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Hunter’s Heart #5
Under the Killing Moon
I thought it was my dream house. Then he turned it into a nightmare.
Chloe
When I inherit a gorgeous lake house from my grandparents, I’m thrilled at the prospect of home ownership, even if it is in the middle of nowhere.
But I find out quickly enough that the lake outside my back door has a history, and it’s not a pretty Drownings. Disappearances. And a ghost story that goes back sixty years.
The locals say an undead killer haunts the woods around the lake, taking out trespassers. I figure they’re just trying to scare me back to the city.
That is, until I notice a dark figure watching from the shadows.
And it turns out I might have to believe in ghost stories after all.
Theo
All I want is to be left alone.
But the developers came and built houses on my land anyway. I tell myself that as long as the strangers stay on their side of the lake, I’ll let them live. But if they cross the water, they’ll meet my blade.
Until she does it.
Chloe Monroe is the first trespasser in sixty years that I don’t want to kill. And I think, at first, it’ll be fine. That I don’t have to hurt anyone.
I just hope I can keep the urges quiet.
I just hope I don’t follow the pull of the killing moon—
Right to her front door.
Under the Killing Moon is a dark horror romance and the fifth book in the Hunter’s Heart universe, a series of interconnected standalones that are best read in order. This book contains graphic content that may be upsetting to some readers. Please review the full list of content notes on the author’s website.
Chloe
When I inherit a gorgeous lake house from my grandparents, I’m thrilled at the prospect of home ownership, even if it is in the middle of nowhere.
But I find out quickly enough that the lake outside my back door has a history, and it’s not a pretty Drownings. Disappearances. And a ghost story that goes back sixty years.
The locals say an undead killer haunts the woods around the lake, taking out trespassers. I figure they’re just trying to scare me back to the city.
That is, until I notice a dark figure watching from the shadows.
And it turns out I might have to believe in ghost stories after all.
Theo
All I want is to be left alone.
But the developers came and built houses on my land anyway. I tell myself that as long as the strangers stay on their side of the lake, I’ll let them live. But if they cross the water, they’ll meet my blade.
Until she does it.
Chloe Monroe is the first trespasser in sixty years that I don’t want to kill. And I think, at first, it’ll be fine. That I don’t have to hurt anyone.
I just hope I can keep the urges quiet.
I just hope I don’t follow the pull of the killing moon—
Right to her front door.
Under the Killing Moon is a dark horror romance and the fifth book in the Hunter’s Heart universe, a series of interconnected standalones that are best read in order. This book contains graphic content that may be upsetting to some readers. Please review the full list of content notes on the author’s website.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2026
9 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 4, 2026
Listen we love some Jason Vorhees vibes.
Another fun installment of this series. I could probably keep devouring these books like candy for the next twenty years. I loved the dynamic between Chloe, Theo and Oliver. It was a nice, slight change of pace from the other Hunter’s Heart books.
Another fun installment of this series. I could probably keep devouring these books like candy for the next twenty years. I loved the dynamic between Chloe, Theo and Oliver. It was a nice, slight change of pace from the other Hunter’s Heart books.
April 17, 2026
I've loved this entire series since Bird on a Blade and every single one has been a 5 star!!
Getting an ARC of Under the Killing Moon was a dream! I was hooked from the very first page ❤️
Theo is gentle and tender with Chloe and Oliver, who is also completely nonverbal and communicates through ASL—a language Chloe already knows. Theo is also an 80 year old Hunter with strong Friday the 13th vibes.
Chloe works from home and finds herself living in Verity Hollow on Hanging Lake. A home she inherited from her grandparents that sits directly across the lake from Theos peninsula and next to a boy named Oliver whos befriended a ghost on that same strip of land. She is different than our other FMCs in the sense that she knows about hunters and immediately realizes that their darknesses will align.
-Slasher/Horror Romance🪓
-Gentle Giant MMC🖤
-ASL Representation🫶
-Inheritance/Small Town Secrets💀
-Trespasser x Protector🖤
-"Touch Her and Die"💀
-Forced Proximity🖤
-Stalker Energy💀
Getting an ARC of Under the Killing Moon was a dream! I was hooked from the very first page ❤️
Theo is gentle and tender with Chloe and Oliver, who is also completely nonverbal and communicates through ASL—a language Chloe already knows. Theo is also an 80 year old Hunter with strong Friday the 13th vibes.
Chloe works from home and finds herself living in Verity Hollow on Hanging Lake. A home she inherited from her grandparents that sits directly across the lake from Theos peninsula and next to a boy named Oliver whos befriended a ghost on that same strip of land. She is different than our other FMCs in the sense that she knows about hunters and immediately realizes that their darknesses will align.
-Slasher/Horror Romance🪓
-Gentle Giant MMC🖤
-ASL Representation🫶
-Inheritance/Small Town Secrets💀
-Trespasser x Protector🖤
-"Touch Her and Die"💀
-Forced Proximity🖤
-Stalker Energy💀
April 17, 2026
Another fantastic book in the series! I really loved Chloe and Theo as a couple. There is an instant and immediate pull, and I love that she is able to communicate with him, both verbally and through ASL. I also absolutely adored little Oliver. My heart broke for him when we find out that his family isn’t so nice. The scene where Theo succumbs to the “killing moon” actually made me a little emotional. Heading Chloe being scared and heartbroken, and Theo tell her how he wanted it to be her to kill him, was very emotional. I’m glad they had their HEA.
I do have to say, I wasn’t a fan of how Chloe acted when she saw Theo kill people. Like girl, you knew he was a Hunter. You know what Hunters have to do in order to survive… did you think he could just shut that off entirely for you? Unfortunately not. I do think it could have been c a combination of shock and fear, but still, I didn’t like how she acted and talked to him during that scene. And with Theo, I do think he could have and should have explained the killing moon more clearly, how he had to do what he did, just to warn Chloe.
I loved this book still of course, it’s just these things that prevent it from being 5 stars for me personally.
I do have to say, I wasn’t a fan of how Chloe acted when she saw Theo kill people. Like girl, you knew he was a Hunter. You know what Hunters have to do in order to survive… did you think he could just shut that off entirely for you? Unfortunately not. I do think it could have been c a combination of shock and fear, but still, I didn’t like how she acted and talked to him during that scene. And with Theo, I do think he could have and should have explained the killing moon more clearly, how he had to do what he did, just to warn Chloe.
I loved this book still of course, it’s just these things that prevent it from being 5 stars for me personally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2026
Another amazing book in this series! If you’re looking for a cinnamon roll ser!al k!ller MMC (never knew that was a thing until this series), you HAVE to read this book. Theo is just the sweetest and his story was so sad. I also loved Chloe and her questionable decisions 😂 And the spice? Let me tell you, Rose Bitterly writes some AMAZING spicy scenes. If you’re into dark romance, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR 🖤🫶🏻
April 18, 2026
I received an ARC from the author and as usual it was amazing. ❤️🔥
I've never read an entire series like this. Normally there's one or two throughout the series I have no interest in but I've been interested in every single one of these. They've been all 4 or 5 stars. ⭐
I highly recommend if you like dark romances.
I've never read an entire series like this. Normally there's one or two throughout the series I have no interest in but I've been interested in every single one of these. They've been all 4 or 5 stars. ⭐
I highly recommend if you like dark romances.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Jason Voorhees Meets “Hear Me Out…”
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing/Prose: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance/Spice: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Under the Killing Moon by Rose Bitterly marks my sixth ARC from the author and the fifth installment in her Hunter’s Heart series—and somehow, this world just keeps getting better. What started for me with Bird On A Blade has grown into a universe that feels familiar in the best way. Returning here feels like visiting old friends while still making room for new ones, including a welcome glimpse of a familiar faces from Half The Summer’s Night.
This novel leans more heavily into suspense than some of the previous entries. While the signature darkness is still present—this is a slasher-inspired story, after all—there’s a persistent sense of dread woven through the plot that raises the stakes. It’s not just about survival; it’s about what these characters stand to lose, especially as the story unfolds in its intense second half.
At the heart of the story are Chloe and Theo, two outsiders navigating a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with them. Theo is non-verbal and communicates through ASL, and Bitterly handles this with care and warmth. Chloe’s familiarity with ASL adds a unique intimacy to their interactions—it’s genuinely heartwarming to “listen” to their conversations unfold. Theo, in particular, is a standout. He carries that classic slasher presence—very Friday the 13th energy—but paired with an unexpected gentleness, especially in his interactions with a young boy named Oliver. There’s a quiet, protective tenderness there that adds surprising emotional depth.
The romance? Fully “hear me out” territory—and it works. Chloe’s attraction to Theo is taboo but completely believable, and their connection clicks in a way that feels both intense and natural. When the story leans into its more intimate moments, the chemistry is undeniable, written with a vividness that makes you pause and think, oh.
There are heavier themes present, particularly surrounding Oliver, so checking trigger warnings is important. But those elements also drive the emotional core of the story, culminating in a climax that genuinely tugs at you.
Another compelling addition to a series I’ve grown to love—I’m excited to see just how expansive this Hunters world becomes.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing/Prose: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance/Spice: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Under the Killing Moon by Rose Bitterly marks my sixth ARC from the author and the fifth installment in her Hunter’s Heart series—and somehow, this world just keeps getting better. What started for me with Bird On A Blade has grown into a universe that feels familiar in the best way. Returning here feels like visiting old friends while still making room for new ones, including a welcome glimpse of a familiar faces from Half The Summer’s Night.
This novel leans more heavily into suspense than some of the previous entries. While the signature darkness is still present—this is a slasher-inspired story, after all—there’s a persistent sense of dread woven through the plot that raises the stakes. It’s not just about survival; it’s about what these characters stand to lose, especially as the story unfolds in its intense second half.
At the heart of the story are Chloe and Theo, two outsiders navigating a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with them. Theo is non-verbal and communicates through ASL, and Bitterly handles this with care and warmth. Chloe’s familiarity with ASL adds a unique intimacy to their interactions—it’s genuinely heartwarming to “listen” to their conversations unfold. Theo, in particular, is a standout. He carries that classic slasher presence—very Friday the 13th energy—but paired with an unexpected gentleness, especially in his interactions with a young boy named Oliver. There’s a quiet, protective tenderness there that adds surprising emotional depth.
The romance? Fully “hear me out” territory—and it works. Chloe’s attraction to Theo is taboo but completely believable, and their connection clicks in a way that feels both intense and natural. When the story leans into its more intimate moments, the chemistry is undeniable, written with a vividness that makes you pause and think, oh.
There are heavier themes present, particularly surrounding Oliver, so checking trigger warnings is important. But those elements also drive the emotional core of the story, culminating in a climax that genuinely tugs at you.
Another compelling addition to a series I’ve grown to love—I’m excited to see just how expansive this Hunters world becomes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely love this series! All the books can be read on their own, but you'll enjoy knowing the little things by having read all of them.
Duel POV dark romance
Chloe and Theo were made for each other.
Theo had a rough upbringing as a non-verbal teen and eventually came into his hunter powers. You know what being a hunter in this series is, so I won't go too far into it. He almost instantly feels the pull to Chloe and needs to know more about her.
Chloe inherited a summer home by a peninsula with a bad reputation for loads of missing persons. Soon after moving into the area she meets Oliver, the sweet non-verbal kid next door. Fortunately, she studied ASL and was able to communicate with him, perhaps she'll be able to communicate with more than just little Oliver.
Please enjoy this book as much as I did, the book has great pacing and you will enjoy the ending!
Duel POV dark romance
Chloe and Theo were made for each other.
Theo had a rough upbringing as a non-verbal teen and eventually came into his hunter powers. You know what being a hunter in this series is, so I won't go too far into it. He almost instantly feels the pull to Chloe and needs to know more about her.
Chloe inherited a summer home by a peninsula with a bad reputation for loads of missing persons. Soon after moving into the area she meets Oliver, the sweet non-verbal kid next door. Fortunately, she studied ASL and was able to communicate with him, perhaps she'll be able to communicate with more than just little Oliver.
Please enjoy this book as much as I did, the book has great pacing and you will enjoy the ending!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Chloe and Theo.
Received this as an ARC and man Rose can just absolutely do no wrong! Another banger in the Hunter’s Heart series and I just love these stories so much.
Chloe is a WFH, I-inherited-my-lakehouse-from-my-dead-grandparents queen who has absolutely zero regard for her safety and also escaped teenage pregnancy to suddenly become a mom in her 20’s (lol).
Theo is an 80-year old Hunter who looks 30, and ALSO becomes a dad suddenly (lol).
I do love the idea that these 2 are going to parents a very sweet 9-year old with some of the things they get up to🤷🏻♀️
Received this as an ARC and man Rose can just absolutely do no wrong! Another banger in the Hunter’s Heart series and I just love these stories so much.
Chloe is a WFH, I-inherited-my-lakehouse-from-my-dead-grandparents queen who has absolutely zero regard for her safety and also escaped teenage pregnancy to suddenly become a mom in her 20’s (lol).
Theo is an 80-year old Hunter who looks 30, and ALSO becomes a dad suddenly (lol).
I do love the idea that these 2 are going to parents a very sweet 9-year old with some of the things they get up to🤷🏻♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
**I received this book as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review**
I have enjoyed this series and Under the Killing Moon is no exception. Theo and Chloe were a cute couple, and I thought Chloe's kinks were a perfect fit for a Hunter like Theo. In turn, Theo's desperation for a family of his own was compatible with Chloe and Oliver's personalities. I love a good found-family trope and this was executed perfectly.
I'm excited to see what comes next in this series!
I have enjoyed this series and Under the Killing Moon is no exception. Theo and Chloe were a cute couple, and I thought Chloe's kinks were a perfect fit for a Hunter like Theo. In turn, Theo's desperation for a family of his own was compatible with Chloe and Oliver's personalities. I love a good found-family trope and this was executed perfectly.
I'm excited to see what comes next in this series!
April 17, 2026
Hooked me from the first page.
Im honestly questioning myself right now because I loved the mmc, and Im not sure what they says about me.😆
If you love horror romance, that will have you on an emotional roller-coaster. I highly suggest this book! The vibes were incredible, and the writing is fast paced and and immersive.
Im honestly questioning myself right now because I loved the mmc, and Im not sure what they says about me.😆
If you love horror romance, that will have you on an emotional roller-coaster. I highly suggest this book! The vibes were incredible, and the writing is fast paced and and immersive.
April 30, 2026
Rose Bitterly hit another one out of the park! I received an ARC and while there were a few spelling errors and where the wrong name was used, it did not take away from the story! I loved the fact that sign language was part of it also. Oliver's story broke my heart. Amazing book.
Review of advance copy
I devoured this book. I love the whole series and can’t wait for the next book
April 23, 2026
As always this is an amazing story in the slasher romance series! Love and family will always be there to protect and be there for one another.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews