Deadly Cravings

Crimson Coven #1

by Allie Santos

Weeks of torture triggered my deep-seated fear of vampires and changed the course of my life.

I isolated myself and never remained in one city longer than a few months to avoid the creatures. So moving into my new place should have been as uneventful as all the other times, but before I knew it, I encountered my neighbors—and they were my worst nightmare.

Once in their grasp, they discovered they couldn’t compel me and in their world, that meant a death sentence. Except they needed my help finding a member of their coven.

Close proximity to the blood-suckers didn’t make my trauma any easier . . . Until I realized it wasn’t fear. I desired being bitten—ached for it.

I would never trust vampires, but I willingly risked my life for the ecstasy of my deadly cravings.

Please read the series CW inside the book.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal, Dark, Why Choose, Forced Proximity, Paranormal Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2024

Reviews

[Mom Reads Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read my highlights for additional details if you want more spoilers to decide on this purchase.
Again. There are spoilers.

This is not a romance as marketed. This is not a fantasy book. This is erotica. If you love erotica then you might enjoy this book. I am not a fan of expecting one type of book and getting an entirely different one. There are sexy times in nearly every chapter. Again, if that’s your thing you might like this book. No judgement. But I want plot with my smut. 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

I am so disappointed with this story. No real plot or character development. No world building. None. We have no idea what these vamps are even like from a historical perspective or what covens are. Not even as the story goes on.
Lots and lots of telling. Poorly done 1st person POV. We are all up in these folk’s heads and it is boring and weird af. Whatever is supposed to stay a mystery just comes across as hiding info from the readers. And we have no background on any of these people. Or very little. The author also just word smiths to extend the story as long as she can by making unimportant scenes and details stone on and on and it made the story DRAG.

Fmc is an annoying victim. Sad sad sally. I think her name is Catalina. But she will forever be Sad Sally to me. So poor. So struggling. So scared. So many phobias. So much trauma.

She was kidnapped, tortured & r@ped by a vampire. Or actually sod@mized as the author very specifically wrote and then proceeded a few pages later to describe what happened. 🙄The reader didn’t need those details but ffs every single detail was TOLD to us.

Anyhoo she is now on the run from said vampire but but BUT she writes vampire romance books and obsesses about being fucked by vampires while being bitten.


👀

So her trauma of being butt r@ped and bitten wo consent held captive by a vampire is also her sexual fantasy now?
Not the butt stuff but like somehow all of that trauma just turns her on?

I don’t get it. I really truly don’t.

This story is so disjointed and I struggled to put the story together. It skips around and changes directions. Things happen that as readers we have no reason to understand the “why” of why those things are there. Somehow she was saved by people from the Pale One? But was held in cave w bugs? Somehow escaped.

This is a jumbled mess. Sigh. I love this author as a human and her ideas are good. But sis needs an alpha and beta team. And if they let this shit go by then fire them all and find new people. Whatever.

The men are all half done. One is a mean bully who wants her dead. Oh wait near the end we get another bully who hates her bc she is human. The other is just whatever, a twin & resident manwhore. The other one was a priest and virgin. 🙄

Girl. I can’t.

The last straw for me to DNF? Tobias is a MIND READER. Like twilight y’all. TWILIGHT. And HE CANNOT READ THE FMC’s MIND. She cannot be compelled. Omg she is so special. So fucking special. Ugh.

I did skim the rest of the book and it all remained the same. Too many descriptive words and paragraphs used to tell us one event. It was ridiculous. Read some nora Roberts and learn how to craft a freaking story.

I know this comes across as mean but I paid my hard earned money on this book and it is atrociously edited and lacks any sort of SOUL. The books has no soul.

RH- I use that loosely this is a hot mess✅

Unfinished series ✅

Sad sally is a traumatized fmc on the run from a vamp✅

Potential harem men are all mean vampires🙄✅

Marketed as romance but it’s erotica✅

KU but I paid for this shit🤦🏻‍♀️✅

[Jessica Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book had me absolutely feral for these vampires!!! 🥵 🥵 🥵

I could not put this down, but at the same time I found myself trying to savor every moment and forced myself to read it as slowly as I could because I didn’t want to finish it too quickly.

The story follows Catalina who is constantly on the move after a traumatizing incident of being taken and held against her will by a vampire. After she escapes and is doing her best to move forward with her life, she finds out her new neighbors are a deadly coven of sexy vampires. She is terrified by them, but quickly finds herself craving not one, but all of them?!

This book takes the “why choose?” trope to the next level! I honestly couldn’t decide who I loved more Asher, Tobias, and even moments Jax. He was a jerk he had a couple 🫠 moments. The pet names used by the vamps (pet, kitten) and banter had me giggling 🤭 and kicking my feet. The spice was extra extra spicy 🌶️ 🔥 and overall this was such a fun wild read!

The cliffhanger at the end left me 😢😡😱, but this read is definitely worth it and left me so excited for the next book!

Read if you like:
❤️Paranormal Romance
❤️Vampires
❤️Reverse Harem
❤️Close Proximity
❤️Why Choose?
❤️Blood/Bite Play
❤️Cliffhanger
❤️Jealous/Possessive MMC

[Kim Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie santos has done it again! Deadly cravings is everything you want in a dark vampire RH.

Plot… 10/10
Spice … omg! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Vampire hotness (is that a thing) 10/10

Catalina has had a run in with a vampire before and it was not good. She’s a writer on the run, funnily enough she writes vampire smut, from any and all vampires.

Of course her luck is exactly like mine and she moves in directly down the road from a whole house of vampires.

Asher & Jax the twins, Tobias, ren & bastien are our vampire hotties. The author gives a good look into each vampires thoughts and what they’re after which happens to be bastien.

It’s dark, these aren’t your twilight vampires but they are sooo good!

Allie Santos is a talented author, she’s always an instant read on anything she puts out.

It’s does end on a cliffhanger!

Don’t miss this one!!

[TomeAfterTome Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolute blood-drenched chaos wrapped in pure delicious filth, so naturally, I tied a napkin around my neck and devoured every bite. 😜

Our FMC, Catalina, is a down-on-her-luck vampire smut writer on the brink of her big break and who’s also happened to survive hell itself: abducted, caged, and drained by a vampire until she clawed her way free. Now she’s on the run with nothing but her battered van, her laptop, and her determination to keep her little brother safe— even if that means exiling him to a boarding school far away. Her one rule? Stay the hell away from vampires.

Being the true embodiment of Murthy’s law, fate laughs in her face. She unknowingly moves in next door to an entire coven, and let’s just say… temptation wears sharp teeth. Between bloodlust, betrayal, and the kind of heat that could scorch the night, she’s dragged into a brutal war between rival covens… and right into the arms (and fangs) of 5 monsters she should never crave.

This is True Blood meets Vampire Diaries—but cranked up with unapologetic spice and the promise of not just one broody immortal, but all of them. 🫦🩸

Book one ends with me feral, starving, and begging for the next installment. If you like your romance bloody, dirty, and impossible to choose just one monster: welcome to your next obsession. Did I mention one of them is a priest who was turned and has remained celibate since? 😅

[Rebecca Gillett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I am just feral for this book, I could not put this down. I really loved everything about this. I still have so many questions that I NEED answered and I need them now! This was my first book I’ve ready by Allie Santos and it will definitely not be my last. If you’re looking for something with spice, strong FMC and multiple men swooning over one woman, this has all of that! I am looking forward to what comes next in the Crimson Coven Series! 👏🏻

Tropes:
Paranormal Romance
Vampires
Reverse Harem
Close Proximity
Why Choose
Blood/Bite Play
Cliffhanger
Jealous/Possessive MMC

**Be sure to check the trigger warnings prior to reading**

Check out my instagram for a more in-depth reviews @thenovelnookut

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read and re-read Allie Santo's Moretti Academy and her other RH standalones. She's fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Our FMC Catalina has had a traumatic experience with a vampire (Pale One) and moves into a house across the street from a coven. She saves Tobias but is kidnapped by the rest of them when they discover they can not compel her. They make a deal with her for help in saving one of them (Ren) in exchange for money she needs for her brother in Mexico.

Each relationship with the vampire coven is different but I felt she spent the majority of her time with Asher, in a insta-lustly relationship. He's obviously falling for her during the course of this book but he doesn't seem to understand some of these deeper emotions. If you're into a lot of vampire biting, this book will probably satisfy that craving.

Asher's twin, Jax, wants to kill her and "hates" her. Also do yourself a favor and google translate the Swedish in this book. Jax is a cat shifter that's hanging out in Catalina's house. She is unaware.

Tobias, a former priest. SWOON, I'm getting Caleb from Mate Games Vibes.

Then there are two additional possible RH members, Ren and Bastien. There are only a couple of scenes with them. Both seem pretty unhinged.

There really isn't an overarching plot as a lot of time is spent developing relationships with Asher, Jax, and Tobias (in that order). What bugs me is Catalina has developed a "biting fetish" after her experience with the "Pale One" and is a bit of a Mary Sue. There's also some body betrayal syndrome going on here as she pretty much has seggs with Asher fairly quickly. I usually like FMCs that have more backbone in them. Here's hoping she's more like Maya (Moretti academy).

There is a bit of OW drama - The men had fallen for a woman named Imogen (who is dead now) that has really hurt them. There are some other minor scenes with random women which Cat is jealous of.

Also, there is a pretty good cliffhanger leading to the next book. Looking forward to the next book, which I'm hoping won't be too long.

Tropes and the like:
- Vampires, biting
- Chosen bonds (a beloved)
- Spice is 5 out of 5
- Instalust
- Jealous possessive MMC
- Ex-Priest (for those into those things)

[Nora Ellen (Nbbookery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catalina is running from the vampire who adultnapped her and nearly unalived her. As luck would have it, he newest escape has her living literally next door to a house full of vampires. When she accidentally saves one, they realize she knows their secret. It's the sweetness of her bl00d that saves her, but when the vampires realize she's immune to their compulsion, they decide to use it to their advantage. One of their own is missing, and using Catalina to infiltrate the rival coven and gather intel sounds good. But when she is put in danger, her vampire neighbors become deadly to protect her. Against their very beings, there's something about her that makes them want to keep her. Things are about to get bl00dy.

First of all, that cliffhanger. Excuse me?! Why why why! I need answers because I can't process this information. Catalina grew on me. She comes off as a bit pretentious at first, but then when I learned the reasons behind her actions, I forgave her. The vampire boys are a mix of all sorts of book boyfriend materials, and it's hard to pick one over the others when they're bending over backward for Catalina's attention. I am very interested to see how things play out for the gang because now that we've got a full house, I expect tensions to go much higher. The spice we've seen so far has been top-notch, but I'm ready for that explosion to level the house. I know this author can take it there, so I'll be waiting very calmly until then.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our girl Catalina is trying to heal after being held captive by a monstrous (not the good kind) vampire. But she escaped and while moving from house to house on the run, she empowers herself by writing stories about a different kind of vampire experience; the smutty kind!

Catalina newest place is next door to an abandoned gothic mansion, that feels anything but empty. When her suspicion are confirmed, she is left clutching her inhaler as she meets a coven of giant, hot vampires!
- Asher and Jax - twins and two sides of a coin.
- Tobias - the tempted devout priest.
- Ren and Bastien - members mysteriously missing in action.

This story isn’t one of Catalina’s sweet and sexy vampire romances - well ok, it’s sexy but don’t be expecting it to be sweet! While these men are extremely possessive, our girl is in for a rough ride! Asher is giving Enzo (Moretti Academy) some stiff competition!

The incredibly talented Allie Santos has delivered another binge worthy read and left me desperate for more of the series after that epic cliffhanger!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface by stating that I’ve been in a slump for nearly 4 months now. I do my best to read a book a day and even though I have been, my heart hasn’t been in it. I’ve tried every book imaginable (exaggeration lol) and my favorite books and still couldn’t get out of the funk.

Until this book.

Allie has a way with her writing, it’s unique and pulls you right in and I’m OTT obsessed!

So far this trilogy is super freaking good. I’m not one for vampire books usually, but this one is soooo good.

The spice is hot af. The MMC’s are infuriating, besides Asher and Tobias. But that’s another thing I love about Allie’s work. She has us absolutely hating the MMC’s before they redeem themselves. Love it.

The cliffhanger is brutal and I’m ready to start the second book sooo that’s the reason behind my review not being detailed but if you are considering reading this series, do it. Thank me later 🫶🏼

[Shad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started ok. I didn't have a problem with Catalina in the beginning. I also didn't mind that her past was told to the reader in a piecemeal way. Although I thought her physical relationship with the vamps were a bit quick, I did like how her relationship unfolded with the three main vamps. The story did hold my interest and I enjoyed the smut until I got to the 80% mark. I'm giving this three stars because the story did hold my interest but there was a lack of depth with the FMC. At times, she kind of read like a Sim. It was really difficult to believe that she was just horny for everybody without having any kind of boundaries or hesitancy. Especially when it came to Bastian and Ren. At that point, the story felt a bit OTT to me and Catalina came across as TSTL. I'm not certain I'll read the next book in the series.

[LeeAnne McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying anything that Allie Santos writes is an insta-read for me. Her books are consistently filled with dark romance, spice, and banter.

This book, in particular, is so gripping. We have a FMC terrified of vampires and constantly on the move who lands in the neighboring house of a vampire coven including two twins, a former priest, and two others (no spoilers, y’all).

To make ends meet for her little brother, Cat enters a deal with the vampires next door. BOOM, enter spice, humor, and the cliffhanger or all cliffhangers.

I’m seriously panting for the second installment of this new series. Just when I thought Santos couldn’t top Moretti Academy’s Enzo, she brings me twins and a priest? Ok, Allie, you win.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Cravings by Allie Santos
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️~Stars
🥵🥵🥵🥵~Spice

Tropes:
• Paranormal Romance
• Vampyr
• Why-Choose
• Blood/Bite Play
• Violence

🖇️ “If you’re going to kill her anyway, let me taste her.”

🖇️ “If I keep looking at you, I will devour you and we won’t get what we need done.”

🖇️ “Shh, Pet. It’s just me. Your friendly neighborhood vampire, here to pillage your wet pussy.”

▪️ Holy SMOKE! When I say I devoured this book, I mean it!!! So Allie!!! What did you season this book with that just got one hooked right away!!!? I can't find the words for how incredibly PHENOMENAL this book is!! Now I just want the next book so I can get all the answers to my questions🤣 A True MASTERPIECE is what this was Allie🖤 CHEF'S KISS👌🏻

[Dooniereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read an Allie book but this did not disappoint at all.

Really fast paced story with a lot of spice that will make your knickers damp 😜

We meet Catalina who has just turned up to a new home, unknown to her she moves in next door to some very hot vampires 🥵 after finding herself in a situation mixing with the group of hotties her life ends up going in a whole new direction.

I really enjoyed the story line, there is a lot of dark themes so always check those. I can’t wait for the next book with how this book ended 😱 I’m going to be having my own palpitations waiting to find out what happened.

If you enjoy dark books, vampires and a lot of blood lust this book is for you 🖤 I want in on that twin sandwich.

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time reading from this author, and all I can say is I'm hooked! Catalina has moved into this house after being on the run from a certain vampire that brutally attacked her and left her in fear for her life..little does she know right next door is 3 hard to resist vampires..Tobias..Jax and Asher.. and when she runs into them..its an instant attraction despite her not wanting anything to do with the monsters known as vampires! Let's just say, tho each one knows how to throw it down in the bedroom..phew..hotter then Hades himself! She's used to help rescue a certain someone, and after a huge misunderstanding leads to the ending of this book! I can't wait for the second one!

[Kyrie Mangus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need Book 2 ASAP

Absolutely addicting from the start and leaves you with the biggest book hangover ever! I couldn't put it down. I was completely entrapped by the world that the author gave to us here. It was dark, mysterious, burning chemistry between the characters and the best amount of spicy steamy scenes. This is a why choose with Cat already establishing her connection with Asher, and omg, is it deep and dark. Then we have Tobias and Jax, who keep trying to fight the connection, but it's just as good. This book is only book one so we do end with a cliffhanger again leaving us with that book hangover.

[Lunawolfwy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Cravings was my first Allie Santos book and she did not disappoint. This book kept you turning the pages to see what was happening with Catalina (the human) and her vampire neighbors.

With the three Vampires, each have their characteristics and delicious lustful attraction. Well written Allie Santos!

This book brings the spice along with it too! If I had to describe this book, it would be labeled as a spicy, dark vampire romance. If you crave these things then I highly suggest you read this book!

Last note, the book ends on a cliffhanger and left me asking for more, I hope the author, Allie Santos is working on book 2!

[Jeanet Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. I was hooked from beginning to end.

She is on the run and her fear of vampires makes her move from place to place.

Unfortunately the empty house next door is not as empty as expected. Three sexy and deadly vampires lives in the abandoned house. How unlucky can a girl get.

This was such a great start to a vampire series.

The instant attraction between her and the men is done in a believable way that makes sense to the story.

The mysteries on both sides keeps you curious and on edge for more and I’m soooo ready for the next book

[Laura McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twilight has nothing on this book!

Plot 10/10
Spice 1000/10

Catalina is a writer on the run with a bad history with vampires. Imagine how impressed she is when she moves in down the street from a house full of vampires….

Not just any vampires HOT vampires!

I didn’t even know I needed a RH PNR romance in my life but Allie Santos has done it and I was HOOKED!

Fantastically written and the way sensitive subjects were approached was just beautifully done!

Add this to your TBR immediately !!!

[Sandra Sanches · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a gripping story , a FMC terrified of vampires and constantly on the run and turns to be neighbor of a vampire coven where she mets two twins, a former priest, and more....
Because of her little brother she makes a deal with the vampires and gets much more than she was looking for....
Lots of sizzling hot scenes, lets just say this vampires do a lot of biting....
There's a lot of triggers so check the TW.
Ends in a cliffhanger....Why did she did that to me???
Looking forward to read more of this series.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Deadly Cravings* is an intriguing mix of supernatural and spicy dark romance, with a compelling plot centered around a girl who stumbles into the world of vampires from a past traumatic experience.

The book starts off strong, pulling readers into the mysterious, dark world of vampires, which is both alluring and dangerous. The spice is top notch! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I couldn't stop reading! Cat's chemistry with Asher was deep and dark. Tobias and Jax can feel the draw to Cat but refuses to accept it. Typical vampires.

The fact this is a series it does end in a cliffhanger! And make sure to check ALL trigger warnings! This story was ahhhh-mazing and left me craving MORE! I can't wait for the next book!

Received ARC for honest review

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Cravings will have you sucked in (pun intended) within the first few chapters. This book has all the spice and all the hot Vampires. Asher is such a sucker for her, while Jax and Tobias can't admit that they fill the same way about her. Cat is scared of Vampires and measles her way into the life of 3. How does she care? Does she cure her fear and start craving them or succumb to it? It does end on a cliff hanger but this book is worth it.

5/5 stars
5/5 spice

[TheSugaredBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will leave you craving more!

I devoured this book!! It was so good, I couldn't put it down! Catalina is both vulnerable and strong. Despite what's she's been through, she's still the type of person to help someone else in danger. I loved the banter and tension between her and the guys- Asher, Tobias, Jax, Ren and Bastien. The steam was off the charts hot!! This story is so intense and toe curling good! I can't wait to see what happens next!!

[Keke · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good read

Stepping out of the omegaverse to the vampire world I must say this book was refreshing, it pulled me in from the beginning to the end and the end is a cliffhanger , but I really didn’t like how the men turned on her like how dare they treat her like that after she risked her life for someone she didn’t know for them, I really hope she gets stronger through out the next books.

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark romance, why choose, and vampires!!
Once, I knew it had vampires, especially more than one... I knew I had to read it! It didn't disappoint at all.
The plot is original and kept me engaged.
It had suspense, humor, spicy goodness, and more!!
I loved Catalina/Cat.
I think this was an excellent beginning and I hope we get book 2 soon!!!

[Stacy MacEachern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap!! This book was amazing! I already love vampires but this book I love more. Reminds me of a slight take of vampire diaries AND true blood. Which are my favorite shows to watch. That ending! It had me like are you serious I need more now! Def can not wait for the second book to see how it all plays out

[Sarah Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic gripping dark why choose paranormal romance with suspense that left me wondering about so many things.
It kept drawing me in deeper and deeper until I was drowning in Catalina’s world and I did feel sorry for the way she was treated.
I absolutely loved the ending but WTF! Such a good place to end on and I have the best book hangover now. Can’t wait to read book 2!

[Aussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

" to everyone wanting to get fanged-banged by Mutiple deliciously sinful vamps"

This one had me hooked ! This took the the trope "Why choose" to the next level and it was tough decision to chose who to love more but i love Asher, Tobias, and Jax equal . That cliffhanger .... i need book 2 soon

[Makenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, paranormal romance that’s hard to put down. It was so easy to get wrapped up in this story that the ending totally caught me off guard (big cliffhanger), I’m dying to know what happens next! There’s a lot of spicy scenes so check trigger warnings beforehand and enjoy!!

[Esmee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volgens mij had het best in 1 verhaal gekund. Het word wel gestrekt. Er zaten hotte scènes in. Helaas wel hints van bs. Maar sowieso helaas. Het eindigt met een cliffhanger. Er gebeuren dingen, maar veel is op de achtergrond en heeft geen waarde in het plot

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED book 2!!! This book pulled me in from the beginning, and I could not put it down. Great writing, with so much angst and spice! There are so many things to uncover with these characters! This book was a great introduction, while their stories slowly unravel!