I want to go back to a world where the mental image of a werewolf having a copulatory tie during sex doesn’t exist.

You know what, though? This was a lot of fun. It was all the quirkiness you expect from this author, but in a modern world full of paranormal creatures hiding within human society. It was certainly creative and I liked the change up from her typical plot. Even though it was an entertaining read, there were a couple misses. The sex scenes were extremely weird and this had the worst third act nonsense ever. Had the last quarter of the book been different, I probably would given it a higher rating. Go into this one with an open mind and just have fun with it. If you’re a fan of her writing and ready to embrace the strange world of paranormal romance, you’ll enjoy this.

I am deceased. this book was phenomenal and my new favorite book by Ali. I need a follow up asap and hope they she continues to write more books in the omegaverse world as it feels like her best work. you can tell how much care and love was put into getting these two together in the most beautiful way. more coherent review to come but yeah I loved it

2.5 ⭐️ Well, I’m pretty bummed that I didn’t like it more.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ paranormal urban romance
✨ werewolves x vampire x humans
✨ she's is a vampire who's the daughter of a powerful vampire ruler
✨ he's a alpha of his werewolf pack
✨ political drama
✨ arranged marriage
✨ forbidden romance
✨ enemies (by nature) to allies to lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ slow burn
✨ virgin, inexperienced FMC
✨ 3/5 spice
✨ knotting, biting, drinking blood
✨ fated mate
✨ mystery plot
✨ intentional miscommunication / omitting truth
✨ found family
✨ plot twist
✨ HEA


My Thoughts:

Okay, so here's the thing. Bride definitely has so much potential and includes a lot of the things I love about Ali Hazelwood's romances. There's likable characters - specifically a large standoffish MMC, an interesting side plot, and spicy scenes. The whole arranged marriage and forbidden romance aspect only added to the story as well. However, there were a few things that led to my disconnect and indifference with the story.

There is a lot of info dumping world building-wise and telling vs showing. This happened so frequently throughout the story that I had many moments where I was bored and pulled out of the story out of frustration. And some of the info we are given through inner dialogue or ramblings didn't even feel adequate enough for explaining certain aspects of the world or situations the characters found themselves in. It's like I needed more info but I also wanted less of what I was being given.

I didn't really feel the chemistry between the MCs: Misery and Lowe. I think the fact Lowe recognizes Misery as his mate immediately but keeps his distance coupled with the slow burn really made the romance feel drawn out. We don't really see them start to interact till 20% of the story, and it still takes time before they aren't so guarded around each other.

The fact Lowe is immediately drawn to Misery since she's his mate but the fact Misery doesn't experience this mate bond kind of confused me and bummed me out. Lowe is a Were and recognizes her as his mate, which is rare and the fact it's with a different species is surprising. And since Misery is a vampire and this is just supposed to be a political alliance, he immediately shuts down the possibility of them being together, keeps this knowledge to himself, pushes Misery away, and then constantly reiterates (mostly to himself or other Were's) how she can't possibly understand mates or feel what he does. This was highlighted so much throughout the story that it sort of killed the vibe. I've read a lot of paranormal and alien romances with interspecies mating bonds, and while most of time the MCs don't feel the bond the exact same way, they all feel an innate pull towards the other person and in the end, it always ends up being a perfect match (in a sense). Lowe immediately dismisses this notion of being in a relationship with his mate and he highlights their incompatibility. I think there should have been a bit more explanation of the mate bond - like how it's possible for a Were and vampire to be mates in the first place - and I think in the end, it should have been a perfect fit where the bond snapped into place for her or something. But sadly, even by the 95% mark when they're having sex, Misery is still saying how she doesn't have the right hardware for Lowe and that's okay because they may not be physically a perfect match but she's going to choose him anyway. I just . . . I wasn't satisfied with that and it sort of bummed me out that his mate bond wouldn't be as fulfilled with her as it could have been with a Were.

The spice definitely had its moments, but the knot needed to be explained a bit more and the way it was introduced felt a bit clunky. We're just sort of vaguely told about it and then we see it in action later. I think those not familiar with omegaverse will need more of an explanation.

This was also a bit unlike Ali Hazelwood usual rom-coms since there was a more serious tone throughout the book and focused more on the mystery plot than the romantic plot. Which was an interesting choice. However, once the mystery is solved and the bad guy is revealed (I also could have lived without the cliche villain's speech), there's a hasty conclusion that was very anti- climactic. I mean, we've been leading up to this reveal for so long, I just expected us to sit with it a bit longer in the story. But I will say, I did like the plot twist even if it was short lived.


Favorite Quotes:

"My smell. Do I smell like . . .?"
"Mine." It's a rumble in his throat. "You smell like you're mine, Misery."
_______

"I would take anything she chose to give me - the tiniest fraction or her entire world. I would take her for a single night knowing that I'll lose her by morning, and I would hold on to her and never let her go. I would take her healthy, or sick, or tired, or angry, or strong, and it would be my fucking privilege. . . . I would take every last thing, if she chose to give it to me. . . . But I won't take from her."
_______

"You smell like you just came."
I stare back, speechless at his directness. I did just come.
"And I need to eat you out."
he needs to. "Okay?"
"It's a Were thing."
_______

"Of all the good thing I've felt in my fucking life, you are the best."
_______

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.

I had not read anything by Ali Hazelwood, but now that I have read Bride, I muse read everything she has every written. Killer work building, gorgeous tension. I read it in a day!

Ali Hazelwood continues to grow and flex her romance writing skills and Bride is the latest example of how she's fearlessly dabbling into other romance subgenres. Her first (and I certainly hope not last) foray into paranormal romance was incredibly addicting, lusty, and genuinely interesting.

"Of all the good things I've felt in my fucking life, you are the best."

While I will admit that the first 25% felt a bit slow, as the dynamics and power structure of the Werewolves vs. Vampyres vs, Humans within this contemporary paranormal romance world is laid out for the audience, it definitely starts to pick up from there and had me staying up wayyyy past my bedtime to finish this in one day!

<b> "Too bad I've cut my teeth on disappoint people, and I'm not about to start caring now."
"It must be tiresome, being a decent person, and I can't relate. I revel in my moral flexibility." </b>

I liked that Bride features a FMC like Misery that is starkly different from the usual FMC I've come to expect from Ali. While Misery is no doubt sharp and somewhat nerdy with her hacker skills, she's also a bit more emotionally grounded and mature, resulting both from her trauma and past, but also as part of her overall personality. Where often Ali's FMCs are brilliant but often messy and quirky, Misery is reserved, guarded, and a bit cold. The shift fits the story and makes her intriguing. Her background and emotions were sharp and tender, they felt nuanced and layered and really well developed and her loneliness came through adeptly on the page. I really felt for her and found myself rooting for her early on.

<b>"I've come after something, after someone, my entire life-- always the means, never the end--and I've made my peace with it." </b>

What also made this so fun and a definite departure from Ali's previous novels it the mystery aspect that is an undercurrent as Misery finds herself learning more and more about her Were husband and his world. The search for her missing best friend and uncovering the truth about the Weres created great tension that had me looking for clues on all fronts.

At the same time, the romance felt really well developed. The tension and chemistry was sizzling and the scenes were satisfyingly spicy, though of course, I will always want more. The attraction and forbidden nature of this translated well and made this feel like a more application of the enemies to lovers to lovers trope than what I have read recently. I know enemies to lovers is a fan favorite, but lately it seems to be used to describe even relative strangers who then fall. That's not the case here, there are definitive real reasons for animosity and distrust, especially given Misery's attitudes towards literally everyone except her bestie Serena.

What held this back a bit from being a full five star is the slower beginning and the relatively quick resolution. The climax and resolution felt a bit rushed and I do feel that all the political machinations and mystery fought with the romance at times for center stage on the page. It sometimes felt like I didn't know what I needed or wanted to focus on more and the transition from one plot element to the next wasn't always smooth. Lastly, the knotting thing as part of the spicy scenes just really really confused / irked me. This might not be fair as its apparently common in Alpha / Omega and werewolf paranormal romances, and since this is not a subgenre I read often, I wasn't prepared for it. It might just take some getting used to but it definitely threw me a bit and snapped me out of the intimate moments.

That said, I can appreciate that this is Ali's first paranormal romance, so of course there would be room for improvement. I can't wait for (hopefully) the next installment in what I hope is a series set in this world. Thank you so much Berkley for my galley copy - it was such a fun treat reading this during spooky season and getting into all the fall and paranormal vibes. Really looking forward to having this on my shelves and rereading!

This had better be the start of a new series! Ali Hazelwood does not disappoint with this sweet but somehow still spicy hot romance between a vampire and a werewolf. I was a bit skeptical, but this just WORKS.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a paranormal reader - Vampires, Weres, Shifters, Alphas - these are words that are not in my reading vernacular - so I will say, when Ali Hazelwood announced she was writing a PNR, I was unsure if this would be something I would pick up.

Who am I kidding, it's Ali Hazelwood. Of course I am going to give it a shot ...

Lo(we) and behold, I absolutely loved this book. Lowe and Misery had such fun personalities, I couldn't help but adore them - the real star of the show here was Ana, Lowe's sister.

If you are on the fence about this one because you don't read PNR, do not let it deter you.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I will read anything Ali Hazelwood writes. That being said, Bride is a step away from her usual STEM romances and a jump into fantasy. And the story sucked me in – I loved it! While the world-building was slightly lacking, the character-building was phenomenal. The strong and intelligent female lead Hazelwood is famous for creating takes center stage and carries the reader through the ups and downs of the plot. The writing was a little steamy for my taste, but you can quickly skim through the heat without detracting from the narrative.

Quick recap without spoilers:
Misery Lark is a Vampyre and daughter to one of the most powerful of her kind. As a child, she was traded to the Humans to ensure a peaceful alliance among varying species, and as an adult, she is promised as a bride to Lowe Moreland, an Alpha Werewolf. This marriage of convenience is both dangerous and unusual. But when Misery’s selfish reasons for crossing into Were territory come to light, a collaboration with the most unlikely partners shines a light on a new path.

So I read 70% of this book in one sitting and I only put it down because I HAD to sleep. I was texting all my friends about how obsessed and in love with the book I was. The TENSION between Misery and Lowe was DELICIOUS. I was living for the slow burn, high heat dance they were doing. I could not imagine ever giving this book less than 5 stars in spite of the fact that I wanted to laugh every time I read Misery’s name. I even loved the precocious child character (not normally my thing). And THEN the 3rd act BS was thrown at me. And I was mad. And yes I get it was the catalyst for the insane revelations and climax for the end of the book. But I’m still mad about it. Because surely there was some other way to handle that and propel the plot. For that reason, I’m hovering somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. BUT!
When this book is good, it’s amazing. I got that wonderfully buzzy happy feeling as I read it. You’ve got shifters/weres, vampyres, lots of politics, ancient feuds, betrayals and surprises, excellent steam and spice, found family, and mates. And I’d absolutely recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced look at the book to review. All opinions are my own.

This book was wild (in a good way). It felt like such a departure from Ali Hazelwood's steminist romances, though there are definitely a few glimmers of her other work (a gruff alpha MMC - literally an alpha this time, since he's a werewolf - who is clearly super into the FMC but makes her think he hates her, a FMC who has basically been abandoned by her family, etc.). The plot and the genre are total departures though - this is definitely an urban fantasy, with a werewolf MMC (Lowe) and a vampyre FMC (Misery), but there are also lots of mystery/adventure elements. Lowe and Misery almost immediately marry in an attempt to keep the tentative peace between the werewolf and vampyre communities. Misery has been living among humans and hiding her identity, feeling unwelcome by her own vampyre brethren after she spent a decade as "the Collateral," a vampyre sent to live with humans as a symbol of trust between the two groups. She has basically been treated like total garbage her whole life, except by her best friend, a human who has recently gone missing. Misery's main reason for marrying Lowe is to investigate her friend's disappearance, and that all ends up being wrapped into a bigger mystery, which really kept my interest. I really liked Misery, who could certainly be seen as kind of a martyr, willing to sacrifice herself and really not valuing her own life much, but she makes it work - she's sharp, funny, and very sarcastic, and I loved her developing relationship with Lowe and the other werewolves. All of these elements just really worked for me, and I'm giving this five stars because, while it certainly wasn't perfect, I just had a ton of fun reading it.

I loved every second of this vampyre/were fated mate romance with THAT ONE THING ALPHAS do. This was fun, sexy, Ali Hazelwood at her best. Just a really fun read.

Ali does it again! This is a departure from her STEM romance novels, taking a venture into modern fantasy. The story follows a Vampyre named Misery (poor gal…what a name!) Daughter of a powerful councilman, she’s married off to the Alpha of the Weres —their mortal enemies — in an attempt to build alliances between Vampyres, Weres and Humans. She soon finds herself outcast in the land of the wolves and her new husband Lowe, along with everyone else, doesn’t trust her. But for Misery, there’s a reason she was quick to accept the arrangement — and nothing will come between her and the search for her now-missing best friend. Except *maybe* some SPICY encounters with her buff new hubby…because it’s not an Ali book without some big guy, small gal smut.
I liked the departure from her STEM-centric books. I worried initially that the werewolf/vampire storyline may not work since it’s a trope well overdone thanks to the likes of series like Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, but this was a refreshing take that made it its own.
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out 2/6!

Oh, Ali Hazelwood. An absolute ode to the fanfic girlies. It was a wild ride, and I was really glad to be on it, even through the omegaverse pieces I knew I wouldn't enjoy. Overall, pretty well done, but whew.

I LOVED this book. Ali Hazelwood has been hit or miss for me, and I went in to this one with moderate expectations. This book blew those expectations away. I did not want to stop reading. I found Misery to be such a refreshing heroine. She is so funny, and she accepted her situation while slowly coming in to her own. Lowe is a hot alpha werewolf. You can't go wrong there. The side characters are great, I loved the mystery element. I guessed almost all of the big reveals, but not right away. Ali Hazelwood does a great job of laying out hints. The romance is slowburn, very well done in my opinion. I did KNOT mind the sexytime scenes *wink wink* (I haven't loved them in her books since The Love Hypothesis, but they worked here) Overall, I THOUROUGHLY enjoyed this book, and I REALLY hope we get some more paranormal action from this author.

A fun, sexy marriage-of-convenience romance with a twist. Misery is not your stereotypical vampire; I loved her intelligence and moxie. Lowe is not your typical alpha male/werewolf, which was refreshing. Ali Hazelwood did a good job of building up this world and its history without bogging down the narrative. I'm hoping we'll see more from this Vampyre/Were universe!

4.5 Stars

Misery + Lowe

In this world Vampyres, Weres and Humans know of each other. And hate each other.
To stop another huge war between everyone Vampyre Misery is sent to the Weres to marry their Alpha Lowe.
Misery only agreed to her father's demand because she is looking for her bestie Serena. Who has disappeared and who, it seems, was investigating Misery's dear new husband.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ...

══════════════════

I'm not a huge paranormal romance fan. But this was an Ali Hazelwood book - so I had to read it.
And it was okay. As far as Vampire thingies goes... it was good. In the end I really liked it.
I think I still prefer a Vampire-romance world where humans don't know about Vampires instead of this complicated world Ali has created here. It's all a bit silly and violent and intriguey and whatnot. Well, anything with supernatural creatures is silly. But I prefer the more peaceful and ignorant world. You know, the one where Vampires can run super fast and maybe dematerialize from one point to another. Where they don't kill innocents. Just a happy Vampire falls for a human world.
BUT! I still liked this book!
Misery has been through a lot in her short life and now she has to live amongst enemies - again. Poor girl.
And Lowe. He's top ten book boyfriend material. Poor guy is kinda super attracted to his enemy wife. She smells like.... something.
It was a really interesting world. Mysterious. Exciting. Suspensy. Dangerous. Sparky and sexy and funny too.
I really liked this more and more as I was reading.
And I so need another book for another couple!
I also wouldn't mind watching this as a movie or a Netflix show!

► BRIDE was a fun and exciting and mysterious and just beautiful Vampire / Werewolf Romance!
Run to your nearest book seller for your own Lowe - he'll be sold out in no time!

Holy wow! The NetGalley + Berkley gods really blessed me when they approved my request for this book. guys. This marriage of convenience, paranormal romance was so danggg good.

Rating: 4.5 ★

Though bride is unlike anything else Ali has given her audience before, it was perfectly executed. The tension, banter and slow burn was glorious. Consumed by Misery and Lowe’s exciting dynamic, I devoured this story. This is a read that truly draws you in and keeps you in its clutches until the very end.

Given misery’s unique history, her character was fascinating. courtesy of an arranged marriage, she finds herself in enemy territory, unsure of who to trust, especially the mysterious alpha she now finds herself bound to. Witnessing her development, her badass nature slowly be balanced out by foreign vulnerability, was special.

And Lowe! Moreland! the man he is! A devoted brother. A powerful and selfless leader. A loyal friend. And best of all, a man that worships at the altar of his wife. Not only was he damn sexy, he was sweet as hell.

This story was so wonderfully unexpected and fun and spicy as all get out! What a fun change of pace from Ali so I look forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve for this universe.

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley and Ali Hazelwood for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super fun to read a paranormal from Ali Hazelwood. I really liked the main characters and their interactions. The world building was a fun twist on vampire/werewolf troupes and traditions.

Everyone who accuses Ali's books of being copy + paste with no plot will be EATING 👏 THEIR 👏 WORDS 👏 after this one. I never wanted this book to end it was everything I was hoping it would be and more 😭 Ali has been quoted calling this "the book of [her] heart" and that really shines through the pages–you can just tell how much fun she had writing this.

Misery and Lowe embody all of the best parts of Ali's previous books but in a totally new way. This take on vampires and werewolves actually felt fresh–it was tense and unpredictable and SIZZLING with chemistry so intense it made my eyes water. The slow burn felt perfectly paced, I looooved the gradual buildup of trust and friendship between the two and the payoff was WELL worth the wait when they finally got together.

💘 enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers
💘 plot to romance balance
💘 slow burn
💘 biting and nuzzling 🥹
💘 🪢😏
💘 arranged marriage/marriage of convenience/forced proximity
💘 action and plot twists