He’s my enemy, my husband, and the only one I can trust

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

@_lauilustra_

The Plot

Misery Lark, the daughter of a powerful vampire councilman, is thrust into an arranged marriage with Lowe Moreland, the formidable alpha of the werewolves, to uphold a fragile peace between their warring species. But Misery has her own hidden agenda for agreeing to this union. As they navigate their uneasy alliance, buried secrets and simmering desires surface, forcing them to question their loyalties—and the true nature of their people.

My Breakdown

First of all, it’s important to say Hazelwood is funny. I really loved the atmosphere of the book, and while the stakes were high, it was filled with quirky characters and delightfully fun, witty banters.

Misery makes for a really sweet FMC, and I found her desire to build a sense of belonging for herself incredibly relatable. Misery is also resilient, sharp-tongued, and unyielding in her love and courage.

Lowe is the epitome of the brooding alpha—commanding, protective, yet tender beneath his hardened exterior.

Some nights, when he is walking past her door, he has to whisper to himself, “keep going”.

As he and Misery navigate their reluctant partnership, their interactions crackle with tension, evolving from wary cooperation to a deep, undeniable connection. And, of course, I loved that Lowe is a cinnamon roll because, yeah, I’m addicted to them.

However… he did not grovel enough. And I just need to put that out there. But I’ll forgive him because awesome like that 😊

Above all, I won't take her freedom, not when so many others have already done so.

I also really loved Anna’s character. Anna and Misery’s banter was hilarious, and I found her absolutely endearing. She wasn’t just there as a plot device; she actively contributed to the story in a way that felt natural and meaningful. Or in Misery’s own words:

...and fuck children for being little assholes who manipulate people into wanting to protect them.

Now, let’s talk about the spice. It was very well done—convincing, intense, and deeply satisfying. That said, there was one cringy thing related to sex that I can’t mention without spoilers. I’m not sure everyone would find it cringy; it was more about the association it gave me. But aside from that, the spice was excellent.

I really appreciated that, unlike some romances where we only get a glimpse of happiness before the book ends, Hazelwood actually lets us revel in the couple’s happy moments. Sometimes we get the slow burn, then the burn, and then—boom—the book is over. But here? We get to luxuriate in the sweetness, and I loved that.

The world-building was excellent, the plot twists kept things fresh, and the banter between characters was perfection.

I know this is Hazelwood’s first paranormal romance, and since she usually writes STEM romances, this is a big departure from her usual niche. Personally, I’m less into rom-coms and STEM-focused romances, so I haven’t read any of her other books. But given the sheer talent she displays in Bride, I have no doubt they’re exquisitely written. If you’re someone who enjoys STEM romances, I’d definitely recommend checking out the rest of her work. Maybe I’ll finally get to them one day.

I really appreciate an author willing to branch out into a completely different genre. It takes courage to step outside of a well-established niche, especially when it means attracting a whole new audience. Hazelwood didn’t just experiment—she delivered, proving that great storytelling transcends genre. So, yeah, major thumbs up for that.

Bride is available now on Ali Hazelwood’s website.