Bride by Ali Hazelwood
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Bride

by

Ali Hazelwood

(Author)

4.4

-

31,806 ratings


#1 Indie Next Pick!

A Hall of Fame LibraryReads pick!

One of People’s Best Books to Read in February

A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

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ISBN-10

0593550404

ISBN-13

978-0593550403

Print length

416 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Berkley

Publication date

February 05, 2024

Dimensions

5.43 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches

Item weight

9.6 ounces


Product details

ASIN :

B0C9GQV1TT

File size :

2381 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

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Supported

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Editorial Reviews

Praise for Ali Hazelwood

“Another Hazelwood home run.”—People

"Bride is a delight! Passionate and witty and primal in its intensity, Ali Hazelwood's paranormal debut introduces a world as intriguing as its characters. I absolutely adored this read."—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author

“Ali Hazelwood finally gives us paranormal, with her trademark humor, twisty plot, and spice that doesn’t quit—buckle up.”—Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author on Bride

“Hazelwood unleashes her sparkling voice and wit on a paranormal Romeo and Juliet.”—Ruby Dixon, international bestselling author on Bride

“The romance that blooms from a marriage of convenience is both tender and foxy, indisputably sexy and brimming with heart.”—Isabel Cañas, USA Today Bestselling Author of Vampires of El Norte onBride

“It’s official. There’s nothing Ali Hazelwood can’t do brilliantly when it comes to writing. LOVED it.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Ali Hazelwood is a romance powerhouse and she's put me firmly back in my werewolf era.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Hannah Grace

“Everything I want and more in a paranormal romance novel.”—Lauren Asher, New York Times bestselling author on Bride

"Whenever I want a sexy, witty, delicious romance, told in a fresh and intelligent voice, I read Ali Hazelwood. Prepare to get addicted. Each book is pure joy."—Simone St. James, New York Times bestselling author

“Hazelwood is an absolute romance powerhouse.”—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren

“Funny, sexy and smart.”—New York Times bestselling author Mariana Zapata

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Sample

Chapter 1

It's been storming for three days straight when he finally returns from a meeting with the leader of the Big Bend huddle. Two of his seconds are already inside his home, waiting for him with wary expressions.

"The Vampyre woman-she backed out."

He grunts as he wipes his face. Smart of her, he thinks.

"But they found a replacement," Cal adds, sliding a manila folder on the counter. "Everything's in here. They want to know if she has your approval."

"We proceed as planned."

Cal huffs out a laugh. Flor frowns. "Don't you want to look at the-"

"No. This changes nothing."

They're all the same, anyway.

Six weeks before the ceremony

She shows up at the start-up where I work on an early Thursday evening, when the sun has already set and the entire bullpen is contemplating grievous bodily harm.

Against me.

I doubt I deserve this level of hatred, but I do understand it. And that's why I don't make a fuss when I return to my desk following a brief meeting with my manager and notice the state of my stapler. Honestly, it's fine. I work from home 90 percent of the time and rarely print anything. Who cares if someone smeared bird shit on it?

"Don't take it personally, Missy." Pierce leans against our cubicle divider. His smile is less concerned friend, more smarmy used car salesman; even his blood smells oily.

"I won't." Other people's approval is a powerful drug. Lucky me, I never got the chance to develop an addiction. If there's something I'm good at, it's rationalizing my peers' contempt toward me. I've been training like piano prodigies: tirelessly and since early childhood.

"No need to sweat it."

"I'm not." Literally. I barely own the necessary glands.

"And don't listen to Walker. He didn't say what you think he did."

Pretty sure it was "nasty bitch" and not "tasty peach" that he yelled across the conference room, but who knows?

"It comes with the territory. You'd be mad, too, if someone did a penetration test against a firewall you've been working on for weeks and breached it in what, one hour?"

It was maybe a third of that, even counting the break I took in the middle after realizing how quickly I was blowing through the system. I spent it online shopping for a new hamper, since Serena's damn cat seems to be asleep in my old one whenever I need to do laundry. I texted her a picture of the receipt, followed by You and your cat owe me sixteen dollars. Then I sat and waited for a reply, like I always do.

It didn't come. Nor had I expected it would.

"People will get over it," he Pierces on. "And hey, you never bring lunch, so no need to worry someone'll spit in your Tupperware." He bursts into laughter. I turn to my computer monitor, hoping he'll peace out. Boy, am I wrong. "And to be honest, it's kind of on you. If you tried to mingle more . . . Personally, I get your loner, mysterious, quiet vibe. But some read you as aloof, like you think you're better than us. If you made an effort to-"

"Misery."

When I hear my name called-the real one-for a split, exceptionally dumb second, I experience relief that this conversation is going to be over. Then I crane my neck and notice the woman standing on the other side of the divider. Her face is distantly familiar, and so is the black hair, but it's not until I focus on her heartbeat that I manage to place her. It's slow like only a Vampyre's can be, and . . .

Well.

Shit.

"Vania?"

"You're hard to find," she tells me, voice melodic and low. I briefly contemplate slamming my head against the keyboard. Then settle for replying calmly:

"That's by design."

"I figured."

I massage my temple. What a day. What a fucking day. "And yet, here you are."

"And yet, here I am."

"Why, hello." Pierce's smile gets a notch slimier as he turns to leer at Vania. His eyes start at her high heels, travel up the straight lines of her dark pantsuit, stop on her full breasts. I don't read minds, but he's thinking MILF so hard, I can practically hear it. "Are you a friend of Missy's?"

"You could say that, yes. Since she was a child."

"Oh my God. Do tell, how was baby Missy?"

The corner of Vania's lips twitches. "She was . . . odd, and difficult. If often useful."

"Wait-are you two related?"

"No. I'm her father's Right Hand, Head of his Guard," she says, looking at me. "And she has been summoned."

I straighten in my chair. "Where?"

"The Nest."

This is not rare-it's unprecedented. Excluding sporadic phone calls and even more sporadic meetings with Owen, I haven't spoken with another Vampyre in years. Because no one has reached out.

I should tell Vania to fuck off. I'm no longer a child stuck on a fool's errand: going back to my father with any expectations that he and the rest of my people won't be total assholes is an exercise in futility, and I'm well aware of it. But apparently this half-assed overture is making me forget, because I hear myself asking, "Why?"

"You'll have to come and find out." Vania's smile doesn't reach her eyes. I squint, like the answer is tattooed on her face. Meanwhile, Pierce reminds us of his unfortunate existence.

"Ladies. Right hand? Summon?" He laughs, loud and grating. I still want to flick his forehead and make him hurt, but I'm starting to feel a frisson of worry for this fool. "Are you guys into LARPing or . . ."

He finally shuts up. Because when Vania turns to him, no trick of the light could hide the purple hue of her eyes. Nor her long, perfectly white fangs, gleaming under the electric lights.

"Y-you . . ." Pierce looks between us for several seconds, muttering something incoherent.

And that's when Vania decides to ruin my life and snap her teeth at him.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Pierce spins on his heels and sprints past my cubicle, running over a potted benjamin fig. "Vampyre! Vampyre-there's a- A Vampyre is attacking us, someone call the Bureau, someone call the-"

Vania takes out a laminated card with the Human-Vampyre Relations Bureau logo, one that grants her diplomatic immunity in Human territory. But there's no one to look at it: the bullpen has erupted into a small panic, and most of my coworkers are screaming, already halfway down the emergency stairs. People trample each other to get to the nearest exit. I see Walker dart out of the bathroom, a strip of toilet paper dangling from his khakis, and feel my shoulders slump.

"I liked this job," I tell Vania, grabbing the framed Polaroid of me and Serena and resignedly stuffing it into my bag. "It was easy. They bought my circadian rhythm disorder excuse and let me come in at night."

"My apologies," she says. Unapologetic. "Come with me."

I should tell her to fuck off, and I will. In the meantime, I give in to my curiosity and follow her, straightening the poor benjamin fig on my way out.

The Nest is still the tallest building in the north of The City, and perhaps the most distinctive: a bloodred podium that stretches underground for hundreds of feet, topped by a mirror skyscraper that comes alive around sunset and slides back to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

I brought Serena here once, when she asked to see what the heart of the Vampyre territory was like, and she stared open-mouthed, jarred by the sleek lines and ultramodern design. She'd been expecting candelabras, and heavy velvet drapes to block the murderous sun, and the corpses of our enemies hanging from the ceiling, blood milked from their veins to the very last drop. Bat artwork, in honor of our winged, chiropterous forefathers. Coffins, just because.

"It's nice. I just thought it'd be more . . . metal?" she mused, not at all intimidated at the idea of being the only Human in an elevator full of Vampyres. The memory still makes me smile years later.

Flexible spaces, automated systems, integrated tools-that's what the Nest is. Not just the crown jewel of our territory, but also the center of our community. A place for shops and offices and errands, where anything one of us could need, from nonurgent healthcare to a zoning permit to five liters of AB positive, can be easily obtained. And then, in the uppermost floors, the builders made room for some private quarters, some of which have been purchased by the most influential families in our society.

Mostly my family.

"Follow me," Vania says when the doors swish open, and I do, flanked by two uniformed council guards who are most definitely not here to protect me. A bit offensive, that I'm being treated like an intruder in the place where I was born, especially as we walk parallel to a wall that's plastered with portraits of my ancestors. They morph over the centuries, from oils to acrylics to photographs, gray to Kodachrome to digital. What stays the same are the expressions: distant, arrogant, and frankly, unhappy. Not a healthy thing, power.

The only Lark I recognize from personal experience is the one closest to Father's office. My grandfather was already old and a little demented by the time Owen and I were born, and my most vivid memory of him is from that one time I woke up in the middle of the night to find him in my bedroom, pointing at me with trembling hands and yelling in the Tongue, something about me being destined for a grisly death.

In fairness, he wasn't wrong.

"In here," Vania says with a soft knock to the door. "The councilman is waiting for you."

I scan her face. Vampyres are not immortal; we grow old the same as every other species, but . . . damn. She looks like she hasn't aged a day since she escorted me to the Collateral exchange ceremony. Seventeen years ago.

"Is there something you need?"

"No." I turn and reach for the doorknob. Hesitate. "Is he sick?"

Vania seems amused. "You think he'd call you here for that?"

I shrug. I can't think of a single other reason he'd want to see me.

"For what? To commiserate? Or find solace in your filial affection? You have been among the Humans far too long."

"I was thinking more along the lines of him needing a kidney."

"We are Vampyres, Misery. We act for the good of the most, or not at all."

She's gone before I can roll my eyes, or serve her that "fuck off" I've been meaning to. I sigh, glance at the stone-faced guards she left behind, and then walk into my father's office.

The first things I notice are the two walls of windows, which is exactly what Father wants. Every Human I've talked with assumes that Vampyres hate light and relish darkness, but they couldn't be more wrong. The sun may be forbidden to us, toxic always and deathly in large quantities, but that's precisely why we covet it with such intensity. Windows are a luxury, because they need to be treated with absurdly expensive materials that filter everything that might harm us. And windows this large are the most bombastic of status symbols, in a full display of dynastic power and obscene wealth. And beyond them . . .

The river that slices The City into North and South-us, and them. Only a few hundred feet separate the Nest from Were territory, but the riverbank is littered with outlook towers, checkpoints, and guard posts, heavily monitored twenty-four seven. A single bridge exists, but access to it is closely surveilled in both directions, and as far as I know, no vehicle has traveled across it since well before I was born. Past that, there are a few Were security areas, and the deep green of an oak forest that stretches south for miles.

I always thought it smart of them not to build civilian settlements next to one of the most sanguinary borders in the Southwest. When Owen and I were children, before I was sent away, Father walked in on us wondering why the Vampyre headquarters had been placed so close to our most lethal enemies. "To remember," he explained. "And to remind."

I don't know. Twenty years later, it still seems pretty fucked up to me.

"Misery." Father finishes tapping at the touch screen monitor and stands from his luxury mahogany desk, unsmiling but not cold. "It's good to see you here again."

"It sure is something." The past few years have been kind to Henry Lark. I examine his tall frame, triangular face, and wide-set eyes, and I'm reminded of how much I take after him. His blond hair is a little grayer, but still perfectly slicked back. I've never seen it anything but-never seen Father less than impeccably put together. Tonight the sleeves of his white button-down may be rolled back, but meticulously so. If they're meant to trick me into thinking that this is a casual meeting, they've failed.

And that's why, when he points at the leather chair in front of his desk and says, "Sit," I decide to lean back against the door.

"Vania says you're not dying." I'm aiming for rude. Unfortunately, I think I just sound curious.

"I trust that you're healthy, too." He smiles faintly. "How have the last seven years treated you?"

There is a beautiful vintage clock behind his head. I watch it tick eight seconds before saying, "Just peachy."

"Yes?" He gives me a once-over. "You'd better remove them, Misery. Someone might mistake you for a Human."

He's referring to my brown contacts. Which I considered taking out in the car, before deciding not to bother. The problem is, there are many other signs that I've been living among the Humans, most not so quickly reversible. The fangs I shave to dull points every week, for instance, are unlikely to escape his notice. "I was at work."

"Ah, yes. Vania mentioned you have a job. Something with computers, knowing you?"

"Something like that."

He nods. "And how is your little friend? Once again safe and sound, I trust."

I stiffen. "How do you know she-"

"Oh, Misery. You didn't really think that your communications with Owen went unmonitored, did you?"

I clench my fists behind my back and seriously debate slamming the door behind me and returning home. But there must be a reason he brought me here, and I need to know it. So I take my phone out of my pocket, and once I'm sitting across from Father, I lay it face up on his desk.

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About the authors

Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author—alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

31,806 global ratings

JKom

JKom

5

A creative take on the Werewolf/Vampyre/Human AU genre

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024

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There are hundreds of authors in this genre, but I've enjoyed only a very few of the ones I've tried - Anne Bishop's The Others series; Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series; Kim Harrison's The Hollows series; and the early books (1-8) of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. Except for those four series, I've read first books of many series, sometimes the second, but then ignored subsequent sequels as not worth continuing.

It will be interesting to see where Ms. Hazelwood takes this series going forward. It's an interesting AU, one in which the vampyres are NOT the dominant species that they are in so many other stories. Except for those vampyres who have a strong "thrall", i.e. mesmerizing, ability, they are otherwise physically inferior to Weres, and numerically much fewer than either Humans or Weres.

The setting for the story is an uneasy detente between the three species, with both overt and covert political maneuvering as each species has to deal with their own internal political conflicts as well as trying to keep a semblance of peace between one another.

It's hard to maintain when there's a long history of bloodshed and hatred driving individuals to seek vengeance!

Misery, a vampyre who has always been a misfit within their society, agrees to be the bride of the strongest pack's Alpha, Lowe. Many of the werewolves are unhappy with what they consider an abomination - as are many of the vampyres. Her father, de factor leader of the vampyres, has his own reasons for agreeing to this idea.

But Misery has a plan of her own. And her arrival is going to begin a series of events that no one, not even her Macchiavellian father, will foretell.

The slow romantic build-up between Misery and Lowe is very well written. I could do without the sex scenes, as I found them on the crude side, but they can be easily skimmed over by the reader. Misery herself is a great character: smart, competent, vulnerable without being cliched about it, loyal and brave; along with a nice touch of sassiness that adds needed humor to the plot.

The dialogue is well-crafted and believable. The side characters had good detail and depth to their portrayal.

As with most first books in a series, building the AU takes a big chunk of time. Be patient; there are a lot of small scenes that set the stage for the fast and furious action that starts the denouement.

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3 people found this helpful

Heather Andronovich

Heather Andronovich

5

Good read!

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024

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This was my first Ali Hazelwood book and I love her style of writing. It’s easy to read, was funny and had a good plot! I enjoyed Misery’s character a lot, and I love that her name is Misery. Her and Lowe’s relationship made me laugh, because she’s so sassy with him and she just doesn’t care. <spoiler> Their love story also developed nicely! </Spoiler>

I also enjoyed the mystery component of the book! But I do agree with other readers that the end did feel a little rushed. But It doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book, I still highly recommend this book! I’ve been loving vampire books lately and this is no exception, especially with the werewolf addition.

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Noelle Courselle

Noelle Courselle

5

Impossibly good witty banter and genuine romance!

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024

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I just loved reading Bride! I’ve read 3 other Ali Hazelwood books, and am always uniquely challenged intellectually by her writing. This is something I grapple with and love throughout reading Hazelwood’s book.

I was excited to read a new adventure of hers that is unlike her other books, bordering on the genre of Omegaverse and monster-romance. I love the idea of “fated mates,” but I was never a huge fan of arranged marriage tropes, so I was interested to see if I would like it.

The main FMC, Misery, is witty with dry humor, and a bold personality that makes her overtly honest. We get the entire book from her perspective, so Misery’s character grows on you, as Hazelwood reveals her backstory. The MMC, Lowe, is not only a sexy, Alpha werewolf, but he also is a strong, intelligent man who is a duty-bound pack leader. The author builds and develops many other side characters in a way that makes them memorable, and important to drive the plot rather than a support for the main characters. This is something I really appreciate about all of her books, is the side characters always play a significant role in different plot points.

Their relationship is a “he-falls-first” but the fmc doesn’t know it yet, similar to the plots of her other books. However, I find the relationship between Misery and Lowe develops uniquely in different circumstances due to the Vampire/Werewolf/Human dynamic and politics that drive the plot of the book. Lowe and Misery get to know each other, share playful and teasing banter, plus the tension build-up is oh, so satisfying.

It is always an absolute pleasure to read Ali Hazelwood’s books, and there is a slight tease at the end for a sequel to this book, so I’ll be interested to see if there’s another…I really hope so! I would absolutely recommend this to others, and give it 5 stars for the reading experience, amazing characters, and stunning storytelling.

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17 people found this helpful

Whitney

Whitney

5

Loved this book and found a new favorite author

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024

Verified Purchase

Bride was recommended to me by a friend. I had just finished the Emily Wilde series, which I loved, and was searching for romantic books with older FMCs and good guy love interests.

Bride did not disappoint. The world building was wonderful and very creative. I really enjoyed reading about the different territories and the history of interactions between humans, vampires, and werewolves.

I adored the FMC. She is older, smart, and complicated. I completely related to her struggle of not feeling "at home" in the vampire territory and wanting to live among humans. Also related to her hiding her vampire appearance to blend in with humans. Who hasn't felt out of place and masked themselves in order to fit in?

The love interest was a loveable, caring, good guy. It was super refreshing after reading several stories of enemies to lovers with bad boy love interests, which are also great, but I was pleasantly suprised to fall in love with Lowe because of his sensitive heart ❤️

I loved this book so much that I immediately bought more of Ali's books. I think I found a new favorite author of cozy, romantic books that feature older (not 19), intelligent FMCs. Thank you Ali for sharing these wonderful stories.

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6 people found this helpful

@razzle.reads

@razzle.reads

5

Twilight for adults

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

📚BOOK REVIEW📚

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Spice level: 🌶️🌶️.5/3 Genre: Paranormal Romance Tropes: arranged marriage, found family, fated mates, grumpy vs. sunshine, sassy FMC, werewolves & vampyres, slow burn romance

Misery is the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre in the region, and she has been used as a bargaining chip for peace with other species her entire life. Most recently, that involved living among the Humans. Now, she is to become the wife of the Were leader to secure a historic (and previously unheard of) alliance between the Weres and the Vampyres.

As far as the Vampyres know, the Weres are ruthless and unpredictable; and their Alpha (Misery’s new husband) is no exception. As soon as she steps into Were territory, she is tracked and watched in a way that shows just how little they trust her.

Misery has her own reason for accepting this alliance/marriage: she is looking for her missing friend. And her instinct (as well as information she has found via hacking into government databases) tells her she is in the Were territory.

Throughout the story, Misery tries to find her friend and piece together what happened, as well as come to terms with the fact that everything she has been told about Weres (and even her own species, Vampyres) has been a lie.


I really enjoyed this one. It was definitely a strong debut by the author into the fantasy/paranormal. If you like her other books (and the style of her writing/humor), then you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

All of the characters had a lot of depth, and you get to see a lot of growth and development of their personalities as the story goes on. The way the romance between Lowe and Misery was woven in between the larger plot and motivation of the story was pretty seamless and kept the book from feeling boring or slow.

Misery is also absolutely hilarious as a character, and her humor/wit is incredibly entertaining (very true to how the author writes the FMC personalities).

Overall, great read. If you enjoyed vampires &amp; werewolves growing up (and possibly the Twilight saga), this is a great “adult” version of that 😂

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