Book Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Title: Bride

Series: Bride #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 410

Published: February 6, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Target)

Summary: 

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 has been on my TBR list since it came out last year. I found this on sale at the store so I gobbled it up. 

Here we follow Misery who is the only daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman. In order to maintain peace between the Weres and the Vampyres, she is offered up as a bride for their new Alpha leader. She agrees because...how could she refuse? If this could form an alliance and could lead to her finding her missing best friend, two birds with one stone....right? Things get complicated as she learns more about the Weres and her husband. How can a Were ever truly love a Vampyre?

This started off really good. I didn't want to stop reading, but then things plateaued a bit. It dragged for a while in the middle BUT it did pick back up in the last third of the book. 

Misery and Lowe are both hard characters to read. I do not think I truly ever warmed up to Lowe by the end. I could appreciate him, but................one part bugged me a bit. Maybe it was the timing of what he said? He just rubbed me the wrong way and I don't think he groveled enough for my liking. Misery is a sweet bean and deserves all the love. 

The cat was hilarious. 

Loved seeing Misery slowly fall in love with not just her husband but with the whole pack. So sweet. 

The TWIST was nice. I had a feeling something was up but I couldn't pinpoint what it was. 

I am curious about book 2 after the conclusion of this one. There is more story and more fallout on the way from the events of this one. Plus.....our next couple seem like they will be a hoot. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this even with the flatlined middle third. It could've JUST been a me problem. The first and last parts made up for it in my opinion. I'll give this 3 stars overall. 

Favorite Character(s): Misery

Least Favorite Character(s): Misery's father