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The Hunt
“The Hunt makes monsters of us all …”
A month of preparation. A week drenched in blood. An annual tradition with a single goal: kill as many mermaids as possible.
It is called The Hunt, and Grayson Shaw wants nothing to do with it. He doesn’t want to train for combat or face his fear of swimming, and he really doesn’t want to slaughter mermaids. But disappointing his father is a risk he can’t take.
Struggling to harness her magic, Evanora is hardly qualified to lead her dwindling pod through the awaiting massacre. Her options are limited: convince the mermaids to fight back or cower in the dark and pray the Hunters’ nets don’t reach their crumbling kingdom. If she chooses wrong, she—and her entire pod—will suffer.
But when Grayson and Evanora have a chance encounter, an undeniable connection sparks—one that is forbidden, yet feels fated, and raises questions desperately needing answers.
Both feel trapped. Both want to escape. Both will do whatever it takes to survive The Hunt—or die trying.
With heart-wrenching action, drama, and a touch of spice, The Hunt is perfect for lovers of slow-burn NA romances, magical elements, and reckless heroes.
A month of preparation. A week drenched in blood. An annual tradition with a single goal: kill as many mermaids as possible.
It is called The Hunt, and Grayson Shaw wants nothing to do with it. He doesn’t want to train for combat or face his fear of swimming, and he really doesn’t want to slaughter mermaids. But disappointing his father is a risk he can’t take.
Struggling to harness her magic, Evanora is hardly qualified to lead her dwindling pod through the awaiting massacre. Her options are limited: convince the mermaids to fight back or cower in the dark and pray the Hunters’ nets don’t reach their crumbling kingdom. If she chooses wrong, she—and her entire pod—will suffer.
But when Grayson and Evanora have a chance encounter, an undeniable connection sparks—one that is forbidden, yet feels fated, and raises questions desperately needing answers.
Both feel trapped. Both want to escape. Both will do whatever it takes to survive The Hunt—or die trying.
With heart-wrenching action, drama, and a touch of spice, The Hunt is perfect for lovers of slow-burn NA romances, magical elements, and reckless heroes.
760 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Tiessen
1 book8 followersNaomi lives in the Shuswap region of BC with her husband and her lazy—and occasionally sassy—polydactyl cat. Known for her lyrical prose and enveloping descriptions, Naomi has been telling stories since before she could properly hold a pen. Part-time operating room nurse and full-time nerd, Naomi likes to spend her free time playing video games, eating candy, and coming up with book ideas that will make her mother blush.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous and heartbreaking and romantic. I adored this book, Naomi you are truly amazing!
August 26, 2025
The Hunt" by Naomi Tiessen absolutely blew me away.
The cover alone is breathtaking, haunting, mysterious, and perfectly sets the tone for what’s inside. From the very first line of the description, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical fantasy. A deadly tradition, mermaids fighting for survival, and a forbidden connection between two characters who should be enemies, it’s everything I love in a dark, magical romance.
Grayson’s inner conflict feels so raw and relatable. He doesn’t want to be part of the bloodshed, yet family expectations push him into the heart of The Hunt. On the other side, Evanora’s struggle to protect her pod while still trying to understand her own magic made me root for her from the start. Their worlds collide in a way that’s both heartbreaking and beautifully fated, and I was hooked on every page.
This story has it all: action that keeps your heart racing, emotional depth that tugs at your soul, and a romance that simmers with tension. It’s not just about survival, it’s about identity, courage, and choosing your own path even when the odds are against you.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance, morally grey heroes, and lush fantasy worlds filled with danger and magic, you need this book on your shelf. I couldn’t put it down and already can’t wait to see what Naomi Tiessen writes next!
The cover alone is breathtaking, haunting, mysterious, and perfectly sets the tone for what’s inside. From the very first line of the description, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical fantasy. A deadly tradition, mermaids fighting for survival, and a forbidden connection between two characters who should be enemies, it’s everything I love in a dark, magical romance.
Grayson’s inner conflict feels so raw and relatable. He doesn’t want to be part of the bloodshed, yet family expectations push him into the heart of The Hunt. On the other side, Evanora’s struggle to protect her pod while still trying to understand her own magic made me root for her from the start. Their worlds collide in a way that’s both heartbreaking and beautifully fated, and I was hooked on every page.
This story has it all: action that keeps your heart racing, emotional depth that tugs at your soul, and a romance that simmers with tension. It’s not just about survival, it’s about identity, courage, and choosing your own path even when the odds are against you.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance, morally grey heroes, and lush fantasy worlds filled with danger and magic, you need this book on your shelf. I couldn’t put it down and already can’t wait to see what Naomi Tiessen writes next!
September 7, 2025
The Hunt is a book that stays with you. It stays with you even after reading, leaving you to wonder about the ‘what if’s’ and wanting to be re-immersed back into the world of mermaids and forbidden love. Mostly it leaves you hoping for a sequel! The way the author depicts each scene draws you in, making you feel like you’re there with the characters. It’s jaw dropping, heart wrenching, and just when you don’t think your heart can take anymore, the book makes you laugh. It’s your favourite kind of rollercoaster that you want to ride over and over again.
Don’t be fooled by the size of the book, it’s a quick read and when you’re done, you’ll wish you weren’t. Absolutely can’t wait for what this author does next.
Don’t be fooled by the size of the book, it’s a quick read and when you’re done, you’ll wish you weren’t. Absolutely can’t wait for what this author does next.
December 30, 2025
I snagged a copy of this at a book fair, was not sure what I was hoping to find, but Tiessen delivers!
Vivid, colourful and drenched in feeling, the Hunt is alive with internal sensation, difficult emotions, and bloody, complicated life in the face of inescapable bonds.
Beautifully written, the story features a matched pair of first person POVs.
Compelling narrative through lines are buoyed and anchored by characters grounded in a very delicately handled life of hardships.
A lovingly rendered island is the setting for our story, hints of a world beyond it appear rarely, but this is a private drama between the islanders and those in the sea.
If you're looking for slow burn romance with a tragic heart, look no further.
Vivid, colourful and drenched in feeling, the Hunt is alive with internal sensation, difficult emotions, and bloody, complicated life in the face of inescapable bonds.
Beautifully written, the story features a matched pair of first person POVs.
Compelling narrative through lines are buoyed and anchored by characters grounded in a very delicately handled life of hardships.
A lovingly rendered island is the setting for our story, hints of a world beyond it appear rarely, but this is a private drama between the islanders and those in the sea.
If you're looking for slow burn romance with a tragic heart, look no further.
January 15, 2026
Idk how many minutes I sat staring at the wall as I processed that ending, but it was while… The Hunt blew me out of the water (pun intended). It might be large (page count) but it reads fast, because you just have to know how it ends, where it’s going and get to the bottom of the layers of mysteries.
It’s so intense and honestly left me reeling after the ending hit. The writing is superb!! If you keep an eye out, she foreshadows everything. But even in knowing what’s about to happen, you still can’t help but shed a tear when the ending unfolds exactly as you’d expect… might be my new favourite read of all time! Purely because books don’t tend to devastate me, and this one did!!
It’s so intense and honestly left me reeling after the ending hit. The writing is superb!! If you keep an eye out, she foreshadows everything. But even in knowing what’s about to happen, you still can’t help but shed a tear when the ending unfolds exactly as you’d expect… might be my new favourite read of all time! Purely because books don’t tend to devastate me, and this one did!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
Totally awesome. It was totally captivated by the writing style of Ms. Tiessen. It is hard to believe it is her first published novel. I am not usually a romance/fantasy genre type of reader, but I could not put this BIG book (over 950 kindle version pages) down, It was as if it had me in its grip and was sucking me in, drawing me deeper, deeper into the unknown.
I don't know what Ms Tiessen has planned to write next, but as far as this book indicates, she has got a great writing future ahead of her.
I don't know what Ms Tiessen has planned to write next, but as far as this book indicates, she has got a great writing future ahead of her.
August 24, 2025
Naomi Tiessen’s The Hunt is a gripping blend of fantasy, danger, and forbidden romance. With heart-pounding action, a richly imagined underwater world, and a slow-burn connection that sparks off the page, this story kept me hooked from start to finish. Perfect for fans of fantasy romance who crave high stakes, vivid magic, and characters you can’t stop rooting for. A fabulous read, gorgeously written--loved every minute!
August 23, 2025
The Hunt is dark, thrilling, and utterly captivating. With high stakes, rich worldbuilding, and a forbidden slow burn romance, this story promises action, emotion, and just the right touch of spice. Perfect for fans of fantasy romance and intense, high stakes drama an easy 5 star read!
August 29, 2025
This was my perfect summer read. 🧜♀️
The world building was my favourite part of this story! I felt very immersed into the island and the complexities that went along with life there. This was a rollercoaster full of action and drama. A very engaging novel from start to end.
The world building was my favourite part of this story! I felt very immersed into the island and the complexities that went along with life there. This was a rollercoaster full of action and drama. A very engaging novel from start to end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews