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Blood Hunter Trilogy #1
Blood Hunter
A city plagued with murders. Two people haunted by their pasts.
After witnessing her best friend's murder—by what she believes is a vampire—college senior Juliette is determined to find the killer and get justice. Battling with the memories of her own attack, Juliette questions whether what she saw was real, or a product of her injuries.
Scarred and haunted by his past, half vampire Alex hunts rogue vampires in exchange for his freedom. When assigned to the case of the “Pine Falls Knife Man,” Alex crosses paths with Juliette, tasked with listening to her firsthand account of the attack. After learning of her involvement with the case, Alex—used to the dangers of the vampire world—reluctantly agrees to Juliette’s help.
As the bodies add up and the stakes get higher, this unlikely duo must work together to stop the killer terrorizing their city—combatting not only the dangerous and secret world of vampires, but their growing attraction and feelings for each other as well. While both Alex and Juliette bear physical scars, they must learn to overcome their emotional ones and face the past in order to survive the present.
*Blood Hunter is book one of a new adult paranormal romance trilogy featuring imperfect heroes and fast paced mystery. Content warnings can be found inside the book.*
After witnessing her best friend's murder—by what she believes is a vampire—college senior Juliette is determined to find the killer and get justice. Battling with the memories of her own attack, Juliette questions whether what she saw was real, or a product of her injuries.
Scarred and haunted by his past, half vampire Alex hunts rogue vampires in exchange for his freedom. When assigned to the case of the “Pine Falls Knife Man,” Alex crosses paths with Juliette, tasked with listening to her firsthand account of the attack. After learning of her involvement with the case, Alex—used to the dangers of the vampire world—reluctantly agrees to Juliette’s help.
As the bodies add up and the stakes get higher, this unlikely duo must work together to stop the killer terrorizing their city—combatting not only the dangerous and secret world of vampires, but their growing attraction and feelings for each other as well. While both Alex and Juliette bear physical scars, they must learn to overcome their emotional ones and face the past in order to survive the present.
*Blood Hunter is book one of a new adult paranormal romance trilogy featuring imperfect heroes and fast paced mystery. Content warnings can be found inside the book.*
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
16 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Kennedy
3 books18 followersC.M. Kennedy is a writer of all things fantasy, romance, and paranormal. When she's not writing about imperfect heroes or supernatural creatures, you can find her reading, playing video games, or hanging out with her cats. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @cmkennedyauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 15, 2024
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
This debut novel is perfect for fans of murder mysteries, vampires, and slow burn romance.
After witnessing her best friend's murder, and almost dying herself, Juliette is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice. Enter Alex: a half vampire and blood hunter who is investigating the very string of deaths that includes Juliette's friend. Alex and Juliette have to team up and pool together their knowledge in order to discover who is behind the murders. The pair have to individually face their past traumas and learn how they can move forward together, while fighting their mutual attraction to put the case first. And, in their investigation, Alex and Juliette discover political schemes that take them on a path they never thought they'd go down.
Blood Hunter is full of secrets, haunted pasts, and grief but also brings in plenty of fun banter, romance, and healing. Though it is the first in a trilogy and left me wanting more, it also has a satisfying ending with answers about the murder mystery. However, I'm excited to see more about the world of vampire politics and secrets throughout the series.
Alex and Juliette are both imperfect characters who certainly have their own traumas and flaws but who are lovable in spite of and because of those imperfections. In fact, that makes them so much more real and relatable. The character development in this book is on point, and I'm sure it's going to just get better from here in the next books.
Readers who are fans of these tropes and topics should sink their fangs into Blood Hunter (sorry, I had to include just ONE vampire pun!):
- Dual POV
- Murder mysteries
- Vampires
- Paranormal urban setting
- Grief & healing
- Slow burn romance
- Banter
- Protective MMC
- Politics & secrets
I highly recommend Blood Hunter and can't wait to see what CM Kennedy has to share next!
This debut novel is perfect for fans of murder mysteries, vampires, and slow burn romance.
After witnessing her best friend's murder, and almost dying herself, Juliette is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice. Enter Alex: a half vampire and blood hunter who is investigating the very string of deaths that includes Juliette's friend. Alex and Juliette have to team up and pool together their knowledge in order to discover who is behind the murders. The pair have to individually face their past traumas and learn how they can move forward together, while fighting their mutual attraction to put the case first. And, in their investigation, Alex and Juliette discover political schemes that take them on a path they never thought they'd go down.
Blood Hunter is full of secrets, haunted pasts, and grief but also brings in plenty of fun banter, romance, and healing. Though it is the first in a trilogy and left me wanting more, it also has a satisfying ending with answers about the murder mystery. However, I'm excited to see more about the world of vampire politics and secrets throughout the series.
Alex and Juliette are both imperfect characters who certainly have their own traumas and flaws but who are lovable in spite of and because of those imperfections. In fact, that makes them so much more real and relatable. The character development in this book is on point, and I'm sure it's going to just get better from here in the next books.
Readers who are fans of these tropes and topics should sink their fangs into Blood Hunter (sorry, I had to include just ONE vampire pun!):
- Dual POV
- Murder mysteries
- Vampires
- Paranormal urban setting
- Grief & healing
- Slow burn romance
- Banter
- Protective MMC
- Politics & secrets
I highly recommend Blood Hunter and can't wait to see what CM Kennedy has to share next!
May 25, 2025
Rating- 4.5 stars
(Will be on Kindle Unlimited on June 3rd)
Wow I really enjoyed this. Coming back to do a review- have a few to catch up on but I really enjoyed this and was such a lovely change ☺️. Can't wait to read book 2.
(Will be on Kindle Unlimited on June 3rd)
Wow I really enjoyed this. Coming back to do a review- have a few to catch up on but I really enjoyed this and was such a lovely change ☺️. Can't wait to read book 2.
June 7, 2025
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book!! It was so cute and I honestly couldn’t put it down. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves vampires and a good murder mystery as I had no idea who the killer was until the end. The slow burn romance was goood hoping to see more in book 2 along with overprotective Alex😍 I love Alex and Juliette’s relationship (whatever that may be). I like how the ending was solidified but left it open for upcoming investigations. if you have kindle unlimited you’re in luck😉 READDD this book people it’s sooo good and deserves ALL the attention. I highly recommend it and am so glad this is a trilogy because I’m not ready for this world to end!
Thank you so much to the Nerd Farm and C.M. Kennedy for the ARC copy♥️
I really enjoyed this book!! It was so cute and I honestly couldn’t put it down. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves vampires and a good murder mystery as I had no idea who the killer was until the end. The slow burn romance was goood hoping to see more in book 2 along with overprotective Alex😍 I love Alex and Juliette’s relationship (whatever that may be). I like how the ending was solidified but left it open for upcoming investigations. if you have kindle unlimited you’re in luck😉 READDD this book people it’s sooo good and deserves ALL the attention. I highly recommend it and am so glad this is a trilogy because I’m not ready for this world to end!
Thank you so much to the Nerd Farm and C.M. Kennedy for the ARC copy♥️
May 28, 2025
Juliette returns home to find her best friend murdered. The killer attacks her too, but she survives. The police don’t know what really happened, chalking it up to a serial killer—only Juliette knows the truth: she was attacked by a vampire 👀 She tries to deny it, but when she meets Alex Osman, a mysterious detective who turns out to be a vampire hunter, all her suspicions are confirmed. Juliette and Alex become partners, investigating her friend’s murder and other victims together 🤝
First of all, this is a fantastic detective story with vampires. I honestly didn’t guess the killer until the very end, which is really impressive for a debut. The book is fairly short, just under 400 pages, and it’s packed with investigations, witness interrogations, unraveling secrets about Juliette’s friend’s life, and a slow-burn romance with no spice.
Second, I loved how both main characters are broken inside. Juliette is drowning in grief, unable to process it until she finds the killer and learns the truth about her friend. Alex is shrouded in mystery—he doesn’t know what happened to his family, is repaying a debt to the vampire leader, and just trying to find himself.
The romance between them is very sweet, sometimes funny—they’re more like friends than lovers, but I hope the next books will bring more romance ❤️ There’s not a hint of spice, but it wasn’t needed since the focus is on solving the murders.
This is a trilogy, but by the end of the book, the case is closed and the killer is revealed. I think the next books will feature new investigations ✌🏼
Overall, I highly recommend it if you love detective stories—I think it’ll be a perfect autumn read ❤️
Thanks to The Nerd Fam and C. M. Kennedy for providing me with an ARC copy, I really enjoyed it and hope that this book gets the attention it deserves ❤️
First of all, this is a fantastic detective story with vampires. I honestly didn’t guess the killer until the very end, which is really impressive for a debut. The book is fairly short, just under 400 pages, and it’s packed with investigations, witness interrogations, unraveling secrets about Juliette’s friend’s life, and a slow-burn romance with no spice.
Second, I loved how both main characters are broken inside. Juliette is drowning in grief, unable to process it until she finds the killer and learns the truth about her friend. Alex is shrouded in mystery—he doesn’t know what happened to his family, is repaying a debt to the vampire leader, and just trying to find himself.
The romance between them is very sweet, sometimes funny—they’re more like friends than lovers, but I hope the next books will bring more romance ❤️ There’s not a hint of spice, but it wasn’t needed since the focus is on solving the murders.
This is a trilogy, but by the end of the book, the case is closed and the killer is revealed. I think the next books will feature new investigations ✌🏼
Overall, I highly recommend it if you love detective stories—I think it’ll be a perfect autumn read ❤️
Thanks to The Nerd Fam and C. M. Kennedy for providing me with an ARC copy, I really enjoyed it and hope that this book gets the attention it deserves ❤️
October 13, 2024
This was a very fun vampire murder mystery! chaotic murder board and all😂 This one is definitely for the slow burn lovers, a very slow burn romance with more to come in the following books. Protective, self loathing, MMC who is haunted by his past 🤝🏻 FMC with trauma who is barely holding herself together. This was a fun ride and I ended up really loving many of the characters in this and can’t wait to see more of them. A wonderfully written debut novel!🩸🦇🌃
Favorite quote: “I know what it’s like to feel guilty, to be your own worst enemy. No demons hurt quite like your own.”
•vampire murder mystery
•very slow burn (no spice)
•grief/trauma/healing
•protective tattooed MMC
•vampire politics
PS: Please please please give us a blood drinking scene with Alex and Juliette in the next one🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’d go feral for that😩🤣
Favorite quote: “I know what it’s like to feel guilty, to be your own worst enemy. No demons hurt quite like your own.”
•vampire murder mystery
•very slow burn (no spice)
•grief/trauma/healing
•protective tattooed MMC
•vampire politics
PS: Please please please give us a blood drinking scene with Alex and Juliette in the next one🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’d go feral for that😩🤣
October 13, 2024
I absolutely loved this book!! It's been a while since I've read a vampire story, but it brought back so much nostalgia from my teenage years when I was hooked on vampire books. There's always a mystery surrounding vampires!
October 14, 2024
The perfect slightly spooky fall read that’ll keep you on your toes!
First and foremost, I loved seeing the changes from the beta read to the final version! Like many others, I think I’m going to hop on the Slade train even though I don’t think I’m supposed to like him 🤣 I absolutely cannot wait until book 2 to get more into Alex’s background and Juliette’s theory as they venture to Bellevue!
Blood Hunter is the perfect read for those like myself that loved Twilight growing up and want a vampire story that feels more adult!
What to expect:
🩸 Vampires
🔪 Murder Mystery
❤️🩹 Grief & Healing
🦇 Paranormal Romance
🖤 Banter
⛓️💥 Close Proximity
🥀 First in a Trilogy
First and foremost, I loved seeing the changes from the beta read to the final version! Like many others, I think I’m going to hop on the Slade train even though I don’t think I’m supposed to like him 🤣 I absolutely cannot wait until book 2 to get more into Alex’s background and Juliette’s theory as they venture to Bellevue!
Blood Hunter is the perfect read for those like myself that loved Twilight growing up and want a vampire story that feels more adult!
What to expect:
🩸 Vampires
🔪 Murder Mystery
❤️🩹 Grief & Healing
🦇 Paranormal Romance
🖤 Banter
⛓️💥 Close Proximity
🥀 First in a Trilogy
October 17, 2024
An absolutely fantastic debut novel by C.M. Kennedy! Grab your raincoat, this murder mystery/paranormal romance book brought the dreary, dark, and mysterious atmosphere of the PNW to life. If you’re looking for something to scratch the “vampires in a rainy, woodsy town” itch - this book was written for you.
After being attacked and witnessing her college roommate’s murder, Juliette is unable to move forward without finding her killer. There’s just one problem… she is pretty sure the killer was a vampire, but they can’t be real… right? Alex Osman is a half vampire known as a blood hunter. His job is to hunt down vampires who have gone rouge and keep their existence a secret from humans. But when Alex crosses paths with Juliette their partnership is hard to walk away from. With Alex being haunted by his past, and Juliette stuck in her grief, finding this killer together might just be what both of them needs…
“𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥.”
Both Juliette and Alex are dealing with tremendously heavy struggles with grief and trauma in different ways. The healing representation in this book did such a good job of showing the tough and ugly parts of the internal thoughts. It only made me love both characters more, they aren’t perfect but the author has us meet them right where they’re at.
“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.”
The banter and teasing between these MCs had me absolutely giggling throughout this. The romance aspect is very slow burn but super sweet and gentle. Definitely a book to read if you love the flirting and slow burn of the relationship buildup!!! Juliette had so many relatable moments and I ended up really liking her character, her flaws only made me like her more. And ALEX OSMAN!!!!! New vampire bf just dropped!!!!! Covered in tattoos, unlimited smirks, mysterious backstory, and such gentle Doberman bf vibes I am definitely excited for more of his character!
“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞.”
This is the first book in a trilogy so while we did get some big questions answered, the ending also left us with plenty of details left unresolved to keep the anticipation up for the story to continue! I can’t wait to see how this storyline continues and expands!
book tropes:
- dual POV
- murder mystery
- grief journey
- humans / vampires / vampire hunters
- tattooed doberman bf
- banter & flirting
- crime solving duo
- secrets & criminal underworld vibes
Thank you to C.M. Kennedy for the ARC of this book!
_______________________________
arc review to come tomorrow!!!
After being attacked and witnessing her college roommate’s murder, Juliette is unable to move forward without finding her killer. There’s just one problem… she is pretty sure the killer was a vampire, but they can’t be real… right? Alex Osman is a half vampire known as a blood hunter. His job is to hunt down vampires who have gone rouge and keep their existence a secret from humans. But when Alex crosses paths with Juliette their partnership is hard to walk away from. With Alex being haunted by his past, and Juliette stuck in her grief, finding this killer together might just be what both of them needs…
“𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥.”
Both Juliette and Alex are dealing with tremendously heavy struggles with grief and trauma in different ways. The healing representation in this book did such a good job of showing the tough and ugly parts of the internal thoughts. It only made me love both characters more, they aren’t perfect but the author has us meet them right where they’re at.
“𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.”
The banter and teasing between these MCs had me absolutely giggling throughout this. The romance aspect is very slow burn but super sweet and gentle. Definitely a book to read if you love the flirting and slow burn of the relationship buildup!!! Juliette had so many relatable moments and I ended up really liking her character, her flaws only made me like her more. And ALEX OSMAN!!!!! New vampire bf just dropped!!!!! Covered in tattoos, unlimited smirks, mysterious backstory, and such gentle Doberman bf vibes I am definitely excited for more of his character!
“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐚𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞.”
This is the first book in a trilogy so while we did get some big questions answered, the ending also left us with plenty of details left unresolved to keep the anticipation up for the story to continue! I can’t wait to see how this storyline continues and expands!
book tropes:
- dual POV
- murder mystery
- grief journey
- humans / vampires / vampire hunters
- tattooed doberman bf
- banter & flirting
- crime solving duo
- secrets & criminal underworld vibes
Thank you to C.M. Kennedy for the ARC of this book!
_______________________________
arc review to come tomorrow!!!
October 22, 2024
A truly captivating bloodthirsty read filled with so much charm.
The murder mystery that takes place during this story was so addicting. I don’t think there was a single instance where I confidently felt like I knew who the culprit was. There were also so many unexpected reveals, afterwards it was fun then thinking back to the little easter eggs that were riddled throughout the story hinting towards them. I also appreciate that this story is a mystery first and romance second keeping the perfect balance between both things.
Juliette and Alex had chemistry that bounced right off the page. As a major fan of slow burn, this slow burn was in fact hitting! They both had so much emotional depth to their characters and the way that they both interacted with each other felt so tender and natural. They had great banter creating such a genuine and believable partnership.
In addition to the overarching mystery, the vampire lore was my favorite part. I found it so intriguing and the links that some of the characters have to each other had me thirsting for more. I think it was really well done, explaining a lot of aspects but still having it easy to follow and understand.
All in all I had such an enjoyable time reading this and I just know these characters will be living in my mind rent free. The book left off in a satisfying place and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next books take us.
Thank you to the author for providing me with this ARC.
The murder mystery that takes place during this story was so addicting. I don’t think there was a single instance where I confidently felt like I knew who the culprit was. There were also so many unexpected reveals, afterwards it was fun then thinking back to the little easter eggs that were riddled throughout the story hinting towards them. I also appreciate that this story is a mystery first and romance second keeping the perfect balance between both things.
Juliette and Alex had chemistry that bounced right off the page. As a major fan of slow burn, this slow burn was in fact hitting! They both had so much emotional depth to their characters and the way that they both interacted with each other felt so tender and natural. They had great banter creating such a genuine and believable partnership.
In addition to the overarching mystery, the vampire lore was my favorite part. I found it so intriguing and the links that some of the characters have to each other had me thirsting for more. I think it was really well done, explaining a lot of aspects but still having it easy to follow and understand.
All in all I had such an enjoyable time reading this and I just know these characters will be living in my mind rent free. The book left off in a satisfying place and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next books take us.
Thank you to the author for providing me with this ARC.
October 24, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you like gloomy weather, murder mystery, vampires, and a little bit of romance, then this one is for you! Blood Hunter started with a scene of a crime, and I immediately wanted to read it in one sitting. The gloomy weather and urban setting reminded me of the dark Twilight vampire scenes in the best way.
✨Juliette had to witness her best friend’s murder. While dealing with her grief, she is determined to find the killer. When she’s approached by a “sort of” investigator, she doesn’t know who she can trust. But she trusts Alex. They may just be partners for this case, but she cannot deny the attraction she feels for him.
✨Alex is a half vampire and blood hunter. He is icy and closed off. He is tall, dark haired, muscular, and has tattoos?? Thank you Claire lol. He agrees to help Juliette find out who murdered her bestfriend. What he didn’t expect was to develop any feelings for Juliette. But he can’t help but become so protective of her.
✨Alex and Juliette are both broken individuals over their pasts. They like that they can be imperfect with the other. I loved how protective Alex was of her. They have a slow burn romance and the little moments they shared left me wanting more from them. They have a relationship that is full of pain and grief but also love and healing.
Blood Hunter has:
🧛🏻 Vampires
🩸 Murder mystery
🪦 Grief & anxiety
🐈⬛ Found family
🖤 Protective MC with tattoos
🔪 Slow burn romance
❤️ Dual pov
I cannot wait to see where the next book leads.
Thank you @cmkennedyauthor for this ARC! 🫶🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you like gloomy weather, murder mystery, vampires, and a little bit of romance, then this one is for you! Blood Hunter started with a scene of a crime, and I immediately wanted to read it in one sitting. The gloomy weather and urban setting reminded me of the dark Twilight vampire scenes in the best way.
✨Juliette had to witness her best friend’s murder. While dealing with her grief, she is determined to find the killer. When she’s approached by a “sort of” investigator, she doesn’t know who she can trust. But she trusts Alex. They may just be partners for this case, but she cannot deny the attraction she feels for him.
✨Alex is a half vampire and blood hunter. He is icy and closed off. He is tall, dark haired, muscular, and has tattoos?? Thank you Claire lol. He agrees to help Juliette find out who murdered her bestfriend. What he didn’t expect was to develop any feelings for Juliette. But he can’t help but become so protective of her.
✨Alex and Juliette are both broken individuals over their pasts. They like that they can be imperfect with the other. I loved how protective Alex was of her. They have a slow burn romance and the little moments they shared left me wanting more from them. They have a relationship that is full of pain and grief but also love and healing.
Blood Hunter has:
🧛🏻 Vampires
🩸 Murder mystery
🪦 Grief & anxiety
🐈⬛ Found family
🖤 Protective MC with tattoos
🔪 Slow burn romance
❤️ Dual pov
I cannot wait to see where the next book leads.
Thank you @cmkennedyauthor for this ARC! 🫶🏼
June 1, 2025
3.5⭐️ - I’ve been craving a good vampire storyline to relive my Vampire Diaries era, and Blood Hunter definitely scratched that nostalgic itch 🥹. This book has it all: vampires, humans, half-vampires, a murder mystery, and secret societies—served up in the delightfully eerie small town of Pine Falls.
Our FMC, Juliette, has the worst luck. She not only witnesses a murder, but also gets attacked by a dark figure who seemingly drains her best friend to death—or was it all in her head? 👀 She ends up forming an unlikely "partnership" with Alex, our tattooed, broody, half-vampire MMC who claims to be an investigator of “some sort” and is determined to solve the string of murders following her friend’s death.
The murder mystery was a fun ride—predictable at times, sure, but the delivery still hit. I do wish we got more of the secret societies and side characters that were introduced (seriously, give me more of them). Especially with that wild twist near the end... which kind of came out of nowhere and left me going “wait, how though??” 😩
The romance? Slow burn with capital S-L-O-W, with tension and angst, and just enough to keep you wanting more by the final page. I do hope to see MORE of the tension and their romance in the next book!
Blood Hunter officially hits Kindle Unlimited on June 3! Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest (and vampire-hungry) thoughts!
Our FMC, Juliette, has the worst luck. She not only witnesses a murder, but also gets attacked by a dark figure who seemingly drains her best friend to death—or was it all in her head? 👀 She ends up forming an unlikely "partnership" with Alex, our tattooed, broody, half-vampire MMC who claims to be an investigator of “some sort” and is determined to solve the string of murders following her friend’s death.
The murder mystery was a fun ride—predictable at times, sure, but the delivery still hit. I do wish we got more of the secret societies and side characters that were introduced (seriously, give me more of them). Especially with that wild twist near the end... which kind of came out of nowhere and left me going “wait, how though??” 😩
The romance? Slow burn with capital S-L-O-W, with tension and angst, and just enough to keep you wanting more by the final page. I do hope to see MORE of the tension and their romance in the next book!
Blood Hunter officially hits Kindle Unlimited on June 3! Thank you to the author for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest (and vampire-hungry) thoughts!
June 20, 2025
At first it seemed a little hard to get into. I had received this as a gift from the author. It really was a different world of Vampires, where they are able to reproduce with humans, so you have half vampires which leads us to the MMC, Alex. He was brooding but it was with reason. There was something that doesn't sit right with how he became an orphan. He ended up in trouble with the "law" which got him in the position to start investigating the recent killings of a serial killer. The humans believe that it was a person with a knife but soon Juliette knows better because she is the one that survived. It was a vampire, but who is gonna believe a traumatized woman. Juliette and Alex team up to find out the truth. During that time they grow close, and fall hard.
October 16, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
This is a new adult vampire murder mystery that covers grief and determination sprinkled with a healthy dose of dysfunctional families and steadfast friendships.
I really liked the relationship building between the two MCs; it felt natural and leaves room for more in book 2. They had a lot of cute, awkward moments. I’m a tad disappointed that Alex doesn’t really drink blood as a half-vampire though 😂 I was waiting for a scene where he drinks Juliette’s, but maybe that will come later in the series.
Juliette’s train of thought was super relatable and I found I liked being in her POV more. Alex is supposed to be kind of mysterious in this, so I’m hoping book 2 will dive deeper into his backstory and personality.
The book could use a little bit more editing to trim it down; there was quite a bit of repetition. However, I did enjoy the story and am excited to see where the author takes the series!
•Vampires
•Dual POV
•Outcasts
•Murder Mystery
•Grief
•NA Paranormal
Favorite Quote:
“Can we switch to less depressing topics please?”
“Like murder?”
“Yes.”
This is a new adult vampire murder mystery that covers grief and determination sprinkled with a healthy dose of dysfunctional families and steadfast friendships.
I really liked the relationship building between the two MCs; it felt natural and leaves room for more in book 2. They had a lot of cute, awkward moments. I’m a tad disappointed that Alex doesn’t really drink blood as a half-vampire though 😂 I was waiting for a scene where he drinks Juliette’s, but maybe that will come later in the series.
Juliette’s train of thought was super relatable and I found I liked being in her POV more. Alex is supposed to be kind of mysterious in this, so I’m hoping book 2 will dive deeper into his backstory and personality.
The book could use a little bit more editing to trim it down; there was quite a bit of repetition. However, I did enjoy the story and am excited to see where the author takes the series!
•Vampires
•Dual POV
•Outcasts
•Murder Mystery
•Grief
•NA Paranormal
Favorite Quote:
“Can we switch to less depressing topics please?”
“Like murder?”
“Yes.”
Read
July 22, 2025ARC read is in. Murder mystery, vampires, slow burn, oh my.
This one has potential, and could be a great read in the context of a supporting sequel? For now though, it isn't for me... which is a shame because all the pieces lined up and potential was there. Maybe by book three the bigger picture will reveal itself? You'll have to let me know.
This one has potential, and could be a great read in the context of a supporting sequel? For now though, it isn't for me... which is a shame because all the pieces lined up and potential was there. Maybe by book three the bigger picture will reveal itself? You'll have to let me know.
June 13, 2025
CW’s: blood, gore, violence, mentions of abuse and parental emotional abuse
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My Rating: 3.5
I received a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review
So I actually really liked the beginning of this book. Was it a book with stellar writing, plot and characters? No. Will it win awards? Probably not. But it hit that itch in my brain for paranormal romances, urban fantasy, and 2010s YA-aesthetic nostalgia that I have been trying so hard to recapture. I also loved that it captured those feelings while not being about 17 year-olds; Late college aged and older is far easier for me to connect with/relate to than the teenagers that populate a lot of fantasy and romantasy. I want an addictive book that’s like a drug to my brain, or junk food, without feeling so disconnected all the time.
I think there’s an interesting comparison to Twilight here, and other paranormal stories. There isn’t this element of “I’m attracted to this evil creature” but a more realistic “this thing I saw killed my friend, I am now going to obsess to an unhealthy degree over it, fixate on it, and be unable to stop thinking about”. Juliette has PTSD, she feels phantom pains where her wounds were, she feels brutal survivor’s guilt and can’t stop going through the “what-if’s” over her friend’s murder. When other people move on, she feels angry and defensive of her friend’s memory. Juliette’s pain feels realized and like it should, she’s terrified and vulnerable and trying to make sense of the change in her world view. Yes she has a crazy research board in her closet, yes I think she’s earned that right considering her friend died and she almost did too.
Also Alex’s card being “Vampiric Investigations” absolutely sent me into orbit, that was so funny. I don’t know if it was intentionally funny, but it was. And Juliette actually does the reasonable thing in first off, being incredibly hesitant to trust some random guy, secondly suspicious of his motivations, and third: running multiple searches to figure out who he is.
The book is definitely corny, a little clunky in the writing, but I don’t think it’s necessarily more clunky than other books in the genre. I liked that Alex was actually 24. The lack of a huge age gap was a really nice change up from the usual in the genre, and it didn’t feel too much like the relationship was at all toxic.
Alex’s world had laws that stayed consistent, with a governing system that had consequences for infractions/breaking of the laws it created. And the way both Alex and Juliette interacted with all of that felt realistic and like it made sense. Alex’s character aligns with eventually saying “screw it” to the laws he was worried about, and Juliette’s character was consistently stubborn all the way through.
Plot progressed pretty normally for this genre, again, it was a bit cheesy, but I don’t really expect it not to me when I picked up a book with this premise.
I think the progression of the mystery was okay. I do think it could’ve been paced out a little better, and I will say I didn’t really see the actual killer (or “the Knife Man” which is a bit cheesy in itself) coming. But I didn’t feel especially surprised or have an emotional reaction either. I didn’t quite feel that shock. So I do think there could’ve been improvement for more. But I do think the author did a good job at the end of setting up a mystery for the next book.
There is definitely some to be desired with the Alex/Juliette romance. But I will say that since this is not a standalone, I think that definitely isn’t so bad. Because there are other books to develop that as well. I think the author wrote this book with sequels in mind and she did a really good job of that. And I was really looking forward to their first kiss, and I liked how it was done. It felt organic and cute and sweet for my fanfic-loving-heart.
Overall this was a good junk-food type read.
.
My Rating: 3.5
I received a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review
So I actually really liked the beginning of this book. Was it a book with stellar writing, plot and characters? No. Will it win awards? Probably not. But it hit that itch in my brain for paranormal romances, urban fantasy, and 2010s YA-aesthetic nostalgia that I have been trying so hard to recapture. I also loved that it captured those feelings while not being about 17 year-olds; Late college aged and older is far easier for me to connect with/relate to than the teenagers that populate a lot of fantasy and romantasy. I want an addictive book that’s like a drug to my brain, or junk food, without feeling so disconnected all the time.
I think there’s an interesting comparison to Twilight here, and other paranormal stories. There isn’t this element of “I’m attracted to this evil creature” but a more realistic “this thing I saw killed my friend, I am now going to obsess to an unhealthy degree over it, fixate on it, and be unable to stop thinking about”. Juliette has PTSD, she feels phantom pains where her wounds were, she feels brutal survivor’s guilt and can’t stop going through the “what-if’s” over her friend’s murder. When other people move on, she feels angry and defensive of her friend’s memory. Juliette’s pain feels realized and like it should, she’s terrified and vulnerable and trying to make sense of the change in her world view. Yes she has a crazy research board in her closet, yes I think she’s earned that right considering her friend died and she almost did too.
Also Alex’s card being “Vampiric Investigations” absolutely sent me into orbit, that was so funny. I don’t know if it was intentionally funny, but it was. And Juliette actually does the reasonable thing in first off, being incredibly hesitant to trust some random guy, secondly suspicious of his motivations, and third: running multiple searches to figure out who he is.
The book is definitely corny, a little clunky in the writing, but I don’t think it’s necessarily more clunky than other books in the genre. I liked that Alex was actually 24. The lack of a huge age gap was a really nice change up from the usual in the genre, and it didn’t feel too much like the relationship was at all toxic.
Alex’s world had laws that stayed consistent, with a governing system that had consequences for infractions/breaking of the laws it created. And the way both Alex and Juliette interacted with all of that felt realistic and like it made sense. Alex’s character aligns with eventually saying “screw it” to the laws he was worried about, and Juliette’s character was consistently stubborn all the way through.
Plot progressed pretty normally for this genre, again, it was a bit cheesy, but I don’t really expect it not to me when I picked up a book with this premise.
I think the progression of the mystery was okay. I do think it could’ve been paced out a little better, and I will say I didn’t really see the actual killer (or “the Knife Man” which is a bit cheesy in itself) coming. But I didn’t feel especially surprised or have an emotional reaction either. I didn’t quite feel that shock. So I do think there could’ve been improvement for more. But I do think the author did a good job at the end of setting up a mystery for the next book.
There is definitely some to be desired with the Alex/Juliette romance. But I will say that since this is not a standalone, I think that definitely isn’t so bad. Because there are other books to develop that as well. I think the author wrote this book with sequels in mind and she did a really good job of that. And I was really looking forward to their first kiss, and I liked how it was done. It felt organic and cute and sweet for my fanfic-loving-heart.
Overall this was a good junk-food type read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
If you love a murder mystery with vampires, you will enjoy Blood Hunter!
About two months after witnessing her best friend's murder, Juliette has her sights set on figuring out what happened the night that changed everything. But this is no ordinary murder and no ordinary case. Juliette is certain there is a vampire on the loose, but between suffering a concussion and a short coma along with carrying the heavy weight of grief, she isn't sure if she can do this alone. Alex, a half-vampire himself, is ordered by his boss to solve this case, clean up the streets as he has done in the past. When their paths cross, they both realize they need one another, becoming partners and discovering who is behind the rampage in the small town of Pine Falls. But, both Alex and Julitette realize there is more than meets the murder board. Having to face their past traumas and end up diving deeper into the underworld of politics and secrets, they must lean on each other to stay afloat, facing whatever may come next.
This was such a new area for me when it comes to my reading taste. I do not read murder mysteries often, but The NErd Fam knows how to get you intrigued. Blood Hunter has secrets at every turn, strange pasts, and lovable characters. I loved the banter between Alex and Julitette while simultaneously tackling grief and what it is like to be haunted by your past. Both characters have major flaws, but I think that played into strong character development. Tackling grief like Juliteete is not easy, especially when it feels like everyone is moving on besides you. I wish my friends and family understood that more. Alex is the other side of that grief, while far removed from the actual event, its lingering effects are still strong. I thought both of them complemented each other, and I liked that the romance aspect of it did not overpower the messages of the books.
I thought this was a great debut novel by C.M. Kennedy. My only dislike, and it is not really a huge dislike, was the pacing and development of side characters. Some of them seem to just pop up and have little explanation of them, that they were just accepted by Jiliette and are just there. But I believe that may have been done on purpose, as there are several stories to continue to tell through the series. The other thing is I felt the pacing was slow throughout the book. It seemed like we were literally living every single day and not making much progress until it really sped up on new discoveries, and then REALLY slowed down again. I normally feel as though books could have been shorter, but I think this one could have been longer to keep the pacing even throughout.
Overall, I really enjoyed the novel, and I am SO happy I got to read it! I am looking forward to new adventures with my favorite half-vampire and human duo!
Thank you, The Nerd Fam and C.M. Kennedy!
About two months after witnessing her best friend's murder, Juliette has her sights set on figuring out what happened the night that changed everything. But this is no ordinary murder and no ordinary case. Juliette is certain there is a vampire on the loose, but between suffering a concussion and a short coma along with carrying the heavy weight of grief, she isn't sure if she can do this alone. Alex, a half-vampire himself, is ordered by his boss to solve this case, clean up the streets as he has done in the past. When their paths cross, they both realize they need one another, becoming partners and discovering who is behind the rampage in the small town of Pine Falls. But, both Alex and Julitette realize there is more than meets the murder board. Having to face their past traumas and end up diving deeper into the underworld of politics and secrets, they must lean on each other to stay afloat, facing whatever may come next.
This was such a new area for me when it comes to my reading taste. I do not read murder mysteries often, but The NErd Fam knows how to get you intrigued. Blood Hunter has secrets at every turn, strange pasts, and lovable characters. I loved the banter between Alex and Julitette while simultaneously tackling grief and what it is like to be haunted by your past. Both characters have major flaws, but I think that played into strong character development. Tackling grief like Juliteete is not easy, especially when it feels like everyone is moving on besides you. I wish my friends and family understood that more. Alex is the other side of that grief, while far removed from the actual event, its lingering effects are still strong. I thought both of them complemented each other, and I liked that the romance aspect of it did not overpower the messages of the books.
I thought this was a great debut novel by C.M. Kennedy. My only dislike, and it is not really a huge dislike, was the pacing and development of side characters. Some of them seem to just pop up and have little explanation of them, that they were just accepted by Jiliette and are just there. But I believe that may have been done on purpose, as there are several stories to continue to tell through the series. The other thing is I felt the pacing was slow throughout the book. It seemed like we were literally living every single day and not making much progress until it really sped up on new discoveries, and then REALLY slowed down again. I normally feel as though books could have been shorter, but I think this one could have been longer to keep the pacing even throughout.
Overall, I really enjoyed the novel, and I am SO happy I got to read it! I am looking forward to new adventures with my favorite half-vampire and human duo!
Thank you, The Nerd Fam and C.M. Kennedy!
May 21, 2025
��️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was the perfect combination of tension, mystery, paranormal, and suspense. CM Kennedy’s Blood Hunter is an excellent first book in this trilogy. This was my first book by CM and I am ready for more! Our two MCs find themselves having to work together while overcoming past traumas of their own. As they work together, the attraction becomes hard to resist, while the mystery surrounding a number of deaths and the political hierarchy of the vampire world.
Juliette is thrown into the paranormal after a close encounter with death that took her best friend from her. Although she starts off thinking she knows who is behind her losing her best friend, she is not prepared for the political intrigue the paranormal underworld entails. Having to deal with an inner battle to overcome some of her past, it doesn’t make it easy when pairing up with a handsome half vampire. But the complexity of their relationship is beautiful to watch unfold.
Alex is also haunted by his past and uses this to drive his current mission. It causes him to be protective of others, but hard on himself to the brink of self hatred. As Juliette brings a side of him he’s never seen before, their relationship is hard to not want to flourish. Having to hunt down his own kind that have gone rogue, he is supposed to keep their existence a secret, but now a human knows about them.
CM knows how to write suspense wrapped with romance and witty banter. The character development of both of our MCs is unbelievable and I can’t wait to see how they progress in the next installments. The themes of humanity, self forgiveness, and letting others in are woven throughout the story. This a well written, perfectly paced book that immersed me into a beautiful urban fantasy world that had me on the edge of my seat.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🩸Vampires
🔪Murder Mystery
❤️🩹Grief & Healing
🦇Paranormal Romance
🖤Banter
⛓️Close Proximity
🥀First in a Trilogy
This book was the perfect combination of tension, mystery, paranormal, and suspense. CM Kennedy’s Blood Hunter is an excellent first book in this trilogy. This was my first book by CM and I am ready for more! Our two MCs find themselves having to work together while overcoming past traumas of their own. As they work together, the attraction becomes hard to resist, while the mystery surrounding a number of deaths and the political hierarchy of the vampire world.
Juliette is thrown into the paranormal after a close encounter with death that took her best friend from her. Although she starts off thinking she knows who is behind her losing her best friend, she is not prepared for the political intrigue the paranormal underworld entails. Having to deal with an inner battle to overcome some of her past, it doesn’t make it easy when pairing up with a handsome half vampire. But the complexity of their relationship is beautiful to watch unfold.
Alex is also haunted by his past and uses this to drive his current mission. It causes him to be protective of others, but hard on himself to the brink of self hatred. As Juliette brings a side of him he’s never seen before, their relationship is hard to not want to flourish. Having to hunt down his own kind that have gone rogue, he is supposed to keep their existence a secret, but now a human knows about them.
CM knows how to write suspense wrapped with romance and witty banter. The character development of both of our MCs is unbelievable and I can’t wait to see how they progress in the next installments. The themes of humanity, self forgiveness, and letting others in are woven throughout the story. This a well written, perfectly paced book that immersed me into a beautiful urban fantasy world that had me on the edge of my seat.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🩸Vampires
🔪Murder Mystery
❤️🩹Grief & Healing
🦇Paranormal Romance
🖤Banter
⛓️Close Proximity
🥀First in a Trilogy
October 16, 2024
4.25-4.5 ⭐️
Move aside, Edward Cullen. I'm in love with a new vampire named Alex Osman 🙂↕️ Add this vampire
murder mystery to your tbr!!!! This was such a great debut novel! I had a hard time putting this book down the minute I picked it up. I needed to know who the killer was and I was GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET with the sweet romance between the FMC and MMC.
After getting attacked and witnessing her best friend get murdered by what she believes is a vampire, college senior Juliette sets out to find the killer.
Haunted by his own trauma, Alex is a half-vampire hunting rogue vampires across the city. When Alex and Juliette team up, they set out on a dangerous race to find the killer while battling their growing feelings for each other and the emotional and physical scars from their past.
Blood Hunter was such a good blend of murder mystery and romance. It was so fun coming up with new theories! I also adored the MCs in this book. I may have fallen in love with Alex the minute he was introduced (a tattooed vampire with a traumatic past and doberman vibes 😮💨). He was so protective and caring and so many of his actions had me grinning like a fool 🥹). I loved every interaction between him and Jules. The teasing??? The smirking??? Brb while I faint.
And Jules was so relatable and someone I'd be friends with! My heart hurt for both of these characters as they navigated their own grief and trauma. I definitely teared up a few times while reading.
Blood Hunter left plenty of crumbs leading into book 2 so l'm excited to see where the next book takes us!
This is book 1 in a trilogy. Please check trigger warnings before reading!
🖤 murder mystery/paranormal romance
🖤 slooooow burn romance (no spice)
🖤 vampires, vampire hunters
🖤 tattooed, doberman of mmc
🖤 dual pov
🖤 secrets, tension, lies
Huge thank you to C.M. Kennedy for this ARC!
Move aside, Edward Cullen. I'm in love with a new vampire named Alex Osman 🙂↕️ Add this vampire
murder mystery to your tbr!!!! This was such a great debut novel! I had a hard time putting this book down the minute I picked it up. I needed to know who the killer was and I was GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET with the sweet romance between the FMC and MMC.
After getting attacked and witnessing her best friend get murdered by what she believes is a vampire, college senior Juliette sets out to find the killer.
Haunted by his own trauma, Alex is a half-vampire hunting rogue vampires across the city. When Alex and Juliette team up, they set out on a dangerous race to find the killer while battling their growing feelings for each other and the emotional and physical scars from their past.
Blood Hunter was such a good blend of murder mystery and romance. It was so fun coming up with new theories! I also adored the MCs in this book. I may have fallen in love with Alex the minute he was introduced (a tattooed vampire with a traumatic past and doberman vibes 😮💨). He was so protective and caring and so many of his actions had me grinning like a fool 🥹). I loved every interaction between him and Jules. The teasing??? The smirking??? Brb while I faint.
And Jules was so relatable and someone I'd be friends with! My heart hurt for both of these characters as they navigated their own grief and trauma. I definitely teared up a few times while reading.
Blood Hunter left plenty of crumbs leading into book 2 so l'm excited to see where the next book takes us!
This is book 1 in a trilogy. Please check trigger warnings before reading!
🖤 murder mystery/paranormal romance
🖤 slooooow burn romance (no spice)
🖤 vampires, vampire hunters
🖤 tattooed, doberman of mmc
🖤 dual pov
🖤 secrets, tension, lies
Huge thank you to C.M. Kennedy for this ARC!
May 18, 2025
This book starts out so strong. The first night we meet Juliette, she's witnessing her best friend's murder by the fangs of a vampire. It's hush, hush, and gets chalked up to nothing more than a random vicious attack by the media. Dubbing the killer with the name 'The Knife Man'. This doesn't sit right with Julliette. She knows exactly what she saw. No matter who may think she's crazy, she's determined to find her friend's killer. Alex is our mmc, a tattooed, tattered vampire with a haunting past. He's not like the vampire that Juliette is hunting. In fact, Alex is hunting for the killer, too. Although being one himself, Alex hunts rogue vampires.
The pair team up in order to hunt down this killer vampire, but what they find are mysterious secret societies, political controversy, and more murders in the hidden world of vampires. The vampire lore and community that is portrayed in this book is such a refreshing read. I feel that most books are like, "Hey, vampires exist! But let's not dive into how they really exist in the real world." C.M. Kennedy makes the difference in this with the amount of detail involved in building up this realm of vampires.
I love Alex and Juliette. Their back and forth banter is so cute. I also love how her thoughts are so relatable, I found myself giggling when she does things that I would probably do. Like not going back to retrieve her sweatshirt from Alex's car because her shirt is almost completely see-through from the rain. So, she decides to run into her house rather than face the music and die from embarrassment. This girl gets me.
The romance in this book is a verrryyyyyy slow burn, hence my 4 star rating. I wish there was a little more pinch of romance, but the plot kept me busy from noticing the lack of it.
I do recommend this book and suggest that you go in with no spoilers. The mystery is better that way.
The pair team up in order to hunt down this killer vampire, but what they find are mysterious secret societies, political controversy, and more murders in the hidden world of vampires. The vampire lore and community that is portrayed in this book is such a refreshing read. I feel that most books are like, "Hey, vampires exist! But let's not dive into how they really exist in the real world." C.M. Kennedy makes the difference in this with the amount of detail involved in building up this realm of vampires.
I love Alex and Juliette. Their back and forth banter is so cute. I also love how her thoughts are so relatable, I found myself giggling when she does things that I would probably do. Like not going back to retrieve her sweatshirt from Alex's car because her shirt is almost completely see-through from the rain. So, she decides to run into her house rather than face the music and die from embarrassment. This girl gets me.
The romance in this book is a verrryyyyyy slow burn, hence my 4 star rating. I wish there was a little more pinch of romance, but the plot kept me busy from noticing the lack of it.
I do recommend this book and suggest that you go in with no spoilers. The mystery is better that way.
May 22, 2025
Thank you C.M Kennedy and Nerd Fam for the finished ebook.
Overall Blood Hunter is a quick and fun vampire mystery with endearing characters and fast paced plot. The mystery kept me guessing through the entire story and while I did feel the ending to be quite rushed I didn't guess who the killer was which was a great surprise. I do think though that the ending needed to be a bit fleshed out more because we spent all this time trying to figure it out and then all of a sudden all the information was just there and Juliette had figured it all out even though a few chapters before we were still pursing a different lead entirely. I think the story did a very good job at displaying the different types of grief through both Juliette, Alex, Alina, and Juliette's friends and family. Everyone was handling Serena's death differently and we see that a lot more as Juliette begins to come to the same realization.
I definitely will continue with the series as I'm curious to see more about this vampire academy and Alex's parents and their whole tragedy alongside Daisy's disappearance. I think the story is shaping up to be very interesting in the next two books as we have a great cast of side characters as well with their own issues to deal with. Alina's revenge on Silas though did feel rushed because it left me wondering if Silas was that easy to kill and be done with why did Alex not do it himself or Slade on Alex's behalf? I am curious to see how Slade and Alex's relationship may grow now that they are being more open and vulnerable with each other.
Overall it was a super enjoyable story it just wasn't something that really stood out as spectacular or unique. However I will definitely keep reading as again, I'm curious to see where the story goes.
Overall Blood Hunter is a quick and fun vampire mystery with endearing characters and fast paced plot. The mystery kept me guessing through the entire story and while I did feel the ending to be quite rushed I didn't guess who the killer was which was a great surprise. I do think though that the ending needed to be a bit fleshed out more because we spent all this time trying to figure it out and then all of a sudden all the information was just there and Juliette had figured it all out even though a few chapters before we were still pursing a different lead entirely. I think the story did a very good job at displaying the different types of grief through both Juliette, Alex, Alina, and Juliette's friends and family. Everyone was handling Serena's death differently and we see that a lot more as Juliette begins to come to the same realization.
I definitely will continue with the series as I'm curious to see more about this vampire academy and Alex's parents and their whole tragedy alongside Daisy's disappearance. I think the story is shaping up to be very interesting in the next two books as we have a great cast of side characters as well with their own issues to deal with. Alina's revenge on Silas though did feel rushed because it left me wondering if Silas was that easy to kill and be done with why did Alex not do it himself or Slade on Alex's behalf? I am curious to see how Slade and Alex's relationship may grow now that they are being more open and vulnerable with each other.
Overall it was a super enjoyable story it just wasn't something that really stood out as spectacular or unique. However I will definitely keep reading as again, I'm curious to see where the story goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
I’m glad I ended my May reads with this book! You can never go wrong with vampire romance 🤭.
Juliette is traumatized after witnessing her best friend’s death then results in her trying to solve the murder cases herself. Which inevitably leads to Alex introducing himself to her as a Private Investigator…of sorts.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Literally, these two have a SLOW BURN romance, like ugh I just wanted to smoosh them together and confess already 😫. BUT! I won’t be disappointed because I really love that they both know they have feelings for each other but won’t jump into a relationship until they work on themselves first. They’re still in each other’s lives not as a couple, but partners or as they like to say, “two people working together for mutual benefit,” Juliette and Alex really couldn’t be the best foreseeable couple to happen and I can’t wait for it to happen!!!
This whole murder mystery was really good. Halfway I still couldn’t figure out who done it and then near the end it was twist after twist!!! I was like damnnnnn 😂 but the book was well written! I liked how we had our villains who we don’t realize are misunderstood with some of their choices and we get clarity on it at the appropriate times and when the characters themselves decide to reveal those pieces of information.
Juliette’s family and friends, ugh they really are the best. Even though they knew Juliette was going to say no, they still invited her out with them every single time. It’s those little things 🥹. Of course, Juliette only pushed them away but I’m glad she realized that she does have people who love her and will be there with her every step of the way.
Juliette is traumatized after witnessing her best friend’s death then results in her trying to solve the murder cases herself. Which inevitably leads to Alex introducing himself to her as a Private Investigator…of sorts.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Literally, these two have a SLOW BURN romance, like ugh I just wanted to smoosh them together and confess already 😫. BUT! I won’t be disappointed because I really love that they both know they have feelings for each other but won’t jump into a relationship until they work on themselves first. They’re still in each other’s lives not as a couple, but partners or as they like to say, “two people working together for mutual benefit,” Juliette and Alex really couldn’t be the best foreseeable couple to happen and I can’t wait for it to happen!!!
This whole murder mystery was really good. Halfway I still couldn’t figure out who done it and then near the end it was twist after twist!!! I was like damnnnnn 😂 but the book was well written! I liked how we had our villains who we don’t realize are misunderstood with some of their choices and we get clarity on it at the appropriate times and when the characters themselves decide to reveal those pieces of information.
Juliette’s family and friends, ugh they really are the best. Even though they knew Juliette was going to say no, they still invited her out with them every single time. It’s those little things 🥹. Of course, Juliette only pushed them away but I’m glad she realized that she does have people who love her and will be there with her every step of the way.
May 25, 2025
4/5⭐️
0/5 🌶️
Blood Hunter by C.M. Kennedy is a captivating blend of murder mystery and paranormal intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Juliette,who is determined to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s brutal murder, and Alex, a half vampire tasked with hunting rogue vampires. Their paths cross in a city plagued by a series of gruesome killings, leading them into a dangerous alliance.
The murder mystery at the heart of the novel is compelling, with twists and turns that genuinely caught me by surprise. The suspense is palpable, and the pacing keeps you turning pages late into the night. The dynamic between Juliette and Alex is another highlight. Their banter adds levity to the dark narrative, and their evolving relationship is both believable and engaging.
While the romance is a slow burn with no explicit scenes, the emotional depth and tension between the characters are more than satisfying. The world building is rich, introducing a secretive vampire society that adds layers of complexity to the plot. Blood Hunter is full of secrets, haunted pasts, and grief but also brings in plenty of fun banter, romance, and healing.
Overall, Blood Hunter is a strong debut that combines elements of mystery, paranormal, and romance seamlessly. It’s a must-read for fans of vampire stories and murder mysteries alike.
Thank you so much to @thenerdfam and @cmkennedyauthor for giving me the chance to read this book and write a review on it.
Blood Hunter will be available on KU June 3rd!
0/5 🌶️
Blood Hunter by C.M. Kennedy is a captivating blend of murder mystery and paranormal intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Juliette,who is determined to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s brutal murder, and Alex, a half vampire tasked with hunting rogue vampires. Their paths cross in a city plagued by a series of gruesome killings, leading them into a dangerous alliance.
The murder mystery at the heart of the novel is compelling, with twists and turns that genuinely caught me by surprise. The suspense is palpable, and the pacing keeps you turning pages late into the night. The dynamic between Juliette and Alex is another highlight. Their banter adds levity to the dark narrative, and their evolving relationship is both believable and engaging.
While the romance is a slow burn with no explicit scenes, the emotional depth and tension between the characters are more than satisfying. The world building is rich, introducing a secretive vampire society that adds layers of complexity to the plot. Blood Hunter is full of secrets, haunted pasts, and grief but also brings in plenty of fun banter, romance, and healing.
Overall, Blood Hunter is a strong debut that combines elements of mystery, paranormal, and romance seamlessly. It’s a must-read for fans of vampire stories and murder mysteries alike.
Thank you so much to @thenerdfam and @cmkennedyauthor for giving me the chance to read this book and write a review on it.
Blood Hunter will be available on KU June 3rd!
October 18, 2024
“I’m many things, Juliette, but a gentleman isn’t one of them.”
I knew right away from reading the prologue that this book was going to be bloody fang-tastic (hahaha see what I did there)!!! This book was absolutely perfect for spooky season. The murder mystery, romance, characters, setting, alllllll of it was amazing!! And for a debut novel, omg it blew me away! Did I mention there’s hot vampires too?!?! (If that wasn’t obvious already from the title 😂) It’s no wonder I flew through reading this one!
I loved Alex and Juliette’s flirty texting in the beginning, especially when she tried pretending that she didn’t know it was him texting her.
“And how does a woman look at someone they find attractive?” At my silence he lowers his voice even further, a cocky grin lighting up his features. “Should I get a mirror so you can see for yourself?” ALEX IS SO FUNNY! I literally loved his character so much.
Also, can we talk about Slade Volkov and the Russo twins?!?!?! I desperately need some novellas on them or a whole series for that matter because they are so mysterious and I just could not get enough of them.
When I say you all need to read this book, YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. Blood Hunter comes out on October 22 (so only a few short days away)!! I highly recommend you don’t miss this one!
Thank you so much to @cmkennedyauthor for an advanced copy! I’m so obsessed! I absolutely can’t wait for book 2 and to see and learn more about what went down at Bellevue! ❤️🖤
I knew right away from reading the prologue that this book was going to be bloody fang-tastic (hahaha see what I did there)!!! This book was absolutely perfect for spooky season. The murder mystery, romance, characters, setting, alllllll of it was amazing!! And for a debut novel, omg it blew me away! Did I mention there’s hot vampires too?!?! (If that wasn’t obvious already from the title 😂) It’s no wonder I flew through reading this one!
I loved Alex and Juliette’s flirty texting in the beginning, especially when she tried pretending that she didn’t know it was him texting her.
“And how does a woman look at someone they find attractive?” At my silence he lowers his voice even further, a cocky grin lighting up his features. “Should I get a mirror so you can see for yourself?” ALEX IS SO FUNNY! I literally loved his character so much.
Also, can we talk about Slade Volkov and the Russo twins?!?!?! I desperately need some novellas on them or a whole series for that matter because they are so mysterious and I just could not get enough of them.
When I say you all need to read this book, YOU ALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. Blood Hunter comes out on October 22 (so only a few short days away)!! I highly recommend you don’t miss this one!
Thank you so much to @cmkennedyauthor for an advanced copy! I’m so obsessed! I absolutely can’t wait for book 2 and to see and learn more about what went down at Bellevue! ❤️🖤
May 19, 2025
First of all, thank you to the author for the ARC!
Getting a free copy doesn’t influence my opinion, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.
Let me start by saying: I wasn’t expecting to get this emotionally attached. Blood Hunter blends suspense, grief, and dark paranormal elements in a way that hit me harder than I thought it would.
The story dives deep into trauma, survivor’s guilt, and that blurry line between memory and reality. Juliette felt so real to me, her pain, her determination, her obsession. Watching her deal with the aftermath of tragedy while trying to piece together what really happened was heartbreaking and gripping.
The vampire angle is done in a fresh and intense way, nothing romanticized, just danger, mystery, and survival. And Alex? Yeah, I have a lot of feelings about him. He’s morally complex, layered, and there’s a spark between him and Juliette that I really want to see develop in the next book.
The pacing was really solid and I didn’t feel lost once, even with the dual POV. Some scenes hit me right in the chest, especially when Juliette is struggling alone, obsessively trying to make sense of it all. The mental health aspect is handled with care, but also doesn’t sugarcoat anything.
Overall, Blood Hunter is gritty, raw, and totally absorbing. It’s not just a vampire story, it’s about healing, truth, and refusing to be silenced.
Getting a free copy doesn’t influence my opinion, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.
Let me start by saying: I wasn’t expecting to get this emotionally attached. Blood Hunter blends suspense, grief, and dark paranormal elements in a way that hit me harder than I thought it would.
The story dives deep into trauma, survivor’s guilt, and that blurry line between memory and reality. Juliette felt so real to me, her pain, her determination, her obsession. Watching her deal with the aftermath of tragedy while trying to piece together what really happened was heartbreaking and gripping.
The vampire angle is done in a fresh and intense way, nothing romanticized, just danger, mystery, and survival. And Alex? Yeah, I have a lot of feelings about him. He’s morally complex, layered, and there’s a spark between him and Juliette that I really want to see develop in the next book.
The pacing was really solid and I didn’t feel lost once, even with the dual POV. Some scenes hit me right in the chest, especially when Juliette is struggling alone, obsessively trying to make sense of it all. The mental health aspect is handled with care, but also doesn’t sugarcoat anything.
Overall, Blood Hunter is gritty, raw, and totally absorbing. It’s not just a vampire story, it’s about healing, truth, and refusing to be silenced.
May 31, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5
Please check the trigger warnings before diving in.
Blood Hunter by C.M. Kennedy is a moody, murdery mash-up of Buffy and True Blood with a splash of noir. Vampires, secrets, and slow-burn romance? Yes, please.
Juliette, our grief-stricken, sharp-tongued heroine, is determined to solve her friend’s murder and drags us through shadowy alleys and emotional wreckage in the process. She’s messy, relatable, and impossible not to root for. Alex, the mysterious vampire with a haunted past, brings steady support and a touch of banter, though we don’t get nearly enough of his backstory. Fingers crossed for book two.
The mystery is delightfully twisty. I didn’t guess the killer until the final reveal, and that’s rare. No spice here, but the chemistry between Juliette and Alex simmers beautifully. When they finally kiss? Squeal-worthy.
This isn’t a lighthearted romp. There are heavy themes and emotional weight, so check content warnings. Still, it’s a fantastic vampire whodunnit with just the right amount of angst, wit, and heart.
A perfect autumn read for fans of dark mysteries, broken heroes, and very slow burns.
What to Expect:
🩸Vampires
🔪Murder Mystery
❤️🩹Grief & Healing
🦇Paranormal Romance
🖤Banter
⛓️Close Proximity
🥀First in a Trilogy
🖤Slow Burn
🩸New Adult
🦇Protective MMC
Thank you to C.M. Kennedy, the author, and the Nerd Fam team for the ARC opportunity!
Please check the trigger warnings before diving in.
Blood Hunter by C.M. Kennedy is a moody, murdery mash-up of Buffy and True Blood with a splash of noir. Vampires, secrets, and slow-burn romance? Yes, please.
Juliette, our grief-stricken, sharp-tongued heroine, is determined to solve her friend’s murder and drags us through shadowy alleys and emotional wreckage in the process. She’s messy, relatable, and impossible not to root for. Alex, the mysterious vampire with a haunted past, brings steady support and a touch of banter, though we don’t get nearly enough of his backstory. Fingers crossed for book two.
The mystery is delightfully twisty. I didn’t guess the killer until the final reveal, and that’s rare. No spice here, but the chemistry between Juliette and Alex simmers beautifully. When they finally kiss? Squeal-worthy.
This isn’t a lighthearted romp. There are heavy themes and emotional weight, so check content warnings. Still, it’s a fantastic vampire whodunnit with just the right amount of angst, wit, and heart.
A perfect autumn read for fans of dark mysteries, broken heroes, and very slow burns.
What to Expect:
🩸Vampires
🔪Murder Mystery
❤️🩹Grief & Healing
🦇Paranormal Romance
🖤Banter
⛓️Close Proximity
🥀First in a Trilogy
🖤Slow Burn
🩸New Adult
🦇Protective MMC
Thank you to C.M. Kennedy, the author, and the Nerd Fam team for the ARC opportunity!
May 19, 2025
To say I couldn’t put this book down would be an understatement—I devoured this paranormal thriller in less than a day. C.M. Kennedy has crafted a captivating vampire mystery with just the right touch of romance.
The dynamic between the two main characters, Alex and Juliette, was an absolute delight. Their evolving partnership had me grinning and left me eager for more. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next installments of the trilogy.
As a longtime fan of vampire stories, I’ll admit I’m a little partial—but this one stood out with its unique twists and compelling world-building. Kennedy manages to create a vivid setting without overloading the reader with flowery description. The emotions of the characters shine through, painting a world where vampires are just as complex and layered as humans.
The mystery was spot-on—engaging, suspenseful, and full of unexpected turns. I also appreciated that while the book clearly sets up a continuation, it still felt complete and satisfying on its own.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good paranormal mystery with heart, depth, and a fresh take on the vampire genre.
I received a copy of this for free from Book Funnel and the author as an ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
The dynamic between the two main characters, Alex and Juliette, was an absolute delight. Their evolving partnership had me grinning and left me eager for more. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next installments of the trilogy.
As a longtime fan of vampire stories, I’ll admit I’m a little partial—but this one stood out with its unique twists and compelling world-building. Kennedy manages to create a vivid setting without overloading the reader with flowery description. The emotions of the characters shine through, painting a world where vampires are just as complex and layered as humans.
The mystery was spot-on—engaging, suspenseful, and full of unexpected turns. I also appreciated that while the book clearly sets up a continuation, it still felt complete and satisfying on its own.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good paranormal mystery with heart, depth, and a fresh take on the vampire genre.
I received a copy of this for free from Book Funnel and the author as an ARC. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
May 19, 2025
If you’re looking for a book that mixes together the romance of Twilight and the investigation into murders like CSI, this book is for you! This thrilling story drops you right into the story of our FMC as she survives a brutal attack that leads to the loss of her best friend, but she struggles to come to terms with who or what really attacked her. In comes our MMC, a half human half vampire investigator following the leads of a string of murders by a rogue vampire that all started the night our FMC was attacked. This book follows the two of them teaming up to track down who is killing the people of this town and trying to stop them before more people end up dead.
There is some romance mostly in the form of slow burn in this book between the two main characters but overall I would say this is mostly a thriller. While this book is a bit out of my normal reading zone, I enjoyed it and I was on the edge of my seat all the way until the final reveal of the killer. I can say I didn’t see who it ended up being coming! I can’t wait for the next book to see where this tag team of investigators goes next and if their bond continues to develop!
Thank you to TheNerdFam and the author for the gifted copy of this book! All opinions given are my own!
There is some romance mostly in the form of slow burn in this book between the two main characters but overall I would say this is mostly a thriller. While this book is a bit out of my normal reading zone, I enjoyed it and I was on the edge of my seat all the way until the final reveal of the killer. I can say I didn’t see who it ended up being coming! I can’t wait for the next book to see where this tag team of investigators goes next and if their bond continues to develop!
Thank you to TheNerdFam and the author for the gifted copy of this book! All opinions given are my own!
May 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐ || 🫑
This gives me contemporary gothic mystery romance vibes.
From the opening scene, i was hooked on the story. The characters and their interactions and motives felt real and meaningful and i loved the way this handled grief- and the ways some people don't necessarily cope in healthy ways. The MMC Alex was broody, but sweet, without being dark and mysterious just for the sake of it. Juliette felt like a real girl working through a traumatic experience and i loved watching her slowly unfurl and come out of her shell and she stated trusting Alex. The mystery itself was super fun. I'm a huge fan of detective shows and sherlock holmes-type stories and i usually know right away who the bad guy is- this kept me guessing most of the way through and had a very satisfying wrap up imo.
the sweet romance between the two MCs had me giggling and smiling the whole time- it is super slow burn and i was screaming for them to KISS ALREADY for basically the whole book.
If you're not a fan of world building and exposition, this might be wordy for you, but i really enjoyed it and am excited to read book two!
This gives me contemporary gothic mystery romance vibes.
From the opening scene, i was hooked on the story. The characters and their interactions and motives felt real and meaningful and i loved the way this handled grief- and the ways some people don't necessarily cope in healthy ways. The MMC Alex was broody, but sweet, without being dark and mysterious just for the sake of it. Juliette felt like a real girl working through a traumatic experience and i loved watching her slowly unfurl and come out of her shell and she stated trusting Alex. The mystery itself was super fun. I'm a huge fan of detective shows and sherlock holmes-type stories and i usually know right away who the bad guy is- this kept me guessing most of the way through and had a very satisfying wrap up imo.
the sweet romance between the two MCs had me giggling and smiling the whole time- it is super slow burn and i was screaming for them to KISS ALREADY for basically the whole book.
If you're not a fan of world building and exposition, this might be wordy for you, but i really enjoyed it and am excited to read book two!
May 20, 2025
This was an amazing murder mystery with vampires added in; a whole bunch of moody sassy vampires! This is 100% a slow burn romance. Like SLOOOOOOOW burn which fits really well for the characters but I desperately wanted more and it left me craving the next book in the series. The MMC is dark, broody, protective, sarcastic and definitely morally grey (my favorite type of bookish man); and our FMC (who is doing her absolute best to convince herself she’s fine, ifykyk) and matches his sarcasm and is wonderfully stubborn and brave throughout the novel!
Favorite quote: “Alex Osman. I trace over his name and chew on my lip, thinking. I thought he was my stalker, and maybe he still is. But I can’t just go accusing every guy in a black hoodie of stalking me. If he is my stalker, it would be a shame because he was pretty attractive. Objectively.” (Who doesn’t love a potentially sexy stalker)
Tropes:
- murder mystery
- Vampires
- Grief, trauma and healing
- Protective broody MMC
- vampire politics
- Fiesty FMC
over all this was a wonderful introduction to the author and an amazing debut novel that left me craving more!
Favorite quote: “Alex Osman. I trace over his name and chew on my lip, thinking. I thought he was my stalker, and maybe he still is. But I can’t just go accusing every guy in a black hoodie of stalking me. If he is my stalker, it would be a shame because he was pretty attractive. Objectively.” (Who doesn’t love a potentially sexy stalker)
Tropes:
- murder mystery
- Vampires
- Grief, trauma and healing
- Protective broody MMC
- vampire politics
- Fiesty FMC
over all this was a wonderful introduction to the author and an amazing debut novel that left me craving more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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