A review by howlinglibraries
Bride by Ali Hazelwood

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 What's that? Give my Favorite Book of the Year So Far™️ spot to Ali Hazelwood? Don't mind if I do.

There’s a tense atmosphere, and then there’s this. One venue, three species, five centuries of conflict, and zero good faith.

This was my first Hazelwood title and I fully get the hype. I absolutely adore arranged marriages between members of opposing sides like this, and Bride was probably my favorite example of the trope I’ve read yet.

He’s as harmless as a land mine. He could destroy entire galaxies with a stern look and a growl.

Misery was so easy to love, Lowe was my perfect kind of Alpha (dominant, but his utmost concern was keeping his pack safe, not simply being worshipped and obeyed), and there were so many side characters to enjoy, too — especially little Ana! 🥰 And most of all, the chemistry between these two?! Off the charts. I've been struggling with "buying in" to the relationships in some of the romance books I've been reading lately, but that wasn't an issue here at all because I was rooting so hard for these two!

"Misery. We are the consequences."

Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't perfect, but it was close enough. The only complaint I had was that some of Lowe's actions during the third act conflict felt very unnecessary, but it was so short-lived and didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. At that point, I was honestly invested enough in the mystery unraveling that I didn't really mind the conflict! 😬

“You’re not a problem, Misery. You’re a privilege.”

As one last note, after growing up reading some VERY, erm... graphic fanfiction, this was the first time I saw *certain elements* of shifter spice 🪢 in a trad-pub novel and I was delighted to see it done so well. 😅 It was weirdly nostalgic? I dunno, I'm sure some of y'all get me though. I just felt like this whole book was so clearly written as a love letter to those of us who grew up on paranormal romance and I loved it. 🖤 All the stars.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own. 
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