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A review by books_with_caity
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love vampires and werewolves and fantasy love stories. So I had such high hopes for this but in the end I had to force myself to finish it.
Firstly the world building is so lazy. The city/region this takes place in is split into thirds, one belonging to the vampyres, one to the weres, and the last to humans. Other than a few incredibly basic pieces of info we dont get to explore any of these sectors. The book is confined to 3 buildings and that is pretty much it. There is zero exploration of the world. What we learn of how the world works is also nearly non-existent, all 3 species dont like each other. Okay but why? Is there trade between species? Or does each sector have to have its own separate farms, factories etc? Where do the vampyres get their blood? We know its human and humans donate it but it is also established that despite an alliance the humans and vampyres dont like each other so how is there enough humans just voluntarily donating it? Nothing is explained
The story was incredibly predictiable in placesit was so easy to tell Mick was working against Lowe and the bits that were a genuine mystery felt boring and were constantly pushed to the side only to spring up again briefly at the end.
Misery as a character was awful, she was meant to be smart and educated but she couldnt tell if a child was 3 or 13?? Even though she herself was only 25 and from the age of 8 grew up around other children? It is just incredibly unbelievable. The constant swearing in front of a 6/7 year old as well was very off putting, i get she is meant to be not the most socially aware but still it was cringey. Its like she was trying to be edgy but just came off as rude. Misery also thinks of herself as a stonehearted bitch with little emotion when literally all she does is mope about her best friend.
The romance made little sense, the characters barely had any chemistry it was like he gave her a speck of attention and she was ready to jump into bed with himdespite her thinking he had a mate as well, which icky
The smut scenes are truely were things got too awful to bear.
I dont read smut often and this book reminded me why. It was awkward. Painfully so. It was Clumsy and not in a cute like real like way. In multiple scenes he sucks the knob at the top of her spine. Like what?? In another he finishes within like 30 seconds? By the end of every "spicy" scene I was throughly turned off.
Also do not get me started on the knotting, I know there is many people who are into this and zero judgement to them but I am convinced even they wouldnt like the way Ali Hazelwood described it.
She made it sound so incredibly boring, in the main scene of it happening afterwords they just kind of lie there for 30 minutes and Misery falls asleep until its done. Sorry but that doesnt sound like much fun.
Overall I found this book a chore. I struggle to find a single redeming quality.
My star rating system
⭐️ - finished but actively disliked
⭐️⭐️- not a fan
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - didnt mind it/maybe wasnt my cup of tea.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- really enjoyed would recommend
✨️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- loved can see myself rereading in future
Firstly the world building is so lazy. The city/region this takes place in is split into thirds, one belonging to the vampyres, one to the weres, and the last to humans. Other than a few incredibly basic pieces of info we dont get to explore any of these sectors. The book is confined to 3 buildings and that is pretty much it. There is zero exploration of the world. What we learn of how the world works is also nearly non-existent, all 3 species dont like each other. Okay but why? Is there trade between species? Or does each sector have to have its own separate farms, factories etc? Where do the vampyres get their blood? We know its human and humans donate it but it is also established that despite an alliance the humans and vampyres dont like each other so how is there enough humans just voluntarily donating it? Nothing is explained
The story was incredibly predictiable in places
Misery as a character was awful, she was meant to be smart and educated but she couldnt tell if a child was 3 or 13?? Even though she herself was only 25 and from the age of 8 grew up around other children? It is just incredibly unbelievable. The constant swearing in front of a 6/7 year old as well was very off putting, i get she is meant to be not the most socially aware but still it was cringey. Its like she was trying to be edgy but just came off as rude. Misery also thinks of herself as a stonehearted bitch with little emotion when literally all she does is mope about her best friend.
The romance made little sense, the characters barely had any chemistry it was like he gave her a speck of attention and she was ready to jump into bed with him
The smut scenes are truely were things got too awful to bear.
I dont read smut often and this book reminded me why. It was awkward. Painfully so. It was Clumsy and not in a cute like real like way.
Also do not get me started on the knotting, I know there is many people who are into this and zero judgement to them but I am convinced even they wouldnt like the way Ali Hazelwood described it.
She made it sound so incredibly boring, in the main scene of it happening afterwords they just kind of lie there for 30 minutes and Misery falls asleep until its done. Sorry but that doesnt sound like much fun.
Overall I found this book a chore. I struggle to find a single redeming quality.
My star rating system
⭐️ - finished but actively disliked
⭐️⭐️- not a fan
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - didnt mind it/maybe wasnt my cup of tea.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- really enjoyed would recommend
✨️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- loved can see myself rereading in future