It started as a game. A phone call in the dead of night. Seven days. Seven rules. Seven chances to escape him. Every time I fail, he gets to claim me. On the seventh time, he gets to kill me. He calls me the Fawn, fragile yet fiercely alive. In his eyes, I'm just a pawn in a sinister game. He doesn’t know it yet, but I'm not just a trophy to be won. I am the ember that could ignite the forest.
The Hunter I am the Hunter, born into a legacy of power and pursuit. This hunt, a rite of passage, a path to my destiny. She is my mission, the Fawn, an enigma wrapped in innocence. With every chase, my resolve falters, my hunger deepens. She's not just prey; she's a challenge, a siren calling my name. In this twisted game, it's not just her life on the line. I’m no stranger to primal desires, but the one she awakens within me is new. But there’s no way out of this bloody game. Not until she’s mine, one way or another.
Run Little Fawn is the first book in the Hunter's Mark duet and ends on a cliffhanger.
Firstly, I love dark romance so when I saw that this one had a hunter/prey dynamic I was immediately intrigued. There’s definitely an art to this genre where you want it to be dark but you also want it to be hopeful and kinda romantic, this author nails it. I’m going to lay awake thinking about what happens next and I can’t wait for the second part of the story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
★★★☆☆Characters ★★★★☆ Character Development ★★★☆☆ Spicy ★★★☆☆Plot/Storyline ★★★★★ Ending ★★☆☆☆ Writing
What Kept/Didn’t Keep Me Reading: I first off want to start off by thanking BookSirens and Lenore St. Rose for this opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest review in return!
My overall impression of this installment in the Hunter’s Mark series is overwhelmingly positive. The thriller aspect of this secret society is compelling, particularly due to the author's choice to withhold extensive details about the Order. This secretive group looms as a menacing threat behind the entire cat-and-mouse escapade, which adds a layer of suspense and intrigue. I appreciate how the author skillfully keeps readers on edge, leaving us eagerly anticipating future hunts, especially as we are left hanging at a critical juncture by the end of the book. Aria, the little fawn, is selected by the Order to survive seven hunts, each more perilous than the last. On the other side, Lucian, the dark and predatory hunter, is tasked with capturing his prey—Aria. Throughout the narrative, both characters exhibit significant growth and development. Aria transforms from a timid and vulnerable figure into a bold and resilient fighter, demonstrating a newfound willingness to confront her pursuer head-on. Meanwhile, Lucian's seemingly impenetrable exterior slowly begins to crumble, revealing deeper layers of his character with each hunt. The dynamics between Aria and Lucian are particularly fascinating, as their interactions evolve from mere predator and prey to something far more complex. Aria's courage and determination challenge Lucian's preconceptions and force him to reevaluate his own motivations. This nuanced character development adds depth to the story and makes the reader invested in their journey. Overall, this installment is a thrilling and engaging read, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Hunter’s Mark series. The suspenseful plot, combined with the intricate character arcs, makes for a captivating story that is hard to put down.
What Would I Read Next from This Author:
I’m 100% excited to read into the 2nd one once it’s released.
I really enjoyed this book. The storyline, the writing, the FMC... Really well done.
I like dark books. Darker than this usually but that being said, this book was still a fabulous read! I Finished it within 24 hours and didn't regret reading it for a single moment 😁
The further in I got, the more intrigued I was by how Lucian's stalker instincts worked and why he was doing this.
There were a few parts where I did roll my eyes, like when I read "I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding" 🤦♀️ we don't need that shit in books anymore, especially not over and over again 😪
And when Lucian explained his rules we just kinda jumped from rule 4 to 6 and completely seem to have missed out 5? Then there was the part where she was caring for her mother in chapter 1 but a chapter or so later it's suddenly the dad she cared for? Not sure if I misunderstood something here or if this was a mistake but either way it didn't seem like it was thought through...
But all in all, I'm intrigued to find out what happens with the next few hunts that are yet to come 🥰
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
This book is dark, so please check trigger warnings before reading! This book is about a hunter and his prey. It had me glued to my seat wanting to see how things were going to go! The character development was top-notch, especially for our MFC. The spice was good, which I didn't expect. I can't wait to follow these 2 and how the story will end. it's definitely worth a read if you love Dark romance with the thriller aspect!
This book offers a good balance between dark and the romantic and hopeful. Lucien is tasked with hunting Aria by the Order to complete his initiation into the secret society. It’s soon clear that Aria has a unique draw for him and he wars with claiming her and killing get like the hunt requires. This ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read book 2.
I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I received this book as an ARC, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of the book is that there is a target, or prey, who our hunter calls "The Fawn." There are 7 hunts, each lasting up to 7 days. At the end of the 7th hunt, the fawn is hunted to the end.
This story is dark dark dark, and the female protagonist, who is the prey, has never been involved in darkness like this before. She's unassuming, she's stagnant, and she's not ready to be thrown into something like this. But, she steps up to the plate really quickly and is trying to figure out not only how to make it through the hunts, but how to outsmart the Hunter, and how to win.
I love reading about her thinking through her options and evolving every few days. She uses her intelligence to find ways to get under the Hunter's skin, and it's beginning to work.
I might be thinking too positively, but I'm hoping the Hunter is finding his humanity and maybe starting to embrace it?
The story ends on a cliff hanger in the middle of the game (right after the third hunt) and we are on a precipice here, which is edge of your seat gripping. Will the Hunter find his humanity and try to get out from the insanely cruel Order he's apart of, or will revenge win out and continue his spiral toward being unbearably cruel and heartless?
I can't wait to find out.
The writing in this book is good, the spice is *great* and the characters really compliment each other well. It's definitely a dark romantic thriller, and it has me on the edge of my seat wanting to find out more. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
I feel like this was very rushed. I wanted more from both characters. The hunts are rushed. The feelings and connection too. However I'm very intrigued and will read part 2. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thought this was pretty good for a debut dark romance! I loved Aria and Lucian's dynamic, and the build up was very good! however, I did find a lot of the writing to be cliche and at times it was dry. I also felt like there was a lot of over explaining happening with each characters and their POV's. I love a good dual POV story and this one is pretty solid! I just personally would have appreciated more "showing" and less "telling." But overall, a great quick read!
It wasn't for me. But I'm sure someone else would love it. While I wouldn't read the second book. I would recommend the duet for people wanting to dip their toes in dark romance
Run Little Fawn drew me in with some of the best tropes a dark romance can have. You can expect: secret society, primal play, a touch of knife play, a morally gray MMC, and stalking. There are some other tropes that have a bit of a role in the book, but those are ones that stood out the most to me. When you stack up a lot of tropes in a single book, you have to be careful to not come across as repetitive or just dry while only focusing on making it fit into the genre. In the case of this book, some of the uses of the tropes seemed like they were just tossed in to make the book fit as a dark romance book.
Aria, the FMC, has a quiet life. She gave up her dreams to take care of her family which most people would see as something wise, but not the secret society that our Hunter is a part of. They see it as a weakness. Aria is anything but weak. Her character is well written, and has a back story that could be mapped out and utilized throughout the entire book. Sadly, I did not see that. I did not see her utilizing her intelligence as well as she could have been and as well as I was hoping for. She wasn’t dumb or a damsel in distress by any means, but she didn’t think outside of the box & had to learn from Lucien which just didn’t seem right to me. I feel like she deserved more depth.
Lucien, our MMC, is a morally gray man who is a part of a secret society but not for the reasons you may think. You’ll have to read the book to find out about that. He is smart, witty, charming, and all of the things that we swoon over morally gray MMCs for. His back story is explained later in the story and seems to play into why he is the way that he is fairly well. He doesn’t seem to be lacking in the department of being mapped out.
Run Little Fawn is a short novel, and it is a good read. It is definitely not the spiciest dark romance I’ve ever read, and if that’s what you’re looking for - this isn’t for you. There is a lot of repetition when it comes to talking about The Hunt, and at times The Hunt can seem dry and drawn out while somehow also seeming rushed. The rules for The Hunt when told to Aria are very detailed and captivating and I just didn’t feel like it was living up to what it was portrayed to be. I have been reading dark romance for a long time though, and I read very dark romance - so this being a debut dark romance means it has a grace window. It’s not poorly written, it’s not uninteresting.. It just seems like it might be best for someone who is just dipping their toes into the dark romance pool, and trying to get a feel for what they may like. Not necessarily someone who has already dove in and let themselves drown in the waters of dark romance.
I am very thankful to have been an ARC reader for this book, and I will more than likely be reading the second installment in the series to see how the story finalizes.
I'm always looking for new authors to read, and I stumbled across this one. Instantly, I love this authors writing style. There is a mysterious quality to it, like it's cloaked in darkness. Aria is a young woman who has sacrificed her future to take care of her family. I found her to be quite relatable.
This, of course, is seen as a weakness, so she has been targeted. Enter Lucian, the hunter. He's definitely got things to hide, and as soon as he was introduced, my mind started churning around all different kinds of questions.
There's something mysterious in the way this author writes, and I was drawn into this game of cat and mouse.
Lucian is tasked with hunting Aria, and at first, she doesn't understand. The further we get, the more the lines blur between these two, and the tension is thicker. Lucian might say he's helping to have a better opponent for the hunt, but somewhere along the way he developed feelings, despite him not feeling the same way normal people do, and he's giving her a fighting chance. Aria's character growth here is evident. She becomes stronger, more confident in the way she does things, and I'm really intrigued by how this is going to end.
I also feel like there's something more, something that we're missing that will reveal itself in book 2.
This was written really well and was a medium paced story that kept me intrigued. Really interesting storyline as well. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next in the next book!
It is a dark and suspenseful thriller that pulls readers into a deadly game of cat and mouse. The story revolves around the Fawn, a young woman caught in a sinister challenge set by the Hunter, a man driven by primal instincts and a thirst for power. The narrative is both chilling and gripping, with the Fawn navigating through seven increasingly perilous trials, each failure bringing her closer to a terrifying end.
The dynamic between the Fawn and the Hunter is intense, filled with psychological tension and a sense of impending doom. The Fawn, though initially perceived as fragile, reveals a fierce determination and resilience that keeps the reader rooting for her survival. The Hunter, on the other hand, is a complex antagonist, torn between his mission and the unexpected emotions that the Fawn stirs within him.
The pacing is relentless, keeping you on edge as the story hurtles towards its cliffhanger ending. While the dark themes and the nature of the relationship between the Fawn and the Hunter may not be for everyone, the book offers a compelling blend of suspense, psychological depth, and raw emotion. Fans of dark, twisted romances will find Run Little Fawn an exhilarating start to the Hunter's Mark duet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a solid debut and there were plenty of things I enjoyed beyond the initial premise; the bait and switch at the club, the tension between the lead characters and Lucien's private agenda were all elements which kept me engaged. Aria is also very likeable; she's smart and wary, and the ways she tries to give Lucien the slip show she has the potential to be a worthy adversary for him.
However, I also felt that the story was a little rushed once the hunts started after the initial build up. There are seven hunts to get through which can last up to seven days so I appreciate that this has to be relatively fast paced but I wanted to know more about the meaning behind all of it. There is some exposition when Aria is told she is the prey and why she was chosen but I did feel like I was missing some backstory as to what this society's end game was. I have the second half of the duet on my TBR so hopefully there will be some more answers in book two.
My interpretation of the star system; 3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again 4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series 5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
I was hooked from the first pages even though the action and mystery start properly a couple of chapters in.
The book is very well written, it just flows and grabs you along for the ride. I received an ARC, but I can’t wait for the second book in the duet and see what happens next, as it ends on a cliffhanger. I will most definitely be buying book 2 when it releases.
I loved both characters and can’t help but wonder if Aria ( the Fawn) was named after the Game of Thrones character as she keeps growing and becoming stronger, smarter and more confident with every step of the story. I think she is well on her way to winning the hunting game.
The Hunter (Lucien) is very intriguing and as any proper dark hero, he draws you in even as you know it will be to your doom. He seems to be growing a heart through each interaction with our heroine and it’s a wonderful thing to read.
I want more of this story.
I received an ARC of this story and this is my honest opinion. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book.
I knew this was gonna leave on a cliffhanger, since it's the first book of a duet but i was still left needing so much more. I was completely hooked from the beginning of the book, i loved the concept of Hunter/Pray because it gives an extra added interest for me.
The relationship between Aria and Lucian seems to be blurring the line of Hunter/Pray and i can't wait to see how it progresses. I like that we get dual POV, even though we get more POV's from Aria/the fawn. Which works because she's the one on the run, always looking behind her until she discovers her true confidence after having a few lessons with the hunter whos hunting her. 7 hunts in total and the last one will be the deadliest, can Aria win this hunt or will she let Lucian catch her each time.
I hope in the next book we get to know a little more about the order, because even though we hear a little about it to paint a certain picture i'd love to get a little more background on them
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This thriller, dark romance book is such a great read! The story of hunter and fawn was captivating by itself, but the intricacies of the relationship sets this book apart from some other stories I’ve read.
The characters are lovable and well rounded. The fawn has amazing character development and her POV’s were my favorite to read. Despite her being the “fawn” of the situation, she is a hardcore woman. Watching her evolve was awesome.
The plot itself is an incredible idea brought to life. It kept me hanging on to every word on the page. I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. The spice is well written. The cliff hanger leaves you itching for the next book!
The only things keeping me from giving this a 5 stars was some of the writing had repetitive phrasing or errors that took me out of the experience a bit. Overall I loved this book and cannot wait for the second installment! I will definitely be reading it as soon as it comes out.
I did receive this book as an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Run Little Fawn was a thrilling, short and easy read. With only 218 pages, and a spice level at 2/5🌶️, it was quickly devoured within my shift at work! I enjoyed the angles that the author took. The novel itself was notably unique for its setting and choice of plot. And although the plot itself was predictable enough, the actions of the FMC was not. I found myself grinning ear to ear at several points throughout the novel. She was one to be admired—funny, quick, and cunning. I despise that this series is in two parts. It left off in such a strange cliffhanger spot in an anticlimactic way. This book could’ve EASILY have been written as one, as it dies right as it feels like the story is just getting started. I definitely look forward to reading the second book!
I really appreciate the opportunity to read the advanced copy of this book! I’ve received this copy for free through Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ♥️
Short summary: a librarian who lives a simple, boring life crosses paths with a smexy man at a masquerade party and sparks fly, but little does she know where it will lead. Running for her life, the FMC is funny, caring and way more street smart than she appears. Chasing her down, the MMC is hot, rich, alpha and deeper than he first appears. The book builds her up while it tears him down, in the best way possible. Their chemistry is off the charts and smexy time is fan yourself hot. Great read that had me cheering for both of them and I will be impatiently waiting for book 2!! I love a book series, but I also hate them, cliffies are the worst! LOL. Mainly because I am going to lose it until I know what happens next!! FYI: I received an advanced review copy for free, but I'm totally leaving this review of my own free will, I'd never write a review because someone told me I had too!!!
I really liked this book. I liked the idea of a primal play type of hunter vs prey style dark romance. I enjoyed the characters with the MMC being the OTT obsessed stalker/ hunter who is part of a murderous cult that hunt humans for fun and sport. And the FMC is deemed unworthy, because she lacked the drive and motivation to make better of herself. The cult thought she wasted her opportunities and should be essentially hunted down and killed. The MMC falls for the FMC and even though he is hunting her, he is enjoying the hunt and the FMC and def enjoying the chase. Very spicy, and hot you can feel the connection between the characters and want them to win in the end.
"Run Little Fawn is the first book in the Hunter's Mark duet and ends on a cliffhanger." I am excited to see how it comes together in the next book. I liked the MMC, Unhinged and Hot;)
As always please read all trigger warnings. It involves but is not limited to "Stalking and obsessive behavior, substance abuse, death, past off-page childhood trauma, loss of a parent to illness, hunting humans for sport, patricide, dubious and imbalanced power dynamics, a murderous cult, and a psychopath hellbent on a successful hunt."
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of this book!
This book was insane! I ate it up! I knew it was dark romance, but I had no idea the stuff I was in for.
Lucien is the picture of possessive in every way. No one is allowed to look at our Fawn, touch her, or especially kill her. Nope, that honour is saved specifically for him, especially since he brought her into this twisted game of cat and mouse. A game that neither one of them wants to end. Not when ending the game means ultimate death for one of the players.
This is a high-tensity game with danger around every corner and a hunter stalking his prey, both desperate for what happens when the prey is caught.
This book had me by the neck and did not let go. You're going to love it.
Run little fawn is book 1 of the Hunters Mark duet, it is a dark romance, so scenes and topics may be sensitive to some. It follows the story of Aria a quiet librarian whom gave up a college scholarship to care for her family, her life is turned upside down when she becomes the “Fawn” in the Orders Hunt.
This was an interesting quick read, I enjoyed the whole aspect of the hunt, 7 hunts each lasting up to 7 days with the seventh hunt ending the fawns life. Lenore did a good job with the characters and plot, I enjoyed that even though Aria is innocent she handles the situation with intelligence. Lucian with his possessive personality over his Fawn kept me turning the pages with this cat and mouse read. This book does end on a cliffhanger mid hunt, so just be aware of that.
Overall a good read and I look forward to book 2 of this duet.
Run Little Fawn by Lenore St. Rose captured my attention with its stunning cover and meticulous attention to detail. What I particularly enjoyed about this story is Rose’s vivid writing style, which brings each encounter and suspenseful scene to life with remarkable clarity.
The story begins with an intriguing premise: "It started as a game. A phone call in the dead of night. Seven days. Seven rules. Seven chances to escape him. Every time I fail, he gets to claim me." As a fan of dark romance, the hunter and prey genre require a delicate balance between darkness, hope, and romance, and Rose expertly achieves this with all the writing they did. I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment, as this book has left me eagerly pondering what comes next!
Lenore St. Rose delivers a twisted, dark romance that is raw, psychological, and utterly captivating. The tension between predator and prey crackles in every scene, pulling you deeper into the dangerous world of the MMC and the little fawn caught in his sights.
The writing is gripping, the dynamic is deliciously dark, and the chemistry? Absolutely electric. If you crave romance with an edge of danger, obsession, and unrelenting heat, Run Little Fawn is a must-read. Be prepared, this one will leave you wanting the next book ASAP!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is giving cat and mouse vibes and honestly the only thing that would make this book better…..is if the MMC wore a mask throughout the book!
I ate this book up….the banter between them and the way they interacted.
This gives all the thing I loved (the chase, stalking, 🎭, spice, a bad ass FMC, enemies to lovers) about Haunting and Hunting Adeline without all the things I hated (SA, trafficking….)
I love the cover of those books, the tire, the pet names and the story.
FFC is great and strong and smart! MMC is hot, knows what he’s doing 🛌 and has some character flaws that the FMC can help him to overcome….
What’s not to love? Ends on a cliffhanger and I want MORE!!
Oh this is a fun hunt! Arias life as a librarian, that gave up a spot in an Ivy League college to help take care of her father, just turned into a challenge. A hunt she doesn’t want, but to save her family and friend has to participate in.
Lucian wants revenge. But going on a hunt after a beautiful young woman that seems to make him feel something, isn’t what he expected.
There’s a pull between the Fawn and the Hunter that messes with both of their minds. Can’t wait for the 2nd and final book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I saw this it immediately peaked my interest! An ordinary Girl just living her mediocre life when one night of fun turns out to be more than she anticipated. In order to save her family & friends she must play a sick & twisted game. Run from the Hunter for as long as possible, get caught? We'll iykyk 😈 Can she become the sly fox instead of the meek fawn? Will her primal urges win over her better judgment? Come find out 🏃♀️ Ends on a Cliffhanger
4.5/5 ✨️ 3/5 🌶
• Secret Society • Primal Play • Knife Play • Twisted Games • Strangers to Enemies to ? • Morally Grey MMC • Cunning FMC • "Mine" • Stalking • CNC
I loved the premise of the book and the hunt kept me on edge waiting to see what would happen. Aria is full of surprises with how clever and determined she is. At first you think she has given up and doesn’t have any fight in her but she kept going and kept Lucien on his toes. I love the dynamic Aria and Lucien have but at times it did feel a bit cliche and over-explained. The cliffhanger at the end will definitely leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to see how the characters grow and change
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I consumed this book in one sitting. It snatched up my attention from the beginning and did not let go! I have read other stalker themed books but I really liked how you got to get into Lucian's head and he explained his process.
I will say there were some sentences and phrases that seemed to repeat themselves which made me think my Kindle had gone to a previous page.
Overall, a good, quick read with some spice and a cat & mouse chase. I am curious to see how the second book will go. The last few chapters took a turn that opened up a lot of possibilities for book 2.
• Perfect for lovers of The Haunting Adeline series • Comedic banter • Spicy 🌶 • Cliffhanger ending
3.5 ⭐
Aria is invited to bachelorette party and the last thing she expects is to find herself in a coat closet with an unknown man. Little did this Little Fawn know, this would be the start of a whole new game that would bring unexpected feelings with the one person who has to end her. A great dark romance for those in a reading slump and looking for an easy, spicy read.
Thank you to the author, Lenore St. Rose, and BookSirens for allowing me to ARC this book!
The Catched Hmmm an intriguing bit of story, dark and haunting. It all started with a night out and continued with Aria stepping into a game she was sure to lose. Dark begats dark, enters Lucian the hunter that's been in this game for far too long. These has an air of mystery, edge of danger and even an awakening. The game is intriguing the author detailed to point. The bit of back story definitely made the characters. Some good heat, I enjoyed both characters. The cliff not too crazy but definitely can't wait for the next book.