quietly than when she'd been human. Roux was still getting used to it."
Overall, Hunted is a great new addition to the newest vampire series to hit the block. One highlight of this book is the dual third-person POV between Roux and Ludovic. One of my pet peeves is dual first-person POV, so I was happy to see that this one was dual third-person. Another highlight of this book and series is how it is a new take on the vampire love story. This isn't just a vampire family, but a vampire network.
I did take off 1 star because the first half of the book was not as interesting as the second half. I felt myself losing interest at first. However, I loved that the plot kept picking up steam until the explosive finale. One final highlight is how there were plenty of action-packed fight scenes. This is definitely not your typical romance. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in April!
November 30, 2023
*****5 stars!
“They can knock you down, but they cannot keep you down.”
First I would like to thank Wattpad Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book! I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give it an honest review!
I absolutely adored this book, just as I adored the first two! This series is one I’ve always enjoyed from the moment it first appeared on Wattpad years ago. It's been such a delight not only to see this series get the attention it deserves but to read it all over again after so long. While I missed Edmond and Renie, I absolutely adored the tension and the dynamic between Roux and Ludovic! I was hooked the moment I started this book and I could hardly put it down.
Roux and Ludovic had such an interesting relationship; where Ludovic saw pain and darkness, Roux saw positivity and light, I absolutely loved how they came together in this story. They balanced each other out so wonderfully, and I couldn’t help but root for them the entirety of the story! I really enjoyed getting to know Ludovic and hearing his story, it definitely pulled at your heartstrings. I also really enjoyed getting to know Roux as a character, her story was definitely relatable!
The twists and turns of this story always kept me on the edge of my seat, desperate to start the new chapter so I could find out what was going to happen next. Bella Higgin also has such a wonderful way with words, I adored how descriptive the book was. I felt I could envision it all in my head perfectly with the way she described everything, thus making this story very easy to fall into.
Once again this book is definitely one of my favorites of this year, I absolutely can’t wait to read about Jason and Gideon next! If you’re interested in vampire romances with perfect romantic tension, action, mystery and plot twists, I would highly recommend this book!
“They can knock you down, but they cannot keep you down.”
First I would like to thank Wattpad Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book! I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give it an honest review!
I absolutely adored this book, just as I adored the first two! This series is one I’ve always enjoyed from the moment it first appeared on Wattpad years ago. It's been such a delight not only to see this series get the attention it deserves but to read it all over again after so long. While I missed Edmond and Renie, I absolutely adored the tension and the dynamic between Roux and Ludovic! I was hooked the moment I started this book and I could hardly put it down.
Roux and Ludovic had such an interesting relationship; where Ludovic saw pain and darkness, Roux saw positivity and light, I absolutely loved how they came together in this story. They balanced each other out so wonderfully, and I couldn’t help but root for them the entirety of the story! I really enjoyed getting to know Ludovic and hearing his story, it definitely pulled at your heartstrings. I also really enjoyed getting to know Roux as a character, her story was definitely relatable!
The twists and turns of this story always kept me on the edge of my seat, desperate to start the new chapter so I could find out what was going to happen next. Bella Higgin also has such a wonderful way with words, I adored how descriptive the book was. I felt I could envision it all in my head perfectly with the way she described everything, thus making this story very easy to fall into.
Once again this book is definitely one of my favorites of this year, I absolutely can’t wait to read about Jason and Gideon next! If you’re interested in vampire romances with perfect romantic tension, action, mystery and plot twists, I would highly recommend this book!
April 25, 2024
Hunted by Bella Higgen is book 3 in her Belle Morte series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a vampire romance, fantasy, and thriller all packed together.
Premise:
This story follows a human named Roux and a vampire named Ludovic from the Belle Morte vampire mansion as they work together to hunt down a group of renegade vampires. Ludovic has the strength to battle the new vampires, but needs the help of Roux to navigate the modern world. As they work to bring the vampires to justice they learn what it means to lean on each other.
This book has a lot of mature themes in it including instances of violence and open-door romance. You may also want to check trigger warnings before going into this book.
My Thoughts:
This book is marketed as a book that is the third in a series but can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first two books in this series and felt that I had no problem following along with the plot or understanding the characters.
I love the romance between the two main characters. I felt their personalities complemented each other. I enjoyed seeing Ludovic’s character development. I love the tropes that are found in this book. The plot moves at a medium pace. I feel like this book is great for those who like urban fantasy, romance, and thrillers.
I felt like this book could have been edited down at parts, especially early on, that seemed to get repetitive and could be removed without damaging the plot at all. I also was bothered at times with Roux’s choices and her as a character. I liked her for the most part, but there were a number of instances that really bothered me.
Overall, this book is a 3.5 star for me, but I’ll round up to make it a 4 star.
Premise:
This story follows a human named Roux and a vampire named Ludovic from the Belle Morte vampire mansion as they work together to hunt down a group of renegade vampires. Ludovic has the strength to battle the new vampires, but needs the help of Roux to navigate the modern world. As they work to bring the vampires to justice they learn what it means to lean on each other.
This book has a lot of mature themes in it including instances of violence and open-door romance. You may also want to check trigger warnings before going into this book.
My Thoughts:
This book is marketed as a book that is the third in a series but can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first two books in this series and felt that I had no problem following along with the plot or understanding the characters.
I love the romance between the two main characters. I felt their personalities complemented each other. I enjoyed seeing Ludovic’s character development. I love the tropes that are found in this book. The plot moves at a medium pace. I feel like this book is great for those who like urban fantasy, romance, and thrillers.
I felt like this book could have been edited down at parts, especially early on, that seemed to get repetitive and could be removed without damaging the plot at all. I also was bothered at times with Roux’s choices and her as a character. I liked her for the most part, but there were a number of instances that really bothered me.
Overall, this book is a 3.5 star for me, but I’ll round up to make it a 4 star.
January 9, 2024
Hunted by Bella Higgin is a thrilling conclusion to the Belle Morte series, filled with action, romance, and unexpected twists. The book picks up where the previous one left off, with Renie, Edmond, and their allies celebrating their victory against the evil vampire, Belle Morte. However, their celebration is short-lived as they soon realize that some of their enemies have escaped and are wreaking havoc in the city.
One of the standout characters in this book is Ludovic de Vauban, a reclusive vampire who has been living in Belle Morte for years. He is forced to confront his fears and step out of his comfort zone when he teams up with the human donor, Roux Hayes. Roux is a quick thinker and street smart, and her skills prove to be invaluable as they navigate the dangerous world outside Belle Morte.
The chemistry between Ludovic and Roux is electric, and their love story is a beautiful addition to the fast-paced plot. Their relationship develops naturally and is not rushed, making it all the more believable and heartwarming. As they fight side by side to protect their loved ones and the future of vampirekind, they also discover a love that they never thought possible.
Bella Higgin does an excellent job of balancing the action and romance in this book. The fight scenes are intense and well-written, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. At the same time, the tender moments between Ludovic and Roux add depth to the story and make the characters more relatable.
It is a satisfying and captivating conclusion that ties up all loose ends and leaves you feeling fulfilled. I think Bella Higgin created a unique and exciting world filled with memorable characters.
One of the standout characters in this book is Ludovic de Vauban, a reclusive vampire who has been living in Belle Morte for years. He is forced to confront his fears and step out of his comfort zone when he teams up with the human donor, Roux Hayes. Roux is a quick thinker and street smart, and her skills prove to be invaluable as they navigate the dangerous world outside Belle Morte.
The chemistry between Ludovic and Roux is electric, and their love story is a beautiful addition to the fast-paced plot. Their relationship develops naturally and is not rushed, making it all the more believable and heartwarming. As they fight side by side to protect their loved ones and the future of vampirekind, they also discover a love that they never thought possible.
Bella Higgin does an excellent job of balancing the action and romance in this book. The fight scenes are intense and well-written, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. At the same time, the tender moments between Ludovic and Roux add depth to the story and make the characters more relatable.
It is a satisfying and captivating conclusion that ties up all loose ends and leaves you feeling fulfilled. I think Bella Higgin created a unique and exciting world filled with memorable characters.
April 17, 2024
Quick Summary: A dark and light fantasy, action, romance
My Review: Hunted by Bella Higgin is installment 3 in the Belle Morte series.
About the Book: An enemy remains, creating chaos and havoc. An aged vampire with a troubled past positions himself in this strange existence that he now finds himself. He partners with a familiar donor. Together, they discover, they battle, and they ignite.
My Final Say: The action continues! The mystery is ongoing! The chemistry is insane! The colorful details and descriptions make the story come to life. Let's go!!! There is so much to love about this book and about this series. There is never a dull moment.
I have been waiting for Ludovic and Roux's story since book 1. I knew what I knew. All I can say is that I was not disappointed. I want the hardcopy collection. Can we make that happen, please? The #BelleMorteFANdom is real.
Other: Readers who like thrilling supernatural fantasy romance stories with an edge will greatly enjoy this novel.
Get to Know the Series:
Book 1: Belle Morte (published April 2022)
Book 2: Revelations (published May 2023)
Book 3: Hunted (published April 2024)
Book 4: Changes (TBD)
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐💛⭐⭐
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | Wattpad Book), and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: Hunted by Bella Higgin is installment 3 in the Belle Morte series.
About the Book: An enemy remains, creating chaos and havoc. An aged vampire with a troubled past positions himself in this strange existence that he now finds himself. He partners with a familiar donor. Together, they discover, they battle, and they ignite.
My Final Say: The action continues! The mystery is ongoing! The chemistry is insane! The colorful details and descriptions make the story come to life. Let's go!!! There is so much to love about this book and about this series. There is never a dull moment.
I have been waiting for Ludovic and Roux's story since book 1. I knew what I knew. All I can say is that I was not disappointed. I want the hardcopy collection. Can we make that happen, please? The #BelleMorteFANdom is real.
Other: Readers who like thrilling supernatural fantasy romance stories with an edge will greatly enjoy this novel.
Get to Know the Series:
Book 1: Belle Morte (published April 2022)
Book 2: Revelations (published May 2023)
Book 3: Hunted (published April 2024)
Book 4: Changes (TBD)
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐💛⭐⭐
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | Wattpad Book), and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title. The words I have shared are my own.
May 24, 2024
ARC review
3.5 ⭐️ for Hunted by Bella Higgin
Before I read this 3rd installment of the Belle Morte series, I first had to catch up with the first 2 books. In this series Vampires have revealed themselves to the world and are treated like celebrities. They are rich and famous, and have a willing blood donor system. The donors receive a lavish lifestyle in return for their blood.
This series gives all the nostalgia feels of the vampire books of the early 2010s. It’s got ancient vamps falling in love with 18 year olds. It’s insta-love and a bit immature, but honestly I found it fun to reminisce.
In this 3rd installment there is tension between vampires and the human world that was set in motion by a couple of bad vamps in the previous books. This book follows Roux and Ludovic as they track down the freshly turned vampires causing trouble in the human world.
Of the 3 books this was my favorite. I loved that it followed Roux and Ludovic and that it took place outside of the Belle Morte house. Re-introducing the stubborn old fashioned vampires to the modern world was fun. I do think too much time was spent in the characters heads doubting their feelings. A few cringe scenes had me experiencing 2nd hand embarrassment. The pace and action in this book was great. I loved the introduction of the new tension/problems between vampires and humans. I do think I’ll be seeing where the rest of the series goes. Hunted is out now!
Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the opportunity to read this book.
3.5 ⭐️ for Hunted by Bella Higgin
Before I read this 3rd installment of the Belle Morte series, I first had to catch up with the first 2 books. In this series Vampires have revealed themselves to the world and are treated like celebrities. They are rich and famous, and have a willing blood donor system. The donors receive a lavish lifestyle in return for their blood.
This series gives all the nostalgia feels of the vampire books of the early 2010s. It’s got ancient vamps falling in love with 18 year olds. It’s insta-love and a bit immature, but honestly I found it fun to reminisce.
In this 3rd installment there is tension between vampires and the human world that was set in motion by a couple of bad vamps in the previous books. This book follows Roux and Ludovic as they track down the freshly turned vampires causing trouble in the human world.
Of the 3 books this was my favorite. I loved that it followed Roux and Ludovic and that it took place outside of the Belle Morte house. Re-introducing the stubborn old fashioned vampires to the modern world was fun. I do think too much time was spent in the characters heads doubting their feelings. A few cringe scenes had me experiencing 2nd hand embarrassment. The pace and action in this book was great. I loved the introduction of the new tension/problems between vampires and humans. I do think I’ll be seeing where the rest of the series goes. Hunted is out now!
Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad Webtoon Book Group for the opportunity to read this book.
April 8, 2024
This was a great sequel. It stayed true to the world that Higgin’s created. The freedom and celebrity that the vampires have enjoyed for 10 years is in jeopardy after the events of the last book. Roux and Ludovic team up with Walsh (human law enforcement) to recapture the missing rogue new vampires. We’re treated with a healthy dose of tension between the main characters after some forced proximity and one bed. The character development in the book is excellent, especially that of Ludovic. His walls are sky high and practically reinforced with iron, but Roux slowly and patiently cracks and then shatters them. Our human detective, Walsh, shows a considerable amount of growth from the beginning of the story until the end.
The book is action packed, with well written fight scenes. There is a particularly gruesome one at the end, but it was very well done. I was i=on the edge of my seat for a good chunk of this book - I did not want to put it down. I think this is my favorite instalment so far. I was excited to learn that there is a fourth book coming, because we still don’t know how things will resolve for the vampire community.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the digital arc. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.
The book is action packed, with well written fight scenes. There is a particularly gruesome one at the end, but it was very well done. I was i=on the edge of my seat for a good chunk of this book - I did not want to put it down. I think this is my favorite instalment so far. I was excited to learn that there is a fourth book coming, because we still don’t know how things will resolve for the vampire community.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the digital arc. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.
May 27, 2024
I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.
I absolutely LOVED and devoured the first two Belle Morte novels so I was very excited when I saw this third one on Netgalley. As I began the novel I was a bit taken aback. The first two novels were from Renie's point of view mostly, then Edmond. We were introduced to Renie's bestie, Roux, and Edmond's, Ludavic. Although we did not know much about them and certainly hadn't read from their voices so the fact that this novel began and it was from their two points of view was a bit jarring. I appreciated that the novel picked up right where the last left off and we continued the story, it was difficult to get into the world when I had new narrators now. This was an interesting novel, however, it was also very easy to put down for some time and then pick it back up. I don't know if I was excited for the ending because it was interesting and sweet at times, or because I was more happy that the novel was finally done. I feel like this series could be continued and I feel like it may be from now Jason's point of view and his love interest, I likely would not pick it up though. The first two novels were wonderful, exciting and I just blew through them. This one lost its steam in the series.
I absolutely LOVED and devoured the first two Belle Morte novels so I was very excited when I saw this third one on Netgalley. As I began the novel I was a bit taken aback. The first two novels were from Renie's point of view mostly, then Edmond. We were introduced to Renie's bestie, Roux, and Edmond's, Ludavic. Although we did not know much about them and certainly hadn't read from their voices so the fact that this novel began and it was from their two points of view was a bit jarring. I appreciated that the novel picked up right where the last left off and we continued the story, it was difficult to get into the world when I had new narrators now. This was an interesting novel, however, it was also very easy to put down for some time and then pick it back up. I don't know if I was excited for the ending because it was interesting and sweet at times, or because I was more happy that the novel was finally done. I feel like this series could be continued and I feel like it may be from now Jason's point of view and his love interest, I likely would not pick it up though. The first two novels were wonderful, exciting and I just blew through them. This one lost its steam in the series.
July 17, 2024
2.5 stars, rounded up.
Nobody hates to do this more than me, but this book was not its predecessors. I have been following the Belle Morte series since before it left the internet, and maybe my review is a sign that I'm getting too old for teenage vampire antics, but I was not impressed with this book. Whereas the first two books in this series had non-stop action and engaging characters, there was a lot of standing around and waiting in hotel rooms in this one. I was never a huge Ludovic fan, but in this book he especially got on my nerves because of how hot and cold he was with Roux. Even for a broody vampire love interest, he took too long to decide what he wanted, and in the process, I lost interest in his and Roux's relationship. Unlike with Renie and Edmond, I struggled to understand what Roux and Ludovic even saw in each other in the first place. They didn't have any chemistry, and they honestly fought with each other more than they got along. That being said, I loved Roux as a character, and her narration kept me hooked when the plot was otherwise slow. I wasn't too invested in the vampire serial kidnapper storyline, but it was reasonably well executed. I will definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
Nobody hates to do this more than me, but this book was not its predecessors. I have been following the Belle Morte series since before it left the internet, and maybe my review is a sign that I'm getting too old for teenage vampire antics, but I was not impressed with this book. Whereas the first two books in this series had non-stop action and engaging characters, there was a lot of standing around and waiting in hotel rooms in this one. I was never a huge Ludovic fan, but in this book he especially got on my nerves because of how hot and cold he was with Roux. Even for a broody vampire love interest, he took too long to decide what he wanted, and in the process, I lost interest in his and Roux's relationship. Unlike with Renie and Edmond, I struggled to understand what Roux and Ludovic even saw in each other in the first place. They didn't have any chemistry, and they honestly fought with each other more than they got along. That being said, I loved Roux as a character, and her narration kept me hooked when the plot was otherwise slow. I wasn't too invested in the vampire serial kidnapper storyline, but it was reasonably well executed. I will definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
July 9, 2025
I made a Goodreads account specifically to mention how bad this book was. The romance aspect was basically a copy and paste of her previous two books in the series, but almost more cliché. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes at Ludovic and Roux's spontaneous and "otherworldly" connection. Honestly, it felt like I was reading something a middle schooler wrote, but with a few more detailed sex scenes.
Additionally, I felt the plot was boring and expected. It didn't keep me on my toes or surprised, which was disappointing. The first two books in this series weren't great, but in comparison to Hunted, they were fabulous. I almost didn't finish the book at all. I had a huge issue with the timeline and the fact that it kept getting referred to. People were falling in love and having these drastic life changes, and then completely fine within an entire 24 hours. Wayyy too fast for me, and that timeline is constantly mentioned, which made it worse.
Finally, I have no idea why Higgin is writing a fourth book because this one wrapped up all loose ends from the rest of the series. I will certainly not be reading it.
Additionally, I felt the plot was boring and expected. It didn't keep me on my toes or surprised, which was disappointing. The first two books in this series weren't great, but in comparison to Hunted, they were fabulous. I almost didn't finish the book at all. I had a huge issue with the timeline and the fact that it kept getting referred to. People were falling in love and having these drastic life changes, and then completely fine within an entire 24 hours. Wayyy too fast for me, and that timeline is constantly mentioned, which made it worse.
Finally, I have no idea why Higgin is writing a fourth book because this one wrapped up all loose ends from the rest of the series. I will certainly not be reading it.
March 30, 2024
"Hunted" by Bella Higgin is a thrilling addition to the paranormal romance genre, delivering a fresh and suspenseful tale that will captivate readers from beginning to end. In this third installment of the series, the battle for Belle Morte may be over, but the danger is far from gone. When five dangerous vampires escape the mansion and threaten the city, reclusive Belle Morte vampire Ludovic steps up to track them down. Joining him on this perilous mission is human Belle Morte donor Roux, whose insistence on accompanying Ludovic leads to unexpected feelings and a burgeoning romance. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship and the dangers that lurk in the shadows, readers are taken on a gripping journey filled with twists, turns, and heart-pounding suspense. Higgin's expert blend of paranormal elements and romance creates a compelling narrative that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. With its engaging characters, pulse-pounding action, and steamy romance, "Hunted" is sure to satisfy fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
February 1, 2024
4.5 stars! An excellent addition to the Belle Morte series! Hunted had all the characters I loved from the first two books, but focused on Roux and Ludovic. We were also introduced to Detective Walsh, whom I really liked. I hope he will be in some of the future books. This one had a ton of action and was well paced and well written.
I loved that we got Roux and Ludovic’s story. Roux and Jason have been my favorite characters since book 1. I hope Bella Higgin is planning a book four and that this time we will get Jason’s story. I can’t wait for it.
I highly recommend the entire Belle Morte series to everyone who loves a good vampire novel. Vampire vs Vampire, Humans vs Vampires, action, romance, steam, friendship, found family. It has everything I love in my guilty pleasure vampire reads.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, Wattpad Books for this digital arc which is not affiliated with any brand.
#Hunted
#NetGalley
I loved that we got Roux and Ludovic’s story. Roux and Jason have been my favorite characters since book 1. I hope Bella Higgin is planning a book four and that this time we will get Jason’s story. I can’t wait for it.
I highly recommend the entire Belle Morte series to everyone who loves a good vampire novel. Vampire vs Vampire, Humans vs Vampires, action, romance, steam, friendship, found family. It has everything I love in my guilty pleasure vampire reads.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, Wattpad Books for this digital arc which is not affiliated with any brand.
#Hunted
#NetGalley
April 17, 2024
I went into this completely blind because I know I love this story, this universe, these characters & this author. I was completely expecting to still be following Edmond & Renie but was pleasantly surprised we were branching off to a new couple’s story.
I have no idea where Bella Higgin has been hiding Ludovich from us but it’s about time he came out of the mansion and into our lives !! I thought Edmond would never be surpassed but Ludovich does it- he’s so precious, he deserves to be protected at all costs, he deserves a hug.
Of course I love Edmond and Renie but I see pieces of myself in Roux and admire Ludovich’s humility to no end.
From where this one leaves off I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us in the wonderful world of Belle Morte. ✨
I absolutely ate this book up from the mystery to the fresh budding romance- I adore this series and am incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to enjoy this book early and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!
I have no idea where Bella Higgin has been hiding Ludovich from us but it’s about time he came out of the mansion and into our lives !! I thought Edmond would never be surpassed but Ludovich does it- he’s so precious, he deserves to be protected at all costs, he deserves a hug.
Of course I love Edmond and Renie but I see pieces of myself in Roux and admire Ludovich’s humility to no end.
From where this one leaves off I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us in the wonderful world of Belle Morte. ✨
I absolutely ate this book up from the mystery to the fresh budding romance- I adore this series and am incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to enjoy this book early and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!
February 21, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I was excited to jump back into the world of Belle Morte, but this book felt a little disconnected from the first two.
I enjoyed the budding relationship between Roux and Ludovic (even if it did happen at breakneck speed), there was decent character development and we got a lot of background information to help us get to know our two main characters better. However, I feel like the building of their relationship overshadowed the main overarching plot lines. I feel like there was an imbalance between setting up a new couple and continuing the story.
The ending just felt a little too perfect. Everything just fell too conveniently into place for my tastes.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
I was excited to jump back into the world of Belle Morte, but this book felt a little disconnected from the first two.
I enjoyed the budding relationship between Roux and Ludovic (even if it did happen at breakneck speed), there was decent character development and we got a lot of background information to help us get to know our two main characters better. However, I feel like the building of their relationship overshadowed the main overarching plot lines. I feel like there was an imbalance between setting up a new couple and continuing the story.
The ending just felt a little too perfect. Everything just fell too conveniently into place for my tastes.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
March 25, 2024
When I first started reading this book and realized it didn't focus on Edmond and Renie, I have to admit I was disappointed. That feeling quickly passed because Roux and Ludovic are so good together! He can open up to her about his past without any judgment. She can be completely herself with him and he loves every part of it. The fight scenes were so well written, the romance was the perfect amount of spicy, and it perfectly continued the story from Belle Morte and Revelations. I was sad this was the final book in this series so I was thrilled to find out there will be (at least) one more!! All in all, this was a fun, quick read and I loved going back into the world of Belle Morte.
**Thank you to NetGalley for a advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
**Thank you to NetGalley for a advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
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