Chastely Bitten (Blood Alliance Book 1)

I have enjoyed many works by Lexi C. Foss, and this one was no different. It was a slow burn but also a fast burn, if that makes sense. Darius and Juliet’s relationship is a bit rocky at first? But trust the process! There was spice, but also politics, scheming, and some heart wrenching moments in between. Well worth a read!(HEA for the fragile like me!)

I really enjoyed reading the series. It was definitely a very interesting take on any new kind of world. I’ve always enjoyed stories with supernaturals in them. I’ve only read a few series where vampires and or Lycans/werewolves were in charge over humans. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and finding out their history/stories and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

This reminded me of the handmaiden’s tale.A world in future where humans were food for Lycians and vampires in the worst possible way.The h, a 22 year old who was bred, and cultivated in a very strict and cruel way is sold to the H, an old vampire with political aspirations.I will not spoil the plot but I have a few comments to share.I understand how the “submissive” issue of the h comes into play considering the background she grew up in. She is portrayed as meek and weak and utterly vulnerable and innocent.The H being an old respected vampire is at times cruel despite his kindness, making me cringe. Some of his actions are a little like kicking a helpless kitten…Despite the author trying to justify it with the plot and his need to “break” her and “condition” her for his aims, and despite his moments of kindness and tenderness, I found it very unbelievable to accept their relationship evolved into love, at least on the h’s part.Yes, he was kind to her most of the time in a very very cruel world, and yet some of their more intimate moments were portrayed as painful and violent.Perhaps it is meant to be the genre of Dom/Sub, and I didn’t get it, but to me chocking someone to unconsciousnesses while getting them to suck your c**k is not sexy …At 80% of the book I started finding redeeming qualities in the H to the point I finished the book with a better feeling, enough to try the next one, but generally this is a book that made me uncomfortable most of the time. It’s dark (which is ok), but found it very hard to like the characters.

I'm giving this 4 stars because I felt there could be so much more to Darius and Juliet's story. I would have loved to seen how he/they take on the alliance, but it does end in a good place.I loved how they learned to trust each other, how they became stronger and irresistible to each other. There was so much sexual tension from them both because he didn't claim her right away. But that only served to deepen their bond.I loved the HEA, and character growth of Juliet as she found her place in Darius's world.The world the author created was fantastic, and slowly revealed throughout the book as it was to Juliet, so it was easy to understand and follow.

Great series that stuck with me. During a re-read I realized I’d originally rated book one three-stars because of the very problematic hero and huge power disparity between lovers. But by the end of the book Darius would do ANYTHING for Juliet and that makes for a great romance.Stick with the series. Book two is my favorite, and Darius and Juliet are often on page in the pater books and you can see how much they love each other. Five-star series!!Unlike many dark romances atrocities don’t happen to the heroine by the hero, but in the world at large other humans being feasted on by vampires is described on page - not lighthearted.

Such a great read! Page turning until the very end - went straight to dowoad book 2 because I need to know what the future holds for these two! Love the dynamic - can't wait for her to start to break out of her shell! Very well written!

Decadently Dark and Dangerously Delicious!!(No Spoilers)Foss has again created a world that drags its readers in and keeps them captive - An engaging first in a series that should not be missed!"There was a spark in her near-bony eyes that the others lacked. I'd use that to my advantage. Craft and mold her into the perfect poison" - Darius with regards to JulietJuliet -Raised from birth to be the quintessential blood slave - Nothing more than a vessel with a pulse to provide sustenance and pleasure for the superior race. I enjoyed watching Juliet slowly emerge. Her character is such a force to be reckoned with.Darius-Juliet's master and a very old vampire. He has plans and he will sacrifice whatever and whoever is necessary to ensure that they come to fruition. Sometimes the cost is high.Darius had me on the fence in the beginning. He can be so cruel at times then a moment later you can see the light that edges his darkness breaking through. (MINE)Chastely Bitten introduces us to an intense mix of characters and personalities - from the darkest of the Vampires to the kindest of Lycans and vice versa - a wonderful cast that follows you beyond the pages -I am all kinds of curious about Lilith and the Lycans and Darius' maker and the Royals - love the Royals (keep an eye on them as you read 😉)When we first meet Juliet she is portrayed as meek and subservient (A lifetime of fear and manipulation can do that) but we see glimpses of the fire that smolders right below the surface. Darius has purchased her, but not with the intent of a blood slave (okay fine- not completely with that intent) He has every intention of kindling that spark he glimpses until it shines so bright it burns. She will be his perfect accompaniment - She will be the edge he needs to change the Alliance -or she will be smothered until there is nothing left of her fire.Let the games begin!

What a refreshing take on vampires!Chastely Bitten has all the conceptions of a typical vampire story in the fact that they drink blood. But how they acquire it, the fact that vampires aren’t a myth or legend but the real deal and the fact humans who once ruled the world are now bred like cattle for sustenance and slaughter, is a very good story indeed.Juliet has always known one thing. That she was bred for purpose and that the only thing you can believe in is that humans, herself included were not meant to grow old and grey. She’s been taught to behave a certain way lest she be punished. She’s one of the thousands of humans bred to be whatever a vampire chooses them to be, and she’s come to terms with it because there is no other way to live. Freedom is a desire that isn’t hers to have.Enter Darius. His purchase of Juliet, changes her outlook and belief system in a way that the reader definitely doesn’t expect. What a thrilling and innovative idea this author has created. The way she builds you up, you expect the worst so you dream the good but sometimes that’s not the case and the worst is the worst and the good is the good. But then suddenly, BAM! something comes out of the woodwork and your whole point of view changes!I was expecting to like this story, I wasn’t expecting to fall completely in love with it. There’s so much more to this story than meets the eye and I cannot wait to find out what!All you PNR and Lexi C. Foss fans are in for a massive treat!

Wow, a fantastic, intriguing, gripping start to a new pnr series. Lexi C Foss has dived deep into the dark side with this new take on vampires, Lycans and the humans they need to survive...... I loved it!!I felt for Juliet, as a blood virgin her whole life has been spent training to be the perfect sex slave, a submissive toy, food for rich, high class vampires.  When Darius buys her at auction she expects pain, violence and probable death, but so long as she pleases her owner she has done her job.  However, Darius has a totally different purpose for her, one very unexpected and confusing for her subserviant mind.  I loved how we see the confusion and questions develop within Juliet, how everything Darius says and does is in direct conflict with her training that is so ingrained. To question and defy should be punished, but he slowly opens her eyes and mind to the real world around her, the past and why he really purchased her and wow there is some heat between these two!The depth of imagination and world building skill Lexi C Foss has, never ceases to amaze me. She has three very different pnr series on the go, how she sorts them out in her head is nothing short of amazing! Chastely Bitten is another wonderfully written, different pnr view and it kept me turning the pages. I loved it and can't wait for what comes next. Highly recommended 5 stars

Ok, so this one was thought provoking in the sense but frustrating. For a vampire trying to re-educate a human girl trying to make her his equal he fails epically. He uses her and pimps her out to his friends despite wrapping it up in cotton wool. Juliet never has a choice, even when she learns things. Darius is just as guilty as those who abuse humans. I get that he and others are trying to change things but in reality it won't as they will always need to feed.Juliet should have just taken her freedom when offered, she earned it.Definitely a page turner with bite but I found the reconditioning process really exhausting as logically how would that make Juliet get on side. Since a certain book came out I just want to say women don't all want to receive pain during a sexual act. Juliet never gave her consent during the early stages, she did it out of fear and if Darius really wanted to respect her choice he wouldn't have forced his suit.It's a vampire tale but I found it too frustrating. Well written and will appeal.

Interesting world building, but not very satisfying as a romance. There were hints of reverse harem as the high status vampires in this world are known to share their "blood virgin". In the scenes with Ivan, Trevor and Trace, it felt like the author was creating reverse harem relationships, but then didn't follow through. This made it harder for me to buy into the romance between Juliet and Darius, and less accepting of the way he treated her. Based on this first installment, I am not at all sure that I will be reading the next books in this series.

I mostly enjoyed this sexually-charged story but didn't like the subservience. I'm all for a bit of dominance but as this girl has been taught from birth how to be a perfect Blood Virgin, she didn't know how to do anything but please vampires. This I hated as she was paraded around like a pet. None-the-less, something kept me reading. 🤔