Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Bride

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

998 reviews

engage's review against another edition

2.75

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

I just could not get behind the characterization of Misery (fmmc). I found her snark and sarcasm to be so grating at times and her pov was just sometimes so jarring and incoherent (especially in this genre) that it took me out of the story so much. the writing is pretty good so it’s a shame that the narrative style and characterization is often times weak.

everyone else was more interesting that Misery and as far as the romance went I felt like there was an over-reliance on the soulmates trope to do most of the heavy lifting with the emotions and not nearly enough time spent actually writing them growing to like each other. Like ok they’re ~soulmates~ but do they actually like each other? some aspects of their relationship growth felt so rushed and almost unbelievable to me.

I also felt at times there were scenes that were just too on the nose especially concerning the mate/soulmates thing. A much more subtle approach would have made the story better and enriched the narrative with depth. The world building felt lackluster. I was thinking this was some fantasy world more or less because of everything being called “The Southwest” or “The City” only for Lowe to mention California lol. Like more grounding details would have made a huge difference.

The one thing I did enjoy was I didn’t expect who the bad guy would be at all. That was a great angle/plot point. However, super villain monologues are boring. Info-dumping things at the 11th hour feels like a deus ex machina of its own. Needless to say, I’m sure if you just want to read this to get to the vampire/werewolf sex then have at it. But if you’re looking for something with a rich narrative and better than subpar characterizations for the female main character… Oh well. Better luck next time.

Content Warnings

carlyoc's review against another edition

4.0

funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

With a main character named Misery, I think this was a missed opportunity to title the book Misery Loves Company. I think that would have fit the quirky romance vibe.
This was my first time coming across a certain unique aspect of werewolf romance based on canine reproductive features. I was very confused when I read that part.
Overall, an enjoyable book but I think I like Hazelwood's Steminist novellas better.

Content Warnings

nerual1991's review against another edition

4.0

funny lighthearted 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: Yes

Content Warnings

styxmermaid's review against another edition

4.0

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I enjoyed this book. I'm kinda surprised if it has the low views that I've seen, but I thought it was interesting. I liked the mix of fantasy lore with modern day technology. I will say that Ali Hazelwood's characters seem to be very similar as far as the FMC is concerned. But I do like that they are generally more mature and aren't whiny.

Content Warnings