Bride
Ratings387
Average rating3.9
Bride was a resounding MEH for me.
I'm very particular about my paranormal romances, and this one just didn't hit the way I wanted to. I like my werewolves a very SPECIFIC way (I know, it's a problem) and while this book had some bits I liked...[insert shrug here.] Bride is my first Ali Hazelwood book, and after reading it, I'm not sure she's the author for me. If another book by her comes up as sounding maybe interesting, I'll give her another go but otherwise...meh.
I think my biggest problem is that Misery (the main character) is so distinctly unlikable for like....75% of the book. She comes across as having this giant stick up her butt with very little breathing room. She doesn't like anyone – she even admits this – and when we're supposed to be feeling the romance between her and Lowe...well...I didn't really see it until almost the end of the book. Lowe, on the other hand, I liked right away. Alpha werewolf with a huge protective streak who also came along with a side of tiny little sister.
The steamy scenes were...fine. Nothing mind blowing, but seeing a knotting scene in a ‘main stream' romance was interesting. Never really thought that would happen, but then again, I'm like 99% sure that Hazelwood started off in fanfic, so it makes sense! The romancey-falling-in-love-scenes weren't that believable. Again, because Misery just did not have emotions.
I wanted to like Bride, but just couldn't quite get there. 3.5 stars for me. Middle of the road, probably won't ever pick this one up again.
I have heard such good things about Ali Hazelwoods books, but I have never really enjoyed one. I read the love hypothisis and it was okay, I DNFed check and mate and Love Thoreticlly.
When I found out she had relised a fantacy book I decided to give her writing another go.
I liked the idea and what the plot was trying to be. but with her writing style and way she writes characters it just wasnt all that for me personally.
i cant believe i decided to read an omegaverse book and? didn't hate it? as much as i expected?
4.5
what the hell this was so good?? ali hazelwood has really done it. my fave by her that i've read so far!
[disclaimer: I have read a lot of teenwolf fanfic, so if that's not your jam this book won't be]
The Internet said this was going to be Omegaverse and it's definitely not. But it was fantastic and I loved everything about it. No notes
Nadat ik Riley Marie's lovende recensie van dit boek in haar vlog zag, werd ik behoorlijk nieuwsgierig. Ik heb eerder het debuut en de STEMinist novelles van Ali Hazelwood met wisselend succes gelezen, dus toen deze paranormale roman van haar werd aangekondigd, was ik wel een beetje nieuwsgierig, maar niet overdreven. Riley hypete me echter op, waardoor ik besloot deze als e-boek op te pakken, voor een luchtiger tussendoortje.
Het bleek behoorlijk meeslepend.
De schrijfstijl was even wennen, maar wist me vervolgens wel mee te nemen, samen met het mysterie dat vanaf het begin aanwezig was. Uiteindelijk heb ik dit boek in één dag uitgelezen, het dreef me om verder te lezen, terwijl het tegelijkertijd niet zo interessant was. Het leek een beetje op een realityshow, waarbij je gewoon niet weg kunt kijken, maar aan het eind er niet echt veel over kunt zeggen.
De wereldopbouw is spaarzaam, de karakters niet zo ontwikkeld en het plot behoorlijk smoezelig (knoop dat goed in je oren), maar al met al eigenlijk wat ik ervan had gewild: hersenloos vermaak.
Now that I've had to process my thoughts... this book honestly wasn't very good? I feel like this book suffers from a lack of world-building, a lack of editing, and a pretty flimsy plot with a ton of infodumping or telling instead of showing. I also struggled to like Lowe and his relationship with Misery, as I felt as though they didn't have any chemistry until approximately the 60-70% mark. On the positive side, I really enjoyed Misery on her own and the dry and occasionally dark humor. But overall, this book is missing the charm that Hazelwood's other books have.
P.S. Is the name ‘Misery Lark' in reference to “dorothea” by Taylor Swift, in which she says, “making a lark of the misery”? Or is there another meaning? I know Ali is a Swiftie, so I thought this might be the case.
I was very entertained from start to finish ... will I read another Ali Hazelwood book? Probably not.
In a surprising turn of events Misery is tall! Can you believe it? Lowe is taller, obviously, but I never felt the overwhelming towering sensation! Overall, the fit was right so... well done Ali!
Another surprising thing: Misery was actually smart and able to figure out things by herself! I really am proud of you Ali!
Bride has more plot than I expected, and readers who enter it expecting a major focus on romance might end up being slightly disappointed. I didn't love the world building, but the story and romance flowed nicely.
This was, above all, a very entertaining read. I have no complaints on the smut side either, which usually is one of my main issues with Ali's books.
I binge read it and it was tons of fun!
I LOVE Ali Hazelwood and her books, but this book just wasn't for me and it's my least favorite of hers. I didn't feel connected with the characters, I didn't feel the connection between them. Maybe it's me, maybe it's them, who knows 😂
But the knotting thing was just... NOPE. Knot for me. I haven't read anything like this before and I definitely wasn't expecting it, but I cringed so hard when they were doing stuff and the descriptions were just... not it. I was really excited for a fantasy book of Ali's, but this one just didn't live up to my expectations.
