Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

5 reviews

zydecovivo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book is one I saw on TikTok in a video discussing fan fiction’s effect on the modern publishing industry. Ali Hazelwood is an author known for getting her start in Star Wars Reylo fan fiction. This book in particular discusses knotting (NOTE: this is something explicit and should not be looked into by readers under 18), which is new in a traditionally published romance but is definitely not new in fandom spaces. These were really the only 2 things I knew about the book before putting it on my TBR. I was curious to see what it was about. 

In this universe, werewolves and vampyres exist and are known by humans, but the two species have been enemies for a long time. Our main character is named Mercy, a vampyre, and she has been used all of her life as collateral to keep the peace between humans and vampyres.  Now, she is forced to marry the new Alpha of the werewolf pack across the river to create a flimsy alliance between the two groups. It is important to note that vampyres and werewolves work a bit differently than our classical concepts of them, but it is explained well at the beginning of the book. 

This general premise is not groundbreaking and I think the overall plot, even the big reveals at the end, is predictable. However, I love Mercy and Lowe (the male love interest). I like them both individually and together as a unit. Their personalities and motivations feel very fleshed out and I enjoy watching their story (as predictable as it is). These two make the story worth reading and why the book deserves high ratings (5 stars? No. But more than 4). Mercy gets to learn what it’s like to be part of a loving family and Lowe learns how to be a little selfish because he deserves it. *chef’s kiss*

I do still have some nitpicking to do. Due to Mercy essentially being raised in the human world, she has very little knowledge of vampyres and no knowledge of werewolves due to historical animosity. This fact is a little overexploited (in my opinion) to show the reader the mechanics of this world. Additionally, the knot thing does not become relevant until the very end of the book. Experienced fan fiction readers, as well as regular paranormal romance readers, will probably find the spicy scenes somewhat tame. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I lost some sleep on a work night in order to finish it in one sitting, so be prepared. It may be a bit overhyped on BookTok, but I think it still deserves hype and praise.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Blood, and Cursing

Moderate: Death, Stalking, Torture, Vomit, Murder, and Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse

sheriffrockyraccoon's review

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book is definitely outside what I usually read and I found it incredibly stupid, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a silly romance with heavy fanfic inspiration, a regular part of Hazelwood’s works. I would definitely recommend this read if you’re looking for something easy and lighthearted, there’s nothing new here but still an incredibly fun story!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Classism, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement and Medical content

Minor: Death, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Death of parent, and Stalking

most of these warnings are still relatively minor and refer to the b plot which comes in like the last 50 pages or so

zombiezami's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Stalking, Outing, Hate crime, Body horror, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Medical content

Moderate: Self harm, Infertility, Grief, Cursing, Bullying, Vomit, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Infidelity, War, and Car accident

queenkath32's review against another edition

mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Stalking, Xenophobia, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, and Kidnapping

ninahuynh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Oh. My. God! That ending!!!! This is my first paranormal novel (aside from Frankenstein) and maybe I should dabble more cause, damn! I dig. There was one page I was confused on and some of the things Lowe say that I don't quite get inboard with. Overall, loved it. I want a sequel and get more into this world Hazelwood created.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Confinement, War, Cursing, Sexual content, Stalking, and Violence