What do you think?
Rate this book
Bitten & Burned: A Vampire Romantasy with Five Immortal Bonds
Her heart is bound. Her magic is chained. And her future has never been more uncertain.
Rowena Marlowe hasn’t met a curse she couldn’t break until a sigil was seared into her thigh six months ago. It silences her magic and leaves her in constant pain. Her lover, Vael Vexley, a vampire scholar, has been searching for a cure alongside her mentor, her enigmatic former professor, Silas Drummond.
Desperate for relief, Rowena agrees to a blood-bonding ritual with Vael. But the ritual shatters every expectation, binding her not only to Vael but to his entire
Vael Vexley: the brilliant scholar and her first love, whose need for control may cost him the very woman he’s desperate to save.Cassian Hale: the hardened general, forged by war and discipline, who swore his heart could never soften—until Rowena.Dmitri Volkov: the steadfast soldier, whose quiet strength and steady presence bring her calm like no one else can.Anton Mercier: the tender-hearted baker with a savage streak when danger threatens.Quil Ashborne: the relentless hunter, sharp-edged and haunted, who fights his need for her as fiercely as he fights everything else.Now, Rowena must navigate tangled loyalties, burning attraction, and the dangerous pull of five immortal bonds—all while Quil’s own family rises from the dark to claim her as theirs. As the truth behind her curse comes to light, a devastating revelation turns her world upside down.
Rowena must decide whether to cling to the life she lost…or embrace a new one that could change everything. Will she destroy the man who betrayed her...or find a way to live with a new kind of normal?
Tropes you’ll find
Found FamilyFated BondsGrumpy/SunshineRelentless Hunter MMCCinnamon Roll (with fangs)Hardened General soft for herSteadfast Soldier who brings her calmBrilliant Scholar first loveSlow Burn & Steamy HeatAngst with a Happy EndingVampires, Blood Bonds, and Bite ScenesOne heroine, five devoted heroesBitten & Burned is a complete standalone romantasy with a guaranteed happily ever after.
Rowena Marlowe hasn’t met a curse she couldn’t break until a sigil was seared into her thigh six months ago. It silences her magic and leaves her in constant pain. Her lover, Vael Vexley, a vampire scholar, has been searching for a cure alongside her mentor, her enigmatic former professor, Silas Drummond.
Desperate for relief, Rowena agrees to a blood-bonding ritual with Vael. But the ritual shatters every expectation, binding her not only to Vael but to his entire
Vael Vexley: the brilliant scholar and her first love, whose need for control may cost him the very woman he’s desperate to save.Cassian Hale: the hardened general, forged by war and discipline, who swore his heart could never soften—until Rowena.Dmitri Volkov: the steadfast soldier, whose quiet strength and steady presence bring her calm like no one else can.Anton Mercier: the tender-hearted baker with a savage streak when danger threatens.Quil Ashborne: the relentless hunter, sharp-edged and haunted, who fights his need for her as fiercely as he fights everything else.Now, Rowena must navigate tangled loyalties, burning attraction, and the dangerous pull of five immortal bonds—all while Quil’s own family rises from the dark to claim her as theirs. As the truth behind her curse comes to light, a devastating revelation turns her world upside down.
Rowena must decide whether to cling to the life she lost…or embrace a new one that could change everything. Will she destroy the man who betrayed her...or find a way to live with a new kind of normal?
Tropes you’ll find
Found FamilyFated BondsGrumpy/SunshineRelentless Hunter MMCCinnamon Roll (with fangs)Hardened General soft for herSteadfast Soldier who brings her calmBrilliant Scholar first loveSlow Burn & Steamy HeatAngst with a Happy EndingVampires, Blood Bonds, and Bite ScenesOne heroine, five devoted heroesBitten & Burned is a complete standalone romantasy with a guaranteed happily ever after.
- GenresWhy Choose
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2025
12 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Wren
6 books33 followersPenelope Wren writes steamy, spellbinding romance full of sharp heroines, dangerously attractive men, and emotionally devastating storylines that make you scream into your pillow (in the best way). She has a tendency to name her characters like they’re auditioning for a goth indie band and delights in crafting tension-soaked slow burns with teeth.
She lives in the U.S. with her partner, their three children, and three deeply weird cats: Coco, Rat, and Fig. When she’s not writing, she’s pretending she’s a finalist on Great British Bake Off, thrifting for haunted dolls and offbeat decor, or being her most authentic, unfiltered self.
Her books range from romantasy epics to steamy paranormal 'why choose' romances, always with heart, heat, and high emotional stakes. You can find her across social media @PenelopeWrenAuthor or subscribe to her newsletter for sneak peeks, exclusive content, and unhinged baking updates.
She lives in the U.S. with her partner, their three children, and three deeply weird cats: Coco, Rat, and Fig. When she’s not writing, she’s pretending she’s a finalist on Great British Bake Off, thrifting for haunted dolls and offbeat decor, or being her most authentic, unfiltered self.
Her books range from romantasy epics to steamy paranormal 'why choose' romances, always with heart, heat, and high emotional stakes. You can find her across social media @PenelopeWrenAuthor or subscribe to her newsletter for sneak peeks, exclusive content, and unhinged baking updates.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 28, 2025
I recieved an ARC copy of this book. This book was well written and a different take on vampire reverse harem. I enjoyed that the mac's all had distinguishing personalities which helped build the relationship.
The FMC Rowena and MMC Vael are originally a couple and the harem builds from there as the rest of the MMC are part of Vaels coven.
The setting for this story is fantasy and feels halfway between historical and contemporary. In some areas it feels like it switches.
There were honestly parts of this story where I wanted to shake Rowena and go why are you so stubborn???? I picked who the villian was from the start. But it was interesting and frustrating to get to the discovery. I totally would have been a told you so character.
Overall a good story that was written well.
The FMC Rowena and MMC Vael are originally a couple and the harem builds from there as the rest of the MMC are part of Vaels coven.
The setting for this story is fantasy and feels halfway between historical and contemporary. In some areas it feels like it switches.
There were honestly parts of this story where I wanted to shake Rowena and go why are you so stubborn???? I picked who the villian was from the start. But it was interesting and frustrating to get to the discovery. I totally would have been a told you so character.
Overall a good story that was written well.
October 8, 2025
Rowena is a witch, who has had her magic curtailed by being cursed by a magic sigil on her thigh. In the course of trying to remove the sigil she's involved with Vael, a Vampire who desperately wants to rid her of this curse. She is also consulting with a former professor and mentor on how to handle the situation too. Because the curse when it flares, and is often. Causes her a great deal of pain. So much so that I will blame this on her absolute stubbornness and her idiocy (from time to time). Pain makes the brain malfunction.
Vael in his attempt to rid Rowena of the sigil and help with thd pain impaled her thigh around the sigil and extracts blood from the area. This helps, but losing so much blood all the time is taking its toll. So they decide to bond to make a stronger connection. Drawback, it Bonds her to 4 other men. So we meet Cassien, Dimitri, Anton, and Quil. So now she is bound to 5 immortal men. She falls for all five, so a why choose situation.
I call this book a why choose instead of a reverse harem. Because the men all have one on one time with her, no group activities and also no MM action. So this also puts the spice level at a🌶🌶 for me.
I also found that I had trouble with this story keeping my attention. It iz a good book, but I kept going back over it. because I would wander off and do something else. The story didn't hold me. I also found background for some of the character building lacking. Needed a bit more information on for example; the former professor/ mentor.
Overall a good book, just a little lacking in plot building and character arc.
Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader.
Vael in his attempt to rid Rowena of the sigil and help with thd pain impaled her thigh around the sigil and extracts blood from the area. This helps, but losing so much blood all the time is taking its toll. So they decide to bond to make a stronger connection. Drawback, it Bonds her to 4 other men. So we meet Cassien, Dimitri, Anton, and Quil. So now she is bound to 5 immortal men. She falls for all five, so a why choose situation.
I call this book a why choose instead of a reverse harem. Because the men all have one on one time with her, no group activities and also no MM action. So this also puts the spice level at a🌶🌶 for me.
I also found that I had trouble with this story keeping my attention. It iz a good book, but I kept going back over it. because I would wander off and do something else. The story didn't hold me. I also found background for some of the character building lacking. Needed a bit more information on for example; the former professor/ mentor.
Overall a good book, just a little lacking in plot building and character arc.
Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader.
October 30, 2025
Some mixed thoughts
*****This review WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS*****
Overall, this book was enjoyable. I wouldn’t have stuck around for 500 pages if I didn’t like it. Interesting plot, good spice & characterization, and vampires which I always love reading about. I’m often not good with the more high fantasy elements in books - my brain just gets bogged down with all the vocabulary/locations and flat out ignores it. Said bogging down happened in the first few chapters, but I decided to stick with it, and that paid off. This is the first book I’ve read from Penelope Wren, and it was written very well. I also felt like the pacing was good. Not the most relevant part of this review, but it’s getting tedious having to sign up for author newsletters just to access the bonus content. ***Spoiler segment below***
The reasons I docked a star: I absolutely loathed and abhorred that the sigil remained. I know Rowena was getting some control of her magic back, but for that to be THE driving force of the plot & then not be resolved irked me badly. Also, I definitely did not root for Vael as a love interest after the bonding fiasco. He did not grovel nearly enough IMO, especially after being such a tool for so long after the ceremony. Finally, I think the romantic development between Rowena and Cassian and Rowena and Dmitri was severely lacking compared to Anton and Quil especially (we know she already had backstory with Vael). That said, I did adore Quil and Dmitri with my whole heart. Overall, I’m glad I read this book, I just won’t have a physical copy on my trophy library shelf.
*****This review WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS*****
Overall, this book was enjoyable. I wouldn’t have stuck around for 500 pages if I didn’t like it. Interesting plot, good spice & characterization, and vampires which I always love reading about. I’m often not good with the more high fantasy elements in books - my brain just gets bogged down with all the vocabulary/locations and flat out ignores it. Said bogging down happened in the first few chapters, but I decided to stick with it, and that paid off. This is the first book I’ve read from Penelope Wren, and it was written very well. I also felt like the pacing was good. Not the most relevant part of this review, but it’s getting tedious having to sign up for author newsletters just to access the bonus content. ***Spoiler segment below***
The reasons I docked a star: I absolutely loathed and abhorred that the sigil remained. I know Rowena was getting some control of her magic back, but for that to be THE driving force of the plot & then not be resolved irked me badly. Also, I definitely did not root for Vael as a love interest after the bonding fiasco. He did not grovel nearly enough IMO, especially after being such a tool for so long after the ceremony. Finally, I think the romantic development between Rowena and Cassian and Rowena and Dmitri was severely lacking compared to Anton and Quil especially (we know she already had backstory with Vael). That said, I did adore Quil and Dmitri with my whole heart. Overall, I’m glad I read this book, I just won’t have a physical copy on my trophy library shelf.
October 8, 2025
**ARC REVIEW** I want to start off by saying how grateful I am to be part of the ARC group. I really enjoyed reading this book and it’s my first but not last by Penelope Wren. I give this 3.5 stars. I would give 4 but I feel there’s some back story missing (some is revealed the further you read, but I would have loved a little more information about Rowena’s schooling/her relationship with Silas as her professor and more information about the world this is based in), also we don’t hear enough about some of the others like Thalia- her bestie or Cassian. For the spice level I def give 4.5⭐️. The spice was definitely there, though I would have liked at least one scene where all her men were catering to her at once 😝 I’m glad that each of them have their own personalities and things to bring to the relationship. Rowena was so STUBBORN! Like girl, please, listen to your vampires for once dang. AND Vael was PMO half of the book, dude, get over it. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I’m so glad I got to read it!
September 29, 2025
This is my first book by Penelope Wren and let me say the story didn’t disappoint. What drew me in was the blurb. It sounded so intriguing. We start off meeting Rowena and Vael. When she is suddenly cursed by a sigil on her leg is when everything changes. We then meet the rest of Vael’s coven, who all have these amazing personalities that really blend together to make the story so much more. There were times I wanted to shake Rowena and tell her to think. You are smarter than this. But, Penelope Wren wrote the story so seamlessly that it just shows how human she was. She has doubts, anger, happiness and love. These emotions are felt throughout the story. We take this journey alongside all of these characters and they quickly become like friends. The story is packed full of drama, suspense, and action. It is a journey that doesn’t leave you wondering or missing. It is a fantastic story that is absolutely a fantastic read.
October 9, 2025
This is a lovely standalone Romantasy with vampires, witches, curses and plenty of spice 🔥
The FMC is in her late twenties, an accomplished scholar with a career that she’s passionate about. She knows who she is and has confidence in herself and her abilities. She’s still flawed, and this story doesn’t shy away from any of the characters’ flaws. Each of the MCs has strengths and weaknesses, some of which we get to see up close. The character developments are woven neatly into the main plot and give the book emotional depth alongside the spice and the tension. There are dark themes, violence, and emotional damage as well as twists that keep the pages turning. This book ends in a HEA that makes sense for the story and which left me wanting to read more in this world.
The FMC is in her late twenties, an accomplished scholar with a career that she’s passionate about. She knows who she is and has confidence in herself and her abilities. She’s still flawed, and this story doesn’t shy away from any of the characters’ flaws. Each of the MCs has strengths and weaknesses, some of which we get to see up close. The character developments are woven neatly into the main plot and give the book emotional depth alongside the spice and the tension. There are dark themes, violence, and emotional damage as well as twists that keep the pages turning. This book ends in a HEA that makes sense for the story and which left me wanting to read more in this world.
October 10, 2025
“Vael Vexley, you are, without a doubt, the most stubborn horse’s ass to ever grace Verdune’s soil.” ~Rowena
There is a lot of detail and world building that went into this book.
I love the MMCs in Bitten and Burned. Everyone's personalities are different and fitting for keeping Rowena safe & cared for. The FMC was a bit of an idiot at times, not seeing the warning signs of the bad guy. There were some times when the pacing felt slow & it lost my focus a bit. The spice was definitely there, and with some longer scenes included. Vael honestly drove me absolutely crazy throughout the book, even though I liked him a lot in the beginning and end. I do wish we got more involvement with side characters, especially at the end. Dmitri and Anton are favorites.
There is a lot of detail and world building that went into this book.
I love the MMCs in Bitten and Burned. Everyone's personalities are different and fitting for keeping Rowena safe & cared for. The FMC was a bit of an idiot at times, not seeing the warning signs of the bad guy. There were some times when the pacing felt slow & it lost my focus a bit. The spice was definitely there, and with some longer scenes included. Vael honestly drove me absolutely crazy throughout the book, even though I liked him a lot in the beginning and end. I do wish we got more involvement with side characters, especially at the end. Dmitri and Anton are favorites.
October 16, 2025
A Witch and her Vampires RH. I really like the second half of the book so much more than the first half. The beginning was very slow for me and I was having a hard time getting into the story. But as I got to the middle of the book it moved faster and the build up was making sense to me. You meet Rowena and Vael and get to know them through their daily lives.
Rowena has a cursed sigil placed upon her by an unknown person and her and Vael are trying to figure out where it came from and how to get rid of it. They move to his coven home for a safer place. All 5 vampires end up blood bonded to Rowena even though it was only supposed to be with Vael! They are all very protective of her and working together to figure out the sigil and find out how to remove it.
Rowena has a cursed sigil placed upon her by an unknown person and her and Vael are trying to figure out where it came from and how to get rid of it. They move to his coven home for a safer place. All 5 vampires end up blood bonded to Rowena even though it was only supposed to be with Vael! They are all very protective of her and working together to figure out the sigil and find out how to remove it.
October 11, 2025
4⭐s
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Very well written, descriptive world building.
Our FMC is a snarky bada$$, who knows what (and who) she needs and takes no crap.
We have a wide variety of MMC to keep you on your toes. Each one bringing something different to the coven.
I will say I would like more background on the coven itself and the bonds. Otherwise the world building is fantastic.
Spice was good, would have loved more group scenes but that's a personal thing.
The dirty talk was soooo good, with a little switch action from Rowena 😉, and nicely described.
Overall a fantastic read, and I can't wait to read more from this author
ARC review****
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Very well written, descriptive world building.
Our FMC is a snarky bada$$, who knows what (and who) she needs and takes no crap.
We have a wide variety of MMC to keep you on your toes. Each one bringing something different to the coven.
I will say I would like more background on the coven itself and the bonds. Otherwise the world building is fantastic.
Spice was good, would have loved more group scenes but that's a personal thing.
The dirty talk was soooo good, with a little switch action from Rowena 😉, and nicely described.
Overall a fantastic read, and I can't wait to read more from this author
ARC review****
October 27, 2025
Full disclosure before review: I worked as editor on this book and obviously cannot totally divorce myself from my bias!
I think this might be the best work I've read from this author; the steam has always been great but the plot - and particularly the representation of chronic pain/illness really hit the spot, particularly how it allowed Rowena to have her feelings about how this impacted her life.
I also liked Rowena's coven of hot vampire men and how each of them had their own distinct personality and nuance to their relationship.
Overall, fun worldbuilding and characters and a nice dose of spice!
I think this might be the best work I've read from this author; the steam has always been great but the plot - and particularly the representation of chronic pain/illness really hit the spot, particularly how it allowed Rowena to have her feelings about how this impacted her life.
I also liked Rowena's coven of hot vampire men and how each of them had their own distinct personality and nuance to their relationship.
Overall, fun worldbuilding and characters and a nice dose of spice!
October 10, 2025
This book is incredibly well written. The story unfolds at a calm and steady pace, slowly unfurling to develop the characters and plot. There’s an undercurrent of epic fantasy vibes with the subtle world building. The MMCs are very different personalities, which is often difficult to pull off when the harem is all one type of creature. The FMC is such a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability after losing her connection to her Goddess and her magic. Would recommend for the reader that wants to slow down and get comfortable in a new world.
October 7, 2025
This is a why choose story, in a very gothic, almost historical setting. There's a lot of spice and the plot is good. It's well written and I've enjoyed reading it.
Quil has the best character growth and quickly became my favourite. Vael was a d!ck and never recovered from that in my eyes. I wouldn't have forgiven him.🤣
I would have like to see more from Dimtri, Anton and Cassian. I'm sure there's a whole other book to fill with their stories.
But overall, it's a thumbs up from me 👍
Quil has the best character growth and quickly became my favourite. Vael was a d!ck and never recovered from that in my eyes. I wouldn't have forgiven him.🤣
I would have like to see more from Dimtri, Anton and Cassian. I'm sure there's a whole other book to fill with their stories.
But overall, it's a thumbs up from me 👍
October 6, 2025
First time Penelope reader and I’m definitely a fan!! I was honored to receive an arc and wow!! I love vampires and this book is full of them lol! Definitely has a lot of drama and emotions with some spice 🌶️ 2/5. Definitely worth the read and I can’t wait to read more from Penny! (lol I’ve given her a nickname 😂😂 she’s my friend in my head lol)
October 10, 2025
Honestly, there’s not that many reverse harems about vampires. I was so happy when I found out about this book!!! I love the world building. The book had you reading none stop, and it was an amazing read. I just wish it wasn’t a standalone but it’s okay because I’m happy that I got to read about such amazing characters. Definitely a 5 star read!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 15, 2025
creative and interesting
Penelope crafted a very in depth, creative world and an interesting storyline. I liked the characters and while some parts I expected, there were definitely some twists I did not.
Penelope crafted a very in depth, creative world and an interesting storyline. I liked the characters and while some parts I expected, there were definitely some twists I did not.
Read
October 2, 2025🟢 This is a reverse harem 🟢
October 12, 2025
Nitty Gritty. LOVED IT! Some slow burn. Keeps your interest!
October 29, 2025
Great book. A little confusing to start with. Almost feels as of there is supposed to be another book before it. A few chapters in that smooths out. It gets quite spicy.
Overall a good read.
Overall a good read.
October 11, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to arc read. Penelope wren is a newer author for me she does say it's a slow burn but it's really not there is a ton of spice throughout the book. It kinda reminds me of Dracula but instead of one vampire and several females there is one female and five male vampires what starts as her trying to save herself winds up with all 5 vampires and herself realizing she is in love with more than just one there were a few slow parts and some things that could of been more elaborated on as well as parts that could of been expanded on but as a newer author I feel like she did a great job. The book gives of modern day Dracula vibes with a Gothic emo vibe well also feeling like it's a part of the past. I give it 4⭐/5⭐ because well written the book just struggled to keep my attention at the best of times I would say that it's got a lot of spice but there was no mm in this rh book since I know a few of you may ask 2🌶️/5🌶️.
October 10, 2025
I was an ARC reader.
Reverse harem? Maybe
Vampires? Yes
Witch? Yes
Curse/hex? Maybe
Betrayal? Oh yes!
Intense thriller scenes? So many!
Spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rowena is a witch who becomes cursed and no one knows how to help her, except her mentor Silas - or so she thinks. She turns to her vampire boyfriend, Vael.
Vael is part of a coven of 5 vampires. Scholarly, wise, slow to anger until he isn’t.
Meet the coven mates and fall in love with the intensity of each vampire. So different but fit together perfectly. See if they can help Rowena in this addictive, hard to put down book.
I consumed this book! I’m normally a speed reader, but I took my time devouring each line and really feeling the words play out in my head.
I love vampires. I love witches. This book was a new take and I loved EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.
Reverse harem? Maybe
Vampires? Yes
Witch? Yes
Curse/hex? Maybe
Betrayal? Oh yes!
Intense thriller scenes? So many!
Spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rowena is a witch who becomes cursed and no one knows how to help her, except her mentor Silas - or so she thinks. She turns to her vampire boyfriend, Vael.
Vael is part of a coven of 5 vampires. Scholarly, wise, slow to anger until he isn’t.
Meet the coven mates and fall in love with the intensity of each vampire. So different but fit together perfectly. See if they can help Rowena in this addictive, hard to put down book.
I consumed this book! I’m normally a speed reader, but I took my time devouring each line and really feeling the words play out in my head.
I love vampires. I love witches. This book was a new take and I loved EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews