First Bitten

Bitten #0.5

by Lizzy Gayle

Power comes with a cost. Being a peasant in the Middle Ages is not a fun life, but with his good looks and clever tongue, Julian finds selfish ways to entertain himself—that is until he starts to fall for a woman outside of his class limits and stumbles on the body of her servant while hunting.He finds himself embroiled in a world beyond his imagination where witches and monsters are real and his human body, that’s served him so well all his life, is suddenly weak and vulnerable.Making a deal with a murderous vampire might be the only way he can protect both his only family and the woman he seems to be falling in love with. But bargaining with the devil could cost his humanity.

98 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2023

About the author

Lizzy Gayle loves paranormal so much, she lives it. She is both an author and a psychic. Between mothering her three kids, attempting to understand her rocket scientist husband, and consistently attempting to declutter her home (that she is convinced is a secret portal to a clutter-creating dimension), she does her best to use her creative gifts and share them with you. Lizzy is a people person so if you contact her, it will make her very happy and she will likely answer while possibly including pictures of her bunnies and/or bird. She has also been known to write Young Adult under the name Lisa Gail Green. Anything else you’d like to know about her you may find out by asking because it never hurts to ask.

Reviews

[Celia {Hiatus until August} · Rating 4 out of 5]

•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,2 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•

The story how Julian became a vampire, though this book came after, I think it's better to read it first, we get a whole new perspective of the series, if we read this first.
And, of course, Julian and Charlotte love story…

[Jeanette T. Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is a prequel to the Bitten series, where we experience the events that led up to Julian choosing to become a vampire. We see how he was manipulated and basically tricked into making that choice, by Silas who is just the worst. I love being able to see how Charlotte and Julian first met and fell in love. I also really enjoyed getting to meet Annette Julian’s sister. As a fan of the bitten series, I knew going in this was not going to be a happy feel-good story, but I still loved it and was excited to read it.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read deep enough into the series to know that was coming, but holy Hannibal Lecter, that was still rough going. I absolutely loved seeing young Julian and learning how he and Charlotte met. And even though this book is not at all a “happy ending”, I thrive on knowing that every step, every book, brings them closer to the point where the author can say “then they lived happily ever after”.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Brandy Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

But leads you on a A journey of discovery and surprises that you do not see coming and it makes it so enjoyable. Julian goes through so much in this book that it is hard to hard to put down the book. This book is the worst thread and I would recommend it to all

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really intriguing being able to read a novella just about Julian's backstory. We learn a lot about him, the mating bond, how he came to be, and why he despises Silas so much. We also learn more about how much of a Monster Silas is, so there's also that.

[Steph WritesThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Bitten is a Novella that is a Prequel to the ‘Bitten by Surprise’ series. We follow Julian as a human before he becomes a vampire when he meets his soulmate (for the first time around) the lovely Charlotte. But he is a peasant, and she is a noblewoman whom the townsfolk whisper is a witch.

A sinister creature lurks in the woods and Julian would like nothing more than to help stop it and keep Charlotte safe…or perhaps he can outsmart it. Perhaps if he were as strong as this creature, he would have a fighting chance.

First Bitten is fast-paced, and entertaining, with spice and action. There is some well-placed darkness and violence to the book and I really love how it lends to Julian’s character development and enriches the series overall. Great book. Great series.

[AshleyReadsThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I will do whatever you tell me, Charlotte. Simply because you ask it.”

This may have been a novella but I felt like I was going through an eternity with Julian and Charlotte. This is the a prequel to the Bitten series, the backstory on how Julian was turned and it was a mixture of endearing but yet so heartbreaking.

I dipped my head for a kiss to seal our promise. I would run to the ends of the Earth for her.

Forewarning this book ends on a bit of a tragic note, but if you read what books are out in the series first, it will be less heartbreaking.