Hunting Cupid: A Valentine Novella

by Julia Wyld

He's the monster who matches soulmates. I'm the slayer sent to kill him. For years, Cupid has been murdering supernatural couples on Valentine's Day, giving them one perfect year of love before ending them with arrows through their hearts. Forty-nine deaths. No survivors. No mercy.

I've tracked him to his warehouse. I have silver daggers and years of training. I should kill him on sight.

But the monster in the shadows is the same vampire who saved my life two weeks ago. The one who's been watching me. Waiting for me.

And when his red eyes meet mine, I feel it. A pull so strong it makes me want to drop my weapons and surrender.



MAXIMUS

I've waited three hundred years for her.

My soulmate. My Emily. The slayer trained to destroy me.

But I cursed myself centuries ago, and now the magic makes her hate me. Makes her want to drive silver through my heart the moment we meet.

So I do the only thing I can. I take her. Seven days to prove the bond is real. Seven days to show her what we could be together.

Seven days before she decides whether to stay with the monster... or kill him.

She's mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

READER This is a complete standalone novella. A bite-sized dark romance perfect for Valentine's Day reading. Short, steamy, and satisfyingly dark from start to finish. No cliffhanger. No series. Just one dangerous night that changes everything.

Genres: Novella, Paranormal, Amazon

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2026

Reviews

[xbabygirl_2223x · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this spicy novella about Cupid! I loved how she tied in the paranormal aspect into it. (Like making him a vampire and him falling in love with a vampire type hunter???!!) so so good.

I appreciate that the author states that it’s a short story, that it will be fast paced and spicy. It was a perfect short read especially with Valentine’s Day coming up.

The characters are emotional, have a great connection, and with how the storyline is and the arrows being a part of their story is such a fun way of tying in the whole meaning of Cupid and what he does.

There are so many detailed moments and quotes from the book that I highlighted that’s drew me in even more so I would definitely re read this one again. 💋🖤

[LadyA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love is a dangerous game

Hunting Cupid leans hard into the idea that love is not always soft or safe. Sometimes it is strategic, messy, and a little unhinged.

Wyld delivers a romance that feels playful but purposeful. The tension is baked in early, and I loved how the push and pull never fully lets up. That made the emotional beats hit harder and feel earned.

The pacing works especially well for a shorter read. It moves quickly without feeling rushed, and every interaction feels like it matters. There is chemistry, but also consequence. I appreciated that this story does not pretend love is simple or clean. It is risky. It asks for vulnerability. And sometimes it asks for a little bit of chaos.

[Whimsical.bookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

"You taste like everything I've been starving for. Three hundred years of hunger and you're the only thing that could satisfy it."

This was such a wild little ride! ❤️‍🔥
Enemies to lovers, cursed soulmates, vampires, and Valentine chaos all packed into one spicy novella.
It’s dark, dramatic, and over-the-top in the best way, with plenty of tension and heat. With love that isn't simple but risky.
A quick read that is fast-paced with big feelings and hot spice!
Perfect for paranormal romance lovers who like their stories with a little bite. 🫦

[Britany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, fascinating Valentine's Day read

I really didn't know what to expect going into this.....but THIS was absolutely enthralling. I didn't know how to Maximus. I hated him and loved him at the same time from the start. Emily was perfectly written. Not the little soft girlie girl that turns into a baddy..... She was a baddy from the start! I loved their story and trials so much. How everything meets, yet defies most vampire lore and stories is just great!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

This hit all the notes: engaging spice, a bit of action, the feels, a strong decisive fmc and a fully developed, well rounded story. Way more than I expected picking a novella from a new author.

[Mariasha Bunch]

Still Growing 🥹

I went into this thinking I was gonna get a quick, dirty Valentine’s Day lark. What I got was so much more 🥹 The revelations on love and what it is, and what it needs were so beautifully written, it made me tear up. Maximus coming to terms with his own failings, and then ACTIVELY WORKING TO FIX THEM?! Hand it over. Emily having the mental clarity to actually genuinely examine her own feelings about situations is the kind of thing I want to be able to achieve one day. The two of them together working through learning to love even if it’s obsessive is *chefs kiss*. I’m so so glad I ended up choosing this for my Valentine’s Day read ❤️

[Brittany Jennings wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a good short read! The characters were good and the storyline was good! Typically im left wanting more with novellas but this one didnt do that! Definitely recommend especially if you need a short book to fill in your reading goal!

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the authors desciprtiveness in this book. It was a fun play on cupid, something I haven't seen done yet.  A monster hunter being the fated mate to cupid. Outstanding plot idea. was it perfect? no. was it a bit ridiculous? yes. but enjoyable and quick.

[Lori Laidlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully creative! Great characters with strong emotions and sexy, dramatic, romantic love.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. it was a creative take on cupid.

[Meghan N · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay some of the wording felt repetitive but i liked the story line. i also found a few mistakes in the writing. but other than that it was okay for a quick read.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella!! I loved how both were so connected and in sync 🥹 And then adding the vampire element to it 😏 I want to be a vampire 🤭 lol