I tend to really like urban fantasies, but I also have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with “romantasy” novels – mostly because they tend to have A LOT of cringy (to me) sex scenes peppered throughout. They’re easy enough to skip over, but they tend to really slow the momentum of the story for me. That said, I was intrigued by the premise of this one, and it has been getting rave reviews, so when I saw it was a selection through Aardvark this month, I went ahead and grabbed a copy. When I started reading, I expected your typical paranormal romance with a dash of forbidden love and a hefty dose of supernatural drama. What I got instead was a hilarious, witty, and intriguing tale that had me hooked from the very first page.

Misery Lark is not your typical leading lady – as the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman, she’s used to standing out – especially amongst other Vampyres. She’s so over their dramatics that she left years ago to live amongst the humans with her best friend (and human) Serena. But her life takes an unexpected turn when duty calls, and she’s forced into a marriage of convenience with the ruthless Alpha of the Weres, Lowe Moreland. Lowe is not just any Alpha – he’s the kind of brooding alpha male with whom you wouldn’t want to cross paths in a dark alley. And Misery? Well, let’s just say she’s not your typical damsel in distress.

The two aren’t at all a match made in heaven, but Misery must uphold her familial duty and settle into this marriage in order to keep the peace between the Weres and the Vampyres. Misery tells herself that it’s only for a year, and then she can move on. She can use this time to track down Serena, who went missing right before Misery was married off, and she thinks that Lowe might have something to do with it. The further Misery digs, the more she uncovers a plot that might threaten not only her own safety but also the peace between humans, Weres, and Vamps. She’s also having a difficult time keeping Lowe at arm’s length – why is he so damn sexy? She knows she shouldn’t fall for him, but what if he is falling for her as well?

I enjoyed the world Hazelwood has created and the engaging plot, but what I loved most about this book was the sharp wit and tongue-in-cheek humor delivered by Misery. Hazelwood has a knack for writing snarky banter and laugh-out-loud moments that had me chuckling often. Misery’s inner monologue is a hilarious mix of self-deprecation and sass, and Lowe’s gruff exterior masks a surprising depth of emotion that had me rooting for the couple to finally admit their feelings for one another.

But don’t let the humor fool you – “Bride” also has plenty of heart. Hazelwood deftly weaves in themes of duty, loyalty, and sacrifice, showing the lengths that people will go for the ones they love. The romance between Misery and Lowe is fiery and complex, with plenty of misunderstandings and obstacles to overcome along the way. And their chemistry? Let’s just say that sparks fly in more ways than one – and yes, there are some very spicy scenes, and if you’ve ever wondered what a werewolf’s naughty bits look like, well, look no further than chapter 22 of this book!

Another thing that I liked about this book was the way Hazelwood puts a fresh spin on familiar tropes, adding depth and complexity to well-worn archetypes of Vamps and Weres. The world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a world where Humans, Vampyres, and Weres live side by side and where ancient alliances and rivalries play out in modern ways.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. With its lovable characters, fast-paced plot, and sparkling dialogue, it’s a book that will keep you laughing and turning pages late into the night. So grab a copy, settle in with a cup of tea (or a pint of blood, if that’s more your style), and prepare to sink your teeth into this one (see what I did there?). If you’re a fan of paranormal romances, you’ll especially enjoy this one.