Recent Reads: Bride by Ali Hazelwood 2

Bride by Ali Hazelwood  

Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date:  February 6, 2024

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads 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.

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.

Review: 

This was one of my most anticipated books this year. I have loved all of Ali Hazelwoods other books and was excited for her to get into a paranormal/fantasy romance. I am also a big fan of books about vampires so this just fed into that as well. 

Misery Lark is no stranger to her father putting her in crap situations to maintain political ties. She was once the vampyre child held hostage by the humans, and now she is stuck in an arranged marriage to the Alpha of the werewolf pack. She just sees it all as her duty at this point but she has a missing friend that she might be able to find in were territory while she is there, so she is doing it. During their time together Misery and her Alpha, Lowe, learn more about each other and fall for one another. A great enemies to lovers romance. 

I really liked the overall plot of this book, Misery was so focused on duty that she failed to see the real politics happening around her. She was a very broken character that finds herself in her new ...freedom ... that isn't freedom. The characters overall were fun to read. I liked the way that Hazelwood built up their cultures and background in a modern-esq world. It felt kind of like Buffy for a bit there. 

I liked the characters for their honesty. I liked the plot for its mystery, twists and turns, and I liked the world because of the paranormal elements. Overall, this was a great read and I would love a sequel if it is offered up. 

I felt like this lived up to the hype, but I know it won't be everyone cup of team. I read it practically in a day because I coudln't stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading and I love a book that has that hold on me.