This review post is all about the Bride by Ali Hazelwood.
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, ROMANCE, NEW ADULT
ABOUT THE BOOK
titlE: BRIDE
AUTHOR: ali hazelwood
GENRES: paranomal romance, new adult
PUBLISHER: BERKLEY PUBLISHING
PUBLISHING DATE: 4/09/2024
FORMAT: KINDLE
length: 410 PAGES
source: sELF-PURCHASED
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MY THOUGHTS ABOUT “BRIDE”
This book seemed to be everywhere on social media and since I devour paranormal romances, so I hopped on the bandwagon and gave it a try.
I have never read any of Ali Hazelwood’s books, so I went into this one blind, not really knowing what to expect. I know her books tend to be in the contemporary romance genre and center around STEM, so I was curious how the author would transition into this new genre.
So, was is it worth the bookstagram hype? Let’s discuss.
This book review of Bride by Ali Hazelwood will contain a breakdown of the plot, characters, and writing style. It will also contain book recommendations for books similar to this one and list some of the author’s other works.
this review post is all about "BRIDE" BY ALI HAZELWOOD
goodreads: “BRIDE” BOOK summary
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.
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.
"BRIDE" BOOK REVIEW
UNPACKING THE PLOT OF “BRIDE”
The sizzling romance in Bride doesn’t really ignite until the midpoint, but the action begins from page one. When Misery’s best friend Serena vanishes, she’ll stop at nothing to uncover the truth – even if it means marrying the enemy.
Misery’s father, the ruthless Vampyre leader Henry Lark, has arranged her union with Lowe Moreland, the brooding Alpha Werewolf. But Misery isn’t interested in forging a peace treaty between their species. Her only goal is to rescue Serena, no matter how dangerous the mission may be.
As she navigates the treacherous landscape of Werewolf politics, Misery must outsmart the captivating but distrustful Lowe, all while surviving murder plots and betrayals at every turn. And amidst the chaos, a forbidden attraction begins to burn between them, causing a rift between the Alpha and those who hate inter-species relations.
The story had a couple of surprising plot twists, especially near the climax. However, the plot lagged in the middle, likely because Misery and Lowe didn’t interact much and made no real progress in getting her friend back.
When things finally did heat up, the steamy scenes were satisfying, but the actual romance left much to be desired. It relied too much on mystical Werewolf-y instincts and less on a realistic emotional connection.
“He cages me, pins me, and stares down at me like he forgot where he is and I’m something to be consumed. Like I’m prey.”
Meet the Intriguing Characters of ‘Bride by Ali Hazelwood’
Misery Lark: The Snarky Outsider
Misery Lark is a force to be reckoned with. This loner Vampyre may not be the most intimidating, thanks to her unusual upbringing, but her sharp wit and sarcasm will keep you chuckling throughout the novel. Her only confidante is her best friend, Serena, making her a complex and intriguing protagonist.
Lowe Moreland: The Brooding Alpha
Lowe Moreland, the Alpha Werewolf, carries the weight of his pack’s future on his shoulders. With dissent brewing and Vampyre threats looming, he comes across as a gruff, hardened leader. But beneath this tough exterior lies a soft heart, making him a total cinnamon roll.
Henry Lark: The Ruthless Patriarch
Misery’s father, Henry, is a ruthless Vampyre leader willing to sacrifice anything for his race’s success, even his own daughter. His cruelty makes him a chilling antagonist, leaving you wondering about the motivations behind his actions.
Ana: The Adorable Wildcard
Ana, Lowe’s little sister, is a bundle of energy and cuteness. Her presence helps to melt Misery’s defenses and plays a key role in exposing a shocking betrayal within the pack.
While the secondary characters may not be as fleshed out, the plot-driven narrative and Misery’s captivating personality are enough to draw you in and keep you invested in their world.
“We all want to think that we’re important to the people who are important to us. But sometimes, our best friend is someone else’s best friend.”
IS BRIDE BY ALI HAZELWOOD SPICY?
Yes. It is spicy, however, most of the spice comes from the dirty talk and sexual tension rather than explicit boom-chicka-bow-bow. I give it two chili peppers 🌶 🌶 for spice.
WHAT IS THE AGE RATING OF BRIDE BY ALI HAZELWOOD?
Due to the violence and sexual content this is probably appropriate for those who are 17 and up.
THE WRITING STYLE OF BRIDE BY ALI HAZELWOOD
I thought the writing was solid. Told through the sharp-witted lens of Misery, with tantalizing glimpses into Lowe’s thoughts at the start of each chapter, Hazelwood weaves together past and present to paint a vivid picture of Misery’s complicated history with Serena and her father. This blending of timelines serves the story beautifully, doling out relevant backstory at just the right moments.
While the pacing falters slightly in the middle, the humor ensures the narrative remains a delightful, breezy read.
“Some nights, when he’s walking past her door, he has to whisper to himself: “Keep going.”
Think airplane novel or beach companion – Bride is the perfect book to keep you entertained for hours on end. And yet, it may not leave you breathlessly anticipating the sequel. Nothing about it truly stood out, but it was still a solid, entertaining read.
OTHER BOOKS BY ali hazelwood
If you like to read romance books with and enemies-to-loveres trope, check out the post “12 Slow Burn Enemies-to-Lovers Books”. Or, check out these book recommendations below.
BOOKS SIMILAR TO “bride”
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