EXCUSE ME!? I will need a few second to recover because... what!? Ali Hazelwood does it again!!!

I was a little worried going into this because is just different than what I am used to. However. I LOVE Ali and I obviously had to read it! Well I am so glad I did because per usual she did not disappoint! Guys this was amazing! I was hooked from the very beginning. Not only did I get a paranormal romance, I also got a story packed of tension and a mystery to solve! It was so entertaining I could not put it down. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. The pace of the book was perfection. I love a slow burn with enough action where it does not get boring and that's exactly what Ali gives us. The tension between Misery and Lowe was chefs kiss. Please you have to read it!

Rating: 4.5/5

Thanks Berkley Romance and Netgalley for my gifted copy.

Ali Hazelwood who is mostly known for her contemporary romances has an interesting book coming out. Bride is the first book to a new paranormal series that is still sticking to the romance theme but it’s about the daughter high ranking vampire family who is pulled from living amongst the humans to marry the Alpha of the local Werewolves but the vampires and werewolves aren't exactly besties. There’s angst, drama. This is probably going to check a lot of your boxes as it was an enjoyable read.

Collateral. That’s all vampire Misery is to Alpha Lowe. When she accepts to be his Bride for political reasons, to keep the relationship between Weres and Vampires, she finds herself in Were territory… caring about them, enjoying her time there, and of course, falling for the Alpha. With many twists and turns, upheaval that needs to be rectified, after all is said and done, will Misery and Lowe have their happy ending as mates?

I wasn’t sure where Hazelwood was going to take this story, but I was not at all surprised with her talent, craft, and ability to write a romance story with paranormal elements. Ok, I wasn’t sold on “knots” and a lot of biting and “feeding,” but I get how these details were part of the characters’ identities. Overall, I enjoyed it, though a bit on the long side, and without question, I’d continue to read anything Hazelwood writes!

If you know me, you know I was a little iffy on whether or not I wanted to read this. As a young adult during the time that Twilight came out and then the paranormal romance craze happened, I told myself I wouldn’t read another vampire book again. And for the most part, I haven’t (and if I have, I either DNFed it or mentioned that I don’t actually like them anymore lol) But when I heard about this, I knew this was going to be one of those exceptions lol

I was also a little worried because this felt like it came out of left field. I was so used to Hazelwood’s STEM romances, that this felt odd. But nevertheless, I immediately added it to my TBR as soon as I could lol And now that I’ve read it, I can’t imagine not having read it. So if you’re having trouble wondering if someone who has only written contemporary romance can pull off a vampire romance, don’t worry about it. Hazelwood makes sure you enjoy your time in this world.

I hate to start off on the thing I didn’t like, but it really only makes sense to start here. The world building in this is so BOMB! She doesn’t use descriptive language to tell the setting, but we do get all the background, rules, and like everything besides the origin stories. We even get the story of another marriage of convenience that ended in bloodshed. The only problem is the way it was delivered. It was info dumpy and delivered in clumps throughout the story. As an audio reader, I had to rewind it a few times to go back and rewind it to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I will be reading this again as a buddy read next month, so I will get my Walmart exclusive copy as well as the audio again and I will have a better time getting all the details. But for anyone reading this for the first time on the 6th, just a warning.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this. And I’ve noticed a trend through the readers who have already finished this. If they’ve been reading shifter books, this doesn’t seem to fit their fancy. But if they haven’t read any in a while or have just read their first Omegaverse novel (me lol) then I have found they really liked it. It was like light on the alpha speak and light on him shifting in general. And that pleased me. But I will say, when he DID shift, he DID THAT. lol After reading my first Omegaverse like a couple days before this one, I was a little put out on the way his alpha tendencies were like “ME, WOLF, ME, CAVEMAN.” I was not excited for more of the same. So when this one didn’t have that, I was so much more excited. And the way he explained what a mate was and why he didn’t want to explain it from the beginning?! Lordt I was like legit swooning. Their romance actually worked for me. (Besides the knot stuff lol Which I can blessedly say was minimal. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that lolol No pun intended) I guess it seems like paranormal lite and that’s why I was so into it.

The plot of this was crazy. I’m not even gon lie, I was more into this than the dude that was trapped in freezing cold temps or the girl that was a secret genius chess player. I ATE this up lol I just KNEW that all that was going on wasn’t just that one group. So basically when shit started hitting the fan, I was all in. I could not stop listening. And then I realized I was almost at the end and I didn’t have a clue what was really happening. Usually I have a guess or something, but I didn’t get there this time. I didn’t give myself time to. I just kept listening until it was over. And in the version I read, the ending leaves us open to another book, either a series or a companion novel. And let me just say, I hope there is more. Because I need to know how this is going to end.

I was expecting this to go a completely different way because of my past with vampire novels. But this was a pleasant surprise. I went into this with reservations, but by the end I was cheering on the romance, trying to pick apart the mystery, and learning more than I care to know about weres and vampires. Now, did I also pre-order an exclusive copy, yes, and I don’t regret it. I hope if any of you have hang-ups like I did, you let it go and just open your mind to this fantastical world and get lost in the mystery of this like I did!

I loved this so much! This was my first omniverse book and I thought it was great. I loved the mystery in the background and while I thought I had it partially figured out, I didn’t all the way. If Ali doesn’t continue this series, I’ll cry.

Ali Hazelwood never misses and I will eat up every story she writes. I literally always have a good time reading her books. This book was the perfect combo of her typical writing style, banter and sarcastic fmc but in a fun new setting in a paranormal, urban fantasy romance.

A marriage of convenience between a vampyre and the were alpha?? “Apologize to my wife”?? PLEASE. I loved Misery. I loved Lowe. I loved the lengths they went to protect the people they care about. I loved their romance. Had a good, fun time and definitely recommend.

Thank you to berkley romance and NetGalley for the early copy!

I loved this book. Let me say it a little louder for those in the back: I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK! In these pages you will find everything you like about Ali’s previous books but make it paranormal. Vampyres + Werewolf. Marriage of Convenience. Enemies to Lovers. Forbidden Romance. Political Intrigue. It was absolutely delicious in the best possible way. In fact, I spent five straight hours in the same spot on my couch in one evening devouring it.

I have been spending some time marinating on this story because I loved it so much, and I have narrowed down that the plot in this book is just completely stunning. There are deep themes of friendship and found family with world building that is fun and easy to follow. I was so invested in the mystery that was going on, Lowe and Misery’s budding relationship, and then totally shocked by the twist at the end that I had to stop for a minute and regroup myself. But don’t worry, she’s deliciously spicy too. Totally knotty.

Plus, watching Misery fall in love with Ana was the best thing I have read in this genre in a long time.

Will this be everyone’s cup of tea? Probably not. But is this hands down going to be one of my favorite reads this year? Absolutely. I have been an Ali fan since the beginning and man, she outdid herself here. It was out of her usual box, but so authentically her that I was a goner from the start. I am going to be talking about this one for a long time.

I need more. Please give me more. I would read 170 books set in this world.

#Bride:⁣
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Thank you @berkleyromance and @prhaudio partner for my gifted copies. #BerkleyPartner #berkley ⁣
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I’ll admit it. The previous Ali Hazelwood books I have read haven’t been my favorite. I decided to pick up Bride because vampires and warewolves, duh. I’m so glad I did because this was a snarky, fun, quick read.⁣
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Misery (queue Misery by The Moffats) is a Vampyre. Her dad is super powerful on the council, and she was the literal Collateral as a kid for peace between the alliances. Well, she’s at it again, unwillingly, about to be the bride to head alpha Were, Lowe Moreland. The reason? Her bestie is missing and she’s sure he’s got something to do with it.⁣
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I really liked the plot and how Misery was all for living in the human world. Getting to know the crew was fun, and she had me cackling the entire time. Her self deprivation is my kind of humor so I was down. Of course there’s spice, but the friendship story trumps the romance.⁣
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For those who like:⁣
🧛‍♀️ Marriage of convenience ⁣
🐺 Fated Mates⁣
🧛‍♀️ Twilight⁣
🐺 Enemies to lovers ⁣
🧛‍♀️ Spicy fun⁣
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Out Feb 6th, this book definitely needs to be in your Valentines Day basket ❤️⁣
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QOTD: Favorite Vampire or Werewolf show/book/movie?

This was simply amazing. There’s so much I loved that I absolutely don’t want to spoil. I went in basically blind and I highly recommend that if you want to just stop reading here and go do that yourself!

Okay speaking in generalities I LOVED the worldbuilding. This does just enough but not to much in the time that it has. At times it feels familiar, this definitely leans contemporary/paranormal romance vs fantasy, but there’s still fantastical elements that keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next. I also enjoyed the pacing as to when lore of either side were explained to each other and some of those moments between Lowe and Misery were so sweet.

There is a child in this but I am marked safe from a romance with an annoying child. She’s pretty chill and also due to some plot elements is absent for a far chunk of it so she isn’t interrupting any of the romance progression.

If you have an inkling of interest in reading this then just read it. This is for people who read any romance subgenre as you don’t need to be a big fantasy reader in order to enjoy this. If you grew up on Twilight this gives you all those same feels except as an adult (and to be clear it’s not like twilight fan fiction or anything like that, just commenting about the vibes and how I couldn’t put this down).

I am a solid Ali hazelwood fan and compared to her other work it still somehow has her signature “I know something the FMC doesn’t know” plot line and the consent king MMC so obsessed with her. But other than that there’s extra romantic suspense/larger world at play elements that differ from her contemporary work. I did find it to be quite different but still with her great writing skill.

Btw for those reading outside their typical genre and cautious about the knotting- it’s understated and this contains similar spice to love hypothesis, less than love theoretically.

I’m so hyped to be a Berkley partner this year which included the chance to read an eARC of this!! Thank you. This was highly anticipated for me and did not disappoint.

Do I already know that Bride is going to be on my 2024 top ten list? Why yes. Yes I do. The reasons are myriad, but let’s lead with the fact that author Ali Hazelwood is utterly BRILLIANT at dialogue. The witty, biting, and clever cadence to Misery’s speech and diction was a joy to read. I also admired Hazelwood’s ability to create her own niche in what many would consider to be established lore, and to create characters who feel one thousand percent real.

One of the clever narrative devices that Hazelwood employs is with the POV. Every chapter begins with a third person snippet into Lowe’s thoughts while the rest of the chapter proceeds in first person from Misery’s perspective. This is true until the epilogue when readers finally get Lowe’s third person perspective. It is such an effective choice in this particular story, and I appreciate the way that Hazelwood uses these subtle POV shifts to the novel’s benefit.

I loved the underlying simmer of chemistry between Misery and Lowe and the way their friendship also evolves as they continue to interact. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Misery and her brother, Owen, which I hope to see more of in the future. (Hint, hint.) I have big hopes for Serena, too, and I cannot wait to read more from this universe.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5/5
I had a really fun and enjoyable time reading this, however it did not fully meet my expectations. I have absolutely loved every Ali Hazelwood book, but this one fell a little flat for me. I feel like at times, the plot would really be picking up, but then it would slow down and I would be a little bored. I loved the rival, enemies to lovers aspect with the vamps and weres, Misery and Lowe were so cute. That being said, I wish there would have been more romance development between them. Lowe has my heart, is such a sweet MMC. I think as Ali Hazelwood writes more of the paranormal/fantasy, they will definitely get better.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint - I loved this weird and wonderful book. Misery is a vampire who enters a marriage of convenience with the alpha werewolf Lowe in order to find her missing friend, as well as promote peace between vampire, werewolves, and humans. And of course, real feelings start! It’s hard to explain why this wild book works so well, but it really does. The writing is charming, the characters are great, the banter is funny, and the steam works well. Of course do not read this book if you’re not okay with paranormal romance, but for me, everything about this book was lovely. I personally think Hazelwood has a gift for writing accessible and fun stories that really suck you in (no pun included lol on this vampire romance). I was invested in this story from the get go, really liking all the character development, and the mystery element really worked for me. This is one of those books that I imagine a lot of people would steer away from if you haven’t dipped into paranormal romance and it’s hard to explain the appeal, but trust me, this book works as a romance and a fast, fun read. Full disclosure, I am not one of those adults that grew up loving Twilight, and I still loved this story, so I don’t think being a fan of this genre is a prerequisite for enjoying this book. Overall I highly recommend this book for fans of Hazelwood, paranormal romance, and mystery.

When it was announced Ali Hazelwood, bookstagram darling herself, would be releasing a paranormal romance, well... I couldn't contain my excitement. A forbidden -- but fated -- romance between mortal enemies? SIGN. ME. UP. I was more than ready to relive my team werewolf/team vampire (or rather, *vampyre*) high school days.

And that's why I'm so disappointed that BRIDE just didn't work for me. At all. The fantasy element is very barebones (vampyres can go out in the sun, it's uncomfy though; plenty of werewolves are able to refrain from shifting during a full moon), it felt as though Ali did the minimum to reach her target audience. I was also a bit baffled by Misery's utter confusion to ordinary things she would have encountered everyday while growing up about humans: she can't tell the difference between a ladle and a spatula, she calls out strawberries for being straw-less. From the time she was 8 she was raised by and lived among humans, she shouldn't have been so out of her element.

This book will find plenty of fans, I'm well aware I'm in the minority here! I'll admit though, I would have 100% believed Misery and Serena were lovers and was absolutely convinced of this until Misery mentioned they were sisters.

WOWOWOWOWOW this was my first Ali Hazelwood experience and I will definitely be coming back for more!!

As soon as I heard this had knotting my paranormal-loving self was all in. And Ali did NOT disappoint. Misery is such an iconic FMC and watching her slowly grow into more of a people-person (or Were person, as it were) was hilarious and heart-warming.

One of my favorite things was the little Lowe snippets as chapter headers--they were like a trail of breadcrumbs leading to a HEA and I ate each one UP with a giddy smile. I can't recommend this enough tbh!!

thank you Berkley & Netgalley for the eARC.
unfortunately this is my least favorite Ali Hazelwood read so far, coming in at a whopping 2.75 stars.

this is her first venture into paranormal romance but otherwise fits the same Ali Hazelwood formula— small quirky girl, big ol guy, STEM specialties (she is a digital hacker tech girlie), fast-paced quirky dialogues, and lots of spice.

however, these few things just didn’t work for me:
- the way the “fated mate” trope was used here was boring and overdone and obvious imo
- the omegaverse smut … this was my first omegaverse experience and i didn’t expect it, would have preferred to be a bit more prepared going in
- Lowe is a boring MMC. he’s supposed to be an alpha 😭 but misery is the one initiating EVERY romantic or sexual interaction. def my least favorite of her MMC’s
- third act conflict 🫠 (that was sooo gross imo Lowe was a grade A asshole during it tbh like imagine f*cking someone and then turning around and being like “I could live without you bye” ????)
- miscommunication / withholding information from the main character as a HUGE plot device

overall, the plot and world building that is necessary for a “paranormal omegaverse fated mates” romance was kinda… lacking here.
felt pretty juvenile.

I liked but did not love this. I liked misery as a character but felt that Lowe was a bit flat, however i enjoyed the twist with her bestie. Ana Is just delightful. I felt the story could have had more depth and been longer and i deeply wish our main character was more powerful. Big omegaverse vibes with this one, almost wish she’d just gone all the way in on that.

This is so outside of what I normally read but if anyone can drag me into the world of werewolves, it's Ali Hazelwood. Misery is the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman. She has been used as a pawn in his political games again and again; first as collateral when she was a child, and now as a bridal alliance to Lowe, the Alpha of the Weres in their territory.

Things I liked: Misery is SUCH an awesome character. Even though this is different from Ali Hazelwood's steminist books, there are still echoes of her writing. Misery is smart, nerdy, and independent. She doesn't change anything about herself for love. Misery's relationship with Ana and Serena. The spice 🥵 Definitely a step further than previous Ali Hazelwood books.

Things I didn't like: not much. Again, I would read a pharmaceutical disclaimer if Ali Hazelwood wrote it.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vampires. Werewolves. Oh my...Oh YES!

Marriage of convenience between the Vampires and Werewolves.
Forbidden love.
Witty banter.
Undeniable chemistry.
NEW SERIES

Two worlds collied for a love story, a mystery and an intoxicating paranormal read.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing.

I am a fan of Ali Hazelwood's STEM centric romances. I love a strong, intelligent, independent female main character and even more so a male main character who respects and supports her. Hazelwood does that pretty well. As for Bride, I have some mixed feelings.

First, I loved the main story. Misery is wedded to Lowe to create a resemblance of peace between the werewolves and vampyres. She is sent to live in Were territory while her werewolf counterpart is sent to vampyre territory. For her the marriage is more than politics, it gives her the opportunity to investigate the disappearance of her roommate, best friend, and sister in spirit, Serena. Unfortunately, there are other issues at play to include Lowe's little sister Ana being in danger and the constant concern for Misery's safety. All this creates a really engaging mystery with some nice twists and turns along the way.

With the story, the characters are also a lot of fun. The dynamics within the relationships makes for some really entertaining reading. I really enjoyed how the side characters were as interesting as the main characters and worked really well to support the story.

With all that I loved, there are a few things that really didn't work for me. Primarily I struggled with the world building. As a fan of fantasy, I think that my experience in reading some top quality world builders may have caused me to become impatient with Bride. The first part of the book is world building. Instead of being shown the world and having it build through the book, there is some pretty heavy infodumping. All this is done through Misery's thoughts and some discussion with her father. In addition, there are some choices such as the color of vampyre and werewolf blood that isn't really rooted in anything. It's pointed out several times in the book, but didn't see to really be connected to anything that would make it necessary. That being said, some of the political construct was interesting as well as the cultural and relationship differences. I'm glad I pushed past it especially given how engaged I was in the overall story.

Overall, I was pretty mixed. I loved parts of the books, others not so much. I think it has some real potential and I look forward to reading any sequels. The heat and the spice is there as well as plenty of emotional drama and even a little bit of betrayal. Given the book was an ARC, I will probably read it again to see if any changes were made upon publication to round out some of the world building. I think this is a change for readers of Hazelwood's other books. Like the STEM centric books, all the romantic and heat filled elements are there as well as story that is equally engaging.

This is not Ali Hazelwood's usual upbeat STEMinish romcom, but it is just as fantastic as I had hoped! Weres and Vampyres, and fated mates are definitely out of my vocabulary, but I caught on quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Misery, the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman in the region, has always been used as her father's pawn in maintaining stability and peace between the Vampyres and the Weres. Once again, she is to be used, this time as the bride to the Southwest Were's Pack Alpha. Lowe has worked his way up to being Alpha and when Misery joins the pack, he tracks her every move. But not for the reasons Misery thinks.

This enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, forbidden romance book is SO GOOD. This is definitely out of my usual genre and I was surprised how much I loved it. The banter between Misery and Lowe and the wonderful side characters add so much to this story.

This is a fantastic fantasy debut by Ali Hazelwood and just confirms to me that no matter what she writes, I will read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the digital copy. My review is honest and voluntary.