Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Bride by Ali Hazelwood – Audio

ARC from Berkley and Netgalley for an honest review 

Book Blurb:

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.

My Review: 4 stars

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood is proof positive that Hazelwood can jump genres with ease and still deliver a great story.

I read a small handful of paranormal (PRN) books every year. They are fabulous when you’re in a reading slump or have a book hangover because they take you somewhere new and different. I always suggest reading outside of your comfort zone a few times a year anyway; you never know what might appeal to you.

This book features Lowe, a Were, and Misery, a Vampyre that is sent by her father to marry a Were in order to maintain tradition regarding alliance and peacekeeping. Yes, her father is nothing short of an ass and it’s obvious that he favors Misery’s twin brother much more than her. Of course, Hazelwood is known for her tension filled STEM romances, and here the tension and spice is just as good.

The buildup of their relationship was paced well and the minor, yet important character, Ana was a joy to read about as was Serena, Misery’s BFF. This was a fast and enjoyable read if you’re looking to dip your toe into paranormal fiction.

Quotes I liked:

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

“Some nights, when he’s walking past her door, he has to whisper to himself: “Keep going.”

“This sounds foreign, like picking words at random. Magnetic fridge poetry”