Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.75/5)

This book is an absolute must read for all my romantasy readers—it’s giving chick flick but make it fantasy, & I couldn’t put it down. At 400 pages, it’s not short, but it reads so fast I felt like it was just 50.

The classic enemies-to-lovers trope is front & center here, with a love triangle thrown in for good measure. Now, I’ll admit, love triangles usually aren’t my thing, but Gideon completely won me over (eventually). It took me until the halfway point to love him, but if you’re into acts of service, you’ll be sold by the end, ESPECIALLY if you love morally grey men. 

I went into this expecting heavier political intrigue, but it surprised me by being much lighter—& I’m not mad about it. The mix of romance, action, & a sprinkle of politics kept things fun without weighing down the plot. There’s also (sort of) a fake dating element, which I love, & the time period is basically Bridgerton meets a witch hunt, which is such a cool, atmospheric setting. Honestly, this would make an amazing movie—& I rarely say that!

The pacing is excellent—the romance slow burns beautifully, but the plot itself moves quickly, so it’s easy to devour in one or two sittings. That said, the last 20 pages left me with so many questions, & the ending hit hard. I wasn’t fully prepared, but it was the kind of twist that leaves you desperate for the sequel.

The Crimson Moth is romance-heavy with a lot of action and an addictive plot. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance & want something fast-paced, lighthearted, but still packed with feels, this is the book for you. I’m giving it 4.75 stars because it’s so close to perfect. Romantasy lovers, grab this one—I need someone to gush about it with!