Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 25/10/2024
Published by: Little, Brown Audio
ISBN: B0C8ZM4KFK
‘Bride’ may not be a particularly strong romantasy, but it was an easy and surprisingly entertaining read.
Similar read: Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
Cover:
I cannot get past the basic wolf illustration and greyscale colour scheme, which make this cover look tacky. However, the bold splash of red from the text and on Misery’s lips makes the design striking and hints at the dangers lurking within the story.
Writing:
The casual, witty narrative quickly drew me in and smoothly brought this story to life. Although the fantasy world-building is generally presented in information dumps and felt underdeveloped, it was enough to support the fairly simple storyline.
Other people’s approval is a powerful drug. Lucky me, I never got the chance to develop an addiction
Storyline:
The story dives straight in, introducing the marriage of convenience needed to ease political tensions among the different species (humans, weres and vampires). I soon found myself invested in the political intrigue, which was entertaining and had some surprising twists. The romance woven into this was adorable and heartwarming but also very predictable, and the final conflict fell flat for me. Still, the ending ties up the storyline nicely and leaves the door open for a sequel featuring two secondary characters, which could be interesting.
Main character(s):
Despite the explanation for Misery’s unusual name, I still find it weird. However, her character quickly grew on me because of her sharp wit, stubborn determination and caring nature. Lowe’s character also tugged at my heartstrings with his strong sense of duty. Even though we don’t have much of his perspective, his feelings were always obvious and well-expressed.
Secondary characters:
Lowe’s little sister Ana was utterly adorable, and their cute bond made her character stand out. It was great to see Misery gradually fit into their dynamic, and I loved how this connection showcased the nurturing sides of both main characters. Other secondary characters, like Serna, Alex, Owen, and Juno, also shone with distinct personalities and roles that made them memorable.
Maybe some things transcend reciprocity. Maybe not everything is about having.
Romance:
Even with Misery’s obliviousness, the chemistry between the main characters was hard to miss from the start. Their connection gradually developed as they spent time together, and the mutual support they provided each other was sweet. However, I could not help but roll my eyes at the cheesy final moments and smut – what the knot was that about?!
Narration & Audio:
While it took me some time to settle into this audiobook, Therese Plummer’s (and Will Damron’s) narration eventually won me over. Therese generally captured the nuances of the witty narrative and emotions with engaging vocal variety. Only the limited character voices that blurred the line between dialogue and narrative weakened the listening experience for me.
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