Book Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

About the Book:

Title: Bride

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Page Length: 416

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

Synopsis: A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

Over the past few months, I’ve read three books by Ali Hazelwood – a contemporary romance, a YA romance, and now a paranormal romance. I can say with conviction that this author can write any kind of romance, and I will adore it!

Bride is an impressive transition into the paranormal romance subgenre. With dynamic characters, a suspenseful mystery, and a unique spin on traditional supernatural beings, the story pulls you into a world where Vampyres are born, not made, and many of the shifter and vamp folklore is debunked. I like how the author takes traditional vampire and shifter lore and turns it on its head. It’s a fascinating world where Weres, Vampyres, and humans semi-coexist, though none of the groups truly trust each other. Political turmoil instigates the action, as Misery, the protagonist, is commanded to marry a Were Alpha.

Misery and Lowe are one of the few arranged marriages between species in history, and all others ended disastrously. So, both know going in that there are massive hurdles they’ll have to jump. On top of entering into an arranged marriage with no emotional attachment, there are traitors in their midst, attempted murders, kidnappings, missing people, political strife, and more. It’s a world where groups distrust others, and that bleeds into Misery and Lowe’s relationship. It’s fascinating to see how they break through these barriers. It’s also intriguing how both of them as well as their relationship serve as a model for others.

Misery’s story is compelling. She never quite feels she belongs, and her father made it so. As a vamp stuck in the human world, she’s treated harshly, and this is also the case when she returns to her home and when she is sent to live with her husband and other Weres. I felt for Misery. Her dislike of herself runs deep. She has no one, especially since her best friend went missing, and her family uses her as a pawn rather than treat her as a beloved member of the family. She’s literally injuring herself just to look like she fits in. And it kills me because she is amazing, and she doesn’t even see it because she believes the vitriol that has been spewed at her all her life. I loved seeing her slowly win over the Weres and becoming more in tune with herself. Misery believes she is unfeeling and incapable of love, but she proves over and over again how deeply her feelings run.

Now, before we go any further, I would like to officially put an order in for one Were Alpha, please. Whew, Lowe is such a powerful, protective, intelligent, and hunky male, and he makes me want to belong to his pack and pledge my undying loyalty to him. Oof, he is the kind of MMC that will do anything for those he loves. He’s a true leader who isn’t as concerned about the power he has as he is about the peace and harmony he can facilitate among the different groups. I love that he is idealistic and yet realistic. Unfortunately, he also puts everyone else ahead of himself, which strains his relationship with Misery. Afraid to let her in, Lowe keeps her at a confusing distance.

Lowe and Misery have an unbelievable connection, and I adored their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience romance. Neither thought they would find the kind of love they found in each other, so as they discover these new feelings, there’s almost a sense of disbelief and wonder on top of some super sizzling chemistry!

Omg and there’s a little cutie that Misery befriends that I totally adore! She’s so sweet and fun, and her relationship with Lowe melts my heart. And Misery’s relationship with Alex, a Were who is a tech guru like Misery, is hysterical. I have a feeling they’ll become the best of friends, especially with how much fun Misery has teasing him. Other Weres in Lowe’s pack are equally interesting, as is Misery’s sibling, and there are definite found family vibes happening over the course of the story.

The mystery behind Misery’s missing best friend is also intriguing, and I had my suspicions from the start about who was behind it. It’s a twisty story with some morally grey and some morally reprehensible characters, all of whom could be involved in the suspicious activities occurring.

I can’t say enough about Bride. It’s a fantastic read with so many amazing elements – a great love story, layered characters, a unique world, a suspenseful plot, and STEAMY love scenes. Plus the banter is exceptional, and the humor is balanced well with more touching moments. This is definitely going down as one of my top romance reads of the year!

I’m so thankful to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Lines:

She’s not like he imagined. She’s more, in every possible way.

“You’re not a problem, Misery. You’re a privilege.”

Tropes:

• enemies to lovers
• arranged marriage
• found family
• slow burn
• fated mates

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