“Bride” by Ali Hazelwood {Book Review}

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My Review:

This is my quick review of Bride by Ali Hazelwood, which is a supernatural romance featuring the classic enemies-to-lovers trope.

The story involves a werewolf (our main male character) and a vampire (our leading lady), set in a world filled with supernatural beings, an arranged marriage, and political intrigue. If you’re a fan of these elements, this book might be right up your alley!

The author, Ali Hazelwood, is well known for her contemporary romance novels that often have a STEM element to them (I haven’t read any of them as of yet). This appears to be her first foray into the Romantasy genre.

I’ll be honest, the beginning was a bit slow for me. I’d give the first few chapters about two stars—if it weren’t for it being a book club pick, I might have DNF’d it.

However, if you stick with it, things start to pick up around chapter four. From that point on, the book gets more interesting, and I’d say it earns a solid three to three-and-a-half stars overall.

Book Club Thoughts

My book club had mixed feelings about Bride. One member mentioned it felt like “elevated fanfiction,” which I think captures the vibe pretty well. It’s not the best romance book out there, but it’s still worth picking up if you want a fast, supernatural read.

That said, we all agreed that a bit more backstory would’ve helped. The world Hazelwood creates is full of political intrigue and supernatural politics, which are interesting, but a deeper dive into the world-building could’ve made things clearer and more immersive.

It’s a Stand Alone Romantasy Book!

One of the nice things about Bride is that it’s a standalone—at least for now. While there’s room for more stories set in this universe, you can enjoy the full story in just one book.

These days, when so many series seem to go on forever with three, four, or even five books, it’s refreshing to read something self-contained. You can dive in, enjoy it, and move on without worrying about committing to an entire series.

The Spice…

Now, let’s talk about the spice level. I’d rate it around a three-and-a-half. There’s definitely some steam in this book, but it’s not the main focus of the story.

That being said, I have to mention that some of the “spice” is… well, a bit unconventional.

Without giving too much away, let’s just say that there’s some werewolf-related content that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It certainly wasn’t mine! But hey, if you’re into that, more power to you.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Bride is a decent choice if you’re in the mood for a quick supernatural romance with a bit of intrigue and a few surprises. It might not be a five-star read, but it’s still enjoyable for what it is. Give it a shot if you’re looking for a standalone story you can breeze through!