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A review by paperbackchlo
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Whilst Ali Hazelwood is one of my "must-read authors", I'm aware that she's never tackled Romantasy before. And being a BIG Romantasy reader, I was a little skeptical going in.
But once again, Ali Hazelwood didn't disappoint.
I loved Misery and her quick-witted jokes. I loved her relationship with Lowe and Ana. And I especially loved Ana.
I liked that there was a small bit of mystery happening with her friend Serena (and let's be honest, we all knew Lowe's mate was Misery the moment he saw her - it wasn't a big reveal at all).
But what was a big reveal, was the unexpected knot - and you know what, loved it.
The reason I couldn't give it 5 stars was because:
- The ending with Misery's dad was anti-climatic. Misery goes on and on about how she knows self-defence and is mocked at how it's basic, would've been nice to see her whip out some moves.
- I also didn't like how Lowe got off easy after offending Misery. Especially before he intentionally insulted her to keep her at bay. He said perhaps Serena just left her. I didn't like that no one believed Misery that Serena was taken except her brother.
Either way, I enjoyed it. It definitely could've been another 200 pages long, more Misery and Lowe time. Perhaps if Misery discovered they were mates halfway through, just navigating what that means in the world-building would've been great.
But in true Ali Hazelwood fashion, she likes to keep all the sexual suspense until the very end of the book.
But once again, Ali Hazelwood didn't disappoint.
I loved Misery and her quick-witted jokes. I loved her relationship with Lowe and Ana. And I especially loved Ana.
I liked that there was a small bit of mystery happening with her friend Serena (and let's be honest, we all knew Lowe's mate was Misery the moment he saw her - it wasn't a big reveal at all).
But what was a big reveal, was the unexpected knot - and you know what, loved it.
The reason I couldn't give it 5 stars was because:
- The ending with Misery's dad was anti-climatic. Misery goes on and on about how she knows self-defence and is mocked at how it's basic, would've been nice to see her whip out some moves.
- I also didn't like how Lowe got off easy after offending Misery. Especially before he intentionally insulted her to keep her at bay. He said perhaps Serena just left her. I didn't like that no one believed Misery that Serena was taken except her brother.
Either way, I enjoyed it. It definitely could've been another 200 pages long, more Misery and Lowe time. Perhaps if Misery discovered they were mates halfway through, just navigating what that means in the world-building would've been great.
But in true Ali Hazelwood fashion, she likes to keep all the sexual suspense until the very end of the book.